Soil Unit Part 5: Ice Ages, Glaciers, Glacial Landforms and More

Ice Ages & Glaciers Unit: Formation, Landforms & Climate Impact

Grade Level: 5th–7th

This engaging and interactive Ice Age and Glaciers unit includes eight 50-minute lessons with an 11-page work bundle, guiding students through glacial movement, landforms, Ice Age history, and climate change. Using a highly visual slideshow roadmap, students will engage with fill-in notes (red slides), hands-on activities, quizzes, games, and assessments. The Google Classroom-compatible format includes both print and digital versions, making it perfect for flexible learning.

Key Concepts & Lesson Breakdown:

1. Glacial Movement – How Glaciers Shape the Earth

• The unit opens with a mystery: Students analyze a photo of a glacial erratic boulder resting beside a cliff and hypothesize how it got there.

• A step-by-step diagram demonstrates how glaciers transport rocks over time.

• Glaciers defined (red slide for critical notes), introducing the two main types:

• Continental glaciers (massive ice sheets covering large areas).

• Alpine glaciers (smaller glaciers found in mountain valleys).

• Crevasses & iceberg formation explained with dramatic real-world footage of a glacier calving into the ocean, creating a massive wave.

• Icebergs & The "Tip of the Iceberg" Concept

• Students explore how 90% of an iceberg remains underwater, reinforcing the meaning behind the famous phrase.

• Visual comparisons show the relationship between icebergs and glacial retreat.

2. Ice Ages – A Look Back in Time

• Students sketch a rough map of North America and shade in the extent of ice sheets during the last Ice Age.

• Ice Age definition (red slide), focusing on how climate shifts caused massive glacial expansion.

• Classroom 35,000 years ago activity: Students imagine their classroom location during the Ice Age (editable for different regions).

• Sea-level drop & Bering Land Bridge: Introduction to how the first humans, Clovis hunters, migrated into North America.

3. Paleoecology – Ice Age Animals & Ecosystems

• Students explore the megafauna of the Ice Age, including woolly mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and giant sloths.

• Discussion of how climate change and human activity contributed to their extinction.

4. Glacial Retreat & Climate Change

• Time-lapse images of glacier retreat over the past several decades illustrate the impact of global warming.

• Students brainstorm possible causes of Ice Ages, followed by a structured introduction to Ice Age theories.

• Key theories explained in a simplified format, with students recording only the essential points (highlighted in red).

5. Glacial Landforms – Shaping the Landscape

• Hands-on activity: Students mold glacial landforms (moraines, drumlins, U-shaped valleys) using clay to understand how glaciers carve landscapes.

• Visual comparisons of modern-day landforms shaped by Ice Age glaciers.

6. Ice Age Theories – Why Do Ice Ages Happen?

• The class brainstorms possible causes before theories are introduced.

• A step-by-step explanation of Ice Age theories, including:

• Changes in Earth's orbit (Milankovitch Cycles).

• Volcanic activity & atmospheric dust.

• Ocean currents & continental drift.

7. Review & Assessment – Reinforcing Key Concepts

• Built-in quizzes & crossword puzzles help reinforce learning.

• PowerPoint Review Game (25 questions) with answers, allowing for class-wide participation.

• Final assessment covering glacial processes, Ice Age history, climate theories, and paleoecology.

Why This Unit?

This comprehensive Ice Age and Glaciers unit is ideal for teachers covering earth science, glaciation, Ice Age history, and climate change. With engaging visuals, hands-on activities, real-world case studies, and interactive assessments, students gain a deep understanding of how glaciers shape the Earth and the factors driving Ice Ages.

By the end of this unit, students will not only understand glacial movement and landforms but also connect climate change, sea levels, and human migration to Earth's glacial history. Whether you're looking for interactive lessons, engaging visuals, or hands-on projects, this bundle provides everything needed for an exciting and impactful Ice Age unit!