We Grow’em BIGGER in TEXAS !

1. We Grow’em BIGGER in TEXAS ! The 5 Themes of Geography Presented by Wayneara Adams and Denise Walters

2. Teaching the 5 themes of geography can be a bit tiresome. • This lesson will introduce the themes with a interest in the students’ home state and use their knowledge of their favorite towns to understand the themes. Presented by Wayneara Adams and Denise Walters

3. TAKS and TEKS • TAKS Objective 2: The student will demonstrate an understanding of geographic influences on historical issues and events. • TEKS Objectives 5.6 A,B 5.7B 5.8C,D 5.9 A,B,C Presented by Wayneara Adams and Denise Walters

4. Materials • Textbook • Five Themes of Geography Chart • Index Cards (5) • Atlas • Texas Information Guide Book (State Department of Highways and Public Transportation, Travel and Information Division, P.O. Box 5064, Austin, Texas 78763-5064) To order a class set, encourage your class to order one per student using their home address for the delivery address and donate it to the class. • Unitedstreaming Video www.unitedstreaming.com The Southwestern Region of the United States, Part One: The Texas Gulf Coast and Gulf Coastal Plains Or Power Point Presented by Wayneara Adams and Denise Walters

5. Engage • Teacher can wear an outfit appropriate to his/her favorite place to visit in Texas. Example: Sunglasses, inner tube, beach towel. Teacher comes to class wearing these and asks the students to tell where they think he/she is going and what he/she might be going to do. Answer is, floating down the Comal River in New Braunsfels, Texas. Presented by Wayneara Adams and Denise Walters

6. Engagement Discussion • Is it North, South, East or West of Houston? • What is the region like? Is it dry, cold, hills, desert? • What activities or attractions do they have? • What type of transportation would you use to get there? • What is the main business in the area? Presented by Wayneara Adams and Denise Walters

7. Explore • Read about the 5 themes of geography from the textbook. • Show the video from www.unitedstreaming.com “The Southwestern Region of the United States, Part One: The Texas Gulf Coast and Gulf Coastal Plains” • Students will design an index card defining each of the 5 themes of geography with an illustration. Presented by Wayneara Adams and Denise Walters

8. Explain • Pass out the “Seed Packet” handout. • Explain instructions: 1. The ovals on the page represent seeds. Write the 5 themes of geography about the area in Texas that you chose. One theme for each seed. The 3 remaining seeds are for your personal favorite things about the area. 2. On the seed packet diagram; illustrate and color a picture describing the town, then on the caption write a sentence using 5 adjectives to describe the illustration, cut out the packet, fold and glue as directed. 3. Cut out the ovals on the seed page and place them into the packet. Do not glue the top flap shut. • Using the Texas Information Guide and the Atlas, have students locate and read about their favorite place in Texas. Presented by Wayneara Adams and Denise Walters

9. Elaborate • Students can present their project to the class and tell why they chose the area that they chose. The presentation can be done during one class period or over several days. Presented by Wayneara Adams and Denise Walters

10. Evaluate • Performance Assessment: You have learned the 5 Themes of Geography and how to describe them. Write the 5 Themes of Geography for another region of the world on the globe. Presented by Wayneara Adams and Denise Walters

11. Sample Test Questions • 1. The San Jacinto Monument is located in Deer Park, Texas near 29 N, 96 W. This describes which theme of geography? A. Place C. Movement B. Location D. Region Answer: B 2. The San Jacinto Monument is in Texas’ coastal plain area, which is flat, grassy land. This describes which theme of geography? A. Place C. Movement B. Location D. Region Answer: D Presented by Wayneara Adams and Denise Walters

12. 3. The San Jacinto Monument was only surrounded by a grove of trees in 1836, is on engulfed by the Houston Ship Channel, one of the top three seaports in the United States. This describes which of the 5 themes of geography? A. Place C. Human/Environment Interaction B. Movement D. Region Answer: C 4. The San Jacinto Monument commemorates the decisive battle of Texas independence. This describes which theme of geography? A. Place C. Movement B. Location D. Region Answer: A Presented by Wayneara Adams and Denise Walters

13. 5. The San Jacinto Monument can be easily reached by car, cab, bus or even bicycle. This describes which theme of geography? A. Place C. Movement B. Location D. Region Answer: C Presented by Wayneara Adams and Denise Walters

14. We Grow Everything Bigger in Texas ! Presented by Wayneara Adams and Denise Walters

15. Environment • (climate, surroundings) how the surroundings in which we live influence and are influenced by people. Presented by Wayneara Adams and Denise Walters

16. Regions • Areas with common features that set them apart from other areas. • Arizona (desert) • Colorado (snowcapped mountains Presented by Wayneara Adams and Denise Walters

17. Location: • Finding exact or relative location of a place. • Map coordinates. Presented by Wayneara Adams and Denise Walters

18. Movement • How people, goods and ideas are moved around the world. Presented by Wayneara Adams and Denise Walters

19. Place • Comparing the natural and human-made features of different areas. Presented by Wayneara Adams and Denise Walters

20. Now Partner, that’s a Lesson ! Presented by Wayneara Adams and Denise Walters