Mountaineering Patchwork Study

Welcome to the Harbor + Sprout Mountaineering Patchwork Study, the April 2024 release of our original elementary-level homeschool unit study curriculum. This unit study features 4 weeks of lesson plans and materials covering all 9 of our core subjects and a playful supplemental section of thematic activities. This unit study is meant for use by children ages 3-12. 

Click here to download a free sample of the Mountaineering Patchwork Study.

CONTENT:

Handbook

Daily, weekly, and monthly planning pages
Book list including stories, poems, and field guides with recommended ages, subject correspondence, and brief summaries for each title
Scope and Sequence
Family read aloud with discussion guide and recipe
Character kit- new monthly character illustrated by Stephanie Groves to act as your guide through the unit

Science

Week 1: How Are Mountains Formed? In this lesson, you will explore the science of mountain formation through examination of Earth’s layers and plate tectonics. You will discover different types of mountain formation.
Week 2: How Tall Are Mountains? In this lesson, you will explore the science of topography. You will learn about some of the highest mountains on Earth and discover how mountain ranges and elevations are shown on maps.
Week 3: What Are Mountaineers? In this lesson, you will explore the unique challenges associated with mountaineering. You will learn about acclimatization, needed equipment, elevation, and harsh mountain climate safety.
Week 4: What is a Mountain Habitat? In this lesson, you will explore the mountain habitat and learn about mountain biomes and ecosystems. Discover unique mountainous weather patterns and effects.

Nature Study

Week 1: Black Bears: In this lesson, you will explore black bears, their unique mountain adaptations, where they live, their omnivorous diet, their hibernation pattern, and their stages of annual activity.
Week 2: Rock Wallaby: In this lesson, you will explore rock wallabies, their unique mountain habitat adaptations, their jumping mechanics, their gripped feet, and where they are found around the world.
Week 3: Snow Leopard: In this lesson, you will explore snow leopards, their unique mountain habitat adaptations, their unique feet and camouflage, and where they are found around the world.
Week 4: Montain Goat: In this lesson, you will explore mountain goats, their unique mountain habitat adaptations, their heavy coat, strong legs, sticky toes, and sharp horns, and where they are found in the world.

Language Arts

Week 1: Mountaineering Words: In this lesson, you will expand your mountaineering vocabulary. You will learn about the -ill word family, practice mountain-themed words, practice spelling, explore etymology, and practice writing using the words.
Week 2: Snow-Capped Mountain: In this lesson, you will enjoy the peom “Snow-Capped Mountain” by Hilda Conkling along with a poetry tea time. You will explore the poem in greater depth through a craft, narration, poetry study, description, & writing.
Week 3: Capitalization: In this lesson, you will study capitalization and its associated rules. You will match upper-and lower-case letters, create letter creatures, and practice capitalization with various challenges and activities.
Week 4: Story Mountain: In this lesson, you will explore the anatomy of a story and the method of visually outlining stories through the use of a story mountain. You will learn about sequencing and planning stories you hear and stories of your own.

Writing

Week 1: Conducting Interviews: In this lesson, you will begin your adventure of writing a newspaper by learning about conducting interviews. You will learn about how to prepare for and conduct the interview and learn about interview prompts and questions.
Week 2: Current Events: In this lesson, you will learn about current events in newspapers and write your own current events article. You will discover what is included in a current event article and choose a current event to write about.
Week 3: Opinion Piece: In this lesson, you will learn about opinion pieces and letters to the editor. You will learn about what makes a compelling opinion piece and practice writing your own.
Week 4: Publish Your Newspaper: Now it’s your turn to be the journalist and write your own newspaper! In this lesson, you will learn more about how to write a full newspaper. You will create a newspaper of your own using the skills you have learned in this unit.

History

Week 1: Birth of Mountaineering (1492): In this lesson, you will be introduced to the origins of mountaineering. You will discover what makes a mountaineer and learn about earliest recorded mountain climbs of notable summits.
Week 2: Growth of Mountaineering (1500s-1850): In this lesson, you will explore the history of mountaineering beyond its earliest beginnings. You will discover famous peaks and the history of their exploration.
Week 3: Golden Age of Mountaineering (1854-1865): In this lesson, you will learn about the golden age of mountaineering. You will discover famous mountaineers and their expeditions atop some of the world’s most magnificent peaks.
Week 4: Ascending the Highest Peak (1953):In this lesson, you will learn about the ascension of the highest mountain peak in the world- Mount Everest!

Geography

Week 1: Tanzania: In this lesson, you will explore the country of Tanzania. You will listen to its national anthem, learn about its flag, and learn trivia about this fascinating country.
Week 2: Maps: In this lesson, you will familiarize yourself with the continent of Africa and the country of Tanzania on the map. You will learn fascinating information about Tanzania and its place on Earth.
Week 3: Culture in Tanzania: In this lesson, you will immerse yourself in the culture of Tanzania. You will learn about the language and people, religion, cuisine, and sports. You will delve into an investigation of African patterns and designs.
Week 4: Mountains Around the World: In this lesson, you will learn about some of the world’s tallest mountain peaks- the Seven Summits.

Music

Week 1: Vocal Classification: In this lesson, you will learn about the different vocal classifications and learn to see them on the scale. You will explore the different vocal parts and their characteristics, and what happens when they are combined.
Week 2: The Deep, Rumbling Bass:In this lesson, you will explore the deep sounds of bass instruments and why these sounds are important to music.
Week 3: Howard Shore: In this lesson, you will discover the life and music of composer Howard Shore.
Week 4: Tanzanian Instruments: In this lesson, you will explore the instruments of Tanzania, including the zeze.

Art

Week 1: Technical Skills: In this lesson, you will explore form in art, learn about artist Corinne Weidmann, learn about technical skills in mountaineering, and create art projects focused on form and inspired by mountains.
Week 2: Physical Fitness: In this lesson, you will explore line in art, learn about artist Shandor Alexander, learn about physical fitness in mountaineering, and create art projects focused on line and inspired by mountains.
Week 3: Risk Management: In this lesson, you will explore texture in art, learn about artist Elise Dodge, learn about risk management in mountaineering, and create art projects focused on texture and inspired by mountains.
Week 4: Environmental Awareness: In this lesson, you will explore shape in art, learn about artist Sarah Uhl, learn about environmental awarenessin mountaineering, and create art projects focused on tshape and inspired by mountains.

Math

Week 1: Summit Gear Dominoes:Enjoy a classic game as you practice your math skills. Match your mountain gear dominoes by aligning the gear with its corresponding number. Be the first to place all your dominoes and prove you’re a master of mountain math!
Week 2: Calculating Slope Percentage: In this activity, you will learn to calculate the slope of a mountain using the concepts of rise and run. You will discover how to express slope as a percentage, giving you insight into the mountain’s steepness.
Week 3: Mountain Math Ascent Altitude Challenge: In this activity, you will practice your math skills by calculating how high climbers ascend and descend on their mountain adventures using addition and subtraction.
Week 4: Alpine Algebra- Navigating Simultaneous Equations: In this activity, you will embark on an adventure through the world of mathematics and mountaineering, solving puzzles to find the right gear for your alpine journey with algebraic equations.

Supplement

• Mountaineering Find-A-Word
• Mountaineering Coloring Sheets
• Mountaineering Dominoes
• Mountaineering I Spy and Count
• Mountaineering Tracing
• Mountaineering Tic-Tac-Toe
• Mountaineering Word Puzzles
• Mountaineering Equipment Cards
• Bilingual Counting Puzzles
• Mountaineering Dot Painting
• Mountaineering Word Find

This unit is delivered as a downloadable zip file. Enjoy your Mountaineering adventures!