Rationale

You may be asking yourself how Google Earth can be used to enhance literature-based projects. A Lit trip is a term to describe an activity that uses Google Earth to enhance literature.    Google Earth is one tool to aid in the creation a digital and dynmic book reports.  Google Earth provides a digital representation of the Earth and Sky, and allows users to zoom in on specific locations based on latitude and longitude or physical address.  It is loaded with other features to enhance comprehension of the story. Using Google Earth students can:

• add placemarks and create chapter summaries
  
• use image and video links to assist in visualization of the setting, geography, and vocabulary
  
• use website links to provide supplemental information about the setting
  
• view maps of specific locations to observe terrain, buildings, and landforms

Google Earth brings the Earth into the classroom to enhance comprehension of a story and supports an interactive learning environment. Students work collaborative to develop summaries, use resources locate specific information, and engage in discussions. Google Lit trips can be saved and emailed, providing a means to share a creative, digital book report.

Google Lit Trip Example-Peak

Using other tools for your Google Lit Trip journey

There are other features in Google Earth that can be used to enhance your Lit Trip.  For example, you can view a location in Google Maps, and by switching your settings to street view, you can take a virtual walk down a street (not all streets are available).  

In this video, you will see how to switch to Google Maps, and view an example of how this tool was used in the story Peak.  

Assessment

Adding Placemarks for a Google Lit Trip

Creating a Google Lit Trip is easy to do!

First find the tab titled Places in the sidebar. On the toolbar located at the top of the screen select add and then new folder. I usually name the folder the title of the book, and then add a brief description.

On the tool bar (directly above the preview screen of the Earth), there is a pushpin icon. Select it, and a placemark icon will be centered in the viewer inside a flashing yellow square. Position the placemark to the desired location. A placemark dialog box will appear to set the properties for this placemark. The following are tabs found in the dialog box to assist you in creating the properties for the placemark.  

• Name the placemark- for a Lit Trip, I chose the title of each chapter
  
• Description- content explanation or chapter summary (HTML text is optional)
  
• Style and Color- Chose a color, size, and opacity for the placemark icon
  
• Altitude- choose the height of the placemark on the terrain
  
• Icon – alternate icon choices

Click okay to apply the information entered into the placemark dialog box, and placemark will be saved in the sidebar under the Places tab. Move the placemark into the folder you created that is the title of your book. Now it is time to move on to the next location in your story.

Resources

Below are some helpful resources when creating a Google Lit trip or using Google Earth with your students. 
**Denote personal favorite

Google Earth 101 for Educators

Welcome to Google Lit Trips

**Google Earth User Guide

Earth album