G2 Unit 4 Week 2

Weekly Concept Earth Changes Essential Question  How does the Earth change?

Our Changing Earth Did you know that the Earth is always changing?The water in this canyon is slowly washing away the rocks. Water can have powerful properties. Water can wash away rocks and land in rivers and waterfalls. Water can wash away sand at the beach. Talk About It Talk with a partner about what could cause the Earth to change quickly. Write your ideas on the web.

Vocabulary Use the picture and sentence to learn each word.

Your Turn Pick three words. Write three questions for your partner to answer.

Genre·Expository Text Into the Sea Essential Question How does the Earth change? Read to learn how ocean waves change beaches over time.

What Is Erosion? Have you ever made a sand castle at the beach?You must pick a good spot for it. If it is too close to the water, waves will quickly wash it away. Ocean waves and wind can also wash away land. They can change the shape of an island, which is land circled by water. When wind and water change the shape of Earth, it is called erosion. Waves are the biggest cause of erosion at the beach. Ocean waves are always active and moving onto the shore. They carry the sand away bit by bit. Strong waves are one of the properties of big storms. These waves explode as they crash onto the beach. Storm waves can move a lot of sand quickly.