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Year 9 - Geography

Fieldwork: Planning a river enquiry and collecting data

Rivers: How do rivers shape the land?

Unit Summary

This unit teaches pupils about how river processes shape the land and affect our lives. Pupils will use fieldwork to investigate downstream changes in rivers and use GIS to analyse flood risk across geographical space. Pupils will also evaluate different methods of flood management.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to collect river characteristics data as part of a fieldwork enquiry.

Key Notes

  • The Bradshaw model shows theoretically how the physical characteristics of a typical river change from source to mouth.
  • Many physical characteristics of a river can be measured during fieldwork.
  • Geographers can carry out fieldwork to see if their local river behaves like a theoretical one.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Bradshaw model: a theory that describes how the physical characteristics of a typical river change from source to mouth
  • bedload: geological material that is eroded, transported and deposited by a river such as stones boulders and sand
  • (flow) velocity: the speed at which water passes along a channel

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Field sketches are artistic impressions of a geographical scene.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.

The Bradshaw model shows theoretically how the physical characteristics of a typical river change from source to mouth. Many physical characteristics of a river can be measured during fieldwork.

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

a theory that describes how the physical characteristics of a typical river change from source to mouth.

3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.

Mistake: Field sketches are artistic impressions of a geographical scene. Correction: Field sketches are about clearly representing the geographical features of a place, not about the artistic skills of the geographer.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 9 Geography guide library.