Introduction
Welcome: Geography As We Know It
Description: In this web quest the students will explore the geographical features and aspects of todays world. They will define the five themes and the impact on people. Explain the importance of historical events and how economics plays a role in the overall scheme of geography.
Grade Level: 6-8
Curriculum: Social Studies
Keywords: Geography, Impact, Historical Facts, Economics, Geography Impact
Author(s): Contessa Ogletree
Purpose: This activity is designed to enhance the knowledge of middle school students in the area of social studies geography.
Rationale: The scope of geography has unlimited potential of exploration in the world of economics, geographical features, the impact of geography on peoples lives, and the influential elements it embodies. The concepts of geography are comprised of five element themes. These five themes will be defined and explored to determine the impact it has on historical events. The core belief of geography may be determined that it actually has an impact on society with proof of actual facts and findings conducted by the students.
Geogrpahy [video:http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/geograph… valued by many people around the world. Obtaining background knowledge of our wonderful landscaped earth one might discover the secrets many have known for years. The secret of why geography is a continual exporation of historical events and day to day economic changes.
Task
Task One:
What are the five themes of geography and how do they impact peoples lives?
Links:
National Geographic http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encycloped
History and Geography http://www.studentsfriend.com/onhist/combine.html
Journal of Historical Geography http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-historical-geography/
US Economic Impact On Climate Change
http://cier.umd.edu/documents/US%20Economic%20Impacts%20of%20Climate%20…
American History Association http://www.historians.org/about-aha-and-membership/aha-history-and-arch…-(1985)
Activity One
View the website above and describe the relational impace environmental roles play on geographical landmarks or features. Create a bar graph chart showing a timeline of specific events pertaining to the five themes in chronological order. Include dates, location, and historical events.
Task Two:
Why should historical events and people be important to us?
View the links above to help answer task two.
Activity two:
Students will work with one partner outside of class to develope a poster with national and international historical facts pertaining to history dating bact to the 1800's. Draw, color, write important facts, dates, and include clippings from the links above to describe in detail what took place during those times.
Write a synopsis of why these historical events happened such as what climate change caused this reaction in time and what economics impacted by the change.
Assessment: Students will present the information to class for a grade.
Task Three
What is economics and why should I care?
Activity:
View the links above to answer this question. Student will bring in a monopoly game and play the game in class in groups of four. After the activity they will share ideas on the impact it had on them during the game. Each student will write a summary on how they felt about the game as a whole . Did they like it or not, and why. Would they play it again. What did they learn from the game. Explain how monopoly is compared to the world monopoly.
Define the macroeconomic and microeconomics. Was the meaning of these two words evident in the game? Did these words become practical for you and your group?
Evaluation
Assessment:
Informal/Formal/Authentic
Students will be assessed on their ability to work in groups.
Students will state they learned about geography and economics.
Students will demonstrate their knowledge of geography by presenting their partner poster board.
Students will be evaluated while playing monopoly and their willingness to cooperate with their group and play the game thoroughly.
Conclusion
The Finale of this exercise was designed to help the student obtain a full grasp on the subject of geography. By the end of this assignment the student will be able to explain the importance of geography and the impacts it has on society, the human race, and, economical values.