Lesson Plan

Come to Your Senses

Overview

A child investigates the world and learns about his/her surroundings through the five senses. Shenandoah National Park, with its abundance of flora and fauna, diversity of habitats, and variety of animals is a great place to expand a child’s sense of wonder and develop observation skills through hands-on discovery and nature experiences. Students will learn stewardship behaviors and find ways they can help protect and preserve the environment.

Objective(s)

Following the park experience and classroom activities, the students will be able to

1. Name their five senses and point to the organ used;
   
   
2. Use sensory descriptors such as rough, color, loud, bright, to identify and describe natural objects found both at school and in the park;
   
   
3. Understand what a national park is and that its mission is to preserve and protect the resources;
   
   
4. Explain how stewardship practices help protect Shenandoah National Park and home communities.

Background

City and state parks are areas of land set aside for public recreation. In addition to other
facilities, they may provide playground equipment, sports fields, picnic areas, and paths
to walk or bicycle. National parks are places where natural, cultural, and historic
resources are protected and preserved for present and future visitors to enjoy.
Stewardship behaviors such as recycling, reusing, and resource conservation can help
in the preservation of all the world's environments. 

Children gain information about their world through their five senses. Through
investigation and discovery, they can identify, compare, and classify items and discover
similarities and differences in the world around them.

Shenandoah National Park is an exceptional environment to develop sensory
awareness with a variety of habitats and diversity of plants and animals. Children can  study patterns, textures, sights, sounds, and smells to further their knowledge and
enthusiasm about their world.

Materials