I just spent some time exploring Google Earth and have discovered some new features which are getting the wheels spinning in my head. Before I tell you the great things going on up there, let me first share what I've discovered.
Google Earth has a 'layers' feature. You can add layers- hence 'layers' feature- to the land you are viewing. These layers consist of places, buildings, roads, photos, weather and much more. Depending on the layers you choose to view on your screen, you basically can build that place as you know it today- or the last snapshot from Google Earth, at least. How cool is that?!
On top of the 'layers' feature there is a photo option. Google Earth gives you the option to choose a location and upload a photo you may have taken in that exact location. Or course, I'm sure the makers of Google Earth would prefer the photos are in fact of that location and the many beautiful features it has to offer.
So all this exploring, got me thinking and the wheels spinning to my Geo-Narrative assignment. My students will use a digital camera to capture photos of a location and upload it onto the class computer. Once they upload it, they will be able to log onto Google Earth, find the location their photo was taken at, upload, save and share it with all of Google Earth. Afterwards, they can write a brief description of their photo and maybe even recreate it using watercolor paint as an extension. We can use the watercolor paintings to produce a live preview of Google Earth's photo gallery for that location. This computer technology lesson- integrating language arts, and fine arts- should be fun and easy enough for my kindergarten students.
Until later, bloggers.
I think that is a great idea for your Geo-Narrative lesson. The kids love taking pictures and sharing it with their friends. It is something fun to do and they are learning at the same time.
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