L1a · Do Now — While You Settle In
Name:
Class:
Date:
Get started on your own — no phones, no looking it up. We'll begin properly in a few minutes.
1 · Warm up your brain
Write down three rivers — the first three that come into your head.
2 · True or false?
Circle T or F. Have a go even if you're not sure.
A river starts at its mouth.T / F
The River Tees is in the North-East of England.T / F
A waterfall is where a river drops over a cliff or ledge.T / F
A tributary is a smaller stream that joins a bigger river.T / F
3 · Have you been?
Tick anything that's true for you:
- I've seen the River Tees with my own eyes.
- I've crossed a bridge over the Tees.
- I've been to Stockton, Middlesbrough, Darlington or Redcar.
- I've seen a waterfall — anywhere.
Pick one you ticked and tell us where / when:
L1a · The River Tees — Knowledge Organiser
Name:
Class:
Date:
Lesson learning outcomes
- Name where the Tees starts and where it ends
- Describe 3 things the Tees passes through on its journey
- Use the words source, mouth, and tributary correctly
Key facts
Source: Cross Fell, in the Pennines (893m above sea level).
Length: About 85 miles (137 km).
Mouth: The North Sea, near Redcar.
Major towns: Barnard Castle · Darlington · Stockton · Middlesbrough · Redcar.
Famous landmarks: High Force (waterfall) · Tees Barrage (Stockton) · Transporter Bridge (Middlesbrough).
Trip (10 July): A stretch of the River Tees — exact location confirmed in lesson 1b.
Key terms
SourceWhere a river starts — usually high up.
TributaryA smaller stream feeding into a bigger river.
MeanderA bendy, curvy part of a river.
MouthWhere a river ends — usually into the sea.
EstuaryThe wide, tidal section near the mouth.
BarrageA barrier that controls the river / tides.
Your Tees map — sketch & label
Draw the Tees from source (left) to mouth (right). Label: Cross Fell · High Force · Barnard Castle · Stockton · Middlesbrough · North Sea.
L1a · Your Work — Source to Sea
Name:
Pick the question that's right for you — or do all three if you can. Use the word banks and sentence starters to help.
Q1. Name where the River Tees starts and where it ends. F
Word bank — some are not neededCross Fell · North Sea · Stockton · High Force · the Pennines
The River Tees starts at ________________ and ends at the ________________.
Q2. Describe how the Tees changes from source to mouth. Use at least 2 of the words below. M
Use 2 or moretrickle · waterfall · meander · town · estuary · tidal
At its source, the Tees is…
By the time it reaches the sea, it is…
Q3. Explain why the Tees matters to the people who live along it. Give two reasons. H
The Tees matters because…
Another reason is…
The examiner wants: two clear reasons, with a bit of detail on each — think jobs, history, transport, leisure, identity.
🌟 Finished? Design a Tees postcard
Sketch a front picture · write one true fact you learned · say who you'd send it to.
L1a · Revision & Self-Quiz
Name:
Self-quiz · cover the answers
Q1. Where does the River Tees start?
Q2. Where does it end?
Q3. How long is the Tees, roughly?
Q4. Name a waterfall on the Tees.
Q5. What is the Tees Barrage in Stockton?
Q6. What is a tributary?
Q7. What is an estuary?
Q8. Name 3 towns the Tees passes through.
Q9. Where is our trip on 10 July?
Q10. Give one reason the Tees matters to Teesside.
Memory hooks
Source: "Cross Fell — Cross your fingers it doesn't rain." 🏔️
Length: "85 miles — about an hour and a half by car." 🚗
Mouth: "Redcar — Red sky, sea ahead." 🌊
Order downstream: "Cross High Bridges, Darlings, Stop, Make Room for the sea." (Cross Fell · High Force · Barnard · Darlington · Stockton · Middlesbrough · Redcar)
Common mark-losers
- Saying the Tees starts at Stockton (no — that's a town it passes).
- Confusing source (start) with mouth (end).
- Confusing tributary (joins in) with meander (bends).
- Saying the Tees is in the south of England — it's North-East.