Enrichment Package
The Mesa Verde National Park Enrichment Package
can be utilized as preparation for a visit to the park!
[ Activities Before Your Visit ]
[ Activities During Your Visit ]
[ Activities After Your Visit ]
Activities Before Your Visit
"The Future Is in Your Hands"
This section is a general introduction to the history of the National Park System, the history of Mesa Verde National Park and the do's and don'ts of park visitation. Please read it and discuss proper Park Etiquette with your students.
"Your National Parks" -- Activity 1
This activity will help students to understand the difference between the National Park Service ("The Future Is in Your Hands") and the United States Forest Service. Students are introduced to the three R's of park visitation (Respect, Responsibility and Reason). It may be useful to consult your local library, invite a Park Ranger to visit your classroom, or check out the National Park Service web site at: http://www.nps.gov/.
"Getting to Know the Park" -- Activity 2
This activity is an exercise designed to familiarize students with the park through hands on use of the Mesa Verde Maps. This activity encourages use of map reading skills, as well as investigative skills.
"It's A Matter of Time" -- Activity 3
This activity is a more challenging task that involves reading the Park Brochure. Students will follow the development of Ancestral Puebloan society from about AD 1 to AD 1300. This activity includes the use of a timeline and a comparison chart and could also be completed onsite while visiting the various sites on Mesa Top Road. Off-site completion of the activity and on-site discussion is recommended. In order to provide students a relevant knowledge base as they tour the park, this activity prepares them to move beyond what they have already learned in the classroom.
"Before You Visit the Park" -- Activity 4
This activity involves measurement, simple scale drawings and use of basic math skills. Students take measurements of their own bedrooms to use as data for their drawings. They will also make a list of personal possessions. These measurements and lists can be used to compare the lifestyles of the students with the lifestyle of the Ancestral Puebloan people, when used in conjunction with activities #6 and #8.
Answer Key Not Applicable
Activities During Your Visit
"On Your Way to the Park" -- Activity 5
This activity focuses on basic math and observational skills in relation to your trip to the park and reinforces the use of mathematics for gaining information that is relevant to everyday life.
"How Do You Measure Up" -- Activity 6
This activity involves visiting the Spruce Tree House and using the Spruce Tree House Trail Guide to help you complete this activity. You will also need a thermometer and measuring tape to complete this activity.
"I Spy Overview" -- Activity 7 / "I Spy" -- Activity 7
This activity is a low-key activity to be used in the museum. Students are asked to read a simple rhyme that leads them to find many different objects located throughout the museum. Students might be assigned to groups and have each group be responsible for explaining a certain part of the museum.
Answer Key Not Applicable
"Additional Activities"
More exciting activities that compliment the Mesa Verde experience!
Activities After Your Visit
"Comparing Lifestyles" -- Activity 8
This activity is designed to help students compare and contrast their lifestyles with that of the Ancestral Puebloans. This activity also asks students to draw conclusions from their comparisons.You may want to do this activity after your visit to Mesa Verde. You will need information that you gathered in Activities #4 and #6.
"Additional Activities You Can Do Anywhere"
Fun activities that you can do virtually anywhere!
Updated 12/15/06
