Glacial processes
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the glacial processes of erosion, transportation and deposition.
Key learning points
- Glaciers erode the landscape by plucking and abrasion.
- Eroded material called moraine is moved by the glacier in a process called transportation.
- When the ice melts, moraine is dropped in the process of deposition.
Keywords
Plucking - when meltwater at a glacier's base refreezes to bedrock, loosened rocks will be torn away as the glacier moves forwards, here rocks freeze to a glacier and are pulled from the ground as it moves
Abrasion - where rocks carried beneath the ice scratch and sandpaper the bedrock
Moraine - a ridge or mound of debris deposited by a glacier
Common misconception
Glaciers are white.
Glaciers can appear dirty because they carry material.
Teacher tip
There are lots of videos and animations available online to show plucking and abrasion in action.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What are the two main types of cold environments?
Q2.Which of these is a type of ice formation found in cold climates?
Q3.How does ice help keep Earth's temperature stable?
Q4.What is an iceberg?
Q5.Which of these countries is known for having a cold environment with glaciers and ice?
Q6.Where are most of the world's glaciers located?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which of these statements is true?
Q2.What is the process called when a glacier moves and shapes the land beneath it?
Q3.Which of the following describes glacial erosion by plucking?
Q4.Which of the following describes glacial erosion by abrasion?
To help you plan your 9 geography lesson on: Glacial processes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 geography lesson on: Glacial processes, 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.