Summary
This lesson is about physical geography in the United States and focuses on major landforms and their features. Students will start by reviewing what they already know about landforms with a fun game called Kahoot. They will then create a model of a new landform assigned to them by the instructor using paper mache. After that, they will become experts on their assigned landforms and present their findings to the class. Students will also explore real-world examples of these landforms on Google Earth. Finally, they will draw a treasure map and create a story featuring the landforms they have learned about. The lesson is designed to be easy to understand and uses simple, everyday language to make it accessible to all students.
Essential Question(s)
● What is a landform? ● What are specific identifying features of landforms? ● How do specific landforms differ from each other?
Snapshot
Engage: Students will complete a landform Kahoot.
Explore: Students will research a landform or waterform and then make a paper mache model.
Explain: Students will become the expert and teach their peers about the specific features of their landform.
Extend: Students will locate a variety of landforms on Google Earth.
Evaluate: Students will make a treasure map and create a story using their new knowledge of landforms and waterforms.
Materials
Landform and Waterforms List and Definitions for the teacher (attached)
Google Earth Assignment Slides (attached)
Treasure Map example(attached)
Paper Mache Model examples( attached)
Paper Mache:
Hot water
Flour
Newspaper
Masking Tape
Large styrofoam plate
Any additional materials needed to shape the landform prior to paper mache.
Treasure Map & Story:
Printer paper that has been "distressed"
Engage
15 Minute(s)
Kahoot:
Students will play a landform Kahoot.
https://create.kahoot.it/share/landforms/7643e197-ed01-41b5-8a8c-f799a909bc8b
Explore
60 Minute(s)
Landform Jigsaw
Students will each be assigned a landform . They will research the landform they are assigned and sketch a picture and label and write out the identifying features of their landform. They will then start the paper mache activity.
Paper Mache
Allow students to create a base structure for their landform.
Once students have completed the base structure for their landform, they will then begin the first layer of mache.
Students will apply three or four layers of paper mache to their landform. Once the landform paper mache is dry, students can paint their landform accordingly and if needed, add labels.
Explain
60 Minute(s)
Getting Ready for the Landform Gallery Walk and Presentations
Students do any additional research that is needed to complete their understanding of the features of their landform. They should have enough information written so they feel confident to teach the class about their landform.
What the class does during and after the presentations: Draw & Define Landforms
In their journals, students draw a small picture of each landform as it is presented. Students then write a definition for each landform next to or underneath the landform picture they drew.
Extend
45 Minute(s)
Students will complete a Google Earth Landforms activity.
Using Google Earth students will locate a variety of landforms.
Once each type of landform is found on Google Earth students will take a screenshot of the landform and attach it to the corresponding assignment slide.
Evaluate
60 Minute(s)
Map Story:
Optional: Prior to students creating their treasure map, distress the paper to make it look aged. Using a black tea bag, briefly soak the paper in the tea and let it dry. Crumple and/or make small tears along the edges of the paper. You could also can use paper bags that have been cut and a bit crumpled.
Students will draw and color a treasure map using a minimum of 10 landforms they have learned.
Students will then write a story about the treasure map they drew detailing the features of at least 5 of their landforms.
Differentiation for Gifted Learners
There is the potential for students to make connections regarding landforms and weathering/erosion. Students can explore what kind of weathering or erosion would change landforms. Students may want to explore how landforms change over time through GOOGLE EARTH TIMELAPSE. https://earthengine.google.com/timelapse/.
Resources
Google Earth
K20 Center. (n.d.). Gallery Walk https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/118
K20 Center. (n.d.) Jigsaw https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/179
K20 Center. (n.d.). Kahoot https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/tech-tool/637
Google Earth Time Lapse https://earthengine.google.com/timelapse/
Paper Mache demonstration: https://www.instructables.com/Paper-Mache-With-Flour/
Kahoot Landforms: https://create.kahoot.it/share/landforms/7643e197-ed01-41b5-8a8c-f799a909bc8b