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ScienceHistoryStorytelling

Erosion Storyboards

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Grades 3-545-60 minSource: Creative Dad Company

Kids run a simple stream table to watch water reshape land in real time, then draw a comic that traces one pebble's journey downstream and connects it to how real rivers carved famous landmarks.

Budget levels

Materials list coming soon to members

Materials links go to Amazon. Prices are estimates and may change. As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases.

Quick Start

Digital downloads only. $0 to buy. Printing is noted separately.

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one class period, one day.

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one class period on a single day.

Scale back: Fit it into a shorter period, use fewer effects, or run a demo instead of a build.

Scale up: Add one extra effect, or spread the share-out across another day.

Ambiance video

Ambiance video coming soon from Creative Dad Studio

Full Experience

Up to $25 per class (class of about 30, 6 groups).

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one day.

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one school day.

Scale back: Fit the build into one period with fewer effects.

Scale up: Spread the work across days, or add more effects.

Total Transformation

The bigger kit, priced per class (class of about 30, 6 groups).

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one day (one session, one-day event).

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one session, a one-day event.

Scale back: Shorten the event, or run a demo for a smaller audience.

Scale up: Spread the build and the event across days, or invite a bigger audience.

Choose your version

Every level teaches the same core idea — pick the one that fits your time, budget, and energy today.

Student time: 45 min, one class periodTeacher prep / build-ahead: 10 min$0 to buy. Printing noted separately.One table or a clear section of floorBeginner-friendly

Setup

Place common or recycled supplies for Erosion Storyboards on one work surface and choose a safe area for the test. Read the four activity directions aloud; drawings, paper models, and household substitutes may replace specialized materials, and no digital tool is required.

Activity

  1. Build a small hill of sand in one end of the tray and predict what will happen when water flows over it.
  2. Slowly pour cups of water at the top of the hill and observe where the sand moves and how channels form.
  3. Repeat with the hill built at a steeper angle, measuring which slope erodes fastest.
  4. Draw a four panel comic showing one pebble's journey from the hilltop to the bottom, and add a caption connecting it to a real place, like the Grand Canyon, shaped by the same process over millions of years.

Ambiance video

Ambiance video coming soon from Creative Dad Studio

Done when: The group produces the Erosion Storyboards solution, completes the described test, makes the revision called for by the evidence, and supports its final explanation with an observed or measured result.

Materials

Aluminum baking tray, sand or dirt, small rocks, cups of water, paper for drawing

Shown for the Quick Start version — switch tabs above to see what changes.

Materials links go to Amazon. Prices are estimates and may change.

As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases.

Steps

  1. Build a small hill of sand in one end of the tray and predict what will happen when water flows over it.
  2. Slowly pour cups of water at the top of the hill and observe where the sand moves and how channels form.
  3. Repeat with the hill built at a steeper angle, measuring which slope erodes fastest.
  4. Draw a four panel comic showing one pebble's journey from the hilltop to the bottom, and add a caption connecting it to a real place, like the Grand Canyon, shaped by the same process over millions of years.

Standards mapped

  • NGSS · 4-ESS2-1

    Make observations and/or measurements to provide evidence of the effects of weathering or the rate of erosion by water, ice, wind, or vegetation.