"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." — Mark Twain
Lit Trip Library
Due to changes in technology, some Lit Trips are no longer available. Select currently available Google Lit Trips in the GLT Store.
Grades K–5 Titles
Meet the Kelly family, a group of six siblings and their widowed mother living in the tenements of New York City in the late 1800s, who are torn apart by poverty and misfortune in Joan Lowery Nixon's book, A Family Apart. So begins a wonderful historical fiction novel about family, love and sacrifice set against the backdrop of the Orphan Trains, a little known chapter in American history.
An Educator Developer Collaboraton with Anne Brusca
Librarian, New Hyde Park Memorial High School, New Hyde Park, NY.
Anne is a lifelong learner at heart. She holds a B.A. in English, a Masters in Library Science and in Educational Technology, and a law degree. She started her new career in the Herricks U.F.S.D. in New York as an elementary library media specialist in a K-5 school in 2008, before moving to New Hyde Park Memorial High School, a 7-12 school in the Sewanhaka C.H.S.D., in 2011. She is excited to share the fun, creativity and learning possibilities of Google Lit Trips with her students and colleagues.
An Educator Developer Collaboration with Jerome Burg
Google Lit Trips Founder, Retired High School English Teacher.
Jerome Burg spent 38 years as a high-school English teacher.
M.A. in Education, specializing in Educational Technology. He is a popular conference and workshop presenter, is both an Apple Distinguished Educator and Google Certified Teacher; co-author of Bookmapping: Lit Trips and Beyond. See Developer Bio and GLT Global ED for more information. "From 1889-1897 a small dog captured the public's imagination - Owney, a stray who wandered into an Albany, NY Post Office. Owney became a world traveller, at first accompanying mailbags around the United States and then setting sail around the globe. His travels were followed by newspapers in many countries. His irresistible spirit won hearts wherever he went." – Google Books
Educator Developer Linda S. White
Retired Library Media Specialist, Wilderness Elementary School, Spotsylvania, VA. Linda White has an MLS from the University of North Texas and was a school librarian for 31 years. She served as the librarian/library media specialist at Wilderness Elementary School in Spotsylvania, Virginia, from its opening in 1998 to 2014. She also was the curator of the school website. She served as a Young Adult Librarian for the Dallas Public Library in the early years of her career.
Mrs. White loves to read and greatly desires to encourage children to develop a love of reading. She thinks that Google Lit Trips will help stir the children's desire to read and increase their knowledge of geography."London the perfect place for a girl and her mother to spend the day! Follow them as they board the classic red bus and begin a whirlwind tour of some of London's most iconic landmarks. Try to climb the awe-inspiring lions at Trafalgar Square, take in the ritualistic Changing of the Guard, experience the whispering gallery at St Paul's and - if you're lucky - you may even spot the Queen! In this paean to Britain's bright and bustling capital city, Salvatore Rubbino's fresh, lively paintings and breezy text capture the delight of a young visitor experiencing the wonders of London first-hand. And of course, what's London without a little rain?" – Google Books
Educator Developer Karen Arrington
Lower School Instructional Technology Specialist, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX. As the Lower School Digital Learning Specialist, Karen works with kindergarten through fourth graders in the computer lab as well as in the classroom; reinforcing, enhancing, and transforming the curriculum through technology with the goal of developing life-long learners and problem-solvers. Nothing is more exciting than observing children's faces as they create, collaborate, and share with others! In addition, she helps teachers incorporate technology into their teaching. Prior to becoming the digital learning specialist, she taught grades K-3 in public and private schools. She holds a B.S. in Deaf/Hard of Hearing Education and a M.Ed. in Elementary Education. In 2013, her peers selected her to be her school's Distinguished Faculty Award recipient.While riding on a bus through Manhattan with her grandmother, a little girl imagines that they are carried up into the sky and fly over the sights of New York City, in an evocative study of the loving bond between child and grandparent. – Google Books
Educator Developer Terri Izatt
Second Grade Teacher, Northside Elementary School, Elko, NV. Terri Izatt has been a teacher for 26 years, 18 of them in Elko, Nevada; mostly in Second Grade, with stops in Kindergarten and reading/math intervention. She writes curriculum; maintains a blog at her website, Kinder Kapers; creates many of her classroom materials; and sets up her own school "reading nook" where she shares her personal collection of books—which probably numbers in the thousands, if she ever stops to count. She is also an enthusiastic outdoor educator and has been a leader and trainer for both Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops."Amy has lived on five of the seven continents and in this book, introduces children to each of the seven continents that make up our world. Amy gives insight through the eyes of a child and makes geography interesting and fun! The continents are discussed in regards to topics such as, who lives on the continent, what animals may be found there, what language is spoken and what is interesting or unique about the continent..." – Goodreads
A Collaboration with the Author, Kathryn Starke
Elementary School Reading Specialist, Literacy Consultant, Children's Author, Publisher, Public Speaker and Freelance Writer. Kathryn spends every day motivating children to read, think, and learn.
Kathryn travels to schools, libraries, museums, and bookstores across the nation to share Amy's Travels with children, parents, and teachers.
A Collaboration with Educator Developer, Jerome Burg
Google Lit Trips Founder, Retired High School English Teacher.
Jerome Burg spent 38 years as a high-school English teacher.
M.A. in Education, specializing in Educational Technology. He is a popular conference and workshop presenter, is both an Apple Distinguished Educator and Google Certified Teacher; co-author of Bookmapping: Lit Trips and Beyond. See Developer Bio and GLT Global ED for more information. "Join Grace and her family on their adventurous and sometimes funny expedition. A warm, heartfelt story based on an actual journey. Eight-year-old Grace describes a three-month trip around Australia with her Mum; Dad; older brother, Luke; and younger brother, Billy .Hitching up Poppa's old camper trailer behind their car, this amiable family takes a winter term off from school to experience the remarkable diversity of their country." – Google Books
Educator Developer Amanda Gardiner
Digital Technology Specialist Teacher, St Peter's Catholic Primary School, Caboolture QLD 4510. I have been teaching for 30 years and am passionate about both children's literature and the integration of ICT across the curriculum. My dual role in the school allows me to combine these two passions into my teaching. Google Lit trips provides me with the opportunity of taking great children's literature and extending it into the world of ICT. I have dual postgraduate qualifications in both Teacher Librarianship and ICT. I enjoy creating online activities that have both a Library and ICT focus such as this Google Lit Trip and sharing them with other like-minded teachers across the globe."From the day he is born on a farm in northern Italy, Big Anthony gets into trouble because he does not pay attention, and now that he is a teenager causing disasters, his father sends him south, passing through Calabria, Pisa, Roma, Napoli, and other cities." – Google Books
Educator Developer Andy Losik
Blue Star Elementary School, Holland, Michigan, Bentheim Elementary School, Hamilton, MI. Andy holds a bachelor's degree in early childhood education and masters in educational technology and says, "I am always looking for tools that help kids deepen their understanding of what is being learned in the classroom. Infotech is a combination of library and technology skills so Google Lit Trips bridge the two disciplines perfectly."Bonyo Bonyo is a true story about how a Kenyan boy's courage and determination, along with critical support from family and strangers, helped him live out his dream of becoming a physician. Pursuing his goal forces him to leave his family and ultimately his country. But years later he is able to return as a doctor with the resources to build a much-needed clinic.
A Collaboration with Educator Developer, Catrina Steiner
Center for Literacy, University of Akron, OH. Catrina Steiner is a graduate student at The University of Akron pursuing her Master of Science degree in Elementary Education with a Focus in Literacy. She has taught in several local public school districts as a substitute teacher and Title I Tutor. After graduation, Catrina is looking forward to pursuing her calling as a teacher of young children.A Collaboration with Educator Developer, Lori Vargo
Associate Director of Center for Literacy, University of Akron, OH. Lori has worked in educational technology for over twenty years. She's been a computer science teacher, technology resource teacher, and Technology Coordinator. In 2003, she was selected an Apple Distinguished Educator.A Collaboration with the Author, Vanita Oelschlager
Author & Writer in Residence, Center for Literacy, University of Akron, OH. Vanita Oelschlager is a wife, mother, grandmother, philanthropist, former teacher, caregiver, author, and poet. She is a graduate of Mt. Union College in Alliance, Ohio, where she currently serves as a Trustee. VanitaBooks donates all net profits to The Oak Clinic for Multiple Sclerosis and other charities where "people help people help themselves."Follow the journey of the Lost Boys of Sudan as they walk nearly a thousand miles in their escape from the cruel persecution of the Sudanese government. Learn why this story is called Brothers in Hope.
Educator Developer Gail Holloman Holmes
Instructional Technology Coach, Guilford County Schools, NC. Gail has taught technology integration workshops in the United States and in Europe. She is an adjunct instructor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She travels to counties across North Carolina teaching and modeling technology integration strategies to grades K-12.Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis Bud (like a plant, not short for 'Buddy', as he determinedly tells everyone) is a motherless boy on the run. He's determined to find his father but doesn't really know where to start. The only clue his late mother left him was a bunch of flyers about Herman E Calloway and his famous jazz band, the Dusky Devastators of the Depression! Bud's search for his dad is a tough one but just occasionally he hits a note as high as even the Dusky Devastators can play! A superbly entertaining, prize-winning novel. – Google Books
Educator Developer Dalena Luis
Candidate, M.A. Elementary Education, University of Central FL. When given the opportunity to use GLTs as an instructional tool, I rose to the challenge in creating a lesson plan using the historical fiction novel It's Bud, Not Buddy. This book is age appropriate for upper level elementary and middle school children. In the GLT, I added several teaching resources such as lesson plan ideas, useful websites, and books about children in the Great Depression. It is my hope teachers would use this Google Lit Trip to make social studies lessons meaningful and interactive. As I learn the craft of teaching, I encourage other aspiring teachers that are in undergraduate and graduate programs to use GLT's to expand their teaching toolbox to implement the best pedagogical practices."In this rollicking adventure set during the California Gold Rush, Jack's aunt is forced to sell her beloved mansion to meet her debts. She is still unable to raise enough money to pay her creditors, and twelve-year-old Jack goes to California in search of gold to help her. Joined by his trusty butler, Praiseworthy, Jack finds adventure and trouble at every turn." – Goodreads
A Collaboration with Educator Developer, Jerome Burg
Google Lit Trips Founder, Retired High School English Teacher. Jerome Burg spent 38 years as a high-school English teacher. M.A. in Education, specializing in Educational Technology. He is a popular conference and workshop presenter, is both an Apple Distinguished Educator and Google Certified Teacher; co-author of Bookmapping: Lit Trips and Beyond. See Developer Bio and GLT Global ED for more information.A Collaboration with Educator Developer, Kim Burris
Literacy Coach, Transitional Kindergarten-8th Grade, OUSD, Orinda, CA. Kim Burris is a passionate educator, and occasional writer who works with 70+ teachers and administrators across five schools in Orinda, CA. She currently is a Teacher on Special Assignment, working with teachers to help build strong teaching teams, assisting in planning, implementing and evaluating all things literacy based. Kim interfaces with staff developers, district technology & math coaches, as well as with coaches outside the district."Flotsam" is defined as debris floating on the ocean and is usually from shipwrecks. In the Caldecott winning book Flotsam, by David Weisner, the flotsam that washes ashore is a very special underwater camera. Come along for a trip around the world that follows the fantastical trip of a camera, the marine animals it captures on film and the children that find it.
Educator Developer Holly Doe
Enrichment and Technology Teacher, Pelham Elementary School, Pelham, NH. Holly works with over 950 students in first through fifth grade with a focus on math, science, and technology. While teaching first graders about the ocean, she decided to share one of her favorite wordless picture books, Flotsam. She enjoys finding ways to enhance literature with technology and Google Lit Trips seemed like the perfect fit. This project was the combined effort of eight first grade classes and over 200 students. Each class was assigned a photograph from the book to investigate."As Hugo looks out his hospital window, he listens to the animal noises that float up from the zoo below. Come, come home with me, a different wild animal beckons each day. So Hugo puts on his slippers, and suddenly embarks on a series of adventures to faraway lands. Vibrant, rich illustrations enliven this sweet testament to overcoming fear through imagination." – Goodreads
Educator Developer Antonella Albini
Teacher Librarian, Canley Vale Public School, Sydney, Australia. Antonella Albini has been the Teacher Librarian at Canley Vale Public School, Sydney Australia for since 2005. The school has over 800 students and she works with years 2 through to years 6. Previously, at the same school she has been an ESL teacher and a classroom teacher. Having also completed a degree in ICT and Education, Antonella continuously finds ways to integrate ICT into her teaching and learning program.A Magic Eyes: I Spy picture book of thirteen significant scenes in New Zealand history between 1840 and 2000. An informative and fun way to introduce children to some important events in New Zealand history, and encourage them to search for details in the images. Learn more about New Zealand history in this Google Lit Trip created and shared by Maori and Pasifika students.
Educator Developer Dorothy Burt
eLearning team leader Pt England School, Auckland, NZ. In 2007 Dorothy Burt became a Ministry of Education eFellow and wrote a research paper on "Podcasting with KPE". Her experiences in eLearning began in the classroom establishing initiatives such as television and podcasting and are strongly influenced by the question,"Will this contribute to raising student achievement outcomes AND provide a 21st century education experience?"When a small boy on his way to school, befriends a lost bear, they wind up on an incredible journey trying to find the bear's home. This Google Lit Trip provides a charming tour many of Boston's famous landmarks.
Educator Developer JoAn Adams
1st Grade Teacher, St. James School, Montgomery, Alabama. I love Google Earth so when I saw Google Lit Trips as a class choice I jumped on it. I learned the basics, YouTube helped me learn more and I started looking for a project. At the time, the only Lit Trip for the early childhood class was Make Way for Ducklings. We viewed it and my students loved the idea of bringing the book alive virtually. It just so happened that it was also the year we changed reading series and Lost! by David McPhail became one of our stories. It was set in Boston and correlated with Make Way for Duckings. It was perfect for the Smartboard so I began my journey making my first Google Lit Trip.Follow the journey of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard as they find a safe home to raise their family. "Awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1942, Make Way for Ducklings has been described as "one of the merriest picture books ever." Ideal for reading aloud, this book deserves a place of honor on every child's bookshelf." – Goodreads
Educator Developer Mary Ellen (Mel) McNamara
Educational Technology Resource Teacher, Howard County Public School System, Ellicott City, MD. Prior to being a resource teacher for educational technology Mel McNamara was a high school media specialist for 7 years and before that she was an elementary school media specialist for 8 years. This Lit Trip includes photographs by developer Mel McNamara."Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen often think of life before the war. It's now 1943 and their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching through town. When the Jews of Denmark are "relocated," Ellen moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be one of the family. Soon Annemarie is asked to go on a dangerous mission to save Ellen's life." – Goodreads
Educator Developer Steve Figurelli
Supervisor, Elementary Education, Edison Township Public Schools, NJ. I have served the Edison Township Public Schools in New Jersey since 2003. My work, at the local and state level, has been consistently grounded in the infusion of 21st Century learning skills and technological trends, differentiating instruction to meet the needs of a wide array of learners, fostering positive teacher-student relationships, and using data to inform meaningful instruction. Through employing expertise in the areas of professional learning communities, inquiry-based learning, and new literacies, my activities and accomplishments in the field have grown to encompass every aspect of the learning experience. I have facilitated multiple professional development workshops with a concentration on research-based instructional strategies, educational technologies, and student engagement.Paddle-to-the-Sea has taught children and adults alike about the natural and cultural wonders of the Great Lakes. It remains timely seven decades after its initial publication. Follow Paddle-to-the-Sea, a carving of a young Indian boy in a canoe, on a journey through all the Great Lakes. This Lit Trip is a remarkable collection of teacher resources. Each location place marker contains a brief plot summary, information on the location, geographic features, themes, and links to kid-friendly resource websites.
Educator Developer David Hart and son Noah Hart
Senior Scientist at the University of Wisconsin Aquatic Sciences Center. Through this position, he conducts research and provides outreach that supports sustainable coastal development along the Great Lakes. David's research occurs at the intersection of geographic information science, urban planning, and environmental management. Noah Hart, Learning Analyst, Penn Foster, Boston, MA. He has a B.A. in Anthropology with a minor in Learning Sciences from Washington University in St. Louis. He was a student at Madison West High School when he helped develop the Paddle-to-the-Sea Lit Trip.Imagine reading the journal of a young boy who took the trip of a lifetime. This fictional story lets you do just that. Come travel along with a young cabin boy, who just happened to keep a diary while sailing on the Santa Maria during Christopher Columbus' first voyage to the new world in 1492.
Educator Developer Kathleen Ellison
Teacher/Librarian, Sakai Intermediate School, Bainbridge, WA. Kathleen has been a school librarian since 1992. She was awarded the New York Times / Carnegie Corporation's "I Love My Librarian" award in 2013. She continues to work and live on a small island in the Puget Sound. "My students come to the library to do research; my goal is to influence them with a brief lesson that creates some change in their brain. I also provide parent-led literature discussion groups." http://infoandlit.blogspot.comThe Outback is a dangerous place to live. So, Grandma Poss makes little Hush invisible to keep her safe. But, when Grandma Poss can't seem to make Hush visible again, they take off on a journey to cure her. This Google Lit Trip focuses on the locations and foods featured in Memo Fox's Possum Magic.
Educator Developer Melanie Turner
Instructional Technology Specialist, Colquitt County School District, GA. Melanie Turner holds a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, a Master's Degree in Reading Education, and a Specialist Degree in Instructional Technology. She has been a teacher since 2005 and an instructional technology specialist since 2007. Melanie has presented several sessions at the Georgia Educational Technology Fair and serves on the Georgia Educational Technology Fair Advisory Committee.Priscilla is only four years old when her mother is sold to another master. All Priscilla has to remember her mother by are the hollyhocks she planted by the cow pond. At age ten, Priscilla is sold to a Cherokee family and continues her life as a slave. She keeps hope for a better life alive by planting hollyhocks wherever she goes. At last, her forced march along the Trail of Tears brings a chance encounter that leads to her freedom.– Goodreads
Educator Developer Jessica Graham
Teacher, John Tartan Elementary School, Las Vegas, NV. Developer Jessica Graham has produced the first "Teachers' Edition" Google Lit Trip. She includes extensive additional resources for enhancing the teaching of this fascinating story. Ms. Graham developed the Priscilla and the Hollyhocks (teacher's edition) Google Lit Trip as part of a Clark County School District Teaching American History Grant under the direction of Christy G. Keeler, Ph.D. She wishes to express special thanks to author Anne Broyles, Christy G. Keeler, Ph.D, Virginia Thorpe and to Jerome Burg for their support and assistance while she worked on this project.Riding Freedom is a fictionalized account of Charley (Charlotte) Parkhurst who ran away from an orphanage, drove stagecoaches, moved to California, and fooled everyone by her appearance, and may well have been the first woman in the United States to... Well, you'll just have to read the book to find out all about this remarkable person!
A Collaboration with Educator Developer, Vanessa Morris, M.Ed
3rd Grade teacher, Sacred Heart Elementary School, Saratoga, CA. Vanessa Morris holds a Bachelor of Arts, Masters Degree, and Teaching Credential. This story concludes in an area near her school, so it is of great interest to her students.A Collaboration with Educator Developer, Roberta Witte, MA, Special Ed
Learning Resource Specialist, Sacred Heart Elementary School, Saratoga, CA. Roberta's opinion, any opportunity to combine technology with visual information helps her students to learn. Mrs. Witte developed this Lit Trip so that more students could better visualize locations on the east coast and the adventures of traveling on a stagecoach during the 1800s. The main character, Charlie Parkhurst, actually lived in an area close to her school. Many of the stagecoach routes are familiar locations to her students, so it was fun for everyone to step back in time and connect the story to local spots."Folks say that when Sam Patch was born, he jumped right into his mother's arms. That was just the beginning! As a young boy working at a cotton mill, he jumped off the mill roof into the river below. When he was older, he jumped off cliffs and a ship, earning a reputation as a true daredevil. Then on October 17, 1829, Sam jumped into Niagara Falls! News of his death-defying leaps swept the nation-and Sam Patch jumped right into American legend." – Google Books
Educator Developer Hope Preston
Lower School Librarian Gill St. Bernard's School Gladstone, NJ. Hope is the Lower School Librarian at an independent school in New Jersey. She teaches library and information skills and, most importantly, a love of reading to Pre-K through 4th grade students. Librarianship is her second career, following 24 years as a manager in the telecom industry. Hope received her MLIS from Rutgers University. Hope finds Google Lit Trips the perfect way to combine a love of literature with a strong interest in geography. Her school's motto of "The world is our classroom" captures the essence of this personal passion and professional journey. She created the Sam Patch lit trip to support a second grade biography unit. Featuring two New Jersey locations and amazing feats of derring-do, it is the perfect match for young students ready to "jump" into great stories.This fictionalized retelling of the journey of Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and the Corps of Discovery tells the story of an unheralded member of the Corps -- Seaman, a 150-pound Newfoundland dog. Seaman travels the long journey with the Corps, serving a key role in the expedition's success, catching and retrieving game, and protecting the expedition team from wild animals. Come along with Lewis, Clark, the Corps of Discovery, and Seaman as they meet Sacagawea who joins the expedition; form friendships with several Indian tribes; survive near-death encounters, grizzly bear attacks, and buffalo bull stampedes through the camp; cross the Continental Divide; and overcome the wounding of their seemingly fearless leader, Meriwether Lewis. – Goodreads
A Collaboration with Educator Developer, Susie Throop, M.A.
Fourth Grade Teacher, Marietta Center for Advanced Academics, Marietta, GA. Susie's introduction to computers was in 1988 when her local library put the card file on-line. Susie has a master's degree in Early Childhood Education and a specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Susie tries to connect technology with each lesson she teaches. She has accompanied some of her fourth graders to present at the Student Showcase portions of NECC and GaETC conferences. She was honored as Teacher of the year for 1998 and 2007.A Collaboration with Educator Developer, Stacey Buckalew, ED.S.
District Instructional Technology Coach, Marietta Center for Advanced Academics, Marietta, GA.
Stacey Buckalew, ED.S. holds a Master's Degree in Library and Information Science and a Educational Specialist degree in Instructional Technology.
She is a frequent presenter at Georgia state education conferences where her students have taken home several awards. In 2006 she was honored with the 2006 GEM (Going the Extra Mile) Award and also recognized as Teacher of the Year. In 2009 she received the Georgia Media Exemplary Award from the state of Georgia."When an armadillo named Sasparillo wants to know where on earth he is, he leaves his home in San Antonio and travels north through the canyons and prairies of Texas. In Amarillo he meets an eagle and, with her help, finds the answer to his question." – Goodreads
A Collaboration with Educator Developer, Karen Arrington
Karen Arrington Lower School Instructional Technology Specialist Trinity Valley School Fort Worth, TX. Karen works with kindergarten through fourth graders on a regular basis in the computer lab; reinforcing, enhancing, and transforming the curriculum through technology with the goal of developing life-long 21st century learners. She holds a B.S. in Deaf/Hard of Hearing Education and a M.Ed. in Elementary Education. In 2013, her peers selected her to be the recipient of her school's Distinguished Faculty Award. http://tvstechtips.edublogs.orgA Collaboration with Educator Developer, Jerome Burg
Google Lit Trips Founder, Retired High School English Teacher.
Jerome Burg spent 38 years as a high-school English teacher.
M.A. in Education, specializing in Educational Technology. He is a popular conference and workshop presenter, is both an Apple Distinguished Educator and Google Certified Teacher; co-author of Bookmapping: Lit Trips and Beyond. See Developer Bio and GLT Global ED for more information. This book is based on a true story of the last Voyage of the Karluk, Aleutian for "fish." The Karluk and its crew were joined by an Iñupiaq family and their two young daughters. Through the Iñupaiq family we learn much about the culture of the Inuit people. But, along the way, the Karluk runs into serious trouble and we find ourselves learning about an important event in history as we hope for the survival of the crew and its passengers. In this Google Lit Trip we have blended media and information about Iñupiaq culture and the actual historical events of the story.
Educator Developer Jerome Burg
Google Lit Trips Founder, Retired High School English Teacher. Jerome Burg spent 38 years as a high-school English teacher. M.A. in Education, specializing in Educational Technology. He is a popular conference and workshop presenter, is both an Apple Distinguished Educator and Google Certified Teacher; co-author of Bookmapping: Lit Trips and Beyond. See Developer Bio and GLT Global ED for more information.As the yellow balloon floats through many time periods - ancient, medieval, and contemporary - and realms both natural and supernatural, young readers can also look for the small blue car, the fakir on his flying carpet, and the scoundrel in prison garb. This story will fascinate young readers as they embark on a lively and fun-filled journey around the globe – Goodreads
This wonderful Lit Trip was developed by the 1st grade students of Mrs. Wilkes, in collaboration with Diane Forte Barfield. Take a whirlwind tour around the world to discover a wide variety of geographical features mentioned in the book.A Collaboration with Educator Developer, Michelle Wilkes
1st Grade Teacher, Okapilco Elementary School Moultrie, Georgia. The project just fell together when I asked my sister, an overseas pilot, to purchase children's books from other countries. I had these books waiting for a prime opportunity. This past fall my dad, a flight instructor, had a student pilot come to the US from France. Katherena has lived in several countries and she speaks five languages. She came to my class and read some of these books. Meanwhile, I spoke with Mrs. Barfield, our Instructional Technology Specialist, who told me about Google Earth Lit Trips. We combined all of the components and ended up with a wonderful lesson in which students had the chance to explore land forms and places around the world.A Collaboration with Educator Developer, Diane Forte Barfield
Instructional Technology Specialist, Assistive Technology Coordinator, Colquitt County Schools Facilitator, South Georgia Consortium for Assistive Technology. Presented at many conferences for Assistive Technology including the Georgia IDEAS conference. Currently working as a consultant for Don Johnston, the leader in Assistive Technology. I serve as a trainer of teachers and students as they use technology in their classrooms."Join Arusha, Mosi, Tumpe and their Maasai friends as they set out on a counting journey through the grasslands of Tanzania. Along the way, the children encounter all sorts of animals including elephants, lions and monkeys, while counting from one to ten in both English and Swahili. The lively, rhyming text is accompanied by an illustrated guide to counting in Swahili, a map, notes about each of the animals, and interesting facts about Tanzania and the Maasai people." – Goodreads
Educator Developer Vicki Willett
First Grade Teacher West Elementary School Licking Heights Local School District Blacklick, OHIn addition to teaching first grade, Vicki is also the building's Technology Coordinator and as part of the position helped to develop and currently maintains the Licking Heights West's web pages. She is a National Board Certified Teacher. Vicki graduated from Florida State University with a B.S. degree in Childhood Education. She is currently working on her masters in the Art of Teaching with a primary focus on National Board Teaching Certification. One of the assignments for a class was to develop a Google Lit Trip and as soon as she started, she became completely fascinated with Lit Trips. Never being an avid reader herself, she is always looking for new ways to entice children to read.
"Jasmine is not sure she likes the idea of being stuck in Victoria while her father goes to China for a year. But on a field trip to Chinatown, she explores a curious shop in Fan Tan Alley and accidentally passes through a hidden door. She finds herself in Victoria's Chinatown of the late 1880's. Mistaken for a Chinese boy, she is soon caught up in a race through the Fraser Canyon to find a tiger amulet." ~Google Books