002 - Important Rivers

Key Concept

To have knowledge of an important river and a society that has developed along it.

Watch

• Watch the YouTube clip and write down all the different ways that we either need or use water.

• Discuss the results of the clip.

Map

• Mark on a map of the world on the following continents and rivers. Remember to write the continents horizontally in capitals. You could create a key for the rivers as there may be little space.

• Using different colours show the location of the early civilisations written below. Remember to develop a key for the different colours.
  • Egyptian
  • Shang
  • Sumerian
  • Early American
  • Indus Valley
• Using the map you have just completed answer the following questions:

1. Which civilisations were likely to have had contact with each other?
2. Between which lines of latitude did the early civilisations develop? Try and explain your answer.
3. What critical factor concerning the location encouraged the growth of the early civilisations?

Resources

You will need to use your ATLAS and 'Ancient World' text book.

Activity

1. Complete a poster board presentation outlining the importance of a particular river. The presentation should last no more than 10 minutes.

Your presentation will need to include the following sections:

• Location of the river - hand drawn map with the key cities located alongside it.
• Who used(s) the river and why they did so.
• Why the river was particularly important (resources, energy, agriculture, drinking, transport etc).
• The history of the river: when it was discovered, the development of towns, pollution etc.

Remember to:

• Read through your work carefully.
• Spell check your work.
• Bibliography

Assessment

You will be assessed using Criterion B: Investigating, D: Communicating.

Possible Rivers to Study

• Euphrates
• Tigris
• Nile
• Huang He
• Ganges
• Mekong
• Yangtze
• Indus
• Brahmaputra