Homeschool Guide: These lesson plans are a guide for parents. Content may contain errors — always cross-reference with official exam board specifications.

L1: Erosion Transport Deposition

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4 detailed 50-minute lessons with teaching scripts, worked examples, parent guides, and assessment criteria.

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Lesson Overview

Total Lessons: 4
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: Eduqas

Learning Objectives

Prerequisites

Materials & Equipment

Lesson 1: Introduction: Erosion Transport Deposition

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

3 quick questions to activate prior knowledge about erosion transport deposition. Use mini-whiteboard or paper.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read script below. Prepare materials. Pre-teach key vocab: Erosion Transport Deposition.
If stuck: See Troubleshooting below. Break into smaller steps.
Extension: See Stretch & Challenge section.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: Erosion Transport Deposition. Goal: by the end you can ✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder, using the method shown step by step. Connects to the previous lesson in this unit because you'll reuse its method throughout today's work."
Mins 5-15 - Direct Instruction: 1) Define: "Erosion Transport Deposition is..." 2) Key principle: "Most important:..." 3) Draw diagram, label live. 4) Real example: "Like ✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder - a real example worked through in full..."
Mins 15-25 - Guided Practice: Ex1: Teacher models. Ex2: Student tries with guidance. Ex3: Student independent.
Mins 25-35 - Independent Practice: 3-5 questions. Immediate feedback.
Worked Example 1: Basic

Q: ✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder

  1. What is asked? Explain
  2. Recall knowledge:
  3. Apply: ✗ Deposition only happens in still water ✓ Deposition occurs whenever transport energy drops below the threshold needed to carry the sediment, which can happen in slow but still-moving water (e.g. inside of a meander bend) ✗ Glaciers carry sediment on top only ✓ Glaciers carry sediment at the base (subglacial, by abrasion and plucking), within the ice (englacial), and on the surface (supraglacial, from rockfall onto the ice)
  4. Check: Check the units named in the question and sense-check the size of your answer.
  5. Answer: State the complete final answer.

Tip: "Show working - method marks > answer marks."

Worked Example 2: Multi-step

Q: ✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder

  1. Break down: Separate parts?
  2. Solve each: ✗ Deposition only happens in still water ✓ Deposition occurs whenever transport energy drops below the threshold needed to carry the sediment, which can happen in slow but still-moving water (e.g. inside of a meander bend) ✗ Glaciers carry sediment on top only ✓ Glaciers carry sediment at the base (
  3. Combine: The parts chain: each answer feeds the next step of the question.
  4. Final answer: Evidence cited from the lesson content.
Worked Example 3: Data/Application

Q: ✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder

  1. Read data: Axes, units, scale
  2. Patterns: Trends, anomalies
  3. Explain: Why? Using erosion transport deposition
  4. Conclude: Evidence-based

Common Questions & Troubleshooting

Q: "Why does Erosion Transport Deposition work this way?"
A: Analogy: "✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder". Try re-draw or re-write the worked example from memory, then check it against the model answer.
Q: "Wrong answers on calculations."
A: Checklist: units? formula? calculator mode? sig figs?
Q: "Can't remember key terms."
A: Flashcards (term front, def+diagram back). Spaced repetition: day 1, 3, 7.
Q: "Exam wording confuses me."
A: Commands: Describe=what you see; Explain=reasons; Evaluate=pros/cons+judgement; Calculate=working+units.
Q: "Running out of time."
A: 1 mark/min. Skip hard, return. Attempt all - partial marks count.

Assessment & Model Answers

Mastery Checklist:
  • [ ] Define Erosion Transport Deposition in own words
  • [ ] Identify features in diagram
  • [ ] Explain process step-by-step
  • [ ] Apply to unfamiliar context
  • [ ] Score 80%+ on past paper question

Model Answer: Past Paper Question

Q: ✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder

  • 1 mark: [Key terminology]
  • 1 mark: [Mechanism/process]
  • 1 mark: [Application/example]
  • 1 mark: [Evaluation - Higher]

Model response: "[Complete answer with expected detail/terminology]"

Why full marks: [What makes this strong]

Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
  • Synoptic links: Connect to the previous lesson / geological-hazard-processes
  • Real-world: Research use in industry, medicine or research
  • Advanced calc: Try a more challenging variant
  • Critical: "Evaluate limitations of today's model"
  • Research: Recent discovery on erosion transport deposition, summarise 100 words

Plenary (5 mins)

Label the Diagram

Unlabelled diagram - write all parts in 1 min

Assessment Criteria

Lesson 2: Core Concepts: Erosion Transport Deposition

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Review Previous Lesson

Quick recap: write 3 key points from last lesson on erosion transport deposition. Use mini-whiteboard or paper.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read script below. Prepare materials. Pre-teach key vocab: Erosion Transport Deposition.
If stuck: See Troubleshooting below. Break into smaller steps.
Extension: See Stretch & Challenge section.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: Erosion Transport Deposition. Goal: by the end you can ✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder, using the method shown step by step. Connects to the previous lesson in this unit because you'll reuse its method throughout today's work."
Mins 5-15 - Direct Instruction: 1) Define: "Erosion Transport Deposition is..." 2) Key principle: "Most important:..." 3) Draw diagram, label live. 4) Real example: "Like ✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder - a real example worked through in full..."
Mins 15-25 - Guided Practice: Ex1: Teacher models. Ex2: Student tries with guidance. Ex3: Student independent.
Mins 25-35 - Independent Practice: 3-5 questions. Immediate feedback.
Worked Example 1: Basic

Q: ✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder

  1. What is asked? Explain
  2. Recall knowledge:
  3. Apply: ✗ Deposition only happens in still water ✓ Deposition occurs whenever transport energy drops below the threshold needed to carry the sediment, which can happen in slow but still-moving water (e.g. inside of a meander bend) ✗ Glaciers carry sediment on top only ✓ Glaciers carry sediment at the base (subglacial, by abrasion and plucking), within the ice (englacial), and on the surface (supraglacial, from rockfall onto the ice)
  4. Check: Check the units named in the question and sense-check the size of your answer.
  5. Answer: State the complete final answer.

Tip: "Show working - method marks > answer marks."

Worked Example 2: Multi-step

Q: ✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder

  1. Break down: Separate parts?
  2. Solve each: ✗ Deposition only happens in still water ✓ Deposition occurs whenever transport energy drops below the threshold needed to carry the sediment, which can happen in slow but still-moving water (e.g. inside of a meander bend) ✗ Glaciers carry sediment on top only ✓ Glaciers carry sediment at the base (
  3. Combine: The parts chain: each answer feeds the next step of the question.
  4. Final answer: Evidence cited from the lesson content.
Worked Example 3: Data/Application

Q: ✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder

  1. Read data: Axes, units, scale
  2. Patterns: Trends, anomalies
  3. Explain: Why? Using erosion transport deposition
  4. Conclude: Evidence-based

Common Questions & Troubleshooting

Q: "Why does Erosion Transport Deposition work this way?"
A: Analogy: "✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder". Try re-draw or re-write the worked example from memory, then check it against the model answer.
Q: "Wrong answers on calculations."
A: Checklist: units? formula? calculator mode? sig figs?
Q: "Can't remember key terms."
A: Flashcards (term front, def+diagram back). Spaced repetition: day 1, 3, 7.
Q: "Exam wording confuses me."
A: Commands: Describe=what you see; Explain=reasons; Evaluate=pros/cons+judgement; Calculate=working+units.
Q: "Running out of time."
A: 1 mark/min. Skip hard, return. Attempt all - partial marks count.

Assessment & Model Answers

Mastery Checklist:
  • [ ] Define Erosion Transport Deposition in own words
  • [ ] Identify features in diagram
  • [ ] Explain process step-by-step
  • [ ] Apply to unfamiliar context
  • [ ] Score 80%+ on past paper question

Model Answer: Past Paper Question

Q: ✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder

  • 1 mark: [Key terminology]
  • 1 mark: [Mechanism/process]
  • 1 mark: [Application/example]
  • 1 mark: [Evaluation - Higher]

Model response: "[Complete answer with expected detail/terminology]"

Why full marks: [What makes this strong]

Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
  • Synoptic links: Connect to the previous lesson / geological-hazard-processes
  • Real-world: Research use in industry, medicine or research
  • Advanced calc: Try a more challenging variant
  • Critical: "Evaluate limitations of today's model"
  • Research: Recent discovery on erosion transport deposition, summarise 100 words

Plenary (5 mins)

Label the Diagram

Unlabelled diagram - write all parts in 1 min

Assessment Criteria

Lesson 3: Application: Erosion Transport Deposition

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Review Previous Lesson

Quick recap: write 3 key points from last lesson on erosion transport deposition. Use mini-whiteboard or paper.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read script below. Prepare materials. Pre-teach key vocab: Erosion Transport Deposition.
If stuck: See Troubleshooting below. Break into smaller steps.
Extension: See Stretch & Challenge section.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: Erosion Transport Deposition. Goal: by the end you can ✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder, using the method shown step by step. Connects to the previous lesson in this unit because you'll reuse its method throughout today's work."
Mins 5-15 - Direct Instruction: 1) Define: "Erosion Transport Deposition is..." 2) Key principle: "Most important:..." 3) Draw diagram, label live. 4) Real example: "Like ✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder - a real example worked through in full..."
Mins 15-25 - Guided Practice: Ex1: Teacher models. Ex2: Student tries with guidance. Ex3: Student independent.
Mins 25-35 - Independent Practice: 3-5 questions. Immediate feedback.
Worked Example 1: Basic

Q: ✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder

  1. What is asked? Explain
  2. Recall knowledge:
  3. Apply: ✗ Deposition only happens in still water ✓ Deposition occurs whenever transport energy drops below the threshold needed to carry the sediment, which can happen in slow but still-moving water (e.g. inside of a meander bend) ✗ Glaciers carry sediment on top only ✓ Glaciers carry sediment at the base (subglacial, by abrasion and plucking), within the ice (englacial), and on the surface (supraglacial, from rockfall onto the ice)
  4. Check: Check the units named in the question and sense-check the size of your answer.
  5. Answer: State the complete final answer.

Tip: "Show working - method marks > answer marks."

Worked Example 2: Multi-step

Q: ✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder

  1. Break down: Separate parts?
  2. Solve each: ✗ Deposition only happens in still water ✓ Deposition occurs whenever transport energy drops below the threshold needed to carry the sediment, which can happen in slow but still-moving water (e.g. inside of a meander bend) ✗ Glaciers carry sediment on top only ✓ Glaciers carry sediment at the base (
  3. Combine: The parts chain: each answer feeds the next step of the question.
  4. Final answer: Evidence cited from the lesson content.
Worked Example 3: Data/Application

Q: ✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder

  1. Read data: Axes, units, scale
  2. Patterns: Trends, anomalies
  3. Explain: Why? Using erosion transport deposition
  4. Conclude: Evidence-based

Common Questions & Troubleshooting

Q: "Why does Erosion Transport Deposition work this way?"
A: Analogy: "✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder". Try re-draw or re-write the worked example from memory, then check it against the model answer.
Q: "Wrong answers on calculations."
A: Checklist: units? formula? calculator mode? sig figs?
Q: "Can't remember key terms."
A: Flashcards (term front, def+diagram back). Spaced repetition: day 1, 3, 7.
Q: "Exam wording confuses me."
A: Commands: Describe=what you see; Explain=reasons; Evaluate=pros/cons+judgement; Calculate=working+units.
Q: "Running out of time."
A: 1 mark/min. Skip hard, return. Attempt all - partial marks count.

Assessment & Model Answers

Mastery Checklist:
  • [ ] Define Erosion Transport Deposition in own words
  • [ ] Identify features in diagram
  • [ ] Explain process step-by-step
  • [ ] Apply to unfamiliar context
  • [ ] Score 80%+ on past paper question

Model Answer: Past Paper Question

Q: ✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder

  • 1 mark: [Key terminology]
  • 1 mark: [Mechanism/process]
  • 1 mark: [Application/example]
  • 1 mark: [Evaluation - Higher]

Model response: "[Complete answer with expected detail/terminology]"

Why full marks: [What makes this strong]

Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
  • Synoptic links: Connect to the previous lesson / geological-hazard-processes
  • Real-world: Research use in industry, medicine or research
  • Advanced calc: Try a more challenging variant
  • Critical: "Evaluate limitations of today's model"
  • Research: Recent discovery on erosion transport deposition, summarise 100 words

Plenary (5 mins)

Exam Question Speed Round

5 quick questions, 1 min each. Mark together.

Assessment Criteria

Lesson 4: Exam Practice: Erosion Transport Deposition

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Review Previous Lesson

Quick recap: write 3 key points from last lesson on erosion transport deposition. Use mini-whiteboard or paper.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read script below. Prepare materials. Pre-teach key vocab: Erosion Transport Deposition.
If stuck: See Troubleshooting below. Break into smaller steps.
Extension: See Stretch & Challenge section.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: Erosion Transport Deposition. Goal: by the end you can ✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder, using the method shown step by step. Connects to the previous lesson in this unit because you'll reuse its method throughout today's work."
Mins 5-15 - Direct Instruction: 1) Define: "Erosion Transport Deposition is..." 2) Key principle: "Most important:..." 3) Draw diagram, label live. 4) Real example: "Like ✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder - a real example worked through in full..."
Mins 15-25 - Guided Practice: Ex1: Teacher models. Ex2: Student tries with guidance. Ex3: Student independent.
Mins 25-35 - Independent Practice: 3-5 questions. Immediate feedback.
Worked Example 1: Basic

Q: ✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder

  1. What is asked? Explain
  2. Recall knowledge:
  3. Apply: ✗ Deposition only happens in still water ✓ Deposition occurs whenever transport energy drops below the threshold needed to carry the sediment, which can happen in slow but still-moving water (e.g. inside of a meander bend) ✗ Glaciers carry sediment on top only ✓ Glaciers carry sediment at the base (subglacial, by abrasion and plucking), within the ice (englacial), and on the surface (supraglacial, from rockfall onto the ice)
  4. Check: Check the units named in the question and sense-check the size of your answer.
  5. Answer: State the complete final answer.

Tip: "Show working - method marks > answer marks."

Worked Example 2: Multi-step

Q: ✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder

  1. Break down: Separate parts?
  2. Solve each: ✗ Deposition only happens in still water ✓ Deposition occurs whenever transport energy drops below the threshold needed to carry the sediment, which can happen in slow but still-moving water (e.g. inside of a meander bend) ✗ Glaciers carry sediment on top only ✓ Glaciers carry sediment at the base (
  3. Combine: The parts chain: each answer feeds the next step of the question.
  4. Final answer: Evidence cited from the lesson content.
Worked Example 3: Data/Application

Q: ✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder

  1. Read data: Axes, units, scale
  2. Patterns: Trends, anomalies
  3. Explain: Why? Using erosion transport deposition
  4. Conclude: Evidence-based

Common Questions & Troubleshooting

Q: "Why does Erosion Transport Deposition work this way?"
A: Analogy: "✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder". Try re-draw or re-write the worked example from memory, then check it against the model answer.
Q: "Wrong answers on calculations."
A: Checklist: units? formula? calculator mode? sig figs?
Q: "Can't remember key terms."
A: Flashcards (term front, def+diagram back). Spaced repetition: day 1, 3, 7.
Q: "Exam wording confuses me."
A: Commands: Describe=what you see; Explain=reasons; Evaluate=pros/cons+judgement; Calculate=working+units.
Q: "Running out of time."
A: 1 mark/min. Skip hard, return. Attempt all - partial marks count.

Assessment & Model Answers

Mastery Checklist:
  • [ ] Define Erosion Transport Deposition in own words
  • [ ] Identify features in diagram
  • [ ] Explain process step-by-step
  • [ ] Apply to unfamiliar context
  • [ ] Score 80%+ on past paper question

Model Answer: Past Paper Question

Q: ✗ Attrition and abrasion are the same ✓ Abrasion is sediment scraping the BEDROCK (wearing down the river bed). Attrition is particles colliding with EACH OTHER, making them smaller and rounder

  • 1 mark: [Key terminology]
  • 1 mark: [Mechanism/process]
  • 1 mark: [Application/example]
  • 1 mark: [Evaluation - Higher]

Model response: "[Complete answer with expected detail/terminology]"

Why full marks: [What makes this strong]

Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
  • Synoptic links: Connect to the previous lesson / geological-hazard-processes
  • Real-world: Research use in industry, medicine or research
  • Advanced calc: Try a more challenging variant
  • Critical: "Evaluate limitations of today's model"
  • Research: Recent discovery on erosion transport deposition, summarise 100 words

Plenary (5 mins)

Exam Question Speed Round

5 quick questions, 1 min each. Mark together.

Assessment Criteria

📝 Mark Scheme Guidance

How examiners mark L1: Read the command word carefully — State = one word/phrase (1 mark), Describe = pattern or detail (2 marks), Explain = reason with "because" (2–3 marks), Compare = similarities AND differences, Evaluate = both sides + conclusion. Method marks are awarded for correct working even if the final answer is wrong. Always show your working — unexplained answers score zero for AO2.

Success on L1 questions: Underline the command word, count the marks (one mark per point expected), and answer in the format the command word demands.

Board Notes & Revision Links

This lesson is examined by: Eduqas GCSE Geology. Tier and paper details vary - always check your board's current specification.

Follow-up revision: g16-erosion-transport-deposition on GCSE Revise (notes, flashcards and auto-graded target tests for this exact topic).

Homework & Consolidation

Recommended Resources

🎓 Smart Lesson (Guided)