Landform Legends Choice Board Landform Legends
Name:
Date:
Welcome, Explorer! Your mission is to show what you've learned about the physical characteristics of Mountains, Wetlands, Plains, or Deserts . Choose ONE project from the board below to complete.
Mountains Wetlands Plains Deserts
Option 1: The Model Maker
Build a 3D model of your chosen landform using craft materials like clay, cardboard, or recycled items.
Show at least 3 physical features (like steep slopes for mountains or flat land for plains).
Use colors that match the real environment.
Create labels for each feature you included in your model.
Option 2: The Travel Agent
Create a colorful travel brochure that invites people to visit your chosen landform region.
Describe the climate (weather) and what visitors should wear.
List 2 plants and 2 animals found in this specific landform.
Draw a "Map of the Region" on the back showing its physical traits.
Option 3: The Adventure Guide
Write a script for a "Survival Video" or an "Exploration Report" about your landform.
Explain what it looks like to someone who has never been there.
Identify one challenge humans might face in this region (like high heat or flooding).
Share two fun facts about how this landform was made or how it changes.
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." — Saint Augustine
Landscape Lore Slides Landscape Lore
Exploring Our Earth's Wonders
What is a Landform?
A landform is a natural feature found on the surface of the Earth.
Landforms come in many shapes and sizes. They are created by powerful forces like water, wind, and movement deep inside the Earth!
Think: What landforms have you seen in real life or in books?
Mighty Mountains
Physical Traits
High elevation (tall!)
Steep, rocky slopes
Often have snow at the peak
Life on the Edge
Cold, windy weather
Evergreen trees
Animals like goats & eagles
Wondrous Wetlands
Physical Traits
Land covered by water
Soggy, moist soil (mud!)
Swamps, marshes, and bogs
Swampy Life
Grasses, reeds, & lilies
Herons and cranes
Frogs, turtles, and gators
Perfect Plains
Physical Traits
Large areas of flat land
Rich, healthy soil
Very few trees
Grassy Life
Wildflowers and grasses
Great for farming crops
Bison and prairie dogs
Dramatic Deserts
Physical Traits
Very little rain
Sandy or rocky ground
Extreme temperatures
Desert Life
Cacti and hardy shrubs
Nocturnal animals
Lizards, snakes, and camels
Your Mission
You are now a Landform Legend! Choose one landform to research and pick a project from your choice board:
Model Maker
Travel Agent
Adventure Guide Landform Project Facilitation Guide Project Facilitation Guide
Landform Lookout Project
Target Grade
3rd Grade
Lesson Overview
This project-based lesson transitions students from direct instruction (Slide Deck) to independent research and creative expression (Choice Board). Students will specialize in one landform region while practicing research and communication skills.
Identify physical traits of 4 regions
Connect climate to plant/animal life
Communicate findings through creative media
Slide Discussion Prompts
Mountains: "Why do you think the air gets colder the higher you go up a mountain?"Wetlands: "How do plants like lilies survive with their roots constantly underwater?"Plains: "Why are there so few trees on the plains compared to a forest?"Deserts: "What are some ways animals might stay cool during a hot desert day?"
Suggested Project Timeline
Day 1
Instruction via Slides & Choice Selection
Day 2
Research & Content Gathering
Day 3
Project Creation (Drafting/Building)
Day 4
Final Touches & Peer Gallery Walk
Mastery Rubric
Criteria Exceeds (3) Meets (2) Emerging (1) Content Accuracy Includes 4+ accurate traits/facts with deep detail. Includes 3 accurate physical traits and basic facts. Includes 1-2 traits; some facts may be incorrect. Creativity & Effort Project is polished, colorful, and unique. Project is complete and follows instructions. Project is incomplete or lacks care. Communication Uses clear labels, vivid descriptions, or scripts. Labels and text are readable and clear. Labels are missing or difficult to understand.
Support Strategies
Provide pre-printed images for the model/brochure.
Offer sentence stems for the Adventure Guide script.
Focus on 2 physical traits instead of 3+.
Enrichment Strategies
Research a specific real-world example (e.g., Sahara Desert).
Compare their landform to a second one.
Landform Lookout Planner Landform Lookout Planner
Name:
Date:
Use this sheet to gather your facts and plan your project! Choose your landform first, then start your detective work.
1 My Chosen Landform
Mountains
Wetlands
Plains
Desert
2 Fact-Finding Mission
Physical Characteristics (What does it look like?)
Climate & Weather (What is the weather like?)
Plant Life (Names of 2 plants found here)
Animal Life (Names of 2 animals found here)
3 Project Blueprints
My Project Choice:
My Sketch or Outline (Draw or write your ideas here):
Materials I Need (e.g., clay, markers, paper):
Nature Neighbors Field Guide Nature Neighbors Field Guide
A Reference Sheet for Landform Explorers
Unit: Earth Science Project: Landform Lookout
Mountain Region
Flora (Plants)
Bristlecone Pine: Trees that can live for thousands of years in cold air.Wild Columbine: Bright flowers that grow in rocky soil.Lichen: Crusty organisms that grow directly on high-altitude rocks.
Fauna (Animals)
Mountain Goat: Built for climbing steep, narrow ledges.Golden Eagle: Uses high peaks to spot prey from far away.Pika: Small, furry mammals that live in rock piles.Snow Leopard: Rare cats with thick fur for freezing peaks.
Wetland Region
Flora (Plants)
Cattails: Tall, grass-like plants that look like hot dogs on sticks.Mangrove Trees: Trees with "walking roots" that stay above water.Water Lilies: Large leaves that float on the surface to get sun.
Fauna (Animals)
American Alligator: A top predator that hides in murky water.Great Blue Heron: Long-legged birds that wade in water to hunt.Bullfrog: Amphibians that need moist environments to survive.Dragonfly: Insects that lay their eggs in the still water.
Plains Region
Flora (Plants)
Buffalo Grass: Short, tough grass that can survive dry spells.Purple Coneflower: A hardy wildflower that attracts bees.Sunflowers: Tall plants that follow the sun across the flat land.
Fauna (Animals)
American Bison: Large grazers that travel in massive herds.Prairie Dog: Social animals that dig underground "towns."Coyote: Smart hunters that can run fast across open ground.Meadowlark: A songbird that builds its nest on the ground.
Desert Region
Flora (Plants)
Saguaro Cactus: Tall, prickly plants that store water inside.
Cartographer Canvas Worksheet Cartographer Canvas
Designing Your Landform Region Map
Explorer Name:
Date:
Chosen Landform:
Map Requirements
Title for your map
Compass Rose
3+ Physical features
Legend / Key
Plants & Animals
Creative colors
Compass Rose
Draw your N, S, E, W symbols here!
Map Title: ________________________________________________
Map Legend
Map Notes
Describe the physical traits shown on your map (e.g., elevation, water sources, or climate signs):
Frame by Frame Slides ACTION ANIMATORS
The Science of Stop Motion
FRAME_001.JPG
The Illusion of Motion
Motion in movies isn't actually "moving." It's an illusion called Persistence of Vision.
Your brain holds onto an image for a fraction of a second. If the next image is slightly different and shown quickly enough, your brain connects them into a smooth movement.
The Math of FPS
Standard Speeds
24
Cinema Standard
12
Animation Standard
08
Our Goal Today
Do the Math!
If you want to create a 30-second movie at 8 frames per second (FPS), how many photos do you need?
30 × 8 = 240!
Stop Motion Essentials
Steady Camera
If the camera moves, the whole world shakes. Use a tripod!
Locked Lighting
Avoid windows. Sunlight changes! Use steady desk lamps.
Micro-Movements
Move your objects only tiny distances for smooth motion.
Onion Skinning
Use software to see a "ghost" of your last frame.
Planning Your Story
The best directors don't just start filming. They use a Storyboard.
Draw every major action
Plan your camera angles
Write out character dialogue
Lights, Camera... Action!
Grab your storyboard and head to your studio station. Remember: Every small movement matters!
1
Setup
2
Animate
3
Review
Storyboard Blueprint Worksheet Storyboard Blueprint
PRODUCTION_FORM.ST22
Director: ___________
Date: ___________
Movie Title: ___________________
Scene #: ___________
Frame Range: ____ - ____ Shot 1
Action: ________________________________________________
Sound / Dialogue: _____________________________________
Frame Range: ____ - ____ Shot 2
Action: ________________________________________________
Sound / Dialogue: _____________________________________
Frame Range: ____ - ____ Shot 3
Action: ________________________________________________
Sound / Dialogue: _____________________________________
Frame Range: ____ - ____ Shot 4
Action: ________________________________________________
Sound / Dialogue: _____________________________________
WS: Wide Shot
MS: Mid Shot
CU: Close Up
HA: High Angle
PRO TIP:
Vary your shots! Don't just stay in a Wide Shot. Close-ups help show emotion.
Director's Production Log Worksheet Director's Production Log
Production ID: _________________
Lead Animator: _________________
Target Length
______ Seconds
Frame Rate (FPS)
______ Frames/Sec
Total Photos Needed
______ (Sec × FPS)
Ready for Action Checklist
Camera/Device is securely taped or on a tripod
Artificial lighting is on (no windows nearby)
Background is taped down and won't move
Actors (props) are ready for their first mark
Filming Log
Shot # Start Frame End Frame Production Notes / Troubleshooting 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Post-Production Reflection
What was the hardest part of filming your sequence?
How did you solve a technical challenge during the shoot?
If you had 1,000 more frames, what would you add?
