Maps, Landforms and Bodies of Water: Grade 2 Study Guide
Geography explains where places are and what they are like.
A map is a flat drawing of a place from above. A globe is a model of the whole Earth. The Earth has seven continents (Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America) and five oceans (Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern and Arctic). The United States is in North America.
Maps have a title, compass rose, map key (legend) and often a scale. The compass rose shows north, south, east and west.
Landforms and bodies of water
| Landform | What it is | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain | Very high, steep land | Rocky Mountains |
| Hill | Land higher than its surroundings, but lower than a mountain | Hills near a town |
| Valley | Low land between hills or mountains | Yosemite Valley |
| Plain | Large flat land | Great Plains |
| Island | Land surrounded by water | Hawaii |
| River | Flowing water | Mississippi River |
| Lake | Water surrounded by land | Lake Michigan |
How geography affects life
People live and work differently depending on the land and climate. Farmers grow crops on flat, fertile plains. Fishing towns grow near coasts. Mountain communities may mine or run ski resorts. People build houses with materials from their surroundings, and dress for the weather. They also change the land with roads, dams and farms.
What landforms do you see?
Hot, cold, wet or dry?
Farm, fish, mine or visit?
How is it different from where you live?
Using a map
Find the title to see what the map shows. Use the key to read symbols: blue for water, green for parks, a star for a capital. Use the compass rose to give directions: 'The library is north of the school.' A grid with letters and numbers helps you name a spot, like B4.
Worked examples and common mistakes
Example: Which ocean is between the US and Europe? The Atlantic. Example: Is a lake the same as an ocean? No, a lake is surrounded by land. Common mistakes: mixing up continents and countries and thinking north is always 'up' (it usually is, but check the compass rose). Use a globe to see how big things really are.
Check your understanding: model answers
1. For example, mountain, plain and island. 2. North America. 3. Rivers give water for drinking and farming, and can be used for transport.
✨ Key Takeaways
- There are seven continents and five oceans.
- Maps have titles, keys, compass roses and scales.
- Landforms include mountains, valleys, plains and islands.
- Geography affects how people live.
💬 Questions for Discussion & Reflection
- Name three landforms.
- Which continent is the US in?
- Why might people live near a river?
Print graph paper for map drawing →