Module 5 Teaching Geography Infographic

geography in Elementary school

The 5 Themes of Geography

6 Elements of Geography

Human/Environment Interaction

Location

Place

THE WORLD IN SPATIAL TERMS

PLACES AND RELIGIONS

PHYSICAL SYSTEMS

HUMAN SYSTEMS

THE USES OF GEOGRAPHY

Movement

Region

ENVIRONMENT & SOCIETY

Instructional Strategies & Practices

Developmentally Appropriate Activites to Reinforce Geography Learning

9-10 year olds

3-4 year olds

5-6 year olds

7-8 year olds

References

The ERIC Digest: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED308398.pdf NCSS Developmentally Appropriate Geography: https://www.socialstudies.org/system/files/publications/articles/yl_200230.pdf Annenberg Learner: https://www.learner.org/series/social-studies-in-action-a-teaching-practices-library-k-12/china-through-mapping/ World Atlas: https://www.worldatlas.com/geography/the-five-themes-in-geography.html National Geographic: https://media.nationalgeographic.org/assets/file/preK_6_MapActivitiesSummary.pdf Zirini Six Essential Elements of Geography: https://youtu.be/B5f0vZ2YM40

The World in Spatial Terms

Where things are located

The first skill set that children develop through geographical studies is spatial thinking skills.Through studying geography, students develop spatial skills such as...

• How to use maps and other tools
• How to use mental maps to organize information
• How to analyze the spatial organization of people, places, and environments

Human Systems

Human systems are factors such as language, religion, political systems, economic systems, and population distribution.

In this element, students learn about...

• The characteristics, distribution, and migration of human populations
• The complexity of Earth's cultural mosaics
• The patterns and networks of economic interdependence on Earth
• The patterns of human settlement
• The forces of cooperation and conflict

Activity for 9-10 Year Olds

Mapping U.S. Watersheds

First, students will identify and color all large bodies of water light blue on their map using crayons or colored pencils. Then, students will use different colored markers to identify and label where the Mississippi river begins (the source), how many states border the Mississippi, the largest

rivers that flow into the Mississippi (tributaries), and states that are a part of the river’s watershed. After this, have the students color other major U.S. rivers and where they flow into; have students color rivers that eventually flow into the Atlantic red, rivers that eventually flow into the Pacific orange, and rivers that eventually flow into the Gulf of Mexico blue. Next, the teacher should lead a discussion on how the flow of these rivers change depending on elevation, specifically noting the river’s behavior around the Rocky Mountains and Appalachians. Through this lesson, the students will learn how the shape of the land and water flow are interconnected. This lesson is a fun and engaging way for students to learn about main rivers in the U.S., their sources, mouths, main tributaries, and watersheds using various interactive maps or atlases.

#4: Movement

The mobility of people, goods, and ideas across various locations

Resources, products, information, and people constantly travel from one place to another. This theme studies who, what, when, where, why, and how these things travel across the globe. Movement can be categorized into four different types: human migration, transportation of goods and services, communication of ideas, and cultural diffusion.

Why is Movement Important?

• Studying movement helps us understand globalization and human migration.
• Globalization: How people from different regions interact with each other.
• Human migration: How and why people move across borders in search of opportunity.

Environment and Society

This element focuses on how humans shape the earth by using its natural resources and how changing characteristics of the physical environment affect human life.

In this element, students learn...

• How human actions modify the physical environment
• How physical systems affect human systems
• The distribution and meaning of resources

#2: Place

The unique physical and human characteristics of a location

The second theme of geography is place. Although place and location seem like they would mean the same thing, they are very different.Place considers the tangible features (landforms, climate, vegetation, and water bodies) and intagible features (culture, language, religion, and traditions) that make a place distinct from others. Depending on the place, different regions have different histories, traditions, and beliefs.

Why is Place Important?

• Studying these differences can help students appreciate and respect cultural diversity while recognizing commonalities across separate communities.

#1: Location

A specific point determined by lattitude and logititude

Theme #1 of Geography is location. This refers to where something is on Earth's surface. Examining location helps us understand how various factors such as climate, terrain, and natural resources affect human activities. There are 2 types of location: absolute location and relative location. Absolute location refers to the exact location of a point using lattitude and logititude coordinates. Relative location desribes a place's location in relation to other sites or landmarks.

Why is Location Important?

• Location is important because it helps us understand how different palces are connected and their spatial relationships.
• Students with ample spatial thinking skills will be at an advantage within our increasingly global and technological society.

Activity for 7-8 Year Olds

Create a Weather Map

In this activity, students will practice reading and creating weather maps. They will also learn how to use symbols and create a legend.

To begin this lesson, project a map of the current weather for the United States. Then, have students discuss the various weather conditions in different regions. Next, provide students with a blank map of the U.S. and have them create their own pictures to represent the various weather conditions (i.e. a snowflake for snowing, a water droplet for raining, etc.). After the students have drawn these pictures on their map, inform them that these are called "symbols" and the key they created is called a "legend".

Instructional Strategies & Practices

It is important that teachers utlize instructional strategies and practices that promote student's geography knowledge and comprehension. This can be acheived by incorporating the following:

• Kinesthetic activities: Physical, interactive activities lay the foundation for spatial learning.
• Being outdoors: Educational philosophers such as John Dewey and Howards Gardner advocate for experiences in the natural world, suggesting that nature is a powerful tool for teaching and learning. As often as they are able, teachers should carry out geography lessons outdoors in places such as on the school property, playgrounds, nearby neighborhoods, and on field trips.

• Children's literature: Teachers should incorporate the use of quality literature. Children learn vicariously through books as they recognize the common and unique traits of various geographical locations.
• Mastery through play: Young children learn geographical skills primarily through play, rather than formal instruction. Games such as Hokey Pokey, Simon Says, BINGO, and Battleship can be used to promote map concepts.
• Technology: Teachers should regularly incorporate the use of compasses, globes, interactive GPS systems, and other forms of technology for students to gain competence in basic geography skills and comprehension of basic concepts.

The Uses of Geography

Geography can be used to study many different aspects of life such as natural resources, climate patterns, landforms, population distribution, and more.

In this element, students learn...

• How to apply geography to interpret the past
• How to apply geography to interprety the present and plan for the future

Activity for 5-6 Year Olds

Treasure Hunt

In this activity, students reiforce their knowledge of cardinal directions through a classroom treasure hunt. This activity is engaging because it incorporates kinesthetic movement and utlizes mastery through play, rather than formal instruction.Start by reviewing each of the cardinal directions (north, east, south, and west) with the class. Then, provide each student with a classroom map and give verbal instruction using cardinal directions and various forms of movement. For example, take 6 steps north, hop 3 times west, crawl east, etc. The directions will lead each student to the "treasure" which can be candy, stickers, or some other prize.

This activity can also be modified and used for older students as well!

• Have students create their own treasure hunt map
• Use intermediate directions (i.e. southeast, northwest instead of only north, east, south, west)

Activity for 3-4 Year Olds

Land, Water, and Animals on a Map

In this activity, students will create a chart, practice positional language, learn about animals and their habitats, and practice early map concepts.

Start by showing the students an image of "Duck Lake". Ask the students what they think the green and the blue mean (green = land, blue = water) and what types of animals would live on land versus in the water. Next, show the image of Duck Lake with animals (pictured) and have students practice positional language by asking questions such as "Which animals live near the lake?" and "Which animals are across the road?". Lastly, have the students sort the animals by land or water creatures using the map as a reference. Given cutouts of the animals and a T-Chart, the students will cut, glue, and sort each animal on their T-Chart as either a land animal or water animal.

#3: Human-Environment Interaction

How humans interact with their environment

The third geographical theme, Human-Environment Interaction, explores the relationship between human societies and the natural world. Human-Environment Interaction considers both positive and negative effects of humans on their environment. Example: Dams. Humans build dams to control water flow, generate electricity, and provide irrigation. Pros of dams include flood control and renewable energy production. Cons of dams include soil erosion, habitat destruction, and wildlife displacement along riverbanks.

Why is Human-Environment Interaction Important?

• This theme is essential in understanding the impact of human activities on our planet and the consequences that may arise from them.

Places and Regions

The second element of geography that students learn through geographical studies is Places and Regions.

In this element, child learn about...

• The physical and human characteristics of places
• How people create regions to interpret Earth
• How culture and experience influence people's perception of places and regions

Physical Systems

Thirdly, students learn about physical systems. The physical systems are the atmospher, the biosphere, the hydrosphere, and the litoshpere.

In this element, students learn about...

• The physical processes that shape the Earth's surface
• The distribution of ecosystems on Earth

Why is Geography Important?

Geography education in early childhood is important because it helps children gain a sense of space and place.

Fostering a geographic understanding...

• helps students understand the physical and cultural characteristics of the world
• provides the values, knowledge, concepts, and skills to better understand ourselves, our relationship to Earth, and our interdependence with others
• establishes framework for learning the physcial, social, and historical pheomena of the world

#5: Region

How places are similar or different based on physical, human, or cultural characteristics

Geographers divide the Earth into "manageable units for study" allowing us to form groupings of these areas. Various factors such as language, religion, political boundaries, climate, landforms, and economic systems can define regions. The concept of regions help us understand the diveristy and complexity of our world by grouping places with similar characteristics together.

Why are Regions Important?

• Studying regions helps us understand how societies have developed unique ways of lufe in response to their environment over time.