National Parks Discussion Prompts and Pause Points

Read the movie description that appears below the movie player on the National Parks Topic Page. Then use the following prompts to encourage class discussion before, during, and after watching the movie.

Before the Movie

What are some national parks you know about? What do you know about them?

If you’ve been to a national park, which one was it and what do you remember about it?

During the Movie (Pause Points)

Stop at the following times in the movie and ask questions or prompt a discussion to keep students focused and to assess their understanding before moving on:

Timecode 0:54: How do national parks differ from regular parks?

Timecode 2:17: How do national parks help endangered species?

Timecode 3:31: How did westward expansion affect America’s land?

Timecode 5:02: What kind of resistance did Yellowstone and other early national parks face?

Timecode 5:40: Why did conservationists believe there should be light development in the national parks?

Timecode 6:32: What is the role of the National Park Service?

After the Movie

Do agree with the preservationists or conservationists? Why?

What’s your position on energy companies extracting fossil fuel reserves from protected land? Explain.

*BrainPOP’s Discussion Questions and Prompts align to CCSS Speaking and Listening Standards.