Using SketchUp in the Classroom

SketchUp is a FREE, fun, and engaging 3D modeling program. Students can use SketchUp to produce colorful and interesting geometric models. Videos: SketchUp in Action shows videos how SketchUp can be used to teach Geometry. SketchUp can also be used to make puzzles as shown by bonnieroskes in 3DVinci:Puzzles(SketchUp Projects) so teachers can load a picture of a plant from the 3D warehouse then make a puzzle out of it for students when second grade students are studying Unit 3 Plant Diversity, where they are supposed to identify and compare the physical structures of a variety of plants parts (seeds, leaves, stems, flowers, roots) (K-8 Science Scope and Sequence) p. 3, they can download different plant from the 3D warehouse label them then divide them into parts as a puzzle. Teachers can also use SketchUp to demonstrate concepts such as area. The students can create shapes and SketchUp automatically give them the measurement of the sides of the polygons they created so they can use this information to determine the area of the polygon they created. They can use the Label Tool to add annotations which in this lesson would be the area.