Introduction
Geography is a science that deals with the Eath's surface. People who study geography are called geographers. Geographers are interested in Earth's physical features, such as mountains, deserts, rivers, and oceans. They are also interested in the ways that people affect and are affected by the natural world.
Task
Students will understand:
- The world is made up of regions that are very different from each other in terms of climate, geogrpahy, snimal life and culture.
- The United States iteslf contains a variety of climate zones and geographical features, abundant animal life, and many cultures.
The goal of this activity is to give students a good sense of some of the major geographical and cultural differences in the world with a focus on Antarctica, one part of Australia, parts of eastern Asia (Nepal and China), and one part of southwestern Asia (Oman), an area also known as the Middle East. On other imaginary trips around the world, you and your class will choose to focus on a different selection of countries and continents.
Process
- Begin by telling your students that they are going to imagine traveling to several parts of the world that you've picked out. Identify the parts of the world as you go along, and point them out on a large world map or a globe:
- Antarctica
- Australia
- Nepal and China in Asia
- Oman in the Middle East
- Tell students to imagine that they have just been flown to the continent known as Antarctica. Based on pictures and other reference materials that you will make available to students, have them tell you what they can figure out about Antarctica's weather, geography, and animals.
- Continuing on your journey to observe weather, geography, animals, and culture in different parts of the world.
Evaluation
Give students charts with rows labeled according to the world regions mentioned above and columns labeled according to the four different pieces of information students will search for in each region.
Conclusion
As the class returns from its world tour, a good way to wrap up this lesson about differences across the world is to review each of the areas' (1) climatic conditions, (2) geographical features, (3) animal life, and (4) cultures with the purpose of seeing which, if any, exist right here in the United States of America.
Credits
discoveryeducation.com
Teacher Page
I am Ms. Josie, a special education teacher in NYC. Learning about the world is often a place were our student struggle, so I am putting together a unit that combines information, real life experiences, tactile learning strategies and hands-on expereices so that students can learn about the geography of the world they live in from multiple different angles.