Google Earth
Google Earth a virtual globe program that shows the earth by the superimposition of images obtained from satellite imagery, aerial photography and GIS over a 3D globe. BUT, Google Earth has many more applications for the classroom, covering many disciplines. As of today, Google Earth is installed on the computers in the HS Lab and the HS Library. If you would like Google Earth installed somewhere else, please let the IT Department know.
Google Earth is easy to use and presents, in a visual context, a great deal of information that applies to topics that are addressed in geoscience courses and many other educational settings. By offering the ability to place this information in combination on a three-dimensional model of the Earth, it can facilitate understanding of the Earth system and the many subject areas that comprise it, ranging from natural sciences to social sciences, history, art, engineering and any other topic that has a geographic component. Information that can be displayed on Google Earth includes aerial and satellite imagery, the numerous layers offered by Google’s database, and a huge amount of third-party data made available by the Google Earth Community and on other web sites. Some great projects for the classroom:
Elementary:
1. Meteors. Have students locate the places around the world where meteors have hit, then use that data to create charts or graphs.
2. My Summer Vacation. Elementary students can explore geography while sharing something about themselves in this lesson.
3. The American Revolution. This activity is appropriate for elementary aged students and traces the paths of America’s founding fathers.
4. Using the Ruler Tool to Measure in Google Earth. This lesson walks teachers through using the ruler tool in Google Earth as a learning resource.
5. Flat Stanley. Scroll down to the May 4th entry here to learn how you can use a Flat Stanley icon to use in Google Earth.
Middle School:
6. San Francisco: visualizing a safer city. Middle school students can do this group project that involves planning to make San Francisco safer during a major earthquake.
7. His Dark Materials: Northern Lights in Google Earth. Read Philip Pullman’s Northern Lights and complete this lesson that uses Google Earth to bring the Norwegian island of Svalbard to life.
8. The Red Badge of Courage. After reading this book, lead students through this lesson plan on the American Civil War.
9. Great Explorers. Study Lewis and Clark in this geography lesson using Google Earth.
10. The World in My Back Yard. This lesson focuses on cultural awareness for 6-8th grade students.
11. God Grew Tired of Us: Migration and Cultural Interaction. Students will watch a documentary film, then study migration and Africa with this lesson. Just substitute Google Earth in place of the 2D maps suggested here.
12. Travels of Odysseus in Google Earth. Map out Odysseus’ travels with this fun lesson.
High School and Beyond:
13. Around the World in 80 Days. After reading Around the World in 80 Days, have students locate 19 placemarks mentioned in the book. Have them select 19 places they would stop and explain why.
14. Energy Consumption Rates across the USA and the World. Use this lesson plan to have students examine and compare energy consumption rates using Google Earth and several other resources.
15. Environmental Reconnaissance of a Salt Marsh. Students will use Google Earth, field work, photography, and other resources to learn about salt marshes in this lesson.
16. The Boxing Day Tsunami. Explore the causes and effects of the tsunami that occurred on December 26, 2004.
17. A new management plan for Stonehenge. Have students create a management plan to improve the visitor facilities at Stonehenge.
18. Modelling sea level change on the Gold Coast. Take a look at surfing and shrinking coastlines along the Gold Coast in this lesson.
19. The Diamond Trade. Explore the social and ecological impact of the diamond trade using this powerful lesson.
20. All Quiet on the Western Front. Read this book, then study Europe and WWI battlefields.
21. Great Monuments of the World. Teach students about monuments around the world as well as the significance of them.
22. Places Quoted in Shakespeare in Google Earth. Visit 85 places mentioned in Shakespeare’s works.
Referenced from 50 Exciting Ideas for the Classroom.
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