The “Out of the Blue” Website, supported by the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado, offers teachers k-12 lessons that can be conducted at the park or in the classroom, as well as some that are Web-based. Each activity and lesson plan is listed and correlated to Colorado State Learning Standards and cross-referenced according to grade, subject, and whether it is suitable as a pre- or post-trip classroom lesson or an on-site activity.

The Out of the Blue curriculum is divided into three main sections:

Roo-Rats for Elementary Teachers
(designed for teachers only)

The elementary section is designed to provide teachers with lesson plans, ideas, and printable materials for teaching about the natural and cultural history of Great Sand Dunes. Printable materials are produced in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format.

Coyote-Kids for Middle School Classrooms
(designed for students and teachers)

The middle school section is for small groups or whole classrooms to use.

Ravens for High School Classrooms
(designed for students and teachers)

This section contains information and instructions to guide your class through a “town hall meeting” activity that will challenge them to examine issues, research, photographs, and perspectives on water management policy and decision-making in Colorado.

If your plans include a trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, you can learn about other educational opportunities, including ranger-led programs, in the K-12 Programs section of the main website.

Filed under: Web Resources

Tags: Curriculum, Lesson Plans