Identifying & Mapping Earth's Landforms--- Focusing on Tennessee Landforms

 Identifying & Mapping Earth's Landforms 

written and posted for teaching 4th grade science Eagleton Elem. Wed. 2/25/26

Continents
Islands
Oceans
Mountains
Glaciers
Volcanoes
Rivers
Lakes
Springs
How is the earth mapped ? 
What are the four main directions ? 
N------
E-----
S------
W-----
Latitude (north south of the equator) Longitude (east west) 
by Degrees minutes seconds or decimal degrees
What do we call a 3 D model to represent our Earth?
Globe

What kinds of things might we map out on the whole earth?  

 Identifying and Mapping Tennessee Landforms
What type landforms do we have in our state of Tennessee?



How might we use the information in our every day lives? 
Getting from one place to another
1. Finding our way (directions)
2.  Building Roads so we can drive
3. Building train tracks to move people and materials
4.  Flying from one point to another around our world 
5. Sailing from one spot to another safely 
What might we map in our own area where we live and work? 
Our houses, work, school, church, playgrounds, grocery store, doctor. 
We use mapping and locations how? 
Our work
Our Day to day life
Our Hobbies and recreation 

Fun Facts About Tennessee Landforms
1. Did you know Tennessee was once underwater?  
2. Did you know you can find marine  fossils here because of that? 
petoskey stone (colonial coral) crinoids, rugosa coral (horn coral) 
3. Did you know TN has 6 main regions?  
Mountains, ridge- valley,Cumberland plateau, central basin, highland rim, coastal plain 
4. Did you know that TN has the largest sinkhole in North America?
Grassy Cove 
5.Tennessee has one of the longest, deepest pit caves in our region?  
Dorton Knob Smoke Hole.  700 ft deep.  Very hard to access. 
6.Did you know TN has 10, 000 caves? 
7. Did you know TN has hundreds of waterfalls? 
8. Did you know TN and Kentucky have lots of arches? 100 or so in TN while Kentucky has many more 2500 documented
9. Did you know Tennessee Has its own free database or catalog of landforms?
10. Did you know YOU can add things to it if you find them? 

New Website for TN Landforms

Who would like to go on an adventure exploring?
What would you think if you found a deep hole in the earth that had waterfalls, caves, overlooks, disappearing rivers,  and even houses in it?

Seeing rare wildflowers
Seeing beautiful views
Seeing huge old trees

Why do these things matter? 
Technology is awesome. It helps us find things. It helps us study things. It helps us detect patterns of drought, pollution, traffic congestion, and more. 
It is important to spend  time in nature filling your head with outdoor scenery.
Fresh air. Sunshine.  Exercise.  Keeps your brain sharp.

We know now that all these things contribute to our health physically and mentally.
Pine trees give off chemicals that make us feel better.

Physical and intellectual challenges keep our brains working well and help prevent it from shrinking/memory loss.  
Keeps us moving.  
Fills our heads up with beauty 
Makes for more interesting hobbies and work. 

Jobs that involve this science
Environmental Science--Studying wildlife like bears, salamanders, frogs,  
Hydrologists-- study water supply quantity, quality and health
Surveyor
Map Maker
GIS specialist--person who collects data from maps and puts it all together for use by engineers and other jobs who will use it
One of the best schools for GIS and geology is Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville 

Hobbies that use this science 
Mountain Climber
Hiker
Explorer
Caver
kayaker
camper
backpacker
biking
Four wheeling
Geocaching 
Big South Fork, Kevin Adams, Carolina Mountain Club,  Fairfield Glade, SMHC has challenges you can do
Hike so many miles
Hike to lookout towers
Hike to all the mountain peaks over 6K feet
Hike to 100 Waterfalls

I used science and math in my work as a nurse.  
I use mapping science and locating in my hobbies and every day life. 
Finding waterfalls
Finding sinkholes
Finding caves
Finding rare flowers
Bridge hunting/tunnel hunting

These things are all important to have more interesting work, make money, and having richer, more interesting hobbies. 
Vacation planning
Work Trip planning
Living in a new area

Where are some places you've been in Tennessee?