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Welcome Teachers!
Please use this section to better understand how the Out of
the Blue web-based curriculum is organized. Although a few of
the elementary lesson plans are designed to be performed at the
park, most can be done in the classroom or in your own school yard.
The middle and high school sections can also be completed at school,
independent of a visit to the park.
- Each activity and lesson plan is listed and correlated to Colorado
State Learning Standards and cross-referenced according to
grade, subject, and whether it is suitable as a pre- or post-trip
classroom lesson or an on-site activity.
- If you plan to visit the park, information in the Visiting the
Dunes section will be helpful.
- For better understanding the park's purpose, significance, mission,
primary interpretive themes, special mandates, fundamental resources,
and values, view the park's Foundation for Planning.
- Our technical guide will help you configure workstations for
this web site to facilitate learning in the classroom.
The Out of the Blue curriculum is divided into three main
sections:
 Roo-Rats
for Elementary Teachers
(designed for teachers only)
The elementary section is designed to provide teachers with lesson
plans, ideas, and printable materials for teaching about the natural
and cultural history of Great Sand Dunes. Printable materials are
produced in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format
(see the Technical Guide).
 Coyote-Kids
for Middle School Classrooms
(designed for students and teachers)
The middle school section is for small groups or whole classrooms
to use. We recommend that students not work alone when using this
web site in the classroom.
There are three main components to the middle school section:
- Each activity is designed using applied science and real data.
When encountering authentic science, students may be compelled
to grow toward careers in these fields or may be inspired to get
outdoors and discover natural wonders on their own and with their
families. In most of the activities, there is a researcher profile
that introduces students to one of the scientists who collected
data upon which the activity is based.
- In the simple act of using this site and solving the puzzles,
students engage in active problem solving. In a simplified form,
this problem solving exhibits the same processes which scientists
use in the scientific method.
- Although the main activities are designed for students to use
directly, additional off-computer activities or critical thinking
questions that teachers may want to use are denoted by the
 .
These extensions are intended to reinforce learning and to get
students off the computer.
 Ravens
for High School Classrooms
(designed for students and teachers)
This section contains information and instructions to guide your
class through a "town hall meeting" activity that will
challenge them to examine issues, research, photographs, and perspectives
on water management policy and decision-making in Colorado. A slide
show introduces the big picture of the water cycle and water issues.
Then step-by-step instructions guide the class through the "town
hall" activity. Finally, students are challenged to write a
policy that solves the fictitious problem discussed during the town
hall event.
We hope that this web site provides some helpful tools for learning
about and enjoying your national park, even if you are too far away
to visit.
If your plans do include a trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park
and Preserve, you can learn about other educational opportunities,
including ranger-led programs, in the K-12
Programs section of our main website.
If we can assist you further, or if you would like to comment on
this web site, please contact our Education
Specialist.
Sincerely,
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