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Introducing rivers
I can describe the key features of a river system and explain how rivers drain the land.
Lesson 1 of 8
New
New
- Year 3
Introducing rivers
I can describe the key features of a river system and explain how rivers drain the land.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Rivers are used by humans to fill reservoirs, do activities, create hydroelectricity and transport things.
- Rainwater that falls on the ground is drained by rivers.
- The area of land drained by rivers is called a drainage basin.
- Rivers flow from their source in the hills or mountains to their mouth where they enter the sea or lake.
Keywords
Reservoir - A reservoir is an artificial lake made by humans to store water.
Hydro-electricity - Hydro-electricity is electricity created by water flowing downhill turning a turbine.
Source - The source is the start of a river.
Mouth - The mouth of a river is where it enters the sea or a lake, the river flow slows, loses its energy and often deposition occurs.
Common misconception
Rivers start at the sea and flow across the land.
Rivers start at their source in the mountains and flow to their mouth at the sea.
To explain a drainage basin you can use the analogy of a sink or bath. The water from the taps is like the rain and the plughole is like the river.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Where do rivers begin?
Where do rivers begin?
near the sea
in towns
Q2.This river flows through London. What is it called?
This river flows through London. What is it called?
River Nile
River Amazon
Q3.How do humans often use rivers in the UK?
How do humans often use rivers in the UK?
washing in
Q4.What do we call a small river?
What do we call a small river?
trickle
drip
lake
Q5.What colour usually represents rivers on a map?
What colour usually represents rivers on a map?
green
purple
orange
Q6.This is the River Seine, which city does it flow through?
This is the River Seine, which city does it flow through?
London
Birmingham
New York
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A river is a of water across the land into the sea or another lake.
A river is a of water across the land into the sea or another lake.
Q2.How do humans use rivers in the UK?
How do humans use rivers in the UK?
washing clothes
Q3.Why are rivers important for the environment?
Why are rivers important for the environment?
Provide transport for people
Q4.Can you match the key word to the correct definition?
Can you match the key word to the correct definition?
Q5.What does the area within the dotted line on this image show?
What does the area within the dotted line on this image show?
source of a river
mouth of a river
Q6.What is the point where two rivers meet called?
What is the point where two rivers meet called?
source
mouth
tributary
