Soil Unit Part 2: Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Mass Movement of Earthen Materials
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Erosion, Coastal Erosion & Mass Movement Unit: A Complete Earth Science Guide
Unit Overview & Purpose
This comprehensive 10-lesson Earth Science unit provides an interactive and structured approach to teaching erosion, coastal erosion, and mass movement of earthen materials. With 17 pages of work bundles, interactive PowerPoint slideshows, and hands-on activities, this unit serves as both a guide for lesson planning and a review of key Earth Science concepts.
The unit includes:
Engaging visuals, built-in video links, and structured red-slide notes for easy instruction.
Step-by-step lab activities and hands-on experiments, such as the wave tank coastal erosion simulation.
Interactive student exercises including sketching, matching activities, and challenge questions.
A 100+ slide review game and 20-question assessment to reinforce learning.
Editable materials for easy customization to fit different teaching styles.
This unit is Part 2 of 6 in a larger curriculum covering Weathering, Soil Science, Soil Conservation, Ice Ages, and Glaciers, providing a full framework for Earth Science instruction.
Key Concepts Covered in the Unit
Understanding Erosion & Sediment Transport
Defining erosion and deposition – How sediment moves through different systems.
Wind, water, and glacial transport – Real-world examples of how landscapes change over time.
River systems & sediment movement – Tracing erosion from mountains to river deltas.
Coastal Erosion: Causes & Effects
Formation of sea glass – Interactive class discussion and visuals of Sea Glass Beach in Vladivostok, Russia.
Wave-cut platforms, headlands, and bays – Exploring how coastal landscapes evolve.
Causes of coastal erosion – Including hydraulic action, abrasion, attrition, and solution.
Constructive vs. destructive waves – How wave energy impacts beach formation.
Longshore drift & sea groynes – Understanding how sediment moves along the coastline.
Coastal Protection & Human Impact
The 1999 relocation of Cape Hatteras Lighthouse – A case study on erosion management.
Rip currents & beach safety – Video demonstrations on how rip currents form and how to escape them.
Breakwaters, jetty systems, and barrier islands – Students analyze coastal defense structures and design their own modifications.
Wave Tank Coastal Erosion Simulation
Hands-on lab – Students build a coastline model in a tray and create waves to observe erosion.
Measurement & data collection – Marking coastline changes and recording observations over five trials.
Student-led engineering challenge – Designing sea groynes, breakwaters, and jetties to minimize erosion.
Mass Movement & Gravity’s Role
Mudslides, landslides, slump, and soil creep – How gravity influences landscape changes.
The collapse of the Old Man of the Mountain (New Hampshire) – A real-world example of rockfall due to erosion.
Interactive mass movement classification – Students analyze images to classify mass movements by water content and speed.
The Angle of Repose lab – Measuring sugar, sand, and gravel slopes to understand stability.
Review & Assessment Tools
100+ slide interactive review game – Reinforcing all key concepts.
Final 20-question quiz with a wager question – A fun, competitive way to assess understanding.
Hidden Box Game – Students guess images as layers are removed, reinforcing unit topics.
Why Use This Unit?
This erosion and coastal processes unit is designed to provide a clear structure for lesson planning while ensuring students gain a deep understanding of key Earth Science principles. By combining visual instruction, hands-on experiments, and interactive review games, students remain engaged and actively learning.
This unit is perfect for:
Teachers looking for a full, structured Earth Science curriculum.
Students who benefit from hands-on learning and visual-based instruction.
Classrooms needing engaging, editable materials for both in-person and remote learning.
As Part 2 of a 6-part series covering Weathering, Soil Science, Soil Conservation, Ice Ages, and Glaciers, this unit fits into a comprehensive Earth Science program. Whether used independently or as part of a full curriculum, it provides everything needed to teach erosion, coastal processes, and mass movement effectively!
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