Wave processes at the coast
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how wave processes shape the coast.
Key learning points
- Different wave types (constructive and destructive) affect the coast.
- The coast is shaped by processes of erosion (hydraulic power, abrasion and attrition).
- The coast is shaped by transportation (longshore drift) of sediment.
- The coast is shaped by deposition.
Keywords
Waves - ripples in the sea caused by wind blowing over the surface of the water
Erosion - the action of water wearing away rocks
Destructive waves - high, steep waves, typically formed by local storms, that remove sediment from beaches
Constructive waves - low waves, typically formed by distant storms, that deposit sediment onto beaches
Common misconception
Swash is when a wave moves down the beach to the sea and backwash is when a wave moves up the beach from the sea.
The swash is the movement of the wave from the sea to the beach which brings sediment with it. Whereas the backwash is the movement of the wave from the beach to sea.
Teacher tip
The lesson in this unit called 'Using GIS to visualise the impact of physical and human processes on coasts' could be used to extend this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the terms to the correct definition.
Q2.Climate change today is caused by human activities that increase gas levels in the atmosphere.
Q3.What is the main factor that creates the waves we see at the seaside?
Q4.Which of the following is the UK's longest river?
Q5.What process does 'the wearing away of rocks by water' describe?
Q6.In which part of the UK is Ben Nevis, the UK's highest mountain, located?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Identify the answer that correctly describes constructive waves.
Q2.Longshore is a process by which sediment is transported along coastlines.
Q3.What erosion process does the statement 'rocks and sediment collide and break into smaller and smoother pieces' describe?
Q4.What factors will determine the strength of a wave?
To help you plan your 10 geography lesson on: Wave processes at the coast, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 geography lesson on: Wave processes at the coast, 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 4 geography lessons from the Coastal landscapes unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.