GEOGRAPHY AND MODERN CULTURES (GRADES 8/9)
Teacher: Janiene Bishop
Tuesdays 2:45 - 4:15 OR Thursdays 1:00 - 2:15
Hybrid Class: Offered simultaneously ONSITE and ONLINE
$400 per semester (two-semester course)
*There is an annual student fee for all students taking classes at Pacific Coast Learning Center. Some charter schools allow for this fee to be added to the cost of classes rather than being paid out-of-pocket by parents. If your charters agrees, you may add the cost of the student fee to your first PO.
World Geography is a ten-unit A-G level course in which students examine the perspectives of the human and physical world. Students create written responses throughout their studies to establish prior knowledge and to make connections with what they know and new information regarding the world around them. Using primary and secondary sources, students evaluate the meaning and implications of a wide range of documents and examine political cartoons, charts, graphs, and maps to gather and convey information.
In the first semester of this course, students begin with an examination of the World, which includes geographers look at the world, examinations of the physical world, climates of Earth, as well as the human world. The United States and Canada are explored, followed by Latin America, which includes Mexico, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean. Students complete the first semester of Geography and World Cultures with an examination of Western Europe’s physical and political features.
The second semester begins with an examination of Russia and the Eurasian Republics followed by Sub-Saharan Africa. Students then explore look at the countries of Southwest Asia and North Africa and continue to broaden their understanding by studying South Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. The final analysis focuses on Australia, the Pacific Realm, and Antarctica. Students complete their study of World Geography by studying topics that pose great challenges to the world and will explore a variety of sources to broaden their understanding in these areas.
UNIT 1 - PHYSICAL & HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
This unit teaches geographic thinking, maps, the earth, landforms, climate, weather, introduction to world cultures, religions, and belief systems. We also learn the connection between geography, economics and politics.
In this unit, students examine geography as it relates to the US, Canada, and Mexico. Students discover the physical and political features of this region as well as climate and vegetation, economic activity, and population density. Students explore themes of World Geography through sequentially ordered, purposefully chosen activities, which include: mapping activities, sequencing events, evaluating primary and secondary sources, taking on differing perspectives, review and student connection-making with Unit 2 content.
As we work through unit 3, students learn about the Caribbean, Central and South America. Students explore the geography and region through exploring physical and political features as well as climate and vegetation, economic activity, and population density. Students examine themes of World Geography through sequentially ordered, purposefully chosen activities, which include: mapping activities, sequencing events, evaluating primary and secondary sources, taking on differing perspectives, review and student connection-making with Unit 3 content.
As we work through unit 4, students learn about the history, political systems, and cultures of Western Europe. We explore the geography and region through exploring physical and political features as well as climate and vegetation, economic activity, and population density. Students examine themes of World Geography through sequentially ordered, purposefully chosen activities, which include: mapping activities, sequencing events, evaluating primary and secondary sources, taking on differing perspectives, review and student connection-making with Unit 4 content.
In unit 5, students learn about the history, political systems, first nation peoples, and the cultures of Russia and the Eurasian Republics. Students explore the geography and region through exploring physical and political features as well as climate and vegetation, economic activity, and population density. Students explore themes of World Geography through sequentially ordered, purposefully chosen activities, which include: mapping activities, sequencing events, evaluating primary and secondary sources, taking on differing perspectives, review and student connection-making with Unit 5 content.
As we work through unit 6, students learn about the geography and regions of Southwest Asia, North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa through exploring physical and political features as well as climate and vegetation, economic activity, and population density. Students examine themes of World Geography through sequentially ordered, purposefully chosen activities, which include: mapping activities, sequencing events, evaluating primary and secondary sources, taking on differing perspectives, review and student connection-making with Unit 6 content.
As we work through unit 7, students discover the geography and regions of South Asia (which includes Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka) through exploring physical and political features as well as climate and vegetation, economic activity, and population density. Students explore themes of World Geography through sequentially ordered, purposefully chosen activities, which include: graphic organizers, mapping activities, sequencing events, evaluating primary and secondary sources, taking on differing perspectives, review and student connection-making with Unit 7 content.
As we work through unit 8, students learn about the geography and regions of East and Southeast Asia through exploring physical and political features as well as climate and vegetation, economic activity, and population density. Students discover themes of World Geography through sequentially ordered, purposefully chosen activities, which include: graphic organizers, mapping activities, sequencing events, evaluating primary and secondary sources, taking on differing perspectives, review and student connection-making with Unit 8 content.
In unit 9, students learn about the geography and regions of Australia, the Pacific Real, and Antacrtica through exploring physical and political features as well as climate and vegetation, economic activity, and population density. Students discover themes of World Geography through sequentially ordered, purposefully chosen activities, which include: graphic organizers, mapping activities, sequencing events, evaluating primary and secondary sources, taking on differing perspectives, review and student connection-making with Unit 8 content.
During our final unit, students are presented with global challenges and areas that are in need of action in the world. Students examine geographic themes as they relate to the challenges of the world and actions which can address these difficulties.
CLASS MATERIALS:
National Geographic World Cultures and Geography
ISBN: 978-0-7362-8998-6
Buy this book on Amazon HERE
World Regional Maps Workbook
Buy this book on Amazon HERE
Teacher: Janiene Bishop
Tuesdays 2:45 - 4:15 OR Thursdays 1:00 - 2:15
Hybrid Class: Offered simultaneously ONSITE and ONLINE
$400 per semester (two-semester course)
*There is an annual student fee for all students taking classes at Pacific Coast Learning Center. Some charter schools allow for this fee to be added to the cost of classes rather than being paid out-of-pocket by parents. If your charters agrees, you may add the cost of the student fee to your first PO.
World Geography is a ten-unit A-G level course in which students examine the perspectives of the human and physical world. Students create written responses throughout their studies to establish prior knowledge and to make connections with what they know and new information regarding the world around them. Using primary and secondary sources, students evaluate the meaning and implications of a wide range of documents and examine political cartoons, charts, graphs, and maps to gather and convey information.
In the first semester of this course, students begin with an examination of the World, which includes geographers look at the world, examinations of the physical world, climates of Earth, as well as the human world. The United States and Canada are explored, followed by Latin America, which includes Mexico, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean. Students complete the first semester of Geography and World Cultures with an examination of Western Europe’s physical and political features.
The second semester begins with an examination of Russia and the Eurasian Republics followed by Sub-Saharan Africa. Students then explore look at the countries of Southwest Asia and North Africa and continue to broaden their understanding by studying South Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. The final analysis focuses on Australia, the Pacific Realm, and Antarctica. Students complete their study of World Geography by studying topics that pose great challenges to the world and will explore a variety of sources to broaden their understanding in these areas.
UNIT 1 - PHYSICAL & HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
This unit teaches geographic thinking, maps, the earth, landforms, climate, weather, introduction to world cultures, religions, and belief systems. We also learn the connection between geography, economics and politics.
- Students complete weekly reading and comprehension questions
- Unit Quiz
- In Class discussions and written responses
- Key Assignment - Autobiographical Map
- Using knowledge gained from our first unit, students will create a large map of their life using at least 10 landforms, geographic features, map legend, compass rose, scale.
In this unit, students examine geography as it relates to the US, Canada, and Mexico. Students discover the physical and political features of this region as well as climate and vegetation, economic activity, and population density. Students explore themes of World Geography through sequentially ordered, purposefully chosen activities, which include: mapping activities, sequencing events, evaluating primary and secondary sources, taking on differing perspectives, review and student connection-making with Unit 2 content.
- Students complete weekly reading and comprehension questions
- Unit Quiz
- In Class discussions and end-of-unit written responses
- Key Assignment - Compare and Contrast US with Canada - Group Project
- Working in groups, students compare and contrast the geography, politics and culture of the US with Canada. They begin with a Venn diagram to sketch out the similarities and differences. Next, they prepare a written analysis of their findings. Finally, each group will prepare a short presentation of their information to the class.
As we work through unit 3, students learn about the Caribbean, Central and South America. Students explore the geography and region through exploring physical and political features as well as climate and vegetation, economic activity, and population density. Students examine themes of World Geography through sequentially ordered, purposefully chosen activities, which include: mapping activities, sequencing events, evaluating primary and secondary sources, taking on differing perspectives, review and student connection-making with Unit 3 content.
- Students complete weekly reading and comprehension questions
- Unit Quiz
- In Class discussions and end-of-unit written responses
- Key Assignment - News Broadcast - Media Presentation
- End of unit project in which students use either video or Google Slides to create a presentation exploring a geographic area of study from our unit. Students who use Google Slides provide a narrative for slides that are only visuals. Students who create a video provide a transcript. Students provide information about the physical features, political features, climate and vegetation, economic activity, the population, current events, and culture. Students are asked to provide at least three facts for each of these categories along with images in order to illustrate these facts.
As we work through unit 4, students learn about the history, political systems, and cultures of Western Europe. We explore the geography and region through exploring physical and political features as well as climate and vegetation, economic activity, and population density. Students examine themes of World Geography through sequentially ordered, purposefully chosen activities, which include: mapping activities, sequencing events, evaluating primary and secondary sources, taking on differing perspectives, review and student connection-making with Unit 4 content.
- Students complete weekly reading and comprehension questions
- Unit Quiz
- In Class discussions and end-of-unit written responses
- Key Assignment - 5-Paragraph Compare & Contrast Essay on Western Politics
- This is a bridging assignment that connects knowledge from unit 2, North America, to Unit 4 Western Europe. In this compare and contrast research paper, the student examine the similarities and differences between the political system of America and either: Britain, France, Spain, or Germany. Students select one European country to focus on in this paper.
In unit 5, students learn about the history, political systems, first nation peoples, and the cultures of Russia and the Eurasian Republics. Students explore the geography and region through exploring physical and political features as well as climate and vegetation, economic activity, and population density. Students explore themes of World Geography through sequentially ordered, purposefully chosen activities, which include: mapping activities, sequencing events, evaluating primary and secondary sources, taking on differing perspectives, review and student connection-making with Unit 5 content.
- Students complete weekly reading and comprehension questions
- Unit Quiz
- In Class discussions and end-of-unit written responses
- Key Assignment - Media Presentation
- End of unit project in which students use any type of media (video, pictures, visuals, etc.) to create a presentation using the platform of their choice to explore a geographic area of study. Students who use PowerPoint will provide a narrative for slides that are only visuals. Students who create a video will provide a transcript. Students who create a poster are asked to provide a narrative. Students provide information about the physical features, political features, climate and vegetation, economic activity, the population, and culture. In addition, students provide at least three facts for each of these categories and to include images to illustrate their facts. In addition to their research and presentation, students prepare food from their country or region to bring to class.
As we work through unit 6, students learn about the geography and regions of Southwest Asia, North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa through exploring physical and political features as well as climate and vegetation, economic activity, and population density. Students examine themes of World Geography through sequentially ordered, purposefully chosen activities, which include: mapping activities, sequencing events, evaluating primary and secondary sources, taking on differing perspectives, review and student connection-making with Unit 6 content.
- Students complete weekly reading and comprehension questions
- Unit Quiz
- In Class discussions and end-of-unit written responses
- Key Assignment - Reflection Essay
- Students demonstrate their knowledge of unit content with this end-of-unit activity by writing a 5-paragraph essay in response to a recurring theme within the unit. Students select one theme to examine.
As we work through unit 7, students discover the geography and regions of South Asia (which includes Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka) through exploring physical and political features as well as climate and vegetation, economic activity, and population density. Students explore themes of World Geography through sequentially ordered, purposefully chosen activities, which include: graphic organizers, mapping activities, sequencing events, evaluating primary and secondary sources, taking on differing perspectives, review and student connection-making with Unit 7 content.
- Students complete weekly reading and comprehension questions
- Unit Quiz
- In Class discussions and end-of-unit written responses
- Key Assignment - India Group Presentation
- Each student selects a state or territory from India and provide information about the physical features, political features, climate and vegetation, economic activity, the population, and culture in that Indian state/territory. Students are asked to provide at least three facts for each of these categories and are asked to provide images to illustrate their facts. As a class, we work together to combine all the information into one presentation.
As we work through unit 8, students learn about the geography and regions of East and Southeast Asia through exploring physical and political features as well as climate and vegetation, economic activity, and population density. Students discover themes of World Geography through sequentially ordered, purposefully chosen activities, which include: graphic organizers, mapping activities, sequencing events, evaluating primary and secondary sources, taking on differing perspectives, review and student connection-making with Unit 8 content.
- Students complete weekly reading and comprehension questions
- Unit Quiz
- In Class discussions and end-of-unit written responses
- Key Assignment - Research Project & Brochure
- Students select a location in East Asia or Southeast Asia to research. Using the 5-themes of geography, students will create a travel brochure for their location. In addition to the brochure, students create a travel packet with flight information, hotels, transportation, currency exchange rates, cultural highlights, etc.
In unit 9, students learn about the geography and regions of Australia, the Pacific Real, and Antacrtica through exploring physical and political features as well as climate and vegetation, economic activity, and population density. Students discover themes of World Geography through sequentially ordered, purposefully chosen activities, which include: graphic organizers, mapping activities, sequencing events, evaluating primary and secondary sources, taking on differing perspectives, review and student connection-making with Unit 8 content.
- Students complete weekly reading and comprehension questions
- Unit Quiz
- In Class discussions and end-of-unit written responses
- Key Assignment - Internet Research Project
- Research is focused mostly on Australia, but it also addresses Australia’s larger region, Oceania. It includes physical geography and human geography, Australia’s history as a prison colony, the Aboriginal civil rights campaign, and the Great Barrier Reef. Websites include National Geographic, the National Museum of Australia, the Australian Government’s Great Barrier Reef Authority, and Sydney Living Museums.
During our final unit, students are presented with global challenges and areas that are in need of action in the world. Students examine geographic themes as they relate to the challenges of the world and actions which can address these difficulties.
- In Class discussions and end-of-unit written responses
- Key Assignment - Model UN
- Students select a country from one of the regions that we have studied. They prepare statements and answers from the perspective of their country for questions on: environment, nuclear weapons, Poverty, Hunger, Good Health and Well-Being, Quality Education, Clean Water and Sanitation, Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, etc. We have a day of presentations, discussions, and debate.
CLASS MATERIALS:
National Geographic World Cultures and Geography
ISBN: 978-0-7362-8998-6
Buy this book on Amazon HERE
World Regional Maps Workbook
Buy this book on Amazon HERE