Landforms SS1G3 The student will locate major topographical features of the earth’s surface. c. Identify and describe landforms mountains, deserts, valleys, plains, plateaus, and coasts).
Essential Questions: What are landforms? How can I describe each type of landform?
IN THIS ACTIVITY YOU WILL: Learn about the different types of landforms. Create landforms with modeling clay. Write a Four Square describing a landform of their choice.
LANDFORMS Landforms are the kinds of land a place has. Landforms include mountains, deserts, valleys, plains, plateaus, and coasts.
MOUNTAINS Mountains can be tall and sharply pointed like the Rocky Mountains. Mountains can be lower and more rounded like the Appalachian Mountains.
DESERTS A desert is dry land with few plants and little water.
VALLEYS Valleys are lowlands that lie between mountain ranges. They are often good places for communities because water runs down from the mountains and they have rich soil to grow crops.
PLAINS Plains are flat sometimes grassy lands that stretch for miles and can be good habitats for animals like zebras, lions, and elephants, giraffes.
PLATEAUS Plateaus are landforms that have STEEP SIDES and a FLAT top. They may stretch for miles in every direction.
COASTS A coast is the edge of the land where it meets the sea or ocean. Coasts are constantly changing because of the water wave action and shifting sand or rock.
REVIEW OF LANDFORMS MOUNTAINS: High steep,rocky land VALLEYS: Low land in between mountains PLATEAUS:Steep, sloped land with a flat top DESERTS: Dry, sandy land PLAINS: Flat, grassy land that stretches for miles COASTS: edge of the land where it meets the sea or ocean
CREATIVE ACTIVITY Give each student a lump of modeling clay. Allow students to mold and create each type of landform discussed. If needed go back through Power Point.
Writing Activity Students will choose their favorite landform to write a Four Square assignment and present it to the class.
Sources Jefferson County Website Harcourt Horizons: People and Communities volume 1