Glacier formation
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain what glaciers are, how they form and why they move.
Key learning points
- Glaciers are large slow-moving rivers of ice.
- The frozen parts of our planet are collectively known as the cryosphere.
- Glaciers are made up of snow and ice that has been compressed over many years.
- Glaciers begin to move under the force of gravity.
Keywords
Cryosphere - the frozen parts of our planet
Glacier - a huge accumulation of ice and snow that moves slowly over land down slope under the force of gravity
Gravity - the force by which a planet, or other large body, draws objects to its centre
Common misconception
Glaciers are made of salt water
Glaciers are made of fresh water from snow and rain
Teacher tip
Use a GIS and use the term 'glacier' in the search to investigate parts of the world that are frozen.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.During which period were winters especially harsh and some rivers in Europe froze?
Q2.What is one reason why global cooling can occur?
Q3.What is a key effect of global warming on oceans?
Q4.How did the ice sheets affect the land in the UK?
Q5.What happened when the climate began to warm 19 000 years ago?
Q6.What happened to animal and plant life after the Ice Age?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What percentage of Earth's land area is currently covered by glaciers?
Q2.Where is the Mer de Glace located?
Q3.How long can it take for snow to turn into glacier ice?
Q4.What role does meltwater play in glacier movement?
To help you plan your 9 geography lesson on: Glacier formation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 geography lesson on: Glacier formation, 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.