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Lassen Volcanic National Park
Fourth Grade Curriculum-based Activities
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)

Location: Classroom or computer lab.

Download the Activity (13k pdf file)

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)

Location: Classroom.

Download the Activity (29k pdf file)

 
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)

 

Atsugewi Summer Camp - Students working in small groups perform various tasks necessary for establishing an Atsugewi summer camp. (60 minutes)

Location: Lassen Park, Manzanita Lake or Lily Pond Trail

Download Activity (52k pdf file)
 
American Indian Trails - Students hike the Devils Kitchen Trail and record field notes on a specific habitat. Back in class they write a story, legend, or myth based on their notes. (1 - 3 hours onsite and 1 - 2 hours in the classroom)

Location: Devils Kitchen (activity can be easily modified to use on other park trails)

Download the Activity (40k 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)

Location: Classroom

Download the Activity (491k pdf file)

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)

Location: Lassen Park trails or any local state, county or city park with trails.

Download the Activity (546k pdf file)


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)

Location: Classroom and Lassen Park

Download the Activity (789k pdf file)


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)
picture of car sized snowblower against 10 foot snow drifts blowing the snow above the drifts  

Did You Know?
The Lassen Volcanic National Park Main Park Road can open as early as May 10th and as late as mid-July depending on how much snow falls during the winter.

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Last Updated: February 28, 2007 at 19:15 EST