A comprehensive and engaging OCR A Level Geography Dryland Landscapes lesson designed to introduce students to the fundamental concepts needed for the drylands topic. The lesson explores drylands as open systems, inputs, stores, transfers and outputs, before developing understanding of potential evapotranspiration (PET), the Aridity Index and dryland classification. Students investigate the global distribution of drylands, including polar, arid and semi-arid environments, and examine the physical factors responsible for their development, including global atmospheric circulation, continentality, rain-shadow effects, geology, relief and sediment availability. A range of retrieval, calculation, climate interpretation and cause–effect activities encourages students to apply their knowledge rather than simply recall it. The lesson also develops essential A Level geographical thinking through climate → process → landscape chains, systems terminology and OCR-style extended-response practice. Includes worked examples, model answers, misconceptions, challenge tasks and an exit ticket, making it ideal as an introductory lesson to the OCR A Level Dryland Landscapes option.