Rivers and Us

Margaret Simpson
Red Bud Elementary
200 Field Dr
Red Bud IL  62278

Promoting Geographic Knowledge Through Literature
Summer 2002

Overview          Rivers have been vitally important throughout history and still are today.

Grade Level     3-5

Geographic Theme    Movement, Human Environment Interaction

National Geography Standard

Environment and Society   # 14 How human actions modify the physical environment.           #15  How physical systems affect human systems.

Human Systems          #12  The processes, patterns, and functions of human settlement.

Connection to Curriculum   Social Studies (geography and history) and Language Arts

Objectives

The Student will:

  1. Explain ways people use a river.
  2. Describe types of river transportation.
  3. Locate rivers on a home state map.
  4. Draw a map of the state where they live, locate and label one or more rivers in the state and several cities located on the river.
  5. Understand how pollution can affect a river and how a polluted river can affect a community.

Procedure

  1. Have students respond in their social studies journal to the question, ”Have you ever been to a river? What did you do there?”
  2. Discuss responses.
  3. Using a dictionary of geographic terms or an atlas define the term river and compare it to other bodies of water.
  4. Go over the handout What is a River System. (attached)
  5. Activity- In journal, label a page River Transportation. In writing or drawing gives forms of transportation used on a river.  Label a second page Ways We use a River, give examples of how people use and enjoy a river.   Label a third page Ways We Pollute a River, draw a scene.
  6. Share and discuss ideas.
  7. Introduce and read A River Ran Wild by Lynne Cherry
  8. Go back into journal and add to any of the lists.
  9. Familiarize students with the San Antonio River and the River Walk.
  10. Go to the internet site and tour the River Walk. www.sanantonio.com
  11. Activity-Using an Illinois state road map(use map of your state) locate rivers and cities on the rivers of Illinois. Discuss why cities locate near rivers, size of river cities, where they are in relation to where we live, etc..
  12. Activity-Give each child a large sheet of white paper, have them tear or cut it into the shape of their state. As a group locate a common point as a reference point. Then students should locate and label one or more rivers of the state and cities located on the river.
  13. Go back and add information to their journal.
  14. Finish lesson with a journal writing “Tell what you now know about rivers”.

Materials   social studies writing journal, dictionary of geographic terms or atlas, story A River Ran Wild, information on San Antonio Texas, road maps of your state, art supplies

Time   4-5 class periods

Evaluation     Teacher evaluates running journal entries and final entry

                   State map river and city project

                   Teacher observation of student participation

Extension

     Read extension materials offered

     Poetry

     Bring in personal materials that relates to their experiences with a river

Reference

     Cherry, Lynne  A River Ran Wild  1992  Harcourt,Brace, Jovanovich

     Lee, Sally  San Antonio   1992  Dillon Press

     Locker, Thomas   Where the River Begins   1984  Dial Books

     Communities:Adventures in Time and Place (ch.5 less.1)  1997

    Macmillan McGraw Hill

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