This is a virtual field trip that can be used to introduce students to the many physical features of the United States.

1. The Natural Wonders of the U.S.A. Up Close

2. Welcome learners, to the natural
wonders of the good ole' U.S.A. In this
virtual field trip, we will be describing
and locating some of the major physical
features of the U.S.A. Be prepared to
see the many beauties that nature has to
offer!

3. Introduction
In this virtual field trip, we will be focusing on
three major physical features of the USA:
landforms, bodies of water, and natural
wonders.
Let’s first take a closer look at landforms that
can be found in the USA.

4. Background
• Learners for this VFT are fourth graders at
Buckhannon Academy Elementary School
located in Upshur County. These students
have not studied the physical features of the
U.S.A. exactly, but they are familiar with
specific types of landforms such as canyons,
plateaus, volcanoes, mountains, etc... These
learners are always excited to learn new
things and are ready to jump in!

5. Landforms
For this trip,
we will visit
three different
types:
1. Volcanoes
2. Deserts
3. Mountains

6. Volcanoes
Volcanoes are beautiful but can be very
dangerous. This particular desert seen
at the top in named Mount St. Helens
volcano in Washington, USA.

7. Deserts
Deserts are places where it is very
dry and very hot. They are also
very dusty due to the dirt and clay
that covers the ground. Deserts
are also known for their lack of
rainfall. This particular desert seen
in the background is located in
Utah.

8. Mountains
• Mountains are known for their peacefulness
and beauty. The mountains shown below are
the Rocky Mountains which run through
several states throughout the USA.

9. Bodies of Water
For this trip,
we will visit
three different
types:
1. Rivers
2. Oceans
3. Lakes

10. Rivers
• Rivers are found all throughout the USA. The
river pictured below is the Mississippi River.

11. Oceans
There are only two oceans that surround the
USA. As seen in the image, the Atlantic and the
Pacific.

12. Lakes
• Lakes are another beauty that brings calmness
and peace. This lake in particular is the Crater
Lake in Oregon.

13. Natural
Wonders
For this trip, we
will visit three
different types:
1. Mount
Rushmore
2. Northern
Lights
3. Grand
Canyon

14. Mount Rushmore
• Mount Rushmore is one of USA natural
wonders. This monument made from rock
depicts the faces of past U.S. Presidents.

15. Northern Lights
• The Northern
Lights can be
seen in Alaska.
They are one of
many wonders
that people love
to visit.
• http://commons.wikimedia.o
rg/wiki/File:The_Aurora_Bor
ealis_or_Northern_Lights_shi
ne_above_Bear_Lake_in_Ala
ska_050910-F-MS415-
023.jpg

16. Grand Canyon
• The Grand Canyon is definitely a tourist
attraction and can be found in Arizona.
• http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grand_canyon_march_2013.jpg#/media/File:Grand
_canyon_march_2013.jpg

17. Student Learning
Before-During-After
Before
The VFT that I am creating for my students is
focusing on physical features of the United
States. This VFT is going to be used and shown
to my fourth grade class. Before we take a look
at my VFT, we will have a discussion on physical
features we already know. In doing so, we will
fill out a KWL chart. Class participation and
discussion will be how students will be assessed
before.

18. Student Learning
Before-During-After
During
While the VFT is being viewed, students will be given a
blank map of the United States where they will be
asked to find the physical features that they are viewing
in the VFT and correctly place them on their map. In
doing so, students are showing that they are engaged
in their learning (participation). Also, this activity will
increase their ability to identify the states. Students
will be assessed on their ability to listen and their
ability to correctly place the physical features where
they can be found.

19. Student Learning
Before-During-After
After
Once the VFT has been completely viewed, students will be
assigned into groups to choose which physical feature that they
would like to present an informative poster on. Students will
also be asked to include two physical features well known in
W.V. Students will also be asked to use modeling clay to give a
visual of the physical feature that they chose. Students will be
assessed on their participation as well as their projects that they
will be completing. A rubric will be used to assess their
work. They will be required to have all three parts of the project
to receive full credit. They will also be given the chance to self-
assess themselves. Once all work has been turned in, students
will be asked to complete a reflection on the work completed.

20. Credits
• "Mount St Helens Volcano USA aerial view 20050925" by Patrick Flynn (pfflynn)
http://www.flickr.com/people/pfflynn/ - http://www.flickr.com/photos/pfflynn/46997602/sizes/l/in/set-1309236/.
Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons –
• "Utah Desert" by Mike LoCascio - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons –
• "Grays and Torreys Peaks 2006-08-06" by Daidipya - P1010037. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
–
• "Mississippi River Views" by National Park Service -
http://www.nps.gov/miss/photosmultimedia/press_gallery.htm. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia
Commons –
• "Limits 5 oceans" by Ricou31 - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons –
• "Crater lake oregon usa" by Charles Dawley from Petoskey -
|http://www.flickr.com/photos/68977046@N00/2614006436/ Crater Lake - Discovery Point]. Licensed under CC
BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons –
• "Mountrushmore" by Original uploader was Sfmontyo at en.wikipediaLater versions were uploaded by Fuelbottle,
Brimstone86 at en.wikipedia. - Originally from en.wikipedia; description page is/was here.. Licensed under Public
Domain via Wikimedia Commons –
• "The Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights shine above Bear Lake in Alaska 050910-F-MS415-023" by SSGT JOSHUA
STRANG -
http://www.defenseimagery.mil/imageRetrieve.action?guid=1bdb811afda8adfc7b473ec44fe8443dedb9e2c1&t=2.
Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons –
• "Grand canyon march 2013" by In order to comply with the use and licensing terms of this image, the following
text must must be included with the image when published in any medium, failure to do so constitutes a violation
of the licensing terms and copyright infringement: © Tomas Castelazo, www.tomascastelazo.com / Wikimedia
Commons. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons -

21. Continued Credits
• "USA topo en". Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons –
• "Utah in United States (US48)" by TUBS - Own workThis vector graphics image was created with Adobe Illustrator.This file
was uploaded with Commonist.This vector image includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this: Usa edcp
location map.svg (by Uwe Dedering).. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons –
• "Washington in United States" by TUBS - Own workThis vector graphics image was created with Adobe Illustrator.This file
was uploaded with Commonist.This vector image includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this: Usa edcp
location map.svg (by Uwe Dedering).This vector image includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this: USA
Hawaii location map.svg (by NordNordWest).This vector image includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this:
Canada location map.svg (by Yug).. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons –
• "Oregon in United States" by TUBS - Own workThis vector graphics image was created with Adobe Illustrator.This file was
uploaded with Commonist.This vector image includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this: Usa edcp
location map.svg (by Uwe Dedering).This vector image includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this: USA
Hawaii location map.svg (by NordNordWest).This vector image includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this:
Canada location map.svg (by Yug).. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons –
• "South Dakota in United States" by TUBS - Own workThis vector graphics image was created with Adobe Illustrator.This file
was uploaded with Commonist.This vector image includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this: Usa edcp
location map.svg (by Uwe Dedering).This vector image includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this: USA
Hawaii location map.svg (by NordNordWest).This vector image includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this:
Canada location map.svg (by Yug).. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons –
• "Arizona in United States" by TUBS - Own workThis vector graphics image was created with Adobe Illustrator.iThe source
code of this SVG is valid.This file was uploaded with Commonist.This vector image includes elements that have been taken or
adapted from this: Usa edcp location map.svg (by Uwe Dedering).This vector image includes elements that have been taken
or adapted from this: USA Hawaii location map.svg (by NordNordWest).This vector image includes elements that have been
taken or adapted from this: Canada location map.svg (by Yug).. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons -