Activities

Activity 2
Park It!

Teacher-led Classroom Activity
Language Arts, Science, Geography

Why are parks important for wildlife and people?

Objective:

Students collect information and create posters, brochures, and other materials about local or regional parks or nature centers.

Students will need:

• Local and regional maps showing the locations of parks
• Markers, poster paper, and other materials for making posters and brochures (including graphics and word processing software, if available)

Suggested time:

Several class periods or homework time for research, working in groups, creating materials; 1 to 2 class periods for presentations

What to do:

1. Have a class discussion about the reasons for and importance of parks, for people as well as for wildlife.
2. Explain to students that they will be learning about nearby parks and creating posters and brochures that “advertise” the features and advantages of those parks.
3. Work with the class to identify local and regional parks, using maps and other information sources, including online sites such as Google Earth and others.
4. Divide students into pairs or small groups. Assign each group, or have them choose, a local or regional park to be the subject of their study and work.
5. Give groups time to learn about their assigned park—its history, location, size, and other features. Encourage them to think about what the park has to offer both humans and wildlife.
6. Students work in their groups to design and create a poster, brochure, or other presentation that will encourage others to appreciate, visit, and protect parks.
7. Set aside class time for students to present their work to their classmates.
8. Plan visit to the parks students have studied.

Extension

Invite a park ranger or naturalist to come to the class to discuss his/her job.

Photos: depositphotos.