Google Lit Trips: Cross-curricular Technology Integrated Learning Creating your own Google Lit Trip Presented by: Laura Bliss, Kelly Hollenkamp, Gretchen Kassel, and Jenifer Phillips University of Missouri-Fall, 2009 ISLT-9471

Reasoning You have already learned how to use Google Lit Trips, as well as how to successfully incorporate them into your curriculum. Now it is time to create your own Google Lit Trip for use in your classroom.

Benefits of creating your own You can make your Google Lit Trip personalized to meet the needs of your classroom. Google Lit Trips can be created for texts related to your curriculum. Students can be part of the process, engaging them and providing a sense of ownership.

Step 1:Become familiar with Google Earth In order to create a Google Lit Trip, one must be comfortable using the Google Earth program. Video: Google Earth TourGoogle Earth Tour There are more Google Earth resources located on the Google Lit Trip website Google Lit Trips Google Lit Trips

Step 2: Choose a text Chosen literature must have a “journey” to places that can be accessed in Google Earth. Effective Lit Trips are based on literature where the characters travel through most of the story. However, characters can travel worldwide or through a single city. Choose a text specific to your grade level, student interest, and ties to curriculum. Brainstorm with your table about possible texts for Google Lit Trips.

Step 3: Choose content Once you have selected a text, you must decide the content of your Google Lit Trip. Here are some suggestions of what to look for when reading the text: ◦ interesting images on the internet that might enhance or extend students’ appreciation of the story. ◦ interesting websites that could provide supplementary information on historical or geographical ◦ references, biographical information, or cultural connections, etc. appropriate to the story, ◦ spots where the author is providing good material for thought- provoking questions and class discussion. ◦ interesting vocabulary use Taken from the Google Lit Trips website

Step 4: Create place markers Once you have decided on the places to include in your Trip, you must find them in Google Earth. After locating a place, create your place marks by clicking on the yellow pushpin on the top toolbar.

Step 4: Creating place markers (cont.) The place marker can be personalized to fit your lesson. You have the option of changing the name, color, size, location, and style of the place marker. You can even create your own! Time to Share! How can you use these varying place markers to make the most of your Lit Trip? Discuss with your table.

Step 5: Editing your place markers Once the place markers have been added, it is time to customize what students will see when they click on the marker. This can be done by right-clicking on the place marker and going to Properties.

Step 5: Editing your place markers Once the editing place markers window is open, you can add words from the book, extra information about the topic, and images to enhance the trip. Go to Google Lit Trips, click on Site Map, Lit Trip Tips, and Formatting Place Markers Descriptions to see steps on how to add these things.Google Lit Trips

Step 6: Organize Place Markers Create a new folder for all of your place markers by going to Add and then Folder. Your place markers must be arranged in the folder in the order of the “trip.” This can easily be done by dragging them into the correct folder on the side bar.

Step 7: Creating the path You must now “connect” your place markers with a path. This lets your students know where to start, where to go next, and when their journey is finished. To create a path, click Add on the top toolbar, and then path. You can also click the path icon at the top. A new path window will open. Click on the first place marker and then the next one. This will create a line connecting the two. You can then name and customize the path. To learn more about creating paths, go to Google Lit Trips, click on Site Map, Lit Trip Tips, and Adding Route Path to a Lit Trip.Google Lit Trips

Step 8: Save your Google Lit Trip Whether you are in the process of creating the Lit Trip or finished, go to File and Save to ensure your work will be saved. Click on “Save Place As.” Make sure the box next to the entire trip is checked, not just pieces of it. Save your trip as either a kmz or kml file.

Time to practice! Access Google Earth. Search for the city where you were born. Create a blue push pin place marker, include the city name, and write a short description. Search for a neighboring city in your state. Create a star place marker, include the city name, and write a short description. Create a path between the two cities.

Ready to start your journey? KWL Google Lit Trips: What did you Learn? How will this impact the integration of technology into your classroom’s curriculum.