Will a mountain last forever?

“The kids loved shaking the sugar cubes and easily made connections to their learning. ”

· Carmen · Teacher · about 5 years ago

“The activity was awesome! It really demonstrated how rocks erode.”

· Terri · Teacher · about 5 years ago

“Awesome lesson. Really demonstrated how weathering and erosion take place over time. ”

· David · Teacher · about 5 years ago

“This was an awesome lesson, and my students enjoyed shaking the cubes. The directions allowed me to keep everyone at the same spot.”

· Stacie · Teacher · about 5 years ago

“We had so many great discussions about the power of water, seeds, erosion, and so much more! Great lesson!”

· Jennifer · Homeschooler · about 5 years ago

“The best part was the experiment. When the students saw how the sugar cubes where changing their shape then they had a better understanding of what happens to a mountain.”

· Miriam · Teacher · about 5 years ago

“Students were engaged and excited when they could physically see what was happening after each time the sugar cubes were shaken! ”

· Katie · Teacher · about 5 years ago

“The children loved seeing the pyramids and the effects of the trees growing through, around, etc. Doing the sugar cube experiment was especially fun and they actually got to see the changes made in the cubes and relate it to rocks.”

· Linda · Teacher · over 5 years ago

“Great lesson! My entire class of 29 students was engaged from start to end. Easy to follow instructions.”

· Jade · Teacher · over 5 years ago

“My students loved the activity. They really liked the experiment. The videos were informative too. This has been one of my class's favorite experiments. ”

· Olivia · Teacher · about 6 years ago

“Shaking the cubes and seeing what happened, also being ok being wrong in predictions - we all make mistakes.”

· Rebekah · Homeschooler · about 7 years ago

“My students really liked comparing the shaken cubes to the one left out, they could see how the edges become rounded and "eroded". Much more fun than dragging out the rock tumbler and waiting days for a result!”

· · Teacher · about 7 years ago

“The students LOVED that their predictions were no where near the actual results. ...And they were okay with it!”

· Staci · Teacher · over 7 years ago

“We loved this mystery! The students enjoyed brainstorming experiments, and were very scientific while completing sugar shake. Mystery Science continues to be an asset as it keeps the students excited about learning.”

· Marie · Teacher · over 7 years ago

“Absolutely love your website & service so far! The kids loved the intro lesson with the videos and discussion questions. Then we did the Sugar Shake today and they had a blast. Love the step-by-step video instructions, and the easy to do experiment. Keep the topics coming!!!”

· Victoria · Teacher · over 7 years ago

“I loved the video that helped give background knowledge and allowed them to share their ideas with each other. Very interactive! Gave the students a sense of how rocks can break down due to erosion.”

· Andrea · Teacher · over 7 years ago

“It's always awesome with Mystery Science! The kids love it and I do too! ”

· Alison · Teacher · over 7 years ago

“The kids loved sugar shake and understood the concept of erosion. ”

· Crystal · Teacher · over 7 years ago

“This was a great hands-on lesson for getting the point across AND the wiggles out! We substituted what we had on-hand (M&Ms) and were still able see the effect of "weathering."”

· Julie · Homeschooler · over 7 years ago

“LOADS of "connections" for our weathering focus.”

· Sharon · Teacher · over 7 years ago

“the extended lesson with beans made a huge impact”

· Diane · Teacher · over 7 years ago

“Kids liked the sugar shaking and it was well structured with partners switching off tasks.”

· Alisha · Teacher · over 7 years ago

“They loved to watch the erosion first hand. The activities are engaging but the follow up activities are just a great.”

· Jodi · Teacher · over 7 years ago

“I loved the idea of marking the edges of the sugar cube. This really helped the students see the weathering that was taking place.”

· Darcie · Teacher · almost 8 years ago

“The stopping for discussion questions. We also took it a step farther by designing our own experiments for rock tumbling - engineering! I love how clear and focused the lesson/narration are, and how they relate to the slides, videos and photos. The step by step directions for the activity are phenomenal and get my students engaged and thinking about the content. Keep the NGSS related lessons coming!!! Thanks.”

· Michelle · Teacher · almost 8 years ago

“I like the lessons because they are very hands-on, and the students also have to get into the habit of recording their observations as they go, and then use that data to answer questions.The videos are awesome too! We replayed the landslides in the next lesson over and over again.”

· Amy · Teacher · almost 8 years ago

“Students made great conclusions about the process of erosion. They loved the sugar shake. I was impressed with how much learning took place.”

· Karen · Teacher · almost 8 years ago

“The sugar shake was the best part!!! They loved it and it made the experience SO memorable!”

· Christa · Teacher · almost 8 years ago

“The step by step directions were perfect. The video complimented the work we were doing in class on the processes which shape the Earth.”

· Atra · Teacher · almost 8 years ago

“This is the best site ever! My students were completely engaged and even I learned quite a bit. I'm looking forward to more and more units. Great real life video and I love the experiments and open endedness that's given to the students.”

· · Teacher · almost 8 years ago

“The lesson was super engaging, the kids really enjoyed the experiment. This lesson, like others got my kids interacting more with each other more than they do in other subject areas. ”

· Lorenzo · Teacher · almost 8 years ago

“I can't get over how attentive the kids are during these lessons. ”

· Brittany · Teacher · almost 8 years ago

“The kids loved shaking the "rocks" and were able to make great connections to the learning in other parts of the day. Over recess, they brought in rocks and we tried to determine whether they were top of the mountain or bottom of the mountain rocks. ”

· Tarehna · Teacher · almost 8 years ago

“My students loved the experiment! Once again simple prep and it created inquisitive students! Thanks!”

· Laura · Teacher · almost 8 years ago

“The visuals were easy to unstand, complex enough but not cluttered. The story was interesting and slow moving enough for the kiddos to grasp the concepts. All of my students were successful, from my lowest achievers to my most talented thinkers.”

· Patti · Teacher · almost 8 years ago

“The kids loved the activity! Very simple, yet effective.”

· Jennifer · Teacher · almost 8 years ago

“I loved how it brought you through the activity step by step and showed video that would replay of how to do each step. Some of my students really needed that visual. My students loved it!! They were very engaged and excited :) ”

· Kristina · Teacher · almost 8 years ago

“This was my time using Mystery Science, and it was a great experience. Students scored better on my assessment and were more engaged throughout the entire lesson. I will be using this resource far more often in the future. ”

· Seth · Teacher · almost 8 years ago

“The students loved every activity in this unit. They were spot on with what needed to be taught and everything was right there, the clips, guides, assessments. Awesome!”

· Loni · Teacher · almost 8 years ago

“Wow! Great visual with the sugar cubes! It was loud, exciting, and highly engaging! We LOVED it!!!”

· Holly · Teacher · almost 8 years ago

“I really liked the activity and the question it posed to the kids. It did a great job of leading the kids to think about how they could have changed or adapted the experiment.”

· Kathy · Teacher · almost 8 years ago

“Students were engaged throughout the whole lesson. I love the ease of planning and gathering materials for this unit!”

· Donna · Teacher · almost 8 years ago

“This resource is AMAZING! Truly grab n'go. My students learned so much and had a great time.”

· Anne · Teacher · about 8 years ago

“I am in love with Mystery Science! You guys are awesome!!!!”

· Jenny · Teacher · about 8 years ago

“Hearing the students discuss the various changes occurring with their sugar cubes and making comparisons to what must happen to real rocks. ”

· Jenifer · Teacher · about 8 years ago

“One of our favorite lessons yet! The kids were so excited about root and ice wedging they wanted to go right outside to find examples of that in our own yard and driveway. The sugar cube experiment was a huge hit. Thanks for another fun and educational science lesson!”

· Kira · Homeschooler · about 8 years ago

“So detailed - the instructions for the activity were very specific - just like I would have given! LOVE it!”

· Natalie · Teacher · about 8 years ago

“The kids totally understood that the sugar cubes were standing in for real rocks, and that the action of shaking them should mimic the motion of rocks tumbling down a mountainside. They decided they should all shake up and down, because that was closer to what a real rock would do coming down the mountain. I didn't expect that strong of a connection, but they got it on their own! I feel like they are becoming scientific thinkers and I love it!”

· Monica · Teacher · about 8 years ago

“The students were actively involved. They loved the SUgar Shake! The Yosemite video left quite an impression on my third graders. This Mystery was great to show the scientific method in practice. We intend to use more of these lessons!”

· Sally · Teacher · about 8 years ago

“The best part was the gasp of realization that the cracks in our sidewalks are caused by root wedging. The students couldn't stay quiet in line the next time we walked to another part of the school, pointing out the trees nearby as the culprits of the sidewalk cracks!”

· Amelia · Teacher · about 8 years ago

“It came down to the activity tying all the complex ideas together. Super engaging and clearly demonstrated the answer to the question that mountains can't last forever. My students are loving these lessons, well organized with integrated technology as well as tons of extension and reading materials. ”

· Kelly · Teacher · over 8 years ago

“LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS! SO MUCH LEARNING! They are off to try it with rocks and sugar, rocks and croutons, and go outside to look for rock slides like Yosemite National Park. We live in the Piedmont! We can take Skyline Drive and look rock slides... I'm scared with that windy road right under the mountain sides. ”

· Samantha · Homeschooler · over 8 years ago

“Finally! My students were able to see how root/ice wedging work. It is such a difficult concept to explain or find visuals for, but this mystery has perfect visuals built in! I have never had more engagement, at any given time I had 15+ hands in the air!”

· Kara · Teacher · over 8 years ago

“It makes it so much easier to understand the scientific method. I need to teach my second class now.”

· Susan · Teacher · over 8 years ago

“A smart way to represent erosion and weathering. A lesson the students will always remember.”

· Erica · Teacher · over 8 years ago

“Awesome Lesson. Could of definitely had this as a back up emergency lesson it was SO fail proof! LOVED IT!! ”

· Laura · Teacher · over 8 years ago

“Great visuals and wonderful explanations. I love the advice to go out and see seed wedging in action.”

· Niesha · Homeschooler · over 8 years ago

“I am continually impressed by the lessons on Mystery Science. My children are fully engaged in the lessons each time. I didn't expect my children to like brainstorming because its not as hands on. They really got into their creative mode and had of fun!”

· Katrina · Homeschooler · over 8 years ago

“Inquiry throughout! My students were engaged, and loved the sugar cube exploration!”

· Kara · Teacher · over 8 years ago

“Fabulous! The timing of the videos, the vocabulary used,and the facts. My students are psyched to do it again. ”

· Tammy · Teacher · over 8 years ago

“As a former science teacher, now homeschooling my son, I am LOVING these lessons! The science is solid, and the content is engaging. My son loves it (especially when my hypothesis was "wrong" he loves explaining to me why I was wrong lol). He's learning a lot, and having fun, too!”

· Erin · Homeschooler · over 8 years ago

“Awesome~! Love that it doesn't cost a lot to do these experiments and they are step by step! So teacher friendly. One of the best sites I have found in 25 years of teaching Elem Science.”

· Michelle · Teacher · over 8 years ago

Sugar Shake Data worksheet	1 per student
Markers Washable. Do not use permanent marker.	Details 2 markers per pair
Paper Plates	1 plate per pair
Plastic Containers w/ Lids	1 container per pair
Sugar Cubes	5 cubes per pair

Spanish narration on!

Click play to start.

¿Una montaña dura para siempre?

montaña

desgaste

cuña de raíz

congelación

cuña de hielo

erosión

modelo

experimento

Image & Video Credits

20 mins

45 mins

Extend this lesson

Vocabulary

Reading

Video

Activity

Transcripts

Spanish narration on!

Click play to start.

¿Una montaña dura para siempre?

montaña

desgaste

cuña de raíz

congelación

cuña de hielo

erosión

modelo

experimento

Image & Video Credits

Featured Reviews

Activity Prep

20 mins

45 mins

Extend this lesson

Vocabulary

Reading

Video

Activity

Transcripts

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