Curriculum Materials

The Natchez Trace Parkway is a diverse blend of history, environment, and recreation. Its thousands of years of human history began with travelers who pre-dated the mound builders, and continues on through 20th century public works projects. The Trace contains diverse environmental features ranging from mixed hardwood forests on foothills, to prairie and swamps. The 444-mile corridor provides opportunities for a vast variety of outdoor recreational experiences. Our educational program reflects the diversity of the Trace and provides educational experiences that engage students and inspire learning.

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Showing results 21-30 of 51

Planning the Trek

Students will use maps to locate specific points and measure the distances between the points and then answer a few questions. Students they will pretend they are mapping out a hike along the Natchez Trace. They will determine how long it would take to drive (easy), walk (hard), bike, ride the Natchez Trace Parkway today. They will compare their answers to the average time it took historic boatmen to travel the Trace. Students may be given different assignments according to their skill levels.

Type:

Lesson Plans

Grade level:
Fourth Grade

Subjects:
Civic Engagement, Geography, Mathematics, Social Studies

National/State Standards:
MS Objectives: 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3f, 3h, 5, 5c Mathematics: 1, 2
Spotted Salamanders

The students will learn that scientists have learned that spotted salamanders protect themselves by having bright spots. The students will learn that spotted salamanders live in our neighborhoods (see teacher fact sheet) and along the Natchez Trace Parkway. They are very pretty but they taste terrible if another animal tries to eat them. Explain to the students that scientists study the salamanders to learn all about their lives.

Type:

Lesson Plans

Grade level:
Kindergarten

Subjects:
Biology: Animals

National/State Standards:
MS Objectives: 1a, 1d, 1e Life Science: 3a, 3e
Trails Across America

Students will research National Historic and Scenic Trails, answer questions about the trail, generate a map showing the locations of the trails, and report orally. The students may work alone or in pairs. They will research an assigned trail (see list) on the internet www.nps.gov/nts or through maps pre-ordered or downloaded by the teacher. They will answer the questions on the worksheet. They will map their trail on a blank US map. When the students are finished, they will share what they have

Type:

Lesson Plans

Grade level:
Fifth Grade

Subjects:
Social Studies

National/State Standards:
1, 3, 7
Trails Across America

Students will work in pairs to research National Historic and Scenic Trails and develop a compare and contrast report of two trails. Students will work in pairs to research and compare two scenic trails or two historic trails (see list). They will present their reports orally to the rest of the class. Visual aids are to be encouraged. If display boards are used as part of the assignment, the teacher should obtain permission to display them in the school or at a public library.

Type:

Lesson Plans

Grade level:
Eighth Grade-Twelfth Grade

Subjects:
Geography, History

National/State Standards:
8th Grade:1, 4 MS Studies: 1, 3, 4 World History 1750- Present: 1, 3,4 US History 1877 to Present: 3, 4, 5 World Geography: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Tracing the Civil War

Students will examine the sites and events near the Natchez Trace Parkway in northeastern Mississippi. In these lessons, we will focus on the Civil War sites found near the modern Natchez Trace Parkway in northeastern Mississippi: Okolona, Brice’s Crossroads, and Tupelo. Teachers can choose any of 5 classroom activities regarding these battles and the Civil War Railroad network. Teachers can also bring their classes on field trips for many battlefield and event sites.

Type:

Lesson Plans

Grade level:
Sixth Grade-Eighth Grade

Subjects:
Civil War, History, Social Studies

National/State Standards:
MS Eighth Grade Competency/Obj.2
Who, what, and why is a National Park?

Students will research a National Park online or from printed materials and answer relevant questions on a worksheet. They will develop an advertisement for the park they researched. The Natchez Trace Parkway and the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail should both be assigned. The students will use the information to develop an advertisement in the form of a poster, a song, a skit (a commercial or some other creative form). Student groups will present their ads to the rest of the class.

Type:

Lesson Plans

Grade level:
Third Grade-Fifth Grade

Subjects:
Social Studies

National/State Standards:
MS Objectives: 3rd Grade: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 2d, 2f, 2g, 3a, 3d 4th Grade: 2c, 2d, 3a, 3b, 3f 5th Grade: 2c, 3f, 3h, 4b, 5c
Spotted Salamanders (Second Grade)

Discuss the life history of salamanders with students using photo from books, the internet or the drawings provided. The students will learn that spotted salamanders live in their neighborhoods (see range map) and along the Natchez Trace Parkway. Option: Have the students do the Spotted Salamander Life Stages work sheet.

Type:

Lesson Plans

Grade level:
Second Grade

Subjects:
Biology: Animals

National/State Standards:
Science: 1a, 1e Life Science: 3a, 3c, 3d, 3e
History of the Natchez Trace

The teacher will read How the Natchez Trace Came to Be to the students and the students will draw a picture of the Natchez Trace. The teacher will read How the Natchez Trace Came to Be to the students. The teacher will make sure that the students are listening and looking closely at the pictures. The students may refer to the pictures when they are drawing their own pictures. The teacher will also help the students to remember facts from the story by retelling the story to the class.

Type:

Lesson Plans

Grade level:
Kindergarten-First Grade

Subjects:
Social Studies, Writing

National/State Standards:
MS Objectives: K- Social Studies: 2, 3, 5 K- Language Arts: 2, 2b, 2d First Grade– Social Studies 1, 2, 3, 5 First Grade– Language Arts: 2, 2d
History of the Natchez Trace

The teacher will show the students a map of the Natchez Trace Parkway and show the students where they live in relation to the Parkway. The teacher will read "How the Natchez Trace Came to Be" (downloadable) to the students. The teacher has the option for several activities. The students can take notes during the reading of the story, help to retell the story, write sentences, fll out a cloze activity, and/or draw a picture of the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Type:

Lesson Plans

Grade level:
Second Grade

Subjects:
Social Studies

National/State Standards:
Language Arts: 2, 2b, 2d Social Studies: 1, 2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3, 5
History of the Natchez Trace

The teacher will read How the Natchez Trace Came to Be to the students and the students will write a summary report of the book with help from the teacher. The teacher will show the students an official map of the Natchez Trace Parkway and have the students determine where they live in relation to the Parkway. The teacher will lead a reinforcing class discussion. Alternatively, the teacher may write the notes on the board after the story is read and then have the students copy the notes.

Type:

Lesson Plans

Grade level:
Third Grade

Subjects:
Social Studies, Writing

National/State Standards:
Language Arts: 2, 2c, 3, 3a, 3c, 3d, 4, 4a, 4b, 4c. Social Studies: 1, 1a,1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 2, 2a, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 3, 3a, 5, 5a