River Adventures in Year 4

Year 4 made a fantastic start to their new Mini Adventure - 'Veins of the Earth' - this week when they began exploring the wonderful world of rivers.  In groups, they investigated how rivers are formed using clay to create high land and the shape of a river before adding water to experience how it travels down the mountains and across the land.  They added meanders to see how the water behaves when it hits a bend in the river too!  Working with an adult, they explored how the water cycle works using steam from hot water.  They used scientific vocabulary like evaporation, condensation and precipitation to describe each stage as they witnessed 'clouds' being formed and rain being made.  Using Lego bricks, the children created a street, which they had to prevent from flooding by using modelling clay to build flood defences.  They also used Google Earth to revisit key vocabulary such as equator, matched up different uses of rivers throughout the world, and created fact files about different rivers.  It was fantastic to see the children showing a love of learning  and working as team players to complete several activities in one afternoon!  We are all very excited to learn more about our fascinating world.