Teaching with videogames: exploring countries or continents with Carmen Sandiego
In this lesson, we use the free Carmen Sandiego Google Earth extension to explore the defining features of countries around the world.
Students learn about world languages, landmarks, currencies and more through game play and research.
Year levels: 3-6
Learning areas: Geography
Suggested duration: 1-3 sessions, with an optional research project
Equipment you'll need:
- a projector, or devices that students can use to access YouTube
- students will need access to Google Earth and encyclopedia sites like Wikipedia
Download the full lesson plan
The lesson plan includes links to the Victorian and Australian Curricula, indications of lesson timing, and ideas for differentiation and assessment.
In this lesson, students will
| 1. Watch and play Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego |
| 2. Consider the difference between continents, nations, states, Indigenous country and contested territories |
| 3. Learn features of different countries including language, currency, history, geographical features |
| 4. Categorise information and present research creatively |
| 5. Choose a country, continent, state, territory or region that's important to a unit of work, or important to the student, and research the region |
| 6. Present the research as a Powerpoint, poster, annotated map, paragraph of writing, speech, or another form |
By the end of this lesson, students should
| information about different countries or regions |
| geographical terms relating to climate, terrain and natural features |
| history about different countries or regions, including national history, Indigenous history and colonialism |
| research using encyclopedia websites and wikipedia |
| categorise information appropriately |
| present findings effectively and creatively |
| understanding of the world, relationships between countries, and relationships between Australia and the world |
| research skills |
| understanding of geographical categories |