The GlobeThe Globe

Objective:Objective: Teach the students what Teach the students what the globe is, followed by teaching the globe is, followed by teaching them the names of each of the seven them the names of each of the seven continents.continents.

Standard:Standard: First Grade Standard 3, First Grade Standard 3, Objective 3, part d. Objective 3, part d.

Hook: Zoom in Hook: Zoom in from far away from far away into the into the precise precise location of the location of the students’ students’ school. After school. After this, continue this, continue on in showing on in showing the class each the class each of the seven of the seven continents continents around the around the globe. globe.

Follow showing the seven continents by zooming into places of interest that the students express to you. (In this example, one student wanted to see the state of Washington.)

What went well:What went well: The students were very much The students were very much captivated by Google Earth, so their motivation captivated by Google Earth, so their motivation and desire was up for listening and learning; this and desire was up for listening and learning; this proved an effective activity in bringing the seven proved an effective activity in bringing the seven continents to life for the class:continents to life for the class:

What to improve:What to improve: Involve the students more in Involve the students more in this technology experience by having a virtual this technology experience by having a virtual tour ready at the click of a mouse for each of tour ready at the click of a mouse for each of them at their own computer in the school them at their own computer in the school computer lab, etc. Just going through Google computer lab, etc. Just going through Google Earth in front of the students is effective, but this Earth in front of the students is effective, but this lesson could be even more effective by doing lesson could be even more effective by doing what was stated above!what was stated above!

This picture simply illustrates how zooming in to given locations on Google Earth can really bring to life what different dimensions of the globe exist. The students found this fascinating!

Student use of technology:Student use of technology: This didn’t happen in this This didn’t happen in this lesson; the students viewed technology in action, but didn’t lesson; the students viewed technology in action, but didn’t use it personally.use it personally.

Use is Essential:Use is Essential: Technology was used effectively in this Technology was used effectively in this lesson, as it was motivational and something that peaked lesson, as it was motivational and something that peaked the students’ interest in learning about the globe.the students’ interest in learning about the globe.

Focus on Learning Task:Focus on Learning Task: Granted one would have to tell Granted one would have to tell the students how to spell the locations they want to go to, the students how to spell the locations they want to go to, overall this technological tool wouldn’t be too hard for first-overall this technological tool wouldn’t be too hard for first-graders to do in groups. This program definitely is beneficial graders to do in groups. This program definitely is beneficial for the students’ learning!for the students’ learning!

Added Value:Added Value: Through Google Earth, the students were Through Google Earth, the students were able to see the globe in 3-D and up close, as opposed to a able to see the globe in 3-D and up close, as opposed to a tangible globe or even a world map. tangible globe or even a world map.