Mixed Impressions: Cultural Extensions in Geography

Land and Water Forms

Materials 8 trays containing models of the following land and water forms:

Island Lake
Peninsula Gulf
Isthmus Strait
Cape Bay

Sometimes included:
Archipelago System of lakes

(The bottom of the tray, as well as land form, should resemble land.)

Pitcher with water

Underlay for table, bucket
Drying cloth
Bucket

Purposes Preparation for later study of physical geography

Age 3.5 and up

Presentation Set-up
1. Prepare materials for presentation, including a pitcher with water,
an underlay for the table, a bucket, a drying cloth, and another
bucket for water disposal.
 Mixed Impressions: Cultural Extensions in Geography
Land and Water Forms

2. Lay the underlay on the table to protect the surface.

3. Fill pitcher and place on table, ensuring it is easily accessible.
4. Have the drying cloth nearby for any spills or to dry hands.
5. Position the bucket for water disposal within reach.

Presentation (can be done in sequence or on subsequent days)

6. Invite the child to join you at the prepared table.
7. Begin by explaining that you will be introducing different land and
water forms found on Earth.
8. Show the child the pitcher filled with water and explain that it
represents the body of water for this presentation. Let them fill the
island & lake forms, modeling a proper pour.
9. Start with first land and water form, the Island/Lake. Teach new
vocabulary with a three-period lesson. Describe and demonstrate
characteristics, emphasizing that an island is a piece of land
surrounded by water, while a lake is a body of water surrounded
by land. Trace form perimeters with finger and invite child to do
same. Allow child to explore forms until interest fades, at which
point you can conclude lesson here, or continue below. If
concluding lesson here, skip to Clean-Up steps.
10. Move on to the next land and water form, the Peninsula/Gulf.
Explain that a peninsula is a piece of land that is almost
surrounded by water but connected to the mainland, while a gulf is
a portion of an ocean or sea that is partially surrounded by land.
Allow child to attempt pouring water from the prior forms into the
next ones. Trace form perimeters with finger and invite child to do
same. Allow child to explore forms until interest fades, at which
point you can conclude lesson here, or continue below. If
concluding lesson here, skip to Clean-Up steps.
11. Continue with the Isthmus/Strait. Describe an isthmus as a narrow
strip of land that connects two larger landmasses and a strait as a
narrow passage of water connecting two larger bodies of water.
Allow child to attempt pouring water from the prior forms into the
next ones. Trace form perimeters with finger and invite child to do
same. Allow child to explore forms until interest fades, at which
point you can conclude lesson here, or continue below. If
concluding lesson here, skip to Clean-Up steps.
12. Finally, present the Cape/Bay. Explain that a cape is a pointed
piece of land that extends into the water, while a bay is a body of
water partially enclosed by land. Allow child to attempt pouring
water from the prior forms into the next ones. Trace form
perimeters with finger and invite child to do same. Allow child to
explore forms until interest fades, at which point you can conclude
lesson here, or continue below. If concluding lesson here, skip to
Clean-Up steps.
13. After presenting each land and water form, invite the child to
 Mixed Impressions: Cultural Extensions in Geography
Land and Water Forms

explore and recreate forms using their hands in bucket of water.

Encourage them to feel different shapes and configurations.

Clean up
14. Guide the child to pour the water back into the bucket, ensuring
they do so carefully and without spilling.
15. Provide the child with a drying cloth to wipe any spills or wet
surfaces on the table.
16. Assist the child in dumping water, returning materials to their
designated places, and tidying the work area.

Control of Error None

Following 1. You can invite the child to make their own land and water forms
Exercises either using clay in small tins or in the outdoor environment.

Parallel Exercises 1. Classified cards that are pictures of the land and water forms with
labels. Would be on your language shelf.

2. Land and Water folders. One folder for each form, inside are 10 –
15 photos that represent the form. Show the child that these are real
things that exist in the real world. Pictures would show diversity. On
the back is source, name of form and location.

Language Island, lake, bay, cape, peninsula, gulf, isthmus, strait

Sensorial Games None

Pedagogical  This presentation is not given until 3 ½ to 4 ½ because the material

Notes is a concrete abstraction.
 Kinderlings makes the nice set of forms, made of plasticine.
 As the child continues to explore with new sets of forms, return to
initiate a conversation that will give them the new vocabulary and
definition that accompanies their forms.
 Use blue food coloring sparingly (1 drop in a small glass pitcher)