1. Why Study Geography?

2. Geography is important to my life.
Strongly Agree
Mildly Agree
4 Corner Debate
Geography is important to my life.
Strongly Disagree
Mildly Disagree

3. Geography is important to my life.
Opinion Proof
As you listen to your teacher find support for the opinion. You should have at least five facts or statements to support this opinion.
Opinion Proof
Geography is important to my life.

4. 1/5 of Americans can’t locate the United States on a map.

6. Geography
the study of the Earth’s features and their relationships with one another

7. This includes :
landforms
water bodies
climate
plants
animals
people

8. Geography contributes to:
Recognition of patterns and trends using
Maps
Charts
Graphs
Tables
Direct observations

9. Anything on your Opinion/Proof Yet?
Turn and Talk with a partner to see what they have….

10. Geography contributes to:
An understanding of the world’s cultures and social structure
Languages
Religions
Governments
Economies

11. Geography contributes to:
Greater citizenship
national pride/service
informed decision making
confront problems facing our country

12. Geography contributes to:
Better understanding of our past, present, and future
Settlement
Migration
population growth
climate change
energy dependence

13. Anything on your Opinion/Proof Yet?
Turn and Talk with a partner to see what they have….

14. 9 major countries took part in a geographic survey:
Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Mexico, and Sweden, United States

15. The results…
The United States ranked second to last, above only Mexico.

16. Hurricane Katrina
After Hurricane Katrina, what is often considered the greatest natural disaster our country has ever faced, ____of young Americans could not point out Louisiana on a U.S. map.
33%

18. IRAQ
After over 5 years of combat and over 4,000 U.S. military deaths ____of young Americans could not locate Iraq on a map.
60%

20. SAUDI ARABIA
While gasoline prices continue to climb higher and higher _____ of young Americans could not find Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, on a map.
63%

22. More Bad News!

23. MORE BAD NEWS!
Fewer than 30% think it is important to know the locations of countries in the news.

24. MORE BAD NEWS!
Only 14% think speaking another language is a necessary skill.

25. THE GOOD NEWS!
75% of recent high school graduates see geography as “very important” to their future careers.

26. AND REMEMBER THIS…
Geography involves much more than just being able to locate a place on a map.

27. AND REMEMBER THIS…
Geography already plays a very important role in your day-to-day life!

28. Globalization
The development of a global society in which people, money, information, and goods flow freely across national borders

30. The Information Revolution
We can now get in immediate contact with people around the world
Internet chatting, blogs, video games, MySpace, Facebook
Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Google Earth

31. Cultural Diversity
Awareness of different races, languages, or religions
Important in handling situations worldwide

32. Energy Consumption
Resources are not equally distributed across Earth’s surface
The U.S. must import oil from many nations, thus increasing the price we pay locally
High gas prices lead to higher prices for food, clothing, etc.

33. Geography is important to my life.
Opinion Proof
As you read find support for the opinion. You should have at least five facts or statements to support this opinion.
Opinion Proof
Geography is important to my life.

34. Sum It Up….
What impact does Geography have on your life? Write a brief paragraph summarizing the importance of Geography.