A Walk in the Parks

A 4TH GRADE GUIDE TO US NATIONAL PARKS

HIGH TECH ELEMENTARY 2023

Project Overview
During this project, students will research one of the 63 US National Parks
and publish a guidebook where readers can learn about the parks and plan
their visits. The information in each section of the book will specifically be
geared towards other 4th grade students who might be visiting national parks
with their families as part of the "Every Kid Outdoors" program sponsored by
the National Park Service. The guide will also highlight the indigenous people
who once inhabited the area each park now occupies, and how indigenous
communities are currently being included in the preservation of the parkland.
Essential Questions
What is a national park and why is it important to protect nature?

Why is it important to share the indigenous history of US national parks?

How can we encourage other 4th graders to visit national parks?

Some Standards Covered Fieldwork

Interviews with National Park
ELA-Literacy.RI.4.3 Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts
in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what
experts, including park
happened and why, based on specific information in the text. rangers and Secretary of the
ELA-Literacy.W.4.2a Introduce a topic clearly and group related Interior, Dr. Deb Haaland.
information in paragraphs and sections; include formatting (e.g.,
headings), illustrations, and multimedia when useful to aiding
comprehension. Camping trip to Joshua Tree
National Park
ELA-Literacy.W.4.6 With some guidance and support from adults,
use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish
writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others;
demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a
Ranger-led Geology program
minimum of one page in a single sitting. at Joshua Tree National Park
ELA-Literacy.W.4.7 Conduct short research projects that build
knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.

Final Product
A guidebook featuring an overview of each of
the 63 US national parks as well as
information about ecology, indigenous
history and activities for kids and families.