The Five Themes of Geography: The People-Place Connection

Objectives:

• To explore how humans adapt to variations in the physical environment with respect to one of the five themes of geography: human/environment interaction.

Suggested Grades:

4th Grade - 5th Grade - 6th Grade

Lesson Procedure:

Print the lesson plan (see below).

Lesson Excerpt:

Materials: Social Studies class textbook, computer lab, the movie/video: Cast Away with Tom Hanks [with approval from principal], "Stranded" spiral notebook for each student with their name on the front in black marker.
Timeline: Two Weeks

Instructional Procedures:

Students will explore the people-place connection through various sources, from internet research to the use of literature circles/teams, while analyzing the film Cast Away and the character's strategies of survival.

Teacher explains the need and use of the lesson's "Stranded" spiral for each student to get one with the thought-provoking question: Has your life ever spiraled out of control and left you feeling stranded? Teacher writes this question on the board. Students will write a three-paragraph response in their spiral due in two days.

Continued...