The Five Themes of Geography

I Can analyze the writing task and grading rubric By breaking down the task requirements and scoring elements In order to receive a "Meets Expectations" or "Advanced"  

Do Now:

How often do you think you use geography and what do you use it for?

You actually use geography everyday, without even knowing it. Every time you move somewhere, you are using geography. Every time you avoid the "bad" part of town, you are using geography. Over the next 3 weeks, we ar going to look at the 5 Themes of Geography, and learn ways to apply the to our daily lives.

I Do:

We work with what the teachers call "modules". We have grouped lessons into a thematic unit, so that each lesson relates to the others, and every day we can build off of the skills we have learned from previous lessons. At the end of each module, we will create some sort of writing task. 

We Do:

Look at the task on the board, I will read it aloud. Discuss with your group what the task is asking you to do. With a partner, rewrite the task in your own terms. Discuss answers. Copy down the original task into your agenda form. Highlight or underline important details and requirements. 

Now we will look at how your task will be graded. Focus on column 3 of the rubric. Rewrite what you have to do to "Meet Expectations" in a way that you will understand. 

Wrap-Up:

What do you think that you personally need to focus on in order to be successful? Use one of the scoring elements and explain what you think you need to do in order to receive a 3 or 4 in that category.

I can distinguish between absolute and relative location by applying the definitions to situations, in order to be able to find locations of place throughout my life.

Recall:

Using the map on your agenda, locate the following items; map key, equator, Prime Meridian, compass rose, latitude and longitude.

Hook:

Imagine you are driving in a deserted area and your car breaks down. When you call the tow truck company you have to be able to tell them how to find you. What things could you use to describe your location? Write student ideas on board.

We Do:

Look at your agenda form, you will see there are four vocabulary words. On a scrap piece of paper come up with a group definition for each word.

Let's discuss your answers.

Please write the following definitions on your agenda:

geography-the study of earth's land, water, people, plants, and animals, and how they relate to one another

absolute location-the exact position of a place using longitude and latitude coordinates or a fixed address or location

relative location-position based on the distance and direction from another location

GPS-Global Positioning System

Now draw a picture or give an example for each word.

You Do:

On your agenda form there are a series of clues. You will have to determine if they describe absolute or relative location. You will also have to give directions using absolute and relative location. We will do the first one together.

Wrap Up

Now that you are an expert on what absolute and relative mean, complete a quick doodle for each term.

I Can apply what I have learned about absolute and relative location By gathering information from clues In Order To find several different locations based on descriptions given to me.

Do Now:

Use what you have learned about absolute and relative location to answer the following questions: 

Recall:

100 Commerce Way is an example of ______ Location.

"My House is next to the mall" is an example of ______ Location

Hook:

Why do you think we need clues to help us out. On your agenda, answer the following question:

Why is it important to read and find clues?

I Do:

Today we will be participating in a scavenger hunt. You will be given a list of clues, and you will use your knowledge of absolute and relative location to locate items described by each clue. You will be divided into groups, and each group will receive a set of clues. You will have 25-30 minutes to locate each item on your list.

We Do:

All clues will be located in the gym area, be sure to stay within your group, because each list of clues will be different for each group.

As you locate each item, be sure to indicate whether each clue is providing a description of absolute or relative location.

You DO:

You will notice that each clue led you to a letter. Unscramble the letters to spell out the hidden word.

Wrap Up:

Now we will take time to practice answering open-ended responses. Use RACEs to answer the following question:

"Which type of location made items easier to find? Why?" Be sure to Restate the question before you answer.

I can describe human and physical characteristics of a New Mexico city by conducting research and making a poster in order to gain knowledge about cities in the state in which I live.

Recall

Look at your agenda form, using knowledge from yesterday's lesson, describe to a lost student how to get to history class using absolute and relative location

Hook

Did you realize that every place Has a personality? How can a place have a personality? What would be the personality of Clovis?

We Do

On your daily agenda form there are 6 new vocabulary words. Using the textbook, find the definition for each word and draw a picture or give an example of each one.

You and your group will work together to create a poster that describes the human and physical geography of a city in New Mexico. Let's go over the requirements of the poster on your daily agenda form.

You Do

You will now be assigned your city. Make sure you are reading the requirements carefully as you work, refer back to your agenda often. I will be walking around monitoring your progress. Make sure you start with drawing a map of New Mexico and work from there, making sure that all parts are labeled accurately and legibly.

Wrap Up:

I have given your the human and physical characteristics of Clovis on the board. You will complete a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting the city you researched to the city of Clovis. You must have a least 2 items in each section-total of 6 items.

Today I Can analyze the theme of Movement by interpreting information from charts and graphs, in order to make decisions about methods of travel and the exchange of goods and ideas.

I Do:

Today you will be learning about the Geographic theme of Movement. To get started, we are going to define movement using a few steps of 6-step vocabulary. 

Movement is "The way people, goods, and ideas get from place to place".  Each box is labeled with instructions for how you need to fill them out, please finish the next boxes on your own. 

We Do:

Now we are going to talk about reasons why people, goods, and ideas might move from place to place. Brainstorm with your group to discuss reasons why people, goods, ad ideas move around.

What are some reasons that you have come up with?

You Do:

Now we are going to look at things that have happened over time that have had an effect on movement. We are going to look at a timeline of events, and, as we identify each event, you are going to explain how movement was affected, and whether the movement affected was the movement of people, goods, or ideas, or, a combination of the three.

Wrap-Up:

Now that you have seen the way new technologies affect movement, you are going to predict how future technologies might affect movement in the future. Be sure that you include a description of how people, goods, and ideas would be affected. 

I can identify New Mexico's four region/provinces by reading and completing the graphic organizer in order to make decision about places I might want to travel in the future.

Hook

Look at the KWL chart on your daily agenda form. In one minute, what you know about New Mexico and it's four provinces or region.

I Do

New Mexico is divided into four regions or provinces. Based on your answers in your KWL chart, can anyone tell me what they know about any of the regions of New Mexico?

A region is a place that has at least one common physical, human, or cultural feature. Record that definition on your daily agenda form. A region varies in size. It can be a small part of a state like the 4 regions in New Mexico, it can be a part of the United States, we live in the what region of the United States? Take one minute and give an example of a region or draw a picture.

Today in your groups you will be reading and taking notes about one particular region of the United States. After you learn about your region, you will teach the other members of your group about your region and they will teach you about theirs. Open your textbook to page 25 and lets read the "Four Natural Provinces" together. Now lets take a look at the map beside the reading. What do you see?

You Do

Now that you have been assigned your reading material you will read and fill out the graphic organizer using the information in the text. You will have about 10 minutes to finish this task. Remember you are responsible for not only your learning, but the learning of the three other people in your group.

Now that you have taken notes, let's talk about what to do and not to do. We are not just giving others the answer to copy down. You as the teacher need help your group understand why this region is important. You will do a small lecture and show them pictures from your text. You have 7 minutes each to teach your material.

Wrap Up

Now that you have learned about New Mexico's four regions, you are going to write a short response about the regions. In paragraph form, compare and contrast the four regions. Give at least 1 example how they are similar and give 2 ways they are different.

I can identify how human adapt to and change environment by reading the Lorax in order to make decisions about how my choices affect the environment.

Hook

What are renewable and non-renewable resources? Give me a definition and an example of each.

I Do

How many of you love to read pictures books? Today we will be listening to a reading of The Lorax, by Dr. Suess. I know many of you have seen the movie, but today we are going to be looking at the book from a geographic standpoint. We will be looking at how "humans" adapt to the environment and how "humans" change the environment. First let's talk about what a resource is and what adapt means. What is a resource? Record the definition on your agenda form-a supply of something to meet a particular need. Now what does it mean to adapt? Record the definition on your agenda form.

You Do

On your agenda form there are questions about the story, as we listen to the story you will answer questions about the book. I will pause the book every couple of pages so that we make sure that we can answer the questions.

Wrap Up

Over the past 7 days we have learned all about the five themes of geography. Using the story The Lorax, complete the graphic organizer showing your expertise on the five themes.

I can plan for the task by creating an outline in order to be prepared to complete my final task.

Hook

What is the one theme of geography that you are the least sure of?

We Do

On the walls is a poster that corresponds with one of the 5 themes, stand by the theme you wrote on your paper. In your groups discuss with each other why you feel this is the toughest concept for you. How can you help each other?

Now that you have had conversations with other, what issues do you still have?

We are going to work on creating an outline for your task. Let's talk about how to take notes. We are going to use the star, dashes, dots method. On your paper on the first line, make a star and write the Five Themes of Geography. Now go to the next line and indent and make a dash and write the word Location. So our main topic is the themes of geography and the first theme is location. Now lets indent again under the dash and make a dot. Find the definition of location and write it beside the dot. Now put another dot on the next line. Write relative location-and give me an example of relative location. Create another dot and do the same thing for absolute location.

You Do

Now you will do the rest of the outline on your own. Make sure you are giving the definition and an example of each theme throughout your outline.

Not that your outlines are finished, you will switch with 1 person and you will check each others outlines.

The final piece that you need to get ready to write is the answer to the Central Focus Question. On your agenda, answer the following question, skipping lines so that it may be peer edited. How are the five themes of geography used to show relationship between people and place?

When you are finished with your response, switch with a different person that you did with your outline. Remember to use your editing process handout.

Wrap Up

Sketch out your mind map in preparation for tomorrow's final draft.

You Do:

Using your outline sketch from yesterday you are going to create your final draft. You will each need a piece of small poster paper and colored pencils. Your mind map must include the following: a title, a meaningful fact for each of the 5 themes, visual connections between the theme and the examples, and a open ended response to the following question; How do the five themes of geography show relationships between people and place?