Acadia Lesson Plans

 

Acadia National Park is fortunate to have the support of local teachers who have spent years creating a body of work to bring students outside with curriculum compatible content. All lesson plans are written in the "5E" format, originally a science lesson plan template, that intentionally engages students in a specific phenomena with explanations and extensions included. Each of the lessons were created for educators, by educators. Any books, materials, or links suggested in these lessons are not endorsed by the National Park Service.

All lessons are designed to be stand-alone, but compliment the wide variety of distance learning and field trip programs offered through Acadia National Park. Looking for activities or crafts to pair with lessons? Peruse our teacher designed activities.

 

Outdoor Ethics

K-2: Nature Quilt

What does it look like to observe nature? Students will be able to connect to their outdoor environment through observation and thoughtful interaction.

Grades 6-8: OO,OO, OO Nature

Thess lesson are a three-part framework called “OO, OO, OO, Nature!” that teaches students about three types of outdoor observation:

1. Observing Outside: observe the natural elements at their school
2. Observing Ourselves: observe our own behavior outdoors
3. Observing Others: observe others’ behavior outdoors

The repeating “OO” mnemonic is designed to remind burgeoning nature observers of these three different ways of observing when outdoors

Grades 6-8: Nature Journaling

Students learn the basics of nature journaling including making observations, noticing patterns, and taking in seasonal changes through time.

 

Math

Grades 6-8: Data Scientist

There are many types of migration, human migration, animal migration, even plant migration.Bird migration is the regular seasonal movement of birds, often north and south. Migration is driven by resources such as food and nesting sites. Migration has a large mortality rate due to many factors. Students will investigate and map some of these patterns in birds.

 

cobble stone bridge

History

3rd Grade: Carriage Road Explorers Post Activities

Students will be able to identify the people who were influential in the creation of the carriage road system in Acadia National Park.

Students will be able to perform, draw, or creatively explain 2 main players in the creation of the carriage roads and describe their contribution.

 

Literacy

 

Geology program

Crystal Lewis

Science

• Earth Science

  Grades 5-8: Acadia Rock Identification

Students will make observations of rocks along the shore of Mount Desert Island (site to be determined by teacher). Students will categorize rocks, and will use resources to identify types of rocks. Students will create a journal entry with drawing and description so work can be continued in the classroom without the rock sample.

• Physical Science

  Grades K-2: Weather

Students will be able to define types of weather.
Students will be able to use tools to measure weather.
Students can make predictions about forecasts and weather.

Grades 3-5: Pre-Chemistry

Students will do a simple experiment to become more familiar with what an acid is and what is a base.

Grades 6-8: Physics of Waves

Students will be able to:
● List the types of waves.
● Label parts of a wave.
● Explain how waves travel

• Life Science

  Grades K-2: Identifying Birds of Acadia

  Students will learn about common tools used by naturalists (binoculars and spotting sheets). They will then use them to practice observation skills, identify local bird species and create their own class book of birds local to their school.

  Grades K-2: Botany Basics

  Students will make observations of the nature found on their school grounds in order to use specific and detailed language to describe specimens.

  Grades K-2: Looking at Leaves

  In this first part of a study of leaves, students will learn to differentiate leaves from different plants, shrubs & trees by looking at attributes including leaf shape, edges and arrangement. Students will become familiar with these attributes as they first sort, then hunt for and draw a variety of leaves.

  Grades K-2: Plant Identification

  In this second part of a study of leaves, students will use their knowledge of attributes including leaf shape, edges and arrangement to identify many of the different plants, shrubs and trees in a selected nearby area, such as an outdoor classroom. Use data to create a field guide to plants (including bushes & trees) in the local habitat.

  Grades K-2: Hummingbird Migration

  Students will be able to observe migrating species and draw/write about their observations.

  Grades K-2: Monarch Butterfly Migration

  Students will be able to observe migrating species and draw/write about their observations.

  Grades K-2: Phenology

  The students will be able to:
  Explain phenology and why it is important in measuring the health of species and ecosystems.Engage in a long-term project of observation and recording in their local environments.

  Grades K-3: Getting to Know Your Forest

  What makes a healthy forest? Students will make observations about trees or forests near them and take note of the forest understory. Students will learn that a healthy forest also has fine and coarse woody debris.

  Grades 2-4: Create a Critter

  Students will create a critter based on adaptations needed to survive in the ocean.

  Grades 2-4: Find your Plankton

  Students will explore the following questions: What are similarities and differences between parents and offspring? How do those differences help parents and offspring to survive?

  Grades 3-4: Canada Geese Migration

  Students learn why birds migrate and discover some of the challenges birds face with an interactive outside game.

  Grades 3-5: Lichen

  Students will learn about the symbiotic relationship between fungus and alga. Students will also learn to identify some of the more common lichen and their key characteristics.

  Grades 3-5: Phenology

  This series of lessons explores the idea that plants have life patterns and cycles and that ecosystems can be impacted by the introduction of new species.

  Grades 6-8: Migration Friendly Schools

  To engage students in identifying positive and negative factors affecting bird migration. Students will also create an action plan to address any negative factors present on the school campus.

  Grades 6-8: Migration Patterns

  To engage students in the process of data analysis, looking at maps of migration patterns to identify which birds migrate through the area and which do not.

  Grades 6-8: Algea

Students will be introduced to algae and research the different kinds. Students then will make algae in the classroom and take a field trip to see and observe macroalgae.

• Water Science

  Grades 6-8: Watershed Unit

Students will be able to define what a watershed is.

Students will be able to explain why a watershed is important.
Students will be able to read and share science material.
Students will be able to measure and define the aspects of a healthy watershed.

Grades 6-8: Organisms in and Around Water

Students will take a look at different ways water makes its way to a pond/lake. Students will also be thinking about how that water carries contaminants and sediment and what impact that has on ponds/lakes. Students will make a food chain and/or a food web to share what biotic factors play a role in watersheds.