In the early grades, most students learn to identify properties of various landforms, such mountains, islands, hills, valleys, coastlines and peninsulas. Exploration of how landforms develop over time connects to science curricula by late elementary school. Students also learn to locate landforms on maps, using skills from language arts and math, such as using a legend and a coordinate grid. For a hands-on activity, students can find simple contour maps of mountains and build 3-D models to scale using layers of colored cardboard or papier mache.
The study of water bodies includes investigation of rivers, lakes, seas, ponds, oceans, streams, bays, harbors and straits. Learning how water bodies and landforms are interdependent is an important science concept, linked to units on weather, erosion and rocks. Identifying and locating water bodies on maps is typically expected, as well as exploring their formation and basic properties. An entire unit of study can be prepared on oceans, including the continental shelf and ocean floor, ocean layers, and the location and features of the world's oceans. Likewise, rivers can be expanded into an entire unit with exploration of the river habitat, parts of a river, drainage basins, floods, deltas and estuaries.
Literacy in mapping makes geography visually accessible for young students. Many concepts are included in mapping, such as latitude and longitude, cardinal directions, time zones, seasons and the tilt of Earth's axis, climate, currents and air flows. Students may also learn to read coordinates and use keys or legends. This is another special content area that is more closely linked to expectations in math and science.
Social Studies curricula often focus on topics such as ancient societies, medieval times, modern history, exploration and citizenship. In each area of study, geography affected the humans involved. The study of ancient Egypt is incomplete without examining the role of the Nile. Learning about Vikings means understanding early navigation strategies. Medieval towns and castles depended on water bodies for drinking water, trade, travel and protection. Explorers from Marco Polo to Magellan to John Cabot navigated challenging waters or terrain with incomplete maps. The discovery and colonization of North America by Europeans was facilitated by oceans and rivers as much as by trade. Current political boundaries and industries are also affected by landforms and water bodies. According to the Ontario Social Studies Curriculum, geography is an essential part of Social Studies because it encourages students to examine the interdependence of people and places.