Mountains and Tourism

Overview

Age group: KS2 (Years 5-6, ages 9-11)
Class size: 30 students
Lesson duration: 45 minutes
Unit: Andalucia: Holiday Geography Adventure (Lesson 5 of 5)
Lesson focus: The Impact of Mountains on Tourism in Andalucia

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Curriculum Links

• National Curriculum for Geography (England, 2014):
  • Locational knowledge: Locate key physical features of a region (Andalucia)
  • Place knowledge: Understand how places are linked to physical geography and human activity
  • Human and physical geography: Describe and understand physical geography including mountains and tourism impacts
  • Geographical skills: Use maps and communicate geographical information through presentations
• UK Educational Approaches: Emphasis on enquiry-based learning, developing communication skills, and using multimedia

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

1. Explain how mountains in Andalucia (such as Sierra Nevada) attract tourists.
2. Identify and describe activities linked to mountain tourism (hiking, skiing).
3. Analyse the relationship between physical geography and human activity (tourism).
4. Collaboratively create a mini-presentation or poster showcasing their understanding.
5. Develop confidence in presenting geographical findings.

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Resources Required

• Large printed or digital map of Andalucia marking mountain ranges
• Images / short video clips of Andalucian mountain tourism activities (hiking trails, ski resorts)
• A3 paper, markers, coloured pencils, rulers
• Tablets or computers for digital poster creation (optional)
• Mini whiteboards for quick formative assessment
• Timer
• Example presentation poster to inspire students

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Lesson Structure

1. Starter (5 minutes)

• Hook question: “Why do you think people travel to mountains? What activities might they do there?”
• Whole class brainstorm on mini whiteboards—quick ideas around mountain tourism worldwide (encourage prior knowledge).
• Show a short (1-2 minute) video clip or image slideshow of Andalucia’s mountains in winter and summer (hiking and skiing).
• Link ideas to Andalucia mountains specifically (Sierra Nevada).

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2. Main Activity Introduction (5 minutes)

• Brief teacher-led explanation:
  • Location of Sierra Nevada in Andalucia on map.
  • Physical features—high altitude, snow in winter, beautiful trails in summer.
  • How these features encourage different types of tourists (skiers in winter, hikers, nature lovers in summer).
• Emphasise links between physical geography and human use/tourism.

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3. Group Task (25 minutes)

• Group formation: Groups of 3 (10 groups total).
• Task: Each group creates a short presentation or poster answering:
  • Which activities do tourists do in the mountains of Andalucia?
  • Why are the mountains important to tourism here?
  • What features of the mountains attract tourists?
• Groups may choose to:
  • Draw maps/diagrams
  • Write short paragraphs or bullet points
  • Add labelled pictures or cutouts
• Teacher circulates, asking prompting questions to deepen understanding and encourage use of geographical vocabulary.
• Use of vocabulary: altitude, mountain range, hiking, skiing, climate, tourism, natural environment.

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4. Sharing and Reflecting (8 minutes)

• Each group presents quickly (1-2 minutes) their poster or talk.
• Class discusses what they learned about the relationship between mountains and tourism.
• Teacher highlights good use of geographical concepts and poses reflective questions:
  • “How might tourism in mountains affect local communities?”
  • “What might be the environmental impact of tourism in these areas?”

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5. Plenary / Assessment (2 minutes)

• Quick quiz / exit ticket on mini whiteboards:
  • Name two activities tourists do in Andalucian mountains.
  • Why are the Sierra Nevada mountains important for tourism?

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Differentiation

• Support: Provide sentence starters or key vocabulary cards for groups who need help structuring their answers.
• Challenge: Encourage more able students to think about environmental impacts or how tourism could be sustainable.
• Provide visual and oral prompts for EAL learners.

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Assessment

Formative through:

• Observation during group work
• Quality and depth of group posters/presentations
• Plenary quiz responses on mini whiteboards

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Cross-Curricular Links

• English: Developing speaking, listening, presentation skills
• Art: Designing eye-catching posters with maps and images
• PSHE: Reflecting on tourism impact on local communities and environments

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Teacher Tips for WOW Factor

• Use augmented reality apps (if available) showing 3D mountain landscapes to immerse the students.
• Encourage groups to perform a mini role-play as tour guides selling Andalucia mountain holidays.
• Integrate simple weather data analysis for Sierra Nevada to relate climate to tourism seasons.
• Invite local students with outdoor hobbies to co-teach or share personal experiences via video.

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This lesson completes the unit by blending geographical knowledge with real-world application, empowering children to communicate their understanding creatively and confidently.