WECOME TO CWC CONTEMPORARY WORLD CULTURES

This is your 6 th grade Social Studies Class. In CWC, we will learn about t the geography, culture, governments, economy and peoples of the world we live in. We will begin with Unit One: Thinking Like a Geographer; The World’s Geographic Patterns

THINKING LIKE A GEOGRAPHER This unit provides a foundation for the World Cultures Course. Students begin a study of World Cultures by examining how maps are used by geographers and by gaining an understanding of the concept of culture. Maps are the language of geographers and in this unit students are introduced to the basics of that “language”.

THINKING LIKE A GEOGRAPHER In this Unit Students specifically learn about types of maps, elements of maps, and how to read maps. Additionally students study about how geography influences settlement patterns, about the defining characteristics of culture, about cultural celebrations, and about how geographers divide the world into culture regions. This unit is the foundation upon the learning that will follow for this course throughout the year.

OVERACHING QUESTION WHAT MAKES SOMEONE AN EXPERT?

WHAT IS A GEOGRAPHER ? A geographer is a person who studies the spatial characteristics of the world’s land and people

WHAT IS GEOGRAPHY? Geography is the study of the spatial characteristics of the world’s land and people

WHAT IS CULTURE? Culture is the behaviors and beliefs that are characteristic of a particular group

WHAT ARE CULTURE TRAITS? A culture trait is a characteristic, such as language, beliefs, food, or customs that are shared by a group

WHAT IS A CULTURE REGION? A culture region is a spatial area that is characterized by a population that shares common beliefs, history, language, customs, and traditions.

WHAT IS CULTURAL LANDSCAPE? Cultural landscape are the physical qualities that reflect the culture of a particular place

WHAT IS A REGION? A region is a spatial area of land that is unified by a common characteristic, such as political unity, linguistic unity, or common climate patterns

WHAT IS LOCATION ?  Absolute location – Absolute location is a point on the earth’s surface expressed by a coordinate system such as latitude or longitude. Relative location – Relative location is the location of a place in relation to another place.

WHAT IS A PLACE? A place is a description of the physical and human characteristics of a location or area

WHAT ARE INSTITUTIONS? Institutions are long- standing practices, traditions, or customs that regulate a group

GEOGRAPHERS USE MAPS TO ILLUSTRATE AND STUDY SPATIAL PATTERNS AND CULTURE REGIONS

ALL SOCIETIES ARE DEFINED BY COMMON CULTURE TRAITS WHICH ARE PASSED ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION

TURN TO YOUR NEIGHBOR AND TELL TAKE TURNS SHARING ONE THOUGHT OR REFLECTION YOU HAVE FROM OUR GEOGRAPHY INTRODUCTION.