While browsing the internet I came across the website for
the White House. The white house is
extremely important for children to learn about. On the website you are able to
set up time to take a tour in person but what really caught my eye was the virtual
tour that is available for free. White
House Virtual Tour This feature makes it possible for schools that are too
far away or have less cash to allow students the ability to view and explore
one of the most important houses in American history. All you have to do is
click the different rooms/link because there is no registration needed to use
the virtual tour. The only technology that is needed to use the tour is an
internet connection and a computer which should make it easier for most to be
able to actually use the technology.
The class the class I teach is third grade but it could
be used for multiple grades. Each page that you visit on the site gives you a
little information. One way to incorporate this into lessons would be to have
the kids do a scavenger hunt while exploring on their own. You tell them things
that they need to find out. For example the State Dining Room can sit up to 140
people. Ask them how many people the room sits and then ask them to imagine
sitting down at their home dining room with that many people, what would they
talk about. You can use this website to find out what the students would like
to ask the president if given the opportunity. A great exercise that can come
while using this tour would be to have the students write a letter to the president
and the first lady. Tell them they have to include something they learned while
exploring the tour. This is a great time for the students to be in small groups
and collaborate together.
Not only does this site show you tons of interesting
photos of the White House it also shows you other important parts of the president’s
life. Some of the things you are able to see would be Marine One, Air Force
One, pictures of the first family, and the grounds showing the placement of
different areas. This site is very easy to use which makes it ideal for
students just learning to search for information to find what they are looking
for without wasted time. This is a great tour for those that simply have no way
to go there themselves.
Click on the following link to take you to the tour
