Second Grade GeographyVirginia SOL Standards 2.4-2.6
(Academic Skills) 2.4 The student will develop map skills by: a.) locating the United States, China and Egypt on world maps. 2.5 The student will develop map skills by: a.) locating the equator, seven continents and the five oceans on maps. 2.6 The student will demonstrate map skills by constructing simple maps, using title, map legend, and compass rose. |
Summary Description of Learning ExperienceGoogle Earth will be used by students to study realistic views of the world and to locate specific locations such as; the equator, seven continents, and five oceans. I think this activity will be great for students because it builds upon and reinforces early geographic skills learned in first grade. Instead of focusing solely upon what is near them, students will begin to think spatially and understand they live on a vast planet with various land formations. Students will also understand that particular land formations can be used as context clues to distinguish a particular area as well.
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Specific Role of Google Earth
- Google Earth will be used to provide visuals of: the seven continents, five oceans, mountain ranges, rivers, lakes, and the equator. These images will allow students to make distinctions upon the various land forms and understand where certain land forms are located in regards to others.
Required Pre-Requisite Skills
- This will be a reinforcing activity for information that has previously been discussed. Some of the information was taught while the students were in the first grade and the additional information was covered the days prior leading up to this activity. Information that students must know include; location of the equator, seven continents, five oceans. Students also must be familiar with the location of the United States, Egypt and China. Students also must know the features of a map such as a title, compass rose and legend because they will incorporate these features as they create a map of their own.
Types of Problems Learners Must Solve in This Experience
Some students might have difficult correctly spelling the names of each continent, oceans, and equator. Students might have difficulty creating a map and students might have difficulty understanding that as they move other places their surroundings and cultures change. Nothing is constant.
Description of the Types of Supports Students Would Need to Successfully Complete the Experience
Teacher, SmartBoard, Google Earth, example spellings, map template, construction paper, glue, crayons, themselves.
Example of a Completed Experience (description)
Together as a class we will use Google Earth to review the location of the various continents and oceans, and other locations such as the United States, Egypt and China. The students will be presented with various views of these locations so they can see their various attributes and see how each is different. This activity will allow students to understand the world we live in is vast and comprised of various land and ocean formations where each has a unique set of culture and life within each. The can take note of any weather conditions or plant life they observe as well. Following the completion of this activity, students will be given "pieces" of a map which will be unorganized. They will then cut the pieces out, color, and paste them on a piece of construction paper. The students will then label each continenet, ocean, and the equator. The students will also create a legend, compass rose, and title for the map. Together these tools will help the students learn about the world around them.