Mandylubug Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 I'm considering studying some National parks for our science studies and then dig deeper into the natural phenomena that makes these areas neat. We are planning on visiting Yosemite and the sequoia redwoods near by. One unique study would be to learn about frazil ice and why it occurs. Anyone ever stop normal science rotations just to focus on geographical areas of interest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalmia Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 I think that is a great idea! Ken Burns has a film series on the national parks: The National Parks: America's Best Idea http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/ The Jason Project has highlighted national parks in their annual curriculum. http://www.jason.org There are two very expensive (even used) textbooks on the topic. (I would use them for mommy education then distill for the kids) http://www.amazon.com/Parks-Plates-National-Monuments-Seashores/dp/0393924076/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1389424815&sr=8-2&keywords=geology+of+national+parks http://www.amazon.com/Geology-National-Parks-Ann-Harris/dp/0787299715/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389424939&sr=8-1&keywords=geology+of+national+parks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 Great idea! We did national parks as part of geography. The Ken Burns series is sophisticated and gorgeous, perhaps more history than science? We also used the National Geographic guide to national parks. They also have a 'Park Profiles' series; haven't seen it, but maybe more science there? Another recommendation I would make is to start with the BBC series Land of the Eagle. It's about North American ecology and how people, especially Europeans, changed the land. It could be a good foundation for your study, to link everything together. Land of the Eagle is intelligently written and beautifully photographed. I recommend it very highly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoundAbout Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 No, but sounds cool! If you visit parks, don't forget the Junior Ranger program. The quality and difficulty vary from park to park, but some are very educational and its exciting for the kids to get a patch or pin. Ranger talks are also great if you can squeeze them in. We attended some outstanding ones in Yellowstone and learned a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elisabet1 Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 You can get a junior ranger badge at each national park. If you are going there, definitely do that. And what would the point of home schooling be if you just stuck to a pre-set order made by some publisher or curriculum writer? I say you should definitely "interrupt" whatever you previously had planned to dive as deep as you can/want in to studying these places. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 Super idea! John Muir is a prominent figure in Yosemite, so it might be nice to read some of his writings. When we visited, I was sorry that my kids weren't more familiar with him. Also, the photography of Ansel Adams could be an added study. If you go in the summer, astronomy clubs set up their telescopes on Friday and Saturday nights. Stargazing in Yosemite was a highlight of my trip as a child, and I was thrilled that my kids got to experience it. I love that park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 Adding -- get a park passport. It's a little book that you can get stamped each time you visit a national park or other national area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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