Created by Jemma Black – Rural Connect
April 2014
John Muir Pack – First Level
1.
Life of John Muir
2.
National Parks
3.
John Muir Quotes
4.
Further Resources and Activities
“One day's exposure to mountains is
better than cartloads of books.”
John Muir
1
Created by Jemma Black – Rural Connect
April 2014
1. Life of John Muir
Level:
First
Experiences and Outcomes:
Lesson Focus:
Life of John Muir
As I listen or watch, I can identify and discuss the purpose, key words and main ideas of the text, and
use this information for a specific purpose.
LIT 1-04a
I am learning to use my notes and other types of writing to help me understand information and
ideas, explore problems, generate and develop ideas or create new text.
LIT 1-25a
I can convey information, describe events or processes, share my opinions or persuade my reader in
different ways.
LIT 1-28a / LIT 1-29a
I can create and present work using the visual elements of line, shape, form, colour, tone, pattern
and texture.
EXA 1-03a
I can access, retrieve and use information from electronic sources to support, enrich or extend
learning in different contexts.
TCH 1-03b
Learning Intentions:
Success Criteria:
 We are learning about the life
 I can produce a timeline of
of John Muir.
John Muir’s life.
 We are learning about his
 I can identify the main events
work and how he helped
in his life.
protect wild land.
 I can contribute my ideas and
 We are taking part in
opinions in an activity from
activities that follow his
Mission: Explore John Muir.
philosophy.
Suggested Resources:
Teacher Notes - John Muir Biography (Page 3)
www.discoverjohnmuir.com
www.jmt.org
Mission: Explore John Muir
www.Sierraclub.org/johnmuir
Activities:
 Locate where Dunbar is in relation to your own school. Measure
the distance to Dunbar using Google Maps.
 Using Google Maps calculate the distance between Dunbar and
California – how far did John Muir travel in his life?
2
Created by Jemma Black – Rural Connect
April 2014
 Illustrate the timeline of John Muir’s life. (Alternative activity; print
and cut out the date cards (page 6), and in groups or pairs sort the
dates into order.)
 Log onto Mission: Explore John Muir and choose an activity to do as
a class.
Teacher Notes – John Muir Biography
Born in Dunbar, Scotland in 1838 to Daniel and Ann Muir. The area surrounding Dunbar
was largely rural, and John would roam across the wider countryside exploring.
At school he read descriptions of American wildlife and, in February 1849, aged 11 the
family left for America.
His father settled as a farmer and John Muir explored the local Wisconsin wilderness
until the farm was up and running and he was made to work long hard hours on the
family farm.
A year after attending the County Fair with his inventions, which included an automatic
feeding machine for horses, John returned to Madison to enrol in university and it was
there he was introduced to botany and geology. He never graduated but left university
in 1863 and embarked on an expedition across the American Midwest.
After the expedition ended early (after only 3 weeks) he then went on to explore the
Canadian wild in 1864 with his brother and studied the areas plant life over two years!
After this trip ended he set off on a 1000 mile walk to the Gulf in Florida!
He planned to travel by boat to Cuba and then South America, however after arriving in
Cuba and finding a long wait for a boat to South America he changed his final
destination to California. There he was given the job of shepherd and this introduced
him to the Sierra Mountains.
He became an accomplished mountaineer and after discovering and studying glaciers in
the Sierra Mountains, he was the first to suggest that the Yosemite Valley was created
by glaciers over thousands of years!
Muir started writing about his experiences in the wilderness and his passion for the
natural world added to the campaign for National Parks. The Yosemite National Park
and the Sequoia National Park were created in 1890 and in 1903. Muir spent time with
President Roosevelt and influenced his thoughts on the natural world and policies which
can protect them.
3
Created by Jemma Black – Rural Connect
April 2014
His work lives on in the form of the Sierra Club which he co-founded in 1892 and has
over 1 million members in the US; the club remains the most influential grassroot
environmental group in the US.
The John Muir Trust was founded in 1983 to protect wild land in the UK.
4
John Muir Timeline (A3)
Created by Jemma Black – Rural Connect
April 2014
Drawing Space:
John Muir Timeline (A3)
Drawing Space:
1838 Born in
Dunbar.
1849 – Move to America,
where he works on the
family farm.
1845 - Learns to climb on the
walls of Dunbar Castle and is
fascinated by ‘everything that
is wild’.
Drawing Space:
1865 – Gets a job as a
shepherd in the Sierra
Mountains, California.
1864 – Explores Canada with
his brother, then sets off on
1000 mile walk to Florida.
Drawing Space:
Drawing Space:
1890 – His campaigning
helps to create Yosemite
National Park.
1870 – 1875
Suggests that
Yosemite Valley was
created by Glaciers.
1914 Dies in
California.
1914.
1903 – Spends 3 days
camping with President
Roosevelt in Yosemite.
Drawing Space:
5
Created by Jemma Black – Rural Connect
April 2014
Alternative Activity – Date Cards
1838
1845
1849
Born in Dunbar.
Starts to explore the
countryside and is interested
in all things wild.
Moves to America, and starts
to work on the family farm.
1864
1865
1870 - 1875
Explores Canada with his
brother, and then walks 1000
miles to Florida.
Gets a job as a shepherd in
the Sierra Mountains,
California.
Studies the mountains and
suggests the Yosemite valley
was made by glaciers.
1890
1903
1914
Helps the campaign to create
Yosemite National Park.
Camps for 3 days in Yosemite
National Park with President
Roosevelt.
Dies in California.
6
Created by Jemma Black – Rural Connect
April 2014
2. National Parks
Level:
First
Experiences and Outcomes:
Lesson Focus:
National Parks
I am learning to select and use strategies and resources before I read, and as I read, to help make the
meaning of texts clear.
LIT 1-13a
I am learning to make notes under given headings and use them to understand information, explore
ideas and problems and create new texts.
LIT 1-15a
I can present my writing in a way that will make it legible and attractive for my reader, combining
words, images and other features.
LIT 1-24a
I am learning to use my notes and other types of writing to help me understand information and
ideas, explore problems, generate and develop ideas or create new text.
LIT 1-25a
I can create and present work using the visual elements of line, shape, form, colour, tone, pattern and
texture.
EXA 1-03a
Inspired by a range of stimuli, I can express and communicate my ideas, thoughts and feelings through
activities within art and design.
EXA 0-05a / EXA 1-05a
I can describe and recreate the characteristics of my local environment by exploring the features of
the landscape.
SOC 1-07a
I can consider ways of looking after my school or community and can encourage others to care for
their environment.
SOC 1-08a
By exploring a natural environment different from my own, I can discover how the physical features
influence the variety of living things.
SOC 1-13b
Through activities in my local area, I have developed my mental map and sense of place. I can create
and use maps of the area.
SOC 1-14a
I can access, retrieve and use information from electronic sources to support, enrich or extend learning
in different contexts.
TCH 1-03b
Learning Intentions:
 We are learning about
National Parks.
 We are designing a logo for
our National Park.
Success Criteria:
 I can name a National Park in
Scotland and in America.
 I have contributed to the
design of our National Park
logo.
7
Created by Jemma Black – Rural Connect
April 2014
Suggested Resources:
US National Park Service
Scotlands National Parks
www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/learning/education-resources/menu-id111.html
www.cairngorms.co.uk/the-park/facts-figures
www.cairngorms.co.uk/learn
Photo Inspiration (Page 6)
Activities:
 Using the internet/books/leaflets, find out how many National Parks
are in America, and in Scotland.
Use Google Maps to find out where they are.
 Investigate what logos are already used by National Parks – what are
the designs in the logos? Do they have plants/trees/people in them?
 Could your school grounds be a National Park? What logo would you
have? What plants and animals are in your school grounds? What
is special about it?
8
Created by Jemma Black – Rural Connect
April 2014
Photo Inspiration
Scots Pine – Scotlands National Tree
Giant Sequoia – found in Americas National Parks
Yosemite Valley - America
Loch Lomond - Scotland
Statue of John Muir as a boy - Dunbar, Scotland
American ‘quarter’ coin to commemorate John Muir
9
Created by Jemma Black – Rural Connect
April 2014
3. John Muir Quotes
Level:
First
Lesson Focus:
Using John Muir quotes to
understand nature and how we
interact with it.
Experiences and Outcomes:
When I engage with others, I know when and how to listen, when to talk, how much to say, when to
ask questions and how to respond with respect.
LIT 1-02a
I am aware of and able to express my feelings and am developing the ability to talk about them
HWB 1-01a
I understand that my feelings and reactions can change depending upon what is happening within
and around me. This helps me to understand my own behaviour and the way others behave.
HWB 1-04a
am learning to assess and manage risk, to protect myself and others, and to reduce the potential for
harm when possible.
HWB 1-16a
Within and beyond my place of learning I am enjoying daily opportunities to participate in physical
activities and sport, making use of available indoor and outdoor space.
HWB 1-25a
I can distinguish between living and non living things. I can sort living things into groups and explain
my decisions.
SCN 1-01a
By safely observing and recording the sun and moon at various times, I can describe their patterns of
movement and changes over time. I can relate these to the length of a day, a month and a year.
SCN 1-06a
I have explored my senses and can discuss their reliability and limitations in responding to the
environment.
SCN 1-12b
I can consider ways of looking after my school or community and can encourage others to care for
their environment.
SOC 1-08a
Learning Intentions:
Success Criteria:
 We are learning about our
 I can use my senses to
place in nature.
investigate nature.
 We are investigating how we
 I can explore different areas
can use our senses to explore
of our school grounds to
nature.
identify living things.
Suggested Resources:
Camera/Ipad – take pictures which pupils can then annotate to explain
what they were doing.
http://www.naturedetectives.org.uk/
https://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/teaching/
10
Created by Jemma Black – Rural Connect
April 2014
http://www.naturerocks.org/
http://projectwildthing.com/
Activity
Pupil Activity Sheets;
 a) Place in Nature (This can be a very fun activity; doing it with the
whole class allows pupils to talk to each other about the activity and
keeps them in a safe environment so they can relax and enjoy being
out in nature.)
 b) Nature Senses (This activity does not require written work as it is
intended to immerse pupils in nature, and rather than concentrate
on writing what they see, feel, hear etc. they are given time to
concentrate on their senses and develop interest in what they find).
11
Created by Jemma Black – Rural Connect
April 2014
Teachers Notes
These exercises aim to get pupils interacting with nature, and to start thinking
about their place in nature; how being outside makes them feel, how it can
help their health and also what role they have in protecting nature.
There is information provided on John Muir to help introduce and give context
to the quotes and activities.
“I never saw a discontented tree.” John Muir 1838 – 1914
John Muir was drawn to wild places throughout his life, and he revelled in all aspects
of the natural world. He argued against the idea that natures value lay only with the
material and economic benefit it provides, and that the value of nature wasn’t
dependant on its use by humans. He suggested that mankind was part of nature,
rather than owning or controlling it.
Muir felt that it was part of his life’s mission to educate others about the wonders of
the natural world. He conveyed his love and interpretation of the natural world in
his writing, but also included scientific fact to increase the knowledge of the reader.
Through his writings he wanted to inspire other to experience wilderness for
themselves and learn to care about the natural world through experiences.
12
Created by Jemma Black – Rural Connect
April 2014
Muir argued that the value of wildness offers us perspective on our relationship with
nature, and that experiencing nature is an essential part of human existence and by
visiting wild lands and escaping civilisation, one could recharge the mind and body.
The contribution of John Muir to the modern conservation movement across the
globe cannot be underestimated. He founded the world-renowned Sierra Club
(which now has over 1million member), was influential in the formation of Americas
first national parks and was one of the first to suggest that conservation is justified
not on the grounds of material or economic benefit, but on the grounds of the
intrinsic value that can be found in natural places, and the spiritual and health
benefits that wild places bring to those who visit them
John Muirs Legacy
John Muir continues to have a strong legacy in his home country as well as further
afield. Dunbar celebrates this heritage through the John Muir Birthplace Trust and
Museum, John Muir Country Park and the existing John Muir Way which runs along
the East Lothian Coastline. As part of Homecoming 2014, the John Muir Way was
extended across Central Scotland to Helensburgh on the West coast to replicate his
great journey across the United States from East to West.
Part of John Muir’s legacy was helping to set up the first National Park at Yellowstone
in 1872. Since then a global family of 6,555 protected areas covering 12% of the
Earth’s surface have been created. National Parks came to Scotland in 2002 with the
designation of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park followed in 2003 by the
Cairngorms National Park. The National Parks in Scotland work hard to meet four key
aims:
 To conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area
 To promote sustainable use of the natural resources of the area
 To promote understanding and enjoyment (including enjoyment in the form
of recreation) of the special qualities of the area by the public
 To promote sustainable economic and social development of the area's
communities
The John Muir Trust was founded in 1983 and promotes Muir’s message by
sensitively managing key areas wild land, and campaigning to safeguard them. It
owns 8 properties, including Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the United Kingdom.
13
Created by Jemma Black – Rural Connect
April 2014
a) Place in Nature
“I only went out for walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown,
for going out, I found, was really going in.” John Muir
Find a Place in Nature;
Go out into your school grounds, and find different places that you
can;
 Sit and relax (In the garden, hidden behind the plants?)
 Lie down and look at the sky and the clouds (A grassy area?)
 Run around and pretend to be different animals (Think about
where different animals live.)
Talking about it;
How do you feel after being in different places, do you like being
quiet and still, or do you prefer running around?
Did you enjoy being out in nature – did it feel really different from
being inside?
Do you feel happy after being outside?
14
Created by Jemma Black – Rural Connect
April 2014
b) Nature Senses
“In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.” John
Muir
You can use this as a full activity sheet, or print onto card, cut out the
individual sections and fix together to make an activity booklet!
Complete the activities in your school grounds or local park; use all your
senses to really be part of Nature!
Find a rock;
What colours are in it; Black, White, Yellow, Pink, Blue, Green,
Multicoloured?
Does it have shiny or glittery bits in it?
What does it feel like? Gritty, Smooth, Rough, Jaggy?
Is the rock made of lots of little bits, or a few big bits?
Find a tree;
Touch the bark – is it rough, smooth, bumpy, jaggy, papery?
Touch the leaves – are they soft, crunchy, furry, stiff?
How big is the tree – is it taller than you?
Can you fit your arms around the trunk?
Listen to the noises the tree is making; can you hear the branches
moving? Can you hear the leaves rustling? Are there birds in the tree
15
making a noise?
by Jemma Black – Rural Connect
FindCreated
some
plants and flowers;
April 2014
What colours are they?
What do the leaves feel like? If you run your hand
over them, do they feel the same both ways?
Do they have a smell? Does it smell good or bad?
Are there any insects around the flowers? Bees? Butterflies?
Look;
Find a quiet place to sit for 5 minutes; what can you see
around you?
Are there any animals or birds moving about?
Are the trees moving?
Who else is out in nature today?
Listen;
Stop and listen for a few minutes; what can you hear?
Can you hear birds singing, trees rustling?
Can you hear people talking,
or children playing?
16
Is it noisy or quiet? Does it sound peaceful?
Created by Jemma Black – Rural Connect
April 2014
4. Further Resources and Activities
Woodland Trust’s Nature Detectives
RSPB - For Schools
Scottish Wildlife Trust – For Schools
Scottish Wildlife Trust – Wildlife Watch
Rural Connect Resources
17