Geographic Alliance of Iowa

Putting Iowa in its place

The Geography of Rwanda's Genocide

This lesson was created by Rachel Hansen (Fort Dodge School District) for ninth grade students. During this lesson plan, students can use Google Maps or Google Earth to examine the physical features of Rwanda, apply knowledge of the Demographic Transition Model to Rwanda, and evaluate the role culture plays in conflict.

Discipline/Subject

World Geography

Human Geography

World History

Sociology

Theme

Population

Cultural/Social

Region

Africa

Five Themes of Geography

Location

Place

Region

Common Core Standards

Writing Standards (W)

Speaking and Listening Standards (SL)

National Geographic Standards

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

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

4. The physical and human characteristics of places

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

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

Iowa Core Social Studies Standards

GE 1. Understand the use of geographic tools to locate and analyze information about people, places, and environments

GE 2. Understand how physical and human characteristics create and define regions

GE 6. Understand how culture affects the interaction of human populations through time and space