Earth’s Landforms & Physical Features This PowerPoint should be an introduction to the entire Earth Science unit. By viewing the landforms first, students will know the after effects of Earth’s processes. Students should be familiar with a few of the concepts from prior grade levels. They also should have heard about weathering and erosion before now. Use the landforms to discuss weathering and erosion at a high level to introduce students to the terminology. The more they here the words, the better they will understand them. Each slide has suggested discussion questions. You can use the questions to make this as long or as short as you would like. I have found that students really like to look at pictures of landforms so you will probably discuss this for longer than you expect. © 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com

© 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com Arch Rock formation shaped like an upside down “U” What caused this arch to form over time? Can you predict what changes will happen in the future? Have students identify other arches they see regularly. McDonald’s should come to mind. Discuss how the wind can create structures like this. © 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com

© 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com Mountain Natural elevation on Earth’s surface with a height greater than a hill and considerable mass Have you visited any mountains? What was it like? Try to engage with students by connecting with their experiences. © 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com

Which mountain range is older? How do you know? Let students vote as a class on which mountain range they think is older. The mountains on the right, the Great Smoky Mountains, are older because they have been eroded into a dull shape whereas the other mountain range still has steep, jagged peaks. Make sure students understand this. Students should have heard the terms weathering and erosion in prior grade levels so this will help to jog their memory. If needed, briefly discuss weathering and erosion and how it relates to the mountains. © 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com

© 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com Plateau Large area of relatively level high ground that was lifted above the surrounding area What forces will affect the plateau over time? How did the Grand Canyon form from the Colorado Plateau? © 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com

© 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com Canyon Deep V-shaped valley with steep sides eroded by a river or stream How long do you think it took this canyon to form? What formed the canyon? What changes do you predict will happen over the next 10,000 years? Discuss how, over time, water can form deep canyons. This is the Grand Canyon. It started out as the Colorado Plateau and was eroded by a river over millions of years. © 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com

© 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com V-Shaped Valley Low area where a stream or river often flows between two higher areas What forces will change the shape of this valley over time? Discuss the fact that a canyon is also a v-shaped valley. Canyons are usually deeper and much steeper than v-shaped valleys. © 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com

© 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com U-Shaped Valley Low area between two higher areas formed when a glacier slowly flows over time How is the shape of the valley different? Why does a glacier form a different valley than a river? Discuss the fact that glaciers moves very, very slowly and are extremely large, and as they move, they leave behind piles or rocks. These rocks were broken down and moved as the glacier moved. © 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com

© 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com Delta Fan-shaped deposit of earth materials, sediments, at the mount of a stream or river Why do deltas form? What changes take place as one body of water empties into a larger body of water? Can you think of any large deltas? Can you build on land in a delta? How? Discuss the Mississippi River delta and that land is slowly becoming usable as more and more sediment is built up over time making it more stable. © 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com

© 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com Sand Dune A hill made from eroded sand that has been deposited by wind or water Where have you seen sand dunes in real life? What forces caused the sand dune to form? Will this sand dune continue to look the same? Why or why not? © 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com

© 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com Cliff Steep rock face formed by water or wind If someone builds a house on this cliff, how will it be affected over time? How will the cliff change over time? Rock and mudslides are common in places where water is abundant. © 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com

© 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com Beach Sandy or pebbly area above the shoreline that has been deposited by the tide or waves How will this beach change over time? What would cause a rapid change in this beach? Where does all the sand on the beach come from? © 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com

© 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com Island A piece of land that is entirely surrounded by water How would these islands look different after a hurricane or flood? Why? © 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com

© 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com Cave Natural passage formed under or into the Earth with an opening to the surface that cannot receive direct sunlight How do you think the entrance of the cave formed? What changes will occur over time? © 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com

© 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com Cavern StalaCtite – holds tight to the Ceiling Large cave or underground chamber made from soluble rock (dissolves over time with water) What evidence of change will be seen over time? Name a few caverns you may have been to or heard of. Have students review stalactites and stalagmites by practicing the sayings. StalaGmite – forms on the Ground © 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com

© 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com Volcano Opening in the Earth’s crust through which lava, rock fragments and gases are ejected What changes take place after an eruption takes place? How quickly do the changes occur? Point out that there are many volcanos in the picture. It is very common to have a volcanic field where a series of volcanos are all fed by a large pool of magma underground. © 2017 ElementaryScienceTeachers.com