Around the World in 80 Lessons World Geography

Around the World in 80 Lessons World Geography - Global Issues Jim Cairns ACS Cobham January 2012

Aims of Session If you had only one academic year to teach the essentials of Geography -what would you teach? Context & rationale behind course at ACS Cobham What does the course look like? Where can you find some good materials? What would you do?

Why…. “if you only had one year”…?

Social Studies at ACS Cobham Middle School: Grades 5 -8 Grade 5 Ancient History Grade 6 British History Grade 7 Global Issues Grade 8 American History

Social Studies at ACS Cobham High School: Grades 9 -12 World History I (grade 9) HS Diploma Route (10 -12) World History II Global Studies (0. 5 credits) AP Route European History US History Economics Psychology Human Geography IB Route (Individuals & Societies) History Information Technology and Global Society Psychology Economics Business & Management Environmental Systems & Society (Geography)

Geography in High School Conclusion: for most students Grade 7 is their only encounter with Geography

What’s so important about Geography? Geography inspires pupils to become global citizens by exploring their own place in the world, their values and their responsibilities to other people, to the environment and to the sustainability of the planet. (UK Dept. for Education: National Curriculum Statement on importance of Geography)

Important Geographical Concepts* Place Understanding real places – physical/human characteristics Perception-v-reality Space Location and reasons for it Patterns, distributions Implications of above Scale – local, regional, national, international, global Interdependence & Interactions How human action & change in one place affects people and environments elsewhere Physical & Human Processes Understanding how things work – atmospheric process to population growth Cultural Understanding & Diversity How values & attitudes affect responses to issues * taken from UK National Curriculum Geography – Programme of Study KS 3

Some Important Geographical Skills Gathering, Manipulating & Interpreting Geographical Information – Maps Satellite imagery Statistical data Field Observations Analysis of issues Identifying origins/causes Assessing impacts Examining solutions Understanding perspectives & alternative views Defending a position/argument Finding reliable & compelling evidence Understanding bias Understanding counter arguments Research Setting hypothesis/essential or leading question Reliable, accurate, & objective sources of information Keeping track of sources

Critical Thinking Dealing with Issues Perspective Objectivity Accuracy Learning Outcomes Developing an Argument Supporting Evidence Defending a Position

Treat all Sources with a degree of care!

So… how do we build a course based on these concepts and skills?

Rationale: An issues-based approach Look at limited number of locations around the globe Examine an issue that affects that location Show students how to analyze and assess an issue Raise essential/leading questions Find reliable sources of information Look at conflicting evidence and differing viewpoints Make judgments - assessments Culminating activity: Students find a global issue that they feel passionate about - present their assessment.

Some interesting/important questions What can the world do about its burgeoning population? (currently 7 billion!) Should we do anything? Why are so many people in the world Poor? Hungry? Sick? How can a developing country improve its economy without Ruining its environment? Adversely affecting the lives of indigenous people? Why do some countries seem to suffer from frequent natural disasters? Do wealthy nations cope better than poor ones? Will the BRIC countries dominate the world’s economy? (Brazil, Russia, India, China) Will Global Warming mean the end of the world? Is it real/dangerous/our fault? Can we do anything about it? What is the biggest issue facing the world today?

What does the course look like? Unit 1: Intro to Global Issues Unit 2: Comparing Disasters Unit 3: Africa: History and Modern Issues Unit 4: China: Growth, Population and Environment Unit 5: India: Independence and Economic Change Unit 6: Israel & the Palestinians- the struggle for Peace Unit 7: South America: Growth, Environment and Indigenous People Unit 8: Personal Research – a global issue. http: //cobham. acs-england. rubiconatlas. org/Atlas/Authentication/View/Login

What does the course look like? http: //cobham. acs-england. rubiconatlas. org/Atlas/Authentication/View/Login

Sample Unit: Comparing Natural Disasters Why do some parts of the world suffer from natural disasters? Do wealthy countries/regions cope better? Local Scale – fieldwork investigation Lynmouth, Devon, 1952

Example Unit: Comparing Natural Disasters Why do some parts of the world suffer from natural disasters? Do wealthy countries/regions cope better? Regional Scale – Hurricane Katrina 2005

Example Unit: Comparing Natural Disasters Why do some parts of the world suffer from natural disasters? Do wealthy countries/regions cope better? Analysis Causes Effects Lessons Learned International Scale – Asian Tsunami 2004

Interpreting Geographical Information Google Earth Image of East and West Lyn Valleys

Interpreting Geographical Information 3 -D OS map view of East Lyn River

Interpreting Geographical Information Grade 7 Students examining an Ecocentric Bridge in East Lyn Valley

Data that raises Issues Lakeview, New Orleans- 31 Aug 2005 - Google Earth alt 1150 ft

Data that raises Issues Lakeview, New Orleans- 2010(Google Earth)

Data that raises Issues Lower Ninth Ward, New Orleans- Aug 31 2005 (Google Earth)

Data that raises Issues Lower Ninth Ward, New Orleans 2010(Google Earth)

Hurricane Katrina some of the issues Why was New Orleans so unprepared? Why were the poorest parts of the city worst hit? Was race an issue? How has the city recovered? Did human activity contribute to the disaster? How successful was the relief effort? Global Issues Wikispace

Using Statistical Data to investigate Issues www. worldmapper. org/display. php? select Healthed=261 Africa Stats in

China: The Population Issue Historical Background Rise of the communist party Timeline activities

China: The Population Issue Historical Background Rise of the communist party Timeline activities The One-Child Policy Data Response Assignment

China: The Population Issue Historical Background Rise of the communist party Timeline activities The One-Child Policy Data Response Assignment Key Assignment Persuasive Essay. . or Team Debate

Some Essential Questions and Assignments

Where can you find good materials? Global Issues Wikispace Please feel free to visit my wikispace Guest – access to all pages and download resources Member – edit privileges Email me jcairns@acs-schools. com Email exchange – let’s swap good ideas

What would you do?