Virtual Tour Lesson Plan

6th grade-social studies
Standard 1 Students will understand how ancient civilizations developed and how they contributed to the current state of the world.

I chose a virtual tour to help students visualize the distance that the ideas of the ancient civilizations had to travel to influence our country. For example, I have the students start in Athens, Greece, and then have them travel to Washington D.C. in the United States. Hopefully, the students see that despite the fact that the two places are divided by great distance and time, the architectural ideas of Greece were able to impact the architectural ideas in Washington D.C. Also, I felt that it would be a fun and interactive way to learn more about how American architecture has been influenced by Greek and Roman civilizations.

Using Google Earth to create a virtual tour really uses a different form of representation. The virtual tour is very dynamic in that the students can interact and manipulate the learning materials. In this lesson, the students will be using the ruler to measure the lengths and widths of various structures.

Note:

For these activities, make sure that students have their passport or world travels journals (a journal that can be used to take notes and in which they provide evidence that they complete the assignments).

Location	Activity Description	Google Earth Content
1. Parthenon in Athens Greece	First, watch the video depicting an artist's version of the Parthenon as it would have looked originally. As you do so, take note of the archictecture of the Parthenon. Notice the columns and the style. Take notes in your journal. After watching the video, measure the length and width of the Parthenon. Record these numbers in your journal.	Use 3D building. Overlay with picture of parthenon. http://www.greek-islands.us/athens/parthenon/parthenon.jpg Video to embed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASdYVEIDXnM Ruler
2. Abraham Lincoln National Memorial	Look at the different architecture of the Lincoln Memorial through the videos. Notice the columns and the style. Take notes in your journal. Thinking of the columns and design of the Parthenon, what features are similar? What things are different? Write your responses to these questions in your journal. Measure the length and width of the Lincoln Memorial. Record these numbers in your journal. Compare the lengths and widths of the Lincoln Memorial with the Parthenon. Do they have a similar ratio of length and width?	Use 3D building. Overlay picture of Lincoln Memorial: http://photos.nondot.org/2002-04-20-Washington-DC/2002-04-21/normal/059%20-%20Lincoln%20Memorial%20Front.jpg Video to embed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TF4FyGHvlU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZS_Mc-jF2Q Ruler
3. Colosseum, Rome, Italy	Notice the shape and size of the Colosseum. Measure the length and width, and record them in your journal. Read the information given about the events that took place at the Colosseum. Take notes of anything that stands out to you in your journal. Also, write down why you think it was designed the way it was. (What was its purpose?) "The History of the Colosseum The History of Colosseum includes the First Gladiatorial Fight in Rome, the Rise of the Gladiator Games, the Origin and Concept of the Colosseum, Vespasian and the Flavian Amphitheatre (the Colosseum), History of the Colosseum and the Roman Emperors and the story of Telemachus and the end of the Gladiatorial Games. This history of the Roman Colosseum started hundreds of years before it was actually built when the tastes of Roman citizens craved the excitement and blood lust of the gladiatorial games. Their taste for blood and this form of entertainment dates back to 264AD when the first recorded Roman gladiatorial combats took place in Rome. The Roman Colosseum was opened in 80AD and was originally the called the Flavian Amphitheatre. The idea of this great arena was that of the Roman Emperor Vespasian and the construction started in c70AD and was financed from the proceeds gained from the Roman sacking of Jerusalem. The history of the arena continues through the reigns of various emperors, the emergence of the Christian religion, the horror stories regarding the deaths of Christian martyrs in the Colosseum, the Gladiator fights and the killing of thousands of exotic wild animals in Ancient Rome. The madness of the mob and craving for this type of entertainment finally ended in the 6th century. Interesting facts and history about the Colosseum of Ancient Rome. Purpose of the Roman Colosseum This section contains facts and information about the purpose of the Roman Colosseum. There are many reasons why the great amphitheatre was built and these are detailed in this article together with facts and information about its concept. The concept of the Flavian Amphitheatre, as it was first called, grew from the custom of wealthy Romans holding funeral games to honor the dead. . . . The funeral games were organised and paid for by wealthy Roman aristocrats and Patricians as public events which led to popularity of the Gladiator games in the infamous arena." Source: http://www.roman-colosseum.info/colosseum/index.htm	Use 3D building. Picture of Colosseum to overlay: http://famouswonders.com/wp-content/gallery/colosseum-of-rome/inside-the-colosseum.jpg
4. Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA	Notice the shape and size of Heinz Field. Describe the similarities between the Heinz Field and the Colosseum in your journal. Measure the length and width of the field, and record them in your journal. Compare and contrast the lengths and widths. Do they have the same ratios? Read about the activities that take place at Heinz Field. Take notes in your journal. “Heinz Field, home to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Panthers, is a monument to Western Pennsylvania football tradition and, especially, to the fans. . . . Heinz Field is the perfect blend of modern-day amenities and fan-friendly charm. The two-tiered stadium offers more intimacy than many NFL venues, with natural grass, great sight lines and a wide-open view of the football action set against the beautiful backdrop of downtown Pittsburgh. There is no such thing as a bad seat in this football-oriented stadium which was obviously designed to take football from a game to an experience.” Source: Powell, Albrecht. “Football Fan's Guide to Heinz Field--History of the Pittsburgh Steelers.” http://pittsburgh.about.com/cs/steelers/a/heinz_field.htm After having read the events that take place at the Colosseum and at Heinz Field, answer the following questions: 1. What activities were similar if any? 2. What activities were different if any? 3. Why do you think that Heinz Field is shaped the way it is? 4. Do you feel that Heinz Field is similar to the Colosseum? Why or why not?	Use 3D building. Picture of Heinz Field to overlay: http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2007/1030/travel_g_heinzfield_590.jpg Ruler