Creating Google Maps and Google Earth Files for the Earth's Biomes

 

Technology Applications Teacher Network Session at TCEA 2008

February 5, 2008

Austin, Texas

 

Presenter: Margie Brown   mbrown@eanes.k12.tx.us

 

 

Teachers  Margie Brown and Nancy Darling  ndarling@eanes.k12.tx.us

 

 Lesson Plan that is on the TATN CD Margie Brown TATN lesson plan.DOC 

 

Thank you to everyone who attended this session!!  I especially appreciate you hanging in there with the heat!!!

I would like to provide a  correction and a note:

 

Correction: the question was asked if videos that students make on imovie, movie maker, photostory etc. can be uploaded to Google Maps.

The answer it yes, but not the way I explained it. In order to get student made videos onto Google Maps, they have to be uploaded to a internet video site like Teacher Tube, Google Video, YouTube or something that actually gives you the code to embed. The website address from just uploading it to your website won't work. 

 

 Note: The videos on Google Maps will play on Google Earth, but be sure you have downloaded Google Earth 4.2 or later.

 

Google Earth Map of Biomes: I realized this morning from an email (Thanks, Kathryn!) that the Google Earth Biomes file is kind of buried in another wiki that is linked to this wiki, so I am uploading it and linking it right here so it is easy to see:  VVE Biomes All Rotations.kmz

 

Please feel free to email me..

M:-)

 

Steps in the Lesson

 

1.Biomes research and lessons

 

          Video Series: The Blue Planet Seas of Life, BBC Video, www.bbcamerica.com

 

          Websites for research:

 

                   http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm

 

                   http://www.tropical-forests.com/

 

                   http://www.desertusa.com/animal.html

 

                   http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/biomes.html

 

                  http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Laboratory/Biome/

 

                   http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geographyaction/habitats/index.html

 

                  http://www2.lhric.org/kat/3grass.htm

 

                   http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webunits/biomes/biomes.html

 

                  http://www.mbgnet.net/index.html   Most popular site

 

                  http://www.mrnussbaum.com/biomes.htm

 

                  http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwep8a.htm

 

                  http://www2.lhric.org/kat/3tundra.htm

 

                  http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/ecosystems.html&edu=elem

 

                  http://www.worldbiomes.com/default.htm

Brain Pop Movies:

Biomes

Ecosystems

Savannah

Taiga

 

Web Searches (filled out and stapled into Science Journals)

Grasslands  Grasslands.doc

Rainforests  Rainforests Web Search.doc

Temperate Deciduous Forests  The Temperate Deciduous Forest.doc

Taiga  Tiaga Web Hunt.doc 

 

Adaptations  Project from:  TAKS Connections Developmental Series, Science 5 Book 1, Kamico Instructional Media, Objective 2/5.9C, Eco-adaptation, page 179

 

 

 

Edible Tundra:   Edible Tundra 1.jpg ,  Edible Tundra 2.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Set up ePals email accounts:   http://www.epals.com/

 

3. Create Biomes Research Wikis:

http://vvebiomes.pbwiki.com/FrontPage

http://vvebiomes2.pbwiki.com/FrontPage

 

http://vvebiomes3.pbwiki.com/FrontPage

 

 

4. Students enter pictures and facts into their specific wiki page

 

5. Create Google Account   http://maps.google.com/

 

6. Open Google Maps, create a map, name it with biome, fact and student name  http://maps.google.com/

 

 7. Use information from all 3 classes wikis to create marker boxes for Google Map

Symbols for Biomes.doc 

 

Steps to creating marker boxes Google Maps Users Guide  http://maps.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=68480

 

 

 

8. When done have teacher check it with rubric 

Rubric and Reflections:  5th Grade Biomes Project 2007 Rotation 3.doc 

 

 

9. Complete the reflections questions, email them using ePals to both teachers

 

Rubric and Reflections:  5th Grade Biomes Project 2007 Rotation 3.doc 

 

 

10. Save Google Map as a KML file   guided with students

 

11. Collect all the KML files into one Google Earth Map, save as My Places

 

12. Create a VVE5th Grade Google Earth Project Wiki http://vve5biomes.pbwiki.com/FrontPage

 

13. Link VVE5th Grade Google Earth Wiki to website  http://vve.eanes.k12.tx.us/AssignNotebook5/assignment5.htm

 

14. Follow up discussions and venn diagram activity with classes using Google Earth Map  Biome Comparison Venn Diagram.doc

 

15. Homework with parents using Google Earth Map   

          How to look at the biomes on the Google Earth Map How to look at the VVE Biomes Google Earth Map.doc 

 

16. Use Google Earth Map with 3rd grade as they begin their biomes study

 

 

 Slide Show by James Hollis from Teachers Love Smart Boards Blog