Lesson Plan
- Grade Level:
- Second Grade-Fourth Grade
- Subject:
- Biodiversity, Ecology
- Duration:
- 30 minutes
- Group Size:
- Up to 60
- Setting:
- classroom
- National/State Standards:
- SCIENCE
3.L.2.1
3.L.2.2
3.L.2.3
3.L.2.4 - Keywords:
- national park service, park ranger, web ranger, Junior Ranger
Overview
The Great Smoky Mountains are world renowned for their diversity of plant and animal species. This great variety makes the park an exemplary outdoor laboratory for the study of relatively undisturbed native flora, fauna, physical environs, and processes of the Southern Appalachians.This unit is broken into three parts. The overall unit involves a trip to the park and is accompanied by one preparation activity and one wrap-up activity. This is the wrap up activity of the unit.
Objective(s)
1. To teach students about the various aspects of the National Park Service.
Background
The park is the largest federally preserved\and protected upland area east of the Mississippi River offering park visitors a refuge from the stresses of everyday life. You and your students can learn more about this special place of the National Park Service and other federally protected lands.
Teachers coming on the accompanying field trip should download our complete field trip packet that includes all of the lessons: What Makes the Great Smokies Great pre-site lesson, information and directions about the field trip and What Makes the Great Smokies Great Wrap-up post site lesson.
Download the full What Makes the Great Smokies Great Field Trip packet (includes Preparation and Wrap-up lessons).
Materials
This lesson includes instructions on how to become a Web Ranger and a Pre and Post Site Test.
-
Explore Your National Parks
Teach students about the various aspects of the National Park Service. Download
-
What Makes the Great Smokies Great - Pre and Post Site Test
Pre site test to be used before the field trip and a post site test to use after the field trip. Download
Procedure
Have the students learn how to become a web ranger for the National Park Service, students go to: www.nps.gov/webrangers.
Assessment
Administer a pre and post site test that is included in the unit.
Park Connections
Becoming a junior ranger is a wonderful way to get involved with the park and help protect all the amazing resources of the park.
Vocabulary
National Park Service, Junior RangerLast updated: April 14, 2015