There is that saying that when we reach third grade, we have transformed from learning to read into reading to learn. This is immediately what I thought of when I came across Google's Cultural Institute. It is amazing. Everyday the Google Cultural Institute shares stories from around the world that focus on art and culture. Not only are they stories, but they are designed so that you become immersed in an experience. For example, included is a story about the famous artist Johannes Vermeer's painting entitled Little Street. There is a mystery surrounding where this little street is located. With Google's Cultural Institute, the viewer is immersed in a world that guides us to unlock this mystery. Check it out here. It's worth it. Using 3D street views, close ups of Vermeer's artwork, and interesting storytelling, we can't help but feel we are on our way to discovering our own little street.
In addition to art, fashion, architecture, culture, and inventors, Google's Cultural Institute provides an opportunity to travel the world. What an amazing resource to integrate into a social studies lesson, a biography unit, a center activity, or simply create a virtual field trip experience amped up with a #TLAP style approach. Did I mention that in addition to being accessible as a website, Google's Cultural Institute is also accessible through a free app? Care to walk the ruins of Machu Picchu? Your students can do so here and journey to many other places with the help of Google's Cultural Institute. Don't worry if your field trip budget is lacking, take your students around the world with this resource.
