Parts of a River

This scene takes the form of a riverbank. This mountainous scene will show you the entire journey of a river, from its source high in the mountains all the way out to sea. As you explore the landscape, you will see the different parts of a river in a way which is both realistic but also easy for students to interpret. Within the scene there is a sloping landscape which can be explored; ten clear different parts of a river with arrows and numbered labels to enable a labelling activity during student lessons. And finally, a natural landscape with a few human features such as farmland and housing.

# Learning objectives

1: To define what a river is.{.info}

2: To describe and explain the upper, middle and lower course of a river.{.info}


# What are rivers?{.objective .objective1}

Students can learn that rivers are moving bodies of water that flow. The three main sections of a river are called its courses. In this activity students are asked to enter the scene to explore the courses of the different rivers.

# Upper Course{.objective .objective2}

In this section the upper course is the closest point to the river’s source. In this activity students are asked to enter the scene to explore how fast flowing water can change a landscape.

# Middle Course{.objective .objective3}

The middle course is where the river begins to slow down, as the landscape is not as steep. In this activity students are asked to enter the scene to explore how rivers can separate and change the flow of the river.

# Lower Course{.objective .objective4}

In this section the lower course is the last and lowest part of the river. In this activity students are asked to enter the scene to explore the mouth of a river and how a river meets the sea.

# Teacher Resources

**Download Teacher Notes**

[](https://data.avncloud.com/activities/792916/files/Parts%20of+a+River+Teacher+Notes+1.pdf?date=1676629226&size=926789&md5=bf3e7555f139acf384b605a331d50697)

**Student Quiz Answers Document**

[](https://data.avncloud.com/activities/792917/files/Parts%20of+a+River+Teacher+Notes+2.pdf?date=1676629443&size=514503&md5=20745480ac2cb82aa7b67f7cbba02d83)

**Download Student Quiz Document**

[](https://data.avncloud.com/activities/792918/files/Parts%20of+a+River+Teacher+Notes+3.pdf?date=1676650882&size=67463&md5=345be2ecc6dbddc536c0079283406cd2)