Mountains, valleys and forests
Geography · Early Years · The School
A mountain
A MOUNTAIN is huge and rocky. It is far bigger than a hill. Some mountains keep snow on top all year. That happens even in summer. Climbing a real mountain takes days, not minutes. It needs proper kit and training too. Look at a photo of a mountain. See how small a tree looks next to one.
A valley
A VALLEY is low land. It sits between two hills or mountains. Rivers often flow along a valley floor. Water always runs to the lowest spot it can find. Stand in a valley and look up. Higher ground is all around you, on both sides.
A forest
A FOREST is packed full of trees. The trees grow close together. Little sunlight reaches the ground in a thick forest. The treetops block it out. Many animals live in a forest. They hide among the trees for food and shelter.
Look at a photo of a real landscape. Find the tallest, rocky shape. That is the mountain. Find the low land between two higher slopes. That is the valley. A thin blue river often runs along its floor. Find the dark green patch on the lower slopes. That is the forest. One photo, three features. Each one does something different: standing tall, dipping low, or covering the ground in green.