Our Changing Land: Stone Mountain State Park. an Environmental Education Learning Experience Designed for Grades 4-6
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DOCUMENT RESUME ED 373 944 RC 019 736 AUTHOR Trivette, Larry TITLE Our Changing Land: Stone Mountain State Park. An Environmental Education Learning Experience Designed for Grades 4-6. INSTITUTION North Carolina State Dept. of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Raleigh. PUB DATE Jun 94 NOTE 57p.; Photographs and some illustrations'may not rept-. clearly. PUB TYPE Guides Classroom Use Teaching Guides (For Teacher) (052) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC03 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Conservation (Environment); *Environmental Education; *Field Trips; *Geology; Intermediate Grades; *Learning Activities; *Outdoor Activities; Outdoor Education; Vocabulary Development IDENTIFIERS *Blue Ridge Mountains; North Carolina; Racks ABSTRACT Stone Mountain State Park's environmental education learning experience, Our Changing Land, introduces the student to the geology of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with emphasis on Stone Mountain, through a series of hands-on activities. The learning experience is designed for grades 4-6 and meets curriculum objectives of the standard course of study established by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. It introduces students to concepts such as the rock cycle; geologic time; weathering; erosion; sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks; and stewardship of natural resources. On-site activities are conducted at the park, while previsit and postvisit activities are completed in the classroom. The previsit activity introduces students to the th-ree different rock types: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. On-site activities give students an understanding of the origin of Stone Mountain, weathering, and erosion. Postvisit activities reinforce concepts, skills, and vocabulary learned. In the packet, the first occurrence of a vocabulary word used in an activity is indicated in bold type. This document includes definitions, reference materials used in developing the activities, and field trip and program evaluation forms. Contains 29 references. (KS) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** oa-7114 mIMINI9=1.511 IM 4 U.S. DEPARTMENT Of EDUCATION 011c. or Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) /TN* document has beenreproduced as unarmed from the Person or organization originating 0 Minor changes have boon made to Homy* reproduction Quoddy Pointe ol view ot °onions stated in true docu- ment do not neciteartly redteeent othaal OEM pond on on policy "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS ,a( MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED Bl TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCEE INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)." co N. 0, ... REST_ oaci La.;. --*_41 1,' A J vr . ne4441 ountairt State Park 4111: ""---"Environmentiii cation -Learning .Expexionce; Designed id; Grades 4-0 Cv.,. -1- it This Environmental Education Learning Experience was developed by Larry Tri vette Lead Interpretation and Education Ranger Stone Mountain State Park N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation Department of Environment,ArrA Health and Natural Resources DEFINER James B. Hunt. Jr. Jonathan B. Howes Governor Secretary Other Contributors ... Park volunteers; The N.C. Department of Public Instruction; The N.C. Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources; and the many individuals and agencies who assisted in the review of this publication. 500 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $1,750 or $3.50 per copy Printed on recycled paper. 6-94 iv 5 "I am the child. You hold in your hand my destiny. You determine, largely, whether I shall succeed or fail. Give me, I pray you, those things that make for happiness. Train me, I beg you, that I may be a blessing tothe world." - Mamie Gene Cole Funding for this publication was generouslyprovided by CPliti ii 1. Introduction Introduction to the North Carolina State Parks System 1.1 Introduction to Stone Mountain State Park 1.2 Introduction to the Activity Packet for Stone Mountain State Park 1.3 2. Activity Summary 2.1 3. Pre-Visit Activity '1 The Pressure's On 3.1 4. On-Site Activity '1 Igneous Intruder 4.1 Part I: Igneous Intruder 4.1.2 Part II: Rock Walk 4.1.5 5. Post-Visit Activity *1 Let's Do a Time Warp 5.1 6. Vocabulary 6.1 7. References 7.1 8. Forms 8.1 9. Notes 9.1 reserving and protecting The North Carolina State As one of North Carolina's rNorth Carolina's natural Parks System has now been principal conservation agen- resources is actually a rela- established for more than three cies, the Division of Parks.and tively new idea. The seeds of quarters of a century. What Recreation is responsible for. the conservation movement started out as one small plot of the more than 125,000 acres were planted early in the 20th public land has grown into 59 that make up our state parks century when citizens we,-e properties across the state, in- system. The Division man- alerted to the devastation of cluding parks, recreation areas, ages these resources for the Mount Mitchell. Logging trails, rivers, lakes and natural safe enjoyment of the public was destroying a well-known and protects and preserves landmark the highest peak them as a part of the heritage east of the Mississippi. As we will pass on to generations the magnificent forests of to come. this mile-high peak fell to An important component the lumbermen's axe, alarmed of our stewardship of these citizens began to voice lands is education. Through their objections. Gover- our interpretation and environ- nor Locke Craig joined mental education services, them in their efforts to the Division of Parks and save Mount Mitchell. Recreation strives to offer Together they convinced enlightening programs which the legislature to pass a bill lead to an understa 'ding and. establishing Mount Mitchell areas. This vast network of appreciation of our natural as the first state park of North land boasts some of the most resources. The goal of our Carolina. That was in 1915. beautiful scenery in the world environmental education and offers endless recreation program is to generate an opportunities. But our state awareness in all individuals parks system offers much morewhich cultivates responsible than scenery and recreation. stewardship of the earth. Our lands and waters contain unique and valuable archaeo- logical, geological and biologi- cal resources that are important parts of our natural heritage. For m(.re information contact: N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation P.O. Box 27687 Raleigh, NC 27611-7687 919/733 -4181 3 Stone Mountain State Park, NC 1, t June 1994 ,_ , tone Mountain State Park Mountain Falls, the largest writers such as Thoreau, 1...3is located on the eastern waterfall in the park, is a cas- Emerson Muir. edge of the Blue Ridge Moun- cade of over 200 feet. There Stone Mountain State Park tains in North Carolina. The are other granite outcrops and abounds with natural history park lies in the extreme north- waterfalls that are accessible ,and is an excellent plw.e to ern portion of Wilkes County via the park's 15 miles of hik- -leach geology, ecology, envi- and extends into the southeast- ing trails. At Stone Mountain ronmental issues, biology, ern part of Alleghany County. State Park, students can see conservation, earth science, Stone Mountain is the second and learn about some of the literature, math and recreation. largest state park in North geologic processes that con- In addition, the park is rich Carolina, consisting of ap- tinue to shape our land. with cultural resources and proximately 13,400 acres. The Park as an Outdoor provides a wonderful outdoor The most prominent feature Classroom: classroom for learning about of the park is Stone Mountain the history of Stone Mountain, State parks are not only water quality, endangered spe- itself. This large, granite out- wonderful places for scientific crop is a unique geological cies and a wide variety of other investigation, but also for themes. Here is an opportu- formation and is the largest environmental and cultural nity for students to study and granitic dome in North Caro- education. The major theme lina. Stone Mountain is ap- learn about these and many of Stone Mountain State Park other subjects on a hands-on proximately 390 million years is geology, but other themes basis. old, and rises more than 2,200 can be studied here as well, feet above sea level. Its crest such as plant communities, Groups are encouraged is almost 700 feet above the stream investigation, uses of to visit the park during all surrounding terrain of old plants and animals by Native seasons of the year for hikes, fields, mixed forests, clear Americans z mei early settlers, exploration, nature study and streams and waterfalls. Stone and the literature of nature other activities. Leaders may 10 Stone Mountain State Park, NC 1.2 June 1994 choose to design and conduct centrally located washhouse 2. Complete the scheduling their own activities or make provides drinking water, hot worksheet, located on page use of the park's environmentalshowers and toilet facilities. 8.1, and return it to the park education activity packets. A This washhouse is closed dur- as soon as possible. park ranger would be happy ing the winter. Electric and Before the Trip: to meet with your group to water hookups are not avail- answer any questions the stu- able, however a dump station 1. Complete the pre-visit dents may have, or welcome is available for self-contained activity in the Environmental the group and present a short units. A modest fee is charged Education Learning Experi- talk. Every effort will be madefor famiiy camping. ence. to accommodate persons with Group Camping: Six 2. The group leader should physical disabilities. Please primitive campsites are avail- visit the park without the par- contact the park office at least able for organized groUps. A ticipantsprior to the group two weeks in advance to make small fee is charged for these trip.