Are rivers the same from mouth to source?

You may remember from yesterday’s lesson that the start of a river is called its source and where it reaches the sea is called

the mouth.

We are going to find out about the physical features of rivers and how they are formed. This lesson will take two afternoon

sessions.

Can I describe the physical features or a river and explain how they are formed?

•Watch these clips to give you an introduction into how rivers are formed.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/z849q6f/articles/z7w8pg8

https://www.dkfindout.com/uk/video/earth/all-about-rivers/

(if the link doesn’t work, try right clicking and select Open hyperlink)

•There are three main sections to a river.

Upper course Middle course Lower course

As you can see, in each section, the river looks and acts very differently.

Can I describe the physical features or a river and explain how they are formed?

Can I describe the physical features or a river and explain how they are formed?

•Using the links at the bottom of the page, I would like you to find out about what the river is like in each section.

•Write the titles - Upper course, Middle course and Lower course

•Make notes to describe the river at each section.

What is the river like?

What speed is the water?

What features does the river have at this point? Why?

The journey of a river River stages

Can I describe the physical features or a river and explain how they are formed?• If you are feeling really ambitious, you could even try making your

own river in your garden if you have enough space.

• It would work best on a path or drive. Make sure you ask a grown up first!

•You need a slope, a large sheet of plastic (or tarpaulin) sand, earth and gravel. • Spread the earth sand and gravel mixture on the sheet on the slope • Run a gentle trickle of water down it. (hose or watering can) • You should see how water moves things around and in a large river the gravel

would be large stones/ boulders.

Can I describe the physical features or a river and explain how they are formed?

Draw a diagram of a river and label it with its key physical features.

You could either print off the one attached, or draw your own a bit like these.

Stick this in your learning journal.

Use the key vocabulary on the next slide to help.

Can I describe the physical features or a river and explain how they are formed?Key vocabulary:

•Now write the three headings on the page next to your diagram.

•Write a paragraph to describe what the river is like in each section, using your notes. Remember to try and use all the key geographical vocabulary.

•Upper Course

•Middle Course

• Lower Course

Can I describe the physical features or a river and explain how they are formed?

•On the next page are the correct labels for the river diagram

•Don’t look until you have completed your diagram!!

Answers to the river diagram

Answers to the river diagram

Congratulations!

•You should now be an expert in the physical features of rivers.

•The next couple of lessons will be consolidating what you have learned.