Lesson Plan

Happy Trails: A Nature Exploration Activity

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park

Trail overlook, view into vally — View from the top of the Overlook Trail and Knob Creek.

National Park Service

Grade Level:: Lower Elementary: Pre-Kindergarten through Second Grade
Subject:: Science
Lesson Duration:: 60 Minutes
State Standards:: Kentucky
PE

K.5.H1. Identify physical activity as a component of good health.
1.5.H1. Acknowledge the health benefits of participating in physical activities.
2.3.PA1. Identify opportunities to participate in physical activity in various settings
Thinking Skills:: Understanding: Understand the main idea of material heard, viewed, or read. Interpret or summarize the ideas in own words.

Essential Question

How does going outside impact our health?

Objective

The objective of this lesson is to educate students on the importance of physical activity and getting outside and exploring nature.

Background

Important background information that will be beneficial to teachers is just implementing what physical activity is, why it is important, and where you can do physical activities.

Preparation

Research trail options, and print maps.

https://home.nps.gov/abli/planyourvisit/overlook-trail-at-knob-creek.htm

https://home.nps.gov/abli/planyourvisit/big-sink-trail.htm

https://home.nps.gov/abli/planyourvisit/boundary-oak-trail.htm)

Lesson Hook/Preview

A pre-visit activity that can be completed is looking at the trails here at the birthplace, talking about the distances that will be completed at the end of each trail, and looking at any pictures of the trails. (https://home.nps.gov/abli/planyourvisit/overlook-trail-at-knob-creek.htm

https://home.nps.gov/abli/planyourvisit/big-sink-trail.htm

https://home.nps.gov/abli/planyourvisit/boundary-oak-trail.htm)