Thematic Middle School Units Using Google Earth
Cross-Curricula Activities Using Satellite Imagery for Studies
Aug 20, 2008
Developing thematic units for cross-curricular activities in middle school is a great way to involve students in making connections in all subject areas. Middle schools using a team approach will find Google Earth helpful in integrating technology. Students can integrate science, math, language arts, social studies, and fine arts using Google Earth.
This technology allows teachers to guide students in specific studies using multimedia as a method for presenting projects. Also, it allows students to develop their own projects anywhere on the earth. The only limitation is the creativity of the selected studies or student developed study topics.
Multimedia Use with Google Earth
Students can conduct their study over a period of time or take quick snapshot views for their thematic unit topic. They can download current and historical images, along with obtaining street level views in some suburban and urban areas. These images and videos can be embedded in PowerPoint or word processing documents for presentations.
They can also develop tables using a spreadsheet to record their data, which can then be easily converted into graphs for embedding in multimedia. Students can also use additional Internet based resources to support their studies using Google Earth.
Google Earth and Thematic Units
Thematic units can be developed around any topic which takes advantage of the technological power of Google Earth. The following are example thematic units:
Passport to Europe – students can develop a multimedia virtual tour for tourists:
- Read stories about Europe
- Write stories for potential tourists
- Calculate costs and travel distances
- Use maps and geographic points
- Use Google Earth to obtain satellite imagery of key cities or features
Flat Stanley Visits Africa – students can develop a multimedia presentation of Flat Stanley’s adventures by:
- Reading about Flat Stanley and countries in Africa
- Writing stories about Flat Stanley’s visits to countries or regions
- Calculating costs and distances of his travels
- Integrating stories and pictures of animals he sees along the way
- Using maps and geographic points to record his travels
- Using Google Earth to obtain satellite imagery of his travels
Post Cards from Australia – students can develop a multimedia presentation based on their virtual adventures to Australia by:
- Reading about Australia and key points of interest
- Writing postcards about their visits to places they virtually visited
- Calculating costs of traveling around Australia
- Using maps and geographic points to record their travels
- Writing stories about the interesting animals encountered during their travels
- Using Google Earth to obtain satellite imagery of their travels
Developing thematic units using Google Earth allows students to make connections across multiple subjects. It also provides them the opportunity to make real world connections about places they hear almost about every day.
Google Earth Download for Free
Visit Google Earth and Global Warming Science Projects for technical specifics about Google Earth and where to download for free. An additional source to help guide student questions is 20 Questions to Ask Children in Science Projects.
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