5 Themes of A Basis for Understanding Geography

Author Alliance Network TCs Grade Level 5-High School Duration 1-2 class periods

National Geography AZ Standards Arizona Social Science Standards Standards Element 1: The This lesson applies to multiple There is no AZ Social Science Standard World In Spatial grade levels and involves that says students must know the 5 Themes Terms researching for information and of Geography; however, the vocabulary of 1. How to use then summarizing it. This is an the 5 Themes is within the state standards. and other geographic example of the ELA standards that For example: representations, would be assessed by this lesson. The use of geographic representations geospatial ELA Common Core Standards and tools help individuals understand technologies, and Reading their world. spatial thinking to Informational Text 5.G1.1 Use and construct maps and understand and Integration of Knowledge and graphs to represent changes in the United communicate Ideas States. Key concepts include but are not information 5.RI.7 Draw on information from limited to physical and human features of Essential Element 2: multiple print or digital sources, the , the of the United Places and Regions demonstrating the ability to locate States and their characteristics, geographic 4. The physical and an answer to a question quickly or location of major events, the growth of the human characteristics to solve a problem efficiently. United States through territorial expansion, of places 5.RI.9 Integrate information from demographic changes, and the states and Essential Element 4: several texts on the same topic in their capitals Human Systems order to write or speak about the Human-environment interactions are 9. The characteristics, subject knowledgeably. essential aspects of human life in all distribution and Writing societies. migration of human Production and Distribution of 5.G2.1 Describe how natural and human- populations on Writing caused changes to habitats or can ’s surface 5.W.4 Produce clear and coherent impact our world. 10. The writing in which the development Examining human population and characteristics, and organization are appropriate to movement helps individuals understand distribution and task, purpose, and audience. past, present, and future conditions on complexity of Earth's Earth’s surface. cultural mosaics 5.G3.1 Use key historical events with Essential Element 5: geographic tools to analyze the causes and Environment and effects of environmental and technological Society events on human settlements and 14. How human migration. actions modify the Global interconnections and spatial physical environment patterns are a necessary part of 15. How physical geographic reasoning. systems affect human 7.G4.1 Analyze cultural and environmental systems characteristics among various places and regions of the world.

Overview why these people or physical features are located in particular places and how those places influence our A study of geography begins with knowing where lives. cultural features and physical features are located. But a study of geography also requires knowledge of

To provide a framework for such explorations, Note; This lesson should follow a lesson on What is have developed the five themes of Geography? The PowerPoint presentation is geography. By using these themes as a basis for included with this lesson. The script for the understanding geographic information, we can gain PowerPoint is included in the notes section for each a better appreciation of cultural and environmental slide. similarities and differences. SESSION ONE and TWO Purpose Prior to this Session: Students should be aware of the definition and applications of geography. A In this series of lessons, students will learn and What is Geography? PowerPoint is included in this apply the five themes of geography so that their lesson and can be used before teaching the 5 study of geography can begin. Once students have Themes. mastered this geographic terminology, then students 1. Begin the session by recalling that the definition can correctly use these themes to identify how the of geography includes looking at the world in earth is organized spatially. spatial terms. So what are these spatial terms? 2. Distribute the Five Themes graphic organizer. Instruct students to take notes on their graphic Materials organizer as the themes are discussed. Project the Five Themes of Geography graphic § What is Geography? PowerPoint organizer Answer Key and discuss each theme. § Overview of the Five Themes of Geography 3. Have a variety of postcards from various places (Optional) and regions. Divide the students into small § Five Themes of Geography graphic organizer groups and give each group 10 postcards. Tell and Answer Key the students that they are to identify which of the § Postcards from various places and regions 5 themes is the strongest (has the most visual and/or use alternate assignment with Postcards evidence) shown by the postcard. When most PowerPoint. of the groups are done, have the groups share § with the rest of the class what theme they § 5 Themes Quiz and Answer Key picked. Have the other class members show § Guidelines for Postcard Assignment thumbs up or thumbs down if they agree or § Identifying Photos—Practice on the 5 Themes of disagree with the group’s analysis. Remember: Geography More than one answer is possible as long as the § Blank index cards explanation is plausible so you become the § Colored markers judge on what would be the best theme(s). § Internet, almanacs, other reference materials 4. Or you can show the Postcards PowerPoint and have students volunteer which theme is the Objectives strongest based on the visual evidence. The student will be able to: 5. Now give each group 5 blank index cards and colored markers. Each group will use reference 1. Identify and apply the terms: location, place, materials or internet.to create a postcard for movement, human environment interaction, and each of the 5 themes of one state, place, or . region. See example below. (This can also be 2. Identify that the use of the five themes of done as homework.) geography is one way to organize the world spatially. An example using Arizona as the one place 3. Draw information from a variety of sources. or region follows: 4. Organize important information in a graphic On picture side: organizer. Card 1 Place: drawing of the Grand Canyon 5. Produce a written message. or a cactus Card 2 Location: of Arizona showing nearby states or latitude and longitude Procedures Card 3 Region: map of the Southwest or drawing of the Sonoran Desert Prior to the Lesson: Gather several hundred Card 4 Human Environment Interaction: postcards so small groups will have at least 10 drawing of people water skiing or an open postcards to identify by their theme. pit mine

Card 5 Movement: drawing of immigrants on the Guidelines for Postcard Assignment can be coming to Arizona or map of major highways used for assessing the cards for reading and writing. On the writing side: Mastery will be considered 80% or higher. The students would identify the picture in a Geography sentence or two as if this postcard is being The 5 Themes Quiz can be used as a geography sent to a friend. Student should address the assessment. Mastery is considered 80% or higher. card appropriately. (i.e. Each student in the group with the same address and recipient.) Extensions Hint: These postcards make a nice room display. Another way to practice the 5 themes is to gather slides or create a power point of photos that 6. Have the groups share their postcards. illustrate the 5 themes. Have the students 7. Give 5 Themes Quiz categorize the pictures by the themes. A twist on 8. Remember to refer to these 5 Themes as the this would be to give the students the photos and let year progresses. them create the power point.

Assessment Sources

ELA and Geography Overview of the Five Themes of Geography Cards can be graded for neatness and whether the TC Toolkit, National Geographic Society, p.107-109. theme was portrayed accurately. The Scoring Guide