Southwest Region: Today
🌄 What does the Southwest look like today — and why is it such a vital part of the United States? In this exciting Grade 4 social studies video, students take a journey across the modern Southwest Region of the United States today. From bustling cities to stunning landscapes, the lesson uncovers how natural resources, economic innovation, and cultural celebrations continue to shape the region.
🌆 Modern Southwest Region of the United States
Students will explore booming cities like Houston, Phoenix, Austin, and Albuquerque — places where technology, energy, and creativity intersect. They’ll learn how oil, gas, and tech industries power local economies and connect to global trade. The video also introduces students to major transportation systems, including highways, ports, and air hubs that keep goods and people on the move.
🌮 This Southwest Region of the United States today video also highlights the region’s rich cultural diversity — from rodeos and food festivals to celebrations rooted in Hispanic and Native American heritage. Students will recognize iconic landmarks like the Alamo, the Grand Canyon, and the Space Center in Houston. They’ll also discover how music, art, and tradition come together in everyday life.
🏆 Perfect for Grade 4 regional geography or civics units, this video brings together economics, geography, and culture in a classroom-ready resource that teachers can trust. It’s an ideal way to introduce how the Southwest connects its past to its present — with lessons that inspire curiosity, cultural appreciation, and civic understanding.
Companion video to Southwest Region: Early Beginnings.
Video Length: 32:55 minutes.
Worksheets
Quiz
City Spotlight
Southwest Region – Video Breakdown
Say It!
Draw A Scene – Southwest Region
Universal Resources
National Standards










Video Subscriptions
When you only need one video- Unlimited viewing of 1 video
- Post-trip quiz + resources for 1 video
- Access to Closed Captioned version of 1 video
- Lowest-cost option
Teacher + Class Subscription
Teacher + Students- Unlimited access to the entire video lesson library
- All quizzes + learning resources
- Access for 1 teacher + all students
- Access to all Spanish videos + resources
- Access to all Closed Captioned videos
- Best value option for one teacher
School-wide Site License
All teachers + All students- Unlimited access to the entire video lesson library
- All quizzes + learning resources
- Access for all teachers and all students
- Access to all Spanish videos + resources
- Access to all Closed Captioned videos
- Best for school administrators supporting their teachers & students
- Up to 500 students – $450/year
- 500-1,000 students – $600/year
- 1,000+ students – $1,000/year
Topics Covered
Where is the Southwest?
States and Subregions
Landforms
Plains, Rivers, Tributaries, Great Lakes
Natural Resources
History
Climate
Economy
Classroom Ideas

Landforms and Bodies of Water
Print out or look at a map of the Region.
Idendify landforms and bodies of water in the Southwest.

Cloze Practice
A cloze piece has full sentences used in the video lesson with blanks where students can write in the information that is missing. This task requires close listening in order to complete it.

Create Quizzes
Students create a quiz based on the information presented for their peers. This can be used as a review for a test, or jigsaw class activity where students are responsible for teaching other students assigned topics.

Visual Learning
Offer videos to struggling learners as another form of creating knowledge and accessing information.

Art and Social Studies
Draw a scene from the video you just watched.
Classroom Ideas for ALL Videos
Dozens and dozens of ideas that you can use in your classroom along with our videos!
Related Videos

Grade 4 - Midwest Region of the US: Today

Grade 4 - Northeast Region of the US

Grade 4 - Southeast Region of the US

Grade 3 - The Geography of Our Communities
Video Subscriptions
When you only need one video- Unlimited viewing of 1 video
- Post-trip quiz + resources for 1 video
- Access to Closed Captioned version of 1 video
- Lowest-cost option
Teacher + Class Subscription
Teacher + Students- Unlimited access to the entire video lesson library
- All quizzes + learning resources
- Access for 1 teacher + all students
- Access to all Spanish videos + resources
- Access to all Closed Captioned videos
- Best value option for one teacher
School-wide Site License
All teachers + All students- Unlimited access to the entire video lesson library
- All quizzes + learning resources
- Access for all teachers and all students
- Access to all Spanish videos + resources
- Access to all Closed Captioned videos
- Best for school administrators supporting their teachers & students
- Up to 500 students – $450/year
- 500-1,000 students – $600/year
- 1,000+ students – $1,000/year