Chapter 12: Teaching History and Geography The past is the overarching theme – history – all...

Chapter 12: Teaching History and Geography

The past is the overarching theme – history – all that happened

The rest of the strands of social studies describe how humans have lived

(and continue to live together) in groups and have interacted with their world –

GeographicallyPoliticallyEconomicallySocially (creating a shared culture)

Making Connections in Elementary and Middle School Social Studies, Second Edition

Effective Instruction in Geography

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Chapter 12: Teaching History and Geography Making Connections in Elementary and Middle School Social Studies, Second Edition

Themes of Geography

The Association of American Geographers and the National Council for Geographic Education have identified five themes that should be explored as part of geography education:

(1) location (2) place (3) human interactions with environments(4) movement(5) regions


Location

Refers to one’s position on the earth’s surface. Students should learn how to use the

coordinates of longitude & latitude. Maps & globes are used to determine relative

location and where something is in relationship to something else. (for example – Spain is south of France)


Place

Refers to the differences in natural (landforms)

and cultural characteristics on the earth’s surface. (may include religion, language, society, social customs, economies & government)


www.hickerphoto.com/data/media/183/dolomites

meredithfsmall.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/ta


Human Interactions w/ Environments

People’s natural environment influences a wide range of human activities. We teach this theme by looking at how lifestyles and technologies of people vary across time and place in response to their physical environment.

Making Connections in Elementary and Middle School Social Studies, Second Editionwww.gettyimages.com/detail/935811-002/Stone

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Human Interactions w/ Environments – cont’d

Humans have interacted with their natural environments – and that impact has not always been positive.

We can also teach this theme by having students look at how their school, neighborhood or city has changed physically over time.


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fladoodles.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/coasta..

http://www.foxvalleymemory.org/photoindex/index.html


Movement

Refers to the interaction, travel and

communications between people in various regions. People have moved for thousands of years for a wide

range of reasons. Goods have also been traded across the globe for thousands of years and continues to this day.

Advanced communication and transportation is making this increasingly easier every year.

education.iupui.edu/.../oregantrail/WARBURTC.JPG en.loadtr.com

feminocracy.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/james


Regions

A region is a basic unit of geographic study. It can be defined as an area of any shape or size that has a common characteristic, or a set of characteristics.

Regions can be determined by physical characteristics as well

as culture, government,

politics, language,

heritage, or religion.



Six Map Reading Skills

There are six essential map-reading skills for elementary and middle school students.

Directional orientation Locating places on a map and globe Expressing relative location Using scale and computing distances Using scale to estimate traveling time Interpreting map symbols and visualizing what

they mean


Working with Maps

Recognize and teach the different types of maps – including physical, political, and special purpose.


www.map-of-africa.co.uk/images/physical-map-a...

www.youreuropemap.com/europe_map_political.gi


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Teach Map Vocabulary

Also be sure to teach the terminology of maps so students can “read” them and understand how they can represent a three-dimensional surface.


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Understand how map skills can require spatial thinking & abilities

For some children this can be difficult. They may not have used this much at home, or just find it very challenging. Be patient. They may feel “dumb” because they can’t “picture it” quickly like others can. Some adults have trouble with direction!

Include directions in your instruction. Use them throughout the year. “The waste basket in the southwest corner…” etc.

Making Connections in Elementary and Middle School Social Studies, Second Editionwww.usefultoy.com/.../07/51ap-je4kl_ss400_.jp

www.psych.ucsb.edu/~hegarty/cog_neuro.php


Where to start?

Younger grades - use their immediate world. Begin with the most familiar environments: classroom, school, home (but remember, some students map live in a duplex, an apartment, or perhaps be

homeless) neighborhood, then expand out to city, state, nation, boarding nations, etc.

Making Connections in Elementary and Middle School Social Studies, Second Editionwww.thedailygreen.com/media/cm/thedailygreen/


Working With Globes

In teaching globe skills, invite

students to see the earth as a spherical planet moving through space.

Elementary and middle school students should be familiar with the terms and concepts on page 273 of the textbook.

Students should also understand the difficult job of map makers who must represent a round, three-dimensional globe on a flat surface. (have them try it and see where the problems occur)

www.boston.com/.../2008/07/globe_style.html


Be aware of the various types of world maps.



Using technology - Google is changing the world! - -

One of the most interesting updates in teaching map & globe skills is Google Earth. You can literally go any place in the world. The satellite images show the actual roads, buildings and landforms as a satellite photograph. It’s an excellent resource for making map & globe instruction concrete.

Give students the name of a city, state or country and have them go on a treasure hunt!


www.thefutureisawesome.com/category/fun/


www.pvhs.chicousd.org/.../LeviathanGrandMap.jpg

Chapter 12: Teaching History and Geography The past is the overarching theme – history – all...

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