Why are rivers bendy?

To investigate why rivers are “bendy”.

To understand how a meander and ox-bow lake develops.

Lesson Objectives:

Starter: Describe what you see. Think, pair, share

What do you think is going on? Think for 30 seconds.

Then spend 1 minute discussing your ideas with your partner

You will then feed back to the whole class your answers.

Why does the river bend?

Hint: remember what process’ we looked at last lesson.

A river in action:

Hyperlink - a river in action

Activity 1:_________

You have now had the meander process explained to you and have watched it in action.

You must now copy down the following diagram including;

• all the key words and their explanations

• Give your diagram an appropriate title ‘ The process of a meander bend’

Activity 2: Glossary

• Meander= A winding curve or bend of a river

• Ox Bow lake= A crescent-shaped lake formed when a meander of a river or stream is cut off from the main channel.

Activity 3: How a meander and ox – bow

lake are formedIn your resource booklets you should

have a series of diagrams. In the corner of each you need to write a number so that it shows the journey of a meander and ox bow lake.

Use a pencil (You cannot have a spare sheet!)

Remember to record in your books that the activity

is in your booklet.

Activity 3: How a meander and ox-bow lake forms.

Activity 4: Meet Albert

I’m Albert…and I’m rather confused. I invented a time machine and travelled

forward in time to 2000 from 1880 – my shack has moved and I don’t know why?

Activity 4: Letter to Albert

Write a email to Albert explaining what has happened to the river. Tell him about

meanders, water speed, erosion, deposition and ox-bow lakes.

How will I be successful in my email?

• You must include the key words meander, erosion, deposition and ox – bow lake.

• You should describe what each of the words means.

• You could explain the links between each process and ultimately what has happened to his shack!

Personal Study:

You are to create 3 questions each on how meanders and Ox Bow lakes are formed.

These questions will be used in class to quiz your friends (and maybe even the teacher)

Remember you need to write the answers to your questions too!