Weathering and rivers - duration 7/8 weeks

General aim: To introduce the pupils to the role that weathering and erosion play in shaping the land. To use the case study of rivers to help pupils understand this topic better.

ICT: Pupils use ICT to research and then produce a project on Niagara Falls. Pupils are encouraged to use the web to research this topic and then present it using various software packages such as Word and PowerPoint. Fieldwork during this topic takes place in Saltburn and pupils can use ICT to present their findings.

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.

Weathering and erosion

What is weathering?

Connections p. 4 Qu. 1 - 4 Summary

Extension work - activity sheet 1.1

Comparison of landforms from photos.

Explanation and examples of weathering.

Thinking skills activity using the worksheet – sequencing.
Erosion, transportation & deposition

What is erosion?

Connections p. 6

Qu. 1 - 3 Summary

Extension work - Extras p.7 pupils to do this on paper for a display

Explanation and examples of erosion.

Gardening and wheelbarrow analogy to explain the concepts.

Pupils to do their own for a display.

Group work activity.
Rivers

How do rivers shape the land?

Connections p. 8 Qu. 1 - 3 Summary

Video - River Tees

Description and simple explanation of landforms.

Use of videos, photos and sketches to aid explanation.
Waterfalls

What causes waterfalls?

Connections p. 10 Qu. 1 - 3 Summary

Extension work - activity sheet 1.2

Project work – extended project work on the Niagara Falls – see project sheet.

Pupils to research the falls and then produce a tourist leaflet for display to the rest of the class.

Case study – Niagara falls.

Pupils research the falls and then use ICT to produce a tourist leaflet for display to the rest of the class.

Group or paired work to be encouraged.

River bends

 

Fieldwork

What happens on a river bend?

Connections p. 12 Qu. 1 - 3 Summary

Extension work - activity sheets 1.3 & 1.4

Fieldwork – fieldwork on this topic will take place on Saltburn Beck. Pupils will use fieldwork techniques to test the hypothesis about river bends explained in this chapter. Work is then written up and displayed to the class

Use of videos, photos and sketches to aid explanation.

Hypothesis of what happens on a river bend will be tested by a fieldwork investigation centred on Saltburn Beck.
Assessment

Self assessment sheet and target setting

Assessment based on sheets 4.1; 1.1 & 1.3

Use of self-assessment sheets to highlight gaps in the pupils learning and set targets for the next topic.

Assessment sheets 1.1 & 1.3

Pupils to record their test scores against the class average.