Erosion and Deposition by Water, Wind, Ice

Active learning works well for this topic because the geological processes of erosion and deposition are dynamic and visual. Students engage best when they can model these processes and observe their immediate effects, which makes abstract concepts concrete and memorable.

• Grade 7
• History & Geography
• 4 activities
• 30 min–60 min

Jigsaw

⏱ 60 min·Small Groups

Model: River Delta Formation

Students build a small-scale model of a river flowing into a larger body of water using sand, gravel, and a water source. They observe and record how sediment is deposited as the water slows down, forming a delta.

Prepare & details

Analyze how glaciers have sculpted the Canadian Shield and other regions.

Facilitation Tip: During Station Rotation, set up each station with a clear visual example of erosion or deposition, such as a tray of sand with a fan for wind or a stream table for water, to anchor student observations.

Setup: Flexible seating for regrouping

Materials: Expert group reading packets, Note-taking template, Summary graphic organizer

• Understand
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Relationship Skills
• Self-Management

Simulation Game

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

Simulation Game: Wind Erosion Tray

Using a shallow tray filled with sand and small pebbles, students use a hairdryer on a low setting to simulate wind. They observe how different wind speeds and angles affect the movement and deposition of sediment.

Prepare & details

Explain the role of rivers and coastlines in shaping Canada's geography.

Facilitation Tip: For Adaptation Design, provide students with images of real plants from each biome so they can reference actual adaptations rather than relying on assumptions.

Setup: Flexible space for group stations

Materials: Role cards with goals/resources, Game currency or tokens, Round tracker

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Social Awareness
• Decision-Making

Concept Mapping

⏱ 50 min·Individual

Concept Mapping: Glacial Landforms in Canada

Students use topographic maps and online resources to identify and label examples of glacial landforms (e.g., cirques, moraines, drumlins) in specific Canadian regions, such as the Canadian Shield or the Rocky Mountains.

Prepare & details

Predict the impact of increased wind erosion in arid or deforested areas.

Facilitation Tip: In Think-Pair-Share, assign roles to students to ensure both partners contribute, such as one person identifying the agent and the other explaining the landform’s features.

Setup: Tables with large paper, or wall space

Materials: Concept cards or sticky notes, Large paper, Markers, Example concept map

• Understand
• Analyze
• Create
• Self-Awareness
• Self-Management

Fishbowl Discussion

⏱ 30 min·Whole Class

Fishbowl Discussion: Coastal Erosion Case Study

Present students with a case study of coastal erosion in Canada (e.g., Prince Edward Island's red cliffs). Facilitate a whole-class discussion on the causes, impacts, and potential mitigation strategies.

Prepare & details

Analyze how glaciers have sculpted the Canadian Shield and other regions.

Setup: Inner circle of 4-6 chairs, outer circle surrounding them

Materials: Discussion prompt or essential question, Observation notes template

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Teaching This Topic

Teachers should avoid over-simplifying these processes by focusing only on catastrophic events like floods or glaciers. Instead, emphasize gradual changes and local examples, such as how winter snowmelt shapes riverbanks in your region. Research shows that hands-on modeling, even with simple materials like ice cubes and sand, helps students grasp the scale and impact of these forces better than diagrams alone.

What to Expect

Successful learning looks like students accurately explaining how water, wind, and ice shape landforms, identifying the agent responsible for specific features, and connecting these processes to ecological consequences such as soil loss or habitat changes.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

During Station Rotation, watch for students who dismiss the Tundra as lifeless after seeing images of snow and ice.

What to Teach Instead

During Station Rotation, include a station with a magnifying glass and samples of Tundra plants like Arctic willow or mosses, asking students to sketch and describe one adaptation they observe.

Common Misconception

During Adaptation Design, listen for students who assume forests always regrow identically after disturbance.

What to Teach Instead

During Adaptation Design, provide before-and-after images of logged areas and introduce terms like 'secondary succession' to guide students in predicting long-term changes in vegetation and soil.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

After Station Rotation, present students with images of a U-shaped valley, a sand dune, and a river delta. Ask them to write the primary agent of erosion and deposition for each, along with one characteristic feature, on a short response sheet.

Discussion Prompt

After Think-Pair-Share, pose the question: 'How might a forest fire in a river-rich region increase erosion and deposition along riverbanks?' Use their paired responses to assess their understanding of vegetation’s role in stabilizing soil and managing runoff.

Exit Ticket

During Adaptation Design, have students draw a simple diagram of one process (e.g., wind erosion, water deposition) on an index card, labeling the agent and the material being moved or deposited.

Extensions & Scaffolding

• Challenge early finishers to research and present a case study of a real-world location where erosion or deposition has significantly altered the landscape over time.
• For students who struggle, provide a word bank with terms like 'abrasion,' 'deflation,' and 'moraine' to scaffold their explanations during activities.
• Deeper exploration: Have students design a diorama showing a landscape before and after erosion or deposition, labeling the processes and materials involved in detail.