Chapter 2: Cultural Regions in Our World

Inquiry Focus: What are Cultural Regions and how can maps help us to understand them???

Lesson 1: Culture and Geography

Questions to Start What do you already know about maps? What do people use maps for? Do you know features commonly found on maps? How do maps help learn about the world?

Look at the Maps on Pages 20-21 What features are shown on the following maps? - Title - Scale - Directional Symbol - Legend

Read Together Figure 2.1 on page 20 Describe what each of these maps on pages 20-21 tells you about the regions they show What do they tell you about the people who live in these places? What elements of culture do they show?

What Are K-W-L Charts??? Know Wonder Learn - What we have learned - What we already know Wonder - What you want to learn Learn - What we have learned

Read Together Page 20

In Your Discussion Groups, Read Page 21 What types of things do Geographers study? How do they do it? Why do they do it?

Some Terms: Geography - Study of earth and its people and the relationship between them Region - Large or small parts of the earth that have similar features. Can be physical and cultural Physical Features - Landforms, climate, soil and vegetation

Read Together Page 22 Direction How can we figure out what way is North? Compass Landmark Sun - Rises in east, sits in west

Scale Two ways to write scale: 1. 1cm = 1km 2. 1:1000 or 1 unit = 1000 units Groups 1 and 2 - Count the number of tiles on the floor and create a scale 1 square = 1 tile on graph paper Groups 3 and 4 - Do the same, only count the tiles on the ceiling

Legend What are some symbols we know of Canada? - Maple Leaf - Beaver What are symbols you see everyday? Give Map information handouts

What problems would you encounter if you tried to take a globe and make a flat map out of it?

Read in your Discussion Groups Page 23 What does it mean by a “Cultural Region”? What does “home” mean to you? How would you map out your community? Look outside, what physical and cultural features would you include? Look at figure 2.2, how are their mental maps similar and different? What are physical and cultural features in figure 2.3, how arte they similar and different? Terms to include: - Cultural Region - Mental Map

Create Your Own Map!!! Map your own neighbourhood. Include all physical and cultural features you feel are important. If you have friends in the class who are neighbours, don’t forget to add them!!! Include a title, scale and legend! 

Read Page 24 What do you think I mean by criteria? What things do you need to make a good movie? What kinds of criteria make up culture? Do questions in figure 2.4 together Make a list of the criteria you think you need for identifying cultural regions around the world Make sure you add figure 2.4 to your map information sheet!