New
New
Mountains and their features
I can recognise and name the key features of a mountain landscape and describe the conditions found on Mount Everest.
Lesson 2 of 6
New
New
- Year 4
Mountains and their features
I can recognise and name the key features of a mountain landscape and describe the conditions found on Mount Everest.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A mountain is classified as over 600 metres high and groups of mountains form a range.
- Mountains have common physical features: peak, ridge or arete, tree line, snow line, glacier, scree.
- Mount Everest, at 8848m, is the highest mountain on Earth and poses unique challenges for those who climb it.
Keywords
Peak - A peak is the highest point of a mountain.
Arête - An arête is a narrow ridge of rock between two valleys.
Altitude - Altitude is height above sea level or ground level.
Common misconception
Pupils assume that it is warmer at the summit of a mountain because you are 'closer to the sun'.
There is low pressure at altitude which means that air is thinner at the summit of a mountain. The thin air causes the cold temperatures.
Research Hillary and Tensing’s 1953 expedition to Mount Everest. Use this research to create a storyboard of their expedition.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and what other country make up the United Kingdom?
England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and what other country make up the United Kingdom?
Q2.Order the layers of Earth starting with the outermost layer
Order the layers of Earth starting with the outermost layer
Q3.What are tectonic plates?
What are tectonic plates?
Huge pieces of Earth's mantle
Huge pieces of Earth's outer core
Huge pieces of Earth's inner core
Q4.How are mountains formed?
How are mountains formed?
When tectonic plates diverge (move apart)
When tectonic plates move side by side
Q5.The point where two tectonic plates meet is called a....
The point where two tectonic plates meet is called a....
Q6.Which continent is Mt Everest located in?
Which continent is Mt Everest located in?
Europe
Africa
North America
South America
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The highest mountain on Earth is called...
The highest mountain on Earth is called...
Q2.The highest point of a mountain is called its...
The highest point of a mountain is called its...
Q3.Groups of mountains are called a....
Groups of mountains are called a....
mountain group
mountain cluster
Q4.Height above sea or ground level is called...
Height above sea or ground level is called...
Q5.A mountain is classed as over...
A mountain is classed as over...
400m high
500m high
700m hight
Q6.Match the mountain feature to its description
Match the mountain feature to its description
