Lesson Plan - 5 Big Questions About Yellowstone

Watch a Video: America’s National Treasures
Discuss the variety of national parks shown in the video. Ask: Why do people want to protect these places?

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• hydrothermal
• caldera

Set a Purpose for Reading
Point out the “As You Read” question. Have students be on the lookout for sights visitors can see in Yellowstone.

1. What is a hydrothermal feature? Describe an example found in Yellowstone.
A hydrothermal feature is a feature that occurs because of hot water beneath Earth’s surface. One example in Yellowstone is hot springs, or pools of boiling water. Another example is geysers, where water from underground bursts into the air.
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2. How can big crowds affect Yellowstone’s wildlife?
According to the article, big crowds can stress out the animals in Yellowstone.
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3. How does the article’s question-and-answer format help readers?
The question-and-answer format makes the main topic of each section clear, and the author focuses on questions that readers would probably have about the park.
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FEATURED SKILL: Primary Source
Use the skill builder “Ticket to Yellowstone” to have students analyze an advertisement from the park’s history. 
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