The Importance of Mountains
Learning Sequence
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Introduction
During this short course, we will be focussing on the roles that mountains play on our lives. While they may seem like tall rock giants in the distance, they play a crucial role in the way our world works, especially with regards to weather and water especially.
During this short course we are going to give your children a chance to make the connection between the mountains in the distance and the water in their house.
This week is all about connection.
During this course, we are going to learn about the importance of mountains and how they impact our lives, especially the weather they cause. We will explore the different types of mountains and how they form, the unique ecosystems that exist on their slopes, and the critical role they play in regulating the climate.
From our newfound knowledge we will create an action plan around making sure that the water we have in our community is safe and clean and we will also create unique teaching resource based on clouds that we will use to teach other children about the formation of clouds.
Quote of the Week - Edmund Hillary
Start by reading a quote, talking about what it means to further understand how we can use these words as lessons to learn from.
Read the following quote and discuss it with your class. You may even want to print it out and collate the quotes over the weeks to create a wall of discussion for future research projects.
Read this week’s quote and think about what Sir Edmund Hilary meant by it and what we can learn about explorers such as this.
Quotes can be an amazing source of inspiration and you may wish to research more quotes from famous mountaineers.
Once you have discussed this week’s quote, you may want to note it down in your notebook and draw a nice picture next to it!
Weekly Keywords
Introduce the spelling word list and choose from this list of tasks that can be repeated and expanded upon if necessary.
Copy the words into a spelling list/Vocabulary book for later reference.
Put each of the new words into a sentence and underline the new vocabulary in red pencil
Place the words in alphabetical order in a list.
Use a dictionary to define each of the words and place them into a vocabulary book.
Try to represent each of the words using a picture or a symbol and play the guessing game. (which image is matched to which word)
Write a paragraph containing all of the new vocabulary.
Make a vocabulary wall containing all of the new words.
Use a thesaurus to find synonyms for the words and create a synonym list.
These words will help you during this short course. You may already know some of these words however practice makes perfect!
First, read the words and then try to define them as simply as possible.
An example has been completed for you. You can write these into your books, and draw a picture to match or simply complete the task card.
Weekly Comprehension Activity - The Importance of Mountains
Each week, we will provide you and your class with a reading comprehension activity. This can be done independently or tackled as a guided reading activity wth your students.
Once the children have read the relevant information, they can then work through the comprehension questions until they become too hard, The four levels of questions allow for your students to push themselves until they become too difficult. They may wish to use classroom resources to solve the questions they find too hard or they can be used as extension activities to be completed in free time or at home.
Read the information opposite on the importance of mountains and use the information gained from the video above and attempt to answer as many of the comprehension questions as possible.
You may talk to the people in the classroom and use any resources available in the classroom to get the answers. You may even wish to continue your research at home on the questions that you could not solve.
Remember to answer the questions in full sentences and make notes of any diagrams that may help you remember the facts at a later date!
Read and Discuss - Types of Clouds
In this task, our aim is for the children to utilize the information presented in the video to recognize the different categories of clouds. This investigation will prove beneficial later in the course as we intend to construct a cloud chart to facilitate learning. Encourage the children to collaborate in groups of any capacity and present their findings to the rest of the class upon completion.
Permit the children to venture outside and record observations on the clouds they see in the sky.
This week, we will be exploring the critical role that mountains play in regulating the weather and water systems in our environment.
To begin our study, let’s take a closer look at the various types of clouds. Please refer to the information sheet provided and take notes on the different cloud types, their descriptions, and how they differ from one another.
You may choose to work in pairs or small groups to complete this task. Once you have finished, we will step outside and see if we can identify some of the clouds in our local area. By observing the clouds, we can make educated guesses about the weather conditions for the day.
Understanding the behavior of clouds can provide us with valuable information about the atmosphere around us. So, let’s work together to expand our knowledge of this fascinating topic!
Let’s Create - Make A Cloud Identification Chart
In this activity, students will be creating a cloud chart to teach younger children about clouds and their types. It is important to emphasize accuracy in representing different types of clouds, while also encouraging creativity and presentation of the charts. Materials will be provided, including paper, markers, and soft materials to create the texture for the clouds.
After the charts are completed, students will present them to the class, explaining the different types of clouds and their characteristics. The charts will then be donated to a younger class or child in the community, emphasizing the importance of giving back and encouraging students to take pride in their work. Overall, this activity is a great opportunity for students to showcase their creativity and learning while contributing to the education of others.
Now that you have learned a lot about the clouds in the sky, it’s time for you to create your very own cloud chart. This chart will be gifted to a younger class in your school or a child in your community, so it needs to be easy to use and soft to the touch.
Take a look at the example on the opposite side, gather your materials, and once your cloud chart is complete, your goal is to use it to teach other children about clouds. Finally, donate the chart to them so that they can continue their learning journey!
Conducting Mountain Research
In this lesson, students will gain a global perspective on the mountains of the world. They will first conduct serious research on the mountain ranges listed in the table provided, filling in the blanks and choosing a mountain range that interests them. They will then conduct further research on their chosen mountain range, focusing on questions related to the mountain’s location, its highest peak, the types of ecosystems and species found there, its geology, and its cultural and historical significance to the people who live in the region.
After completing their research, students will use their findings to create a beautifully designed infographic to share with others. This activity will help students develop their research skills, gain knowledge about the world’s mountains, and improve their design skills as they create an informative and visually appealing infographic. By sharing their infographics with others, students will also practice their presentation skills and develop confidence in their ability to share their knowledge with others.
Around the world, there are mountains in all corners of the planet. As we near the end of this course, we want you to gain a global perspective on the mountains of the world.
Your objective is to conduct serious research on the mountain ranges listed in the table opposite. Fill in the blanks and then choose a mountain range that interests you.
Once completed, your next task is to conduct further research on your chosen mountain range. Some questions to consider include:
1. What is the name of the mountain range, and where is it located?
2. What is the highest peak in the mountain range, and how tall is it?
3. What types of ecosystems are found in the mountain range, and what plant and animal species live there?
4. What is the geology of the mountain range, and how was it formed?
5. What is the cultural and historical significance of the mountain range to the people who live in the region?
Finally, turn your research into a beautifully designed infographic to share with others.
Mountain Ranges of the World - Let’s Research
In this lesson, we will explore mountain ranges and their highest mountains. A mountain range is a group of connected mountains, similar to a family of mountains. They have an important role in shaping the landscape and impacting various aspects of our lives.
Now, students will have the opportunity to collaborate and conduct their own research to find the highest mountains in different ranges. Working together, they can use books, the internet, or seek guidance from teachers or parents to effectively research and gather information.
Collaboration allows students to share ideas, divide tasks, and learn from one another’s findings. It enhances teamwork skills and fosters a sense of community in the classroom.
The objective is for students to create a collaborative list of mountain ranges and their highest peaks. This activity not only develops research skills but also promotes communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
A mountain range is a group of mountains that are connected to each other, just like a family of mountains.
As you can see from the task card opposite, we have completed the example on one specific mountain range called the Great Dividing Range. This range is located in Australia andthe highest mountain in the Great Dividing Range is called Mount Kosciuszko. Mount Kosciuszko is 2,228m tall.
Your task is to find the highest mountains in other ranges, we need to do some research. You can use books or the internet to find information about different mountain ranges and their highest peaks. You can also ask our teachers or parents for help if we’re not sure how to research.
Our goal is to create a list of different mountain ranges and the highest mountains in each range.
Research is like being a detective. We gather information from different sources and put the pieces together to find the answers we’re looking for. It’s an exciting adventure of exploration!
So, let’s start our journey by researching the Ranges of the world and start understanding how they affect everyone’s lives around the world.
Plan a Class Hike - Let’s Get Outdoors
In this activity, students will plan and organize their own class hike. This activity encourages students to take ownership of the planning process, work independently, and make decisions as a group.
To successfully plan their hike, students will need to rely on their own research skills, communicate effectively with their classmates, and be open to compromise and teamwork. This activity fosters independence by allowing students to take the lead and work collaboratively towards a common goal.
By giving students the responsibility of planning their own hike, they will develop their problem-solving skills, learn how to make decisions as a group, and take pride in their ability to plan a successful excursion. The emphasis on independence will also help students gain confidence in their own abilities and foster a sense of responsibility and accountability.
With your newfound love for mountains and the role they play in helping us as human beings, it’s time to go outside and enjoy them as much as possible.
To conclude this course, we want you to work with your classmates and teachers to plan and organize your very own class hike. Remember that you must make a decision as a group, which may involve some compromise and teamwork.
Once you’ve decided on your hike, follow the steps on the infographic provided and enjoy the great outdoors. Don’t forget to look up at the clouds, you might just spot your favorite cloud hovering above!
