Title: Majestic Peaks

A lesson on the special kinds of plants and animals that live on mountains and weather regions on both sides of the mountain.

Grade Level: 3rd and 4th grades

Length: 4-5 hours of class time

Performance Expectations:

The student will be able to discuss and evaluate information on mountains: types, characteristics, elevation affects on plant and animal life on a mountain, affects on weather regions on bother of its sides, sports related activities.

Materials:

Social Studies Books or copies of the lesson

supplies: markers, glue, scissors, construction paper, encyclopedia, books, magazines, and computer superhighway access,
teacher-prepared mountain diagram of relevant points from the reading [domed mountain, animals, snow, timberline, trees and plants, weather regions]

Procedure:

Introduction: Read aloud the chapter title and ask students of any
experiences the may have with mountains. Give the
students some background information on mountains: [highest: Mount Everest and Mount McKinley; the four types:
folded, block, domed, volcanic]. Then choose volunteers to read
the pages on mountains.

Development: Recap the lesson using the teacher-prepared diagram
and discuss vocabulary words from the chapter: mountain,
physical feature, temperature, and timberline.

*Assign the groups-researcher, recorder, presenter, and
materials manager [Explain that these positions will
rotate for future projects and when everyone has had
a turn in each position, new groups will be formed].

*Have each group ÒdrawÓ for their turn to choose a topic:
mountain sports, mountain effects on animals,
mountain effects on weather, mountain effects on
plants, mountain characteristics, and the four types of
mountains.

*Explain the criteria for the group project:

-3-D model display related to their topic [ie. mountain
sports: a construction paper mountain with clay
mountain climber]

-a written report in their own words based on
reading, encyclopedia, and computer research

-presentation of their work to the class

-co-facilitation with the teacher of discussion on their
topic

-their notes no their peers projects to use for the test

Closure: Allot two-three 45 min. class periods for project work

Allot one-two 60 min. class period for presentations and
note taking

Assessment:

The assessment will have two forms. The first will be a review based on the discussions from the presentations, as well as, the students’ efforts in meeting the performance expectations of the project display. The second from will be an open note essay test with questions based upon the group presentations that were given.

Adaptation/Consideration:

I will offer assistance and guidance to students with learning deficiencies. Students with reading problems may go to the library and get their level reading material on their mountain topic. Students with writing problems may have the option to type on the computer. To motivate the students to do their best, I will “award” the group with the highest test scores to have their project displayed in a special area.

References:

Armento, Beverly, Gary Nash, Christopher Salter, and Karen Wixson. (1991). From Sea to Shining Sea. Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton Mifflin Company.

adaptations made by Lisa Bridewell