Major Rivers of Delaware
Category : Classroom Activities
In this lesson students will locate some of the major river systems and watersheds of the great state of Delaware.
Topic – Many Rivers Run Through Delaware
Objectives:
1. The student should be able to locate a major river and its tributaries on a map to identify a river system.
2. The student should be able to locate divides and watersheds on a map.
3. The student should be able to use rivers to infer elevation changes on a topographic map.
Bellwork:
Students will play “Where Am I” game describing a location involving a river located in Delaware.
Lesson Introduction:
Define and Review the terms “tributary,” “river system,” “watershed,” and “divide” with students before attempting this activity.
Activity One:
Students will be given an outline map of Delaware. Using the internet and the links provided by the teacher (one suggested resource is the Delaware rivers map), students will draw the location of Delaware’s major rivers on the outline map. Do not draw in your rivers too dark so that the highlighting in the following step can be seen. Next have students draw in a few of the major tributaries. Discuss the difference between a major river and its tributaries with the students.
Activity Two:
Using colored pencils, have students highlight some of the major river systems for Delaware (chosen by the teacher). Then shade in the watersheds for each river system with the corresponding color. Be sure to create a legend for you map.
Activity Three:
Draw in the “divides” present on your map with dashed lines. The teacher should make sure that the divides accurately separate colors and that rivers or tributaries do not cross divides.
Activity Four:
Discuss the ultimate base level for all rivers (the ocean), the location of the continental divide, and why some rivers of the southwestern US do not make it to the ocean.
Activity Five:
Using a topographic map showing the rivers drawn above, show students how contour lines bend or “V” upstream as they cross rivers. Explain that since water flows downhill, the direction the river is flowing can be determined even if contour lines are not labeled.
Activity Six:
Review Quiz in which students identify the following: -major river -tributary -divide -watershed -direction river flows
Objectives:
1. The student should be able to locate a major river and its tributaries on a map to identify a river system.
2. The student should be able to locate divides and watersheds on a map.
3. The student should be able to use rivers to infer elevation changes on a topographic map.
Bellwork:
Students will play “Where Am I” game describing a location involving a river located in Delaware.
Lesson Introduction:
Define and Review the terms “tributary,” “river system,” “watershed,” and “divide” with students before attempting this activity.
Activity One:
Students will be given an outline map of Delaware. Using the internet and the links provided by the teacher (one suggested resource is the Delaware rivers map), students will draw the location of Delaware’s major rivers on the outline map. Do not draw in your rivers too dark so that the highlighting in the following step can be seen. Next have students draw in a few of the major tributaries. Discuss the difference between a major river and its tributaries with the students.
Activity Two:
Using colored pencils, have students highlight some of the major river systems for Delaware (chosen by the teacher). Then shade in the watersheds for each river system with the corresponding color. Be sure to create a legend for you map.
Activity Three:
Draw in the “divides” present on your map with dashed lines. The teacher should make sure that the divides accurately separate colors and that rivers or tributaries do not cross divides.
Activity Four:
Discuss the ultimate base level for all rivers (the ocean), the location of the continental divide, and why some rivers of the southwestern US do not make it to the ocean.
Activity Five:
Using a topographic map showing the rivers drawn above, show students how contour lines bend or “V” upstream as they cross rivers. Explain that since water flows downhill, the direction the river is flowing can be determined even if contour lines are not labeled.
Activity Six:
Review Quiz in which students identify the following: -major river -tributary -divide -watershed -direction river flows