Rivers and water resources in the Middle East
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how rivers have shaped the Middle East, and understand the challenge of managing water resources in the region.
Key learning points
- The Tigris and Euphrates are key rivers for farming.
- Water scarcity affects many countries in the region.
- Desalination provides water but is expensive.
- Dams impact water flow and cause disputes.
Keywords
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - the total value of all the goods and services within a location
Water scarcity - when there are not enough freshwater resources to meet the needs in a given area
Desalination - the process of removing salt from seawater
Dam - a barrier constructed to hold back water
Conflict - a strong disagreement between people or countries which may lead to fighting
Common misconception
The Middle East is all desert and has no rivers.
Students will explore the Tigris and Euphrates and understand how they created ancient civilisations and continue to support farming today.
Teacher tip
Using maps and infographics will help students visualise precipitation rates and river networks.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match these terms with their definitions.
Large-scale processes in Earth's crust
Raised landform higher than a hill
High, flat area of land
Very dry land with little rainfall
Q2.Which continents are part of the Middle East?
Q3.What is a desert?
Q4.Which of these is an example of a mountain in the Middle East?
Q5.Which best describes the climate in many parts of the Middle East?
Q6.What does the word "plateau" mean?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their definitions.
Total value of goods and services
Not enough freshwater for people
Removing salt from seawater
Wall built to hold back water
Serious disagreement or fighting
Q2.Which rivers are most important in the Middle East?
Q3.Which country has built many desalination plants due to water scarcity?
Q4.Which of these statements is not true about the Middle East?
To help you plan your 9 geography lesson on: Rivers and water resources in the Middle East, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 geography lesson on: Rivers and water resources in the Middle East, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 geography lessons from the The Middle East: How have natural resources shaped the Middle East? unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.