Whether you're discussing the highest mountain on Earth, (Mount Everest, which reaches 29,029 feet above sea level,) or the highest mountain in the solar system, (Olympus Mons on Mars, which reaches 69,459 feet,) mountains are a fun topic to study. Actually, the study of mountains is called Orography. (If you're discussing mountains on other planets the study of them is called Exogeology.)
A mountain, quite simply, is a landform is significantly elevated above the surrounding land. There's actually no universally accepted definition of a mountain. However, most people know one when they see one. Famous mountains include the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps. Mount Olympus in Greece, Mount Everest in the Himalayas, Pikes Peak and Mt Hood in the United States.
Classroom Resources for Your Mountain Unit
Classroom lessons on mountains are often a part of a larger geology unit. They can also be part of a study of the local culture as many mountains play an important role in folklore. Teacher Planet offers an abundance of lesson plans on the subject of mountains. From math to creative writing, science to social studies embracing the topic of mountains can help you get the message across to your young students. Enjoy clip art, activities, worksheets and additional teaching resources dedicated to the topic of teaching about mountains.
