To conclude our study of the five regions of the United States, students planned a road trip to their top favorite National Parks. Before we left for spring break, students started working on this project, where they had to first decide which National Parks piqued their interest. From there, students narrowed down their list down to five, and then to a final three parks. Students then used price sheets to help them calculate the cost of airfare, daily rental car and transportation-related costs, lodging, food, and activities for each park. They mapped out their trip and created a final slide presentation to show where they “went” on their road trip. We had so much fun learning about the different parks, and then learning that 4th graders get into National Parks for free!

Check out their presentations! (Please note: Some slides may require additional access permission. Be sure to email me if you need access.)

Whit’s road trip to Acadia, Cuyahoga Valley, and Great Smoky Mountain National Parks

Brooklyn’s road trip to Acadia, Glacier, and Kenai Fjords National Parks

Aven’s road trip to Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Everglades National Parks

Violet’s road trip to Olympic, Mt. Rainier, and Great Smoky Mountain National Parks

Madi’s road trip to Biscayne, Badlands, and Glacier Bay National Park

Learn about how your child can learn more about the National Parks over the summer:

• Check out Every Kid Outdoors where you can learn more about how to get your National Parks Pass (free to 4th graders!)Check out these amazing interactive trips to 5 National Parks with Google, and take a Virtual Visit to a National Park.
• Consider becoming a Junior Ranger by completing some digital activities and learn more about some of our wonderful natural wonders and historic sites. Many of these are activities that you can start now and keep your brain learning over the summer with some reading and writing activities. There are plenty of online activity guides & interactives to explore!
• Unearth the basics of archeology as a Junior Archeologist, gaze up at the stars as a Junior Ranger Night Explorer, dig for fossils as a Junior Paleontologist, or blast off out of this world as a Spaceflight Explorer Junior Ranger. Young train and railroad lovers can become Junior Ranger Railroad Explorers.
• Print out and complete a National Parks Map & Activity.