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Google Earth- Elementary Education

Page history last edited by Brett Arndt 11 years ago

Google Earth

A Practical Guide for Elementary School Teachers

Geography Lessons

By: Brett Arndt and Hannah Weil

Image from Google

Colorado State Standards- Geography (4th Grade)

Students can:

a. Answer questions about Colorado

regions using maps and other

geographic tools (DOK 1-2)

b. Use geographic grids to locate places

on maps and images to answer

questions (DOK 1-2)

c. Create and investigate geographic

questions about Colorado in relation to

other places (DOK 1-3)

d. Illustrate, using geographic tools, how

places in Colorado have changed and

developed over time due to human

activity (DOK 1-4)

e. Describe similarities and differences

between the physical geography of

Colorado and its neighboring states

(DOK 1-2)

Students can:

a. Describe how the physical

environment provides opportunities for

and places constraints on human

activities (DOK 1-2)

b. Explain how physical environments

influenced and limited immigration

into the state (DOK 1-2)

c. Analyze how people use geographic

factors in creating settlements and

have adapted to and modified the local

physical environment (DOK 1-3)

d. Describe how places in Colorado are

connected by movement of goods and

services and technology (DOK 1-2)

What can I do with Google Earth in my classroom? The possibilities are ENDLESS!

National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers

Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning

CreativityTeachers use their knowledge of subject matter,teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning,

creativity, and innovation in both face-to faceand virtual environments.

Design and Develop Digital Age Learning

Experiences and AssessmentsTeachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic

learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge,

skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS·S.

Model Digital Age Work and Learning

Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-icfmXhervo

The benefits of using Google Earth in the classroom

Previewing a Fieldtrip	Students can see what they are going to experience during the fieldtrip. The teacher can plan where they are going to go and what they really want to see/ experience.
Social Networking	Students pose questions to peopleon Facebook and Twitter using hashtags and wait for people to respond from where the students hashtag. Example- #Colorado #California
Units in World/ USA Geography	Google Earth can be added to any unit in the classroom for clarification or a visual picture of the place being studied.
Unlimited Exploration of the World	Students can spend hours exploring the world on the Smart board or on the iPad. Students can explore every corner of the world from the classroom.

What is Google Earth?

Google Earth is an online program that allows users to explore the earth in ways that they would have never known possible. Cities, towns, terain and roads can all be seen using Google Earth and can be useful tools in the classroom. With recent updates to the program, buildings and mountains can be seen in realistic 3D. It's all up to you!

Image: Google Earth Image: Google Earth

How to download Google Earth

Downloading Google Earth is as easy as pushing a couple buttons and opening the program. Google Earth is compatable with PC's, Macs, and Linux operating systems. It all starts with going to the Google Earth website and clicking on the download icon in the top right corner of the screen.

Agree to the terms and conditions

Google Earth should start the download automatically, if no icons pop up on the screen, click the blue link to get the download started.

At the of the screen, a pop up will show, clicking run will start the download.

The program will show dowload speeds along with progress of the download.

Note: Google Earth is an application available for iPod and iPad. Go to the App store for a free download.

After you download you can access this link for further help with using Google Earth:

Google Earth Across The Curriculum- an online user guide for teachers

http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1l5al/GoogleEarthAcrossthe/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freetech4teachers.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fgoogle-earth-across-curriculum.html

This link will lead you to an online Google Earth user guide. It is great because it shows teachers how to incorporate Google Earth into multiple subjects and a step by step process to using the features.

Colorado Geography Examples

This is a view of Rocky Mountain National Park from space. One of the best know National Parks in the United States is right in the backyard of children in Colorado. Learing about the geography of Colorado is very important for children because they learn about the state they live in and the issues they face now and in the future. In the photo below it shows the bark beetle infestation that is killing trees in the forests around the state. Knowing that there is an issue with this beetle now can lead to fewer trees dying in the future is something is done about the destructive beetles. It is up to todays children to learn from today and create a better tomorrow.

Exploring the Rocky Mountains is as easy as searching and going to any flyover view level. Mountains in the Frontrange to the Westers slopes are mapped and in 3D. A fun idea is to enter the flight simulator mode in the program and fly over the mountains. Students can go on their own personal air tour of the Rocky Mountains without even leaving the classroom.

Image: Google Earth

Lesson Plans Using Google Earth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phTmMwuRQdE

Plan and Take a Road Trip through your State

http://www.microsoft.com/education/en-us/teachers/plans/Pages/road_trip.aspx

This lesson allows students to explore a state of their choosing, as they create a travel plan, construct a map, and explore and research various locations throughout the state. (note: In the original lesson it says to use Google map or Bing maps, but using Google Earth can allow students to gather more information)

Northwest Passage

http://serc.carleton.edu/sp/library/google_earth/examples/northwest_passage.html

This lesson is great for older grades that have background knowledge of recent climate changes, however it can be adapted for younger grades as well.

Climate Change: Explore your Earth

http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonplans/exploreyourearth/lesson1.htm

This lesson will help students understand the different components of climate change such as, deforestation and pollution. This lesson is great for promoting discussion and understanding of the current problems our Earth faces. There are more lessons on this website: http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonplans/exploreyourearth/index.htm

5th Grade Landform Flip Book

This link by Susan Reeves is full of Google Earth lesson downloads and activities other then the flip book lesson.

http://tw.neisd.net/webpages/sreeve/tcea2008.cfm

Flat Stanley Google Earth Project

http://www.gelessons.com/

This link has more lesson plans as well, Flat Stanley is well known in elementary schools and using Google Earth for him to travel is a great travel tool.