Using Google Earth to Make Social Studies More Engaging

My favorite resource to use when teaching about almost anything is Google Earth.  So many students are visual learners, and taking them on a virtual trip to an actual location gets them interested in the topic.

Here are some ideas for various Social Studies topics:

• Historic Jamestown - Look at the aerial view.  Why was this a good place to settle?  What problems do you think they had?  Click on the Street view icon and then click on one of the highlighted areas to see it up close.

• French and Indian War- Visit this Fort Ontario.  Where is it located?  Why was this a good place to build it?  View it in street view.  How does it look?  You can even find a map of this fort HERE.

• Moundbuilders- Visit various mounds without leaving your classroom!  Assign different mounds to students, and have them research what was found near these mounds.

• Landforms- There are an endless number of landforms you can visit on Google Earth.  Stand on the peak of magnificent Mount Shasta.

• Oregon Trail- Visit one of the most important landmarks on the trail.  Zoom in to see names carved into the rock by actual pioneers.  How do you think they were feeling as they reached this landmark?

This product is a great intro to using Google Earth to study a place.  It helps you dig deep into the difference between physical and human characteristics in geography.  Students will study the characteristics of the area around their school.