Main idea

Surface water through erosion, the transportation of sediments, and the accumulation of sediments shape the landscape and forms both deep narrow valleys and vast plains and wide deltas. Every river can be divided into upper, middle, and lower sections. Each section has its own characteristics determined by a number of parameters, among which the most critical are the slope, the quantity of water, and the type of sediments.

Goal

To demonstrate how a stream of water through erosion, movement of sediments, and sedimentation shapes the landscape and creates different shapes of riverbed throughout the whole river system.

Concepts

surface runoff, stream, river → riverbed; erosion → sedimentation; torrent, meander, delta;

Introduction: The Shape of a River

  • Discuss with students what a river is and how it is formed.
  • What are all other possible forms of surface waters?
  • Students can make drawings of their findings.

Activities in this lesson

Let Us Create a River
2.1.1
Subject: Art and craft, Biology, Geography, Language, Physics, Social skills
Age group: All, 4 - 6, 7 - 9, 10 - 12, 13 and up
Type of activity: Experiment, Project
Number of participants: Team
Sediment Settling and Sediment Transportation
2.1.2
Subject: Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Physics
Age group: All, 4 - 6, 7 - 9, 10 - 12, 13 and up
Type of activity: Experiment, Project
Number of participants: Individual, Paired, Team

Discussion: What the Shape of Our River Can Tell Us

  • Have a discussion with students about a river that flows through their town. Describe it.
  • Discuss with students what happens when a river is channelized. What does it look like? What happens to the plant and animal (benthos, fish) life?