DOCUMENT RESUME ED 376 037 SE 054 737 AUTHOR Brown, David G. TITLE Raven Rock: Then and Now. Medoc Mountain State Park: An Environmental Education Learning Experience Designed for Grades 5-7. INSTITUTION North Carolina State Dept. of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Raleigh. Div. of Parkt A Recreation. PUB DATE Jan 94 NOTE 59p.; For related guides, see SE 054 736-744 and SE 054 746. AVAILABLE FROMNorth Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation, P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh, NC 27611-7687. PUB TYPE Guides Classroom Use Instructional Materials (For Learner)(051) Guides Classroom Use Teaching Guides (For Teacher)(052) EDRS PRICE MFOI/PC03 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Classification; Educational Games; Environmental Education; Equipment; *Geology; Grade 5; Grade 6; Grade 7;Intermediate Grades; Junior High Schools; *Mineralogy; *Minerals; Parks; *Petrology; Science Activities; Science Education; *Topography IDENTIFIERS Environmental Awareness; Erosion; Hands On Experience; Hiking; *Mountains; *North Carolina State Parks System ABSTRACT This activity guide, developed to provide environmental education through a series of hands-on activities geared to Raven Rock State Park in North Carolina, is targeted for grades 5, 6, and 7 and meets curriculum objectives of the standard course of study established by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Three types of activities are included: pre-visit, on-site, and post-visit. The on-site activity is conducted at the park, while pre- and post-visit activities are designed for the classroom. Major concepts included are: rock cycle geomorphology; formation of sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks; weathering and erosion, rock and mineral characteristics; and topography. Includes a vocabulary list, scLeduling worksheet, parental permission form, North Carolina Parks and Recreation program evaluation and information about Raven Rock State Park. (MKR) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** RAVEN ROCK TH EN AND-NOW U S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE Ott.ee of Educatfonal Reseafcn and improvement THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION BY CENTER !ERIC) This document has [seen fepfoduced as J B eee.ved Item the Der Soh of ofgarotatfort Hal 1 sey ar.ginahng.1 A4,,,o, cnanges nave toner made to .,hisfove ttOoduct.oh ouahtv Ph.n1S0, 0017,,,,OnS stated .^1h.SCO.Cu e,tt do "ot necessary teotesem ofttc.a, TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES OE RI001.1.01,Or1:101,CY INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)." Raven Rock State Park An Environmental Education LearningExperience Designed for Grades 5 .--_ wo-:;,3.. BEST COPY AVAILABLE 2 RAVEN ROCK Raven Rock State Park An-Environmental Education Learning Experience Designed for Grades,* 3 "Talk of Mysteries! Think of our lift in nature daily to be shown matter, to come in contact with it rocks, trees, wind on our cheeks! the solid earth! the actual world! the comM011 sense! Contact! Contact! Who are we? Where are we?" - Henry David Thoreau. 1848. The Maine Woods 4 Funding_ for this publication was generously provided by CP &L 5 ii This Environmental Education Learning Experience was developed by David G. Brown Lead Interpretation and Education Ranger Raven Rock State Park N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation Department of Environment. Health and Natural Resources 41111111111161 F-I INI Fi James B. Hunt Jr. Jonathan B. Howes Governor Secretary 6 Other Contributors. Park volunteers; P. Albert Carpenter, Geologist. N.C. Geological "Arvey Section: 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. 5(X) copies of this public document were printed at a cost of S1.751) or 53.5(1 per copy ®Printed on recycled paper. I -94 7 i v Table of Contents 1. Introduction Introduction to the North Carolina State Parks System 1.1 Introduction to Raven Rock State Park Introduction to the Activity Packet for Raven Rock State Park 1.5 Introduction to the Geology of Raven Rock State Park I.6 2. activity Summary 3. Pre-Visit Activity Hard Rock Cravo la 1.1 4. On-Site Activity Geo Trek 4.1 5. Post-Visit Activity GeoJeopardy 5.1 6. Vocabulary 6.1 7. References 7.1 S. Forms 8.1 9. Notes 9.1 preserving and protecting That was in 1915.The North As one of North Carolina's North Carolina's natural Carolina State Parks System principal conservation agen- resources is actually a rela- has now been established for cies, the Division of Parks and tively new idea. The seeds of more than three quarters of a Recreation is responsible for the conser\ation movement century. What started out as the more than 125.000 acres were planted early in the 20th one small plot of public land that make up our state parks century when citizens were has grown into 59 properties system. The Division man- alerted to the devastation of across the state. including ages these resources for the Mount Mitchell. Logging parks. recreation areas, trails. safe enjoyment of the public was destroying a well-known and protects and preserves landmarkthe highest peak them as a pail 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. To- Recreation strives to otter gether they convinced the enlightening programs which legislature to pass a bill lead to an understanding and establishing Mount Mitchell rivers, lakes and natut..: areas. appreciation of our natural as the first state park. This vast network of land resources. The goal of our boasts somc of the most beau- environmental education tiful scenery in the world and program is to generate an offers endless recreation awareness in all individuals opportunities. But our state which cultivates responsible parks system offers much more stewardship of the earth. than scenery and recreation Our lands and waters contain unique and valuable archaeo- logical. geological and biologi- cal resources that are important parts of our natural heritage. For more iniormation contact: N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation P.O. Box 27687 Raleigh, NC 27611-7687 919/ 733-4181 9 Raven Rock State Park. NC I.I January 1994 Introduction to Raven -Rock-State Park The Rock: trees in the park are found in turtles, lizards and snakes. The copperhead snake is the This landmark is rich in the floodplain, where river only poisonous snake found geological, natural and cultural birch, beech and sycamore are in the park, but it is seldom history. Raven Rock State located. The flat, dry uplands encountered. Park is located on what is are characterized by an oak/ called the fall zone, an area hickory forest, where sour- The spring migration brings where the hard, resistant rocks wood, dogwood and blueberry many species of birds to the of the foothills give way to make up the understory. park. At the peak of the sea- the softer rocks and sediments The many streams of Raven son, you can see as many as of the coastal plain. The un- Rock create ideal habitat for 20 species of warblers in a derlying rocks of the area were aquatic invertebrates and fish. single day. Wood ducks nest formed more than 300 million Salamanders are particularly in hollow trees along the river. years ago by intense heat and at home along the river bluffs. Hawks, owls and woodpeckers pressure. Through the ages. The Piedmont forest and may also be seen and heard. flowing waters and swirling streams are home to many winds gradually eroded the land, carving and sculpting Raven Rock. This immense outcrop of gneiss rises approxi- mately 100 feet and stretches for more than a mile along the Cape Fear River. The rock was originally called Patterson's Rock for an early settler who found refuge there when his canoe capsized nearby. In 1854 its name was changed to Raven Rock. inspired by the sight of ravens which formerly roosted on the rock ledges. Life Around the Rock: Raven Rock State Park pro- vides important habitat for a host of plants and animals. Wildflowers and shrubs, such as galax. mountain laurel and rhododendron, normally found in the mountains and foothills, find suitable habitat on the high river bluffs and moist ravines. Some of the largest 10 Raven Rock State Park. NC 1.2 January 1994 Mammals arc ahundant in In time, stores. Mills and here, they still live in the west- the park. Weasels, raccoons. quarries were built. Many of ern part of the state. Other squirrels. mice and shrews the woodlands were cleared accounts state that the rock inhabit the woodlands. «hile and farmed. Later. many of was named "Reaven's Rock" heavers and Muskrats live these farms were abandoned as early as 1773, and one along the river and creeks. and the forest regrew. The legend notes that the rock was Several species of hats may trees were then harvested a named after an Indian known also he seen as they hunt for second time. as Raven, son of Hancock, the insects. A road which stretched fromTuscarora Chief' who led his warriors against the English History Highlights: Raleigh to Fa' etteville crossed the Cape Fear River via the during the Tuscarora War of The Siouans and Tuscaror- Norrington ferry and served I 711 -13. ans hunted and camped in the as a major transportation route. In 1965, it was suggested area until European settlers Locks and dams were built that the area he preserved as arrived in the Mid-17(..;',.