General aim: To introduce pupils to a river system and its characteristic features.

ICT: Two videos are of relevance during this topic. Flood disaster report which could be presented using Word, Publisher or PowerPoint

Key Topic	Content/Skills	Guidance Notes Literacy/Numeracy
Introduction	Glossary and title page Pupils design a title page to illustrate this topic. Pupils write a glossary of key words to be used in this topic.	Glossary at beginning of topic will familiarise the pupils with the keywords to be used, their meanings and spellings. Keywords can be displayed around the classroom.
Water cycle	How does the water cycle work? Foundations p.34 Qu. 1 & 2 Summary Extension work - Assessment sheet 3.2.	Use of diagrams to show flows, stores and transfers of water. Use of whiteboard to illustrate water cycle. Definitions of key words
River basins	What is a river basin? Foundations p. 36 Activity Extension work – sheet 3.1 Where are the world’s most important rivers? Foundations p. 37 Qu. 1 & 2 Summary Extension work – Extras Qu. 1 & 2	Define source, channel, tributaries and mouth. Rivers flow into lakes/seas. Use of crossword and map to identify the world’s main rivers.
Flooding	What causes a river to flood? Foundations p. 38 Qu. 1 – 3 Summary Extension work – sheet 3.2	Diagram work. Why certain areas are at more risk of flooding than others
Case studies - UK	Floods in the UK, 2000 Foundations p. 40Qu. 1 & 2 Summary ICT Activity – Use of computer to produce the flood disaster report. How does the UK cope with floods? Foundations p. 42Qu. 1 –4 Summary	Case study of the UK flood in 2000. Use of newspaper reports to illustrate effects of flood. Pupils write up their own report using ICT. How the UK copes with flooding. Local examples such as Yarm can be used. Pupils can find out more by sending for information or visiting the Floodline website.
Case studies - Bangladesh	Floods in Bangladesh, 1998 Foundations p. 42 Qu. 1 – 3 Summary How does Bangladesh cope with floods? Foundations p. 46 Qu. 1 - 3 Summary	Case study of the flood in Bangladesh in 1998. Use of newspaper report to illustrate effects of flood. Emphasise the different effects on UK and Bangladesh. Physical and human activities affecting flooding. Methods used in Bangladesh to cope with the floods. Emphasise the difference between UK and Bangladesh. Chance for discussion and group work with Qu. 3 on p. 47.
Flood prevention	How can the risk of flooding be prevented? Foundations p. 48 Qu. 1 – 3 Summary	Mind mapping exercise to explain the different ways to prevent flooding. Role play/ group work to argue for and against different methods.
Assessment	Self assessment sheet and target setting Assessment based on sheet 3.1 and activity sheet 3.1	Use of self-assessment sheets to highlight gaps in the pupils learning and set targets for the next topic. Assessment sheet 3.1 Pupils to record their test scores against the class average.