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Overview:
In this lesson, students will explore what it would be like to climb one of the Seven Summits, the highest mountains on each continent: Aconcagua, Denali, Mount Elbrus, Mount Everest, Mount Kilimanjaro, Puncak Jaya, and Vinson Massif. They will become familiar with the world's biomes and learn that biomes change not only with latitude but also with elevation. This lesson plan can be used in conjunction with the National Geographic site Everest celebrating the 50th Anniversary Everest Expedition, which was made possible in part by the generous support of American International Group, Inc.
Connections to the Curriculum:
Geography, earth science
Connections to the National Geography Standards:
Standard 4: "The physical and human characteristics of places"
Time:
Two to three hours
Materials Required:
Objectives:
Students will
- look at pictures of mountain climbers and discuss what they think would be the best and worst things about climbing as well as what the scenery looks like;
- view pictures of the Earth's biomes and discuss the reasons why biomes change with an increase in elevation;
- label the Seven Summits and their mountain ranges on blank world outline maps;
- research the Seven Summits in groups and prepare presentations on what it would be like to ascend one of these mountains; and
- compare and contrast two of the Seven Summits.
Geographic Skills:
Asking Geographic Questions
Acquiring Geographic Information
Answering Geographic Questions
S u g g e s t e d P r o c e d u r e
Opening:
Have students look at some pictures of mountain climbers, and ask them if this activity looks like fun. What would be the best and the worst things about climbing mountains?
Ask students to look carefully at the mountain landscape they see in the pictures. What words come to mind to describe this scenery? Have any students ever seen scenery like this in person? If so, what was it like? Did the highest point they went to look anything like the place where they started, or were these points very different? Ask them to describe the differences as they ascended the mountain. If no students have ever ascended a mountain, have the class hypothesize the ways in which the scenery would change as they gained elevation.
Development:
Have students visit this biome map to see examples of different biomes around the world. Students should notice that the vegetation looks very different in the different biomes. Have them look at the map on this page to find out where each of these biomes is located. Then tell them that the biomes are related not only to location on the planet but also to elevation. Thus, when they go up a mountain in any part of the world, they will see changes in the biome that look very much like the changes in the biome as they travel north or south from the Equator. Even a mountain that rises from a tropical rain forest can have snow at the top.
Have any students experienced this phenomenon? Why do they think it occurs? Have them hypothesize the reasons, and list their ideas on the board. Make sure they understand that the changes have to do with temperature decreasing as elevation increases.
Ask students to name the seven continents. Tell them that the Seven Summits are the highest mountains on each continent. Have students look at a map of the Seven Summits, and ask them to label these mountains on their own blank world outline maps. Have them use an atlas to find out what mountain ranges these mountains are in, and ask them to shade and label the ranges on the map. Also have them shade and label the Rocky Mountains, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and the Alps.
Divide the class into seven groups, and assign to each group one of the Seven Summits. Ask groups to research their assigned mountain, using the Web sites below, to find out what it would be like to climb to its summit. Have groups prepare posters or multimedia presentations using text and pictures to discuss the questions they have researched.
Students' research should address the following questions:
- What country or state would you be in, and what language would people speak? (This is a "trick question" for Antarctica, of course.)
- Where would you begin your climb, and what does the landscape look like at this location?
- How would the landscape change as you climbed higher?
- What special equipment would you need to take?
- What challenges would climbing this mountain present? How would you feel as you were climbing?
- How high would you be when you reached the summit?
For all groups:
PBS: NOVA Online—Denali for Kids
This site is appropriate for all students, not just the ones assigned to Denali; it provides general mountaineering information in a kid-friendly manner.
Aconcagua (South America):
Aconcagua.com
Denali (North America):
Denali for Kids
Surviving Denali
Mount Elbrus (Europe):
Elbrus and the Caucasus
Elbrus Info Site
Mount Elbrus Ascent
Mount Everest (Asia):
National Geographic: Everest 50th Anniversary
NOVA Online: Everest
Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa):
Crown of Africa—Unlocking the Secrets of Mt. Kilimanjaro (requires Flash)
Mount Kilimanjaro—History and Links
Puncak Jaya—also known as Carstensz Pyramid (Australia):*
Carstensz Pyramid
Puncak Jaya (Carstenz)
Vinson Massif (Antarctica):
Vinson Massif
Vinson Massif Climbing Expedition
*Note: Students will probably notice that Puncak Jaya is not actually in Australia but rather on the island of New Guinea. Explain that climbers and many geographers believe that the Australian continent really encompasses the Australasian region, which includes the islands to the north of Australia as well as Australia itself. The highest mountain in Australasia is Puncak Jaya.
Closing:
Have each group share its presentation with the class so that everyone has a chance to learn about all of the Seven Summits.
Suggested Student Assessment:
Have each student choose two of the Seven Summits and write a paragraph comparing and contrasting the two mountains. Students' paragraphs should discuss geographic location, scenery, and cultural factors such as language and religion. This will require them to do further research into the countries in which the mountains are located.
Extending the Lesson:
- Ask students to research the skills that would be required to climb one of the Seven Summits. What would they need to learn? What physical and mental skills would they need? After students have investigated these questions, have them write paragraphs describing their findings and explaining whether they think professional climbers such as Ed Viesturs possess important qualities that can be used in activities other than mountain climbing. Could they use some of the qualities that Viesturs possesses, such as bravery or physical stamina, in their own activities?
- Have students go to Body Breakdowns to learn about some of the things that happen to a person's body as he or she ascends a mountain.
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