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Year 3 - Geography

Introducing rivers

Rivers: what's special about them?

Unit Summary

This unit explores how rivers change the land as they flow. Pupils learn about the journey of a river from source to mouth, the effects of flooding, and what makes rivers important. They compare rivers in the UK, Europe and other parts of the world.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe the key features of a river system and explain how rivers drain the land.

Key Notes

  • 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.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • 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 Mistakes To Avoid

  • Rivers start at the sea and flow across the land.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key 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.

2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'reservoir'

A reservoir is an artificial lake made by humans to store water.

3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.

Mistake: Rivers start at the sea and flow across the land. Correction: Rivers start at their source in the mountains and flow to their mouth at the sea.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 3 Geography guide library.