UKS2 Topic: Earth Matters Block B: The Water Cycle and Rivers
In these model-making sessions, children will learn about the water cycle, rivers and the effect they
have on the landscape. They will look at how rain finds its way into rivers and how rivers develop from
the source to entering the sea.
Block B: Water Cycle and
Rivers
Main outcome: Geography Other outcomes: Science/D&T/Art
By the end of this block, you
will have achieved the
following outcomes:

Session 1:
Geography/Science
The Water Cycle
Recreate the water cycle and
its features in a simple
experiment.
Session 2: Geography/D&T
How do Rivers Get Their
Water?
Recreate a mountain range
(river source); learn about
watershed and the terms
associated with water
travelling to rivers.
Session 3: Geography/D&T
From Source to Sea Part 1
Make a model showing a
river’s source and a V-shaped
valley; begin to identity the
different stages of a river
from sea to source.
Session 4: Geography/D&T
From Source to Sea Part 2
Make a mature, meandering
river and floodplain out of
modroc in order to
consolidate your knowledge
of the different stages of a
river.
Session 5: Geography
Life on a Floodplain
Finish the block by discussing
how human activity affects
floodplains and understand
the importance of flood
management systems.
Describe and understand key aspects of physical geography, including rivers and the
water cycle.
 Demonstrate that changes of state are reversible changes.
 Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative,
functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose.
 Produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experience.
Children will
 Understand and identify the features of the water cycle.
 Understand and use the vocabulary associated with the water cycle.
 Be able to demonstrate evaporation and condensation and recreate the water cycle
in a simple experiment.
Children will
 Understand about watershed and that rain travels in different ways on different
terrain.
 Understand and use the terms associated with water travelling to rivers.
 Recreate a mountain range (river source) out of junk modelling resources and
investigate watershed.
Children will
 Be able to locate young rivers on a map.
 Be able to identify the different stages of a river from sea to source, especially a
young river in a V-shaped valley.
 Make a river’s source and V-shaped valley out of Modroc and label features.
Children will
 Be able to locate mature rivers on a map.
 Be able to identify the different stages of a river from sea to source, especially a
mature river in a floodplain.
 Make a mature, meandering river and floodplain out of Modroc and label
features.
Children will
 Be able to discuss the effects of human impact on floodplains.
 Understand the importance of flood management systems.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
UKS2 Topic: Earth Matters Block B: The Water Cycle and Rivers
Resources
Session 1
Provided: The animated Water Cycle sheet; How to make your own Water Cycle sheet.
You will need: A camera; Each group will need – a large transparent bowl, a small transparent bowl,
hot water, a few cubes of ice, spoon, cling film, salt.
Session 2
Provided: How to make your own watershed sheet.
You will need: Plastic containers (yogurt pots, small bottles, etc.); Plastic polythene sheeting (carrier
bag or bin liner (check type!)); Spray bottles filled with water; Glitter or food colouring; A camera.
Session 3
Provided: How to make your own V-shaped valley guide.
You will need: OS maps; River Severn images; Modroc, scissors; Bowls of water; Scrap paper; Tape;
Trays; Tissue paper (greens, browns, and blues); PVA glue.
Session 4
Provided: River meander images; How to make your own mature river and floodplain guide.
You will need: OS maps; Modroc; Scissors; Bowls of water; Scrap paper; Tape; Trays; Tissue paper
(greens, browns, and blues); PVA glue; A camera.
Session 5
Provided:
You will need: Copies of photographs of the floodplains of the children’s Modroc models; Play dough;
Monopoly houses; Pipe cleaners.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.