Rivers Up Close


Today's task is to investigate some of the rivers systems around the world in closer detail.  We will also be exploring some of the technology that is used to examine these complex systems.

Part 1: We will examine some websites that demonstrate some of the way that humans have interact with rivers.

Part 2:  You will choose a river story, myth, legend, poem, art piece, musical or other artifact that demonstrates human connection to rivers.   You will bring this to class next day.

Record your own notes for future reference



PART 1 - Google Earth - Let's see these waterways up close.  Use Chrome for this - if it takes too long to load, you may have to try a different device, or examine at home.   (If you can't use link, load the web version of Google Earth and click on the little asterisk on the left hand side that links to expeditions to explore.  The titles are below)

 Click on 3D to go up close.  Play around with Google Earth if you haven't before.  Be prepared to discuss what you see next day. 


FRESHWATER AROUND THE WORLD

A. Go through the following websites.  Look at the images, skim the descriptions.  Record 2-3 names of rivers in your notes that you believe to be beautiful, and a few notes about each one. 

The Most Beautiful Rivers in the World

The Most Beautiful Rivers in the USA

The American Nile 


Rivers and Borders.  

TASK - Head to the following website.  Scroll through the website to follow the border between Mexico and the USA.  Click on different links of interest.  Be sure to follow the border from West to East, paying attention to the area along the Rio Grande river - this is the area in dispute. 


Borderline - Washington Post

Why is the US border wall so problematic? 


  • QUESTION -  Why is the border wall so problematic from a geographic perspective?  Why is an understanding of the geography so important to this debate?  Record your ideas



PART TWO:  FIND A RIVER STORY or ART PIECE

Understanding different cultures around the world, begins with an investigation of their stories.  So many stories are connected to the natural environment, and this is no exception for rivers and waterways.

1.  FIND YOUR RESOURCE

Find a famous story, myth, legend, poem, song, or art piece that you like, that is connected and describes a specific river in the world.

Print it out, and bring it to class next day so that it can be discussed.  Answer the following questions in draft form.

  • What is the 'message' or 'lesson' of the story, poem, source piece? 
  • What does the story/source piece tell us about the relationship between the people and the river? 
  • What does the story/source piece tell us about the culture that lives (has lived) in this space? 

Prepare to discuss your ideas next day. 

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