Me On The Map- A Google Earth Tour

I created a unit plan last semester introducing first grade students to their city, state, and country.  One of the ways we wanted to showcase this was through Google Earth.  Although it is on screen, I thought the students would get a feeling for the scope of how small our city is when comparing it to things like our state, country and Earth as a whole.

The unit would focus on the Virginia Standard of Learning for History and Social Sciences in grade one:

VA SOL 1.4   The student will develop map skills by
a) recognizing basic map symbols, including references to land, water, cities, and roads;
b) using cardinal directions on maps;
c) identifying the shapes of the United States and Virginia on maps and globes;
d) locating Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, and Richmond, the capital of
Virginia, on a United States map.

As part of the unit, I would introduce the students to a book called Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney.  We would do a project based on this book that puts a photo of each student in their school, town, state, country, continent, and world.  With this lesson in mind, I designed my Google Earth tour.  I started locally at our school.

I am sure to point out things they will recognize like our bus loop and playground.  A few of them might even be able to see their house in the neighborhood.  From here we move out to view our city, Woodbridge, VA.

When we look at Woodbridge, we can see where our school is located inside the city.  We can see important roads and rivers.  One road leads down to Richmond, the capitol of our state, Virginia.

When we look at Virginia, we can talk about the ocean that is close by and the mountains that run along the west side of the state.  We can also talk about how our town is in the northern part of the state.  From here, we will move out to view the entire country.

The country is so big that we will barely be able to see our school!  I will have one of the children find it and show everyone.  I will also have them show us where Washington, DC is.  We will talk about how close it is to us.

After looking at our country, we will move out to view our continent.  From there, we will at a few different views of the Earth as a whole.  To conclude, we will zoom back to our school, noting that compared to the size of Earth as a whole, we are really small!

Instead of viewing this on a computer screen, I plan on viewing this on a big screen Smart board in the classroom.  After introducing it to them, I will show them how to find the program and places we talked about on the computer so they can explore the same places on their own.

Here is the lesson plan:

Lesson Plan: Intro to Map Skills Unit: Virtual Fieldtrip to Space to view Earth (Google Earth)

Tessa Wise EDCI 532

Lesson Components	Description
Virginia Standards of Learning	VS1.4
NCSS Themes	3. People, places, and environments
Objective	Students will know: A map is a drawing that shows what places look like from above and where they are located.  A globe is a round model of the Earth. Students will understand: The United States and Virginia can be identified by their shapes on maps and globes.   Students will be able to: Locate areas on maps, interpret simple maps and globes, differentiate color symbols on maps and globes (water vs. land).
Assessment/Monitoring	Pre-assessment through making a KWL chart
Procedures	Bring globe and map to front of the room. Gather students on floor in front of smart board. Ask, “does anyone know what these items are?” They will answer globe and map. Explain that a map is a drawing that shows what places look like from above and where they are located.  A globe is a round model of the Earth.  These things are representations of what Earth looks like from far away. Ask, “what kinds of things can we find on a map or globe?”.  Let them answer.  Talk about land, water, cities, states, countries, roads, compass rose, and map key.  Show them examples of each item on the globe and map. Ask, “do you know what we use maps and globes for?” Let them answer.  Talk about how we use maps to find our way geographically, to compare things like how much water vs. how much land, and distances between areas. Start smart notebook presentation. Go through important vocabulary for unit.  Each slide will have one vocabulary word and an example picture.  Talk about each one as you work through the slides. Vocab includes: cardinal directions, compass, compass rose, map, globe, symbol, North, South, East, West, map key, and birds-eye view. Make a KWL chart on large paper for our unit bulletin board.  Work with students to add what they already know and what they want to learn about maps, globes, and the cardinal directions. Explain how like maps, technology also helps us view the earth from far away.  We can use Google Earth to see satellite images of what the Earth really looks like.  These images come from a camera up in space.   Bring up Google Earth on smart board.  Start on view of Earth featuring the North America.  A pin will be on our school.  Show them how the globe looks like the picture of Earth from space.   Zoom in on our school.  You should be able to see our playground, the bus turnaround, and our blue roof.   Once they recognize this, begin zooming out slowly. Show them our city- the river is a good reference.  Show them that there are a lot of buildings in a town. Zoom out again to show the shapes of the states.  Show them where Virginia is and that the pin is in our school in our town in Virginia.  Trace the shape of Virginia on the smart board. Zoom out again to show the shape of the United States.  Ask them if they can find Virginia and our town on the map.   Zoom out again to show the world.  Show them how they can move around the world like on a globe.  Explain that they will get to explore these features on their own during center time.  Google Earth will be on the computers to use independently. Ask the students if they have any questions about the up coming unit.   Ask in summary “who can tell me what these objects are?” Point to the globe and map. Ask in summary “who can tell me what these objects are used for? Ask “what are you most excited about learning in this unit? Wrap up the lesson by talking about what you will be doing in the coming days.  Explain that we will be doing activities to look a little closer at our town, our state, and our nation and where they are located on the map.  Get them excited about our unit by calling them explorers! Make sure to send parent letter home tonight.  It explains the unit and what parents can work on at home.
Materials/Equipment/ Preparation	Globe, Map of USA, Map of Earth, Google Earth (to use on smart board), large piece of paper for KWL chart, smart board presentation of vocab words, parent letter
Differentiation	This lesson will be a group lesson.  I am counting on student participation.  I will call on students to help me answer questions, to ask questions, and to help with the KWL chart.  I can differentiate by selecting students who struggle to help in ways I know they will succeed.
Prior and/or Foundational Knowledge	The students learned about positional words and basic map concepts and awareness in kindergarten geography. They should know the name of our town, state, and country as well as the above listed vocabulary words in order to succeed with this lesson.
Rationale for Lesson	Students need to know the basics of the geography unit before looking more closely at each lesson.  This lesson is important because it introduces the students to vocabulary and important background information that will be used throughout the unit. I want the students to get excited about our unit on geography.  I think a virtual fieldtrip to Earth from space through Google Earth will jumpstart their excitement and start them thinking about our town, state, and country in relationship to the rest of the world.