Landforms & Bodies of Water
π Overview
Earth has many natural features that make places different from one another. Landforms are natural features of Earth’s land, while bodies of water are natural areas of water. In this topic, students identify common landforms and bodies of water, compare their characteristics, and learn how these features affect the places where people live.
π― Learning Objectives
By the end of this topic, students will be able to:
- Identify common landforms and bodies of water.
- Describe characteristics of different landforms.
- Describe characteristics of different bodies of water.
- Compare two landforms or two bodies of water.
- Locate landforms and bodies of water on maps or pictures.
Landforms & Bodies of Water
Look at a map or picture of Earth. You will see many different shapes and features. Some are made of land, and others are made of water.
A landform is a natural feature of Earth’s land. A mountain is a high area of land that rises above the land around it. A hill is raised land that is smaller than a mountain. A valley is low land between hills or mountains. A plain is a wide area of mostly flat land. A plateau is high, mostly flat land with steep sides.
A body of water is a natural area of water. An ocean is a very large body of salt water. A lake is water surrounded by land. A river is flowing water that moves across land. A pond is a smaller body of water surrounded by land.
Landforms and bodies of water affect where people live and work. People may build communities near rivers, lakes, and oceans. Farmers may use flat land to grow crops. Mountains and other landforms can affect transportation and travel.
Learning about landforms and bodies of water helps us understand the physical features of our planet.
π§ Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Landform | A natural feature of Earth’s land. |
| Mountain | A high area of land that rises above the land around it. |
| Valley | Low land between hills or mountains. |
| Plateau | High, mostly flat land with steep sides. |
| Ocean | A very large body of salt water. |
| River | Flowing water that moves across land. |
βοΈ Fun Practice Activities
π Offline Homework Activity
Landform or Body of Water?
With help from a parent, caregiver, or teacher, find a map, book, or picture that shows a landform or body of water.
Name of the feature:
It is a:
β Landform
β Body of Water
One thing I learned about it:
Where can it be found?
Draw and label the feature.
π¬ Family Conversation
Ask a family member:
βWhat landform or body of water would you like to visit, and why?β
Discuss what you might see there.
β Remember
Landforms are natural features of Earth’s land. Bodies of water are natural areas of water.