The UK's peaks
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can name and locate the UK’s highest peaks and use OS maps to identify major physical and human features of Yr Wyddfa.
Key learning points
- The UK's highest peaks are Ben Nevis (Scotland); Yr Wyddfa (Wales); Scafell Pike (England); Slieve Donard, (N. Ireland).
- OS maps depict key mountain features, e.g. the height of land, gradient, footpaths and tourist attractions.
Keywords
Key - The key on a map explains what the different symbols or colours used on the map mean.
Contour lines - Contour lines are lines on a map that join points of equal height above or below sea level.
Trig point - A trig point is a point on high ground usually marked by a pillar and used as a reference point, especially for making maps.
Common misconception
Pupils assume that Slieve Donard is the smallest mountain in the UK.
Ensure that pupils know that Slieve Donard is not the smallest mountain in the UK, but it is the smallest out of the highest peaks in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Teacher tip
Colour is important on maps and keys. It is vital that they are printed or photocopied in colour. For example a telephone symbol has three specific meanings depending on the colour depicted. Pupils should also use the exact definition of symbols.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does UK stand for?
Q2.What continent is the UK located in?
Q3.Which is NOT a country in the UK?
Q4.What is the peak of a mountain?
Q5.For a mountain to be classed as a mountain, it has to be over...
Q6.Groups of mountains are called a....
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the highest mountain in England called?
Q2.The highest mountain in the UK is....
Q3.Put these mountains in order from highest to shortest...
Q4.When people climb a mountain over 914m in Scotland, they bag a...
Q5.A __________ pillar identifies the summit of mountains.
Q6.What do contour lines show on a map?
To help you plan your 4 geography lesson on: The UK's peaks, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 4 geography lesson on: The UK's peaks, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
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