Google EARTH, Google MAPS, Google LIT TRIPS

What are Google Lit Trips?

The term "Google Lit Trip" was coined by Jerome Burg, creator of the website www.googlelittrips.com.  Jerome is a Literature Teacher who found that using Google Earth to illustrate locations and settings to students increased their desire to read.  His website now hosts dozens of "Lit Trips" that you can download and view in Google Earth, along with links to resources and directions for creating your own Google Earth adventures. 

How Can I Find a Google Lit Trip?

First, visit http://www.googlelittrips.com and select from either K-5, 6-8, 9-12, or Higher Ed.  On each page you'll see a selection of titles to choose from.  On each Lit Trips' page look for the download link that will allow you to save the ".kmz" file from the website.
Note! - since Google Earth is a virtualized program on all FCPS computers, you will have to open the program first, then open the .kmz file that you have saved using the Google Earth menu commands File / Open.  The .kmz file will then open and you will see the locations and tour of the Google Lit trips in the "Places" window of Google Earth.

How Can I Use a Google Lit Trip?

Google Lit Trips are a great way to engage learners with virtual 3-D tours.  You can also use Google Earth during a teachable moment to quickly visit a setting or location.  Maps have always been vital to teaching location, but when projecting Google Earth images to the whole class you can replace your pull down maps with a window to the world!

Google Lit Trips and Google Earth Lesson Resource: http://sites.fcps.org/trt/google_earth/googlelittrips

The following are resources, activities, worksheets for Google Earth and Maps.

Google Earth/Maps Resources

Google Earth Classroom Poster

Google Maps Classroom Poster

How To Latitude and Longitude

 
Birmingham Area Attraction Wksht 1

Birmingham Area Attraction Wksht 2

How To Placemarks
 

Example My Neighborhood Map (.kmz file)

Activity Idea 1 Scavenger Hunt