Landform Anchor Charts
Earth Explorer
Official Guide
Earth Shapes Field Guide
Landform #1
Mountain
The Giants of the Horizon
What is a Mountain?
A mountain is a massive, towering landform that rises sharply high above its surrounding landscape. It features extremely steep, sloping sides and a pointy peak or ridge at the top.
Real-World Legend
Mount Everest (Asia)
The tallest mountain peak in the world, stretching an incredible 29,032 feet (8,849 meters) into the sky!
Identification Clues
- High Altitude: Reaches at least 1,000 feet above surrounding land.
- Steep Slopes: Features very steep, rocky cliffs.
- Peak: Ends in a distinct summit or sharp crest.
Often found in long groups called chains!
Earth Shapes • 3rd Grade Geography Page 1 of 8
Earth Explorer
Official Guide
Earth Shapes Field Guide
Landform #2
Valley
The Cradle Between Peaks
What is a Valley?
A valley is a low area of land situated between hills or majestic mountain ranges. They are typically created by rivers or slowly moving glaciers over thousands of years.
Real-World Legend
Yosemite Valley (USA)
An iconic, glacier-carved valley featuring high granite cliffs, lush green meadows, and giant waterfalls.
Identification Clues
- U or V Shape: Mountain valleys resemble letter U or V shapes.
- Water Paths: Almost always contain a central stream or river.
- Lush Soil: Often filled with bright green grass and fertile dirt.
Glaciers make U, rivers carve V!
Earth Shapes • 3rd Grade Geography Page 2 of 8
Earth Explorer
Official Guide
Earth Shapes Field Guide
Landform #3
Canyon
The Great Carved Chasm
What is a Canyon?
A canyon is a deep, extremely narrow gorge or valley with towering rocky walls. It is formed over millions of years by the powerful movement of river water slicing downward through stone.
Real-World Legend
The Grand Canyon (USA)
Carved by the Colorado River, this breathtaking canyon is over 1 mile deep and up to 18 miles wide!
Identification Clues
- Sheer Cliffs: Walls that go straight up and down.
- Rocky Strata: Visible colorful layers of ancient rock.
- Arid Air: Often found in hot, dry, desert areas.
Also called gorges or chasms!
Earth Shapes • 3rd Grade Geography Page 3 of 8
Earth Explorer
Official Guide
Earth Shapes Field Guide
Landform #4
Plateau
The Majestic Tableland
What is a Plateau?
A plateau is a large, flat elevated area of land. It rises sharply and dramatically above the surrounding land on at least one side, looking like a giant natural table built for giants.
Real-World Legend
Tibetan Plateau (Central Asia)
Known as the "Roof of the World," this massive plateau is the highest on Earth, standing over 14,800 feet tall!
Identification Clues
- Flat Top: A broad, plain-like area high up in the sky.
- Steep Cliffs: Sharp drop-offs along the outer edges.
- High up: Significantly taller than the flat plains below.
Also called flat-topped mesas!
Earth Shapes • 3rd Grade Geography Page 4 of 8
Earth Explorer
Official Guide
Earth Shapes Field Guide
Landform #5
Island
The Isolated Paradise
What is an Island?
An island is any piece of dry land that is completely surrounded by water on all four sides. They can form from underwater volcanic eruptions or from splitting continental plates.
Real-World Legend
Greenland (North Atlantic)
The single largest non-continental island on Earth, covered almost entirely by a giant, ancient ice sheet!
Identification Clues
- Fully Surrounded: Water wraps completely around the perimeter.
- Independent: Completely detached from main landmasses.
- Varying Sizes: Range from tiny sand spits to massive land masses.
Groups of islands are archipelagos!
Earth Shapes • 3rd Grade Geography Page 5 of 8
Earth Explorer
Official Guide
Earth Shapes Field Guide
Landform #6
Peninsula
The Watery Arm of Land
Mainland
N
What is a Peninsula?
A peninsula is a narrow strip of land that projects far out into a surrounding body of water. Unlike an island, it remains connected to the main continent on exactly one side.
Real-World Legend
Florida Peninsula (USA)
The famous southeastern US state is a massive peninsula, surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other!
Identification Clues
- 3 Sides of Water: Water is on the left, right, and front edge.
- 1 Side of Land: One side connects directly back to mainland.
- Penetrates: Stretches deep into rivers, lakes, or oceans.
Derived from Latin for "almost an island"!
Earth Shapes • 3rd Grade Geography Page 6 of 8
Earth Explorer
Official Guide
Earth Shapes Field Guide
Landform #7
Plains
The Endless Horizons
What are Plains?
Plains are vast, incredibly flat expanses of land that feature very little change in elevation and contain almost no trees. They are dominated by wide seas of wild grass.
Real-World Legend
The Great Plains (North America)
A giant prairie that blankets the central US and parts of Canada, famous for sweeping wheat fields and bison herds!
Identification Clues
- Flat Ground: Level, smooth soil with no hills or peaks.
- Grasslands: Covered in green prairies, meadows, or farm fields.
- Uninterrupted: Open skies where you can see for miles.
Perfect for growing crops and farming!
Earth Shapes • 3rd Grade Geography Page 7 of 8
Earth Explorer
Official Guide
Earth Shapes Field Guide
Landform #8
Hills
The Rolling Green Waves
What are Hills?
Hills are areas of raised land that feature rounded, soft tops. They are significantly smaller, gentler, and much less steep than rocky mountain peaks.
Real-World Legend
Chocolate Hills (Philippines)
A group of over 1,200 perfectly dome-shaped hills. In the dry season, the green grass turns a solid cocoa-brown!
Identification Clues
- Rounded Tops: Gentle dome shapes, never jagged or sharp.
- Gentle Slopes: Easy to walk up or roll down.
- Mound-like: Look like smooth green mounds rising from flat plains.
Formed by soil deposits or erosion!
Earth Shapes • 3rd Grade Geography Page 8 of 8
Landform Explorer Journal
Official Student Logbook
Geography Lab
Landform Explorer Journal
Scale mountains, cross valleys, and map canyons to complete your mission!
Explorer Name:
Mission Date:
1 Part A: Matching Expedition
Write the correct letter of the landform in the blank next to its clue definition.
A. Mountain
B. Valley
C. Canyon
D. Plateau
E. Island
F. Peninsula
G. Plains
H. Hills
1. [ ] A high, elevated area with a completely flat top like a giant natural table.
2. [ ] A piece of land extending into water that is surrounded by water on exactly three sides.
3. [ ] A giant, towering landform rising over 1,000 feet with steep slopes and a pointy peak.
4. [ ] A deep, narrow gorge with towering, vertical rocky walls carved out by a river.
5. [ ] A dry body of land completely surrounded by water on all of its sides.
2 Part B: Field Identification Check
Read each question carefully and fill in the blank or check the box next to your choice.
1. Glaciers and flowing rivers carve out these low areas of land that run between hills or mountains:
Peninsulas
Valleys
Plains
2. How are mountains different from hills?
Mountains have gentle, rounded tops
Mountains are taller with steeper, jagged peaks
Earth Shapes Explorer Journal Page 1 of 2
Official Student Logbook
Creative Lab
3 Part C: Mapmaker Illustration Challenge
Become an artist-geographer! Use the clean white box below to draw a beautiful, color-filled landscape scene. Your picture must include at least three (3) of the landforms we learned about (e.g., a mountain, valley, and island).
Sketch Your Landscape Scene Here
4 Part D: Explorer's Scientific Logbook
Identify and write down the three landforms you drew above, then describe how you drew each one so a fellow scientist can spot them!
1. Landform Name:
Clues & Description:
2. Landform Name:
Clues & Description:
Earth Shapes Explorer Journal Page 2 of 2
Earth Shapes Slides
3rd Grade Geography Lab
Mission 1
Earth Shapes
An Adventurer's Guide to the 8 Major Landforms
Get your journals ready! Slide 1 of 11
Earth Shapes Guide
Landform #1
Mountain
A giant, high landform with extremely steep, sloping sides that rises far above its surroundings.
- High Altitude (1,000+ feet tall)
- Very steep, rocky slopes
- Pointy peak or jagged top
Famous Example: Mount Everest Slide 2 of 11
Earth Shapes Guide
Landform #2
Valley
A low area of fertile land situated between high hills or massive mountain ranges.
- Usually shaped like a U or V
- Almost always contains a central river
- Rich, lush soil perfect for grass
Famous Example: Yosemite Valley Slide 3 of 11
Earth Shapes Guide
Landform #3
Canyon
A deep, narrow valley with vertical, extremely steep rocky walls carved over millions of years by a powerful river.
- Sheer cliffs and drop-offs
- Visible, layered rock strata
- Water pathway active at the bottom
Famous Example: Grand Canyon Slide 4 of 11
Earth Shapes Guide
Landform #4
Plateau
A giant, flat-topped table of land that rises sharply above the surrounding area on at least one side.
- Broad, level surface high in the air
- Extremely steep drop-offs at sides
- Larger and more flat than individual hills
Famous Example: Tibetan Plateau Slide 5 of 11
Earth Shapes Guide
Landform #5
Island
A body of dry land that is completely surrounded by water on all of its four sides.
- Water entirely surrounds the edge
- No land connections to mainland
- Often formed by underwater volcanoes
Famous Example: Greenland Slide 6 of 11
Earth Shapes Guide
Landform #6
Peninsula
A long, narrow strip of land projecting out into water, surrounded by water on three of its sides.
- 3 sides touch water, 1 side touches land
- Connected firmly to a main continent
- Name means "almost an island" in Latin
Landform Study Cards
Print, Cut, Fold & Glue Guide
Set A • Cards 1-3
Quest Card Tier 1
Mountain
Fold & Glue
Landform Clues
A giant, high landform with steep, sloping sides and a pointy peak.
- Over 1,000 feet high
- Steep, rocky cliffs
Mt. Everest Card #1
Quest Card Tier 1
Valley
Fold & Glue
Landform Clues
A low area of fertile land nestled safely between hills or mountains.
- U or V shape groove
- Often has river stream
Yosemite Valley Card #2
Quest Card Tier 1
Canyon
Fold & Glue
Landform Clues
A deep, narrow valley with vertical rocky walls carved by rushing river water.
- Towering cliff walls
- Layers of colorful rock
Grand Canyon Card #3
Earth Shapes Quest Deck Page 1 of 3
Print, Cut, Fold & Glue Guide
Set A • Cards 4-6
Quest Card Tier 1
Plateau
Fold & Glue
Landform Clues
A massive elevated area of flat land that rises sharply above surrounding area.
- Giant flat top (table)
- Steep drop-off cliff edges
Tibetan Plateau Card #4
Quest Card Tier 1
Island
Fold & Glue
Landform Clues
A body of dry explorer land completely surrounded by water on all sides.
- No attachment to mainland
- Ocean/lake water on 4 sides
Greenland Card #5
Quest Card Tier 1
Peninsula
Fold & Glue
Landform Clues
A strip of land projecting out into water, bordered by water on three sides.
- Connected on exactly 1 side
- Extends deep into open lake/sea
Florida State Card #6
Earth Shapes Quest Deck Page 2 of 3
Print, Cut, Fold & Glue Guide
Set A • Cards 7-8
Quest Card Tier 1
Plains
Fold & Glue
Landform Clues
Vast, wide-open expanses of incredibly flat land with very few trees.
- Level soil, no hills
- Thick grass and prairies
Great Plains Card #7