Lesson Plan

John Muir: Research and Persuasive Writing

Historic image of an older man with a long beard, sitting at a desk, writing. — John Muir writing at his desk, immersed in his work.

NPS collection

Grade Level:: Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
Subject:: Literacy and Language Arts,Social Studies
Lesson Duration:: 90 Minutes
Common Core Standards:: 4.W.7, 4.W.8, 4.W.9, 5.W.1

Essential Question

What environmental issues would John Muir write about today?

Objective

Students will be able to:
1. Research historic and present-day environmental concerns
2. Make connections between historic and present-day
environmental concerns
3. Understand persuasive writing methods
4. Write a paragraph persuading others to help protect something

Background

Understanding of persuasive writing:

Persuasive writing convinces readers of a particular point of view and generally has a call to action: encouraging others to do something about an issue or need. Persuasive writing should:

State a problem
Describe how the problem affects readers
Present idea(s) about how to solve the problem
(optional) address/discount arguments against the solution or point of view

It would be helpful to read some of John Muir’s writings about preservation. Excerpts from the following are relevant:

Our National Parks

"American Forests"

“Save the Redwoods”

The Mountains of California

John of the Mountains: The Unpublished Journals of John Muir

Preparation

Pencils/pens
Paper
Books or magazines about conservation or environmentalism
Access to internet (optional)

Lesson Hook/Preview

John Muir loved America’s forests, mountains and other wild places. He was saddened to see how quickly logging, mining, and grazing destroyed them. He battled powerful businessmen and politicians by writing 12 books and over 300 articles, inspiring action to protect our natural resources. What natural resources are in danger today?

Procedure

Read (aloud) the following quote: “The battle we have fought, and are still fighting, for the forests is a part of the eternal conflict between right and wrong, and we cannot expect to see the end of it.”– John Muir, The National Parks and Forest Reservations
Discuss: What specifically was John Muir fighting to protect? From whom or what was he trying to protect it? Why?
Students research current environmental issues.
Students choose an animal, plant, or place that needs protection.
Students then write a paragraph to convince readers that they should help. Citing sources is optional, but recommended.

Vocabulary

Preservation

Protecting our wild places from destruction and development, so that future generations can enjoy them as well.

Environmentalism
Action or concern for protecting the environment (or our planet)

Persuasion
Show your readers why they need to care about a problem

Call to action
Give your readers ideas for things they can do to help with a problem

Additional Resources