Map Mashing

Today in class we explored with some map mashing tools provided by Google maps and Google Earth. We also learned about some other online applications all of which have good educational uses as well. I made a map about some places I have been and a few of my favorite things. I could turn this into a lesson with my second grade students as a new spin on the "All About Me" project. I like the theory behind the classic All About Me lessons at the start of the school year as a way to introduce classmates to one another and begin to create our classroom community. I would like to take that project a step further by infusing the map mashing technology as well. My plan would be to have students make a map with some flexible criteria. I would like them to include 1) where they were born 2) where they live now and 3) a place they would love to go one day. Then I would give them the option to be creative and choose three additional locations that can tell the class something about themselves. For example, I included Orlando, Florida's sea world because my favorite animal is the dolphin, London and Paris where I went on vacation, and my hometown's local cold stone because I love to eat ice cream. Here is my example....



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