Regions of the United States: The Southwest
I can describe the Southwest in terms of the 5 themes of Geography.
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General
Explore the states of the Southwest using The Five Themes of Geography. Students will have an opportunity to practice state locations as well as states and capitals. Weblinks and videos add to the many facts students will learn from this lesson.
Learning objective
Students will be able to describe the Southwest in terms of the 5 themes of Geography.
Introduction
Students are invited to think about how the shape of a state can make it easy to recognize. Using Texas as an example, the Panhandle, Gulf Coast, and Rio Grande border are pointed out. Students are then prompted to extend the discussion to what is special about the shape of the state in which they live.
Instruction
As each theme is discussed, students will relate it to the Southwest. For Location, students will learn mnemonic strategies and complete self-check activities to learn the capitals and state locations. Linking each state to National Geographic Kids, allows the students to further explore each state independently. Discussion of the varied land areas is part of the theme of Place. Deserts, plains, and the Gulf coast are explored. After viewing a video, students will further understand the creation of the Grand Canyon. Place also explores weather and climate and the effect of being in the rain shadow has on the deserts. The section about Human-Environment interaction shares information on the tourist sites of the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest. Also discussed is how the area deals with the need for water by implementing irrigation and the building of the Hoover Dam. Students also find out how the Oklahoma Sooners got their nickname and the influence that bordering with Mexico has on the region.
Quiz
Students respond to ten multiple-choice and true/false questions.
Closing
Students will be introduced to the concept of the use of symbols on Land Use and Resource Maps. When given possible symbols, they will match it to a word that describes a resource of the Southwest.
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With a focus on elementary education, Gynzy’s Whiteboard, digital tools, and activities make it easy for teachers to save time building lessons, increase student engagement, and make classroom management more efficient.