Discovering Landforms

Overview

Grade Level: 4th Grade
Duration: 44 minutes
US Curriculum Alignment: Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
Specific Standards:

• 4-ESS2-2: Analyze and interpret data from maps to describe patterns of Earth's features.
• ESS2.B: Plate Tectonics and Large-scale Earth System Interactions

Objective:
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify and describe common types of landforms (mountains, valleys, plains, plateaus, etc.).
2. Understand how landforms are created and shaped by natural processes.
3. Use critical thinking to analyze Earth’s landform patterns and why they exist in specific locations.

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Materials Needed

1. World map and a topographic map of the United States
2. Playdough (various colors for sculpting landforms; 1 container per student or pair)
3. Worksheets (provided below under the "Activity" section)
4. A set of rocks (granite, sandstone, and shale) for tactile exploration
5. Short video (on teacher’s discretion, no external links provided; a 2-3 minute general introduction to landforms)
6. Markers, pencils, and crayons

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Lesson Structure

1. Warm-Up Activity (5 Minutes): Let’s Explore Landforms!

• Begin by showing students famous images of landforms (Mount Everest, Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, etc.).
• Ask:
  • “What are landforms?”
  • “What do these places have in common, and how are they different?”
• Write down key terms on the board as students mention them: mountain, hill, valley, canyon, plateau, waterfall, plain, etc.

Interactive Moment: Point out a well-known local landform (e.g., Appalachian Mountains for an East-Coast school or Grand Tetons for a Western school). Briefly touch on its formation.

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2. Guided Inquiry (7 Minutes): Formation of Landforms

• Briefly explain the science behind how landforms are created (use age-appropriate concepts):
  • Mountains: Formed by tectonic plate movement and uplift.
  • Valleys: Carved by rivers or glaciers.
  • Plains: Wide, flat areas formed by sediment deposition over time.
  • Canyons: Formed by water erosion over millions of years.
  • Plateaus: Uplifted flatlands shaped by erosion.
• Pass around rock samples (granite, sandstone, shale) so students can feel the materials that contribute to landform creation.

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3. Group Activity (10 Minutes): Build-a-Landform

Objective: Create physical models of landforms using playdough.

• Group students in pairs (19 students = 9 pairs + 1 group of 3).
• Assign each pair/group a specific landform (mountain, plateau, canyon, valley, island, plain, etc.).
• Use playdough to create models of their assigned landform.

While sculpting, ask them to think about:

• What shapes and features define this landform?
• How might nature have created it?
• (Optional) Which animals or plants might live there?

Extension: Groups can create mini-ecosystems by adding rivers, forests, or plants using additional colors of playdough or small toy accessories (if available).

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4. Worksheet Activity (12 Minutes): Map Analysis & Patterns

• Distribute simplified topographic maps of the United States. Include features such as the Rocky Mountains, the Great Plains, the Mississippi River Valley, and coastal regions.
• Instructions:
  • Identify and circle the landforms discussed earlier.
  • Label the regions (e.g., “Rocky Mountains,” “Great Plains”).
  • Draw a key to symbolize mountains, valleys, plateaus, etc. (e.g., a triangle for mountains, squiggly lines for rivers).

Discussion Questions after Completion:

• “Why do you think mountains are often near coastlines?”
• “What patterns of landforms do you see?”
• “Which landforms are closest to us, and why might they be important for people living here?”

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5. Wrap-Up (5 Minutes): Landform Quiz Show!

• Host a rapid, engaging quiz review. Use popsicle sticks with each student’s name to randomly select participants.
• Sample Questions:
  • “What is the difference between a plateau and a plain?”
  • “Which natural force carves out canyons?”
  • “Can you name a famous landform in the US?”
• Reward enthusiastic participation with small prizes or praise (e.g., gold stars or leaderboards).

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6. Exit Ticket (2 Minutes)

Before leaving, ask students to answer on a sticky note:

• “What is one new thing you learned about landforms today?”

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Assessment

1. Participation in the warm-up discussion and quiz game.
2. Completion of the playdough landform model (creativity, group effort).
3. Accuracy and effort in the map worksheet activity.
4. Exit ticket reflections.

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Differentiation

• For Advanced Learners: Allow students to research how a specific landform was formed (using books or pre-approved printouts).
• For Visual Learners: Use images, videos, and tactile exploration (rock samples, playdough).
• For Struggling Learners: Pair with a peer mentor for the sculpting activity and provide extra guidance during the worksheet portion.

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Conclusion & Teacher Tips

This lesson combines tactile learning, visual analysis, and creative expression to make landforms an engaging topic. The hands-on sculpting allows students to internalize the shapes and significance of different landforms, while the map component anchors the concept within geography. By incorporating local context, teachers can ensure the material feels meaningful to students.

Wow Factor Add-on: Display student-created playdough models as a “Landform Museum” in the classroom. Let students “tour” each group’s work and offer feedback during the next lesson.