Geographic Alliance of Iowa
Geographic Alliance of Iowa
Amy Morgan
Harmony High School
Farmington, Iowa
mPower
the World, Your County, &You
Topic :
mPower your county
Overview / Concepts :
To develop a basic understanding
of The 5 Themes of geography using your community.
Grade Levels :
5 - 12; easily adapted to
grades 1~-4
Materials :
Macintosh Computer
mPower program
World Geography classroom book
Scratch paper (used to develop slide
show)
camera / video camera
Objectives / Goals :
To develop and demonstrate a program/project
based on the five Themes and your community.
Geographic Themes :
Location
Place
Movement
Region
Human-Environment Interaction
Geography Standards :
Standard 4 Places and
Regions
The physical and human characteristics
of places.
- The meaning and significance of place.
- The changing physical and human characteristics
of places.
- How relationships between humans and
the physical environment lead to the formation of places and to a sense of
personal and community identity.
Time :
1 class period to introduce.
2 - 3 weeks to complete project. Time varies
according to age and content and expectations with project.
Procedure:
- Explain the five themes of geography.
- Compiles a list of themes as found
in Van Buren County.
- Choose groups of 2 - 3 and check out
camera.
- Students go out into community take
pictures of examples of the five themes of geography.
- Write out description of photos and
themes.
- Design / develop mPower project.
- Project can vary according to level
and interests of students.
- Student present final project.
Extending The Lesson:
Spark discussion on why our region has
decreased/increased in size.
Farming changes through out your county.
Culture within your community.
Importance of water with in your community.
Including flooding and run off.
Study immigration patterns.
Ways your community has changed in terms
of buildings, jobs, and population.
Resources:
web sites: www.bonaparteiowa.com
Historical society with in your community
Classroom book
