Earth’s Human Geography7th Grade UBD – Unit 1 – Culture and Geography

Preview

Where Do People Live- The world’s

population, or total number of people, is

spread unevenly over the Earth’s

surface.

Urbanization and Diversity- One of

the biggest challenges today nations

face is urbanization.

Reach Into Your Background

Would you like to live in a city or in the country? List some interesting things you could do if you lived far from a city. List the things you would enjoy most about city life. (5 minutes)

Partner Activity

Work with a neighbor and compare your answers with theirs. What things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)

Key Ideas- Where Do People Live

The world’s population, or total number of people, is spread unevenly over the Earth’s surface.

Demographers study the populations of the world.

Most major civilizations began along bodies of water.

People prefer areas where the climate is not too hot or cold, and where there is rainfall.

What is Population Distribution

The world’s population, or

total number of people, is

spread unevenly over the

Earth’s surface.

Some places have large

numbers of people. In other

places, the population is

very small.

Population distribution

describes they way the

population is spread out

over the Earth.

Key Term

Population–

The people

living in a

particular

region;

especially, the

total number

of people in an

area.

Key Term

Population

Distribution–

The average

number of

people living

in a given

area.

Population PressureVideo- Population Pressure

Demographers

Demographers study the

populations of the world.

They examine such

things as rates of birth,

marriage, and death.

They also look at reasons

why people choose to

live in certain areas.

Why Is Population Distribution Uneven

Why is population

distribution uneven? To

answer this question,

demographers start with

the idea that people are

choosy.

Much of the Earth’s

landforms are rugged

mountains, hot deserts,

and dry land with little

vegetation. Few people

can live in these places.

Why Is Population Distribution Uneven

Many factors make a location a good place to live. Most major civilizations began along bodies of water. Rivers and lakes are used for trade and travel. They also provide people with a supply of fresh water for drinking and farming.

Why Is Population Distribution Uneven

People also prefer

areas of flat, fertile soil.

There they can grow

food and build easily.

Flat costal areas make

it easy for people to

trade by ship with other

countries.

Why Is Population Distribution Uneven

Other factors affect where

people live. People prefer

areas where the climate is not

too hot or cold, and where

there is rainfall. These places

make it easier to raise food

crops and animals.

People also prefer places with

natural resources to build

houses and make products.

Questions

1. What describes the way the population

is spread out over the Earth?

2. Demographers study the populations

of the world. What things do they

study?

Answers

1. What describes the way the population is spread

out over the Earth?

Population distribution describes the way the population

is spread out over the Earth.

2. Demographers study the populations of the world.

What things do they study?

Demographers study things such as rates of birth,

marriage, and death. They also look at reasons why

people choose to live in certain areas.

Reach Into Your Background

There may have been a time in your life when you or your family moved to a new home. Or perhaps a close friend moved away from your neighborhood. You probably felt a little sad. Write down how you would feel if you moved to another country! (5 minutes)

Partner Activity

Work with a neighbor and compare your response with theirs. What things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)

Key Ideas- Urbanization and Diversity

Migration is the movement of people from one country

or region to another in order to make new homes.

In recent years, the population of major cities has grown

tremendously.

The movement of people to cities is called urbanization.

The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and

respect. It means understanding that each individual is

unique, and recognizing our individual differences.

Key Term

Urbanization

– The growth

of city

populations

caused by the

movement of

people to

cities.

The World Becomes More Urban

One of the biggest

challenges today many

nations face is people

migrating to cities from

farms and small villages.

In recent years, the

population of major cities

has grown tremendously.

The movement of people to

cities is called urbanization.

The World Becomes More Urban

The problem for many cities

is that too many people are

coming to them.

Cities cannot keep up. They

struggle to provide housing,

schools, hospitals, and other

services that people need.

The country as a whole

suffers. With fewer farmers,

there is less food.

Are You TypicalVideo- Are You Typical-National Geographic

Key Term

Diversity– The

concept of diversity

encompasses

acceptance and

respect. It means

understanding that

each individual is

unique, and

recognizing our

individual

differences.   

Diversity

Diversity means that there

are lots of different kinds

of things.

Just as there are lots of

different makes of cars,

bikes, and washing

machines or just about

anything you can think of,

so there is diversity

among people.

Diversity

Diversity is not just about

our bodies. Where we are

born in the world can

make for a great deal of

diversity too.

There are differences in:

Languages, Religions,

Beliefs, Cultural Traditions,

Schools, Jobs, and Homes.

Where Diversity Is Found

You don't have to go

anywhere to find

diversity. Just look around

at your family and friends

and you will find it.

Every single person you

know is different. How

about your brothers,

sisters and cousins?

How Does Diversity Happen?

There is more and more diversity

around us because: People travel

around a lot more in their own

country. They may go to live and

work in other countries.

When people move to other

countries they add their diversity

to that country in all sorts of ways

- food, culture, religion, beliefs,

music, and art.

What's Great About Diversity?

As more people from

different countries come to

that country, then there is

more diversity in the

population of that country.

Everyone can learn more

about other cultures.

Everyone can work together

to make the country a good

place to live for everyone.

What Can Be Not So Great?

Some people are afraid of

diversity.

Some people are afraid of

change.

Some people want everyone

to be the same as

themselves.

Some people don't want to

accept that others do not

share their beliefs.

Questions

1. What are some problems many

cities face as people move to

them?

2. Where can you find diversity?

3. What can be great about

diversity?

4. What’s not so great about

diversity?

Answer

1. What are some problems many cities face as people move to them?

Cities cannot provide adequate housing, schools, hospitals, and other

services that people need.

2. Where can you find diversity?

You can find diversity everywhere.

3. What can be great about diversity?

Everyone can learn more about other cultures and work together to

make the world a better place to live.

4. What’s not so great about diversity?

Some people are afraid of diversity, while others are afraid of change,

and some want everyone to be the same as themselves.

Independent Activity

What has been the

“muddiest” point so

far in this lesson? That

is, what topic remains

the least clear to you?

(4 minutes)

Partner Activity

Work with a neighbor and compare your muddiest point with theirs. Compare what things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)