National Parks Virtual Field Trip with Reading Passages, Explore 5 US Parks

Take a virtual road trip to learn about the top 5 most visited National Parks in the United States! Students will use multiple print and digital sources to draw information to answer questions about the National Parks. A reading passage is included for each of the five U.S. National Parks your students will visit. A printable and Google Slides version are included in this file.

Students will learn about the following:

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Grand Canyon National Park
• Zion National Park
• Yosemite National Park
• Rocky Mountain National Park

How it Works:

Students begin by reading a one-page passage about the National Park to build background knowledge. Then they will complete their Park Pass. This includes using the 360-degree features on Google Earth to explore the parks and answer the questions. In addition, students will navigate to the National Parks website to learn more.

This lesson can be conducted over a week, with students spending time exploring one park per day. Students will fill out a road map throughout the trip to track their location as they move across the United States.

What’s Included:

• Teacher Set-Up Instructions
• Reading Passages (each park included)
• Park Passes (all student instructions are included)
• Road Map (students label their road trip locations on the map)
• Extension Activities (analyze the text sheets)
• National Parks Labels (manila folder labels if using print version)
• Assessment (fill in the blank, T/F, short answer)
• Answer Keys
• Grading Rubric
• Google Slides Edition
• Google Earth Quick Guide Reference Sheet

Answer Keys & Extension Worksheets:

All answer keys are provided. A grading rubric is also included, as well as 2 extension worksheets where students analyze the reading passages. The extension sheets work well as a wrap-up activity. A Google Slides edition is included so that the pages can be completed digitally.

Technology Needed:

Students will need access to Google Earth, and the websites provided. You will want to ensure ahead of time that your school’s server does not block the websites. Also, websites change from time to time. I have done my best to include questions that will make sense even if a website changes, however, I will also do my best to ensure that this resource is up to date and reflects any major website changes. UPDATED 5.21.24

This resource is aligned with the following standards:

:: Common Core Reading Informational Text

:: Washington State Geography Standards

:: Can crosswalk to many different state standards

If you have questions, feel free to reach out prior to purchasing. I can be reached directly by email at: michellemcdonald9515@gmail.com

Interested in a different virtual field trip? Check this one out:

Seven Natural Wonders of the World

Thank you!

Michelle McDonald, B.A.E.

Social Studies Education, K-12

Elementary Education K-8

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