It’s a new month, which means a new holiday, which means new themed technology lessons. Of course, I have to begin by sharing a Thanksgiving Google Doodle from last year.  My favorite lesson you should try is the Thanksgiving Timeline virtual field trip using Google Earth. I taught this a few times last year and it will take at least 2 lab visits to complete.  It’s well worth the time investment!

To access the Google Earth tour:

• Students login to Active Directory and open Google Earth
• Go to File>Open and navigate to the Student Shared Drive
• Click on the KMZ file named A Thanksgiving Timeline (teachers need to save the KMZ file to the student shared drive prior to teaching the lesson.)
• You will see the tour on the left side of the screen. There are 7 place marks total with information and links to online activities.

• Double click on the red letter in the left pane to advance to each location. Double click on the red letter in the center to view the content within the placemark.

• Advance through each placemark while completing each interactive until students reach the final destination where they describe family customs and traditions celebrated by their own families.
• Students can document their learning by filling out a timeline graphic organizer or they can directly comment inside each placemark by right clicking and choosing properties. This will open the placemark for editing purposes. When complete, simply right click on the Thanksgiving Timeline folder located in the left panel and choose Save As.
• Resources to download
  • A Thanksgiving Timeline KMZ (Google Earth File)
  • A Thanksgiving Timeline Directions
  • A Thanksgiving Timeline Recording Sheet

The following list contains free sites and apps that you can use in the classroom or computer lab: