Physical Features of Geography

Mr. Barnett6th Grade Social Studies

Plaza Middle School

Warm-up

• What are physical features?

• Describe your physical features.

Real-World Connection

• Why do we use physical features to identify places?

• Why would we tell people we live near the beach or on the east coast?

Real World Connection

• Why would identifying physical features be important to historians?

• (Studying early people in North American and where they settled)

• We must adapt to our physical environment to survive.

Mountains

• Mountains are large landmasses higher than a hill.

• A mountain is the highest kind of land.

• A mountain has a peak.

• A group of mountains

together is called a

mountain range.

Hill

• A hill is a rounded elevation of land

• A hill is land that rises above the land around it.

• A hill has a rounded top.

Plain

• A plain is an area of land usually at low elevation.

Plateau

• A plateau is a large area of high land.

River

• A river is a natural body of water that runs through the land.

• An example is the Mississippi River.

Tributary

• A tributary flows into a larger river.

Gulf

• A gulf is a part of an ocean partly or mostly surrounded by land.

• The Gulf of Mexico is the 10th largest body of water in the world

Bay• A bay is a body of water smaller than a gulf.

Island• An island is a land form, smaller than a

continent, surrounded by water.

Peninsula

• A peninsula is a long, narrow portion of land extending out into the ocean.

• ***It is boarded by water on 3 (three) sides.***

Lake• A lake is an inland body of standing water

of considerable size. Examples are the 5(five) Great Lakes!

So Why Are Geologic Features Important?

• They are important because they impact:

– patterns of trade

– the locations of cities and towns

– the westward movement

– agricultural and fishing industries.

Gallery Walk Directions

1. You will work in your group.

2. You will use your graphic organizer.

3. Define the term. (use notes)

4. You will identify which picture goes with which geography term.

5. Answer the question

Rivers Map Activity

Superior

Erie