Florida SS.7.G.2.2

Social Studies7th GradeUnderstand physical and cultural characteristics of places.

The Standard

Locate major physical landmarks that are emblematic of the United States.

Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students identify well-known natural features such as the Grand Canyon, Mississippi River, Great Lakes, Rocky Mountains, and Everglades. They place each feature in the correct region on a United States map.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students can label major natural landmarks on a blank map without relying on state borders alone. They can use nearby states, regions, rivers, mountains, and coastlines to explain each location.
Common Misconceptions: Students may confuse natural landmarks with human-made sites such as Mount Rushmore or the Statue of Liberty. They may place large features in one state even when those features cross several states.
How to Assess It: Give students a blank United States map and ask them to label five named natural landmarks. Have them write one location clue for each landmark.

Lesson moves

Give pairs landmark cards and modeling clay, then have them build and place each feature on a large outline map.
Ask students to write which natural landmark best represents the United States and support their choice with two geographic details.
Play landmark bingo using map locations as clues, such as a major river flowing south into the Gulf of Mexico.
Have students plan a five-stop national parks trip and mark the natural landmarks, states, and travel route on a map.

Keep exploring

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