Understanding Rivers Key Stage 2. Summary. Workshop Contents

Transcription

1 Understanding Rivers Key Stage 2 Summary The workshop helps pupils to understand river processes, with particular reference to the River Thames, and to develop their knowledge and understanding of geographical vocabulary. It also introduces children to the idea that rivers are more than a geographical feature. Rivers are habitats, trade routes, places of work, places for leisure activities and environments which need to be carefully managed, if all these activities are to be sustained successfully alongside each other. Workshop Contents Education Centre (Museum Tutor led) Hands on activity where pupils label a large scale map of the drainage basin of the River Thames with cards defining different physical features of rivers, and photographs of locations along the river. Hands on activity to better understand the impact of land types and the speed in which precipitation travels to a river channel. Students will see the difference between permeable and impermeable rocks, and watch spring lines develop. Hands on activity to demonstrate the processes of erosion, transportation, and deposition along a river channel. Hands on experiment to better understand floodplains and groundwater. Students will see how sediments become saturated, what happens when they become supersaturated and the formation of springs. They will also understand the importance of permeable materials. An opportunity to handle artefacts connected to life on and in the river to demonstrate the connection between Leisure, Work, Transport, Wildlife and Environmental Management of rivers. River Walk (Museum Tutor led) If you have previously booked a boat trip, it will replace this session. A walk along the River Thames to Marsh Lock to observe the landscape and aspects of natural and managed river environments. A look at the main geographical features of the river and encouraging thought and discussion about aspects of management of the river environment including flooding. Galleries (Teacher led) The Museum provides challenge cards relating to Leisure, Employment, Transport, Wildlife and Environmental Management. Copies of the challenge cards and a location map are provided with this pack. Tasks can be completed individually, in pairs or in small groups

2 Learning Outcomes An understanding of the physical processes and features of a river. An understanding of the balance between the physical and human factors in managing the environment. The development of geographical skills and vocabulary. The development of environmental awareness. An awareness of the safety issues related to living near, working on or visiting a river. National Curriculum Areas Covered Geography - ask geographical questions - use appropriate geographical vocabulary - recognise some physical and human processes (for example, river erosion) and explain how these can cause changes in places and environments - recognise how people can improve the environment or damage it - recognise how and why people may seek to manage environments sustainably - assess water and its effects on landscapes and people, including the physical features of rivers. Equipment Equipment Provided by the Museum Clipboards Equipment to be Brought by the School Paper and pencils Waterproof clothing and shoes for the river walk Follow-up Ideas Research another river and compare and contrast it to the River Thames. Draw a line in a tray of sand and experiment with adding water and forming meanders. Divide the class into 2. Have 1 half jump on tarmac whilst the other half stay still, and then get the other half to jump on grass whilst the others are still. Discuss the differences and what the groups that were standing still could feel (permeable, air pockets in the grass). Large print versions of all teachers and pupils material are available. Please ask for these when booking. Copyright for any materials provided remains with the River & Rowing Museum.

3 Wildlife Wildlife In the gallery find the information panels about the salmon. Based on the information put together the life cycle of the salmon Copy the life cycle onto your sheet Have a look at the panels showing what happens to some creatures at different times of year. Write down or discuss what water voles do during each season. Spring Autumn Winter Summer Wildlife Wildlife : Don t forget to Have a look for some animals that are native to the River and some animals that are invaders. Discuss the impacts of the invaders Otter Match the animal tracks Listen to the birdsong Discover who eats who Examine the trees Look at the view from the windows American Mink

4 Travelling on the Thames Find these two boats in the gallery Where was the canoe made? How does it move along? Make a list of some of the boats you might see on the river and draw your favourite. Travelling on the Thames Look at this poster The characters are punting on the river Find a punt in the gallery Read the panel called Working and Fishing and have a go at listing some of the things people use punts for. Draw a funny cartoon on your page to show a punting mishap Travelling on the Thames This is one of the oldest boats in the gallery It is a Saxon Log boat. What is the boat made of? How do you think it was made? Where do you think people would have travelled in it? Draw the boat from another angle. Employment on the Thames Find the cabinet, which contains objects like these Who would have used them? What would they have used them for? What do you think they are made of? Draw and label them on your sheet

5 Employment on the Thames These two pictures show the swan upping ceremony. The top one was from 1877, the lower one is a print by Chris Tyrrell from the 20th century Find out what the swan uppers do each year? Draw their uniform on your sheet. Leisure on the Thames These three objects go together Find similar objects in the cabinet Why are they linked? Explain what they were all used for Leisure on the Thames What is this object? How does it relate to the picture? What are the people in the picture doing? Do you think this is a safe activity? Why? Leisure on the Thames Look at the equipment in these pictures Find the cabinet with similar objects in it What sportsperson would have used this equipment? What else do you think they would need? Draw a box full of all the equipment they would need to take with them on a day by the river.

6 Managing the Thames : Locks Take a look at the Lock display cabinet. Look for the picture of Thomas Harper in the cabinet and find out what else he did other than looking after the lock. Find the computer stand. Use the lock simulation and try to take a boat through the Pound Lock. Drink : Where does the water go? Put the pipes together to take the water from the river to your house. Sketch or discuss in your group where the water goes. Drink : Bringing water closer to home Watch the Water Aid video about Ghana. How many people don t have a regular supply of clean water? Why didn t Christina have time to go to school before a well runs dry? Why is well water cleaner and safer than water straight from a river? Drink: Keeping it clean Choose 1 disease that can live in water and discuss how it makes people sick. Draw one of the images of bacteria. Look a the photos across the top of the display panel. Discuss which ones show how you use water.

7 Drink : How much water do you use in a day? Use the display to calculate how much water you use in one day Think of three ways to save water Power : Water Mills Find the working water mill model. Watch how the river turns the wheel to transfer energy. Discuss the ways the energy is being used by the mill. Can you find 4 different ways? eg to lift heavy weights. Please be gentle with the handles and buttons! Power : A Miller s Tools Look at the drawings of 4 of a miller s tools. Use the poster to work out which ones they are. Power : Making Mills Work Watch the video about the miller. Tell your group 3 things that were interesting or new to you. Choose 2 tools to sketch and explain what they were used for.

8 Power : Good Miller Listen to the story of the good miller. How does he make his money? What jobs does he do? Power : Clean, green, watery energy Why is water power a good thing? How does an Archimedes Screw produce electricity? Draw either a green or a red Archimedes Screw Power : What makes rivers flood? Write down 2 things that can contribute to rivers flooding. Do plants add to rivers flooding or not? Draw or list 3 things you can do to prepare for a flood. Source : Ancient Animal Life Find the bones and fossils of animals that used to live in the Thames Valley. Draw your favourite one and explain what it is. How would you feel if your house was flooded?

9 Source : How do rivers shape the landscape? Find the flipbook showing how oxbow lakes are formed and look at it as a group. Watch the transportation video. Draw or describe how rivers move sediment. Source : Under your Feet Look in the drawers and at the rocks. Can you find the.. ramshorn snails? chalk? puddingstone? Source : Don t forget to Look at the water cycle Label the water processes Compare the Thames with some of the world s biggest rivers Watch how the Thames began