Google Earth

Google Earth:  A different way to explore a landscape.

I’m always trying to find a new and exciting way to teach landscape.  Google earth offers a showcase that allows you to explore the earth and a variety of landscapes.   This showcase is an excellent anticipatory set for opening up a landscape lesson. 

Here is an example of what I see from the majority of my 6^th grader when they draw a landscape without any directions

After exploring Google Earth’s Showcase, we can generate a discussion about foreground, middle ground and background.  My students will have a better understanding of horizon line and perspective.  At this point, we can move into a landscape lesson where my students will have the tools they need to create an accurate and exciting landscape. 

A picture is always worth a thousand words. Google Earth gives me just the pictures I need to help my students understand the world around them.  

http://www.google.com/earth/index.html