5 Themes of Geography: Regions

Vernacular regions are based upon people's perceptions of the world around them. Remember my story of my college friend who didn't know what "The Midwest" was? Even though she and I both lived in Indiana, we had differing opinions about the region in which we lived. I grew up thinking I was born in the Midwest, while she grew up thinking she grew up in "The Region" or "Chicagoland". What about your perceptions of the city around you? Let's think about the city of Kokomo. Do we have regions within our city? What might these regions be? What are the distinguishing characteristics which set these regions apart?

5 Themes of Geography: Movement

Movement is all around us and within us. For example, think of the movement of blood and nutrients through the body and the movement of people and resources across bodies of land and water. Think of what happens to the movement of blood when we stand on our heads. Think of what happens to the movement of traffic in a city when traffic lights are broken. Interesting word choice: we use the word “congested” to refer to people with colds as well as locations with heavy traffic. Obviously, movement is a constant part of our lives. What do you think would happen if goods, ideas, or people stopped moving?

5 Themes of Geography: Human-Environmental Interaction

List ways that people affect their environment every day. Which activities are most harmful to our environment? Explain why? Lastly, change is not easy. How can we help people around the world change their behaviors so we can begin to improve our environment?

5 Themes of Geography: Place

Every place on Earth is unique, but why are we comfortable in some places but not in others? Think of places where you have been comfortable or uncomfortable. Describe that place. What makes a place comfortable/uncomfortable?

5 Themes of Geography: Location

The Global Positioning System (GPS) of satellites orbiting the earth have become a very useful tool for many individuals and companies. Take a look at some of the applications of GPS which are being used throughout the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Positioning_System#Applications

Describe one way which GPS is currently being used. Can you think of a NEW or FUTURISTIC use of the GPS satellites? How might these satellites be used in the future? Use your imagination!

Blog, what?!!!

Blogs have become very popular in the past two years. Corporations and political parties have even joined the fun and created their own blogs. Answer the following questions:

• Have you ever worked with a blog?
• Do you have your own blog?
• Share with your classmates your experience with blogs.
• If you have your own blog, and you want to share, type the link in your response.
• If you don't have your own blog, search the Internet to find an interesting blog. Share that link with the class.
• Lastly, what would you like to do with a blog? Where do you think we could take the blogging experience in our classroom?