A Google Earth Tour of South America

Developing geographic skills such as reading maps and understanding the concept of relative location is essential to the second graders continent study. After a lesson on different kinds of maps and their purposes (physical, political, road, topographic, climate, road, etc.), second graders enjoyed a virtual tour of South America via Google Earth. 

Facts for each country along with images representing the geography, economy, and people were embedded within the tour. Students were asked to read the facts at each tour stop. They also spent time using the navigation bar to zoom in on landforms and cities. Students loved zooming in on the Amazon River and were amazed at its size. They were also surprised to learn that the country of Brazil alone makes up half of the continent. 

Students will continue to use the tour in their classrooms over the next few weeks. A follow up activity includes using a graphic organizer to record facts for each tour stop allowing students to practice taking notes.