This learning resource is available in interactive and printable formats. The interactive worksheet can be played online and assigned to students. The Printable PDF version can be downloaded and printed for completion by hand.
This Grade 4-5 science passage explores the fascinating process of how wind picks up and carries sand, changing the surface of the Earth. Students will learn about important concepts such as erosion, deposition, and how landforms like sand dunes are created and shaped by the wind. The passage provides clear explanations of key vocabulary, real-world examples, and ends with an interesting science fact. Designed to meet NGSS standards, this resource includes an English and Spanish reading passage, a glossary, a multiple-choice quiz, and writing activities to deepen understanding. The content is audio integrated and ideal for use in classrooms or at home to improve science comprehension and vocabulary. Keywords such as wind, sand, erosion, deposition, and dunes are emphasized for easy reference. This resource is perfect for helping students connect scientific concepts to everyday life and develop critical thinking skills.
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Wind erosion and deposition can also change landscapes. Image by music4life / Source: Pixabay.
Wind is moving air that can change the shape of Earth's surface. When wind blows across rocks, soil, and sand, it picks up tiny particles and carries them to new places. This process is called erosion, which means the wearing away and moving of Earth's materials.
Wind erosion happens slowly over time. As wind carries sand and small rocks, these particles act like sandpaper, scraping against larger rocks and wearing them down. In deserts, where there are few plants to hold the soil in place, wind can move huge amounts of sand. This creates sand dunes, which are hills of sand that can grow very tall. Sand dunes are always changing shape as wind continues to move the sand.
Wind can also create unusual rock formations. In places like the American Southwest, you can see rocks with strange shapes and smooth surfaces. These rocks were carved by millions of years of wind carrying sand particles that slowly wore away the softer parts of the rock. The harder parts remained, creating interesting shapes like arches and towers.
Plants help protect the land from wind erosion. Their roots hold soil in place, and their leaves block some of the wind. Without plants, wind can remove the top layer of soil, which is important for growing food.
Interesting Fact: Some sand dunes can be as tall as a 30-story building and make a humming or booming sound when the wind blows across them!
What is erosion?
Building up new mountainsWearing away and moving Earth's materialsPlanting trees and grassMaking rain clouds
What are sand dunes?
Hills made of sandTypes of plantsLarge rocksUnderground caves
How do plants help prevent erosion?
They make more windThey create sand dunesTheir roots hold soil in placeThey break down rocks
Why does wind cause more erosion in deserts?
Deserts have stronger windsThere are few plants to hold soilDesert rocks are softerDeserts have more rain
How do sand particles shape rocks?
They melt the rocksThey polish rocks smoothThey act like sandpaper and scrape rocksThey glue rocks together
What creates unusual rock formations like arches?
People carving the rocksWind erosion over millions of yearsEarthquakes shaking the groundAnimals digging tunnels
Wind erosion happens quickly in just days.
TrueFalse
What does the word 'particles' mean?
Very large bouldersTypes of plantsVery small pieces of materialStrong wind storms
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• Reading curriculum support
• Independent reading practice
• Progress monitoring
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