Glacial landforms
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I understand how glaciers shape the landscape through erosion and I can identify and describe key glacial landforms.
Key learning points
- Glaciers create wide U-shaped valleys through the process of erosion.
- Truncated spurs are formed when a glacier cuts off interlocking spurs.
- Corries are bowl-shaped hollows found on the side of hills and mountains.
- Aretes are sharp peaks formed by two glaciers wearing down either side of a mountain.
Keywords
Corrie - a steep-sided hollow at the head of a valley or on a mountainside
Truncated spur - a ridge that ends in a steep cliff face where an interlocking spur formed by rivers has been cut off by a glacier
Arete - a narrow ridge of rock between two valleys
U-shaped valley - a valley with steep, straight sides and a flat bottom, formed by the movement and scouring action of a glacier
Common misconception
Truncated spurs are created soley by glaciers.
Truncated spurs started as interlocking spurs which are a fluvial feature formed by rivers. Glaciers then modify this landform through erosion.
Teacher tip
Explore glacial features found in the Lake District and around the globe using Google Earth.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a glacier?
Q2.Where are most glaciers found?
Q3.How do glaciers form?
Q4.What is abrasion?
Q5.What type of environment do glaciers form in?
Q6.Where are most of the world's glaciers located?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What type of valley do glaciers create?
Q2.What is a corrie?
Q3.What is an arête?
Q4.What is a truncated spur?
To help you plan your 9 geography lesson on: Glacial landforms, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 geography lesson on: Glacial landforms, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 geography lessons from the Ice and glaciers: How are cold places affected by a warming planet? unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.