Intro to Geography Circa 3 Weeks
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Unit Description
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At the beginning of the year, I usually set aside three or so weeks to serve as a mini-introductory unit for the course. Students practice social skills while becoming familiar with classroom expectations. This allows me to gain an understanding of classroom dynamics before examining challenging issues. I usually don't formally grade anything during this unit. Rather, I use the first three weeks as an opportunity to form connections with students and for them to internalize classroom expectations.
Goals for this Unit
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2018 Unit Resources
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This section contains resources that correspond sequentially to the unit calendar and outline above.
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Last Updated
08/20/19 |
Intro Lesson Cycle - Patterson
The purpose of this lesson cycle is for a smooth start of the school year. There is a focus on team-building and explicit teaching of routines. There is a PowerPoint that contains visuals for this lesson cycle. The file is too large to upload. Please email [email protected]. The presentation has been drastically revised for the 2019 school year. |
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Last Updated
08/20/19 |
World Map - Patterson
Students will create an accurate world map while you help them log in to the computer for first time. This allows students to start the year in a successful manner while also providing an opportunity to reteach throwing back the question at the reader. |
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Last Updated
08/20/19 |
Iowa Natural Disaster Lesson Cycle - Patterson
In teams, students will create an evacuation plan for refugees fleeing a natural disaster/terrorist attack in the United States. Students will propose solutions to resolve potential complications that could endanger communities along their route. Students will create a product/presentation that uses visual information to add validity to their plan. There is a PowerPoint that contains visuals for this lesson cycle. The file is too large to upload. Please email [email protected]. The presentation has been drastically revised for the 2019 school year. |
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Last Updated
08/20/19 |
Robbery Alibi - Patterson
In this lesson cycle, students will use a political map of Des Moines to create an alibi of where they were during a bank robbery. Teams will examine these alibi’s to identify and explain the author’s purpose by retracing their route through Des Moines. Teams will cite specific evidence from sources that helped them determine guilt/innocence. |
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Last Updated
08/20/19 |
Tiered Map Assessments/Review - Patterson
In the first couple of months of the school year, I generally have students work on a series of map quizzes. In my opinion, it is important for students to have the ability to visualize the location of continents, oceans, and regions of the world. By mastering basic geographic knowledge, it allows students to put into context and understand the interconnectedness of issues we study. |
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Additional Resources
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Below are resources that have been used in past years that pertain to a general geography unit.
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Last Updated
08/21/18 |
Battleship Game - Patterson
The purpose of this lesson cycle is for students to master plotting latitude and longitude points. This lesson cycle includes a variety of assessments and a spinoff of the Battleship board game. |
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Last Updated
01/28/19 |
Zombie Project - Calisesi
Students will use their geography/survival skills to set up bases during the Zombie Apocalypse. |
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Last Updated
08/23/16 |
Boot Camp Vocabulary - Patterson
Students will become familiar with academic vocabulary. |
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Last Updated
08/23/16 |
Tiered Map Quizzes and Study Game - Patterson
The first resource is a basic continents and oceans quiz that should be review for seventh graders. The second resource is a quick review game for the quiz that can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes to play. |
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Last Updated
08/08/14 |
RAGBRAI PBL Project - Patterson/Oswalt/Tegler
In this seven day lesson cycle students will use their geography skills to plan the route for RAGBRAI 2015. Students will not only have to work together to accomplish this task but also must meet specific criteria for their route to be selected. |
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Last Updated
08/10/14 |
Latitude and Longitude - Patterson
This two day lesson walks students through the process of creating a grid and plotting latitude and longitude coordinates. *It would be beneficial if students had access to the same brand of rulers. |
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Last Updated
08/10/14 |
Boot Camp Assessment - Patterson
The resource to the right assess basic geography skills including vocabulary, continents/regions, and latitude/longitude. Since the assessment isn't directly aligned to the curriculum guide it should be used to provide formative feedback only and shouldn't be entered in the grade book. |
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Last Updated
08/09/14 |
Africa Research Initiative - Patterson
Students are asked to identify and explain meaningful current issues in Sub Africa for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The issues that the students identify/show interest in can then be incorporated in to the next unit of study. Computer will be required. |
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Last Updated
08/26/13 |
Geographic Applications Assessment
The resource to the right should be given to 7th grade students as a pre/post assessment. The assessment covers basic geographic application skills that were covered extensively in 6th grade. |
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Last Updated
08/23/13 |
5 Themes of Geography - Kimberlin/Calesis
This PowerPoint provides an in depth look into 5 Themes of Geography. The word document provides a summary of each theme along with project extensions. |
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Last Updated
09/11/13 |
Geographic Analysis Assessment
The resource to the right should be given to 7th grade students as a pre/post assessment. The assessment covers basic geographic analysis skills that were covered in 6th grade. |
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Last Updated
08/14/13. |
Developed vs. Developing Countries - Patterson
This two/three day lesson examines the differences between developed and developing countries. This lesson requires access to computers. |
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Last Updated
08/06/13 |
Timeline Activity - Patterson
Students create a concise timeline that includes B.C.E, C.E., and set year intervals. |
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Last Updated
08/20/13 |
Intro to Culture - Patterson
The PowerPoint introduces the concept of culture and lays the foundation for talking about it later in the year. The culture pizza has the students examine how they act and what they believe in within their own culture. |
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PBL: Globe Project
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The link to the right will take the you to a PBL website.
"As an introduction to world history, students will become familiar with the basics of geography by creating their own globe. Steps include drawing/labeling lines of latitude & longitude, plotting continents, and challenge options of climate or geographical features." |
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Last Updated
09/05/13 |
Boot Camp Packet/Rubric - Young
This packet introduces students to the Boot Camp curriculum. The second resource is a treasure map that can serve as a summative assessment. |
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Last Updated
10/20/12 |
Culture
The resources to the right introduce students to the concept of culture. The second resource uses the book but it's category questions need to be revised. |
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