1. Brainstorm with a shoulder partner on the definition of a landform?
Landforms on Earth
Brainstorm with a shoulder partner on the definition of a landform?

2. Landforms
In this lesson, we will specifically study sand dunes, canyons, and river deltas

3. Canyon
Grand Canyon and the Colorado River

4. Sand Dunes
Death Valley, California

5. River Delta
Mississippi River Delta - shows its characteristic bird's-foot pattern and plumes of sediment entering the ocean from the multiple mouths of the Mississippi River.

6. Erosional / Weathering Agents
What is a erosional agent?
Any naturally occurring phenomena that moves earth materials
What is a weathering agent?
Anything that causes the breakdown of rock.
Inform students that in this lesson the focus will be on wind, water, waves, and ice as agents of erosion and weathering.

7. Erosional / Weathering Agent: Wind
Upper photo: dunes near Monahans, Texas
Lower photo: sand blowing on beach

8. Erosional / Weathering Agent: Wind
Upper photo: Arches National Park, Utah
Lower photo: Big Bend, Texas

9. Erosional / Weathering Agent: Running Water
Upper photo: Icicle Creek, Washington
Lower photo: Niagra River, New York

10. Erosional / Weathering Agent: Running Water
Upper photo: Gully formed after a heavy rainfall
Lower photo: Kolob Canyon, Utah

11. Erosional / Weathering Agent: Running Water
Upper photo: Atchafalaya River Delta, Louisiana
Lower photo: Wax Lake Delta, Louisiana

12. Erosional / Weathering Agent: Waves
Upper photo: Cliff carved by wave action
Lower photo: Florida

13. Erosional / Weathering Agent: Waves
Upper photo: Bat’s Hole cliff erosion
Lower photo: Swanlake Bay wave cut platform

14. Erosional / Weathering Agent: Ice
Upper photo: glacier edge
Lower photo: Mt. Hood, Oregon

15. Erosional / Weathering Agent: Ice
Upper photo: Glacier Point Apron, Montana
Lower photo: Margerie Glacier, Alaska

16. Landforms on Earth Are all Earth’s landforms the same? Why or why not?
What are some of the features that you see when you look at the pictures?
Do you think that these landforms have always been the same?
Do you think that changes in these landforms occurred quickly or did they take a long time to be formed?
Are all Earth’s landforms the same? Why or why not? No, Earth has different landforms. Answers may vary on the why responses.
What are some of the features that you see when you look at the pictures? Answers may vary
Do you think that these landforms have always been the same? No
Do you think that changes on these landforms occurred quickly or did they take a long time to be formed? It took time for these landforms to occur.
How will these landforms look two days from now? One year from now? Ten years from now? One Hundred years from now? One thousand years from now? Most of the time, the landforms take many years to
Was there a force/action that caused these landforms to change?
Is force a form of energy?
Do you think that the force (energy) of water and wind may have created some of these landforms?
How could we measure these changes?

17. Landforms on Earth How will these landforms look:
two days from now, one year from now?
ten years from now?
one hundred years from now?
one thousand years from now?
one million years from now?
What force caused these landforms to change?
Do you think that water, wind, or ice may have created some of these landforms? Which landform was created by which erosional / weathering agent?
How will these landforms look two days from now? One year from now, ten years from now? Very little noticeable change. One Hundred years from now? Change can begin to be noticeable. One thousand years from now? Most will change in size and shape over many years. One million years from now? There may be large amount of change.
What force/action caused these landforms to change? Energy from wind, water, and ice caused the changes.
Do you think that water, wind or ice may have created some of these landforms? Yes, canyons and deltas are caused by water, and sand dunes by blowing wind. Ice, in the form of glaciers, can carve rocks or cause them to crack.

18. Landform Defined
In your science notebook, write a definition for the word “landform.”
Landform - Any feature on the Earth's surface, caused by erosion, sedimentation, or movement of material by wind, water, or ice
Teacher note. Do not click after the first sentence comes in. Allow time for students to write a definition before giving them a formal definition.