CONCEPTS IN PHYSICAL
GEOGRAPHY
Topics and Approaches for Integrated Instruction
Maggie Legates, Delaware Geographic Alliance, August 2010
Geography has a lot to offer for
curriculum planning
points of integration


Thinking
and
Doing




Spatial reasoning and organization
Language development
Modeling and graphic representation
of data
Observation and evaluation of
surroundings
Scientific thinking
Appreciation of diversity
points of integration



Topics
and
Content




Mapping, modeling, graphs, graphics
Patterns and relationships
Data and data analysis
Physical systems
Human adaptations and alterations of
the environment
Biological and cultural diversity
Change over time
This morning’s goals:
Goal 1
•
Overview of three physical
systems of Earth• mountain building/erosion
• water cycles
• atmospheric circulation
Goal 2





Overview of the perspectives and
approaches of geography
Spatial analysis
Environmental perspective
Human-related
Problem-solving and scientific
approach
Goal 3

Share resources and teaching
strategies
 Visual
images, graphics, maps
 Data and databases
 Teaching ideas and tools
 Community resources
Goal 4

Challenge and inspire you to
make connections, encourage
students to learn to know and
care for the Earth.
What feature of earth is
Most beautiful?
 Most dangerous?
 Most awe-inspiring?


What makes you think so?