Fourth Grade Curriculum-based Activities
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UNIT I: VOLCANOES Volcanoes of Lassen - Students will learn how volcanoes are formed through a hands-on demonstration. (30-45 minutes) Location: Classroom or field site Download the Activity (13k pdf file)
Earth Cookies - Students will classify and compare cookies and rocks according to their structure and composition. (45 minutes) Location: Classroom Download the Activity (322k pdf file) Exploring the Geology of Lassen Volcanic National Park Through the Internet - Students will use the internet to find sites that have geological information about Lassen Volcanic National Park. (30-45 minutes) Eruptive History of Lassen Volcanic National Park Creating a Timeline - In this activity students will become familiar with the eruptive history of Lassen Volcanic National Park by reading a story and then developing a timeline of the park's volcanic history. (45 -60 minutes)
UNIT II: NATIVE AMERICANS Indian Acorn Game - Students will hear a story about the Atsugewi Indian use of acorns, learn how to make an acorn top, and play an Atsugewi children's game. (two 45 - 60 minute periods) Location: Classroom Download the Activity (45k pdf file)
Atsugewi Stick Game - Students will learn and play the Stick Game, a guessing game played by Atsugewi children. (Two 45 - 60 minute periods) Location: Classroom and/or Lassen Park Download the Activity (241k pdf file)
Atsugewi Village - Students will make models of Atsugewi houses which include earth lodges, bark houses, and summer residences. (Two 45 - 60 minute periods) Location: Classroom Download Activity (433k pdf file)
UNIT III: PIONEERS Getting Prepared: Pioneer Survival Kit - Students re-live the thoughts and emotions of early emigrants as they prepare for the great journey west to California. They decide what their family should bring in their own personal wagon. They join a "wagon train" and choose a wagon master. They must pare down their personal items for the good of the whole group placing varying degrees of importance on each item. (1 -2 hours) Location: Classroom Download the Activity (198k pdf file) Emigrants West - Students will "meet" a typical pioneer family traveling the Emigrant Trail in the 1850s through a dramatic role-playing presentation. (30 - 45 minutes) Traveling West: Hardships and Challenges - History come alive! While traveling on foot along the historical Nobles Emigrant Trail in Lassen Volcanic National Park students will listen to excerpts from emigrants diaries. They will then experience some of the same hardships and challenges through teacher-led activities. (1 - 4 hours) Emigrant Life on the Trail - Students prepare costumes and props, and then act out mini-plays portraying various aspects of emigrant life on the trail. (4 hours, two in classroom, two at Lassen Park) Letters Home - Student will pretend to be pioneers and write a realistic letters to a friend "back home." Letters will describe the hopes and hardships of their westward journey in the 1850s. (Two 45 - 60 minute sessions) Location: Classroom Download the Activity (267k pdf file) Settlers in a New Land - Students work together in groups and role play pioneer emigrants establishing their new found homes out west in the 1850s. (45 - 90 minutes depending on the group) Location: Lassen Park Download the Activity (261k pdf file)
UNIT IV: NATIONAL PARK IDEA National Park Official Map and Guide - Students will use a map with description text to learn about Lassen Volcanic National Park. They will plan a visit based on specific details they learn from the map. (Two 45 - 60 minute periods) Location: Classroom Download the Activity (15k pdf file)
This Special Place - Students will explore a site, feature, or area in the park and make a list of details that make that site special. (45 - 60 minutes) Location: Any site or trail in Lassen Park Download the Activity (146k pdf file) A Place for All Seasons - Students will record their observations of seasonal changes and discuss why Lassen Park is important. (45 - 60 minutes in the park and 45 minutes in the classroom) Location: Any site or trail in Lassen Park Download the Activity (182k pdf file) |
Did You Know?
The 29 mile Main Park Road was constructed between 1925 and 1931, just 10 years after Lassen Peak erupted. Near Lassen Peak the road reaches 8512 feet, making it the highest road in the Cascade Mountains. It is not unusual for 40 feet of snow to accumulate on the road near Lake Helen.