Geographic Alliance of Iowa

5 Themes of Geography and India

George Kuhter

South Tama Country Middle School

gkuhter@po-l.s-tama.kl2.ia.us

 

Purpose

The purpose of this lesson is to give the teacher an opportunity to teach, reinforce and use the 5 themes of geography with a specific country.
The following lesson deals with the following of the 5 Themes of Geography: Location, Place, Human Environment Interaction, Movement, Region
The following lesson deals with the highlighted National Geography Standards.

 

The World in Spatial Terms

  1. How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process, and report information from a spatial perspective

  2. How to use mental maps to organize information about people, places, and environments in a spatial context.

  3. How to analyze the spatial organization of people, places, and environments on Earth's surface.

 

Places and Regions

  1. The physical and human characteristics of places

  2. That people create regions to interpret Earth's complexity

  3. How culture and experience influence people's perceptions of places and regions
     

Physical Systems

  1. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface

  2. The characteristics and spatial distribution of ecosystems on Earth's surface

 

Human Systems

  1. The characteristics, distribution, and migration of human populations on Earth's surface

  2. The characteristics, distribution, and complexity of Earth's cultural mosaics

  3. The patterns and networks of economic interdependence on Earth's surface

  4. The processes, patterns, and functions of human settlement

  5. How the forces of cooperation and conflict among people influence the division and control of Earth's surface

 

Environment and Society

  1. How human actions modify the physical environment

  2. How physical systems affect human systems

  3. The changes that occur in the meaning, use/distribution, and importance of resources

 

The Uses of Geography

  1. How to apply geography to interpret the past

  2. How to apply geography to interpret the present and plan for the future

 

Grade Range

This lesson may be used in Middle to High School although it is easily adaptable to all ages.

 

Time

This lesson may take one class period (for review) plus time for discussion if needed. It may take more than one class period if it is used as a introduction to the 5 Themes.

 

Material

Map of the world (large classroom)
Map ofIndia (National Geographic)
Magazine articles/ pictures of India from web site/magazines
Overheads with the 5 Themes of Geography Definitions (optional)

 

Objectives/Goals

To reinforce the 5 themes of geography using a real life example.

 

Procedure

  1. With a large wall map showing ask students, where India is located? When students answer India is in Asia. Ask specifically where? If students are having trouble have one student come to the large map of Asia and show the class where India is located. Explain to students that we first looked at India's relative location (general vicinity) and then India's absolute location (exact spot)

  2. Next using some pictures from magazines, or a web site, ask students what India would be like. Show students the pictures and have them describe the picture to the class. When they describe the place, show them the pictures and explain to them that these descriptions are either human or physical characteristics of a place.

  3. Talk about the pictures and ask how humans have fit into their environment or what changes they have made to fit into this place. Explain to students that this is an example of human/environment interaction (human modifying their environment to fit and /or the earth dictating what humans can and cannot do).

  4. Ask students what kind of products we would buy from India. When they give you examples, you will explain to them that these are examples of movement (It is our connection to India and the rest of the world).

  5. Talk to the students about the different regions of India (Back of the map). Ask what these places have in common. When they talk about a place and what it might have in common with other places this is an example of region

* It should be noted that even though in this specific examples, we are dealing with India, you can adapt this exercise to fit any specific region or place in the world. I like to use it at the beginning of every regional unit I start with because it reinforces the key concepts of the 5 themes.

5 Themes of Geography

Location Where is it?
a.  absolute location-exactly
b. relative location-around, by, near, close to

Place What is it like there?
a. physical characteristics-natural description
b. human characteristics-description of human imprint

Human Environment Interaction

How do humans change the earth?

How does the earth change humans?

Movement How are people, places goods and ideas connected?

Region How are places similar?
a. Formal Region- certain characteristics are found throughout an area.
b. Functional Region-one central place and the surrounding areas