Colorado National Monument - 6th grade (U.S. National Park Service)

Programs currently offered for sixth grade: Printable version of this page
Please Note: Pre and Post-Visit Activities are not currently available for sixth grade.
They are still being developed.

(1) A Monumental Hike (No Thoroughfare Canyon - The Rock Cycle)
Students will go on a ranger-guided hike into No Thoroughfare Canyon to explore the geological processes (rock cycle, weathering, and erosion) that formed the layers, carved the canyon, and sculpted spectacular formations.
Location: Devils Kitchen Trailhead
Duration: 4.5 hours – 4.0 miles round trip (Rough Trail)

Standards Addressed:
Science 4.1.1 Explain how minerals, rocks and soils form.
Science 4.1.3 Model natural processes that shape Earth’s surface.

(2) Colorado National Monument Rocks! (The Rock Cycle)
Students will go on a ranger-guided hike to the first pool in No Thoroughfare Canyon to explore the geological processes (rock cycle, weathering, and erosion) that formed the layers, carved the canyon, and sculpted spectacular formations.
Location: Devils Kitchen Trailhead
Duration: 1.5 hours – 2.5 miles round trip

Standards Addressed:
Science 4.1.1 Explain how minerals, rocks and soils form.
Science 4.1.3 Model natural processes that shape Earth’s surface.

(3) The Secret Code of Maps (Reading Topographical Maps)
Students will learn the skills needed to read a topographical map. Students will identify major features such as elevation changes, landforms, and rivers.
Location: Near Devils Kitchen Trail
Duration: 45 minutes

Standards Addressed:
Geography 1.1 - Students know how to use maps, globes, and other geographic tools to acquire, process, and report information from a spatial perspective.
Geography 1.2 – Students develop knowledge of Earth to locate people, places, and environments.
Geography 3.2 – Students know the characteristics and distributions of physical systems of land, air and water, plants and animals.

(4) Nature Journaling
Students will have an opportunity to reflect on the surrounding environment and write their reflections. This activity may need to be led by the classroom teacher, depending on the number of students scheduled for the field trip. Location: Near Devils Kitchen Trail
Duration: 45 minutes

Standards Addressed:
Writing 2a – Narrative and descriptive writing.
Writing 2c – Use language which supports and enriches the main idea.

Example Field Trip Schedules

*Please note the following options are just example schedules. You may choose up to three ranger led programs per field trip. Schedules will depend upon the number of students, ranger availability, time available for the field trip, and length of programs chosen.

Name of School: Otto Elementary School
Grade Level: 6th
Number of Students: 75 students
Programs Selected: (Option A) Colorado National Monument Rocks!, Nature Journaling, The Secret Code of Maps (Option B) A Monumental Hike

Field Trip Option A
Meeting Location: Devils Kitchen Picnic Area
Program Time Scheduled: 9:00-12:00
Number of Groups: 4 groups (A,B,C,D)

8:45 – 9:00 Welcome Talk

9:00 – 9:45 Program Rotations
A & B-Colorado National Monument Rocks!
C-Nature Journaling
D-Secret Code of Maps

9:45 – 10:30 Program Rotations
A & B-Colorado National Monument Rocks!
C-Secret Code of Maps
D-Nature Journaling

10:45 – 11:30 Program Rotations
A-Nature Journaling
B-Secret Code of Maps
C & D-Colorado National Monument Rocks!

11:30 - 12:15 Program Rotations
A-Secret Code of Maps
B-Nature Journaling
C & D-Colorado National Monument Rocks!

12:15 - 1:00 Lunch: Devils Kitchen Picnic Area (Reserved)

Field Trip Option B
Meeting Location: Devils Kitchen Trailhead
Program Time Scheduled: 9:00-2:00
Number of Groups: 2 groups (A,B)

9:00 - 9:15 Welcome Talk

9:15 - 2:00 A Monumental Hike
Groups A and B will be staggered to hike past the first pool to a large intermittent waterfall in No Thoroughfare Canyon. Both groups of students will eat lunch together at this location. Students will look at all three rock types of the rock cycle and explore canyon formation during the hike.

*Nametags are recommended for all students.

*Please have students place their nametag on the outer-most layer of clothing.

*Please have students divided into chaperoned groups (A,B,C,D) prior to arrival.