Land and Water Forms

Materials:

• Trays containing models (these can be handmade out of clay or purchased) of the following land and water forms:

  • island

  • lake

  • peninsula

  • gulf

  • isthmus

  • strait

  • archipelago 

  • system of lakes

• Underlay 

• Pitcher with water

• Cloth for drying

• Bucket

Purposes:  Preparation for later Geography studies

Age: 3 ½ - 4 ½

Preparation: The child is confident with the Wet Pouring exercises

Presentation: 

• Invite the child for a lesson on the Land and Water Forms, turn out the chair, and put on aprons.

• First, have the child unroll the underlay on the table, then show them how to carry the forms and show them which to bring to the table. 

• Help bring the rest of the materials-bucket, additional floor underlay if you are using one, towel, and pitcher.

• Ask the child to fill the pitcher with water.

• Model filling the forms until just the bottom is covered.

• Stand back and look from all sides.

• Model how to pour each out into the bucket by the spout

• Invite the child to fill the forms.

• Introduce the names: Touch the form for the island and then invite the child to touch the island.

• Touch the lake and then invite the child to touch the lake.

• Offer a three-period lesson.

• Encourage repetition.

• When the child is done, they will pour the water out.  Show how to dry the forms with the towel.

• Dump the bucket and put the material away. 

• Wipe the underlays with the towel, roll, and put away.

• Return chair and replace the towel.

**Over the next several days encourage the child to select the other forms and you will provide the language for the forms.

Control of Error:

• Pouring in too much water so it covers the land portions or pouring too little water to create the water form.

Language: The language of the forms 

Following Exercises:

• The language activities for the Land and Water Forms

  • Set of Classified cards

  • Land and Water Form folders 

• The child can make their own land and water forms in the outdoor environment or with modeling clay

Memory Games: None

Pedagogical Notes:

• This provides a concrete idea of the idea of land and water.

• Modeling clay can be used to make your own forms.

• Blue food coloring can be added to the water.