Fifth grade is learning a lot about landforms. Students have been studying mountains. We know that North America has three major mountain systems: the Appalachian, Rocky, and Pacific. Fifth grade has learned that a mountain is a high land mass made up of more than one biome…(a community of plants and animals that live together in a region and depend on each other. We know that a mountain has at least two zones of climate and plant life or two biomes at different elevations. A mountain rises at least 2,000 feet above the surrounding land. It is amazing that mountains cover 20 percent of Earth’s surface…in all climate zones!

Students are focusing on a few key words such as base, peak, and profile that describe different areas of a mountain. We are also discussing a topographic map. This type of map is a view from above. We know that topography is the general shape of the surface or land…its size, relief, and elevation. Topographic maps represent a specific elevation (the vertical distance above sea level). Contour lines are lines that are characteristic of topographic maps. Contour lines that are close together on a topographic map indicate regions with steep slopes.

Today, fifth grade had fun with hands on learning by building a 6 piece foam mountain model. After building the mountains, we discussed and explored the model mountain’s base, peak, elevation, sea level, and vertical distance. Next, students created their own topographic maps by tracing the foam mountain pieces, drawing contour lines, and labeling the elevation for each part of the mountain model. Studying landforms and different styles of maps is exciting!