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Grade: all
Subject: Social Studies
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Nancy BreaultU.S. Geography
There can be endless variation to this lesson, geared to your grade level and the materials
and time on hand. I chose to stress the natural beauty of the trail and the foresight of it's
developers. This one was used with grade 5 with good success. It works best with
groups of 10 or less.
The students will ...
1) Participate in a "hike" on the Appalachian Trail.
2) Read a trail map and guide from trail markings.
3) Read excerpts from selected stories and articles.
4) Make entries in a trail diary, and on a geography journal data sheet.
Theme: Location, place, human-environment interactions, regions
Materials: Maps, posters and books on the Appalachian Trail, markers, large map of
eastern U.S., masking tape, crayons, dry erase board and markers, trail diary sheets,
The Arrowhead by Jan D. Curran, arrowhead artifacts, clipboards, index cards, word
search, maps of the Appalachian Trail, GORP (raisin & peanut mix), trail signs ("Trail's
End _______ miles".), small tape player with tape of actual bird songs (played
throughout the "hike").
Note: There are several excellent Internet sites devoted to the AT.
Set up the "stops" in the hallway, possibly a stairwell. At every stop along the way, the
teacher will either have posters or maps on the wall, or other information available such
as pictures in a book, or other primary sources.
Set Induction:
Activity I: KWL Activity on the Appalachian Trail (5 -10 minutes)
Teachers asks questions in an effort to find out what the group knows about the
Appalachian Trail, and what they would like to know.
K: Questions: Have you ever heard of the Appalachian Trail? If not, what do you
think it might be? Where do you think it can be found? What could it's purpose be?
Why do you think people created the trail? Teacher lists all responses on the board.
W: What you like to know about the trail? Teacher lists questions on board.Activity II The "Hike" Part 1, (10 - 15 minutes)
"We are going to set out on the Appalachian Trail." To get the full effect of the trail
experience, encourage students to shoulder their backpacks if they have one available.
Give each student a clipboard, map of the trail, and an index card with a question about
the trail. Each question is different, and the students are to find the answer along the
way:
Examples: What is a blaze and what is it's purpose? How long is the Appalachian Trail?
Why do you think it runs from Georgia to Maine?... why didn't it go on to Florida?
Who was Emile Benton MacKaye, and what is he known for?
How many states does the A.T. go through?... name five of them.
Stop 1 Expository Reading
On wall: Posters showing Virginia features, a sign indicating Trail's End XXX miles.
Present a map of the Trail, ask the students where they think we are based on the pictures
shown. Using the maps, tell the students to estimate how far we are from the end of the
trail. Fill in the miles on the Trail's End sign. Students enter information on their trail
diary sheet. Each student is given a copy of a short article on the Appalachian Trail to
read. Remind students that they are to look for the answer to the question on the index
card, but it may not be in this particular article.
Stop 2 Word Search Activity
On wall: Posters showing Pennsylvania features, a sign indicating Trail's End XXX
miles.
Ask students to find our current location on their trail maps, given the pictures supplied.
Students enter information on their trail diary sheet. Give students a word search in
which they find words from the expository article. Students get a reward of "GORP"
trail food when finished. (Good Old Raisins and Peanuts).Activity III The "Hike" Part 2, (15 - 20 minutes)
Stop 3: Narrative Reading
On wall: Posters showing New Hampshire features, a sign indicating Trail's End XXX
miles.
Ask students to find our current location on their trail maps. Students enter information
on their trail diary sheet. Give students a copy of the arrowhead poem. "The poet asks a
question, what is that question, and does she answer it?". Pass around arrowhead
artifacts. Opportunity for discussion.
Stop 4: Trail's End
On wall: Posters showing Maine features, a sign indicating Trail's End. This stop will
be next to a large wall map of the eastern U.S.
Discussion: Sit students down in a semi-circle. Have each student read their index card
questions and answers, or discuss unanswered questions. Give each student a data sheet
with the name of a state that hosts the Appalachian Trail, or let the students choose their
favorite. They are to collect data for that state using atlases, maps and other books
provided by the teacher.
Assessment: Students will have participated fully in group discussions, map activities,
and journal entries.
_______________________________________________________________________
Arrowhead by Jan D. CurranI found an arrowhead today.
Black stone, chipped and grooved.
Not your normal museum arrow -
This was real, lying on the trail
Where it was shot or lost
By someone long ago.I wonder - was it on the hunt?
Or a battle between tribes?
Or perhaps he'd stopped to rest
And it fell unnoticed by his side.What sort of man was this?
A proud and noble huntsman
After food for wife and child?
Or some mean savage
Set in ambush for a foe?
Perhaps a soldier of the tribe
Trying to hold the settler tide.It is certain I will never know.
So it shall be a souvenir
Of whatever I decide.
I found an arrowhead today
Lost by a noble huntsman long ago._______________________
The Appalachian Trail is a wilderness footpath that wanders along the
Appalachian range, 2,160 miles from Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain, Georgia.
This footpath has some of the East's most beautiful scenic wonders. It passes through
fourteen states, eight national forests and six national parks. It is maintained by
volunteers.
The trail was the dream of Emile Benton MacKaye, ("Ma-kye", rhymes with
"sky") who gained enough support to have the trail built in the 1920's and 1930's.
The Appalachian Trail is marked with 2-inch by 6-inch white paint blazes. A
double blaze--one above the other--is placed before turns, or other areas that where
hikers need to be alert. Blue blazes mark side trails. Usually these lead to shelters, water
supplies, or special view-points
Each year some hikers come to the Trail to attempt a thru-hike, a non-stop hike
from beginning to end. Maybe 20 percent who start will actually finish. The rest either
quit because they are not ready for the test, get hurt, or have some other emergency.
Many people hike the trail in parts. Some have taken years to complete the entire trail.
One man finally finished after 45 years of short hikes.The Appalachian Trail is for anyone who wants to explore the natural wonders of
eastern America. Spend a day, or a week, or a season on the trail!
___________________________________________________________________United States Geography Journal
Name of State ______________________
Region ______________________
Capital ______________________
Facts
What other states or countries border this state?
______________________________________________________________
Map It!
Sketch the outline of this state. Label the capital, and major rivers, lakes and
mountain ranges, bordering states, national parks. Show where the Appalachian
Trail crosses the state.Research
Give at least three prominent features about this state: (for example people,
culture, lifestyles, environment).1. ____________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
Appalachian Trail Diary of _________________________Starting from: ________________________ Date:_________
Stop #1 A lean-to on Roan Mountain
State______________________________________________________
Miles left to go _________________________________________________
Today I saw/learned ____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________Stop #2 A hostel near Boiling Springs
State______________________________________________________
Miles left to go _________________________________________________
Today I saw/learned ____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________Stop #3 Trail shelter by a cairn on Mount Lafayette
State______________________________________________________
Miles left to go _________________________________________________
Today I saw/learned ____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________Stop #4 End of the trail, the bald on Mount Katahdin
State______________________________________________________
Miles traveled _________________________________________________
Today I saw/learned ____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
I feel ______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Appalachian Trail
Find all 10 words in the list below. Then take the underlined letters and
unscramble the mystery word to find out who maintains the trail!BLAZE, KATAHDIN, GORP, MOUNTAIN, MACKAYE, BALD, APPALACHIAN,
HOSTEL, BACKPACK, WILDLIFEE R H O S T E L O L J H G F R P K H S C J U Y T R E N B I O I
G H P I O K H A S Z T H Y U K J G F D E R F G N M U I T H F
B P I U U L L G R Q W B L A Z E K R L R O Q W V Z D P O L
O K B B G T R I I E W G F D R L P K I U Y H M N G F R E W
Q A S D F G V N M K J U I O L K A T A W I L D L I F E F R E
T H J N B C C O L U J G T E F B M Z X W P H J F G E R Y T A
E R F Y I K G O R P J H G F R P K H S C J U Y T R E N B I O I
G H P I O K H A S Z T H Y U K J G F D E R F M O U N T A I N
B P I U U L L G R Q W B N M U D K R O R O Q W V Z D P O
L M A C K A Y E J I E W G F D R L P K I U Y H M N G F R E
W A S D F G H N M K J T I O L K J H G Y X K A T A H D I N
B H J N B C C O O U J G T E F B M Z X W P H J F G E R Y T A
A R A P P A L A C H I A N S C J U Y T R E N B I O I G H P I O
C H A S Z U H Y U K J G F D E R F G N M U I T H F B P I U U
K L G R Q W B N M U D K R L R O Q W V Z D P O L O K B B
P T R I I E W G F D R L P K I U B A L D G F R E W Q A S D F
A H N M K J R I D G E L P R E G F R E T H J N B C C O O U
C T E F B M Z X W P H J F G E R Y T A O S Y K J K K J I P K
K Y U L K H F F J S K J I P J T Y U L K H F F R P O U J G T
Who maintains the Appalachian trail?
The 10 letter mystery word is ____________________________________________________________________________
(rules posted on the "trail")Welcome to the Appalachian Trail
Rules for the Trail
Leave no sign, pack out what you pack in.
Contain all fires
Speak softly, step lightly
Listen to learn
Be courteous to others
Respect the wonders you see
Don't be afraid to ask for help
Always help your fellow hikers
Enjoy!
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