Guest Speakers

4th Grade | The Changing World of the Shenandoah Salamander

Grade Level:
Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
Subject:
Science
State Standards:
Virginia Standards of Learning: Science 4.3, 4.4, and 4.8

Shenandoah National Park is a refuge for many animals and plants that are pressured by human activities and other land uses. Shenandoah is home for the Shenandoah salamander, an endangered species that lives nowhere else on the planet. Human-accelerated climate change could cause a serious decline in the population of the Shenandoah salamander. During this in-classroom ranger program, students will learn about the environmental threats to the Shenandoah salamander and determine ways people can help protect species and care for their national parks and the environment. This program is recommended for fourth grade.

Objective(s)

Following the ranger presentation and classroom activities, the students will be able to
 
1. define the mission of the National Park Service and name three national park areas and their significant features that are protected;
2. explain how Shenandoah National Park protects plants and animals, specifically the Shenandoah salamander;
3. identify three environmental and human influences that can impact the sensitive mountaintop ecosystem of the Shenandoah salamander;
4. explain climate change and its potential consequences on the Shenandoah salamander’s survival;
5. describe three ways that individuals can help reduce the impact of human accelerated climate change to help protect national parks and the environment.

Standards

State science standards: 4.3, 4.4, 4.8

Materials

Materials include a short video and student activity sheets.


This program was funded by a generous donation from the Shenandoah National Park Trust.

  •  

  •  

Tags: salamander climate change guest speaker

Last updated: August 25, 2020