National Parks Unit Resources

Curriculum:

• Traveling the Parks (The Waldock Way)
• Book Seeds Profiles in Science: John Muir (Blossom & Root)

Traveling the Parks uses guided lessons with a Student Notebook as a way to pretend to travel to National Parks throughout the U.S. together, learn about the parks in an engaging way, and includes wholistic learning. The curriculum mainly uses the book America’s National Parks (Lonely Planet Kids) as a guide. Maps are provided and prompts on what to record as you learn. There are curated booklists and videos to view based on each park. The pack also includes Animal Profiles as well as fun games to play as a family!

Book Seeds Profiles in Science: John Muir is an early elementary guide (ages 6 to 12) which features the life of John Muir as well as a number of science-based learning topics. The curriculum includes four STEAM activities, three art projects, nature study prompts, three guided “invitation to play” activities, books to read together, a kitchen classroom activity, as well as thoughtfully curated links to videos and additional learning. We love John Muir and this guide was as a huge hit for the whole family. We especially enjoyed reading John Muir: My Life In Nature together.

Books:

• America’s National Parks (Lonely Planet Kids)
• John Muir: My Life In Nature
• National Parks of the USA by Kate Siber
• The Camping Trip that Changed America by Barb Rosenstock
• You Are Home: An Ode to the National Parks
• Antsy Ansel by Cindy Jenson-Elliott

Park-Specific & Geography Books:

• Grand Canyon by Jason Chin
• Caves and Caverns by Gail Gibbons
• Marshes and Swamps by Gail Gibbons
• Deserts by Gail Gibbons
• Volcanoes & Earthquakes (Geo Detectives)
• Mountains of the World by Dieter Braun

For Fun:

• Geographical Land & Water Features (The Silvan Reverie)
• United State of America Chalkboard (Chalk Full of Design)
• Ranger Doug WPA Postcard Set
• Schleich North American Animals
• Park Ranger Peg Doll (The Silvan Reverie)
• John Muir Peg Doll (The Silvan Reverie)
• Teddy Roosevelt Peg Doll (The Silvan Reverie)
• Ansel Adams Peg Doll (The Silvan Reverie)
• Smokey the Bear Peg Doll (The Silvan Reverie)
• National Parks Themed Morning Basket (The Waldock Way)
• Meet A Naturalist Guide (Chickie & Roo)
• National Parks of the USA Activity Book