Tucked inside Google Earth is a geography quiz created in partnership with Atlas Obscura. The Natural Wonders Quiz is a multiple-choice challenge that asks students to identify special locations around the world. The challenge takes students to some of the most beautiful—and intriguing—places on the planet. The questions and the locales are a blend of history and geography. To travel to the locations, students click on the blue Let’s Go button and hit a spot on the blue orb of Google Earth. Then jumping to the specific spot on the 3D globe, they can explore the location further. They can go from cool ice caves in Alaska to the blazing salt mines of Ethiopia—all the while learning about geographical features and discovering captivating legends. The first edition of the quiz has seven questions. Google Earth will continue to update the quizzes with other themes.
January 6, 2021, will certainly be a day for the history books. For all teachers grappling with how to address the day’s events with students, this Teaching Idea from Facing History and Ourselves is designed to help guide an initial classroom reflection on the insurrection at the United States Capitol on that day.
On January 6, 2021, the nation witnessed a grave breach of its democratic traditions. For the first time in American history, supporters of the losing presidential candidate forcibly disrupted the official counting of electoral votes. PBS NewsHour Extra has provided a classroom resource that includes three activities to teach about the breach of the US Capitol.
America’s seat of government has endured bombings, a presidential assassination attempt, and even destruction by foreign forces. There have also been attacks from inside—including a near-fatal attack on one lawmaker by another. National Geographic provides a brief look at the threats to the Capitol over the years.