Chapter 4 Young Geographers

What does Geography look like? Sample lessons— Sample lessons— Flat StanleyFlat Stanley The Erie CanalThe Erie Canal Sending exchange packagesSending exchange packages Making adobe housesMaking adobe houses The World Wide Travel AgencyThe World Wide Travel Agency Making classroom mapsMaking classroom maps School wide Geography immersionSchool wide Geography immersion

1. What is Geography? Geography is the study of the connections between people and places on Earth. Geography is the study of the connections between people and places on Earth. It is the science of space and place. It is the science of space and place. It brings together the physical and human dimensions of the world in the study of people, places, and environments. It brings together the physical and human dimensions of the world in the study of people, places, and environments.

Geography - The study of: WHERE places are located, WHY places are located where they are, HOW those places affect the lives of people, and HOW people interact with their environment. What Is Geography?

Why Geography?

2. Why is Geography important? Global Society/interconnected world Global Society/interconnected world Illiteracy of students in US Illiteracy of students in US Four reasons Four reasons Existential: understand where you areExistential: understand where you are Ethical: understand interdependency and basis for cooperatingEthical: understand interdependency and basis for cooperating Intellectual: become better informed; therefore make better decisionsIntellectual: become better informed; therefore make better decisions Practical: better equipped to solve problemsPractical: better equipped to solve problems

The Power of Geography Economic Reason

The Power of Geography Environmental Reason

The Power of Geography Geo-Political Reason

The Power of Geography As our world becomes ever more interconnected, a practical knowledge of geography becomes more critical. Citizens need to understand people and cultures in order to make informed decisions about our role in world affairs. Geo-Political Reason

The Power of Geography Aesthetic Reason

The Power of Geography Geography is visual. It captures the imagination and stimulates curiosity about the world; its diverse inhabitants and places, as well as about local and regional diversity. Often the classroom is a student’s first “window on the world.” Aesthetic Reason

3. What is the content of Geography? National Geography Standards National Geography Standards Six Essential Elements Six Essential Elements The World in Spatial TermsThe World in Spatial Terms Places and RegionsPlaces and Regions Physical SystemsPhysical Systems Human SystemsHuman Systems Environment and SocietyEnvironment and Society Uses of GeographyUses of Geography NC Standard Course of Study NC Standard Course of Study

3. What should young geographers know and be able to do? Five Themes of Geography Five Themes of Geography (a way of organizing the content) (a way of organizing the content) LocationLocation PlacePlace Relationships within Places (Human- Environmental Interaction)Relationships within Places (Human- Environmental Interaction) MovementMovement RegionsRegions

4. How should Geography be taught? Teacher Guided Discovery Teacher Guided Discovery ObservationObservation SpeculationSpeculation InvestigationInvestigation ExtensionExtension ReinforcementReinforcement EvaluationEvaluation

Independent Projects Independent Projects OpeningOpening Investigating or producingInvestigating or producing Culminating activityCulminating activity

5. Maps: the Tools of Geographers A map is a graphic representation of the Earth’s surface drawn to scale, as seen from above. A map is a graphic representation of the Earth’s surface drawn to scale, as seen from above. Students need the basic skills to construct maps and to interpret maps. Students need the basic skills to construct maps and to interpret maps. Map skills and understandings are developmental—children must build and play before formal map reading can begin. Map skills and understandings are developmental—children must build and play before formal map reading can begin.

Basic map skills for early grades Basic map skills for early grades Locating placesLocating places Recognizing and expressing relative locationRecognizing and expressing relative location Interpreting map symbolsInterpreting map symbols Developing a basic idea of relative size and scaleDeveloping a basic idea of relative size and scale Reading directionsReading directions Understanding the globe is the mostUnderstanding the globe is the most accurate representation of the earth’s surface surface

Some types of maps for early elementary Some types of maps for early elementary Three dimensional classroom mapsThree dimensional classroom maps Flat mapsFlat maps Model communitiesModel communities Story mapsStory maps Mental mapsMental maps

Refining map skills – primary grades Refining map skills – primary grades Map SymbolsMap Symbols DirectionDirection ScaleScale The GlobeThe Globe Understand the basic roundness of the Earth Understand the basic roundness of the Earth Understand the differences between land (continents) and water areas Understand the differences between land (continents) and water areas Begin to locate the poles, major cities and the US Begin to locate the poles, major cities and the US

Basic map skills for upper elementary Basic map skills for upper elementary Place location and directionPlace location and direction Latitude and longitudeLatitude and longitude Relative locationRelative location Map symbolsMap symbols ScaleScale Reading a globeReading a globe

Some types of maps for upper elementary Some types of maps for upper elementary Political mapsPolitical maps Physical mapsPhysical maps Topographical mapsTopographical maps Raised relief mapsRaised relief maps Weather mapsWeather maps Special purpose mapsSpecial purpose maps Historical mapsHistorical maps Road mapsRoad maps GlobesGlobes

Teacher Reference Websites for Geography National Council for Geography Education National Council for Geography Education National Geographic Society National Geographic Society North Carolina Geography Alliance North Carolina Geography Alliance Google Earth Google Earth