This lesson introduces students to the idea that people in different parts of the world have different customs and habits of daily life, even if they live in similar landscapes. They will view pictures of and discuss life in the mountains of Colorado and Nepal and write stories describing what it might be like to live in the mountains of Nepal.

It is important to encourage young children to think about what it takes to be really good at an activity, whether schoolwork, a sport, or a hobby. In this lesson, students will think about the skills and qualities required to be a good mountain climber and read about renowned climber Ed Viesturs and his experiences in the Himalaya mountains, especially Mount Everest. Finally, students will consider how studying mountain climbing has taught them about what it takes to be good at their own favorite activities. This lesson plan can be used in conjunction with the National Geographic site Everest celebrating the 50th Anniversary Everest Expedition, which was made possible in part by the generous support of American International Group, Inc.

In this lesson, students will explore what it would be like to climb one of the Seven Summits, the highest mountains on each continent: Aconcagua, Denali, Mount Elbrus, Mount Everest, Mount Kilimanjaro, Puncak Jaya, and Vinson Massif. They will become familiar with the world's biomes and learn that biomes change not only with latitude but also with elevation. This lesson plan can be used in conjunction with the National Geographic site Everest celebrating the 50th Anniversary Everest Expedition, which was made possible in part by the generous support of American International Group, Inc.

Mountain climbing naturally carries many inherent risks, but it also holds great prestige and personal satisfaction for those who are successful. In this lesson, students will consider the costs and benefits associated with mountain climbing. They will also compare mountain climbing today, particularly the concept of climbing Mount Everest, with mountain climbing in the 1920s and the 1950s. This lesson plan can be used in conjunction with the National Geographic site Everest celebrating the 50th Anniversary Everest Expedition, which was made possible in part by the generous support of American International Group, Inc.

As students learn more about human biology, they should be encouraged to see examples of how the human body reacts to various "real-life" situations. This lesson asks them to investigate the things that happen to a person’s body as he or she ascends a mountain. Students will consider the effects of high altitude on a climber's mental state and will read about why renowned climber Ed Viesturs has decided to climb without supplemental oxygen. Would they make the same decision if they were professional climbers? This lesson plan can be used in conjunction with the National Geographic site Everest celebrating the 50th Anniversary Everest Expedition, which was made possible in part by the generous support of American International Group, Inc.