Amelia the Pigeon: As a Pigeon Flies

Grade Level: K-2

Time Estimation: Allow one to two class periods.

Students will:

• Measure and calculate the scale of the satellite image
• Interpret and describe places and land features in the satellite image
• Use measurements and scale to determine size of places and land features rainstorm

Materials:

• Rulers (with cm)
• Color satellite image of New York City (272k pdf)
• NYC line map

Standards:

• National Science Education Standards: E
• NGS: 1,3 The World in Spatial terms
• NCTM: Standard 4 Measurement, Standard 5 Data Analysis
• ITEA: Standard 1, 3, 17

About the Lesson

Students follow Amelia's adventure on a satellite image. They use measuring and math skills to determine the distance she traveled. Using the satellite image, students write a description of what Amelia sees along the way. This activity encourages students to compare and contrast information from maps versus satellite imagery.

Engage (5 minutes)

Show the students the color Landsat satellite image of New York City. Ask if they can tell you anything about the image. Ask where they think it came from (a camera on a plane, a satellite, an astronaut). Discuss with the students that this is an image of New York City from a satellite up in space. Landsat is a satellite that provides images to help scientists to study our planet Earth.

Explore (15 minutes)

Using the "line map" of New York City, introduce the places that Amelia traveled in her adventure. 1) Amelia's house in Brooklyn; 2) Bronx Zoo; 3) Central Park; 4) Battery Park; 5) Back home. Ask the students to locate the places on the satellite image. Then students can measure, compute, and record the distances Amelia traveled on to the Distance Chart on the worksheet. Central Park is 4 kilometers long. For younger students, you can tell them that 1 cm = 2km.

Answers: 1) Amelia's house in Brooklyn to the Bronx Zoo = 14km; 2)Bronx Zoo to Central Park = 10km; 3) Central Park to Battery Park = 10km; 4) Battery Park back home = 8km.

Explain (15 - 20 minutes)

Along the way, Amelia saw many interesting places on the ground. Using the satellite image, ask the students to describe what Amelia saw as she flew between each location. Examples: lakes, parks, water, bridges or streets. Write the words "satellite image" and "map" on the board. Ask the students what the satellite image shows that a map doesnÕt. What does a map show us that a satellite image does not? Record answers on the board under titles: "satellite image" or "map". Examples: MAPS - place names, compass, grid lines and scales (on some maps). SATELLITE IMAGES - clouds, grass, trees, beaches, or boats. Discuss uses for each such as using a map to help provide directions to a place or using a satellite image to help predict the weather.

I Spy - worksheet.

1. Liberty and Ellis Island
2. Flushing Meadows
3. Race Track
4. Crescent beach
5. Cloud
6. Squiggly River

Expand (optional - second class period)

Ask the students to answer these questions using the satellite image: 1. How long is the biggest island in Jamaica Bay? 4km 2. Which airport has the longest runway and how long is it? Kennedy, 4km 3. How long is the longest beach? (15km) 4. How long is the longest bridge? (1.5km) 5. Can you find a golf course? 6. Can you find a race track? 7. How far are the clouds from Coney Island

Evaluate

Ask students to write a story about Amelia's trip and describe what she sees along each leg of her trip. Evaluate for the presence of descriptions based on characteristics unique to a satellite image and not in a map (trees, grass, clouds, boats, light colored beaches, baseball fields).

Resources

RETURN to Amelia the Pigeon Lessons