Landforms

Landforms

Middle School

​

Learning Objectives

• Define a landform and know that it is a natural feature of the Earth.

• Identify and describe at least five different types of landforms and their key features.

• Explain the difference between landforms like islands, peninsulas, bays, and coasts.

• Recall the locations of major landforms like the Sahara Desert and Amazon Rainforest.

Key Vocabulary

​

Peninsula

A piece of land that is surrounded on three of its sides by water.

​

Oasis

An area found inside a desert that contains a supply of water and plant life.

​

Delta

A triangular formation of sand and sediment located at the mouth of a river.

​

Prairie

A wide and flat grassland area that has very few trees or significant hills.

​

Bay

A large body of water that is partially enclosed by land on three sides.

​

Volcano

A special opening in the Earth's crust from which hot molten lava is released.

​

​

What Are Landforms?

• Landforms are the natural features on the surface of our planet.

• ​A key characteristic is that they are not created by people.

• Examples are mountains, deserts, rivers, and glaciers.

• Each type has its own unique shape and characteristics.

​

Multiple Choice

According to the definition, what is the primary characteristic of a landform?

• They are only found underwater.

• They are temporary features that change daily.

• They are man-made structures.

• They are natural features of the Earth's surface.

​

​

Land Surrounded by Water

Island

• An island is a piece of land completely surrounded by water on all of its sides.

• It is not connected to a larger piece of land, also known as a mainland.

• The state of Hawaii is a well-known example of a chain of islands.

Peninsula

• A peninsula is a piece of land that is surrounded by water on three sides.

• It is still connected to a larger piece of land, called the mainland, on one side.

• The state of Florida is a well-known example of a large peninsula.

Multiple Choice

What is the main difference between an island and a peninsula?

• An island is completely surrounded by water, while a peninsula is surrounded on only three sides.

• An island is a desert, while a peninsula is a forest.

• There is no difference; the terms are interchangeable.

• An island is man-made, while a peninsula is natural.

Land and Water Edges

​

Bay

• A bay is a large area of water.

• It is surrounded by land on three of its sides.

• This feature creates a curved inlet in the coastline.

​

Coast

• A coast is the edge of the land.

• It is where the land meets an ocean or a sea.

• This line forms the boundary between the land and the ocean.

​

Delta

• A delta is a landform made of sand and sediment.

• It forms where a river meets a large body of water.

• Deltas are often shaped like a triangle, such as the Nile Delta.

Multiple Choice

Which landform is a triangular-shaped deposit of sand found at the mouth of a river?

• Peninsula

• Delta

• Bay

• Coast

Desert, Oasis, Prairie

​

Desert

• ​A desert is a very dry area of land.

• ​​It receives very little rainfall throughout the entire year.

• ​The Sahara in Africa is the world's largest hot desert.

​

Oasis

• ​An oasis is a fertile spot found within a desert.

• ​​It has a source of water and supports various plant life.

• ​Oases provide a stark contrast to the surrounding dry land.

​

Prairie

• ​A prairie is a wide and flat area of grassland.

• ​​These large, open grassy plains have very few growing trees.

• ​They are often characterized by their expansive and open spaces.

Multiple Choice

What is the term for a fertile area with water and plants located inside a desert?

• Delta

• Prairie

• Coast

• Oasis

Mountains, Valleys, and Forests

​

Volcano

• ​A volcano is an opening in the crust of the Earth.

• ​​It allows molten rock, also known as lava, to escape.

• ​This molten rock comes from beneath the surface of the Earth.

​

Valley

• ​A valley is a low-lying area of land found on Earth.

• ​​It is an area that is situated between mountains or hills.

• ​Rivers or streams often flow through the bottom of a valley.

​

Rainforest

• ​A rainforest is a type of forest in a warm climate.

• ​​These forests receive a very large amount of rain every year.

• ​The Amazon in South America is the world's largest rainforest.

Multiple Choice

Which of these landforms is described as a low area between mountains?

• Valley

• Prairie

• Volcano

• Rainforest

​

Common Misconceptions about Landforms

Misconception	Correction
Humans create landforms.	Landforms are natural features of the Earth, not man-made.
Any land touching water is an island.	An island is surrounded by water; a peninsula is not.
Deserts are just empty, sandy areas.	Deserts are defined by low rainfall, not sand, and can have an oasis.
Valleys and canyons are the same.	A valley is broad, while a canyon is a deep, narrow gorge.

Multiple Choice

Based on the definitions provided, why is Florida considered a peninsula and not an island?

• Because it has a large desert in its center.

• Because it is surrounded by water on only three sides and connected to the mainland.

• Because it is a tropical rainforest.

• Because it is completely surrounded by water.

Multiple Choice

What is the primary importance of an oasis within the context of a desert ecosystem?

• It is a large, flat grassland suitable for farming.

• It provides a source of water and supports plant life in an otherwise arid environment.

• It is the highest point in the desert.

• It is the only place where volcanoes are found.

Multiple Choice

The content mentions the Sahara Desert is in Africa and the Amazon Rainforest is in South America. What does this information imply about landforms?

• Famous and significant landforms are distributed across different continents.

• All continents have the exact same types of landforms.

• Landforms only exist in Africa and South America.

• Deserts and rainforests are always found next to each other.

Multiple Choice

Imagine a coastal area where a large river meets the ocean, depositing a triangular area of sand. How would you describe the two primary landforms present?

• An island and an oasis

• A peninsula and a valley

• A bay and a prairie

• A coast and a delta

​

Summary

• Landforms are natural features, like islands defined by water or deserts by climate.

• Bays, coasts, and deltas mark the boundary where land meets water.

• Volcanoes, valleys, and rainforests are major geological and ecological landforms.

• Major world landforms include the Sahara Desert, Nile Delta, and Amazon Rainforest.

Poll

On a scale of 1-4, how confident are you about identifying different landforms based on today's review?

• 1 (Not confident at all)

• 2 (A little confident)

• 3 (Mostly confident)

• 4 (Very confident)