Field Trips

4th-10th Grade | Shenandoah National Park: Virginia's Gift to the Nation

Grade Level:
Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
Subject:
Social Studies
State Standards:
Virginia Standards of Learning VS.1, VS.9, VS.10, USII.1, USII.2, USII.6, CE.3, CE.10, English 6.1, 6.2, 6.6, 6.7, 6.9, Science 6.9, Earth Science ES.6

 

Shenandoah National Park is a significant part of our nation's history as well as Virginia's environment and economy. In this lesson, students will explore the historical, cultural, economic, and ecological significance of the Park through classroom activities and a field trip. The Virginia’s Gift to the Nation program is led by teachers and chaperones in Shenandoah National Park. The program is designed for larger groups divided into smaller teams to accomplish different activities. 

Learning Objectives

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

  1. demonstrate skills for 

    1. historical and geographical analysis

    2. interpretation of ideas and events from different historical perspectives

    3. making connections between the past and the present

    4. analyzing primary and secondary source documents for understanding

    5. investigating public policy decisions relating to the environment

  2. explain the purpose and the significance of the Shenandoah National Park and the National Park Service;

  3. describe meaningful connections between Shenandoah National Park and their home community;

  4. determine at least three actions people can take to care for their national park and the environment.

Standards

State standards: VS.1, VS.9, VS.10, USII.1, USII.2, USII.6, CE.3, CE.10, English 6.1, 6.2, 6.6, 6.7, 6.9, Science 6.9, Earth Science ES.6

This program was funded in part by a generous donation from the Shenandoah National Park Trust.

Materials

Download Research Journal

Download Lesson Plan

Tags: self-guided field trip shenandoah history

Last updated: November 22, 2022