Chapter 1 – Introduction to Geography
The materials in this chapter introduce students to the fundamentals of
geography through cartography and the principles of geographic thinking. It is
organized into sections that will teach, reinforce, and test students on maps,
cartography, the five themes of geography, and the tools of geography.
The lesson in this chapter covers:
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Lesson 1 – What is Geography? - Students learn about geographer's tools. They
explore the themes of geography and explore, compare and create maps. Students use
case studies to analyze the connections between history and geography.
Chapter 2 – Physical Geography
The materials in this chapter consider Earth's place in the universe. It is organized
into sections that will teach, reinforce, and test students on Earth's atmosphere,
climates, and water system, geographic landforms, and Earth's complex systems and
trends.
Lessons in this chapter are organized into the following sections:
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Lesson 1 – Earth in the Universe - Students examine connections between Earth and
the universe including solar energy, the moon, and the planets.
Lesson 2 – Atmosphere and Climates - Students consider Earth's processes
including climate, seasons, and the water cycle and note how these systems and
processes affect the people living in different geographical locations.
Lesson 3 – Landforms - Students consider different types of landforms and how they
affect life around them. Students explore how landforms can be changed through
erosion, changes in the Earth, and plate tectonics.
Chapter 3 – Human Geography
The materials in this chapter examine human geography in terms of human
systems, especially culture and economic systems. It is organized into sections that
will teach, reinforce, and test students on their understanding of culture and culture
regions and economic geography.
Lessons in this chapter are organized into the following sections:
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Lesson 1 – Culture and Cultural Regions - Students explore the interaction of people
and their environment, including how particular landforms or other geographical features
shape the culture and identity of a group of people. Students identify regions that are
defined by culture.
Lesson 2 – Economic Geography - Students explore the connections between
economics and geography through analyzing industry, resources and demographics.
Chapter 4 – Regions: North America
The materials in this chapter analyze North America, mapping the terrain and
considering important political and physical boundaries. It is organized into
sections that will teach, reinforce, and test students on political, geographical, physical,
cultural, and historical aspects of the region.
Lessons in this chapter are organized into the following sections:
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Lesson 1 – Mapping North America - Students examine regions and sub-regions in
North America. Students identify political boundaries and write a plan to decrease
pollution in their community.
Lesson 2 – Historical and Cultural Geography: North America- Students use maps
to trace historical and cultural geography. Students label Canadian provinces and states
of the United States on a map. Students consider historical, cultural, and trade
connections between the countries in North America.
Chapter 5 – Regions: Middle and South America
The materials in this chapter analyze Middle and South America, mapping the
terrain and considering important political and physical boundaries. It is organized
into sections that will teach, reinforce, and test students on political, geographical,
physical, cultural, and historical aspects of the region.
Lessons in this chapter are organized into the following sections:
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Lesson 1 – Mapping Middle and South America - Students map Middle and South
America, noting regions and sub-regions. Students identify human and physical
characteristics of the geography.
Lesson 2 – Historical and Cultural Geography: Middle and South America Students identify historical geography of the region and how it has shaped the history of
the region. Students identify and map political and physical features of the region and
note the spread of culture and trade through the region.
Chapter 6 – Regions: Europe
The materials in this chapter analyze Europe, mapping the terrain and
considering important political and physical boundaries. It is organized into
sections that will teach, reinforce, and test students on political, geographical, physical,
cultural, and historical aspects of the region.
Lessons in this chapter are organized into the following sections:
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Lesson 1 – Mapping Europe - Students consider the concept of meta-geography and
use it to deny or defend the Caribbean as a culture region separate from North America.
Students identify and map political and physical boundaries of Europe. Students identify
culture regions.
Lesson 2 – Historical and Cultural Geography: Middle and South America Students consider the geography of the region and identify how geography affected
nation states of the region. Students trace settlement patterns in the region through a
language tree. Students will explore the goals and challenges of the European Union.
Chapter 7 – Regions: Southwest Asia and Northern
Africa
The materials in this chapter analyze Southwest Asia and Northern Africa,
mapping the terrain and considering important political and physical
boundaries. It is organized into sections that will teach, reinforce, and test students on
political, geographical, physical, cultural, and historical aspects of the region.
Lessons in this chapter are organized into the following sections:
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Lesson 1 – Mapping Southwest Asia and Northern Africa - Students identify political
boundaries and study regions and sub-regions of the area, noting both human and
physical characteristics of the region.
Lesson 2 – Historical and Cultural Geography: Southwest Asia and Northern
Africa - Students identify historical and cultural growth and change in the region.
Students identify the interplay of three main religions in the area and note discord they
have brought.
Chapter 8 – Regions: Saharan and Southern Africa
The materials in this chapter analyze Saharan and Southern Africa, mapping the
terrain and considering important political and physical boundaries. It is organized
into sections that will teach, reinforce, and test students on political, geographical,
physical, cultural, and historical aspects of the region.
Lessons in this chapter are organized into the following sections:
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Lesson 1 – Mapping Saharan and Southern Africa - Students map physical and
political aspects of Saharan and Southern Africa, noting regions and sub-regions.
Lesson 2 – Historical and Cultural Geography: Saharan and Southern Africa Students label political and physical features of the region. Students consider tribal and
national identity in modern day Africa. Students consider current political, cultural, and
economic situations in the region.
Chapter 9 – Regions: East and Southeast Asia
The materials in this chapter analyze East and Southeast Asia, mapping the
terrain and considering important political and physical boundaries. It is organized
into sections that will teach, reinforce, and test students on political, geographical,
physical, cultural, and historical aspects of the region.
Lessons in this chapter are organized into the following sections:
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Lesson 1 – Mapping East and Southeast Asia - Students study political boundaries
within East and Southeast Asia. Students identify regions and sub-regions and identify
both physical and human characteristics of the area.
Lesson 2 – Historical and Cultural Geography: East and Southeast Asia - Students
trace the spread of culture through the region and note how geography has affected
culture. Students explore contemporary issues in the region including the spread of
industrialization and the protection of ecosystems and species.
Chapter 10 – Regions: South Asia
The materials in this chapter analyze South Asia, mapping the terrain and
considering important political and physical boundaries. It is organized into
sections that will teach, reinforce, and test students on political, geographical, physical,
cultural, and historical aspects of the region.
Lessons in this chapter are organized into the following sections:
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Lesson 1 – Mapping South Asia - Students map political and physical boundaries of
the region. Students identify regions and sub-regions.
Lesson 2 – Historical and Cultural Geography: South Asia - Students explore how
geography has affected the area through history. Students will examine poverty,
disease, and environmental issues in India and programs implemented by the United
Nations to relieve these problems.
Chapter 11 – Regions: South Pacific and Oceania
The materials in this chapter analyze the South Pacific and Australia, mapping the
terrain and considering important political and physical boundaries. It is organized
into sections that will teach, reinforce, and test students on political, geographical,
physical, cultural, and historical aspects of the region.
Lessons in this chapter are organized into the following sections:
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Lesson 1 – Mapping the South Pacific and Australia - Students use maps to
examine regions and sub-regions as well as to identify political boundaries and
geographical features.
Lesson 2 – Historical and Cultural Geography: the South Pacific and Australia Students identify geographical change over time in the region. Students note cultural
diversity in the region and how geography allowed for the diversity. Students identify
ways in which technology has affected regional environments.