Teaching Geography's Five Themes

Objectives:

• you will be able to summarize the five themes of geography
• you will be able to answer how the five themes impact people's lives
• you will be able to explain how historical events and people impact you
• you will be able to explain economics and how it impacts you

Materials you will need:

• Access to a computer for power point presentation and internet research
• Social studies journal, pencils, pens
• poster board, colored pencils, markers
• glue, tape, scissors, clothes pins, clothes pin line, tacks
• plenty of extra large index cards
• poster board
• yellow pages

Lesson #1 Geography:

Exploratory Introduction-

The purpose of this lesson is to provide you with the information needed to develop an understanding of "what is geography?" �Why is it so important to me?� Geographers study both cultural and physical characteristics of the world and how humans interact within these elements. Interaction can include movement such as main forms of transportation used based on physical characteristics. Interaction also pertains to using natural resources such as farming, for example in the state of Arizona our natural resources include the 5 C�s, and can you list them?

Consider the following,

�  Think about the elements we face living in the Arizona desert and consider the elements of the California coastline? How have we adjusted our environment to live in such hot conditions? How has California adapted to the elements of the ocean? Is there a direct relation to physical features, environments and humans?

These �critical thinking� skills will provide you with the first step to understanding the ideas of the five themes of geography; Theme 1: Location, Positioning the Earth's Surface, Theme 2: Place, Natural and Cultural Characteristics, Theme 3: Relationship within Places, Humans and Environments, Theme 4: Movement, Humans Interacting on the Earth and theme 5: Regions, How They Form and Change.

1. View the PowerPoint on the five themes of geography.
2. Whole group - Answer the question "what is geography" give two examples, please list in your social studies journal with today's date and objectives at the top.

Lesson #1 Activity:

1. You will be assigned to a team of three students, your activity objective is to complete a PowerPoint presentation for you team city only - using the country of Italy, choose a role to play in the activity . 

Team Assignments:

�  Team 1: Rome

�  Team 2: Venice

�  Team 3: Florence

�  Team 4: Milan

�  Team 5: Naples

�  Team 6: Verona

�  Team 7: Turin

�  Team 8: Bologna

�  Team 9: Perugia

�  Team 10: Genoa

2. Once roles have been assigned, conduct research on your region using the PowerPoint questions located under the resource page.

2. Create a PowerPoint Presentation � it must include.......

�         Must have a title page which includes your group member�s names, teacher's name, date and overall title-with at least two graphics related to topic( be creative!! ).

�         Must have at least one page for each of the five themes.

�         Must have a bibliography page that recognizes material that you have used, e.g. pictures that have been scanned from books, websites that you used to gather information and graphics.

�         Your presentation has to be in your own words and as concise as you can make it

�         Must flow, the reader must be able to navigate through the presentation easily.

Independent Activity #1 � PowerPoint Presentation:

�         You will give a brief summary (one paragraph minimum) in your social studies journal responses to the following questions; * consider what the relationship is to your location, place and its effect on human-environment.   

a)      What are the five themes of geography?

b)      Its impact on people's lives?

Lesson #2 � Historical Events and People:

Exploratory Introduction:

The purpose of the lesson, is help you answer the questions "why should historical events and people be important to me?" by evaluating key events and people who influenced the United States (US) from the 1600�s to the 21^st century  you will be able to develop an understanding of the impact of these events on the diverse cultures. 

Consider the questions to the key event of 9/11;

�  How would you summarize the events of 9/11 and its impact on individuals, families, and business? 

�  Did you personally know someone linked to 9/11, how did it impact them, how did it impact you?

�  Read the article, What Does it Mean to be an American, located in the resource page.

In your pre-assigned groups please discuss the following questions, have someone record your responses and share with the class:

1.      �What makes events historical?�

2.      �What makes an individual impactful?�

3.      �What character traits are needed to make an impact in history?�  

4.      �Who are key people who have influenced you?� �How have they influenced you?�

Every time period has key people and key events which has inspired someone or something to occur and/or change, America is rich in key events and key people (some more famous than others).

 Activity # 2- Historical Events & People Timeline  

1.      First you will be assigned to a team of 6 students and a time period, your activity objective is to complete a timeline of your assigned time period to include key events and people, and you will need two index cards for each key event and person. Be creative and cover events and or people from beginning to the end of a time period.

2.      Once you have picked a role to play, please begin your research, you can use an internet search, almanac, encyclopedias, textbooks or any other school approved resources. Please see Resources to start your internet resources.

3.      Individual portion; in your social studies journal please answer the following question: �What is the relationship between historical events and people and how is it related/the importance to me as an American?� 

Independent Activity #2

�         You will give a brief summary (one paragraph minimum) in your social studies journal response to the following question: *

a)      Based on what you have learned and researched �why should historical events and people be important to me?�

Lesson #3 � Economics:

Exploratory Instruction:

The purpose of this lesson is to develop the knowledge to explain and describe the terms economics? Understanding the concepts of good (what people need or want), services (what people provide).  As a young adult it is important to identify how limited resources (goods) and unlimited human wants cause people to choose something and give up others. Productive resources are limited. Therefore, people cannot have all the goods and services they want; as a result they must choose some things and give up others.

Consider the following based on what you know or understand:

�  Think about saving up for a specific item (game unit, clothing, long board etc�) what do you sacrifice?

�  What determines the trade-off?

�  Can you barter or trade to get your want (good)?

These types of considerations provide the foundation of economics, but before we can move on lets first consider what you understand, let�s look at a PowerPoint Presentation located in the resource section (www.rockingham.k12.va.us/resources/elementary/files/economics.ppt ). 

Activity # 3 � Create a Goods and Service Collage

1. You will be assigned to a team of three students; your activity objective is to create a collage on a poster representing goods and services that families, individuals and businesses consume. Organize a poster board into categories business, families and individuals. 
2. Next, find examples of people using goods and services and identify the goods and services being consumed; locate examples from the yellow pages, internet sites, magazines, and incorporate into the poster board; be creative.

Independent Activity #3

�         Using your social studies journal, please date and a write a minimum of one paragraph entitled, �consumers make choices� describe what economics means to you and do you agree that learning economic concepts are valuable? Why or why not.