This lesson gives children the opportunity to investigate some of the differences between canals & rivers. They will learn what the words 'natural' and 'man made' mean, how rivers are created as surface water runs to the sea, and why canals were built. They will learn to identify some of the major features of both by name.
National Curriculum
Geography
The pupils will understand human geography, including: types of settlement and land use, economic activity including trade links, and the distribution of natural resources including energy, food, minerals and water
The pupils will understand physical geography, including: climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts, rivers, mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes, and the water cycle
Learning Objectives
To understand the meaning of the words river & canal.
To understand that rivers have natural origins although they may subsequently be altered by human action.
To understand that canals are man-made.
To understand some of the main reasons why canals are built.
To learn the names of some of the main features of a river & canal.
Differentiation
All children will learn that a river is natural and a canal man made.
Most children will be able to identify & name the main features of a river & a canal.
Some children will understand when and why canals were built.