I was delighted to see this month’s topic is National Parks. I was fortunate to have taught drawing workshops at two national parks in the early 2000s. Both were offered by the Park Service free to everyone and I had received a grant to cover expenses for supplies from the university where I taught. The park rangers were helpful and interesting and both times, I was able to take advantage of the natural environment as the centerpiece of curriculum.
One was in the southwest. Since it was July, it was too hot to work outside but we had the natural history museum at our disposal. After instruction and strategies, the participants spread out and were treated to an array of plants and animals as models. The other was in the Appalachians, and we had vistas of mountains and fields. Everyone went away with drawings of their National Park experience.
The National Park Service website currently has an extensive section on Education & Training. It has topics such as Teaching with Historic Places, Museum Collections, Archeology, Land Preservation, and Youth Training Programs. Some books are available through the website as of the date of this article. You may find some that would be valuable resources to supplement the great list of books recommended for September’s STE(A)M Tuesday.
Under the Archeology section you can find it divided into headings for Teachers, which includes links to lesson plans, activities and professional development. The KIDS heading includes activities for use within the parks and online activities. Some of the materials have been translated into Spanish.
If you don’t have the option of traveling to a National Park, many of the activities can be adapted to local sites. Many towns and smaller communities (as well as large, of course) have historical centers or societies, state and local parks and historic sites, interesting geological features – even urban areas provide environmental and historical opportunities. The NPS webpage also has a list of about a hundred related sites of interest. Making a journal is always a good way for students (and adults!) to document discoveries and experiences.
There is a special section that provides information on “Telling All Americans’ Stories.”
Books, pamphlets, and links are available to previously completed stories and activities.
In the past, I planned student activities where they could explore their own culture. But be sensitive. Some students have painful histories or don’t even know. I always gave the option – use your own history, someone you know and can interview, or pick a culture you admire and would like to find out about. That erases any stigma that may come with tricky family situations but allows a dive into personal history.
This website is a treasure. As of this writing, the materials were still available, and I hope that continues.
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Margo Lemieux is a retired university professor and is currently amusing herself by writing, doing art, and playing bluegrass music. Oh, and reading!
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