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Virtual Field Trips: U. S. Geological Survey by Felice Gerwitz |
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Normally, the USGS isn’t the first place someone might go to find a map or information about our world, but it should be! I have had www.usgs.gov/education in my favorite’s folder for years. Recently when looking online for information on hurricanes (I live in Florida), the USGS site came up in my search. I should have known.
This site is a wealth of information for the K-12 teacher. There is a section for students, teachers and a category labeled “explorers”. This link provides especially valuable information on topics such as, earth hazards, plants and animals, rocks, eco-systems, water and natural resources. Particularly interesting is the real-time information which links the student to world events taking place now. This is computer interaction at its best! Children can use this site to chart natural disaster information on a world map. What I appreciate about this site is the clear instructions, working links (always a plus in any online venture) and ease of use. I can see a homeschool parent using this information in any type of study. I plan on using the site this year as we study Florida history and science. We also plan on doing a study on rocks (hard to find in the flatlands of Florida) so this site is especially valuable as it contains a section on sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks. As a homeschool parent the site is useful to find ready-to-go activities to do with my children. Currently topics include working with maps, the effects of earthquakes and a model of a volcano to create. I keep age appropriate folders with hands-on activities printed out for times when my children use the “b” word (bored!). In the 18 years I’ve homeschooled I have attempted to take the entire summer off, but I find that school continually creeps in. My children have many questions and I have always capitalized on their interests. By planning ahead I can have activities ready, even if I can’t prepare for all of their queries. This makes schooling easier, year round. This site facilitates my planning and I highly recommend it, with one warning. Leave enough time to explore it thoroughly! © 2004 Felice Gerwitz. All rights reserved. |
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 Felice Gerwitz is a nationally recognized author, educator, lecturer, mother, and homeschooling consultant. Felice is a graduate of Florida Southern College and a former teacher with a degree in Elementary Education, Learning Disabilities and Early Childhood Education. She is the founder and managing director of MediaAngels Publishing that produces study guides for homeschoolers, and Virtual Field Trips, a unique Internet exploration and learning web site. Felice has been deeply involved in homeschooling since in 1986. | ||
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