The outdoors is a place of endless wonder, adventure, and discovery. It's an inspiration to many and encourages us to be curious and appreciative of our environment. Below are five reading and learning activities that explore the nature all around us.
1. Read A Nation of Parks
Read all about the National Park Service and the parks under its care. Find out how many national parks there are, where they are, and what makes each of them special. Then, you can plan which one you want to visit first!
- Download A Nation of Parks
Discuss the book: What is the National Park Service? Name some of the different ecosystems you can find in national parks. Which national park is closest to where you live?
2. Watch Saving the Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle
Watch the video Saving the Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle to learn about how the recovery project at the Padre Island National Seashore has protected the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle from extinction.
Discuss the video: How many years did it take before the researchers saw one of the first relocated turtles return to Padre Island National Seashore? How do the researchers identify the turtles? Who is Ridley, and how does he help the researchers?
You can extend the fun by finding out more about sea turtles or other endangered animals. You could also create a video about saving an animal.
3. Write an opinion paragraph
Write an opinion paragraph about why it is important to protect our national parks. Give reasons for your opinion. Use details from A Nation of Parks to support your reasons.
You can extend the activity by giving a presentation of your writing.
More to read!
For more reading about exploring a national park, download Denali Dog Sled Journal.
4. Learn about natural wonders
- Choose one of the natural wonders you read about in the texts. You might choose a canyon, geyser, volcano, crater, mountain, or cave.
- Learn about the landform you chose. What are its features and parts? What makes it a natural wonder? Where are some interesting examples of it located?
- Draw a map or diagram to show what you learned.
You can extend the activity by researching a different natural wonder.
5. Make a national park brochure
- Choose a national park you read about this week. Use information from the texts and other sources to make a travel brochure about the park.
- Include information about its location, size, history, and special features.
- Include maps, illustrations or photos, and fun facts!
You can extend the activity by acting out a visit to the national park or write a journal entry about an imaginary visit.
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Find more language arts activities for Grades 3-5.
This blog, originally published in 2020, has been updated for 2025.
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