4th Grader Free Teacher Resources

It’s that time of the year again… school items are back on sale at Target and Walmart. Hopefully you’re excited for the set of new students that are coming to join your classroom this year!

I love meeting my students and getting to know them. They love finding out about their teacher. One of my favorite things to do at the beginning of the year is to introduce my students to my love of history and social studies by showing them some of the cool things available to them, specifically in the 4th grade.

4th grade is a special time where students get to learn about their state. Its history, resources, plants, animals, etc. One of the best ways to learn about the state is to get out and explore it… unfortunately many districts don’t have that kind of a field trip budget! Luckily, there is a program to help 4th graders do just that with their families. The Every Kid Outdoors Program gives every 4th grader in the nation a pass to get into our national parks, monuments, and historic sites for free!! That’s right, FREE, the only catch is they need their printed pass with them at the entrance to the site.

As a 4th grade teacher you can print a pass for each of your students and send it home to their parents. This helps spread the word about the wonderful program. You can generate their passes and find free lesson plans by clicking here.

My latest badge & park guide!

Once kids and their families are in the park they can participate in my favorite program that is held within all national parks. This program is also free, it is the Junior Ranger program. It helps kids learnabout the park they are visiting. There is an activity guide they can pick up from the visitor center, that helps them notice their surroundings, learn additional information about the area, and helps deepen their experience. When they finish they can turn their packet into a park ranger and get a free Junior Ranger badge. It’s a great little souvenir that doesn’t cost parents a dime and kids learn more about their state! I’ve collected a few along the way. I can’t wait for my own children to be old enough to participate in the Junior Ranger program! You can click here to find additional information on this program.

My badge I earned after learning all about Jamestown!

Students get so excited to know they can visit parks with their family for free. Every year I have at least one family plan a national park trip for their fall break! They love to come back and tell their classmates about it. Seriously these are both great programs and students love to hear what they can do. It helps get them jazzed for social studies!

Good luck and happy teaching this year!

PS: As a teacher it’s fun to display any of your Junior Ranger badges that you earn to help get students excited!