Rivers and Coasts

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School

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Topic

Year 4

Term: Spring 1

Created by Mr Peet

Edited by

We looked at the water cycle, discussing where we would find the source (in the mountains) following the course all the way to the mouth (the sea). We discussed vocabulary such as Tributaries. We then looked on maps to find a river in the UK. Children were challenged to find the river name, source, towns it ran through and where the mouth of the river is.

We discussed the water cycle in depth and focused on two key words: evaporation and condensation. We realised that river water is fresh and the sea water is salty, however, they both meet at the mouth of the river so how can they be different? We conducted an experiment to find out what happens to fresh and salt water when the water has evaporated over time.

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We looked at a practical example of the water cycle, using key words to describe what happens from the source to the mouth. We looked at the results from the water cycle experiment and found that the salt had stayed in the sea whilst the water evaporated which is why the sea is salty and the rivers are fresh.

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We discussed ways we can cross a river and looked at the dangers of swimming/walking. We found that the most effective way of crossing a river was using a bridge. We discovered famous bridges and looked at the key features before experimenting with our very own bridges. We tested them by changing the variables.

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We discussed what a coast/coastline is and some of the things we do there. We looked at key words and discussed unfamiliar vocabulary. We then labelled a coastline using the key words discussed previously.

We discussed the types of animals living in our rivers and coasts. We then looked at food chains and webs - creating a definition for producers and consumers including examples. After that, we played the BBC bite size game to explore a range of food chains. In the final activity, each child had a producer or consumer and had to find other children to make a food chain.

We looked at rock pools, what species live in them, why they live there and what the dangers are of living in a rock pool. We then chose our own rock pool wildlife creature and created a poster including what it is, what it’s predator and prey is, how long they live for, interesting facts and a drawing.

Making bridges!