Topic: The Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains

Supplementary material for use in lessons in the group of natural sciences (nature, biology, chemistry, geography, physics), additional classes, science clubs. It can serve as a resource for expanding knowledge, preparing students for science competitions.

Target group

5th‑grade students of elementary school (geography).

Core Curriculum

Grade V (geography)
II. Landscapes of Poland: alpine (Tatra Mountains), uplands (Kraków‑Częstochowa Upland), lowlands (Masovian Lowland), lake (Masurian Lake District), seaside (Slovincian Coast), metropolitan (Warsaw), urban‑industrial (Silesian Upland), agricultural (Lublin Upland). Pupil:

1. indicates the geographical location of Poland on the map;

2. presents the main features of Polish landscapes and shows their diversity;

3. recognizes Polish landscapes in descriptions as well as films and illustrations;

General aim of education

Students characterize the landscape of the Sudetes and the Carpathians.

Key competences

• communication in foreign languages;

• digital competence;

• learning to learn.

Criteria for success
The student will learn:

• indicate average mountains on the Polish map;

• describe the terrain elevation in the high mountains;

• assess the natural conditions in the high mountains;

• discuss the importance of mountains for tourism.

Methods/techniques

• expository

  • talk.

• activating

  • discussion.

• programmed

  • with computer;

  • with e‑textbook.

• practical

  • exercices concerned.

Forms of work

• individual activity;

• activity in pairs;

• activity in groups;

• collective activity.

Teaching aids

• e‑textbook;

• notebook and crayons/felt‑tip pens;

• interactive whiteboard, tablets/computers;

• outline of the map of Poland from the previous lesson, glue, tape, scissors, cards;

• contour of the mountains.

Lesson plan overview

Before classes

• Before the lesson, the teacher asks pupils to look in colorful magazines, the Internet and their own collections of pictures concerning the Sudetes and the Carpathians. One of them must concern a large city located in the Sudeten and Carpathian Mountains..

Introduction

• The teacher explains the aim of the lesson and together with students determines the success criteria to be achieved.

Realization

• The teacher displays the students' ranking of the players (group and teacher symbols) after subsequent competitions concerning the geographical areas.

• Each group receives the work of other teams from the previous lesson. The groups recognize and record what the pictures / illustrations of the indicated geographical region show. The card marked with the symbol selected earlier is given to the teacher who will compare it with the authors' answers.

• Students describe the location of the Sudetes and the Carpathians.

• The teacher asks students to read the abstract themselves, paying particular attention to the illustrations.

• Teams receive their projects. Students mark the areas of the Sudetes and the Carpathians and make a collage of photos..

• Participants familiarize themselves with the content presented in the interactive illustration. Then the teacher discusses the issues with the students.

Summary

• The teacher asks students to carry out the recommended interactive exercise themselves.

Homework

• Develop a lap book containing issues learned during the lesson and bring your work to the next class.

• Listen to the abstract recording at home. Pay attention to pronunciation, accent and intonation. Learn to pronounce the words learned during the lesson.

The following terms and recordings will be used during this lesson

Terms

Texts and recordings

The Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains

The southern and southwestern part of our country features mountains whose true altitude reaches up to approx. 1500 metres above sea level (individual peaks are higher) and characterised by significant differences in relative altitude. In most cases, the peaks of these mountains are slightly rounded and there are deep valleys between them. We call them medium‑sized mountains. In Poland they include the Sudetes and the Carpathian Mountains.

The Sudetes are mountains composed of various rocks. They comprise several mountain ranges divided by deep mountain passes. The highest mountain range of the Sudetes are the Giant Mountains (Karkonosze) and their tallest peak is Śnieżka with an elevation of 1603 metres above sea level. The more recognisable mountain ranges of the Sudetes include Izera Mountains, Owl Mountains and Table Mountains.

The Carpathian Mountains include, among others, the Beskid Mountains that comprise numerous mountain ranges. The majority of peaks in the Beskid Mountains are elevated 1000 to 1300 metres above sea level, with only individual peaks reaching higher elevations. The tallest peak of the Polish Beskid Mountains is Babia Góra with an elevation of 1725 m.a.s.l. The mountain ranges of the Carpathian Mountains also include the Pienin Mountains and Bieszczady. The Tatra Mountains – the only high mountains in Poland about which you will learn more on later lessons – also form part of the Carpathian Mountains.

The mountains are characterised by specific weather. Summers are cold and winters are colder compared to lower‑lying areas. That’s why on tall peaks snow persists for such a long time. In addition, air temperature in the mountains drop as altitude increases (by approx. 0.6°C for each 100 m). Pressure also drops at higher altitudes, which may be troublesome for tourists. Strong winds blow there for the greater part of the year. Sudden weather changes in the mountains are very common. Sometimes storm clouds may appear within several minutes or unfavourable weather may suddenly start improving.

Medium‑sized mountain areas in Poland are being exploited in many different ways. Croplands have been formed mostly in valleys and on slightly inclined slopes. At higher altitude and even on certain mountain peaks there are also meadows and pastures. Mountain forests are used for acquiring lumber, but of course only outside protected areas.

One of the most important sectors of the economy is tourism. The mountains attract tourists with their unique landscape and unforgettable views, rare plant and animal life, and clean air. Mountain hikes are also a great way to improve fitness. Due to the slight inclination of slopes in medium‑sized mountains, numerous tourist trails have been designated so as to enable them to go on mountain hikes. There are numerous hotels, hostels and campsites. Many people travel to the mountains to practice sports. The most popular winter sports include skiing, but the mountains also attract the fans of other disciplines, such as rock climbing. Mountain health resorts are also popular.

In order to protect nature in medium‑sized mountains, two national parks have been created in the Sudetes, four in the Beskid Mountains and one in the Pienin Mountains. Many animal species have survived only in the mountains. The majority of Polish bears, wolves and lynx live in the Beskids, especially in Bieszczady. There is also a species that appeared in the Sudetes relatively recently. Namely the mouflon, i.e. wild mountain goats brought from the Mediterranean Sea islands.

• Medium‑size mountains – the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains – are located in southern and southwestern Poland.

• Medium‑sized mountains are characterised by rounded peaks divided by deep valleys.

• Mountains are a nature attraction of great importance to tourism.