The Cascades, a chain of mountains extending from northern Canada well in British Columbia in Canada, are formed from a long string of volcanoes, some of which are still active. East of Seattle, built along the shores of Puget Sound, the mountains rise to great heights, covered with thick boreal forests, alpine landscapes, glaciers, and perpetual snow. The mountains have given rise to a variety of towns and small cities, some of them delightfully quirky.

Learning Objective

Students will learn about the Cascade Mountain range which extends from the state of Washington to British Columbia.

Social Studies Standards

People, Places & Environments: E, F

Discussion Prompts

• Why does the host say that the Cascade Mountains have a violent past and a sensational present?  Use details from the video to explain what happened in the past and what makes the region remarkable today.
• The host’s guide mentions climbing the 50 tallest mountains in Washington. What risks might you want to keep in mind if you were to climb these mountain ranges and how might the risks vary by season?
• Discuss the various industries in the Seattle area, including shipping, agriculture, and lumber. In what ways do the weather, climate, rainfall, and geography of the Seattle area shape the crops that grow there and the industries that thrive? Discuss using examples from the video.
• How has the timber industry changed since the 19th century, and what controversies surround it today? Explain the importance of this industry to the economy and describe the major changes it has gone through.

Lesson Activities

• Create a brochure about the North Cascades National Park. Highlight the park’s natural features including glaciers, waterfalls, and at least three other natural features. Share 2-3 interesting facts about the park from the video.
• You live near the Cascade Mountains in Washington and enjoy mountain climbing, snowboarding, and skiing. Design a board game that highlights the dangers, excitement, and beauty of this mountainous landscape. Write 5 potential scenarios that your character might encounter using facts from the video.
• The host speaks poetically when he says, “Without mountains, there’s very little water. Without mountains, there are not a lot of the minerals that we value so much. Without them we do not have ways of escaping the heat and the lowlands. They are a part of earth that enhances and expands the human spirit.” Write your own poem about a scene or landscape in the video that inspires you.
• Research how glaciers in the Cascade Mountain range form, move, and change over time. Create a scientific diagram that shows how a glacier forms from snow to ice, how it moves over land, and how it affects the environment. Include details about how climate change is affecting glaciers in the Cascade Mountain range.

Vocabulary

• accumulation controversy
• elevation
• eons
• glacial
• grandeur inherent
• mystique phenomenal
• vibrant

Download

In the Americas Season 12 Lesson Episode 5