This presentation introduces Google Earth and its capabilities for classroom use. Google Earth allows users to search locations, place placemarks and paths, add layers of additional information, and take or create virtual tours. It provides tools to help teachers bring geography to life and support lessons across subjects. The presenter provides examples of easy, intermediate, and advanced lesson plans and activities that can be created with Google Earth.

1. Google Earth
Presented by
Mark Granito
6th Grade Social Studies
Hammarskjold Middle School
East Brunswick, NJ


2. Google Earth
 Why are you here?  What can Google Earth do?
 How can Google Earth help in  Where can I go to learn more?
your classroom?

3. Tools to get you started
Searching
Placemarks, Paths, and
Polygons
Layers
Virtual Tours
Finding .kml files

4. Searching
Type in a location:
Country
State
City
Landmark

6. Placemarks
ool he ar
T lb
kT oo
emar T
eP lac
Th
Click it!

7. Placemarks

8. Placemarks

9. Searching
Type in a location:
Country
State
City
Landmark

11. Paths
he ar
T lb
ool Too
Pa th T
The
Click it!

13. Get Directions

14. Layers
Layers allow you to choose
what type of information is
displayed on Google Earth.

15. Borders and Labels
You can choose all
of one category or
just a single option.

16. Political Boundaries
Laye
rs

17. Political Boundaries

18. Weather
Check the weather
of a certain area.

21. Places
Navigate through
a wide variety of
places.

22. Icons depend on
the layers you
choose to view

23. Click on icons for
more information

24. Current Events
Find Current Event
articles in the area of the
world you are studying.

27. Parks & Recreation
Discover Parks and
Recreational sites in
your classroom’s area
of study

28. Parks are Outlined

29. Some parks have
their own icons

30. Oceans
Explore aspects
of every major
body of water.

33. Pictures
Find amazing photos
of landmarks from
around the world.

34. These are photos
that users uploaded

35. Click icon for
more information

37. And even more to
choose from by clicking
the Earth Gallery
Layers
There are many
layers included in
Google Earth.

39. Tokyo in
1680

41. Lesson Plans
There is plenty to work with in any subject…


42. Geographical
 Easy – Locate and Placemark the capitals of all 50 states
 Intermediate – Locate and Placemark the Allied Powers and the Axis
Powers of WWII. Use different colored pins
 Advanced – Draw the path of Alexander the Great’s journey.

43. State Capitals
• Placemark any
location with the click
of a button.
• Placemark based on
Longitude and Latitude
• Add descriptions too!

44. Allied v. Axis Powers

45. Cultural
 Emphasize different cultural regions of the world (Northern Africa vs.
Sub-Saharan Africa
 Conduct a webquest highlighting different religious monuments/houses
of worship

46. Current Events
 Map the BP oil spill
 Study the crisis in Darfur
 Analyze weather patterns

47. Virtual Tours
Take your students from
place to place on an
automatic or timed tour

48. Virtual Tours
 Right Click “My Places”
 Add > Folder
 Name Your Tour
 Begin adding “Push Pins”
to that tour

49. Virtual Tours
 Add locations of
interest to your tour
 Click Here to play
tour
Watch One

50. The Beauty of Google
 Search for a topic
 Click HERE for more advanced options

51. Don’t Reinvent the Wheel
Select the types of files you want to
search…KMZ or KML

52. Click one to
download

53. Don’t Reinvent the Wheel
Use what you like.
Change what you don’t.
Save it to “My Places”

54. Share with your Colleagues
Right Click on Tour
Save or Email the KMZ file

55. Google Earth
 Pinpoint Locations
 Take and Create Virtual Tours
 Expand the Layers
 Explore the Earth, Moon, Sky, and MARS!!