Mammoth Cave: Its Explorers, Miners, Archeologists, and Visitors (Teaching with Historic Places)

Entrance to Mammoth Cave

The mysterious darkness of Mammoth Cave in southwestern Kentucky has both lured travelers to enter and warned them to stay away. Some entered and never returned. Most entered and came back to tell of their experiences in the dark, silent, and mysterious cave. From the dawn of time visitors have been awestruck by the cave’s size and its rugged beauty. Use this lesson plan to learn more about Mammoth Cave. (Click on the image for the full lesson plan.)

Essential Question

Tour the world's longest cave, a geological wonder, and assess the ways it has been used and preserved as a historic resource.

Objective

1. To describe how Mammoth Cave was formed and how it remains dependent on water;
2. To compare the experiences of travelers who visited the cave over several time periods;
3. To list and describe several ways the cave’s resources have been used;
4. To discover a site in their local community that should be considered for protection.

Background

Time Period: Pre-Colonial through Modern America
Topics: This lesson could be used in U.S. history course units on the development of the national parks or the expansion of tourism in the 1920s and 1930s, and in ecology, geology, or other science courses that deal with natural phenomena.

Grade Level

Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade

Subject

Literacy and Language Arts, Social Studies

Lesson Plan Duration

90 Minutes

Common Core Standards

6-8.RH.2, 6-8.RH.3, 6-8.RH.4, 6-8.RH.5, 6-8.RH.6, 6-8.RH.7, 6-8.RH.8, 6-8.RH.9, 6-8.RH.10, 9-10.RH.1, 9-10.RH.2, 9-10.RH.3, 9-10.RH.4, 9-10.RH.5, 9-10.RH.6, 9-10.RH.7, 9-10.RH.8, 9-10.RH.9, 9-10.RH.10