Google Earth Intro -2nd Grade

For their first visit to the computer lab, second grade students were asked to demonstrate their present knowledge of the world by drawing their own map. Each child was given a piece of paper and asked to think about the maps they have seen before. For fifteen minutes they sketched and labeled - and when it was all done, these young cartographers learned that it is really hard to make a world map that looks like the world!

So begins their geographic journey. As they study the seven continents in their classrooms throughout the school year, they will also participate in a variety of technology experiences with tools such as online atlases, encyclopedias, hand-held GPS and Google Earth in the lab.

Today, they learned how to fly around Google Earth viewing satellite imagery, maps, and terrain. After moving form Earth > Continent > Country > State > City and seeing our school from a "bird's eye view," they flew to their own homes. (This required students writing their home address on a note card before coming to the lab.) The students were delighted to see their rooftops as well as those of their friends. This was a great introductory activity that I will definitely use again next year.

Bird's Eye View of Shorecrest

The Geomate Jr.

When I introduced geocaching to my students last year, I was flooded with parent emails about how they could geocache with their kids and what was the best unit to buy. I would show parents the unit I have, the Garmin GPS60, and then provide them links to Dr. Alice Christie's site where she compares different units by price, battery life, accuracy, etc.

If I get asked that question again this year, I will probably recommend the Geomate Jr. I logged on to my Geocaching.com site to checkout the status of my student travel bugs and came across a new hand-held GPS dubbed the "Family-Friendly Geocaching Device." Pre-programmed with 250,000 geocaches in all 50 states, it appears really easy to use. It's price tag is $69.99 and you will be able to purchase additional update kits for $19.99 to add more caches to the database. Definitely worth a look. I may be purchasing one for my own family. It would be nice not to have to fuss with downloading waypoints, etc. Just turn it on and go!

Even if you already have a unit, check out the site. There are some short videos that are great for introducing geocaching to your elementary students.

Please comment if you have used or heard about this unit! I have read some online reviews but would like to hear about it first hand.