11/04/09
Lesson plan 2
Landforms
Grade: 3
I. The Model Island
II. Concept: The earth’s surface contains a variety of diverse landforms. A landform is a
feature on the earth’s surface
III. Objectives:
1. Students will identify valleys, plains, and plateaus as landforms.
2. Students will describe the similarities and differences of the three landforms.
3. Students will make connections to their own lives by writing/drawing about various
landforms.
4. Students will create their own landforms in an island inquiry activity.
Standard/Benchmark:
E.SE.02.21 Describe the major landforms of the surface of the
Earth (mountains, plains, plateaus, valleys, hills).
S.IP.02.11 Make purposeful observation of the natural world using the
appropriate senses.
S.IA.02.12 Share ideas about science through purposeful conversation.
S.RS.02.11 Demonstrate scientific concepts through various illustrations,
performances, models, exhibits, and activities.
IV. Materials:
 Student landforms books
 Paper Plates
 Playdough
 Utensils (Plastic spoons or popcicle sticks)
 Craft sticks
 Premade labels of landforms
V. References:
 ProTeacher Collection. http://www.proteacher.org/c/320_Landforms.html Retrieved on 23
March 2009.
VI. Safety Concerns, Materials Guidelines or Cleanup Procedures:
The materials used are not potentially dangerous. Students will be instructed on proper
cleanup and advised on cleanup in the case of any spills. If food is used, students will be
instructed to clean it to avoid any insects.
VII. Engage: Ask students several open-ended questions. Ask students about vacations or trips they have
been on in the past. Ask students what the landscape looked like. Each student will have a landform
book from the day before. Ask students if these pictures look like anything they have seen before. Have
11/04/09
Lesson plan 2
Landforms
Grade: 3
they ever been somewhere that looked like these pictures? Have they seen pictures like this is movies or
in magazines? Have a discussion about where they have seen these landforms. What are some of the
characteristics of the landforms? A few students can be called on to share in the discussion. Ask
students to describe how each of the landforms are similar or different. Ask students to notice specific
characteristics of the landforms in the pictures. Tell students they will create these landforms on their
own on their own islands. How can your models on your island be shaped to look like the landforms in
the pictures?
XIII. Explore:
1. Each student will be provided with a paper plate, brown and green (if available) play dough, and
utensils to mold with. Students may work on one model as partners if time is limited. Students
will be instructed that their paper plates represent their own Island. Their Island has to include
each of the landforms discussed in the engage phase. Some students may not yet know the
names of the landforms, but they have seen characteristics of each of the landforms. The
students will decide how to use the green or brown play dough to represent either a grassy
landform or a rocky or earthen landform. They may use plastic spoons or craft sticks to form
their models on the paper plates. The students will be asked to identify their landforms on their
islands based on the characteristics they saw in the pictures. Students will be asked if they can
give names to their landforms.
IX. Explain:
1. Some students may be asked on a volunteer basis to share their Islands and the landforms they
created. The students will be asked about the characteristics of their landforms. Tell students to
look at their pictures again and review the names on each of the landforms.
2. The teacher will describe the landforms and how to identify them. A landform is a specific
feature on the earth’s surface. Valleys are low places between mountains. A plateau is a large,
flat area of land that is higher than the surrounding land. Plains are a vast area of mostly flat
land. Mountains are the tallest type of landforms with a pointy top. Sand Dunes are mounds of
wind blown sand. A river is a large stream of water that flows across the land.
X. Extend & Apply:
The students will revisit their models and make any changes they feel are necessary. The students will
be given labels for the landforms on their islands. The students will be asked to place the appropriate
“flags” naming each of the landforms. If time permits, do pages 147 and 148, questions 1-15 with the
class but do not write the answers down for them to copy.
11/04/09
Lesson plan 2
Landforms
Grade: 3
XI. Evaluation:
Students will be evaluated on their landform models as well as page 147 and 148, questions 1-15 in their
science folders. The teacher will reflect on class observations and oral responses.