Maps has been one of my favorite Google Apps to use in fourth and fifth grade. Students conduct research on a topic, create placemarks, and add descriptions, images, and sometimes links. The collaboration feature allows the class to quickly create a visual guide to any topic, for example the agricultural products of Oregon. The work environment is media-rich, collaborative, and fast. The mapping skills are very transferable to other subjects.
View Map Of Oregon in a larger map
In the following map, each student designed a fruit salad from a list of ingredients and then mapped the distance to the place of origin of each fruit.
View Fruit Salad in a larger map
Richard Kassissieh is Assistant Head of School for Academics and Strategic Initiatives at