Google Maps Lesson Plan

NCSCOS
Grade 3 Social Studies Objectives
Competency Goal 4:  The learner will explain geographic concepts and the relationship between people and geography in real life situations.
4.01 Distinguish between various types of maps and globes.
4.02 Use appropriate source maps to locate communities.
4.03 Use geographic terminology to describe and explain variations in the   physical environment as communities.
Competency Goal 6:  The learner will recognize how technology is used at home, school, and in the community.
 
Student Objectives
1)    To define direction words.
2)    To use direction words (north, northeast, east, southeast, south, southwest, west, and northwest) and approximate distance to locate places in the treasure hunt.
3)    To use Google Maps to locate local landmarks using clues.

Materials
1)    A computer for each student or each pair of students.
2)    Recording sheet.
3)    Pre-made URL (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=112424020441186136389.00043e1ff7957adba7c7a&z=4&om=1)  It may be necessary to log on to computers before the lesson and put this in the bookmarks.

Statement of Objectives
TWS (the teacher will say):  Today we are going to use our knowledge of direction words to locate areas on a map using Google Maps.  Google Maps are maps of real places that can be written on on the Internet.  You could even make one.  For our activity today I have made a map of our local area.  You may see places on the map that you have been to before, such as Pullen Park, the Science Museum, and Crabtree Valley Mall).  You could be told which direction to go or you may be asked to tell me the direction you will have to travel.

Procedure
1)  TWS:  Before we begin, what are our direction words?  (Ask for student volunteers or call on students. North, northeast, east, southeast, south, southwest, west, and northwest).
2)  TWS:  Who can write the direction on the compass rose on the board? (draw a rose on the board and ask students to fill it in).
3)  TWS:  Now we are going to use Google Maps to practice using these direction words.  You may look at the board if you need to for help.   Using the Internet Browser type in http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=112424020441186136389.00043e1ff7957adba7c7a&z=4&om=1 (or go to bookmarks). Before you begin the scavenger hung click on ?Hybrid? in the top right corner of your map.  This will allow you to see the road names as well as a satellite image of the area.
4)  TWS:  We will start our scavenger hunt here at school.  Find Barwell Road Elementary school on the map.  It is the one furthest to the southeast.  Click on the blue marker.  It looks like an upside down raindrop.  When you click on it a dialogue box will pop up with the title of the location, a description, and a clue for your next stop.  (If you have a projection screen available show this to the students.  Otherwise, walk them through the process once they all have their own computers). 
5)  Read the first clue aloud to the students: ?Travel northwest along Rock Quarry Road, And you will find a rockin? place.  You?ll need a ticket to get in, But you?ll see singers face to face.?  Discuss using the compass rose and think about places in the area that could be described by the clue.  Maybe go to another place that is in the same direction and discuss why that location may not be a good answer (for instance, going to the capitol building is also northwest but it is not off of Rocky Quarry Road and you would not likely see singers there).
6)  Locate the first stop, Walnut Creek Ampitheater, and read the next clue.  Demonstrate how to record your first stop on the recording sheet. Instruct students to use the directions and the clues to locate all the places on the scavenger hunt and to record their answers.
7)  Students will navigate the remainder of the scavenger hunt independently or with partners.  TTW (the teacher will) circulate the room and monitor student understanding.

Closing
TWS:
?    Now that you have completed the scavenger hunt, tell me some of the things you had to know in order to find the locations.  (direction words, facts about Raleigh, knowledge of communities and public places).
?    Were there places you recognized?
?    Were there places you did not recognize?
?    How is the Google Map different from a paper map?

Assessment
1)    Informal assessment:  Teacher monitoring
2)    Formal assessment:  Completed recording sheets


Recording Sheet Sample:                                                    answers:

Start:  Barwell Road Elementary School
Stop 1:  _________________                                            Walnut Creek Ampitheater
Stop 2:  _________________                                            RDU International Airport
Stop 3:  _________________                                            Crabtree Valley Mall
Stop 4:  _________________, _________________        RBC Center, travel southwest
Stop 5:  _________________, _________________        Pullen Park, travel southwest
Stop 6:  _________________                                            Cameron Village
Stop 7:  _________________                                            Legislature Building
Stop 8:  _________________                                            Capitol Building
Stop 9:  _________________                                            Museums
Stop 10:  ________________, _________________        Barwell Road Elementary,
                                                                                                travel southwest
 

Posted by akhager ( Nov 06 2007, 04:12:22 PM EST ) Permalink Comments [0]