In this Walking Classroom lesson, the kids focus on John Muir and his efforts to preserve national resources and create national parks. Muir believed that it was important for the federal government to preserve unique natural resources so future generations would be able to enjoy them. Today, the Sierra Club, a club Muir co-founded, continues his mission of working to preserve our national resources.
Character Value: Resilience
Click for Standards Alignment
Common Core
L–Language | SL–Speaking and Listening | RI–Reading: Informational | RL–Reading: Literature | W–Writing | RH–6-8 Literacy in History/Social Studies | RST–6-8 Literacy in Science & Technical Subjects Elementary School:RI.3.1, RI.3.2, SL.3.1, SL.3.4
RI.4.1, RI.4.2, SL.4.1, SL.4.4
RI.5.1, RI.5.2, SL.5.1, SL.5.4
Middle School:
RI.6.1, RI.6.2, SL.6.1, SL.6.4
RI.7.1, RI.7.2, RI.7.3, SL.7.1, SL.7.4
RI.8.1, RI.8.2, RI.8.3, SL.8.1, SL.8.4
RST.6-8.4
Next Generation Science Standards
PS–Physical Science | LS–Life Science | ESS–Earth and Space Science | ETS–Engineering, Technology and the Application of Science Elementary School: 4-ESS3-1, 5-ESS3-1Middle School: MS-ESS3-1, MS-ESS3-3, MS-ESS3-4
Supplemental Resource Links and Downloads
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John Muir Podcast Quiz
Slide Deck:
John Muir Slide Deck
Explains what drew John Muir to the wilderness and made him one of the most influential environmentalists.
Discusses The President, most likely the world’s largest tree, as it is photographed by National Geographic.
Demonstrate knowledge of John Muir by finding the hidden words.
Learn more about John Muir with a virtual visit to this site. View a video introduction and explore other resources.
Explore the National Parks with these activities and projects from PBS Learning Media.
See More Podcasts in Subject Area: Science
See More Themed Groupings that Contain this Podcast: Biographies, Earth Science, Figures from Science, Historical Figures, Life Science, The Environment