Outlandish Landforms

Designed by: Valerie C. James     School: Gibbes Middle School

Grade Level: 7th        Subject: World Geography

Core Curriculum Objective: Define, illustrate, and cite examples of physical geographic terms.  (WG1-12) 

South Carolina Social Studies Strand:  Describe the physical characteristics of each world culture region and explain the processes that shape the patterns in the physical environment.  (7.3.2)

Overview: This lesson will help students learn physical geographic terms such as bay, peninsula, archipelago, plateau, etc. in a hands on activity. Students will use information gained about various landforms and create a map on a paper plate.

Focus/Essential Question: What do landforms look like? What is the difference? between a plain and plateau? What is the difference between a bay and a gulf? What would these landforms look like in relief rather than on a map? What are some landform examples in the real world?

Time Frame: two or three fifty minute periods

Resources/Materials: 
large paper plates 
modeling clay (purchased by students) 
waxed paper 
markers 
plastic gloves 
charts/diagrams of dictionaries 
Textbook-Glencoe: Landforms p. 29-32 http://athena.wednet.edu/curric/land/landform/landform.html

Culminating Activity: Students will create a landmass representing at least 10 landforms using various available resources. The finished product will be centered on a paper plate. They will draw a paper map that will mirror the clay model labeling all of the landforms represented. The paper map should include a title, key, compass rose and scale. Creativity will be encouraged by allowing the students to name their landforms. The finished project will be graded using a rubric. (See Appendix A) Scoring-Divide total points earned by the total points possible

Instructional Activities: 

Activity One 
The class will read pages 29-32. The teacher may have other charts, diagrams, and or pictures of landforms that may be shown to the class. (Most middle schools in the District have large roller maps of landforms) If computer access is available, students may explore the website provided to study various landforms.

Activity Two 
A rubric will be given and explained to the class. (See Appendix A) Students will prepare their areas for working in clay. They will need a paper plate, clay, plastic gloves, and waxed paper. Make sure that they are careful not to roll clay out on the desk surface. Students will create their own landmass using at least 10 different examples of landforms. This is an individual project but students may sit in small groups in order to provide help to each other.

Examples 

Mountain 

Gulf 

Mountain range 

Glacier 

Plateau 

Strait 

Canyon 

Isthmus 

Delta 

Volcano 

Bay 

Plain 

Peninsula 

Butte 

Archipelago 

Mesa 

Island 

Atoll 

Sound 

Foothills 

Gorge 

Valley 

Inlet

Activity Three 
After finishing the model, they are to sketch on drawing paper the shape of their map. This map should be used as a guide to explain where the landforms they have chosen are located. They will attach names to these landforms of their own choosing. The finished map should have a title, key, compass rose and scale. If time permits, the maps may be colored in class or completed at home. Students should point out their 10 landforms to another student to be sure that they have met the requirement. The models and maps will be graded using a rubric. (See Appendix A) Students should be given the rubric before they begin the maps. Before turning in the finished project, students will have a peer evaluate their finished product clay model and map answering yes or no in the column labeled Peer Evaluation on the rubric provided. Each student will present their clay map model to the entire class and choose their best physical feature and explain its definition while pointing its location out to the group.

The models will be displayed in the classroom along with the finished maps.

Extension- Students can make picture dictionaries of landform terms. Have students draw a picture of a landform and write a description. Printable worksheet (See http://athena.wednet.edu/curric/land/landform/drawing.html)

Appendix A

Outlandish Landforms 

Name _____________________________________________________

Rubric

Computation of final score-Divide total points earned by the total possible points.

What did you learn from completing this activity? 

What else would you like to learn about?