This section focuses on what a dam is, the advantages of building a dam and the problems that the dam can cause. Children will study three case studies:
ACTIVITY ONE : What is a dam? In pairs, ask the children to write a definition of a dam, looking it up in a dictionary as well. Then ask the children to make a list of rivers which have a dam or dams built across them. The children can refer to books, use their own general knowledge and refer to the question sheets from the videos to help them. ACTIVITY TWO : Reasons for constructing a dam, and the advantages and disadvantages of the scheme: The Severn Barrage. Explain that when a dam or any other construction project is undertaken, some people will be for the project and other people will be against the project. If possible try to link it to a local construction issue such as the building of the high speed rail link, the building of a new bridge, the widening of a road or motorway, or the building of new houses or flats. Discuss with the children first which types of people might be for and against the project and why. Encourage the children to come up with both advantages and disadvantages of the project. Children should understand that there are both advantages and disadvantages to most construction projects. Explain that there is a scheme to build a barrage (dam) across the River Severn. Explain that the purpose of building the barrage is to make electricity using the power of the tide. Give the children Worksheet 66. In pairs, ask them to cut out the statements. Group them according to facts about the Severn Barrage, advantages of the Severn Barrage and disadvantages of the Severn Barrage. There may be more disadvantages than advantages, but this doesn't mean that the scheme is a bad idea, or that the scheme will not go ahead. RESOURCES REQUIRED Worksheet 66 ACTIVITY THREE : Advantages and disadvantages of building the Narmada Dams in India. Locate India on a World map. Which continent is India in? Explain that the dams at Narmada are some of the largest in the World. Recap on what an advantage and a disadvantage is. Give the children Worksheet 67 and ask them to group the statements according to whether they are an advantage or a disadvantage. Then ask them to decide whether they would build the dam and why. RESOURCES REQUIRED Worksheet 67 ACTIVITY FOUR : The Itaipu Dam (Brazil/Argentina) OR The Aswan High Dam (Egypt). This activity involves a choice of two case studies: the Itaipu Dam or the Aswan High Dam. The teacher may decide which to use (it is not advisable to do both as there would be a lot of repetition) or the children may choose. Children may either work alone or in pairs. It is suggested that the less able children work in pairs or a small group in order to do the leaflet. For this activity the children will be making a leaflet about either the Itaipu Dam or the Aswan High Dam. The leaflet needs to include some introductory information about the size, location, who built the dam and when; the advantages of building the dam; the disadvantages of building the dam; and some pictures. Ideally the children need an A3 piece of paper folded in half, using each page (4 in total) for a front cover, general information, advantages and disadvantages. The pictures need to be glued in where there is space. Before starting this work, the teacher needs to recap on the work already done about the Narmada Dams so that the children are familiar with the arguments for and against the building of dams. RESOURCES REQUIRED Worksheet 68 - A guide to making the leaflet about the Aswan High Dam. Worksheet 69 - A guide to making the leaflet about the Itaipu Dam. Worksheet 70 - Information Sheet about the Aswan High Dam. Worksheet 71 - Information Sheet about the Itaipu Dam. Worksheets
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