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Students explore images, videos, and articles related to the Seven Summits, their various definitions, and mountaineers who have been inspired to conquer these dangerous peaks. Students then collaboratively research and map the summits using the jigsaw method, ultimately "bagging" all the peaks while learning about their locations, elevation, and other facts.
DIRECTIONS
Mount Everest: What Goes Up Should Come Down Unit Driving Question: How can we enjoy and explore unique natural areas while still protecting our environment?
Summits with a View Lesson Driving Question: Why do people want to climb Mount Everest?
1. Engage students by watching a video that captures the emotions of reaching Kilimanjaro’s summit.
- Begin with the still shot at the start of the video, Kilimanjaro – The Summit. Have students look for clues in the image to determine where the video takes place and confirm the correct answer (Tanzania, Africa). Have students find Tanzania, Africa, on a world map.
- Then have students watch the video from the 2:36 minute mark until the end.
- Ask students: What is happening in this video? What details do you notice? What seems both challenging or enjoyable about the experiences these people are having?
2. Using an image of the Seven Summits, discuss what inspires people to climb these mountains.
- Show students this image of the Seven Summits and explain why there are eight images in the collection. Explain that one of the peaks known as Puncak Jaya, also known as Carstensz Pyramid, was not originally one of the Seven Summits because it is politically part of Indonesia, which is part of the Asian continent. Therefore, it would not be the highest peak in Asia because Mount Everest is much taller. However, being in New Guinea, it is also considered part of Oceania, so peakbaggers now traditionally identify Puncak Jaya to be the highest point in Oceania, and Mount Kosciuszko to be the highest peak in Australia.
- Ask students: Why would someone want to risk their lives in order to reach the top of these mountains?
- Consider showing images from the summits, in addition to the summits themselves, to inspire more responses. Possible images include:
- As a class, discuss student's responses and document big ideas on a surface that can remain visible throughout the activity, such as chart paper or a whiteboard.
3. Students learn about two mountaineers, Patrick Morrow and Kit DesLauriers, and learn what the term peakbagger means in terms of mountaineering.
- As a class, read the article May 7, 1986 CE: Mountaineer Reaches All ‘Seven Summits.’
- Explain the term peakbagger to students:
Peakbagger (n): A mountain climber whose principal goal is the attainment of a summit, or a specific set of summits.
- Emphasize that Patrick Morrow would be an example of a peakbagger because he attained all eight of the highest peaks on each continent, which is a specific set of summits.
- Next, have students watch the video Surviving the Seven Summits about Kit DesLauriers and her preparations to climb and ski the Seven Summits.
- As a class, add new reasons to the collective list of what inspires a person to keep trying to reach dangerous summits even after repeated failures.
4. In groups, students research one of the eight summits to begin the jigsaw portion of this activity.
- With students in groups, distribute the materials needed to have each group create their tabletop map of the world, a copy of the Peakbagging Cards, and the appropriate peak article to each student. For example, one group should read about Kilimanjaro, which means that each student in that group receives the Kilimanjaro article.
- Have students closely read the article about their peak and complete the information card for their summit. Have students cut out their peak card and glue it to the map with the edge of their card on the site of their summit.
- Remind students that they should be prepared to share their information with other peak experts for the next activity in this unit, Mountaineering as Exploration, Recreation, and Vocation.
Informal Assessment
Prior to the next activity, Mountaineering as Exploration, Recreation, and Vocation, review students’ expert peak information on the peakbagging card that they completed to assess whether the information was mapped appropriately and if this information is accurate based on the articles that were provided.
Extending the Learning
ELA Extension: Expository/Informational Writing—Have students choose one of the Seven Summits and complete additional research about the summit in order to present an informational presentation, including written information and a visual element. Have students practice evaluating sources for credibility and cite text evidence within their essays.
Math Extension: Have students use researched information about the Seven Summits in order to create a graph that compares the number of people who reached each summit and the elevation of the peaks to see if there is a correlation.
Students investigate reasons for mountaineering, including exploration, recreation, and vocation. Students identify text evidence of these mountaineering goals in action and consider how each of these goals inspires the climb. Students look at how Everest has been a common destination for mountaineers for all three reasons.
DIRECTIONS
Mount Everest: What Goes Up Should Come Down Unit Driving Question: How can we enjoy and explore unique natural areas while still protecting our environment?
Summits with a View Lesson Driving Question: Why do people want to climb Mount Everest?
- Redistribute the students’ world maps that were started in Danger Versus Desire: The Inspirational Power of the Peaks activity and have students complete the Seven (Eight) Summits World Map Jigsaw.
- Group students so that there is at least one peak expert from each of the eight peaks. Have students share what they learned about their summit with the rest of the group, one at a time, helping one another complete the other seven of the Peakbagging Cards.
- Once all students have collected the information for all eight peaks from their group members, have students attach their peak cards to the tabletop world map with the corner of the card pointing to the correct location of the peak. Once students have attached each of the eight peaks, they have successfully “bagged” all the peaks.
- Distribute one copy of the Mountaineering as Exploration, Recreation, and Vocation worksheet to each student, explaining that it will be used to collect evidence from text-based and video resources that explain how mountaineering can have goals related to exploration, recreation, and vocation.
- Model for students how to use resources to complete Mountaineering as Exploration, Recreation, and Vocation.
- As a class, watch the Everest - Getting to the Top video (3:21) as an example of mountaineering one of the Seven Summits as exploration. (Warning: this video shows dead climbers along the route.)
- Demonstrate how to organize information by using evidence from the video to complete the Mountaineering as Exploration, Recreation, and Vocation worksheet, especially focusing on exploration. The first row of the worksheet has been completed as an example.
- Have students read the following seven articles. As students read, have them record what they learn on their copy of Mountaineering as Exploration, Recreation, and Vocation.
- Vocation Article: A Year After Everest Disaster, This Sherpa isn’t Going Back
- Recreation and Vocation Article: Wilderness Wars
- Vocation Article: Meet the Sherpa Bringing Wi-Fi to Everest
- Vocation Article: Sherpas Take Steep Risks for Life-Changing Pay
- Vocation Article: Inside the Everest Expedition that built the World’s Highest Weather Station
- Recreation and Vocation Article: Why People Risk Their Lives Mountain Climbing
- Exploration Article: American Explorers Recognized by Guinness World Records for Completing the First Ever Ascent of Meru Peak Shark's Fin
- Once students have completed their reading and assignment, discuss as a class: How do each of these goals inspire the climb? In what ways do people rely on these mountains? (Possible response: The Nepalese government and Sherpas depend on income from providing expedition support to mountaineering tourists.)
- Suggested questions to prompt discussion are:
- What is the greatest difference between those who climb for exploration and those who climb for recreation?
- How have the goals changed for Sherpas who initially climbed Mount Everest with Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary compared to those who climb with tourist and expedition groups today?
- Besides Sherpas, what other types of vocations may involve climbing?
- Why don’t Sherpas work in much less dangerous fields?
- How do the costs of mountain climbing contrast with payoff in each of these goals (exploration, recreation, vocation)?
- Describe how mountains like Mount Everest or the Seven Summits have been a common destination for explorers, recreationists and career-based expeditioners.
- Has mountaineering and trekking tourism changed the area near Mount Everest where the Sherpas live?
- Are Sherpas the only ethnic group of people residing in Nepal that assist with mountaineering and trekking-based tourism?
- Are there any non-Sherpa guides?
- By your observations, is mountaineering on Mount Everest sustainable?
- Distribute the Mount Everest: Know and Need to Know Chart to each student.
- Have students complete the What I Know column with what they know or have learned about Mount Everest up to this point.
- Have students brainstorm additional questions they have on why Everest is such an important landform for all who rely on it and who want to conquer it and add these questions to their Need to Know column.
- To connect students to the culminating project, explain that in this unit, they will be learning more about the impacts of mountaineering and tourism on unique natural areas like Everest.
- Explain that students will create a Mount Everest Bill of Rights. Then they will write an analysis that explains how both local governments and individuals can protect one of those rights. Finally, they will create an infographic that applies what they have learned to our local natural environments.
Informal Assessment
Collect the Mountaineering as Exploration, Recreation, and Vocation worksheet from each student and look for examples in each row that address discovering previously undiscovered areas or passageways (exploration), mountaineering as a sport or hobby (recreation), and Sherpas, mountain guides, and others who climb mountains regularly as a part of their career (vocation). If students have other examples, scan for accuracy or make notes if students have missed key points.
Extending the Learning
Biographical Research Extension: Have students research a known Everest explorer, Sherpa, or recreational mountaineers such as Edmund Hillary, George Mallory, Patrick Morrow, Kami Rita Sherpa, Tenzing Norgay, or Junko Tabei, and present a short slideshow providing basic biographic information, as well as images related to the types of equipment the mountaineers used during their time.
Career Research Extension: Have students choose a profession related to mountaineering, whether it be climbing guides, equipment development, technology-based engineering, and create a short presentation about what responsibilities the career entails, the estimated pay, and the education necessary to be able to obtain such a career.
Subjects & Disciplines
- Conservation
- English Language Arts
- Geography
-
Social Studies
- Economics
Objectives
Students will:
- Know that mountaineers climb for different reasons, including exploration (to discover unknown routes), various types of recreation, and vocation (such as climbing guides and Sherpas).
- Read multiple texts to organize and summarize information, using text evidence and citing sources used.
- Be able to map the location, elevation, and other facts about the eight peaks of the Seven Summits on a world map.
- Understand that peakbaggers are individuals who are drawn to mountaineering for the purpose of summiting many difficult mountains as a collection of accomplishments.
- Acknowledge that there are different points of view when considering cost versus payoff that are based on the goal of the climb.
- Know that mountaineers climb for different reasons including exploration (to discover unknown routes), various types of recreation (including self-evaluation and personal actualization beyond the activity), and vocation (such as climbing guides and Sherpas).
- Collaborate with classmates through sharing information and discussion.
- Close read multiple texts to organize and summarize information, using text evidence and citing sources used.
- Be able to work independently and collaboratively with others in order to complete research and mapping.
- Be able to map the location, elevation, and other facts about the eight peaks of the Seven Summits on a world map.
- Understand that peakbaggers are individuals who are drawn to mountaineering for the purpose of summiting many difficult mountains as a collection of accomplishments.
- Understand that there is a natural allure that inspires people to take risks in order to conquer dangerous mountain summits, even after repeated failure.
- Know that the Seven Summits are the highest mountain peaks on each of the seven continents (Asia, South America, North America, Europe, Africa, Antarctica, Australia/Oceania).
Teaching Approach
- Project-based learning
Teaching Methods
- Discussions
- Guided listening
- Jigsaw
- Multimedia instruction
Skills Summary
This lesson targets the following skills:
-
21st Century Student Outcomes
- Information, Media, and Technology Skills
- 21st Century Themes
-
Critical Thinking Skills
- Analyzing
- Geographic Skills
Connections to National Standards, Principles, and Practices
What You’ll Need
Required Technology
- Internet Access: Required
- Internet access: Required
- Tech Setup: 1 computer per classroom, Monitor/screen, Printer, Projector, Scanner, Speakers
Physical Space
- Classroom
Setup
- Arrange students' desks so that students are working together in groups of four or eight. This will improve student collaboration capabilities during the jigsaw portion of this activity.
- If students begin in jigsaw groups, it is easiest to have students partner up with these groups having each one of the students read one of the two articles and share their findings with their partner to fully consider how mountaineering goals vary.
- If the students have one-to-one computer and internet access, have students read the articles digitally rather than having copies printed for each student.
Grouping
- Heterogeneous grouping
- Jigsaw grouping
- Large-group instruction
- Large-group learning
- Small-group learning
- Small-group work
Accessibility Notes
- None
Other Notes
This activity carries into the next activity, Mountaineering as Exploration, Recreation, and Vocation. The tabletop world map (one per group) and the Peakbagging Cards handout will need to be kept in a location that can be accessed for later activities.
Background Information
There are several reasons a person may choose to be a mountaineer. They may be explorers looking for new pathways or never before seen natural areas untouched by human development. They may be recreationists who enjoy mountaineering for the scenery, tourism, challenge, athletic, and even spiritual experiences that summiting a mountain can offer. Mountaineering may be a part of their vocation, or career, where they have chosen to make a living off of climbing mountains, whether it be as a mountain guide, a research scientist or geologist, a professional athlete, or another career that requires one to climb regularly. Or, mountaineering may be any combination of the three with some seeing the activity and pursuit as part of a greater lifetime pursuit of self-actualization and wisdom.
No matter the reason, as climbing technologies, athleticism, and mountaineering tourism have evolved, the number of people attempting daring climbs and summits, such as that of Mount Everest, has increased. The question is: with the mountains calling more and more people to attempt their summits, how will we answer that call—haphazardly, or safely and sustainably?
This lesson is part of the Mount Everest: What Goes Up Should Come Down unit.
Prior Knowledge
- Mount Everest is one of the Seven Summits and the highest peak in the world.
Recommended Prior Lessons
- None
Vocabulary
study and investigation of unknown places, concepts, or issues.
making and using maps.
someone who climbs mountains.
highest spot on Earth, approximately 8,850 meters (29,035 feet). Mount Everest is part of the Himalaya and straddles the border of Nepal and China.
region including island groups in the South Pacific.
the very top.
mountain climber whose principal goal is the attainment of a summit, or specific set of summits that meet certain criteria of altitude of prominence.
having to do with activities done for enjoyment.
people and culture native to the Himalayan region of Nepal and China. Sherpa often serve as mountaineer guides and porters on mountain-climbing expeditions.
to reach the highest point of a mountain.
highest point of a mountain.
the industry (including food, hotels, and entertainment) of traveling for pleasure.
having to do with instruction or guidance in an occupation or career.
For Further Exploration
Articles & Profiles
Video
Websites
Tips & Modifications
Tip
Step 1: To facilitate the discussion, have peak experts share in alphabetical order: Cerro Aconcagua, Denali, El’brus, Kilimanjaro, Mount Everest, Mount Kosciuszko, Mount Vinson, and Puncak Jaya.
Tip
Step 2: Review the vocabulary with students to ensure they understand the difference between exploration, recreation, and vocation.
Tip
Step 3: Encourage students who are reading different articles to share their examples of exploration, recreation, and vocation with one another, and for others to record new ideas they hear from their group mates on their own graphic organizer.
Tip
Step 4: Provide a timer for silent reading (10-20 minutes), encouraging students to take notes on the graphic organizer as they find relevant information.
Modification
Step 5: Students may need/want additional reading time to gather more evidence. They could be encouraged to continue working on reading and gathering evidence as homework.
Modification
Step 6: Have students complete the Name that Destination activity to guess which summits are being described.
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The Costs of the Climb
Students explore the history of climbing Mount Everest. Then, they unpack what it takes to summit Everest today, including the types of costs. Finally, students consider what happens to waste, both organic and non-organic, and how waste has impacted the mountain over time. This lesson is part of the Mount Everest: What Goes Up Should Come Down unit.
-
Summiting Everest Today
In groups, students explore resources outlining what it costs to summit Everest. They learn the important role Sherpas play in a successful summit, as well as what one must plan for to leave no trace.
-
The Costs of the Climb
Students explore the history of climbing Mount Everest. Then, they unpack what it takes to summit Everest today, including the types of costs. Finally, students consider what happens to waste, both organic and non-organic, and how waste has impacted the mountain over time. This lesson is part of the Mount Everest: What Goes Up Should Come Down unit.
-
Summiting Everest Today
In groups, students explore resources outlining what it costs to summit Everest. They learn the important role Sherpas play in a successful summit, as well as what one must plan for to leave no trace.