Do you ever hear older folks bemoaning how young kids aren't taught geography anymore? Some go so far as to eschew "social studies" as not proper geography. Well, interestingly, social studies according to leading thinkers in special education, like Dr. Maria Montessori, is the best way to teach geography. Social studies sets places within the larger world context of culture, mapwork, earth science, history, anthropology and sociology. That doesn't mean geography in and of itself is not critical learn about. But it's also not just rote "map memorizing" either. Here are free printable geography landforms to help students understand the "terroir" of our earth.
What are landforms?
What in the world are landforms? A better question is where in the world are landforms. Landforms are geographic features that define the terrain and topography of an area. Terms for geographical landforms include:
- mountain
- mesa
- butte
- plateau
- dune
- hill
- bluff
- cliff
- promontory
- valley
- canyon
- strait
- peninsula
- cape
- delta
- river
- tributary
- lake
- bay
- sea
- ocean
- key
- island
- isthmus
- archipelago
- atoll
🌍 Landform Discovery Chart
| Category | Landform Type | Description |
| Highlands | Mountain, Mesa, Butte, Plateau, Hill, Bluff, Cliff, Promontory | Elevated areas ranging from sharp peaks to flat-topped "tables." |
| Lowlands | Valley, Canyon, Dune, Basin | Areas that sit below the surrounding terrain, often carved by water or wind. |
| Water Features | River, Tributary, Lake, Bay, Sea, Ocean | Bodies of water that vary by size, salt content, and movement. |
| Coastal & Islands | Peninsula, Cape, Delta, Strait, Isthmus, Archipelago, Atoll, Key | Land features defined by their relationship and proximity to the sea. |
📚 Montessori-Style Landform 3-Part Cards
The Helpful Garden Kid World Citizen Landforms Match-Up Foldable
🧩 Landform Matching Worksheets & Games
Super Teacher Worksheets Tutoring Hour Landform Pack Landforms on Earth Flashcards
Enchanted Learning has free social studies lesson plans, including free printable geographyworksheets, landforms coloring pages, terrain and topography maps. worksheets, diagrams, labeling pages, coloring pages, puzzles, maps, quizzes and activities.
Teacher Planet has free printable geography worksheets with matching activities to teach geography and landforms vocabulary. There are geography worksheets for different regions, states in the United States, Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome and as well as some Jewish terms are included.
Super Teacher Resources has some free printablegeography worksheets.
ESL Tower has many free printable geography worksheets, landforms coloring pages, diagrams, puzzles and topography maps.
Edupics has free printable social studies coloring pages, world maps, landforms coloring pages, biomes, habitats, nature scenes, political maps, topography maps to use as geography worksheets. Edupics boasts the largest, most comprehensive collection of detailed educational free printable maps, diagrams and coloring pages.
Look at the printable maps and photos in our center. Can you find the difference between a Mesa and a Butte?
- 🔎 Flat-Topped: Which landforms have flat tops like a table?
- 🔎 Wet vs. Dry: Which landforms are made by flowing water?
- 🔎 The "Big Lake": Can you find a Strait or a Peninsula on our Great Lakes map?
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