GPS Activities for the Classroom

 

 

Short-Title of Activity	GPS Activity and The Gingerbread Man
Target Grade(s)	Kinder
Target Subject Area(s)	Social Studies
TEKS	K4A, K5AB, 16B
Equipment/Materials	Large United States Maps and World Maps -hang on the wall.    Globe   Access to Google Earth
Author	Suzie Wilson

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activity Description: Describe in as much detail as possible.

 

 

What do you want the students to learn?

 

• The students will learn how to read a map.  The students will learn how to interact with Google Earth.  The students will be able to see a real picture of the earth in conjunction with the flat maps and globe.  The students will learn that the earth is round and where different countries are in the world.  They will also learn about differences between them and other people around the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Set-up

 

• The first week of school we do the whole Gingerbread Man program.  We bake the Gingerbread Man and he jumps out of the oven and spends the week running through the school.  We try to find him as he leaves us clues.  As we are searching for clues, we learn the set-up of the school and meet key people that will be a part of our school day. 
• After the first week is up, we ask parents to have postcards sent from people around the world.  They can be parents that travel for work, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends.  The notes should be written like the person who sent the note actually saw the Gingerbread Man.  The note should also contain information about the place the postcard is from.
• A packet is handed out at parent orientation with sample notes and the school address.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What steps will the students take?

 

• As postcards from around the world are received, with the teacher’s help, students will find the location on the wall map and globe.  They will place a sticker on the place the postcard was sent from.
• The teacher will access Google Earth from her PC and broadcast it to the television.  The students can guide her in entering the information needed to find the picture of the location.  This will allow the students to see the different terrain of the area.  They will also get the concept of a location using correct terminology. 
• Many times through the postcards we also learn about different customs and cultures.  The students can add their own traditions and customs as we discuss differences in locations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Extra Activities?

 

• The entire first week of school there are many Gingerbread Man Activities for the kids to complete during literacy time.  These activities help get them excited about getting letters from around the world.
• Throughout the year we also write about ways we can trap the Gingerbread Man if he does come back to school.

 

 

 

Elementary GPS Lessons

Middle School GPS Lessons

High School GPS Lessons