The Severn Bore
Activity title: The Severn Bore
Curriculum area: Geography
NC objectives: Geography: 2a, 2c, 2d, 3c, 3f, 4b, 6b, 6c,
Main learning objective: To use maps and plans at a range of scales
Lesson plan ideas, activities and resource sheets
INTRODUCTION: 15 minutes
- Ask the class if anyone has heard of the ‘Severn Bore’. Discuss what the class thinks the bore might be. Use 4.2a The Severn Bore Factsheet’ to explain what the bore is and why it occurs. Read 4.2b Description of Severn Bore and show 4.2c Images of the Severn Bore.
MAIN ACTIVITY: 25 minutes
- Provide the class with 4.2d Places along the Severn Estuary. Explain that the task is to draw a rough map of the Severn Estuary from Gloucester to the Bristol Channel and then use the internet or maps to identify and mark towns, villages and other places along the river from the list of place-names provided.
- The class should use a range of available maps (either hardcopy or on the internet).
- The class can be divided into small groups or pairs.
PLENARY: 20 minutes
- Answer session – draw/display a map of the river. Call out the place-names one-by-one and ask for answers.
- Discuss why the bore is a tourist attraction and some of the issues surrounding it (local income generation v traffic problems).
- Discuss the Severn Barrage and how it might affect the estuary (end of bores, threat to wildfowl habitats, etc)
Suggested extension activities or cross curricular links:
- Look at tides and tide tables (links to Mathematics).
- Investigate the Severn Barrage (links to Citizenship, Science)
- Investigate the wildlife of the Severn.
Other resources