National Parks is our big unit of study in third grade and is interdisciplinary in nature. Current events, science integration, economic factors, conservation and systems will be incorporated. Each child will be assigned his/her own national park once we have had time to familiarize ourselves with all the parks. Use this site to link to the best sites for information about the national parks.
This unit focuses on the following essential questions: How do we locate, analyze and explore the conservation of the physical features of the United States National Parks? What will students understand? The vocabulary of the national park they are studying (will vary from park to park) Where national parks are geographically located What measures conservationists and naturalists had and must continue to take to establish and protect the national parks What role John Muir played in the establishment and preservation of our national parks The timeline and important history of national parks The diverse populations of plants and animals found in our national parks The unique physical features of our national parks The types of leisure and recreational activities found in our national parks What health and safety measures must be taken while visiting our national parks That national parks are extremely important to our ecosystem What ecosystems are found in the various national parks What difficulties national parks face in the present and the future What we as citizens must do to protect and secure the future of our national parks The rich history of our national parks Whether national parks should be utilized for recreation purposes, vs. conservation or both
What will students be able to do? Synthesize and evaluate our responsibility in maintaining the present and future existence of our national parks Evaluate the importance of nature to the lives of all humans. The students will be able to explain how the national parks contribute to the aesthetic beauty of our nation.
Culminating Project: Ranger Day
Students will dress up as a park ranger and present all of the information they have gathered from their research. Parents and 4th grade students will be invited to tour.