Landforms for 2nd grade: build a clay map with a mountain and valley

1. Show pictures of a mountain, a hill, a valley, a plain and an island. Students make each shape with their hands or arms.
2. On one side of the plate, students build a tall, steep mountain and a lower, rounder hill.
3. They press a valley between them with a thumb and leave a flat plain on the other side.
4. Add a blue river that runs from the mountain, through the valley, into a lake. Build a small island in the lake.
5. Students write each landform name on a flag and stick it in place.
6. Partner tour: one partner points, the other names the landform and says how it differs from another ("A hill is lower and rounder than a mountain.").

Safety: check for allergies to the clay, keep toothpicks on the table, and wash hands afterward.

Differentiation: students who need support build three landforms (mountain, valley, lake) with picture flags. Students who are ready add a canyon and a peninsula. English learners can use "This is a ___. It is ___."

Quick check: point to two places on a student's map and ask for both names and one difference between them.

Save this activity to your library so it is ready when you need it.