Six Essential Elements of Geography

Why does most of the U.S. speak English? Why is Klein Intermediate predominantly

Hispanic? “There’s a big hurricane churning over that

body of water and it’s heading in that direction. It’s predicted to hit that state in 3 days.” What do you do?

Why are the Rocky Mts. higher than the Appalachian Mts.?

Warm-up prompts

Six Elements of Geography

Element Description Example

1. World in Spatial Terms

2. Places and Regions

3. Physical Systems

Draw this table in your notebooks one page (landscape style)

Element Description Example

4. Human Systems

5.

Environment and Society

6. Uses of Geography

Draw this table in your notebooks one page (landscape style).

Six Essential Elements of Geography

Element Description Possible Examples

1. World in Spatial Terms

Refers to the connection people, places and environments have because of location.

Me on the Map; Houston, Texas90W, 30N

2. Places and Regions Geographers use physical and human characteristics to define a place; places with common characteristics determine a region.

Physical region- Coastal PlainsPolitical region- the West

3. Physical Systems Study of the earth’s surface & atmosphere and how they affect human behavior; how plants and animal interact for survival. Climate, landforms

Volcanoes forming Hawaiian islands, Hurricane Ike

Six Essential Elements of Geography

Element Description Possible examples

4. Human Systems The study of how people shape the earth: how and why they move, settle and form societies. Political divisions: city, state

Houston most populated city in Texas; transportation

5. Environment and Society

Study of how people modify their environment or adapt to it. Natural resources

Mississippi River rises in the spring, causes flooding

6. Uses of Geography Refers to how geography is used to understand the past, explain the present and plan for the future.

How did Texans win the Battle of San Jacinto?

Have student visit each station. Read material and study accompanying image.

Students are to fill in the table in their notebooks.

Teacher should monitor for misunderstanding, questions, and participation by all.

After gallery walk is completed, show key to make sure students have captured essentials.

Option 1: Gallery Walk

Have all students create table to record notes. Use two pages for adequate space.

Divide students into six groups. Give each group one of the six elements

handouts to become an expert of. Groups will create a display to teach the element

to the class, which will include:◦ Explanation/Definition◦ Illustration◦ Example

Students will record info from display in notebooks.

Option 2: Museum Docents

How does geography affect people? Students must use all the terms below in 5

sentences or less. Modify, adapt, physical characteristics,

climate, migration, location, culture, landforms, interact, affect

Include a visual (map, picture, graph)

Capsule Vocabulary