Hands on the Land

First Published - 2006
Updated - 2012

The Great Sand Dunes Online Curriculum is now available on Hands on the Land.

Although a few of the elementary lesson plans are designed to be performed at the park, most can be done in the classroom or in your own school yard. The middle and high school sections can also be completed at school, independent of a visit to the park.

• 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.
• If you plan to visit the park, links provided in the Visiting the Dunes section will be helpful.
• For better understanding the park's purpose, significance, mission, primary interpretive themes, special mandates, fundamental resources, and values, view the park's Foundation for Planning.

The Great Sand Dunes Online Curriculum 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. We recommend that students not work alone when using this web site in the classroom.

There are three main components to the middle school section:

1. Each activity is designed using applied science and real data. When encountering authentic science, students may be compelled to grow toward careers in these fields or may be inspired to get outdoors and discover natural wonders on their own and with their families. In most of the activities, there is a researcher profile that introduces students to one of the scientists who collected data upon which the activity is based.
2. In the simple act of using this site and solving the puzzles, students engage in active problem solving. In a simplified form, this problem solving exhibits the same processes which scientists use in the scientific method.
3. Although the main activities are designed for students to use directly, additional off-computer activities or critical thinking questions that teachers may want to use are denoted by the . These extensions are intended to reinforce learning and to get students off the computer.

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. A slide show introduces the big picture of the water cycle and water issues. Then step-by-step instructions guide the class through the "town hall" activity. Finally, students are challenged to write a policy that solves the fictitious problem discussed during the town hall event.

We hope that this web site provides some helpful tools for learning about and enjoying your national park, even if you are too far away to visit. If your plans do include a trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, you can learn about other educational opportunities, including ranger-led programs, in the Plan a Field Trip section of the Great Sand Dunes website.

If we can assist you further, or if you would like to comment on this web site, please contact our Education Specialist.

Sincerely,