Glacial Movement Teacher Resources

Students study the movement of glaciers and how they have affected the Earth.  In this geology lesson students simulate the effects glaciers have on landscape and watch video segments. 

Erratics, or drop-stones, are geographic abnormalities. Large stones that appear in unlikely places point to glacial movement. Lava flow also helps scientists determine timing of multiple Ice Ages. Watch this clip along with the four...

Hear experts provide evidence of Ice Age and glacial movement based on today's geological features. Various measurement tools are used to see what chemicals are found in ice and the atmosphere in order to determine the climate of the...

Students operate a GPS unit to investigate the direction of glacier movement. They describe the motion of glacier movement by interpreting a graph. Students explain how scientists use glacier striations to determine glacier movement.

A map of the Hudson River Valley is exhibited here. Arrows representing glacial striations are spread across the map for learners to analyze. They answer five multiple choice questions in response. The worksheet is a compact review of...

Glaciers are the star of the show in this Earth science lesson. In it, learners gain an understanding of how glaciers are formed, how they move, and what types of landforms they create. This lesson plan is written in the classic format,...

Eighth graders measure strike and dip of given land features and explain the difference between them. They also look at rock and mineral samples for indentification, along with calculating the density. Finally, information is analyzed...

In this shaping the land activity, learners will match 7 vocabulary words relating to the movement of sediments to its definition. Students will read 10 statements about how water and glaciers impact sediment movement and answer true or...

Fifth graders study the processes of erosion, transportation, and deposition in soil. They walk outside the school to see examples and then accurately create a physical model which shows each type of soil movement and allows them to...

Students discover where glaciers exist and how they move. In this glacier lesson plan, students work in groups to create a glacier in a replica valley and observe its properties.

Make your own bite-size glacier! A resource teaches about the formation and melting of ice. Activities include videos, a hands-on activity where your pupils build glaciers, and a photographic analysis to teach individuals the chilling...

Resource links to a video, satellite images, data, and photographs of glaciers provide emerging earth scientists the opportunity to examine how the ice has been retreating over the years. A data table is included for pupils to record...

Second graders explore weathering and how the water cycle plays a part in weathering. In this weathering lesson, 2nd graders put gravel and sugar cubes in a jar and shake, simulating weathering. Students use the scientific method to...

Varve: a deposit of cyclical sediments that help scientists determine historical climates. Individuals analyze the topography of a region and then study varve datasets from the same area. Using this information, they determine the...

Pupils are introduced to the concept of glaciers. They discover how glaciers move and what types of landforms are formed by glaciers.

Students, in teams, generate and research questions about Canada's receding glaciers. They then hold a 'press conference' in which each team provides answers for questions in their area of research. Finally, they pool their information...

Second graders explore erosion and find the factors effecting erosion of hillsides.   In this erosion lesson plan, 2nd graders experiment by creating a hillside and simulating rain.  Students discuss and record their...

Seventh graders study the earths surface and how changes happen to it.  In this glacier activity students complete a lab activity to see how glaciers form.

Middle schoolers research information about their neighborhoods. Uncovering facts about geology and Native Americans, they examine how the neighborhood has evolved over time. They work together to create a timeline of specific events.

This collection of comparative glacier images adapted from the National Snow and Ice Data Center shows substantial changes in five Alaskan glacier positions over periods of 60 to 100 years.

Students study how scientists monitor changes in Earth's glaciers, ice caps, and ice sheets. They investigate about glacier locations, glacial movement, and impacts of climate change on glaciers depending on the depth of research.

An overview of the formation and existence of glaciers, and the effects of their movement.

This video segment [3:33] adapted from NOVA explains why ice sheets move. To find out how fast they move, scientists carve a tunnel through a glacier.

Within Antarctic ice sheets are fast-moving streams of ice. This video segment [5:15] adapted from NOVA hypothesizes about how ice streams are the result of warming at the end of the last ice age.