Traveling around the United States with Google Earth:

Exploring Landmarks

ANNA WEAVER-GUERRAJESSICA MELENDEZ-CARRILLO1st grade Social Studies Timeframe: 5 days

INTERACTIVE PARTICIPATION

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First Grade State Standards Social Studies TEKS

(4) Throughout social studies in Kindergarten-Grade 12, students build a foundation in history; geography; economics; government; citizenship; culture; science, technology, and society; and social studies skills. The content, as appropriate for the grade level or course, enables students to understand the importance of patriotism, function in a free enterprise society, and appreciate the basic democratic values of our state and nation as referenced in the Texas Education Code.

(b)Knowledge and Skills

(4) Geography. The student understands the relative location of places. The student is expected to: (A) locate places using the four cardinal directions; and (B) describe the location of self and objects relative to other locations in the classroom and school.

(5) The student understands the purpose of maps and globes. The student is expected to: (A) create and use simple maps to identify the location of places in the classroom, school, community, and beyond; and (B) locate places of significance on maps and globes such as the local community, Texas, and the United States.

First Grade State StandardsTechnology TEKS K-2

(b) Knowledge and skills.

(1) Foundations. The student demonstrates knowledge and appropriate use of hardware components, software programs, and their connections. The student is expected to:

(A) use technology terminology appropriate to the task;

(B) start and exit programs as well as create, name, and save files; and

(C) use networking terminology such as on-line, network, or password and access remote equipment on a network such as a printer.

Objectives

Students will explore and learn how to use Google Earth.

Students will locate 3 landmarks/monuments around the United States in Google Earth.

Students will engage in learning by creating a poster in Glogster.com about monuments/landmarks located in the United States.

Engage

Teacher will read a book about landmarks/monuments in the United States and what they represent. Students will engage in a group discussion and discuss their thoughts about landmarks.

Explore

Students will watch the video “Landmarks and Monuments” on United Streaming. Students will do a literacy response reflecting what they have learned from the Engage and Exploring component.

Materials

Library book

Smart board

Cows (laptop cart)

Internet access

Explain

Every country in the world has nationally known landmarks or monuments. These landmarks often represent or symbolize the culture of a country.

The Eiffel Tower is a familiar landmark in Paris, France. The Great Sphinx of Giza, Egypt, and the Great Wall of China are also well known around the world. How many famous landmarks, not including those in our country, can you name?

The Statue of Liberty in New York City, New York, is an example of such a national landmark.

What do you know about the Statue of Liberty and what it tells us about the United States of America? Can you name any U.S. landmarks in addition to the Statue of Liberty?

Elaborate

Students will work in cooperative learning groups to locate 3 landmarks/monuments in Google Earth. Students will explore Google Earth and teacher will guide them.

Students will create 1 poster in Glogster.com on 3 landmarks they found to be the most interesting or funny to them. Teacher will be available to assist any student at all times during this project. Students will add clip arts, modify the layout of their presentation and copy the landmarks/monuments they liked the most.

Evaluation/Assessment

Each cooperative learning group will present their posters to the class. The Smart Board, projector and laptop will be set up and ready for each group to use. Rubric will be used to assess learning.

Students will make comments about the presentation and engage in a positive discussion.

Extended Activity:

Students will use Bookemon.com to create a photo book on 5 different landmarks with detailed information, facts and opinions learned throughout this lesson.

RUBRICCATEGORY 4 3 2 1

Comprehension Student is able toaccurately answeralmost all questions posed by classmates about the topic.

Student is able toaccurately answermost questions posedby classmates about the topic.

Student is able to accurately answer a few questions posed by classmates about the topic.

Student is unable to accurately answer questions posed by classmates about the topic.

Content Shows a full understanding of the topic.

Shows a good understanding of the topic.

Shows a good understanding of parts of the topic.

Does not seem to understand the topic very well.

Collaboration with Peers

Almost always listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group. Tries to keep people working well

together.

Usually listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group. Does not cause "waves" in the group.

Often listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group but sometimes is not a good team member.

Rarely listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group. Often is not a good team member.

Vocabulary Uses vocabulary appropriate for the audience. Extends audience vocabulary by defining words that might be new to most of the audience.

Uses vocabulary appropriate for the audience. Includes 1-2 words that might be new to most of the audience, but does not define them.

Uses vocabulary appropriate for the audience. Does not include any vocabulary that might be new to the audience.

Uses several (5 or more) words or phrases that are not understood by the audience.

Props Student uses several props (could include costume) that show considerable work/creativity and which make the presentation better.

Student uses 1 prop that shows considerable work/creativity and which make the presentation better.

Student uses 1 prop which makes the presentation better.

The student uses no props OR the props chosen detract from the presentation.

http://rubistar.4teachers.org/