Using Google Earth:Physical Features

Lynnae Peterson

EDTC 635

October 2014

Introduction

Grade: Third Subject: Geography Duration of Lesson: Four Weeks (1 double period per

week) Introduction to physical features

Physical Feature Research

Introduction to Google Earth

Physical Features Project (Google Earth)

Objectives

Students will be able to: Define the term physical feature

Identify different types of physical features in the United States and provide examples of each

Locate different features in the United States using Google Earth

Standards

Geography Standard 4: Understand the physical and human characteristics of a place.

G.4.2.A. Describe and compare the physical characteristics of places at a variety of scales, local to global, as exemplified by being able to:

Describe and compare the climatic conditions at different places in the United States (e.g., deserts, mountains, rainy regions of the Pacific Northwest).

Describe and compare the vegetation in different places in the world (e.g., deserts, mountains, rain forests, plains).

Describe and compare the physical environments and landforms of different places in the world (e.g., mountains, islands, valleys or canyons, mesas).

Prerequisites to Final Project

Prior to this lesson:

Students have learned the definition of a “physical features” as well as the two categories of physical features (landforms and bodies of water)

Students did a web search to define the different types of physical features (Ex. Ocean, lake, mountain range, desert, etc.)

Students did a web search to find two-three examples of the different types of physical features (Ex. Deserts- Mojave Desert, Sonoran Desert, Painted Desert)

Students have a basic knowledge of Google Earth:

Searching for specific places using the search bar

Creating a placemark

Labeling and adding text to each placemark

Physical Features- Final Project

Students will use their research to create a map of pinned physical features in the United States.

Students will use Google Earth to locate an example of each type of physical feature.

Types of Physical Features River

Ocean

Lake

Plateau

Desert

Basin

Mountain Range

Plain

Canyon

Physical Features- Final Project con’t…

Students must label each point and write the physical feature that each point represents.

Example: Appalachian Mountains

Student would write “Physical Feature: Mountain Range”

Student Example

Student Example

Students must label each place and list the physical feature under the notes portion for each place mark.

Assessment

Students will be assessed in a variety of ways throughout the unit.

The assessment for the Google Earth project will be in the form of a rubric. Includes all required physical features

Each pin includes label and description of physical feature

Information is accurate

Extensions

Students may find physical features all over the world.

Students may add important/ interesting facts pertaining to each specific example.

Students may find more than one of each physical feature.

Resources

http://www.slideshare.net/konrak01/physical-characteristics-of-the-united-states-power-point-12871045

Clip Art Images

http://www.dk.co.uk/static/html/features/made_easy/images/clipart11.jpg