Exploring Mountains and Trails
A Journey Through America's Eastern Mountains Grade 4 Social Studies
The Appalachian Mountains
Oldest mountain range in the United States Stretches from Alabama all the way to Canada Home to many smaller mountain ranges Rich in history and natural beauty
Eastern Mountain Ranges Map
Mountain Range Matching
Match each mountain range to its state: White Mountains → New Hampshire Green Mountains → Vermont Adirondack Mountains → New York Catskill Mountains → New York Pocono Mountains → Pennsylvania
The Appalachian Trail
A 2,200-mile hiking trail Connects mountain ranges from Georgia to Maine Takes 5-7 months to hike the entire trail Passes through 14 different states
Meet Benton MacKaye
"An Appalachian Trail: A Project in Regional Planning" - Benton MacKaye, 1921 The man who dreamed of connecting America's eastern mountains with one long trail
Think and Discuss
Why might people want to hike the Appalachian Trail? What would be challenging about hiking for months? How did Benton MacKaye's idea help connect people with nature?
Quick Quiz - What Did We Learn?
Name two mountain ranges in the eastern United States Who created the idea for the Appalachian Trail? What makes the Appalachian Mountains special? How long is the Appalachian Trail?