Mission Geography

Introduction to the National Geography Standards

Geography for Life

Opinions…

AGREE DISAGREE

STRONGLYAGREE

STRONGLYDISAGREE

Agree or Disagree?• Geography is an important part of the

social studies.• Geography has a great deal to contribute

to the study of science.• Geography is an important life skill.• More teachers are interested in geography

and good geography materials than in the past.

• Students are learning more, and better, geography now than in the past.

Mission Geography

• Teaching geography to reach a new standard

• Exploring the new world of geography education

Geography for Life• New definition of geography

An integrated study of the physical and human dimensions of the world

People, Places, and Environments

Geography for Life

• Two perspectives:

SpatialEcological

Six Essential Elements

• The World in Spatial Terms

• Places and Regions

• Physical Systems

• Human Systems

• Environment and Society

• The Uses of Geography

Innovation: Student Centered

What students knowAND CAN DO!

By the end of 4th grade the student knows and understands:1. The characteristics and purposes of geographic representations…Therefore the student is able to:show spatial information on geographic representations

Innovation: Environment

• Physical processes that shape our environment

• Human processes that influence our environment

• The interaction between society and the environment

Innovation: Thinking Centered

• Thinking like a geographer Applying geographic skills and

perspectives to solve problems, make decisions, draw conclusions, make generalizations

Maps, maps, maps

Observing and analyzing the world through rich, detailed images

Innovation: Integrated Skills

• Emphasis on DOING geography Asking geographic questions

Collecting geographic information

Organizing geographic information

Analyzing geographic information

Answering geographic questions

Innovation: History and Geography

• Knowing geography to understand our world Past Present Future

Classic Geography

• Locations

Innovation:

Why things are located where they are and the consequences of location

Classic Geography

• Map and Globe Skills

Innovation Making and interpreting maps

Using maps to tell stories and solve problems

Using maps and related images produced with new technologies

Using maps to enhance reading comprehension

World in Spatial Terms

By the end of 4th grade:• The characteristics and purposes of geographic

representations such as maps, globes, graphs, diagrams, aerial and other photographs and satellite produced images

• The characteristics and purposes of tools and technologies such as reference works and computer-based geographic information systems

• How to display spatial information on maps and other geographic representations

• How to use appropriate geographic tools and technologies

The World in Spatial Terms

By the end of 8th grade:• The characteristics, functions, and applications

of maps, globes, aerial and other photographs, satellite produced images, and models

• How to make and use maps, globes…to analyze spatial distributions and patterns

• The relative advantages and disadvantages of using maps, globes, aerial and other photographs, satellite produced images, and models to solve geographic problems

The World in Spatial Terms

By the end of 12th grade:• How to use maps and other graphic

representations to depict geographic problems

• How to use technologies to represent and interpret Earth’s physical and human systems

• How to use geographic representations and tools to analyze, explain, and solve geographic problems

Teaching to a new standard

• In your state?

• In your school?

• Implications?