I have been thinking about how to put my recent trip to Indonesia into words, because the experience came about in an unexpected way. A few years ago, while researching and creating my Indonesia Virtual Field Trip, I became more and more fascinated by the country. I remember telling my husband, Scott, how interesting Indonesia was and that it was somewhere I wanted to experience myself. So I added it to our travel bucket list (yes, we have a shared list!). But flights to Indo

Civic education has been pushed to the back burner over the years with a higher focus on subject areas like Math, Science, and ELA. Ensuring students receive a high-quality civics education has not been a high priority for many schools, and one of the problems is that textbooks are not adequate for teaching civic skills. Studies show that teachers need to take a holistic approach to teaching civics (The Six Proven Practices of Effective Civic Learning). It's not just about te

Finding resources that fit naturally into your curriculum to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month can sometimes be a challenge. But Hispanic Heritage Month is a great opportunity to help students explore the history, culture, geography, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. It is celebrated every year from September 15 to October 15. One simple solution is to take your students on a virtual field trip! And I've got three exciting trips I want to share with you! V

One of the challenges of teaching ancient history is helping students visualize places that existed thousands of years ago. If you teach Ancient History or World Civilizations, this virtual field trip is a great way to bring history to life! Using a combination of Google Earth™ 360-degree views, informational text, and visuals, your students will visit Sudan and learn about key features of Ancient Nubia. Virtual field trips are great, engaging activities to add to your unit.

Are you ready to take your students on an interactive virtual field trip across North America? This exciting journey will help them learn about the diverse Indigenous peoples, cultures, traditions, homes, and communities of nine geographic regions. This resource aligns with the Native Knowledge 360 Essential Understandings Framework. It has been thoughtfully designed to help students realize that Native peoples are not just a part of history—they are vibrant communities today

What Is the Reconstruction Era Virtual Field Trip? This Reconstruction Era Virtual Field Trip is an interactive history lesson that allows students to explore important historical locations using Google Earth, analyze primary sources, view short video clips, and answer inquiry-based questions. Instead of simply reading about Reconstruction, students actively investigate how Americans rebuilt the nation after the Civil War. Reconstruction can be difficult for students to visua

The Homestead Act Virtual Field Trip is a digital social studies resource that helps students explore pioneer life, westward expansion, and the Homestead Act of 1862 through interactive learning experiences. Students use Google Earth™, videos, informational text, and response questions to investigate what life was like for homesteaders and Native Americans during westward expansion. Teaching westward expansion can feel abstract for students when they only read from a textbook

I've had many requests for a virtual field trip about Landforms and Bodies of Water , and I'm excited to share the details about this new activity! As with all of my virtual field trips, this activity includes ready-to-go content, response questions, and incredible Google Earth 360-degree views! This virtual field trip brings geography to life by allowing students the opportunity to explore real locations using Google Earth. Instead of just viewing a few textbook images, your

If you are looking for a way to engage your students, spark curiosity, and bring ancient civilizations to life, this Machu Picchu virtual field trip might be exactly what you need. This digital activity takes students on an interactive journey through one of the most fascinating archeological sites in the world. So often, a textbook narrows down an entire group of people, or an entire civilization, into one single paragraph or photograph. Instead, this activity combines expl

If you are looking for an activity that isn't just test prep, but an interactive civics experience, this Supreme Court of the United States virtual field trip is a great option. This activity moves beyond memorization and instead has your students connect with how the Supreme Court of the United States shapes everyday life. From understanding how laws are interpreted to seeing the human stories beyond court decisions, your students build the kind of civic literacy that lasts

Ever wished your students could walk the halls of American history without leaving the classroom (or homeschool)? Well, here's a solution! Get ready to bring history to life with this interactive virtual field trip to Independence Hall & the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania!

Do your students think the Boston Tea Party was just a party with tea? Help your students understand the real story with this virtual field trip!

Bring Japan to your students with this ready-to-use virtual field trip simulation. Guided Google Earth links, map skills, culture, geography, and editable student response questions, this activity is perfect for elementary/upper-elementary social studies.

Too often, students can list the five W’s of the American Civil War: who, what, when, where, and why, but still struggle to truly understand the people who lived through it. They can tell you that Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president or that the Civil War lasted from 1861 to 1865, but they can’t always imagine what daily life was like for a soldier, a nurse, or an enslaved person during that time. That’s why bringing history to life matters. When students experience the pas

The days leading up to Thanksgiving break can be hectic for teachers. Between shortened schedules, assemblies, and excited students, finding something meaningful yet low-prep can feel like a challenge. I've created a ready-to-go virtual field trip experience that lets students travel back in time to the early 1600s to learn the history and significance of Plymouth colony from multiple perspectives. In this Plymouth Colony virtual field trip, your students will visit historic

As we approach the season of giving-thanks and reflect on the story of Thanksgiving and Plymouth Colony, it’s vital that educators take time to teach this chapter of American history with accuracy, nuance, and respect. The popular narrative of Pilgrims and Native Americans sharing a meal and being friends, while appealing, often leaves out deeper truths, multiple voices, and the complexity of what truly happened. Here is how you can use a virtual field trip to teach Thanksgi

Teaching geography can feel like a daunting task, especially when the subject spans across the history and geography of Ancient China....

If you are teaching the Italian Renaissance after your Middle Ages unit, this interactive virtual field trip will help you bring history...

If you are looking for meaningful end-of-year social studies activities to keep your students engaged, check out these great ideas!

I don't know about you, but I was one of those teachers who struggled to take my sick days. Creating lesson plans to leave for a...