Hello Everyone. Lets start some discussion for Module 2. If you have not investigated Google Earth, do so before posting. For those who have, tell me some different ways you can use googleearth in the classrooms. Thanks, Splichal
Honestly, I only use Google for quick research. But, usually, I use Yahoo for that. So, that being said, I did not know anything about Google Earth. I have always heard a lot of controversial remarks made about Google Maps. From what I can tell, Google Earth is entirely different than Google Maps. Google Earth would be a terrific way for students to literally view the places discussed during Social Studies. Or, the sky, moon, ocean, and Mars links would fit perfectly into Science lessons. The teacher could easily navigate the site for the entire class to see at one time. Or, the older students could easily navigate through the site with adult supervision. Google Earth can be used as a way to bring foreign places into the classroom. Using this tool allows the teacher to put a picture with the information presented in the classroom about places, things, cultures, etc. The visual aspect of Google Earth creates a memorable lesson, because the students are using a different tool and can view it on their own. Plus, it is an awesome tool. I will definitely use Google Earth in my future classroom.
Well lets see. . . . . I was sort of just in Vegas. I played around with Google Earth a little and I really wish I had someone here to instruct me on how to use it. I mean I think I have some of the basics down but I know there is so much more I could do that I have no idea about. On my phone I have downloaded the application Google Earth but honestly never used it. This would be great to show students places that we were studying. This way you have a better idea of what it looks like. With Google Earth students can learn vicariously. I would spend some time searching places they were interested in. I also would coordinate it with our lessons. Still, I need to learn more about it to feel comfortable teaching students about it.
Meredith~I love Google maps. I agree that you could use Google Earth while studying Social Studies and allowing students to see the places that were being studied.
Google Earth can be used in many different ways. Students and teacher can explore all of the Earth, places both close and far away. Teachers can use Google Earth to teach students about space. One of the applications allows students to get an up close view of planets, stars, and other space anomalies that have occurred in the past. Students can study the constellations, the Crab nebula, or Orion nebula, and see stars being created. Students can also view images of the Moon with the 3D imaging, including the Apollo missions. Another very cool feature that teachers can use is the historical imagery. Using the historical imagery teachers can show now and then views of the Earth. If students are learning about Rome the teacher can pull up a now image and then he/she can pull up an image of years ago. Not every place has an image available from the past, so the teacher would need to do some planning before jumping into this. Google Earth can also be used to measure distances and plot routes from place to place. The most common use of Google Earth is the street view. That is something very neat as well. Students and teachers can choose locations and feel like they are taking an actual drive down the street. Google Earth can be like a virtual vacation for students and teachers. I love using it!
Samantha, great remarks a out GoogleEarth. If you all take a look in Course Docs, I have one in there about GoogleEarth. It is a shot of the Nile river. You can actually see ships coming in and out of the ports. Pretty cool. So many different ways that you can use this in the classroom.
What about MAP SKILLS? What are some ways to teach map skills without the usual "plotting a trip from point A to point B" ? Can some of you give some good ideas?
Although I had heard of Google Earth, I was not aware of its many uses. Now that I have actually explored the site, I can say that I am more excited about teaching SS. There are so many great apps out there and we have advanced so far technologically from when I was in school 30 years ago, that I am excited about teaching in general. I will admit that Google Earth was a bit overwhelming for me, there is just so much to see and we are not just talking about the earth, we are talking about the heavens as well. We have come from cutting out pictures in National Geographic which is limited to the articles printed, to choosing your own random topic and accessing information on Google Earth. This allows students to be more involved in planning lessons. They can choose what interests them which make for a better learning experience. I can’t wait to use Google earth in the classroom but first I need to play around with it more and become more familiar navigating around the site.
I like your suggestion about allowing the students to use Google Earth to decide what places they want to learn about. This would automatically attract the students' interests, because they will be exploring a place they chose to learn about.
I personally have only used Google Earth to find my own address. However, I can see that this can be a tool to show children other areas of the world. It also had some great videos about inside the oceans to the moon, mars, and the sky. It also has historical maps to show what was where in the past. I can see easily using this for many subject areas. It would be great to show students how earth actually looks firsthand. I love that it would show how certain industries are located in certain areas of towns. It would also be great to use when studying different things in science. In addition it would be a great reference when reading literature that refers to specific countries.
Meredith Ramsey, I agree allowing the children to use it to explore possibilities is awesome. I can see the students getting really excited about having a choice and finding out about it. They would be highly motivated and engaged in learning.
Developing map skills is one of those skills where a teacher must sequence the learning. First of all, one must have knowledge of direction. Teachers can explain the cardinal directions and how to a compass rose shows the directions. The intermediate directions come next. I have tooled around with Google Earth a little, and I believe using this technology can really enhance the learning of all students. A student can be guided to what longitude and latitude Point A and Point B are at. Questions such as, "what bodies of water do you cross?", "what means of transportation would you use?", and "how many miles is the trip as the crow flies?" should be addressed to get the students to apply their knowledge. I believe with Google Earth, the students must be guided with a graphic organizer or they may just get fixated on something else. However, letting them get familiar with the site is crucial as well.
I love how you included latitude and longitude into the experimentation with Google Earth. And, I didn't even think about a compass rose! I think the compass rose is the most important part when dealing with map skills. Knowing North, South, West, and East is beneficial for more than just map skills.
My daughter did a really fun activity in 4th grade that lasted nearly half of the year. It was somewhat of a pen-pal/Flat Stanley activity. Each student selected 4 people across America, preferably each person from different region. The student provided the addresses, a small box and $5 to help with the project.
Each student wrote a letter explaining the activity. Basically the receiver was encouraged to write a small note about the area they live in - what time of year they got it, weather, local jobs, local hot spots, anything interesting that the student could later share with the class. Enclosed was a small cardinal (the school's mascot) and the receiver could take a picture with the mascot or maybe include a postcard of the area. The receiver would then send the package to the next person on the list and so on until the cardinal and all the contents returned back to the classroom.
Throughout the end of the year boxes would return randomly giving each student a chance to have the limelight and share the contents of the box. A variety of curriculum was used for this project, maps, regions, social studies, science, reading, writing, speaking...
One student had an Air Force pilot take a picture of the cardinal in a jet plane during mid flight. You can bet that class period got a lot of buzz. Two of my children completed the 4th grade project and really enjoyed it. It was one of the few things they would get excited about and come home and tell me what they learned. :)
@ Lacey You nailed the purpose of Google Earth. It is all about bringing technology into the classroom. Children today love screen time. Whatever opportunity we have to get them in front of a screen is so important.
Now that I have checked out Google Earth and some other geographic information systems (GIS) online, I'm more convinced now that there really is no need to make teaching map skills the "same ol', same ol'." For the younger grades, I think using mapquests online is a fun way to teach about the different types of maps, such as: explorer's maps, political maps, population maps, topographical maps, concept maps or GPS/driving maps. Some sites I found that are helpful are: worldmapper.org; maps.google.com; and strangemaps.wordpress.com. The teacher could pose questions like: How do you use maps in your daily life? What types of maps do you use most often or come across and engage with? How are they useful or not? For older elementary students, the interactive websites are great for teaching higher order thinking and real-world issues. They also teach important skills such as spatial analysis and pattern recognition. At The Gateway to 21st. Century Skills website, I found an interactive program that shows students where shipwrecks have been found all over the globe. I would like to put together a lesson where students do a kind of scavenger hunt to find shipwreck locations using information I supply them (coordinates, landmarks, etc.). I know the 5th. Graders I'm working with this semester would be all over that kind of project. Anything about treasure, shipwrecks, pirates etc. is super fascinating for this age group. Those are some ideas I had, but I think the creative possibilities are endless.
Google Earth is a fun and exciting application to download! I believe children of any age would enjoy using it because you can type in an exact address and you can fly automatically the location! When first being introduced to Google Earth, I typed in the address where I grew up. It was neat to see the earth get smaller and smaller as it zoomed in on my street address. It was also interesting to see all of the other street names in Smith Center. If someone asked me what road to turn on to get somewhere in Smith Center, I probably wouldn't know. This would not only assist me but help me learn the street names. This application would work perfect in a Social Studies class for any grade. Instead of using a flat, boring map, teachers could have students type in a specific city, town or country. It not only "flies" students wherever they want to go, but has interactive videos about certain countries.
I struggled learning how to read a map and learning how to measure the distance between two places. The second grade teacher where I currently worked painted each wall a different bright color, red, yellow, green and orange. Each color stood for a different direction. I thought this not only gave the students a good learning environment but gave them an easy way to learn their directions. I learned my directions by the phrase "Never Eat Sour Watermelon." There are many different unique phrases for students to learn there direction. Teachers must always remember to keep things hands-on or interactive to keep the students engaged or interested in learning.
Calee, that is interesting because when I learned directions, it was always drilled into us to put N/S together and W/E together. Even though if you go around the compass, it makes sense to learn them like you are saying!
I am exploring Google Earth this morning. The image of my address is over 3 years old because 3 1/2 years ago they tore down the house that was on this lot and then built the house I live in now. I could not get Google Earth to take me to my parents house, it went down the block from them. I am exploring now, I will comment more later.
After reading all the posts, I have some things I wanted to share. The classroom I am in for my interships this fall is a 6th grade classroom, their current social studies project is Ancient Egypt/Mesopotamia. Half the class is researching Mesopotamia and half is doing Egypt. Each student has a "job." Some are chefs, some are musicians, some are cartographers, and some are architects. The architects and cartographers especially are using Google Earth a lot. They are researching their individual areas and making maps using Google Earth. One of the things I love about where I am doing my internship is that the students have one-to-one laptops, and it is not like they sometimes get them out. In every subject, they have something on their laptop. They use Moodle a lot for the math. But for this social studies project, they are searching sites that the teacher has set up in Moodle and writing reports in Google docs. Technology is very much a part of the classroom. One of the students who is a cartographer (map maker) was frustrated yesterday because his assignment was to use Google Earth to make his map, and he is used to using sandbox(?). The teacher was firm that he needs to learn new ways to do things and be comfortable learning Google Earth. This will part of his contribution to the class project. At this grade level, the expectation is pretty high and Google earth is a great tool for what he is doing. I can see that it can used at lower levels to develop map skills and internet skills at the same time!
You are all having some wonderful ideas. I am proud of the way you are thinking. Can we talk about Project 2 for a bit? Let's use blog to explore any questions you may be having about the project. Also, please don't wait until Oct 10 and 11 to call me. hahahahaha Splichal
Carrie- Your way of putting N/S and E/W would make sense in learning your directions as well! I have also learned in many of my education classes that every student learns differently so teachers need to have more than one way for students to learn their directions. Like I mentioned in my blog post, there are many different phrases to memorize when learning your directions.
Carrie- That is awesome that each student has a laptop. The school where I am doing my internship hasn't had the chance to use computers yet. They have a computer lab but not a computer for each student. At the school I currently work at, seniors are given their own Apple computer. I'm not sure if they get to keep it or have to return it. I'm sure they come in very handy. The project the students are doing seem very interesting and fun. They are not only learning the information, but are assigned a job! I thought this was a great idea to keep them engaged in learning!
Victoria- I agree with you about Social Studies not having to be taught the regular way anymore. I was taught by lecture, and taking notes with paper and pencil. Now with Googleearth, students can "fly" directly to the place or region they are studying. This helps them locate the specific place, learn directions and learn how to use a new technology. Good idea!
@ Victoria and Calee - I agree with you both as well, Social studies was always so boring for me because the teachers were never able to see how to really make the subject interactive. Resources such as Google Earth and map skills as well as the other online websites that give ideas on different ways to make social studies interactive and interesting. I interned in a 5th grade classroom last semester and these students knew how to do so much on the computers that I was amazed at how much information they absorbed on how to navigate and utilize different programs, they were teaching me a lot of things. Utilizing these things are not only good for learning about whatever they are researching but good for learning more about technology which is a must in the world today.
So in project 2, we are basically suppose to take what information the teacher gave us on how he/she teaches current events and map skills then trying to improve upon whatever teaching instruction that he/she said they do? Is that correct? I know it might sound outrageous but what if the teacher really does the top of the line instruction already and it's hard to expand on it much more? How often are 2nd graders taught current events ? Just curious?
Google Earth is exciting even for me to use as an adult. It is fun to look at different places in the world and "discover" things that I have never seen before. I think in the classroom it is a great way for students to use as a visual. Much like Angela, Victoria, and Calee have said, social studies for me on most days was kind of boring. I think that by locating the areas where the events happened and seeing those areas can get students more interested in the topic. Also, it can get them to explore other areas. We could assign the students to locate another landmark in history and have them give a presentation about that point in history. As for project 2, none of the teacher's in my building do current event topics. My teacher commented on it being a "touchy" subject and that you never know what might bring up in class that might upset parents at home. They do have a Scholastic News magazine that they read through each month for a reading block and then they discuss what they read.
Thank you for sharing that project that you are observing in your 6th grade classroom. I think allowing students to use their creativity and try to find their interests is a great way to get students involved and learn what they are studying.
Yes, I asked my mentor teacher how she informs the students on current events and teaches map skills. I explained her processes and included how I would expand on it. I don't think it is outrageous to say that there is really no expanding on what the teacher already does. Some teachers are just that great and creative at teaching. I would just say that in your summary. :)
Regarding Project 2, I have been fairly disheartened so far this semester in how social studies is taught in my grade level (third). There are six classrooms in this grade level pod, with three classes doing social studies for four weeks while the other three classes do science, then they flip-flop. Science and social studies takes place 3 days per week for 45 minutes. The curriculum is entirely textbook-based and is really not motivating OR exciting. Because of this, I decided to pose my Project 2 questions to a teacher at another grade level where I am doing science internships. I caught the tail end of his social studies unit at the first of the year, and his seemed to be more active and hands-on. He teaches 4th grade.
Current events instruction is limited. The classrooms receive Time for Kids magazine, and the teachers use this during either social studies or reading enrichment time. Usually the articles tie in with current events or upcoming holidays, which prompts further discussion. The website associated with the magazine offers videos and extension materials that tie in with each issue.
Back in my social studies internship classroom in third grade, students are studying communities, and have been introduced to the compass rose and the legend or map key. This introduction came straight from textbook readings and students did a workbook page which asked them to utilize the map’s features to answer questions correctly. (Yawn)
In fourth grade, map skills are touched upon at the beginning of the year, introducing lines of latitude and longitude and reviewing map key and compass rose. Later in the year, students study maps during their study on specific states in the U.S., mapping rivers, lakes, state and national borders, cities, etc. as they study the state.
Regarding the use of Google Earth and teaching map skills:
I have seen Google Earth used to search for particular places in literature, and students loved it! In my RLA internship last spring, one student asked if we could look at Frog Creek, Pennsylvania, the setting for the Magic Tree House books. Although we could not find Frog Creek, it prompted a discussion about realistic fiction and deciphering what was real and fictional in the story. This would be a fantastic addition to any sort of geography or history lesson, obviously, but could be used to connect with other classrooms around the world to study just about anything!
In response to Lacey Keller: I completely agree that map skills should be sequenced! I definitely think that introducing these topics needs to be done in an interesting way, however. In my internship classroom, students are just being introduced to the compass rose and the legend through the textbook. I think it would be more compelling to have them create a map of their playground or school and implement a map key and compass rose. I am really struggling to find classrooms that focus on social studies adequately, much less ones that make learning social studies interesting and fun!
The project is going good for me so far. The only thing that I saw with the teacher and her map skills teaching is she does the same thing day after day. What I mean is the students don’t even have to be told what to do they just get out their maps and folders. Some of the students are getting bored because they are starting to just draw on the folders. Like so many others have mentioned, she could use Google maps. This school I am at is really just getting into the technology world, but they have received so many different technology devices, so they should use them. The class has a Promethean board at the front of the class and the students just play games, writes the names on a map, and they practice handwriting. What would happen if the students were allowed to go on Google maps and find their house? I just thought of a lesson for me to do my formal teach. The blog is helping me.
Google Earth is amazing! Never before have school aged children we been able to see the world like this! Textbooks, pictures, and videos alike, have showcased some of the features of what our world has to offer. With Google Earth, it is like you are right there; present day-exploring different angles, views, imagery, oceans, trees- terrain, buildings, cities, businesses and even our home! All perspectives of this magical universe, right from your computer to an InterWrite board/projector in a classroom full of eager students ready to learn about what the world has to offer. *Google Earth PRO is available for educators as well, to take an in-depth look at the world surrounding us and in 3D! Teaching about our universe in an interactive form is proven informative, useful and stimulating than the ordinary textbook lesson. I hope to incorporate my formal observation in Social Studies using Google Earth! My mentor teacher is currently teaching a unit on Map Skills: how to use and read a map, what is included on a map, why maps are important and useful. Students then created their very own Island “Fruit Map” following guidelines of what an actual map must include, and presented it to the class. The use of Google Maps could also be incorporated in viewing islands terrain, look, features, resources, cities, capitals and locations for added understanding when creating their own Island “Fruit Map.” Below, I have included different subjects and content for accessing Google Earth and what lessons can be instructed Biology and Ecology: Replace a standard lesson with a short quiz that uses Google Earth to take students on an ecology search mission. http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2008/02/putting-google-earth-to-test.html
Environmental and Earth Sciences: View Google Earth layers containing images, links, and descriptions, with information about thousands of volcanoes around the globe http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/globallists.cfm?listpage=googleearth
History, Social Studies, and Humanities: Have students explore the dining customs of a variety of countries by building an International Cookbook where users virtually visit the various countries. While they’re ‘in-country” why not stop by and visit a few points of cultural interest?
Art History and Architecture: Search famous museums like the Louvre in Paris. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=louvre&ie=UTF8&z=16&msa=0&msid=107463425232929977209.00043969a3d53625fd362
English and Literature: Lesson: Google Lit Trips: Explore literature through Google Earth, flying between places mentioned in the books you class is reading.
Math: Use real-time coordinates to demonstrate distance calculations and verify the results using our measurement tools. http://earth.google.com/support/bin/static.py?page=guide.cs&guide=22365&topic=23730&answer=148135
Here is an example of a 2nd grade Lesson Plan in collaboration with Google Earth tools: Scavenger Hunt: North America’s Physical Features This lesson plan is for 2nd Grade and recommended for the Social Studies/Geography subject. Teachers can use this plan to demonstrate how to use a map to locate important physical features and countries of North America. *I have included some more useful URL’s for continued learning and understanding of how to use Google Earth in the classroom setting: Google Earth Educators URL: http://www.google.com/earth/educators/ Lesson plans and resources to help understand how to use Google Earth in the Classroom URL: http://sitescontent.google.com/google-earth-for-educators/classroom-resources/lesson-plan-library Teaching with Google Earth URL: http://serc.carleton.edu/sp/library/google_earth/index.html
The challenges you are facing with inadequate Social Studies instruction, (i.e. textbook only) is disheartening. As there is so many different ways to incorporate instruction of Social Studies to our students interactively, physically and hands on (creating their very own map-as my mentor teacher is implementing in her classroom). I hope you can veer the teacher to a more educational and simulating method of instruction. Quite possibly mentioning Google Earth and how lesson plans can be incorporated in the learning of what Google Earth has to offer us educationally? :)
Well it seems that this assignment is all about seeing how our teacher teaches these skills and how we can make them better. First of all this teacher is amazing and she is retiring after this year. Even though she is retiring she is still willing to learn new things and find new ways to do things which I think is so great. She has admitted that she should use technology more and brought up that she should be teaching about the use of GPS because this is the reality of her students and their futures. She said that she is currently doing some research on it so that she can use it in her classroom. I don’t think I have any questions at this time. I can see that I am going to be pushed to find other ways to use technology for some of these skills, so this will be a stretch for me. On a side note I am sorry I am going to be one of those people calling you the last two days. I just started getting to the assignments this last week and I was busy Monday and Tuesday of this week.
The challenges you are facing with inadequate Social Studies instruction, (i.e. textbook only) is disheartening. As there is so many different ways to incorporate instruction of Social Studies to our students interactively, physically and hands on (creating their very own map-as my mentor teacher is implementing in her classroom). I hope you can veer the teacher to a more educational and simulating method of instruction. Quite possibly mentioning Google Earth and how lesson plans can be incorporated in the learning of what Google Earth has to offer us educationally? :)
This was exactly what I was referring to when i talked about Multiple Entry points. WE must teach in different and interactive ways in order to be the most effective. Don't just stick to one source. Use many. Varied Instruction.
Good discussions. I'm proud of you.
Splichal
NOW, lets talk about RESEARCH. RESEARCH seems to be lacking in schools over the past several years. Many of you didn't even do research until college. Why is that? What can't our elem ed students RESEARCH? There are so many possibilities here. What are some ways you can incorporate RESEARCH into your lessons?
I think elementary students can and should do research. Qualitative research studies are not difficult to do, and with some guidance from the teacher, very "doable" for young students. Once idea that could be incorporated into a lesson plan easily is to have the students research customary clothing for a certain era or region as part of a role-playing re-enactment. To put democratic citizenship in action, kids could research volunteer opportunities in the area and pitch in as a class for a hands-on, minds-on lesson on community building. The fifth graders I'm working with right are doing research to find out how much it will cost to build a new exhibit at Science City. Each group has a $200,000 budget to work with. When I was in elementary school, research opportunities were completely absent, but I'm seeing a transformation about teacher attitudes when it comes to research and elementary education. Creative lesson planning and the incorporation of projects (vs. one period lessons) provide more opportunities to teach research principles. Variety if the key.
I agree that research projects and the skills necessary to conduct and present the knowledge learned should be an important part of the elementary curriculum. I was in elementary school a long time ago and at that time, research was a part of the curriculum. One of the first projects that I can remember was in third or fourth grade, I researched Switzerland and wrote a report about that country. I saw that report several years ago and I think it was mostly plagiarized from an encyclopedia, but it was a start. In high school, I can remember doing research projects as well, however that was in the day when research was limited to encyclopedias and whatever articles could be found, before the Internet made researching topics much more comprehensive and so much easier. In my internship, I have seen fourth grade students researching facts about different states and creating posters or reports. I think when developing a research project, it is important to give the students the latitude to create a finished product rather than giving them a cookie cutter fill in the blank form.
Research is a great goal, but in order to incorporate it into lessons, a teacher must first teach the student the skills necessary to conduct research. This should be done in steps that are reinforced and scaffolded. First, a teacher must help the students develop a plan for the topic being researched. Once a plan is in place, then the search for information begins. Students can use books, magazine articles, a dictionary, and encyclopedias as well as Internet sources. Next, note taking strategies should be taught. Finally, when the student has organized the information, they need to learn how to use what they have learned to create their project or report. Once these skill have been taught, the sky is the limit on what research topics can be incorporated into the curriculum.
I agree Joshua F. I think that students can learn a lot from research. I completely agree that the process needs to be scaffolded for the students to be successful in the process. When I was a child we used the card catalog and read all of our information in actual books or magazines. Now children are used to being able to look everything up on the internet. I can see that in today’s schools both resources will need to be used. It will be important to teach students what to trust as a trusted source and which information is biased on the internet. I also agree with what Joshua F. said about giving the students a more free way of creating their report or project instead of giving them a fill in the blank form. This will allow for each student to research and write about what interests them which will give them a sense of ownership in the process.
Although I am not done discussing with my mentor teacher how she brings current events into her class, I have seen her students using map skills in their social studies projects. My thought is this: what if I don't think I can improve on what she is doing? So far, what I see in my mentor teacher is that she is on top of: 1) effective teaching strategies and 2) map skills and using google earth in class. I know that there are always ways to improve, but so far the things I am learning, are already being implementing into her class.
I just saw the switch in emphasis to research. I have a little bit of the same reaction, my mentor teacher rocks (she is a FHSU grad, what can I say?). I mentioned the Social Studies projects her students are doing: they are learning how to look for sources by searching websites, looking in resource books in the library, and looking in textbooks. They are learning to cite their sources, dig deeper, use technology, make a website, use details, and more. I know I am an easily impressed student but I am seriously impressed! I agree that research has been absent from schools, but I see it coming back (is that a benefit of NCLB?) because last year my daughter had to make an educational poster using 2 internet resources and 1 non-internet resource, and the 2nd and 3rd grade students I interned with last year did research in their class too.
I also remember doing lots of research when I was in Elementary School. However, I didn't do my research on the computer. We had to learn how to use the encyclopedias and the card catalog to help us find non-fiction books on our topic. I tell you what once you learned how to use the encyclopedia the teacher I had never would answer my questions. He just told me to look it up. Man that made me mad, but I learned a lot from doing that. So in today's curriculum it would be nice for the teachers to teach research skills because then the students would actually learn more from what they are doing than just be told the answer. In my tutoring group we were discussing pandas. So for my integration activity I had the students log onto the computer to WorldAtlas.com. From there they had to find where China was located, which is Asia, so they clicked on Asia, then clicked on China and from there they were able to learn more facts about China and why the panda live there. They had a lot of fun with this and yet they were also learning how to research at the same time. Research is more educational than a worksheet. Where would we find the time to teach research? Just do it as an activity in the classroom where you are using class time to teach it yet the students are still doing their lesson at the same time. In the school where I live that would be the biggest complaint from the teachers is, "When do we have the time to teach research skills?" Some teachers in particular don't like change and that would be that main issue with teaching research in my school. However, as a teacher I wouldn't have a problem with it because then they would be ready to go when they get to the upper grade levels.
I use Google Earth for several things. My son did a research project about the moon and we used Google Earth to research the moon. Yes, they have photographed the moon and it is now included in Google Earth. There are high resolution scans of 5-10% of the moons surface. They have included photographs and video’s from the Apollo missions. It is all very exciting, and I would love to use it in the classroom someday when we were discussing the moon or space exploration. As teachers in the 21st century, we have access to this wonderful technology but we don’t have excess funding, so I would also suggest using Google Earth in place of a field trip. Imagine taking a field trip half way across the country to see the Hoover dam, but it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg or take a week to get there and back, it only takes 30 seconds to locate it on Google Earth. There are hundreds of actual pictures, several links to additional pieces of information, and even videos of the area. How about Mount Rushmore? This is a very historic location, you could design a week long lesson, and then on Friday the class could go on a virtual field trip and visit the monument on Google Earth. What about creating a unit on Yellow Stone state park and finishing up the unit by visiting the entire park, including pictures and videos of Old Faithful. The students love technology, and if we find fun, new ways to integrate technology into our lessons that can provide additional learning methods, we both win! Imagine studying about the Washington Monument, and then taking a field trip to visit Washington, that is technology integration! What about using Google Earth during your lesson on the Panama Canal? Load it up and show the students the canal including the ships and the locks!
I am one of those fortunate students who actually got to do research. (Can you hear the sarcasm in my voice?) I can remember back in junior high doing research projects for Kansas History. When we talk research, I think it involves far more than just writing down thoughts and opinions. In Kansas History, I had to make a mud hut that resembled one of the settlers. That meant I did have to research the topic. However, instead of writing, I built a model.
Research is far more than just sitting in the library, collecting data. I observed a second grade science class who were preparing a "research project." Yes, second graders! The students had been studying the life cycle of frogs and toads. At the end of the unit, the teacher passed an informational book around that provided facts about several frogs and toads. Each student picked his/her favorite and marked it with a sticky note and his/her name. The teacher than ran a copy of the page. Students then highlighted important information that the teacher deemed necessary. She had an outline and the students filled in the blanks. For the final copy, the students were given a well scripted page that had a space for the students to draw the frog/toad, write the name, where it is found, and two facts about the frog/toad. The students did well on this project because it was well planned out by the teacher. I was so surprised on how well these students like doing research projects! Research projects can be adapted to elementary students!
Matthew Peak - I like your thought about the virtual field trips! This can enhance learning in many areas.
Joshua F. - I fully agree with your thought about teaching students the skills necessary to conduct research. I remember doing several research projects in high school and college, but as I recall I do not believe the basic knowledge of the actual research process was broke down and taught. I was taught how to write or put together the final paper/project. Still today with researching material in current courses I am somewhat blind on where to begin at times, especially for large projects. Nice thought!
I do feel the demand of research knowledge could have been greater through high school for the transition to college. I do recall several research projects in high school required. The basic teaching of researching and detailed instruction of final paper/project was taught. But a more depth of obtaining information (where, how), especially as technology improved through years, I feel I could have had better instructional. Even a refresher and update beginning in college, with different expectations for researching could be useful. I don't feel it is a bad idea to begin instruction of research within elementary grades. This can allow for a better understanding and simplicity for the future. I think one way to incorporate research within the class is to have students provide background knowledge of the instructional topic. For example, within the lesson planning we are instructed to provide some background information related to topic of instruction. Why not allow students to provide and research the background information? This would allow for more interest of the topic once they find some of their own information; it allows for a better insight and different view on topics they are learning and information being taught in the room; cooperative learning if choose to do in groups; and researching practice. The instructor could choose 1 or 2 types of resources to use (computer/internet, books, people) or leave it open to any resource. Researching is a part of learning. It is going to come about within an individual's school years, so why not get the knowledge and practice started early.
I feel that research is such an important thing for children to learn to do. Projects or papers that incorporate research teach the students how to use reference materials, introduce them to new information and ideas, and gives them problem solving skills as well. When children know how to do research, they know how to gather the necessary information to base important decisions on. Unlike most of you I did do research in grade school. I can recall doing a large several week research project on the state of my choice followed by a presentation of my report to my class. I remember bringing in shingle that blew off my grandparent’s roof in a storm that was shaped just like Florida. I think I still have the shingle! We also did research on Kansas, animals, technology, and more. We were constantly using books, library materials, and interviews to learn more about different topics. In high school, I actually did less research. If I hadn’t been a reporter and feature editor for the school paper I would have done little to no research at all. I think integrating research into current events is a great idea from our textbook. Students can discuss controversial issues, and do research to find out more about the topic before taking a stance on it. They could then debate it in class. This is definitely something I would like to use in my future classroom.
Research is very important. I think that the best way to incorporate research into social studies is to have students do little projects throughout the school year. Even younger kids can do some research. One thing I would suggest is to have students choose something that they are interested and have the search the internet or in the school library to find more information. I would start it slow by having them just find out a few facts. As student get used to doing research it can become more in depth. Social studies has a lot of things that students can research. They can research about famous people in history, wars, customs, religion, immigration, travel etc.. My eight grade teacher used to have us create a magazine each month. Within each magazine we had to do some sort of research, but for us it was fun. It was a great way to bring research into the classroom in a fun way. With the internet students have a lot more access to research, so teachers should be utilizing this resource.
In regards to Google Maps, the students in my 5th grade internship classroom are currently using Google Maps to go on “virtual trips”. Each student brings an address or two of people they know in various states and countries, and students vote on their trip options to determine their destination. The day my students started this project in class was the first time that I realized that you were able to use technology to actually zoom in on an address to the point of seeing a photo of the home – complete with cars in the drive and people playing in the yard. I was surprised and impressed and immediately came home and googled my own home address! I’m not sure where my mentor teacher plans to go next with the trip process as she is currently on an extended leave from school, but if I were teaching the lesson, I would want to have gained the participation of the residents of those locations prior to the project so that students could email them with questions about their home town/state/country. The learning possibilities of what are endless! Many of my students have never left the region of southwest Nebraska/northwest Kansas; these virtual trips could serve as very valuable vicarious learning experiences for them, providing a wider base of knowledge as they proceed through school.
Regarding research, students in both my 5th grade social studies and science classes are currently using the school computer lab to conduct research. In social studies, students are researching a state of their choice and will ultimately write a report on that state. They are learning about state flags, symbols, mottos, population, government, landscape, wildlife, and weather. Science students are researching ideas for individual experiment projects. I think teaching students research skills in the elementary years is very important. Students learn how to think about the things they would like to learn and where to go to obtain the answers to their questions – skills that we continue to utilize throughout our lives. It teaches them that there are always new things out there to learn about, as well as how to find the desired information and answers. Today, one student in my science internship class told me that she had researched radon in order to accurately complete her assignment of creating a poster about radon; she has already begun to realize that research can be used for both large and small projects, whether research is formally assigned by the instructor or not. Teaching all students to think along these lines should be a goal of elementary instructors.
RE: Samantha Beames: I really the idea of creating a monthly magazine! I think this could work as either a classroom or school-wide project and would be a great way of teaching students research skills while giving them an enjoyable format to exhibit those skills, strengthening their overall writing skills as well. I’m taking note of this idea so that I can possibly implement it in my own future classroom.
I've messed around with Google Earth before, and I can see how it could be a really useful tool in the classroom. I'm hoping to use it in the classroom to show the students different areas of the world for habitats. Map skills can be taught in so many ways. I think it would be fun to have students make a map of everyday places, such as their homes, bedrooms or classrooms. This would be good for teaching basic directions, how to use a compass rose, and more. As an extension of this activity, I would have students trade their maps to others and try to direct them to something in the room they sketched out using only the directions. I know the teacher I talked to has his students create songs (lyrics) and dances to help them remember key map terms such as latitude, longitude, equator, etc.
I think there are just so many different and unique ways to teach map skills!
@ Kristi G… Can I just say WOW!! Your 5th grade teacher is awesome. I love your idea of contacting the people in those areas to ask questions. And I also looked at Splichal’s Nine River on Google Earth and thought it was awesome. The teacher I am working with does everything old school. Lots and Lots of worksheets. And in SS, lots and lots of maps…the kind where you get out your colored pencils and search for different kinds of land masses and then color them in. The kids always moan and tell her they hate it. It would be awesome if she used Google maps for that purpose. It would give the kids a better perspective to see the mountains in TX on the computer instead of a 2 dimensional white piece of paper.
Back in my day research was looking through encyclopedias and copying the information that I found. There was not a smorgasbord of resources like kids have today and I had never even heard of plagiarism. I think that it would be most beneficial to students if research was at least introduced in the elementary grades and research skills further developed through middle and high school. When I entered college 4 years ago I had been out of school for over 20 years so you can just imagine what my research skills were like. So many things are accessible online now that we have to teach kids were to look, how to look, and what to look for. Most community college libraries are available on line but you need to know simple vocab words like abstract vs full doc or what a periodical is. Giving them experiences on how to search by key word can also be important. Then maybe, just maybe, when they enter high school and college and start doing the bigger research projects they can spend more time on the tougher things like “citations”. In essence, exposure at an early age is always better and elementary teacher can easily incorporate research into the classroom curriculum with small projects like the effect of plastics on marine life. I know it sounds like science but it is also under human-environment interaction in social studies. Switching gears, I have been observing a 6th grade social studies class and the teacher has only been out of school and teaching for 1 year. He is a great guy with good intentions and a genuine desire to teach but, he is stuck on lectures and power point. The kids take notes all day with a little classroom discussion added in. to be honest, it puts me to sleep. I just think that he has to come up with a better way to engage the kids. When I asked him about doing current events, he was all for it but I guess that the other social studies teachers had decided that they would only spend time on 2 current event project for the year. I think that we have to be careful not to let our fear of dialogue keep us from educating kids. With the teacher guiding discussions regarding current events, kids will have the opportunity to see things from others perspective.
Stacey~ that is so sad! What I have generally found is that teachers just out of school are the ones who rock the boat and DON'T teach by lecture and power point. I hope this teacher is able to break out of the rut!
I was looking the text to put together my project and I have a side question I wanted to ask others about: how many plan to us music in the classroom? Did anyone else notice the comment on p. 165 about how out of 300 students, only 3 knew the states and capitals and those 3 could sing them? I find that very interesting!
I was introduced to Google Earth in a geography class. I have only used it to locate my house. I was able to see my street, my house, and my car sitting in my driveway! I was really amazed at how clear the pictures were. I do kind of worry about this program being used for the wrong reasons but think it's a great addition to the classroom. I am truly amazed that in the 5th grade class where I intern some students couldn't tell me the state, country, and continent where they live. I think Google Earth would be a great imagery device to explain all of these different terms. Perhaps if students had a visual for each one they would retain and understand the information. Students would pay attention because you would be using technology which intrigues students. Another way Google Earth could possibly be used is to show students where a classroom pen-pal might live.
I'm glad you brought up research. I have had the opportunity to see 5th graders research in my internship and wow....some of them had no clue! First, I would show the class how to research before I expected them to do it on their own. Just because computers are more common doesn't mean students know how to research. I would give students a list of search engines they are allowed to use and not use. Then I would explain how to search for what you are looking for by explaining what students should type in the text box and what words they shouldn't include in the text box. Only when the students know the basics of how to research will I then give them assignments involving research. I might have students research a state and then present their information to the class and the class has to use the clues to figure out which state the student researched. I would make it fun instead of just writing down information. I remember back in the day when I was doing research with my parents encyclopedias! How times have changed!
Carrie- I definitely plan on using music in my classroom. Students remember information better when they can put a rhythm to it, in my opinion. My social studies teacher in high school even used music in the classroom. I did read that excerpt from the text about the three students! I found that very interesting as well! I really enjoyed this chapter and found so many ideas enlightening. I agree with you on the research. I learn how to be a better researcher every semester and wish I would have known what I know now when I was a Freshman. I could have saved a lot of time. I just learned how to use the Forsyth Library online section and narrow my search by pier reviewed and full text articles. This probably sounds silly but it's true. On a different note, I'm surprised that you were placed with such a young mentor teacher. I probably would have asked for a different one, not to be rude, but just to get the experience I need from the internship. Good luck with that...try not to fall asleep during class! :)
Google Earth is an excellent resource for students and teachers. I would ask students three places in the world they would like to visit. Then have to students find it on Google earth and travel there virtually. Then ask the students if they still would like to travel there. If they have changed their mind, have them pick a replacement.
We could also use google earth to enhance current event lessons. Look up the area the news story is about. This will allow the student to become familiar with areas of the world that are in the news.
Another good project would be to compare and contrast other towns or cities with the same population the students live in. The town the school I sub in has a population of about 700, so look up another town with about the same population in the United States and compare and contrast. Is there a grocery store? How many restaurants? Gas stations?
Research had definitely fell by the wayside over the years. I graduated in 1992, so I am not a stranger of research. We had to research for term papers, speeches, and debate papers. Fortunately, our resources for research are vast and easy to find! But on the other hand, with so much more information available, caution needs to be used as some may be false information.
I feel 3rd grade would be a great year to introduce researching for a small project. A web search to get specific answers to questions. As the year progresses, allow the students to have a little more freedom in their research, by giving them a subject, and allowing them to pick what they zero in on. It is important to remember there is a library, and it is vital for the students to know how to use the reference books. Unfortunately it seems if the answer is right there in front of them, they are ready to give up and ask for help. It is important for students to learn they may need to dig for the information they want to learn.
Research is a skill the students need to learn and practice!!
Research is something that the 5th graders in my internship are finally learning. The class performs a wax museum every year, and the students are in the middle of researching information about their ‘person in history’. They use the internet and library to research, and they are all learning quickly. It is surprising to me that they can not research in books though. I think this might be because they are used to typing their search term into Google and boom there it is right in front of them without having to do much work or searching. When you pick up a book and search for something it takes time to find exactly what you are looking for, it seems to me that these students don’t take the time needed to do quality research. In the class of 24 students, one of two might request to use the library while the rest of the class is loading up Google on the MacBooks. I’m all for technology, but I think that students should be forced to use one reference from printed material. Just my ¢.02 worth.
This is really difficult for me. I love Google Earth and I am reading about so many great ideas for incorporating Google Earth into research lessons for all ages that I am tempted to go check them out. However, I have way too much to get done today and wouldn't get any of it accomplished. Google Earth is amazing. I can spend hours just looking at interesting places that I may never get to see. This is a great way to give students a vicarious experience. One of the neatest capabilities of Google Earth is street view. A person can use street view to get an actual view of almost any location in the US, and lots of major locations in the world. A student can "walk the streets" and view the Eiffel Tower, Washington Monument, Big Ben, or any other significant spot in the world. This can help to personalize a research project on Paris, Washington D.C., or London in a way that was impossible just a few years ago. Another great feature of Google Earth is the ruler feature. This would be a great way to teach across the curriculum. For example, when doing a research project on a state, a student could use the ruler to measure the border of Kansas and calculate the perimeter and area of the state. This could then be compared to the actual area of the state which could lead to a discussion on the accuracy of measurements and calculations.
Google earth is something that I have only used a little bit. I have of course used it to look to see my house on there. I listen to an internet radio station that is from the University of Canterbury in the U.K., so I used Google earth to locate the University and looked around the area to see what it was like. It is so crazy to me that we have this technology to do these things. Not only is Google Earth a fun tool to use but it is also a great tool to use to help students learn about not only about maps, and mapping skills, but it can also be used to help teach literature, history, science, and more. There is section on Google Earth for Educators and it has lesson plans that you can use in your classroom. One that I saw was a scavenger hunt, where the students are given clues to help them find a capital city, once they find it, they mark it. This site contained a ton of lesson plans that can be very helpful with teaching students in a fun way, using technology. In doing Project 2 it was really interesting to me to find out that current events are being left out of instruction. It seems to be happening in a lot of classroom since many on this blog had commented that it is not happening in the schools they are mentoring in either. I thought that it was interesting that Joel mentioned that his mentor teacher said that she avoids doing current events because it is a touchy subject. I was really amazed to hear that. Do parents expect their children to be clueless about the issues that are going on in our society? That is just really sad to me. In response to Carrie H.: I think the project the students are working on in your classroom sounds like so much fun. What a great way to include technology in the classroom. I am sure that student that was struggling with using Google earth will end up loving it once he gets the opportunity to play around with it.
I’m in the same boat as you are in, we did a lot of research in elementary school, but it was done in the library hauling heavy books around and searching through the card catalog trying to figure out the dewey decimal system. I liked the way that you integrated technology into your lesson, but you guided your students to a certain site instead of letting them have free reign. That way everyone in the class was experiencing the same thing, working on a similar research project. Good Job!
Re: Elizabeth Adams
I liked your idea about having students research controversial issues and force them to do the research before they stake sides on the issue. I believe if more people could make intelligent decisions, based on research, that this country would be quite different. A class debate could be interesting also. Thanks!
Re: Cristi H
I agree with your statement about the availability of research and the quality of research material today. When we were in school, back in the day, if it was printed in a book it was pretty safe to say that it was agreed upon as fact. Today, with the invention of wikis, students have to be very careful where they pull their research from. I’ve learned that wikis, about.com, and several other sites are filled with nothing more than opinions. If students used these sites as their foundation for a research paper, they could be creating false research data. I’ve found, in the internship class that I am in, that there are several sites that are blocked by the school’s servers. I believe that wikis should be added to that list. Most information is correct, but then again anyone can edit those pages. Good Job!
The possibilities with Google Earth are endless! What a neat tool to incorporate into lessons! I live in a very small community, and it tends to be boring most days...so what do I do to pass the time? Well, one day I got on Google Earth and went up and down every street of my town. Yes, I was THAT bored. :) I was even excited when I saw my own car parked in front of my parents' house. The little things, huh? I think that students would love this tool. They'd enjoy being able to explore places familiar and unfamiliar to them. Using Google Earth could give them more of a realistic image of a place they are studying about as well. Like another classmate posted, it could also be integrated into a current events lesson by showing the students the place in which the event may be taking place. Technology is amazing and the opportunities it provides for our classrooms and students is really incredible.
You are so right! Google Earth really can be incorporated into so many different lessons and content areas. Thank you for informing me about the Google Earth for Educators. I will be checking it out!
Desiree, it is Stacy that has the young teacher that uses power point and lecture. My internship teacher is AWESOME! I should have known, since she is a Fort Hays grad!
I have never even heard of Google Earth and when I looked it up I found that it would be great to use in a classroom. A teacher can use this to show different places and it would be good for map skills also. I asked my Social Studies mentor teacher if she has ever used this and she said she has but not for instruction. I told her this would be awesome to use for instruction sometime and we thought we could come up with a lesson to use it for her class. We thought it would be neat and it would be something that the students would really enjoy and get them to know how to get around their town or other places. I spent hours one afternoon just going around different towns that I know about. It is actually really fun to do!
Reply to Kelli -This is a good way to pass the time! HAHA but it is also something that students would really enjoy and they can get into the activity. It will get them away from just worksheets and reading from a book. My mentor teacher is always looking for something new to imcorporate into her lessons! She was excited when I told her about Google Earth.
Google Earth is a really awesome FREE resource that Google offers. (Side Note: I love Google web resources and applications!) I have used Google Earth periodically to see different places and get a better view of the world around me. I think it's interesting and fascinating to see how technology links us so close to our world. I would utilize Google Earth in the classroom by implementing it into a map skill lesson of any kind. I know that some of the students in my internship course utilize maps for almost every chapter that they study because it gives them a hands on approach to the learning process and involves actually "doing" some of the work rather than just writing and listening. I think that by going a step further and implementing Google Earth in the lesson plan, it would enrich the learning experience and provide a more in-depth experience for the students. Some students may find it easier for them to learn the maps for testing by using Google Earth rather than a paper map.
I think the virtual trips idea sounds amazing. I didn't even think of that but it is definitely a good idea to file away! Thanks! It would definitely provide a more hands-on approach and allow the students to become more involved in the research and lessons.
We will not begin discussions within this blog until after Sept 16. Thanks, Splichal
ReplyDeleteMr. Splichal,
ReplyDeleteWhat question(s) do you want us to address for module 2?
Thanks!
Hello Everyone. Lets start some discussion for Module 2. If you have not investigated Google Earth, do so before posting. For those who have, tell me some different ways you can use googleearth in the classrooms. Thanks, Splichal
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I only use Google for quick research. But, usually, I use Yahoo for that. So, that being said, I did not know anything about Google Earth. I have always heard a lot of controversial remarks made about Google Maps. From what I can tell, Google Earth is entirely different than Google Maps. Google Earth would be a terrific way for students to literally view the places discussed during Social Studies. Or, the sky, moon, ocean, and Mars links would fit perfectly into Science lessons. The teacher could easily navigate the site for the entire class to see at one time. Or, the older students could easily navigate through the site with adult supervision. Google Earth can be used as a way to bring foreign places into the classroom. Using this tool allows the teacher to put a picture with the information presented in the classroom about places, things, cultures, etc. The visual aspect of Google Earth creates a memorable lesson, because the students are using a different tool and can view it on their own. Plus, it is an awesome tool. I will definitely use Google Earth in my future classroom.
ReplyDeleteWell lets see. . . . . I was sort of just in Vegas. I played around with Google Earth a little and I really wish I had someone here to instruct me on how to use it. I mean I think I have some of the basics down but I know there is so much more I could do that I have no idea about. On my phone I have downloaded the application Google Earth but honestly never used it. This would be great to show students places that we were studying. This way you have a better idea of what it looks like. With Google Earth students can learn vicariously. I would spend some time searching places they were interested in. I also would coordinate it with our lessons. Still, I need to learn more about it to feel comfortable teaching students about it.
ReplyDeleteMeredith~I love Google maps. I agree that you could use Google Earth while studying Social Studies and allowing students to see the places that were being studied.
ReplyDeleteGoogle Earth can be used in many different ways.
ReplyDeleteStudents and teacher can explore all of the Earth, places both close and far away. Teachers can use Google Earth to teach students about space. One of the applications allows students to get an up close view of planets, stars, and other space anomalies that have occurred in the past. Students can study the constellations, the Crab nebula, or Orion nebula, and see stars being created. Students can also view images of the Moon with the 3D imaging, including the Apollo missions. Another very cool feature that teachers can use is the historical imagery. Using the historical imagery teachers can show now and then views of the Earth. If students are learning about Rome the teacher can pull up a now image and then he/she can pull up an image of years ago. Not every place has an image available from the past, so the teacher would need to do some planning before jumping into this. Google Earth can also be used to measure distances and plot routes from place to place. The most common use of Google Earth is the street view. That is something very neat as well. Students and teachers can choose locations and feel like they are taking an actual drive down the street. Google Earth can be like a virtual vacation for students and teachers. I love using it!
Samantha, great remarks a out GoogleEarth. If you all take a look in Course Docs, I have one in there about GoogleEarth. It is a shot of the Nile river. You can actually see ships coming in and out of the ports. Pretty cool. So many different ways that you can use this in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteWhat about MAP SKILLS? What are some ways to teach map skills without the usual "plotting a trip from point A to point B" ? Can some of you give some good ideas?
Although I had heard of Google Earth, I was not aware of its many uses. Now that I have actually explored the site, I can say that I am more excited about teaching SS. There are so many great apps out there and we have advanced so far technologically from when I was in school 30 years ago, that I am excited about teaching in general. I will admit that Google Earth was a bit overwhelming for me, there is just so much to see and we are not just talking about the earth, we are talking about the heavens as well. We have come from cutting out pictures in National Geographic which is limited to the articles printed, to choosing your own random topic and accessing information on Google Earth. This allows students to be more involved in planning lessons. They can choose what interests them which make for a better learning experience. I can’t wait to use Google earth in the classroom but first I need to play around with it more and become more familiar navigating around the site.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Stacey Wri:
ReplyDeleteI like your suggestion about allowing the students to use Google Earth to decide what places they want to learn about. This would automatically attract the students' interests, because they will be exploring a place they chose to learn about.
I personally have only used Google Earth to find my own address. However, I can see that this can be a tool to show children other areas of the world. It also had some great videos about inside the oceans to the moon, mars, and the sky. It also has historical maps to show what was where in the past. I can see easily using this for many subject areas. It would be great to show students how earth actually looks firsthand. I love that it would show how certain industries are located in certain areas of towns. It would also be great to use when studying different things in science. In addition it would be a great reference when reading literature that refers to specific countries.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMeredith Ramsey, I agree allowing the children to use it to explore possibilities is awesome. I can see the students getting really excited about having a choice and finding out about it. They would be highly motivated and engaged in learning.
ReplyDeleteLacey Keller
ReplyDeleteDeveloping map skills is one of those skills where a teacher must sequence the learning. First of all, one must have knowledge of direction. Teachers can explain the cardinal directions and how to a compass rose shows the directions. The intermediate directions come next. I have tooled around with Google Earth a little, and I believe using this technology can really enhance the learning of all students. A student can be guided to what longitude and latitude Point A and Point B are at. Questions such as, "what bodies of water do you cross?", "what means of transportation would you use?", and "how many miles is the trip as the crow flies?" should be addressed to get the students to apply their knowledge. I believe with Google Earth, the students must be guided with a graphic organizer or they may just get fixated on something else. However, letting them get familiar with the site is crucial as well.
In response to Lacey Keller:
ReplyDeleteI love how you included latitude and longitude into the experimentation with Google Earth. And, I didn't even think about a compass rose! I think the compass rose is the most important part when dealing with map skills. Knowing North, South, West, and East is beneficial for more than just map skills.
My daughter did a really fun activity in 4th grade that lasted nearly half of the year. It was somewhat of a pen-pal/Flat Stanley activity. Each student selected 4 people across America, preferably each person from different region. The student provided the addresses, a small box and $5 to help with the project.
ReplyDeleteEach student wrote a letter explaining the activity. Basically the receiver was encouraged to write a small note about the area they live in - what time of year they got it, weather, local jobs, local hot spots, anything interesting that the student could later share with the class. Enclosed was a small cardinal (the school's mascot) and the receiver could take a picture with the mascot or maybe include a postcard of the area. The receiver would then send the package to the next person on the list and so on until the cardinal and all the contents returned back to the classroom.
Throughout the end of the year boxes would return randomly giving each student a chance to have the limelight and share the contents of the box. A variety of curriculum was used for this project, maps, regions, social studies, science, reading, writing, speaking...
One student had an Air Force pilot take a picture of the cardinal in a jet plane during mid flight. You can bet that class period got a lot of buzz. Two of my children completed the 4th grade project and really enjoyed it. It was one of the few things they would get excited about and come home and tell me what they learned. :)
@ Lacey
You nailed the purpose of Google Earth. It is all about bringing technology into the classroom. Children today love screen time. Whatever opportunity we have to get them in front of a screen is so important.
Now that I have checked out Google Earth and some other geographic information systems (GIS) online, I'm more convinced now that there really is no need to make teaching map skills the "same ol', same ol'." For the younger grades, I think using mapquests online is a fun way to teach about the different types of maps, such as: explorer's maps, political maps, population maps, topographical maps, concept maps or GPS/driving maps. Some sites I found that are helpful are: worldmapper.org; maps.google.com; and strangemaps.wordpress.com.
ReplyDeleteThe teacher could pose questions like: How do you use maps in your daily life? What types of maps do you use most often or come across and engage with? How are they useful or not? For older elementary students, the interactive websites are great for teaching higher order thinking and real-world issues. They also teach important skills such as spatial analysis and pattern recognition. At The Gateway to 21st. Century Skills website, I found an interactive program that shows students where shipwrecks have been found all over the globe. I would like to put together a lesson where students do a kind of scavenger hunt to find shipwreck locations using information I supply them (coordinates, landmarks, etc.). I know the 5th. Graders I'm working with this semester would be all over that kind of project. Anything about treasure, shipwrecks, pirates etc. is super fascinating for this age group. Those are some ideas I had, but I think the creative possibilities are endless.
Google Earth is a fun and exciting application to download! I believe children of any age would enjoy using it because you can type in an exact address and you can fly automatically the location! When first being introduced to Google Earth, I typed in the address where I grew up. It was neat to see the earth get smaller and smaller as it zoomed in on my street address. It was also interesting to see all of the other street names in Smith Center. If someone asked me what road to turn on to get somewhere in Smith Center, I probably wouldn't know. This would not only assist me but help me learn the street names.
ReplyDeleteThis application would work perfect in a Social Studies class for any grade. Instead of using a flat, boring map, teachers could have students type in a specific city, town or country. It not only "flies" students wherever they want to go, but has interactive videos about certain countries.
I struggled learning how to read a map and learning how to measure the distance between two places. The second grade teacher where I currently worked painted each wall a different bright color, red, yellow, green and orange. Each color stood for a different direction. I thought this not only gave the students a good learning environment but gave them an easy way to learn their directions. I learned my directions by the phrase "Never Eat Sour Watermelon." There are many different unique phrases for students to learn there direction. Teachers must always remember to keep things hands-on or interactive to keep the students engaged or interested in learning.
ReplyDeleteCalee, that is interesting because when I learned directions, it was always drilled into us to put N/S together and W/E together. Even though if you go around the compass, it makes sense to learn them like you are saying!
ReplyDeleteI am exploring Google Earth this morning. The image of my address is over 3 years old because 3 1/2 years ago they tore down the house that was on this lot and then built the house I live in now. I could not get Google Earth to take me to my parents house, it went down the block from them. I am exploring now, I will comment more later.
After reading all the posts, I have some things I wanted to share. The classroom I am in for my interships this fall is a 6th grade classroom, their current social studies project is Ancient Egypt/Mesopotamia. Half the class is researching Mesopotamia and half is doing Egypt. Each student has a "job." Some are chefs, some are musicians, some are cartographers, and some are architects. The architects and cartographers especially are using Google Earth a lot. They are researching their individual areas and making maps using Google Earth. One of the things I love about where I am doing my internship is that the students have one-to-one laptops, and it is not like they sometimes get them out. In every subject, they have something on their laptop. They use Moodle a lot for the math. But for this social studies project, they are searching sites that the teacher has set up in Moodle and writing reports in Google docs. Technology is very much a part of the classroom. One of the students who is a cartographer (map maker) was frustrated yesterday because his assignment was to use Google Earth to make his map, and he is used to using sandbox(?). The teacher was firm that he needs to learn new ways to do things and be comfortable learning Google Earth. This will part of his contribution to the class project. At this grade level, the expectation is pretty high and Google earth is a great tool for what he is doing. I can see that it can used at lower levels to develop map skills and internet skills at the same time!
ReplyDeleteYou are all having some wonderful ideas. I am proud of the way you are thinking. Can we talk about Project 2 for a bit? Let's use blog to explore any questions you may be having about the project.
ReplyDeleteAlso, please don't wait until Oct 10 and 11 to call me. hahahahaha
Splichal
Carrie- Your way of putting N/S and E/W would make sense in learning your directions as well! I have also learned in many of my education classes that every student learns differently so teachers need to have more than one way for students to learn their directions. Like I mentioned in my blog post, there are many different phrases to memorize when learning your directions.
ReplyDeleteCarrie- That is awesome that each student has a laptop. The school where I am doing my internship hasn't had the chance to use computers yet. They have a computer lab but not a computer for each student. At the school I currently work at, seniors are given their own Apple computer. I'm not sure if they get to keep it or have to return it. I'm sure they come in very handy. The project the students are doing seem very interesting and fun. They are not only learning the information, but are assigned a job! I thought this was a great idea to keep them engaged in learning!
ReplyDeleteVictoria- I agree with you about Social Studies not having to be taught the regular way anymore. I was taught by lecture, and taking notes with paper and pencil. Now with Googleearth, students can "fly" directly to the place or region they are studying. This helps them locate the specific place, learn directions and learn how to use a new technology. Good idea!
ReplyDelete@ Victoria and Calee - I agree with you both as well, Social studies was always so boring for me because the teachers were never able to see how to really make the subject interactive. Resources such as Google Earth and map skills as well as the other online websites that give ideas on different ways to make social studies interactive and interesting. I interned in a 5th grade classroom last semester and these students knew how to do so much on the computers that I was amazed at how much information they absorbed on how to navigate and utilize different programs, they were teaching me a lot of things. Utilizing these things are not only good for learning about whatever they are researching but good for learning more about technology which is a must in the world today.
ReplyDeleteSo in project 2, we are basically suppose to take what information the teacher gave us on how he/she teaches current events and map skills then trying to improve upon whatever teaching instruction that he/she said they do? Is that correct? I know it might sound outrageous but what if the teacher really does the top of the line instruction already and it's hard to expand on it much more? How often are 2nd graders taught current events ? Just curious?
ReplyDeleteGoogle Earth is exciting even for me to use as an adult. It is fun to look at different places in the world and "discover" things that I have never seen before. I think in the classroom it is a great way for students to use as a visual. Much like Angela, Victoria, and Calee have said, social studies for me on most days was kind of boring. I think that by locating the areas where the events happened and seeing those areas can get students more interested in the topic. Also, it can get them to explore other areas. We could assign the students to locate another landmark in history and have them give a presentation about that point in history.
ReplyDeleteAs for project 2, none of the teacher's in my building do current event topics. My teacher commented on it being a "touchy" subject and that you never know what might bring up in class that might upset parents at home. They do have a Scholastic News magazine that they read through each month for a reading block and then they discuss what they read.
Carrie,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that project that you are observing in your 6th grade classroom. I think allowing students to use their creativity and try to find their interests is a great way to get students involved and learn what they are studying.
In response to Angela Fowler:
ReplyDeleteYes, I asked my mentor teacher how she informs the students on current events and teaches map skills. I explained her processes and included how I would expand on it. I don't think it is outrageous to say that there is really no expanding on what the teacher already does. Some teachers are just that great and creative at teaching. I would just say that in your summary. :)
Regarding Project 2, I have been fairly disheartened so far this semester in how social studies is taught in my grade level (third). There are six classrooms in this grade level pod, with three classes doing social studies for four weeks while the other three classes do science, then they flip-flop. Science and social studies takes place 3 days per week for 45 minutes. The curriculum is entirely textbook-based and is really not motivating OR exciting. Because of this, I decided to pose my Project 2 questions to a teacher at another grade level where I am doing science internships. I caught the tail end of his social studies unit at the first of the year, and his seemed to be more active and hands-on. He teaches 4th grade.
ReplyDeleteCurrent events instruction is limited. The classrooms receive Time for Kids magazine, and the teachers use this during either social studies or reading enrichment time. Usually the articles tie in with current events or upcoming holidays, which prompts further discussion. The website associated with the magazine offers videos and extension materials that tie in with each issue.
Back in my social studies internship classroom in third grade, students are studying communities, and have been introduced to the compass rose and the legend or map key. This introduction came straight from textbook readings and students did a workbook page which asked them to utilize the map’s features to answer questions correctly. (Yawn)
In fourth grade, map skills are touched upon at the beginning of the year, introducing lines of latitude and longitude and reviewing map key and compass rose. Later in the year, students study maps during their study on specific states in the U.S., mapping rivers, lakes, state and national borders, cities, etc. as they study the state.
Regarding the use of Google Earth and teaching map skills:
ReplyDeleteI have seen Google Earth used to search for particular places in literature, and students loved it! In my RLA internship last spring, one student asked if we could look at Frog Creek, Pennsylvania, the setting for the Magic Tree House books. Although we could not find Frog Creek, it prompted a discussion about realistic fiction and deciphering what was real and fictional in the story. This would be a fantastic addition to any sort of geography or history lesson, obviously, but could be used to connect with other classrooms around the world to study just about anything!
In response to Lacey Keller: I completely agree that map skills should be sequenced! I definitely think that introducing these topics needs to be done in an interesting way, however. In my internship classroom, students are just being introduced to the compass rose and the legend through the textbook. I think it would be more compelling to have them create a map of their playground or school and implement a map key and compass rose. I am really struggling to find classrooms that focus on social studies adequately, much less ones that make learning social studies interesting and fun!
The project is going good for me so far. The only thing that I saw with the teacher and her map skills teaching is she does the same thing day after day. What I mean is the students don’t even have to be told what to do they just get out their maps and folders. Some of the students are getting bored because they are starting to just draw on the folders.
ReplyDeleteLike so many others have mentioned, she could use Google maps. This school I am at is really just getting into the technology world, but they have received so many different technology devices, so they should use them. The class has a Promethean board at the front of the class and the students just play games, writes the names on a map, and they practice handwriting. What would happen if the students were allowed to go on Google maps and find their house? I just thought of a lesson for me to do my formal teach. The blog is helping me.
Google Earth is amazing! Never before have school aged children we been able to see the world like this! Textbooks, pictures, and videos alike, have showcased some of the features of what our world has to offer. With Google Earth, it is like you are right there; present day-exploring different angles, views, imagery, oceans, trees- terrain, buildings, cities, businesses and even our home! All perspectives of this magical universe, right from your computer to an InterWrite board/projector in a classroom full of eager students ready to learn about what the world has to offer. *Google Earth PRO is available for educators as well, to take an in-depth look at the world surrounding us and in 3D! Teaching about our universe in an interactive form is proven informative, useful and stimulating than the ordinary textbook lesson. I hope to incorporate my formal observation in Social Studies using Google Earth! My mentor teacher is currently teaching a unit on Map Skills: how to use and read a map, what is included on a map, why maps are important and useful. Students then created their very own Island “Fruit Map” following guidelines of what an actual map must include, and presented it to the class. The use of Google Maps could also be incorporated in viewing islands terrain, look, features, resources, cities, capitals and locations for added understanding when creating their own Island “Fruit Map.”
ReplyDeleteBelow, I have included different subjects and content for accessing Google Earth and what lessons can be instructed
Biology and Ecology: Replace a standard lesson with a short quiz that uses Google Earth to take students on an ecology search mission.
http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2008/02/putting-google-earth-to-test.html
Environmental and Earth Sciences: View Google Earth layers containing images, links, and descriptions, with information about thousands of volcanoes around the globe http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/globallists.cfm?listpage=googleearth
History, Social Studies, and Humanities: Have students explore the dining customs of a variety of countries by building an International Cookbook where users virtually visit the various countries. While they’re ‘in-country” why not stop by and visit a few points of cultural interest?
Art History and Architecture: Search famous museums like the Louvre in Paris. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=louvre&ie=UTF8&z=16&msa=0&msid=107463425232929977209.00043969a3d53625fd362
English and Literature:
Lesson: Google Lit Trips: Explore literature through Google Earth, flying between places mentioned in the books you class is reading.
Math: Use real-time coordinates to demonstrate distance calculations and verify the results using our measurement tools. http://earth.google.com/support/bin/static.py?page=guide.cs&guide=22365&topic=23730&answer=148135
Here is an example of a 2nd grade Lesson Plan in collaboration with Google Earth tools:
Scavenger Hunt: North America’s Physical Features
This lesson plan is for 2nd Grade and recommended for the Social Studies/Geography subject. Teachers can use this plan to demonstrate how to use a map to locate important physical features and countries of North America.
*I have included some more useful URL’s for continued learning and understanding of how to use Google Earth in the classroom setting:
Google Earth Educators URL:
http://www.google.com/earth/educators/
Lesson plans and resources to help understand how to use Google Earth in the Classroom URL: http://sitescontent.google.com/google-earth-for-educators/classroom-resources/lesson-plan-library
Teaching with Google Earth URL:
http://serc.carleton.edu/sp/library/google_earth/index.html
Nöelle Pohl
TEEL363
Reply to Amanda Drury,
ReplyDeleteThe challenges you are facing with inadequate Social Studies instruction, (i.e. textbook only) is disheartening. As there is so many different ways to incorporate instruction of Social Studies to our students interactively, physically and hands on (creating their very own map-as my mentor teacher is implementing in her classroom). I hope you can veer the teacher to a more educational and simulating method of instruction. Quite possibly mentioning Google Earth and how lesson plans can be incorporated in the learning of what Google Earth has to offer us educationally? :)
Nöelle
Well it seems that this assignment is all about seeing how our teacher teaches these skills and how we can make them better. First of all this teacher is amazing and she is retiring after this year. Even though she is retiring she is still willing to learn new things and find new ways to do things which I think is so great. She has admitted that she should use technology more and brought up that she should be teaching about the use of GPS because this is the reality of her students and their futures. She said that she is currently doing some research on it so that she can use it in her classroom. I don’t think I have any questions at this time. I can see that I am going to be pushed to find other ways to use technology for some of these skills, so this will be a stretch for me.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note I am sorry I am going to be one of those people calling you the last two days. I just started getting to the assignments this last week and I was busy Monday and Tuesday of this week.
NöelleP
ReplyDeleteI am going to do the same thing as you. I want to show the students how fun technology is and how much fun learning about maps can be.
Noelle, you said this:
ReplyDeleteNöelleP said...
Reply to Amanda Drury,
The challenges you are facing with inadequate Social Studies instruction, (i.e. textbook only) is disheartening. As there is so many different ways to incorporate instruction of Social Studies to our students interactively, physically and hands on (creating their very own map-as my mentor teacher is implementing in her classroom). I hope you can veer the teacher to a more educational and simulating method of instruction. Quite possibly mentioning Google Earth and how lesson plans can be incorporated in the learning of what Google Earth has to offer us educationally? :)
This was exactly what I was referring to when i talked about Multiple Entry points. WE must teach in different and interactive ways in order to be the most effective. Don't just stick to one source. Use many. Varied Instruction.
Good discussions.
I'm proud of you.
Splichal
NOW, lets talk about RESEARCH. RESEARCH seems to be lacking in schools over the past several years. Many of you didn't even do research until college. Why is that? What can't our elem ed students RESEARCH? There are so many possibilities here. What are some ways you can incorporate RESEARCH into your lessons?
Thanks, Splichal
I think elementary students can and should do research. Qualitative research studies are not difficult to do, and with some guidance from the teacher, very "doable" for young students. Once idea that could be incorporated into a lesson plan easily is to have the students research customary clothing for a certain era or region as part of a role-playing re-enactment. To put democratic citizenship in action, kids could research volunteer opportunities in the area and pitch in as a class for a hands-on, minds-on lesson on community building. The fifth graders I'm working with right are doing research to find out how much it will cost to build a new exhibit at Science City. Each group has a $200,000 budget to work with. When I was in elementary school, research opportunities were completely absent, but I'm seeing a transformation about teacher attitudes when it comes to research and elementary education. Creative lesson planning and the incorporation of projects (vs. one period lessons) provide more opportunities to teach research principles. Variety if the key.
ReplyDeleteI agree that research projects and the skills necessary to conduct and present the knowledge learned should be an important part of the elementary curriculum. I was in elementary school a long time ago and at that time, research was a part of the curriculum. One of the first projects that I can remember was in third or fourth grade, I researched Switzerland and wrote a report about that country. I saw that report several years ago and I think it was mostly plagiarized from an encyclopedia, but it was a start. In high school, I can remember doing research projects as well, however that was in the day when research was limited to encyclopedias and whatever articles could be found, before the Internet made researching topics much more comprehensive and so much easier. In my internship, I have seen fourth grade students researching facts about different states and creating posters or reports. I think when developing a research project, it is important to give the students the latitude to create a finished product rather than giving them a cookie cutter fill in the blank form.
ReplyDeleteResearch is a great goal, but in order to incorporate it into lessons, a teacher must first teach the student the skills necessary to conduct research. This should be done in steps that are reinforced and scaffolded. First, a teacher must help the students develop a plan for the topic being researched. Once a plan is in place, then the search for information begins. Students can use books, magazine articles, a dictionary, and encyclopedias as well as Internet sources. Next, note taking strategies should be taught. Finally, when the student has organized the information, they need to learn how to use what they have learned to create their project or report. Once these skill have been taught, the sky is the limit on what research topics can be incorporated into the curriculum.
I agree Joshua F. I think that students can learn a lot from research. I completely agree that the process needs to be scaffolded for the students to be successful in the process. When I was a child we used the card catalog and read all of our information in actual books or magazines. Now children are used to being able to look everything up on the internet. I can see that in today’s schools both resources will need to be used. It will be important to teach students what to trust as a trusted source and which information is biased on the internet. I also agree with what Joshua F. said about giving the students a more free way of creating their report or project instead of giving them a fill in the blank form. This will allow for each student to research and write about what interests them which will give them a sense of ownership in the process.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I am not done discussing with my mentor teacher how she brings current events into her class, I have seen her students using map skills in their social studies projects. My thought is this: what if I don't think I can improve on what she is doing? So far, what I see in my mentor teacher is that she is on top of: 1) effective teaching strategies and 2) map skills and using google earth in class. I know that there are always ways to improve, but so far the things I am learning, are already being implementing into her class.
ReplyDeleteI just saw the switch in emphasis to research. I have a little bit of the same reaction, my mentor teacher rocks (she is a FHSU grad, what can I say?). I mentioned the Social Studies projects her students are doing: they are learning how to look for sources by searching websites, looking in resource books in the library, and looking in textbooks. They are learning to cite their sources, dig deeper, use technology, make a website, use details, and more. I know I am an easily impressed student but I am seriously impressed! I agree that research has been absent from schools, but I see it coming back (is that a benefit of NCLB?) because last year my daughter had to make an educational poster using 2 internet resources and 1 non-internet resource, and the 2nd and 3rd grade students I interned with last year did research in their class too.
ReplyDeleteI also remember doing lots of research when I was in Elementary School. However, I didn't do my research on the computer. We had to learn how to use the encyclopedias and the card catalog to help us find non-fiction books on our topic. I tell you what once you learned how to use the encyclopedia the teacher I had never would answer my questions. He just told me to look it up. Man that made me mad, but I learned a lot from doing that. So in today's curriculum it would be nice for the teachers to teach research skills because then the students would actually learn more from what they are doing than just be told the answer. In my tutoring group we were discussing pandas. So for my integration activity I had the students log onto the computer to WorldAtlas.com. From there they had to find where China was located, which is Asia, so they clicked on Asia, then clicked on China and from there they were able to learn more facts about China and why the panda live there. They had a lot of fun with this and yet they were also learning how to research at the same time. Research is more educational than a worksheet. Where would we find the time to teach research? Just do it as an activity in the classroom where you are using class time to teach it yet the students are still doing their lesson at the same time. In the school where I live that would be the biggest complaint from the teachers is, "When do we have the time to teach research skills?" Some teachers in particular don't like change and that would be that main issue with teaching research in my school. However, as a teacher I wouldn't have a problem with it because then they would be ready to go when they get to the upper grade levels.
ReplyDeleteThis module really took me back, not only to grade school, but also how high school instructors introduced map skills and current events. So many times our educators simply requested us to watch the nightly news and come in with a news story to review or to clip out newspaper stories to read aloud in class the following week. With today’s technology, current events can easily become an interactive, global concept that students can utilize. Each newspaper and news station can be located by a click of the button and we can even be notified via our cell phones or desktop notifications of breaking news. Social mediums such as Facebook and Twitter allow students and educators alike to keep up to minute tabs on the news happening around us. Technology located within the classroom itself also allows educators to incorporate these social mediums as a standard, interactive outlet to instructing current events and even integrating map skills.
ReplyDeleteEven though it may be an older concept, one map skill method of instruction I personally enjoy are the Flat Stanley projects. This is simple element of introducing states, regions, countries and global elements by having students create their own or even incorporating a technological element by creating a Digital Stanley. This can easily be a lesson that can be crossed over several areas of instruction including science (gathering specific information for terrain/scientific experiments), social studies (gain in depth information in regards to the area Stanley is “reporting” from) and language arts (the introduction and reading of Flat Stanley). By creating a billboard/map within the classroom to log Stanley’s journey, the student can review where he has been, where he is now, the means of transportation and distance Stanley traveled.
News can be made with the spin of a dime and it is vital for educators to keep current on what is happening around them. With the technology in the classrooms and students’ need to be constantly technologically fed, it is best for educators to become spontaneously organized so that current events and map skills may be incorporated in a “news happens around the world every second” manner. The better informed the students are with the society that surrounds them, the better member of society they can become.
In regards to Google Earth, I have not personally used it to any specific degree, however, my fiancé uses it periodically when talking about his time in Iraq. He fascinates me when he is able to pull up a terrain and can locate bases and pin point where he was engaged in attacks. I can see how this would be useful in a Flat Stanley lesson where students can view a map and terrain interactively. Students would be able to create a visual understanding in connection to the data and descriptions given by the letters provided by Stanley.
I use Google Earth for several things. My son did a research project about the moon and we used Google Earth to research the moon. Yes, they have photographed the moon and it is now included in Google Earth. There are high resolution scans of 5-10% of the moons surface. They have included photographs and video’s from the Apollo missions. It is all very exciting, and I would love to use it in the classroom someday when we were discussing the moon or space exploration. As teachers in the 21st century, we have access to this wonderful technology but we don’t have excess funding, so I would also suggest using Google Earth in place of a field trip. Imagine taking a field trip half way across the country to see the Hoover dam, but it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg or take a week to get there and back, it only takes 30 seconds to locate it on Google Earth. There are hundreds of actual pictures, several links to additional pieces of information, and even videos of the area. How about Mount Rushmore? This is a very historic location, you could design a week long lesson, and then on Friday the class could go on a virtual field trip and visit the monument on Google Earth. What about creating a unit on Yellow Stone state park and finishing up the unit by visiting the entire park, including pictures and videos of Old Faithful. The students love technology, and if we find fun, new ways to integrate technology into our lessons that can provide additional learning methods, we both win! Imagine studying about the Washington Monument, and then taking a field trip to visit Washington, that is technology integration! What about using Google Earth during your lesson on the Panama Canal? Load it up and show the students the canal including the ships and the locks!
ReplyDeleteLacey Keller
ReplyDeleteI am one of those fortunate students who actually got to do research. (Can you hear the sarcasm in my voice?) I can remember back in junior high doing research projects for Kansas History. When we talk research, I think it involves far more than just writing down thoughts and opinions. In Kansas History, I had to make a mud hut that resembled one of the settlers. That meant I did have to research the topic. However, instead of writing, I built a model.
Research is far more than just sitting in the library, collecting data. I observed a second grade science class who were preparing a "research project." Yes, second graders! The students had been studying the life cycle of frogs and toads. At the end of the unit, the teacher passed an informational book around that provided facts about several frogs and toads. Each student picked his/her favorite and marked it with a sticky note and his/her name. The teacher than ran a copy of the page. Students then highlighted important information that the teacher deemed necessary. She had an outline and the students filled in the blanks. For the final copy, the students were given a well scripted page that had a space for the students to draw the frog/toad, write the name, where it is found, and two facts about the frog/toad. The students did well on this project because it was well planned out by the teacher. I was so surprised on how well these students like doing research projects! Research projects can be adapted to elementary students!
Matthew Peak - I like your thought about the virtual field trips! This can enhance learning in many areas.
ReplyDeleteJoshua F. - I fully agree with your thought about teaching students the skills necessary to conduct research. I remember doing several research projects in high school and college, but as I recall I do not believe the basic knowledge of the actual research process was broke down and taught. I was taught how to write or put together the final paper/project. Still today with researching material in current courses I am somewhat blind on where to begin at times, especially for large projects. Nice thought!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI do feel the demand of research knowledge could have been greater through high school for the transition to college. I do recall several research projects in high school required. The basic teaching of researching and detailed instruction of final paper/project was taught. But a more depth of obtaining information (where, how), especially as technology improved through years, I feel I could have had better instructional. Even a refresher and update beginning in college, with different expectations for researching could be useful.
ReplyDeleteI don't feel it is a bad idea to begin instruction of research within elementary grades. This can allow for a better understanding and simplicity for the future. I think one way to incorporate research within the class is to have students provide background knowledge of the instructional topic. For example, within the lesson planning we are instructed to provide some background information related to topic of instruction. Why not allow students to provide and research the background information? This would allow for more interest of the topic once they find some of their own information; it allows for a better insight and different view on topics they are learning and information being taught in the room; cooperative learning if choose to do in groups; and researching practice. The instructor could choose 1 or 2 types of resources to use (computer/internet, books, people) or leave it open to any resource.
Researching is a part of learning. It is going to come about within an individual's school years, so why not get the knowledge and practice started early.
I feel that research is such an important thing for children to learn to do. Projects or papers that incorporate research teach the students how to use reference materials, introduce them to new information and ideas, and gives them problem solving skills as well. When children know how to do research, they know how to gather the necessary information to base important decisions on. Unlike most of you I did do research in grade school. I can recall doing a large several week research project on the state of my choice followed by a presentation of my report to my class. I remember bringing in shingle that blew off my grandparent’s roof in a storm that was shaped just like Florida. I think I still have the shingle! We also did research on Kansas, animals, technology, and more. We were constantly using books, library materials, and interviews to learn more about different topics. In high school, I actually did less research. If I hadn’t been a reporter and feature editor for the school paper I would have done little to no research at all. I think integrating research into current events is a great idea from our textbook. Students can discuss controversial issues, and do research to find out more about the topic before taking a stance on it. They could then debate it in class. This is definitely something I would like to use in my future classroom.
ReplyDeleteResearch is very important. I think that the best way to incorporate research into social studies is to have students do little projects throughout the school year. Even younger kids can do some research. One thing I would suggest is to have students choose something that they are interested and have the search the internet or in the school library to find more information. I would start it slow by having them just find out a few facts. As student get used to doing research it can become more in depth. Social studies has a lot of things that students can research. They can research about famous people in history, wars, customs, religion, immigration, travel etc.. My eight grade teacher used to have us create a magazine each month. Within each magazine we had to do some sort of research, but for us it was fun. It was a great way to bring research into the classroom in a fun way. With the internet students have a lot more access to research, so teachers should be utilizing this resource.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to Google Maps, the students in my 5th grade internship classroom are currently using Google Maps to go on “virtual trips”. Each student brings an address or two of people they know in various states and countries, and students vote on their trip options to determine their destination. The day my students started this project in class was the first time that I realized that you were able to use technology to actually zoom in on an address to the point of seeing a photo of the home – complete with cars in the drive and people playing in the yard. I was surprised and impressed and immediately came home and googled my own home address! I’m not sure where my mentor teacher plans to go next with the trip process as she is currently on an extended leave from school, but if I were teaching the lesson, I would want to have gained the participation of the residents of those locations prior to the project so that students could email them with questions about their home town/state/country. The learning possibilities of what are endless! Many of my students have never left the region of southwest Nebraska/northwest Kansas; these virtual trips could serve as very valuable vicarious learning experiences for them, providing a wider base of knowledge as they proceed through school.
ReplyDeleteRegarding research, students in both my 5th grade social studies and science classes are currently using the school computer lab to conduct research. In social studies, students are researching a state of their choice and will ultimately write a report on that state. They are learning about state flags, symbols, mottos, population, government, landscape, wildlife, and weather. Science students are researching ideas for individual experiment projects. I think teaching students research skills in the elementary years is very important. Students learn how to think about the things they would like to learn and where to go to obtain the answers to their questions – skills that we continue to utilize throughout our lives. It teaches them that there are always new things out there to learn about, as well as how to find the desired information and answers. Today, one student in my science internship class told me that she had researched radon in order to accurately complete her assignment of creating a poster about radon; she has already begun to realize that research can be used for both large and small projects, whether research is formally assigned by the instructor or not. Teaching all students to think along these lines should be a goal of elementary instructors.
RE: Samantha Beames:
ReplyDeleteI really the idea of creating a monthly magazine! I think this could work as either a classroom or school-wide project and would be a great way of teaching students research skills while giving them an enjoyable format to exhibit those skills, strengthening their overall writing skills as well. I’m taking note of this idea so that I can possibly implement it in my own future classroom.
I've messed around with Google Earth before, and I can see how it could be a really useful tool in the classroom. I'm hoping to use it in the classroom to show the students different areas of the world for habitats. Map skills can be taught in so many ways. I think it would be fun to have students make a map of everyday places, such as their homes, bedrooms or classrooms. This would be good for teaching basic directions, how to use a compass rose, and more. As an extension of this activity, I would have students trade their maps to others and try to direct them to something in the room they sketched out using only the directions. I know the teacher I talked to has his students create songs (lyrics) and dances to help them remember key map terms such as latitude, longitude, equator, etc.
ReplyDeleteI think there are just so many different and unique ways to teach map skills!
@ Kristi G…
ReplyDeleteCan I just say WOW!! Your 5th grade teacher is awesome. I love your idea of contacting the people in those areas to ask questions. And I also looked at Splichal’s Nine River on Google Earth and thought it was awesome. The teacher I am working with does everything old school. Lots and Lots of worksheets. And in SS, lots and lots of maps…the kind where you get out your colored pencils and search for different kinds of land masses and then color them in. The kids always moan and tell her they hate it. It would be awesome if she used Google maps for that purpose. It would give the kids a better perspective to see the mountains in TX on the computer instead of a 2 dimensional white piece of paper.
Back in my day research was looking through encyclopedias and copying the information that I found. There was not a smorgasbord of resources like kids have today and I had never even heard of plagiarism. I think that it would be most beneficial to students if research was at least introduced in the elementary grades and research skills further developed through middle and high school. When I entered college 4 years ago I had been out of school for over 20 years so you can just imagine what my research skills were like. So many things are accessible online now that we have to teach kids were to look, how to look, and what to look for. Most community college libraries are available on line but you need to know simple vocab words like abstract vs full doc or what a periodical is. Giving them experiences on how to search by key word can also be important. Then maybe, just maybe, when they enter high school and college and start doing the bigger research projects they can spend more time on the tougher things like “citations”. In essence, exposure at an early age is always better and elementary teacher can easily incorporate research into the classroom curriculum with small projects like the effect of plastics on marine life. I know it sounds like science but it is also under human-environment interaction in social studies.
ReplyDeleteSwitching gears, I have been observing a 6th grade social studies class and the teacher has only been out of school and teaching for 1 year. He is a great guy with good intentions and a genuine desire to teach but, he is stuck on lectures and power point. The kids take notes all day with a little classroom discussion added in. to be honest, it puts me to sleep. I just think that he has to come up with a better way to engage the kids. When I asked him about doing current events, he was all for it but I guess that the other social studies teachers had decided that they would only spend time on 2 current event project for the year. I think that we have to be careful not to let our fear of dialogue keep us from educating kids. With the teacher guiding discussions regarding current events, kids will have the opportunity to see things from others perspective.
Stacey~ that is so sad! What I have generally found is that teachers just out of school are the ones who rock the boat and DON'T teach by lecture and power point. I hope this teacher is able to break out of the rut!
ReplyDeleteI was looking the text to put together my project and I have a side question I wanted to ask others about: how many plan to us music in the classroom? Did anyone else notice the comment on p. 165 about how out of 300 students, only 3 knew the states and capitals and those 3 could sing them? I find that very interesting!
I was introduced to Google Earth in a geography class. I have only used it to locate my house. I was able to see my street, my house, and my car sitting in my driveway! I was really amazed at how clear the pictures were. I do kind of worry about this program being used for the wrong reasons but think it's a great addition to the classroom. I am truly amazed that in the 5th grade class where I intern some students couldn't tell me the state, country, and continent where they live. I think Google Earth would be a great imagery device to explain all of these different terms. Perhaps if students had a visual for each one they would retain and understand the information. Students would pay attention because you would be using technology which intrigues students. Another way Google Earth could possibly be used is to show students where a classroom pen-pal might live.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you brought up research. I have had the opportunity to see 5th graders research in my internship and wow....some of them had no clue! First, I would show the class how to research before I expected them to do it on their own. Just because computers are more common doesn't mean students know how to research. I would give students a list of search engines they are allowed to use and not use. Then I would explain how to search for what you are looking for by explaining what students should type in the text box and what words they shouldn't include in the text box. Only when the students know the basics of how to research will I then give them assignments involving research. I might have students research a state and then present their information to the class and the class has to use the clues to figure out which state the student researched. I would make it fun instead of just writing down information. I remember back in the day when I was doing research with my parents encyclopedias! How times have changed!
Carrie- I definitely plan on using music in my classroom. Students remember information better when they can put a rhythm to it, in my opinion. My social studies teacher in high school even used music in the classroom. I did read that excerpt from the text about the three students! I found that very interesting as well! I really enjoyed this chapter and found so many ideas enlightening. I agree with you on the research. I learn how to be a better researcher every semester and wish I would have known what I know now when I was a Freshman. I could have saved a lot of time. I just learned how to use the Forsyth Library online section and narrow my search by pier reviewed and full text articles. This probably sounds silly but it's true. On a different note, I'm surprised that you were placed with such a young mentor teacher. I probably would have asked for a different one, not to be rude, but just to get the experience I need from the internship. Good luck with that...try not to fall asleep during class! :)
ReplyDeleteGoogle Earth is an excellent resource for students and teachers. I would ask students three places in the world they would like to visit. Then have to students find it on Google earth and travel there virtually. Then ask the students if they still would like to travel there. If they have changed their mind, have them pick a replacement.
ReplyDeleteWe could also use google earth to enhance current event lessons. Look up the area the news story is about. This will allow the student to become familiar with areas of the world that are in the news.
Another good project would be to compare and contrast other towns or cities with the same population the students live in. The town the school I sub in has a population of about 700, so look up another town with about the same population in the United States and compare and contrast. Is there a grocery store? How many restaurants? Gas stations?
The possibilities are endless with Google Earth!
Research had definitely fell by the wayside over the years. I graduated in 1992, so I am not a stranger of research. We had to research for term papers, speeches, and debate papers. Fortunately, our resources for research are vast and easy to find! But on the other hand, with so much more information available, caution needs to be used as some may be false information.
ReplyDeleteI feel 3rd grade would be a great year to introduce researching for a small project. A web search to get specific answers to questions. As the year progresses, allow the students to have a little more freedom in their research, by giving them a subject, and allowing them to pick what they zero in on. It is important to remember there is a library, and it is vital for the students to know how to use the reference books. Unfortunately it seems if the answer is right there in front of them, they are ready to give up and ask for help. It is important for students to learn they may need to dig for the information they want to learn.
Research is a skill the students need to learn and practice!!
Research is something that the 5th graders in my internship are finally learning. The class performs a wax museum every year, and the students are in the middle of researching information about their ‘person in history’. They use the internet and library to research, and they are all learning quickly. It is surprising to me that they can not research in books though. I think this might be because they are used to typing their search term into Google and boom there it is right in front of them without having to do much work or searching. When you pick up a book and search for something it takes time to find exactly what you are looking for, it seems to me that these students don’t take the time needed to do quality research. In the class of 24 students, one of two might request to use the library while the rest of the class is loading up Google on the MacBooks. I’m all for technology, but I think that students should be forced to use one reference from printed material. Just my ¢.02 worth.
ReplyDeleteThis is really difficult for me. I love Google Earth and I am reading about so many great ideas for incorporating Google Earth into research lessons for all ages that I am tempted to go check them out. However, I have way too much to get done today and wouldn't get any of it accomplished. Google Earth is amazing. I can spend hours just looking at interesting places that I may never get to see. This is a great way to give students a vicarious experience. One of the neatest capabilities of Google Earth is street view. A person can use street view to get an actual view of almost any location in the US, and lots of major locations in the world. A student can "walk the streets" and view the Eiffel Tower, Washington Monument, Big Ben, or any other significant spot in the world. This can help to personalize a research project on Paris, Washington D.C., or London in a way that was impossible just a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteAnother great feature of Google Earth is the ruler feature. This would be a great way to teach across the curriculum. For example, when doing a research project on a state, a student could use the ruler to measure the border of Kansas and calculate the perimeter and area of the state. This could then be compared to the actual area of the state which could lead to a discussion on the accuracy of measurements and calculations.
Google earth is something that I have only used a little bit. I have of course used it to look to see my house on there. I listen to an internet radio station that is from the University of Canterbury in the U.K., so I used Google earth to locate the University and looked around the area to see what it was like. It is so crazy to me that we have this technology to do these things. Not only is Google Earth a fun tool to use but it is also a great tool to use to help students learn about not only about maps, and mapping skills, but it can also be used to help teach literature, history, science, and more. There is section on Google Earth for Educators and it has lesson plans that you can use in your classroom. One that I saw was a scavenger hunt, where the students are given clues to help them find a capital city, once they find it, they mark it. This site contained a ton of lesson plans that can be very helpful with teaching students in a fun way, using technology.
ReplyDeleteIn doing Project 2 it was really interesting to me to find out that current events are being left out of instruction. It seems to be happening in a lot of classroom since many on this blog had commented that it is not happening in the schools they are mentoring in either. I thought that it was interesting that Joel mentioned that his mentor teacher said that she avoids doing current events because it is a touchy subject. I was really amazed to hear that. Do parents expect their children to be clueless about the issues that are going on in our society? That is just really sad to me.
In response to Carrie H.:
I think the project the students are working on in your classroom sounds like so much fun. What a great way to include technology in the classroom. I am sure that student that was struggling with using Google earth will end up loving it once he gets the opportunity to play around with it.
Re: Kathryn W
ReplyDeleteI’m in the same boat as you are in, we did a lot of research in elementary school, but it was done in the library hauling heavy books around and searching through the card catalog trying to figure out the dewey decimal system. I liked the way that you integrated technology into your lesson, but you guided your students to a certain site instead of letting them have free reign. That way everyone in the class was experiencing the same thing, working on a similar research project. Good Job!
Re: Elizabeth Adams
I liked your idea about having students research controversial issues and force them to do the research before they stake sides on the issue. I believe if more people could make intelligent decisions, based on research, that this country would be quite different. A class debate could be interesting also. Thanks!
Re: Cristi H
I agree with your statement about the availability of research and the quality of research material today. When we were in school, back in the day, if it was printed in a book it was pretty safe to say that it was agreed upon as fact. Today, with the invention of wikis, students have to be very careful where they pull their research from. I’ve learned that wikis, about.com, and several other sites are filled with nothing more than opinions. If students used these sites as their foundation for a research paper, they could be creating false research data. I’ve found, in the internship class that I am in, that there are several sites that are blocked by the school’s servers. I believe that wikis should be added to that list. Most information is correct, but then again anyone can edit those pages. Good Job!
The possibilities with Google Earth are endless! What a neat tool to incorporate into lessons! I live in a very small community, and it tends to be boring most days...so what do I do to pass the time? Well, one day I got on Google Earth and went up and down every street of my town. Yes, I was THAT bored. :) I was even excited when I saw my own car parked in front of my parents' house. The little things, huh? I think that students would love this tool. They'd enjoy being able to explore places familiar and unfamiliar to them. Using Google Earth could give them more of a realistic image of a place they are studying about as well. Like another classmate posted, it could also be integrated into a current events lesson by showing the students the place in which the event may be taking place. Technology is amazing and the opportunities it provides for our classrooms and students is really incredible.
ReplyDeleteShanna S -
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! Google Earth really can be incorporated into so many different lessons and content areas. Thank you for informing me about the Google Earth for Educators. I will be checking it out!
Desiree, it is Stacy that has the young teacher that uses power point and lecture. My internship teacher is AWESOME! I should have known, since she is a Fort Hays grad!
ReplyDeleteI have never even heard of Google Earth and when I looked it up I found that it would be great to use in a classroom. A teacher can use this to show different places and it would be good for map skills also. I asked my Social Studies mentor teacher if she has ever used this and she said she has but not for instruction. I told her this would be awesome to use for instruction sometime and we thought we could come up with a lesson to use it for her class. We thought it would be neat and it would be something that the students would really enjoy and get them to know how to get around their town or other places. I spent hours one afternoon just going around different towns that I know about. It is actually really fun to do!
ReplyDeleteReply to Kelli
-This is a good way to pass the time! HAHA but it is also something that students would really enjoy and they can get into the activity. It will get them away from just worksheets and reading from a book. My mentor teacher is always looking for something new to imcorporate into her lessons! She was excited when I told her about Google Earth.
Google Earth is a really awesome FREE resource that Google offers. (Side Note: I love Google web resources and applications!) I have used Google Earth periodically to see different places and get a better view of the world around me. I think it's interesting and fascinating to see how technology links us so close to our world. I would utilize Google Earth in the classroom by implementing it into a map skill lesson of any kind. I know that some of the students in my internship course utilize maps for almost every chapter that they study because it gives them a hands on approach to the learning process and involves actually "doing" some of the work rather than just writing and listening. I think that by going a step further and implementing Google Earth in the lesson plan, it would enrich the learning experience and provide a more in-depth experience for the students. Some students may find it easier for them to learn the maps for testing by using Google Earth rather than a paper map.
ReplyDeleteKristi -
ReplyDeleteI think the virtual trips idea sounds amazing. I didn't even think of that but it is definitely a good idea to file away! Thanks! It would definitely provide a more hands-on approach and allow the students to become more involved in the research and lessons.