Mississippi Science E.2.10.4

Science2nd GradeEarth and Space Science

The Standard

E.2.10: Students will demonstrate an understanding of how humans use Earth’s resources.

Use informational text, other media, and first-hand observations to investigate and communicate the process and consequences of soil erosion.

2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science · Earth’s Resources

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students observe soil move when water or wind carries it. They use what they saw, a short text, and a video to explain where the soil went and what changed.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can point out soil washed from a slope and collected at the bottom. They can use an observation and a detail from a text or video to explain why plants may lose soil around their roots.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think soil disappears when rain washes it away. They may notice muddy water but miss that the mud came from soil somewhere else.
How to Assess It: Show before-and-after photos of a soil tray after water was poured on it. Ask, “Where did the soil go, what moved it, and what might happen to a plant on the slope?”

Lesson moves

Pour equal cups of water over two soil trays, one bare and one covered with leaves, and compare the runoff.
Read a one-page illustrated article and show a short erosion clip, then ask, “Where did the soil end up?”
Give pairs four cards showing a bare slope, rain, muddy runoff, and exposed roots; have them order and explain the pictures.
Show a photo of soil collected beside a storm drain; have students mark where the soil may have come from.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to E.2.10.4, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

Keep exploring

Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.