Core Standards

My Google Earth project will cover the first standard of the 5th grade curriculum in Social Studies. The Standard states: Students will understand how the exploration and colonization of North America transformed human history. it Covers objective one, Describe and explain the growth and development of the early American colonies, A: Using maps -- including pre-1492 maps -- and other geographic tools, locate and analyze the routes used by the explorers, C: Identify explorers who came to the Americas and the nations they represented, and D: Determine reasons for the exploration of North America (e.g., religious, economic, political). I chose this topic because I felt like it would be good for students to see the distance the pilgrims covered in their journey, while also being able to explore where they began and ended their journey as it looks like today. Pilgrims coming to America is a big turning point in history and I believe it is important that the subject is covered well. Students will be able to learn more about the leaders of the the Pilgrims as they read online biographies and explore their lives. They are also able to see first had what life was like on the Mayflower for the Pilgrims through a video reenactment. I think it will help bring the subject to life for them, and they will realize that these were real people who deeply impacted our country and what it is today.