Name of Teacher: Andre’ Francis

School: Ferncourt High School

Subject: Geography

Date: February 7h, 2024.

Lesson Unit/Title: Unit 1 Module 2: Hydrology; Factors Influencing Fluvial Processes

Grade Level: 12 & 13 CXC CAPE Geography

Duration: 1 hour 20 Minutes

Classroom Safety Students are to ensure that classrooms is clean by picking up or sweeping out
the garbage

To go to the bathroom or exit the classroom before the session ends, students
must obtain a pass.

Students are to be equipped with their tools to participate in class.

Students are to answer when their name is called for registration.

General Objective: For students to develop an understanding of geomorphic processes and

develop appropriate skills and techniques in Physical Geography.

Specific Objectives: At the end of the lesson students must be able to;

 Outline the three processes carried out by a river, after class discussion.

 Explain how these processes help to shape the landscape over time and space, after class

discussion and activity.

 Examine the key factors influencing fluvial processes, including geology, climate,

vegetation, and human activities, after participating in class discussion and activity.
  Show willingness to complete assigned tasks.

Key Vocabulary: erosion, transportation, deposition, load, weathering, vegetation, sea-level

rise, geology, biotic,

Key Skills: Critical Thinking, Communicate, Observation, Listening

Related Subjects: English Language, Science, Social Sciences

Materials/Specialized Equipment needed:

PowerPoint presentation, Whiteboard and markers - Handouts with diagrams of fluvial processes

– YouTube Video clips and images showing different river environments.

Content Outline:

The factors influencing the river drainage basin includes Climate, geologic, vegetation and biotic

factors each impacted on the hydrograph and the drainage patterns. These factors also influence

the processes and landforms found in the valley and channel. Weathering is the break clown and

decomposition of rocks by atmospheric conditions. It does not involve any transport of material

and is therefore not an agent of erosion, but one of the important processes of denudation. The

weathered materials will accumulate where they occur or fall/slide/flow/creep under the pull of

gravity. The movements of weathered materials, with or without water or ice, are called mass

movements. After a river channel has been initiated, all the valley areas above the water are

subject to weathering. Depending on the climate, rock type and structure and vegetation, these

weathering processes may reduce the strength of the rock material and, especially under

conditions of heavy and prolonged rainfall, provide additional load for the river to transport;
control the steepness of the valley sides and alter the overall drainage basin characteristics. Slope

stability also affects fluvial processes. To some extent this depends on the geology and soil.

Some slopes consist of unconsolidated materials which may slide off into river channels

precipitating flooding. In clays, increasing moisture may cause the slopes to fail. Hard rocks are

more stable. They often form slopes of great steepness and height which can fail spectacularly.

These processes deliver extra sediment to river channels which causes erosion and accelerate

deposition downstream. People have always been attracted to the fertile floodplains of rivers and

it was here that the great civilizations of the world developed - the Egyptians on the Nile, the

Sumerians on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. They were attracted to these areas because of both

the presence of water and the agricultural potential of the floodplains. River terraces also

provided fertile agricultural land. Today, fluvial landscapes are valuable assets for tourism - the

Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon. The activities of man have impacted on fluvial processes.

Vegetation stabilizes slopes and this is particularly important in steep headwater areas. Forest

removal, the grazing of animals results in gullying. In addition, the drainage network may be

extended in the upper reaches of the basin. Urbanization has also increased the supply of

sediments to stream channels, aggravating and eroding. Urbanization may increase surface runoff

leading to a rise in peak fl0vvs. Any change in the supply of sediments to streams will alter the

diamter of the streams. Meandering may be transformed to braiding. The current period of global

warming may result in a rise in sea level as ice caps melt. This would result in drowning of the

lower course of the river valley to form bays, and headlands or rias and islands according to the

alignment of the valley to the coast. Along the long profile the main process would be deposition

as the river seeks to flow at the raised base level. A lowered base level as during glacial periods

or rising land will result in more erosion as the river gradient its profile. Changes in the
dominance of erosion over deposition from the height at which the base level dropped is called

the Knick point. This is often marked by waterfalls where the river flows to the new base level.

As the river cuts down into its own previously deposited sediments it forms terraces either side.

Former meanders are cut into V-shaped valleys but maintain the sinuous patterns as incised

meanders. The river is said to be rejuvenated along this section.

Prior Knowledge: What is a Drainage basin?

What processes are carried out by a river?

Engage (10 minutes):

Lesson will begin with a brief discussion on the importance of rivers and their role in shaping

landscapes. Students will be asked why rivers are important and how they change the features of

the landscape. Students will be shown images and videos of different river environments around

the world. Students will be asked to share their observations about the features of rivers and what

might influence their behavior.

Explore (20 minutes):

Students will be asked to recap the concept of fluvial processes, including erosion,

transportation, and deposition. They will then be divided into small groups and provided with a

diagram of the river system. Students will be asked to identify and label the key features and

processes involved in the river system. Teacher will encourage students to discuss how these

processes might be influenced by different factors.

Explain (20 minutes):

including: - Geology (rock type, structure, and resistance to erosion) - Climate (precipitation

patterns, temperature, and weathering) - Vegetation (impact on soil stability and runoff) - Human

activities (urbanization, deforestation, agriculture, and dam construction). Students will be asked

to examine each factor and provide an explanation on how each factor affects the processes with

a drainage basin. After which students will be provided with examples and case studies to

illustrate how each factor can affect fluvial processes.

Elaborate (15 minutes):

In their groups, students will choose one factor influencing fluvial processes and research its

specific impact on a particular river system. Each group will present their findings to the class,

highlighting the interactions between the chosen factor and fluvial processes. Teacher will

encourage discussion and questions from the class based on the presentations.

Evaluate (10 minutes):

Students will answer questions from Past Paper exam booklets to assess students' understanding

of the factors influencing fluvial processes. Teacher and students will review the answers as a

class and address any misconceptions. Teacher will make sure to provide feedback on students'

presentations and participation during the lesson.

**Closure (5 minutes):**
Teacher will summarize the key points of the lesson and emphasize the interconnectedness of the

factors influencing fluvial processes. Encourage students to continue exploring the topic and its

relevance to real-world geography.