UKS2
Topic: Earth Matters
Block A: The Water Cycle And Coasts
Study the water cycle and the physical geography of coasts and coastal features. Learn about coastal
erosion and the impact of the sea on human activity.
Block A: The Water
Cycle and Coasts [9
sessions]
Main outcome: Geography
Other outcomes: D&T, English, ICT and Science
By the end of this
block you will have
achieved the following
outcomes:
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Produce an annotated water-cycle diagram.
Gain an increased understanding of a range of coastal defence strategies.
Create and play games to model the changing human and physical nature of a coastline.
Compile a glossary of key terms used to describe coastal physical features and processes.
Produce definition of key terms for the class display.
Gain understanding of the potential impacts of the sea on humans.
Gain a wider understanding of what the term ‘coast’ means.
Understand that there are many different types of coastline around the UK.
Create a mind map for ‘Human Uses of the Coast’.
Formulate and answer higher-order questions that demonstrate understanding of block
objectives.
Create models of the water cycle.
Collaborate to synthesise learning and create a Modroc model.
Write concise explanations of what is happening in the models.
Create a concise piece of informative writing for display.
Write, deliver and evaluate a persuasive debate speech.
Write a high-quality explanation of 1 of the coastal processes represented in their model.
Write and film a short news report script about coastal erosion’s impact on humans.
Session 1: Science and
Geography
What is the Water
Cycle?
Learn about the water
cycle processes and
create a water cycle in
a bottle.
Children will
 Build a systematic understanding of materials by exploring reversible changes, including
evaporation and condensation.
 Describe and understand key aspects of physical geography, including the water cycle.
Session 2: Geography,
ICT and English
What is the ‘Coast’?
Research the main
types of coast found in
the UK and create a
class display.
Children will

Name and locate geographical regions and their identifying physical characteristics: coasts.

Use maps, atlases, globes and digital mapping.

Use search technologies effectively.

Retrieve, record and present information from non-fiction.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
UKS2
Topic: Earth Matters
Block A: The Water Cycle And Coasts
Session 3: Geography,
ICT and English
How does the sea
shape the coastline?
Research the
processes involved in
coastal erosion and
create a class glossary
of the key physical
coastal features.
Session 4: Geography
and ICT
What impact does the
sea have on human
activity?
Learn about the
impact of the sea on
people living on the
coast and then film a
news report from a
coastal erosion scene.
Children will
 Use search technologies effectively.
 Retrieve, record and present information from non-fiction.
 Name and locate key topographical features.
 Use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping to locate features studied.
Session 5: Geography
How do we try to
prevent coastal
erosion?
Investigate coastal
defences and then
create a storm surge
dice-rolling game.
Children will
 Describe and understand key aspects of physical geography, including the water cycle
 Identify human and physical characteristics of coasts and understand how some of these aspects
change over time.
Session 6: Geography
and English
What impacts do
humans have on the
coast?
Identify the human
uses of the coast and
take part in a debate
to evaluate coastal
tourism.
Children will
 Describe and understand key aspects of human geography, including types of settlement and
land use.
 Extend confidence, enjoyment and mastery of language through public speaking: debate.
Children will
 Name and locate counties and cities of the UK, and their identifying human and physical
characteristics.
 Understand how some of these aspects have changed over time.
 Select, use and combine a variety of software on a range of digital devices to create content,
including evaluating and presenting information.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
UKS2
Session 7 and 8: D&T
and Geography
Modelling human and
physical coastal
features
Build a model to
represent a range of
human and physical
coastal features and
annotate with ‘higher
order’ geography
questions.
Session 9: English
Explaining coastal
processes and
features
Add a high quality
coastal process
explanation to the
model and then
present the finished
work to an audience of
children or parents
and carers.
Topic: Earth Matters
Block A: The Water Cycle And Coasts
Children will
 Design innovative, functional and appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular
individuals or groups.
 Select tools, equipment and materials to perform practical tasks accurately and aesthetically.
 Describe and understand key aspects of physical and human geography.
Children will
 Plan, draft, edit and write a concise explanation text.
 Be clear about an appropriate standard of handwriting, e.g. an unjoined style for labelling a
diagram.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
UKS2
Topic: Earth Matters
Block A: The Water Cycle And Coasts
Resources
Session 1
Provided: The Water Cycle; Evaporation Concept Cartoon; Water Cycle Model Examples; Record Sheet.
You will need: Large transparent plastic bottles (e.g. 2l drinks bottles); Clingfilm; Elastic bands; Sticky
tape; Ice cubes; Digital camera; Printer.
Session 2
Provided: United Kingdom Outline Map; Writing Frame; Coastline Pictures (7 pages).
You will need: Mini dry-wipe boards; Dry-wipe board pens; Writing materials; Maps/ atlases/ globes.
Session 3
Provided: Glossary Writing Frame.
You will need: Online and library research resources.
Session 4
Provided:
You will need: Writing materials; A digital camera / iPad for filming; Editing software (optional).
Session 5
Provided: Example ‘Coastal Defence’ Game; Play Money.
You will need: Scissors; 6-sided dice (1 per group of 2 or 3); Graph paper and coloured pencils
(optional).
Session 6
Provided: Persuasion Text Success Criteria; Suggested Paragraph Starters For Persuasion Texts.
You will need: A4 and A3 paper; Coloured pens or pencils.
Sessions 7 & 8
Provided: Modelling Guidance Sheet (2 pages).
You will need: Base-boards of stiff card, hardboard or thin plywood; Junk modelling materials; PVA
glue; Masking tape; Modrock (available online and from craft shops); Scissors; Shallow trays of water;
Small stones; Lolly sticks; Sand; Modelling clay.
Session 9
Provided: Explanation Text Success Criteria; Suggested Paragraph Starters For Explanation Texts.
You will need: Plain paper; Line guides; Card for mounting; Sticky notes.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.