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After reading chapter 13, I have learned about the importance of geography. I have learned that geography can connect issues that previously had no relationship whatsoever. Examples of problems geography can relate are social and economic issues. The text also explains reasons as to why teachers should teach geography. The reasons to teach geography as stated in the text are:

Geography helps students answer questions such as: What is it? Where is it? Why is it there? What is the significance of its location?

Geography helps students understand connections between physical and human systems and how they interact on the Earth’s surface.

Geography helps students practice critical thinking skills about the distribution and arrangements of people, places, and events that are an important part of their knowledge of the world.

Geography captures the imagination of students through a focus on exploration and adventure from multiple perspectives and media

Walter McDonnell believes "we are all geographers from the time we are born." In the text, he explained why he thought geography is essential. His beliefs are shown when he stated, "context in which we live and move and have our being.”

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After reading the text, I have gained an understanding of the importance of Geo-literacy. Geo-literacy is where geography is used to make various but important decisions and to be able to understand how these decisions may affect you at a later date. The text also explains the components of Geo-literacy. The text states that these components are:

understanding human and natural systems

geographic reasoning

systematic decision making

The text also explains certain understanding a person needs to have when deciding that revolves around geography. These understandings, as stated in the text, are:

how our world works (interconnected physical, biological, and social systems)

how our world is connected (every place in our world is connected to every other place)

how to make well-reasoned decisions (analysis of outcomes based on priorities)

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After reading the text, I have learned a lot about the five themes of geography. Before reading the text, I did not know there were five themes to geography, so chapter 13 was eye-opening. The five geography themes are location, region, place, movement, and environmental or human interaction. The text also goes into detail about what each theme entails. the things that the five themes entail are stated in the text as follows:

location (relative and absolute location of places and people on the Earth)

place (physical and human characteristics of places)

human/environment interaction (how places are modified by physical and human causes)

movement (people interacting with other people through travel, trade, migration, and political events)

regions (areas that are unified by common factors such as government, language, or landforms)

I have also learned why it is beneficial for students to learn about the five themes of geography. The text states, "The themes of location and place provide opportunities for students to observe, describe, and learn factual information about places and the characteristics that distinguish places from each other. The themes of interaction, movement, and regions offer opportunities for student problem solving and critical thinking."

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After reading the text, I have learned what students should be able to do when learning about geography. Students should have good background knowledge when learning about geography. The text states, " According to the Geography Assessment Framework for the 2010 National Assessment of Educational Progress1, “comprehensive knowledge, understanding, and application of geography’s content and perspectives are essential to responsible citizenship because geography beings coherence to the causes and effects of physical and human events that occur on the Earth’s surface.” Geographic knowledge affects decision making about economic, political, social, technological, and environmental issues."

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Tools and Analytical Concepts for Geography

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Tools and Analytical Concepts for Geography

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I learned about the different tools and concepts a teacher can use to teach any lesson on geography. These tools and concepts, as stated in the text, are:

technology (including global positioning systems, satellite data, Geographic Information Systems tools)

maps (including mental maps, atlases, globes, relief maps, cartograms, thematic maps)

scale (relative measurements or dimensions, explanations using different scales may provide different answers)

change (changes in natural environments and human environments as the result of transformations in technology, perceptions, attitudes, and human interactions)

diversity (natural diversity necessary for balance and health of ecosystems, cultural diversity which contributes to life in the United States and in other nations)

models (used to understand processes and elements of environments and cultures)

systems (including ecosystems, weather systems, transportation networks, communication systems, urban infrastructures)

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I have learned the different ways you can connect geography to different subjects such as math, science, history, and english language arts.
One way to connect geography to math, as stated in the text, is to "Calculate the distance between places using the scale of miles on a map."One way to connect geography to science, as stated in the text, is to "Analyze the effects of climate change and what can be done about the problem." One way to connect geography to a history lesson, as stated in the text, is "Identify the effect of geography on the outcome of Revolutionary War battles."And finally, one way to connect geography to english language arts, as stated in the text, is "Research and write about places students would like to visit."

When I am a teacher, I would definitely integrate geography into any subject I can. When I integrate subjects, students have to practice more than one skill at any given time

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Informal Strategies for Teaching Geography

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Informal Strategies for Teaching Geography

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I have learned about the different strategies a teacher can use to connect to geography in their classroom at various points in the day. The strategies as stated in the text are as follows:

First day of school bulletin board – Have the outline of the state the students live in on the bulletin board. Students receive a sticky note to put their name on. Each student places their sticky note on the bulletin board according to where they were born. If they were born in the state, the sticky note goes on the state. If they were born in a state or country to the north, the sticky note goes above the state and so on.

Have an inexpensive paperback atlas for each student in grades 4 and above or have access to the National Geographic atlas app. Have the students use the atlas to find locations using the map skills appropriate to their grade.

Have a daily treasure hunt puzzle for the students to solve which is appropriate to their skill level. Example: Today the treasure is in the capital of a large state that is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico, New Mexico, and Mexico. Where is the treasure today? (Austin, Texas) Students can come up with their own examples to share.

For Back to School Night or Parent-Teacher Conferences, have each student make a classroom map with the location of their desk marked. The family members locate their students’ desk using the map.

Have students locate places where current events are taking place in their atlases, on the wall map, or on the smart board map. Example: Locate the four cities whose teams are competing on Sunday to play in the Super Bowl.

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I have also learned why it is important to teach geography to primary students. When students first are exposed to geography, they should learn about places they already have background knowledge in. Places like their school district or where they live. The text states, "In grades K-2, students' first experiences with geography should be interactive and concrete. Experiences should begin with the places most familiar to the students: their homes, their neighborhoods, and their classroom and school. There is considerable disagreement among educators about when it is appropriate to move from relatively unstructured and open-ended geography activities to more formal instruction on abstract concepts relating to maps1."

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I have learned how beneficial virtual field trips can be in a classroom. Virtual field trips are extremely helpful especially given the pandemic we live in now. Virtual field trips are online simulations students can do from either their home or classroom without ever having to leave the front door. Web Cams are also beneficial because if students are completing school, virtually webcams allow for a socialization aspect that students would normally get in a virtual classroom. The text states, "Well-designed virtual field trip sites provide visual examples, maps, and information about history, tourism, and climate. Web cams offer opportunities for students to see what is happening at a place in real time."

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The summary of chapter 13 explains "Understanding geography is an essential part of students’ preparation to become citizens and consumers in an interconnected world. As students learn about geography, they build their knowledge of the way human and physical systems interact and how humans impact the world in which they live."

The summary also explains "Geography is one of the easiest subject areas to integrate into other subject areas. As students study literature and history, integration of geography can add meaning and interest. Math and science provide many opportunities for students to apply knowledge and practice skills related to geography. As students study about geography, there are countless chances to use critical thinking and problem solving skills."

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After reading this chapter I have learned many things.

I have learned why geography is important.

I have learned what Geo-literacy is and the benefits of it.

I have learned about the five themes of geography.

I have learned about the tools teachers can use to teach geography.

how to connect geography to other subjects.

I have learned different strategies which will help me teach geography.

I have learned how to teach geography to primary school students.

The last thing I have learned is how beneficial virtual field trips and webcams can be.