River fieldwork
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can collect primary and secondary data in a river environment to help me answer a geographical question.
Key learning points
- There are many geographical enquiry questions that you can investigate along the course of a river.
- Data collection methods in a river landscape can examine flood management and a river's agreement to the Bradshaw model.
- Secondary data can provide contextual information about particular rivers and comparable data.
Keywords
Channel morphology - the physical size and shape of a river channel, including the sediment (bedload) it carries
The Bradshaw model - a theory about how river processes change from source to mouth
Flood management - strategies used to prevent a river over topping its banks following a period of intense rainfall
Common misconception
River processes are independent variables that shape river features.
Rivers are complex systems where processes and features both affect each other at different times. This means that students need to disengage with the idea that one variable is going to be independent of another as they present and analyse data.
Teacher tip
River fieldwork is an excellent opportunity for students to develop teamwork and leadership skills. Multiple variables have to be measured using different pieces of equipment so roles can easily be rotated between group members.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - outdoor learning
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the term used to describe stones, pebbles and rocks found and carried in a river?
Q2.Erosion, transportation and are the three main river processes.
Q3.Which of the following is not a defence used to prevent river flooding?
Q4.One of the measurements geographers make in river fieldwork is of the wetted perimeter. What is a perimeter?
Q5.What does an altimeter measure?
Q6.The area of land where precipitation flows downhill into rivers is known as a ...
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which of the following statements are true?
Q2.Sort these steps for measuring flow velocity into the correct order.
Q3.The width is the width of the water in the channel if water were at the top of the channel height.
Q4.During a field work enquiry, what model might geographers compare a real life river to?
To help you plan your 10 geography lesson on: River fieldwork, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 geography lesson on: River fieldwork, 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 4 geography lessons from the Fieldwork investigation unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.