From Coast to Coast
Jump into geography and geology by making a book that illustrates natural landforms! Where does the fault lie?
1. What do you see when you look out of car, bus, train, or airplane windows? What are the biggest things that change? Is the road always flat and straight? Do you see rock walls? How about bodies of water?
2. Imagine that you are a bird. You can see so many things flying in the sky. Pick two points on a map. They can be your hometown and the place where your relatives live -- or any other two places in the world. What land features would you see as you fly from one place to the other Would you see islands? Mountains or hills? Rivers or oceans? Inlets or an isthmus?
3. Find maps and pictures of the landforms along the route you would travel. Make a list of the many types of landscapes you could see on your trip. Are there deserts? Glaciers? Faults? Volcanoes?
4. On construction paper, draw a picture of each land feature with Crayola® Washable Markers. Label each page with the type of landform and where you would see it on your trip.
5. Draw front and back covers for your land features book on construction paper. Give your book a catchy title. Include the author's name (that's you)!
6. Place the pages of your book inside its cover. Punch two holes through the pages. Cut two pieces of yarn with Crayola Scissors. Thread yarn through the holes to bind your book.
Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.
Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.
String-Like Materials—Includes string, raffia, lacing, yarn, ribbon, and other similar material. Children 3 years and younger should not be given any string-like material that is longer than 12 inches. Close adult supervision is essential whenever children use string-like material. When crafts are to be worn around the necks of children 8 years and younger, attach the ends of the “string-like material” with clear adhesive tape, which allows easy release of the bond if the craft becomes entangled or caught on equipment. For children older than 8 years, the ends of the “string-like material” may be tied and knotted.
- Find as many diverse local landforms as possible with your family. Sketch each one. Share your findings with classmates.
- Discover keys on maps. Develop your own system of keys and map out the school or neighborhood. Add colors and textures to include more detail. See if other classes can read and follow the maps.
- Research the ideas of scale and compass directions. Draw a local land feature to scale. Use a compass to create a treasure hunt.
- For younger students or those with special needs, supplement this activity with the idea of different perspectives. Students draw a replica of a mountain (they could make one with paper mache) from different sides. Then students draw the view from that mountain, including themselves drawing the mountain.
- Read and sing "This Land is Your Land" by Woody Guthrie. Use it to build vocabulary with its various references to land features. Map or draw them.
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