Technology in the Social Studies Classroom

There are five themes in geography and they impact all aspects of peoples lives.  

1. Location; which is the position on the earth's surface.
2. Place; which describes the natural and human features of the landscape.
3. Relationships; which describes how people change the environment of the place they are in to suit their wants and needs.
4. Movement; which could describe the movement of humans or the natural movement of the earth's forces.
5. Regions; which is where we divide the large world into smaller parts to make it easier to study.

When we study the 3 R's: reduce, reuse, recycle; we find that these themes all play an important part in our world's pollution problem. I want you to be a trash detective and help me find out where is all the garbage coming from and how can we help stop it?

1. You will learn the 5 themes of geography and how they impact people's lives.

2. You will learn about affects that pollution, especially plastic, has on our marine and human life.

3. You will develop a positive attitude against littering and spread that attitude through out your family and community.

4. You will design a canvas shopping bag provided by Texas Port Recycling and give to an adult to use rather than plastic!

Process

You will learn about the 5 themes of geography and how they impact people’s lives.

1.      Location is the position of something on the Earth’s surface.  In this activity, you will locate Texas Port Recycling on a world map.

2.      Place is describing the natural and human features on the world.  In this activity, you will ask and answer,What have people done to change the appearance of the land and ocean?

3.      Relationships talks about what humans have done to change the appearance of an area to suit their needs.  You will ask and answer, What have humans done to cause this pollution?

4.      Movement describes both human movement, as in migration; and natural forces, as in currents.  In this instance, you will learn how the currents in the Pacific Ocean keep the rubbish mainly in one area.

5.     Regions are when we take the large world and break it into smaller areas to make it easier to learn.  Although you will look at the world, you will focus on how you can make changes in your own community.

First you will locate Texas on the world globe.  Then you will watch the short video which will show you where texasportrecycling  is located.  After watching this video, you will talk with your class about Where is all this pollution coming from and what can you do to help the situation?

Next you will write in your Journal What I am using now, what I can use instead?  For example, I am using a plastic water bottle, but instead I can use aluminum one that I can wash and use over and over again.

Then you will turn to a partner and share ideas you both came up with. 

You will then go in small groups where teacher will provide a large tub of water and some plastic waste.  You will place the garbage in the water, take a large spoon, and go around in around.  What do you notice?  This is similar to the current in the ocean.

Finally, you will receive a canvas bag from teacher.  It was donated by texas port recycling and has the symbol on it.  You will decorate it with acrylic paints and give it to a family member or adult to use in place of a plastic bag.  Remind them that canvas bags are inexpensive and save the earth. 

Student is able to describe the 5 themes of Geography in simple terms.

Student is able to describe ways in which he/she can reuse, reduce, recycle.

In learning about the 5 themes of geography, it is important for the youngest of learners to understand that the relationship that humans have with the environment can hurt it or help it.  It is up to individuals to do what is right and help the environment.  This will in turn help the earth, ocean, and the animals that live in it.  Remember that you can help, no matter how young or small you are.

Objectives:  

• Students will be familiarized with the 5 themes of geography.  
• Students will learn the importance of taking care of the world they live in.
• Students will learn the importance of reusing, reducing, and recycling.

Geography and the National Social Studies Standards: III, IX, VI, X
Young students will have been introduced to the 5 themes of Geography.  Although these concepts may be a little involved for students, it is important to present it in a form that is relative to them.  In taking the themes and applying it to prior knowledge, students will be more successful with learning.