Pupils will begin by locating the UK’s major rivers before studying, in detail, the River Thames, which is the UK’s second longest river. By examining a case study of flood events in the UK, the 2007 floods in Gloucestershire in which the River Severn and River Avon burst their banks, pupils will also recognise that flooding has both an immediate impact on the physical environment, but also significantly impacts the surrounding community. Human activity also plays its part with growing urbanisation often comes an increased likelihood of flooding. Rivers flood for many reasons: in response to heavy or prolonged rainfall, due to the topography of the landscape, and morphology of rocks and soils. In lesson two, pupils will understand the theory of flooding why and how rivers succumb to overbank flow. Finally, pupils will learn that, in the lower course, rivers are often at their widest and have the potential to form deltas. The formation of oxbow lakes will also be discussed. Looking in more depth at key physical processes, pupils will gain an understanding of erosion, transportation and deposition and the role these processes play in shaping the river. In the middle course, land is flatter and rivers widen and begin to meander. Using photographs pupils will learn that the upper course of a river is characterised by steep land, turbulent water and V shaped river valleys.
![the river by the bombay royale tab the river by the bombay royale tab](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/NPIAAOSwakNglpjt/s-l300.jpg)
In outlining a model of a river system, pupils will understand that the features of a river and the surrounding landscape change from source to mouth. In this lesson, pupils will understand how rivers are formed. In addition the emphasis throughout is ensuring that, as teachers, we use the correct vocabulary when explaining processes geographically, reinforce locational and place knowledge and, likewise, expect our pupils to do the same.
![the river by the bombay royale tab the river by the bombay royale tab](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/mW0AAOSwsFpaJhc8/s-l300.jpg)
What all lessons in the module have in common is a desire to make geography exciting and stimulating and based on real places. Recognising key features, asking geographical questions of their own environment, and looking for evidence can only make for better geographers. Seeing the features of a river in a real life context is also invaluable for pupil understanding. Fieldwork is a key component of the National Curriculum. Locational knowledge of the major rivers in each continent will be covered in this lesson.Īs a close to the module, pupils are encouraged to gain first-hand experience of a river through conducting fieldwork at a local river. Gaping Gill, England’s highest unbroken waterfall will also be featured. Using case studies of the Niagara Falls on the US/Canadian border and the Angel Falls in Venezuela, pupils will understand more about the physical and human geography of these spectacular river features. Pupils will learn about the structure and formation of waterfalls. In the fifth lesson, the focus turns to North and South America, as well as England’s highest unbroken waterfall. The role of the Thames Flood Barrier, one of the largest movable flood barriers in the world, will also be highlighted. In the fourth lesson, the characteristics of the river and surrounding landscape, at different points along its course will be located and examined. As a homework activity, pupils will be asked to locate the main rivers in each of the world’s seven continents. These mapping activities will also highlight the physical features of the river system and ask pupils for evidence of how the use of the River Thames has changed over time.
![the river by the bombay royale tab the river by the bombay royale tab](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/cQ0AAOSwEYhhSilL/s-l300.jpg)
Then, looking closely at three OS map extracts at different points along the River Thames, pupils develop their map skills undertaking a range of tasks. In the third lesson, pupils will understand the geographical location of the main rivers in the UK. In the third and fourth lessons, the focus will move to the River Thames the UK’s second longest, but arguably most iconic river. Using a case study of a recent flood events in the UK, pupils then see the causes and consequences of flooding in real life and how flooding effects both people and places. They will also understand the process of flooding and why and how rivers breach their banks. Pupils begin by examining a model river system, following the journey of a river through its upper, middle and lower course from its source in the mountains, through the meanders of flatter land, to the estuary and its mouth. While only a fraction of the world’s fresh water is visible in lakes and rivers, river systems can have a fundamental impact on peoples’ lives. Pupils will learn that rivers and river systems, are dynamic changing the landscape in visible and at times dramatic ways. This module, comprising six lessons, or half a term's work, focuses on Rivers.