Math Literature Units: 5 Grade

Math Literature Units
5th grade
Everest Adventure
How tall is a mountain? For hundreds of years, the height of
mountains has fascinated people. From hiking to skiing to
surveying, mountains have been important for research and
fun for many years. Have you ever wondered how tall
mountains around Parker are? How tall does a peak have to be
to have snow? Mount Everest is the tallest mountain. Many
people have attempted to climb it. Some have succeeded, while
others have failed. Do you think you would be able to climb
Mount Everest? This math adventure will explore this
tremendous mountain, its beauty, and its challenges.
As you think about the wonders of mountains, begin your
center by doing a picture walk through your guidebook. Look
at the pictures, read the captions, and write down some
questions you have and hope to have answered after
completing this center.
Himalayan Mountains
Read pages 4 and 5 and watch the video.
Wonders of the Universe: Himalayan Mountains
http://www.sciencechannel.com/tv-shows/wonderswith-brian-cox/videos/wonders-of-the-universehimalayan-mountains.htm
1. Look at the chart on page 5, what is the range of
mountain heights?
_________________________________
2. On page 5, The Sears tower in Chicago is 442 meters
high. About how many times higher than the Sears tower
is Mt. Everest?
Theodolites
Read pages 6 and 7 and watch the videos.
Everest Video
http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/other-shows/videos/other-showseverest-videos.htm
Theodolite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X79zTt4k8Yk
1. The theodolite used in India was 500 kilograms. How many grams did it
weigh?
__________________________________________________
2. Theodolites now weigh about 9 kilograms. How many grams do they
weigh?
___________________________________________________
3. Describe the difference between theodolites then and now. What problems
do you foresee with the older theodolites? What might be easier about todays
theodolites?
Height of the Mountain

Read pages 8 and 9. The measurement of the
height of the mountain changed over time.
1. What are some reasons why the height of the
mountain has changed?
2. How does Mount Everest compare to
Chimborazo and Mauna Kea?
3. Create a line graph for the heights of Mount
Everest and how it changes.
Mountaineers
Read pages 10 through 13.

Watch the videos about climbing Everest.
National Geographic Mount Everest
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/mount-everest-child
Summit Day on Everest
http://www.outsideonline.com/featured-videos/adventurevideos/climbing/Summit-Day-on-Everest.html
1. Why is climbing Mount Everest so dangerous?
2. When did mountaineers begin climbing Mount Everest?
3. How many years did it take before someone reached the summit
of Mount Everest?
4. Out of the 10,000 people who tried to read the summit, what
percent were successful?
Lack of Oxygen
Read pages 14 to 15 to find out more about complications of climbing Mount
Everest.
Lack of Oxygen
http://www.wimp.com/hypoxiabrain/
http://www.dnatube.com/video/4845/What-happens-when-you-run-out-of-Oxygen
1. What percent is the air pressure at the summit compared to the sea level?
________________________________________________
2. Why then is it so important for mountaineers to carry oxygen with them?
__________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
3. Using the graph on page 15, describe what happens to the air pressure as the
altitude gets higher.
________________________________________________________
4. What is the altitude at 5000meters? ___________________________
Cost of an expedition
Read pages 16 to 17 Figure It Out
Using the directions on page 17, find the cost of
each for 12 people on each mountain.
Now, pick one of the three peaks above. How

much more does the permit for Everest cost than
the permit for that peak?
_____________________
Base Camps
Read pages 18 -21. Watch the videos and
then answer the questions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=d9zmfKBK41M
1. Why do trekkers only hike a few hours a day?
2. If it takes two weeks, on average how many
kilometers per day is it from Lukla to Everest Base
Camp?
3. If 12 climbers need 75 yaks, how many yaks will
24 climbers need?
4. Which pie chart matches the revenue table on
page 21?
Reaching the Summit

Read pages 22-23.
1. Using the chart on page 22, create a bar graph
for the number of people who have reached the
summit.

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Math Literature Units

Height of the Mountain

Read pages 10 through 13.

Now, pick one of the three peaks above. How

Reaching the Summit

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