UKS2 Topic: Earth Matters Block C: Mountains
Study the physical geography of mountains and mountain ranges, their formation, some famous
expeditions and also mountain biodiversity. They will create a range of artefacts including mountain
models, a class world map and a freeze-frame drama that will culminate in a ‘Mountain Exhibition’ for
other children.
Block C: Mountains (8
sessions)
Main outcome: Geography
Other outcomes: English/Art/DT/Science
By the end of this block you will
have achieved the following
outcomes:


Session 1: Geography/DT
What is a mountain and how are
mountains formed?
Learn about the formation of the
five different types of mountains
by exploring simple models.
Session 2: Geography/English
Where in the world are
mountains and mountain
ranges?
Locate key mountains and
mountains ranges; research their
key features and create a class
world map.
Describe and understand key physical geographical aspects of mountains.
Use maps, atlases and globes to locate continents and countries and their
mountains/mountain ranges.
 Create a class world map of key mountains and mountain ranges across the
world, with key facts about each.
 Produce models of the five different types of mountain (dome, volcanic,
plateau, fault-block, fold) for groups with explanations of how each are formed.
 Select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical
tasks accurately.
 Retrieve, record and present information from non-fiction sources on
mountains, mountain formation and famous mountain expeditions.
 Explain and discuss their understanding of what they have read, to create a
storyboard and freeze-frame drama of a famous mountain expedition (Sir
Edmund Hilary, Bear Grylls etc.).
 Gain an understanding of mountain climates and how climate change and
humans impact on the mountain environment. Explore how being an ecotourist can reduce this effect.
 Create their own model of a mountain/range, using the knowledge of
mountains and mountain ranges they have gained so far.
 Create a ‘Mountain Exhibition’ where children will present to younger children
their knowledge of mountain ranges, their formation, expeditions and
mountain biodiversity. They will choose to present different content in a variety
of ways.
Children will
 Learn about the formation of mountains and gain an understanding of how
they are formed.
 Be able to identify the five different types of mountains (dome, volcanic,
plateau, fault-block, fold) and be able to explain how they are formed.
 Draw on knowledge of the five types of mountains and how they are formed to
construct models of each in small groups.
Children will
 Discuss what mountains and mountain ranges there are and where they are
located in the world, after looking at the location and also discussing the
difference between mountains and mountain ranges.
 Identify key features of types of mountains and mountain ranges.
 Locate key mountains and ranges on different continents and mark them on a
world map, adding information about what type of mountain formation they
are.
 Create a class world map of mountains and mountain ranges.
 Write key facts and information for each to add to the display.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
UKS2 Topic: Earth Matters Block C: Mountains
Session 3: Geography/English
Why do people climb
mountains?
Research famous mountain
explorers, three historic
mountain expeditions and their
outcomes.
Sessions 4: Geography/English
Research and re-enact a famous
mountain expedition.
Research a famous expedition in
depth, perform and photograph a
freeze-frame drama that conveys
the expedition and its outcomes.
Session 5: Geography
Climate change and the impact
of human activity on the
mountain environment.
Develop your understanding of
climate change and how the
mountain environment can be
endangered by human activity.
Find out about eco-tourism and
how it can help protect
mountains.
Session 6: Geography/Science
Endangered animal and plant
species in the mountain
environment.
Learn about the ways that plants
and animals are adapted to the
mountain environment and how
they can be protected.
Session 7: Geography/Art
Create a Model Mountain or
Mountain Range
(Allow 2+ sessions)
Create a labelled model of a
particular mountain or mountain
range, drawing on the knowledge
gained during this block.
Children will
 Brainstorm and then discuss why people have chosen to climb mountains (e.g.
challenge, to travel, to show they can survive extreme climates, ‘because it’s
there’).
 Research and make notes in small groups on one of three historic mountain
expeditions and their outcomes (Sir Edmund Hilary, Chris Bonington, Bear
Grylls).
Children will
 Continue to research and then have a class discussion about what happened on
various mountain expeditions – to identify similarities and differences.
 Be able to locate on a map where these expeditions took place using the class
world map.
 Identify 6 key events in their chosen expedition, which will convey to an
audience the expedition and its outcomes.
 Plan a freeze-frame drama of a famous mountain expedition, in small groups,
using a six-box storyboard.
 Perform and photograph the freeze-frame drama of each expedition.
Children will
 Deepen their understanding of the word ‘climate’ and how climate change and
global warming can impact on the mountain environment.
 Revisit and explore in more detail why humans visit mountains.
 Discuss and explore how tourists can pose a threat to the mountain
environment.
 Understand how becoming an eco-tourist can enable humans to still visit
mountains but not endanger their environment.
Children will
 Review the impact of humans on mountains and how eco-tourism can help
limit further damage - this is also the case for animal and plant species, which
inhabit mountains.
 Understand why certain plants and animals are best suited to a mountain
habitat.
 Learn about and research endangered mountain animals and plants and
present information for use in their ‘Mountain Exhibition’.
Children will
 Create their own model of a mountain/range, and add details such as highest
peaks, snowline, vegetation, rivers, rocks, key explorers etc., using their
knowledge of mountains and mountain ranges they have gained so far.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
UKS2 Topic: Earth Matters Block C: Mountains
Session 8 Geography/English/Art
Create a ‘Mountain Exhibition’
for an audience.
Put together a class ‘Mountain
Exhibition’ about mountain
ranges, their formation, famous
mountain expeditions and the
protection of mountain
biodiversity.
Children will
 Choose an aspect covered during the topic (mountain ranges, their formation,
expeditions and mountain biodiversity) individually and work as a team to
choose how to present this to younger chn in a ‘Mountain Exhibition’, using the
information they have collected and presented so far (Mountain models, world
map, freeze-frames etc.).
 Complete previous work from other sessions and create a display for the
exhibition.
 Invite an audience, present information and gain feedback as to how useful
they found the information each child/pair provided.
Resources
Session 1
Provided: Mountain images; ‘Our mountain knowledge’ resource; How to make a mountain instructions;
Mountain recording sheets; Dictionary game.
You will need: Large sheets of paper and 2 different coloured pens for groups; Paper; Bread; Blocks of chocolate
crispy cake; Tissues; Material; Balloons; Tin foil; Bag of red icing; Small wooden blocks; Two sizes of trays; Sand; Jug
of water.
Session 2
Provided: List of main mountains and mountain ranges across the world; Map of the world with continents –
(photocopied, enlarged and cut up); Copies of speech bubbles.
You will need: Access to books/atlases/internet to research mountains/ranges; Access to Google Earth;
Pens/pencils; Large blue display paper.
Session 3
Provided: Picture of mountain blown up; Mountain expedition sheets; Information sheets on expeditions.
You will need: Sound effects of howling wind; Post it notes; Pens/Pencils; Books and access to the internet;
Notebooks/paper for note taking; Highlighter pens.
Session 4
Provided: Freeze-frame storyboard blanks; Example slide show (powerpoint).
You will need: Notes from session 3; Cameras.
Session 5
Provided: Causes of climate change resource; Ways in which we damage the Environment; How to be
an Eco-tourist.
You will need: 3 or 4 sheets of large paper with ‘Climate’ written in the middle; Pens; Access to the internet;
Paper for Eco-tourism posters plus poster templates; Coloured pens/pencils.
Session 6
Provided: List of endangered mountain animals; Letter from WWF; Presentation template.
You will need: Books and internet access; Access to PowerPoint for each pair.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
UKS2 Topic: Earth Matters Block C: Mountains
Session 7
Provided: Different painting techniques resources.
You will need: ModRoc – enough for groups of 4/5; Old paper; Cling film, Bubble wrap; Salt crystals; Sugar;
Sand; Water colour and acrylic paints; Small flags (cocktail sticks and paper); Selection of craft materials to make
vegetation/animals.
Session 8
Provided: Labels for display.
You will need: All items for display; Tables/boards for display; Table coverings; Paper, pins, blu-tac, etc. for
putting up displays; Laptops displaying PowerPoints; Camera/video camera to record the exhibition; Comment
sheets and box.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
UKS2 Topic: Earth Matters Block C: Mountains
Useful websites for background information:
Specific mountains
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A530632
Kilimanjaro - highest peak in Africa
http://www.igf.fuw.edu.pl/hill/ashima.html
Mountains in Asia, contains links to lots of other sites
http://pbskids.org/nova/denali/news.html
Denali - highest peak in North America and climbed by a 12 year old in 1998
http://bennevis.ms11.net/information.html
Ben Nevis - highest peak in Britain
http://www.answers.com/topic/list-of-mountains
Lists all the mountains on the world and info on each
How to climb mountains and why people do it, including dangers involved
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A617041
An article on how to climb mountains
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/04/gk2/climbmountain.html
A lesson plan entitled: You can climb any mountain
http://pbskids.org/nova/denali/ask20000607.html
Questions and answers on why and dangers involved
http://www.mounteverest.net/expguide/survivalrules.htm
Great for dangers and how to overcome them
http://www.topics-mag.com/edition01/whyclimb.htm
Children’s views on why people climb
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/2-2-2005-65235.asp
Tips for climbing mountains for beginners
http://www.mountaineering-scotland.org.uk/leaflets/winter.html
Advice for winter climbing
http://www.mountainzone.com/photo/index.html
GREAT for photos
http://www.mountain-images.co.uk/
Again, great photos
http://www.abc-of-mountaineering.com/info/sitemap.asp
Packed with all you need to know about mountaineering – really well structured site
http://www.everestnews.com/
News on mountains and mountaineering, including historical events
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
UKS2 Topic: Earth Matters Block C: Mountains
http://www.globaleye.org.uk/primary/focuson/index.html
Mountain fact file - site for children
http://www.answers.com/topic/list-of-mountains
Lists all the mountains in the world and info on each
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/loutdoor/mountainsafety/index.html
Met office forecasts
http://www.touchingthevoid.co.uk/
Official Joe Simpson site
http://imagingeverest.rgs.org/Concepts/Imaging_Everest/-75.html
Account of the 1953 successful summit
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/may/29/newsid_2492000/2492683.stm
Norgay conquering Everest (including video clip)
http://www.mounteverest.net/
Up to date news from Everest plus all you need to know about this mountain
http://www.alanarnette.com/kids/everest10.htm
Great account of attempt to climb Everest by Alan Arnette in 2002, written for children
http://www.unlockingthearchives.rgs.org/resources/documents/The%20death%20zone%20worksheet2.pdf
Worksheets for older children but can give ideas
http://www.unlockingthearchives.rgs.org/teacherslounge/curr_map.aspx?id=532&idrepresents=page
Teaching ideas and related objectives plus great links to images
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5008288.stm
Information on weather et al from army account of climbing Everest
Mountaineers
http://www.himalayantrust.co.uk/sir_edmund_hillary.phtml
Mountaineering expeditions and accounts
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002045151_schoeningobit24m.html
Describes how Pete Schoening saved 6 lives on K2 in 1953
http://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/page.php?id=193
Account of a trip to Morocco’s Jebel Toubkal by Robin Eveleigh in March 2006
http://climb.mountainzone.com/everest/2002/html/0501_news.html
Accounts of deaths in the Himalayas in 2002
http://www.mounteverest.net/story/EverestSouthBensaccidentupdateShaunnatocontinueApr202005.shtml
Account of Ben Webster breaking his leg on Everest in 2005
http://www.glasgowwestend.co.uk/out/outdoors/Feb01.html
Helen Rose’s Everest attempt in 2001
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.