This document provides an overview and examples of a science investigation station program taking place in elementary school libraries. It describes setting up 5 interactive stations for students related to a 5th grade science unit on landforms and how they change over time. Each station includes hands-on activities, materials, and task cards to guide students in making observations and answering questions about topics like rock identification, landform maps, computer games, and a experiment on weathering. Examples of station activities, materials, and task cards are provided. The document also includes ideas for wrapping up the station experience and getting student feedback through discussion and exit cards.

1. Science
Investigation
Stations in the
Library
Lisa.Hettler@nisd.net
Sylvia.Stadler@nisd.net
Stacie.Tharp@nisd.net

2. ● Need for 5th grade science help
● Increasing teacher-librarian collaboration
● Program overview
○ pilot group, idea
○ guidelines to follow
○ the lesson plan format
What is Science Investigation
Stations in the Library?

3. ● Identify the Elementary Science TEKS for the
lesson.
● For this example:
○ (5.7) The student knows Earth’s surface is constantly
changing and consists of useful resources. The
student is expected to:
■ (B) recognize how landforms such as deltas,
canyons, and sand dunes are the result of changes
to Earth’s surface by wind, water, and ice.
● Identify any appropriate library standards
Getting Started

4. Choosing the book is important.
Try to find a narrative nonfiction.
For the Erosion and Weathering:
Read Aloud Activity
The Book

5. Provide activities for at least 3 stations for
student to do hands-on, interactive,
independent stations. One station should be
technology based/database. Each station
should include:
○ Materials (books on weathering, erosion, rocks, field
guides, etc. should be available at each station)
○ Procedures for students including task cards
○ Vocabulary cards at each station to help spur
scientific questioning and discussion
The Stations

6. ● Rock & Minerals - rock words on cards,
property of minerals cards, assorted
collection of rocks containing minerals,
copper penny, nail, glass, steel file
○ http://www.rocksforkids.
com/RFK/identification.html
● Station 1 Task Card Example
Station 1: Free Exploration Station

7. INVESTIGATION STATION
1. Using the materials provided at this
station, investigate and record observations
in your science journal.
Station 1 Task Card Example

8. ● Students will view the landform model
and then answer 2-3 of the sticky note
questions.
● Students then use watercolors to add to
Landform posters
● Station 2 Task Card
Station 2: Landforms

9. 1. Review the landform map.
2. Choose one area and answer 2 of the sticky
note questions in your science journal.
3. Once you have answered the questions,
then you may select one of the landform
posters and add a watercolor drawing of the
particular landform
Station 2 Task Card Example

10. ● Watch video from United Streaming (ex.:
Let’s Talk Geography: Landforms), then
play Kinetic City-Shape it Up Online
Game (website game available at http:
//www.kineticcity.
com/mindgames/warper/)
● Station 3 Task Card
Station 3: Computer Station

11. LANDFORMS
1. Watch Let’s Talk Geography: Landforms on United
Streaming
2. Go to: http://www.kineticcity.
com/mindgames/warper/
3. Play Shape it Up game
Station 3 Task Card Example

12. ● Wind and Weathering-
● Weathering and Wind Center
○ Center directions and materials list
● Student recording sheet
○ Student recording page for this experiment
Station 4: Changes to Landforms

13. Question: How does the size of rock carried by the wind affect the weathering
of a larger rock?
Materials: 1 film canister*, 1 small rock, 1 piece coarse-grained sandpaper
(cut to fit inside the canister), hand lens (per student)
* can use a toothpick or medicine pill canister if a film canister is not available
Procedure:
1. Using the hand lens, observe the sandpaper inside the film canister.
1. Put one rock into the film canister.
3. Shake the canister for one minute.
4. After one minute, open the canister and observe the rock and the
appearance of the sandpaper. Record your observations in your data table.
5. Repeat step 4 for a total of 5 trials.
Wind and Weathering: Center
Directions

14. Data:
Record your data in the table for the effect of the rock on the sandpaper. Make
sure to use a hand lens to observe the changes to the sandpaper after each
trial.
Questions:
1. What changes did you observe in the sandpaper after the 5th
trial?
2. Where might you see a similar type of weathering in nature?
_____
Student Recording Sheet Example
1st Trial
2nd Trial
3rd Trial
4th Trial
5th Trial

15. ● Landforms Videos on Discovery
Education Streaming “Landforms” (1:35)
and “Uplifting and Erosion: How
Landforms are Formed” (1:06)
● Weathering and Erosion Jeopardy
● Station 5 Task Card Example
Station 5: Weathering and Erosion
Jeopardy

16. Station 5 Task Card
Landforms/Weathering and Erosion Jeopardy
1. Watch “Landforms” (1:35) and “Uplifting and
Erosion: How Landforms are Formed” (1:06) on
Discovery Education Streaming
2. In your science journal answer the following
questions: What three elements is the Earth
constantly exposed to? What two processes cause
landforms?
3. Go to: http://www.regentsearthscience.
com/jeopardy/erosion/jeopardy.htm and play the Jeopardy
game.

17. Have a oral discussion with students then use
exit cards:
● Exit Card #1 Tell me the most interesting
thing you learned about weathering and
erosion
● Exit Card #2 Tell me one thing you learned
from the stations that you did not know
before today
● Exit Card #3 My favorite station was…
● Examples
Wrapping it Up

18. Stations in Action

19. Stations in Action

20. Non Negotiables
1. In the library
2. Free choice

21. SISL Library Blog
http://libblog.nisd.net/sisl/cracking-uperosion/

22. Questions?
Comments?
Thank you!