Tree Mapping Activity
Things I learned and found interesting...
To start the morning off, we did an activity where we mapped the location of all of the trees.  I thought this activity was very interesting. Not only because we could use the GPS (which was so cool), but because we were able to input other information that we tracked.  With the extra information (height, circumference, type, etc.), we were able to put it in Excel and then move it into the ArcGIS website.  I really liked learning how to input all of this information into the programs so we could create different layers on the same map.  Another thing I learned how to do today is how to link my pictures from dropbox onto my map on ArcGIS.  I think this is pretty interesting because I had never used ArcGIS or BaseCamp before yesterday, and now I feel like I am really starting to understand it. 

Questions that I still have...
How can I adapt the water project to a 6th grade curriculum?

USU-Stream Mapping-Water Sheds

Water Cycle projects for 4th grade
Recreation Water
Biological Monitoring
Pollutants
Microorganisms- looking for bugs in the water from different locations
Chemical Monitoring (what is in the water that you can't see)

Types of polution:
Point Source (comes from a pipe) Easy to control and keep track where the pollution comes from.
Nonpoint Source (comes from run off from roads, etc.) Not easy to control

Bugs of the Underworld-  Really cool bug video about mayflies

I love using GPS devices in my classroom.  I have only used them for one activity per year so far, but I think I will try using them for more next year. 

Here are some new things I have learned: 
1.  On the device, If you hold down the Stick for three seconds, it will take you to mark a waypoint.
2.  On the device, If you hold down the menu button for three seconds, it will take you to the find menu.

Here are some things I found interesting:
1.  I really liked the idea of having students create the pathway for a 5k run fundraiser.  This could be a great activity for the students in my 6th grade class.  Our school does a jog-a-thon, and I could see how it could be beneficial for the students to trace the path ahead of time, and put it on a map so everybody can see where they are going.
2.  I thought it was interesting how many different free mapping systems there are out there.  I have used Google Earth and have really loved it, but I like some of the other ones that were shown to me like world mapper, etc.

Here are some questions I still have:
1.  I am still unsure how to put a track that I have created into the program.
2.  Are there any other good websites out there that can help me figure out how to incorporate GPS activities into my classroom?

NOTES:
GPS Garmin Features

• Stick- press to select, navigate up, down, left, right
• Bottom Left- Menu
• Top and Middle Left- Zoom in Zoom Out on map page
• Top Right-Switch Screens
• Bottom Right-On/Off Light

Usually 8-15 feet accurate
Hold down joystick for 3 seconds-Mark
    name point then pick avg to measure the point for more accuracy
Hold bottom left for 3 seconds-Find

GPS-How it works...
Needs 4 or more satellites to determine an accurate position
 GPS uses trilateral= 3 satellites + Earth location

GPS Videos
uen.org/Cmap
    go to objective and schedule
        Click on GPS Videos

Classroom Supplies (available from the district)
7 sets of 15 GPS are available for check out through edtech
large topo maps are also available to help teach students about mapping skills

GIS/GPS Website Tools:
worldmapper
nationalatlas.gov

Reflection:
It is important for students to understand maps and mapping skills because it can help them better understand the land and world around them.  If we can get them to understand these skills now, it can help them make predictions about the future.  This can help them help create solutions to problems of today such as: drought, hunger, illness, etc.

Connect GPS to Computer:
Turn on GPS
Plug in to computer
Open Basecamp