Ellen Wiese

10/15/14
Intro to 5 Themes of Geography
6th Grade
Social Studies
Standards:
Common Core:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.2
Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate
summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary specific to
domains related to history/social studies.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.5
Describe how a text presents information (e.g., sequentially, comparatively, causally).
GLCEs:
6 G1.3.1 Use the fundamental themes of geography (location, place, human environment interaction,
movement, region) to describe regions or places on earth.
Goal:
Students will be familiar with what the 5 themes are and have the beginnings of how geographers
categorize what they study.
Learning Target:
I will be able sort through geography vocab and brainstorm how the words relate to one another.
I am familiar with the 5 themes of geography.
Daily start up routine: (15-20 min)
-Fill out planner, go over agenda
-CNN student news
-pass out journals during news
-Word Wednesday
-Vocab word of their choosing
Initial assessment/anticipatory set: (5-10 min)
-Explain that we are still; studying geography, but now we are moving on from tools and strategies of
geographers and moving on to 5 themes, these themes will follow you through high school so learn
them now!
-List group label
- Work in groups to separate 5 themes words
-put up PowerPoint slide showing where words SHOULD go in the 5 theme categories
Guided Reading: (10-15 min)
-Read through reading in packet
-This is the books take on the 5 themes, we will look at what the state def. are and create our own def.
eventually
5 Themes YouTube Rap: (5 min)
-Watch YouTube video of the 5 themes
-Write down the 5 themes as you hear him rap them

- What kinds of questions does he ask?

Closure:
-Review 5 themes one more time
-Sneak peek for tomorrows lesson
Strategies:
-Circle room to ensure students are on task
-Repeat questions for clarification
-Call on students who dont have their hands raised
-Use visuals to follow along
-Collaborative work
-Graphic organizer
-Music

Notes on Pre Assessment:

First Hour:
Little background knowledge on 5 themes
Very difficult time putting words in correct categories
Confusion on difference between place and location
Really enjoyed the 5 Themes Rap

Second Hour:
Some background knowledge on 5 Themes
Did well with movement and region categories
Danced along with 5 Themes Rap

Fifth Hour:
Difficult time understanding the brainstorming instructions
Rushed through the activity
Little knowledge on 5 themes
Liked Rap!

Sixth Hour:
Front Right group, extremely successful in categorizing words
Worked hard on activity
Thought rap was silly
*Need to teach each theme as if they have no knowledge, Familiar with Lat/Long but not with how to
locate coordinates on a map, Regions still confusing, Difference between location and place will need
to be spent extra time on.
First hour will need more time to complete most assignments, so plan for a bit of extra time at the
end of each class to ensure they stay caught up