Example of a river flood: River Eden, Cumbria (2015)
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how physical and human factors interacted to cause the River Eden flooding in Cumbria in 2015.
Key learning points
- The River Eden valley is located in the northwest of England.
- In December 2015, Carlisle and surrounding towns were flooded.
- Physical and human factors interacted to cause the flooding.
Keywords
Saturated - soil or ground that has absorbed the maximum amount of water it can hold
Flood defences - structures built to protect areas from flooding
Floodplain - a flat area of land next to a river that is prone to flooding
Common misconception
Flooding is caused only by heavy rainfall.
Heavy rainfall is a key factor, other phyiscal and human factors, such as relief, geology and land use also affect the flood risk.
Teacher tip
As this is a located example in the Edexcel B specification, make use of OS maps, video clips and news articles to support learning and bring it to life.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is erosion in a river context?
Q2.Which process occurs when a river drops the sediment it was carrying?
Q3.What is the correct sequence of the river’s course?
Q4.Which landform is most likely found in the upper course of a river?
Q5.What physical factor can increase the risk of flooding?
Q6.How does urbanisation contribute to flooding?
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.What does it mean when the ground is saturated?
Q2.What is a floodplain?
Q3.Which of the following is a human factor that increased flood risk in Cumbria?
Q4.What caused the River Eden to flood in 2015?
Q5.Why is it incorrect to say that flooding is caused only by heavy rainfall?
To help you plan your 10 geography lesson on: Example of a river flood: River Eden, Cumbria (2015), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 geography lesson on: Example of a river flood: River Eden, Cumbria (2015), 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 River landscapes unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.