Landform Detectives Viewing Worksheet
Geology Field Journal • Grade 4
Active Video Guide
Landform Detectives Target: Landforms & Earth's Forces
Watch closely as Earth's natural wonders appear on screen. Identify landforms, describe their key features, and detect the forces that shape our planet.
Geologist:
Date:
Video Title:
Step 1 • Pre-Viewing Scan (Before the Video Plays)
Think of Earth's surface like a giant sculpture. What natural forces or processes do you predict can change the shape of rocks and solid ground over time?
Step 2 • Landform Spotter Log (During Viewing)
Spot & log 4 different landforms as they appear
Landform Name
What It Looks Like (Shape, Height, Features)
Shaping Force (Water, Wind, Ice, Magma)
Sight #1
e.g. Canyon, Valley, Dune
Sight #2
e.g. Plateau, Mountain, Plain
Sight #3
e.g. Delta, Peninsula, Island
Sight #4
e.g. Glacier, Coast, Volcano
Geologist Hint: Look for clues like rushing rivers (carving), blowing sand (sculpting), or cooling lava (building)!
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Landform Detectives • Analysis & Debrief
Field Evidence Log
Step 3 • Earth's Forces in Action
Read each scenario from the video. Identify whether the landform was shaped by Weathering (breaking down), Erosion (carrying away), Deposition (dropping sediment), or Uplift/Volcanoes (pushing up).
A
A river continuously carries away silt and rocks over millions of years, carving steep walls of a canyon.
Primary Force:
B
Mud and sand slow down at a river's mouth and settle into the sea, creating new fan-shaped marshland (delta).
Primary Force:
Step 4 • Feature Spotlight & Field Sketch
Pick ONE standout landform featured in the video to illustrate and analyze in detail.
Scientific Illustration Add labels & arrows
Draw landform, elevation, and moving forces (water/wind/ice)
Landform Name:
1. How was this landform created or carved?
2. Did it form rapidly (in minutes/days) or slowly (over thousands of years)? Explain your evidence:
3. Future Forecast: What will happen to this landform if wind or water keeps acting on it?
Step 5 • 3-2-1 Expedition Debrief
3
Three specific landforms you can now recognize in real life:
2
Two natural agents that move or break rock (e.g. water, ice, wind, gravity):
1
One question you still have about how Earth's surface transforms:
Geologist Mission Complete: Turn in your field notes for instructor review.
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