What: Google Maps has done it again!!! Whether you are a football fan or not, this is a truly amazing showcase of Google's persistent drive to make the most elaborate collection of maps. You can see what it is like to make your way down the tunnel. Maybe you would rather check out the locker room or even see the quarterback suite. Make sure to check out the whole collection of the Lucas Oil Stadium.
Techtastic Integration So you may be asking how is this something that I can integrate into my classroom. Want to give students an inside perspective on a story or research paper? Most students won't have a chance to experience a professional football game. They can watch the games on T.V. or even see pictures in magazines but being able to manipulate their virtual experience in real time is priceless. If you are looking for a way to integrate this into math, you can take a screen shot of the stadium and use Skitch to point out geometrical shapes or even patterns. If you have a SMART Board, you can use the screen capture tool instead and use your markers to do the same as Skitch.
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What: Google Maps continues to add to its comprehensive collection of resources for making it the go to resource when navigating. They recently added 38 new run and lift maps to their collection.
Techtastic Integration You may be thinking how is this relevant into my own teaching? How can I implement run and lift maps into my daily practices. You can have students use the map scale to determine the longest ski run, shortest ski run, and the median of the ski runs. Students could figure out the ratio of beginner runs to expert runs. What are your ideas for using these new run and lift maps in your classroom? Walls in a classroom do not have to create barriers to learning for your students. One way to flatten the classroom wall is to use Google's ever growing street view collection. It allows you the opportunity to explore regions around the US that you never thought possible. My first graders explored NASA. In our reading curriculum we read an informational text about astronauts and landing on the moon. The NASA collection allowed us to take a virtual field trip through NASA. We also used the Ocean collection when we were reading about sea animals. This gave us a first hand perspective on the habitats that sea animals encounter on a daily basis. My first graders loved taking a dive under the water and staying dry at the same time. If you are looking for a simple way to integrate technology into your K-2 classroom, Google Street View can be a great tool for breaking down your classroom walls. Looking for a quick and easy way to share your students' reading with their parents. One of the tools that all classrooms have is a phone. Google voice does all the work for you. If you do not have a Google Voice account yet, make sure to watch the video and find out how to get set up. Once you have your Google number, have your student use the phone to call your Google Number and record. After your student is done, simply hang up the phone and you will instantly receive your student's voice mail in your Google Voice inbox. You can choose to embed this voice mail on a website/blog or what I prefer, send via email to parents. This is an easy way to monitor/share progress in fluency. In addition, kids can monitor their growth as a reader. |
Andrew FenstermakerInstructional Technology Coordinator | Innovation Coach | Google Certified Innovator | Presenter | Blogger | Adjunct @UiowaEducation | Owner @kids_f_i_r_s_t |