Foundations of Geography
Our first unit will focus on the foundations of Geography and the five themes. Read the diagram below to understand these five themes.
Chapter 1: The Tools of Geography
In this chapter, students practice basic map-reading skills and learn about important map components.
Chapter Objectives
Students will:
• understand the difference between absolute and relative location.
• locate major parallels and meridians.
• use latitude and longitude to determine absolute location.
• measure distance using scale.
• identify continents and oceans for a given hemisphere.
• understand how Earth-sun relations cause seasons.
• understand the relative merits of five map projections
• design a map with basic map components
Chapter 2: A Spatial Way of Thinking
In this chapter, students learn to read and analyze various types of thematic maps that geographers use to represent the world. Using six different world maps, students learn how to get information about physical features, climate, vegetation, population density, economic activity, and regions.
Chapter Objectives
Students will
• define the terminology specific to six types of thematic maps: physical features, climate zones, vegetation zones, population density, economic activity, and regions.
• analyze six thematic maps to gather information about the world.
* Please note that we utilize the Geography Alive! program, created by Teachers' Curriculum Institute*
In this chapter, students practice basic map-reading skills and learn about important map components.
Chapter Objectives
Students will:
• understand the difference between absolute and relative location.
• locate major parallels and meridians.
• use latitude and longitude to determine absolute location.
• measure distance using scale.
• identify continents and oceans for a given hemisphere.
• understand how Earth-sun relations cause seasons.
• understand the relative merits of five map projections
• design a map with basic map components
Chapter 2: A Spatial Way of Thinking
In this chapter, students learn to read and analyze various types of thematic maps that geographers use to represent the world. Using six different world maps, students learn how to get information about physical features, climate, vegetation, population density, economic activity, and regions.
Chapter Objectives
Students will
• define the terminology specific to six types of thematic maps: physical features, climate zones, vegetation zones, population density, economic activity, and regions.
• analyze six thematic maps to gather information about the world.
* Please note that we utilize the Geography Alive! program, created by Teachers' Curriculum Institute*