INTRO TO NORTH AMERICA

Unit 2, Lesson 1

SMART START Create 1 K-W-L Chart for North America Fill out the “K” and the “W” on your KWL Chart

TODAY’S OBJECTIVES  SWBAT describe the physical and human geography of North America and how they interact.

KEEP IN MIND We are going to be learning about North America, which is something you know a lot about – because you live here. We’re going to focus on being

INQUIRERS

and asking lots of questions to challenge what you do know and to learn more information!

SO, YOU LIVE HERE, BUT HAVE YOU EVER REALLY SEEN IT?

http://www.discovery.

com/tv-shows/north america/videos/sights and-sounds-of-north america.htm

NORTH AMERICA  Human geography in North America includes the man made features, such as countries, cities, travel, clothing, food, and language  Physical geography in North America includes mountain ranges, climate regions, rivers, and deserts.

NORTH AMERICA Draw your equator.

Draw your Prime Meridian. North America is in the ___________________ and ___________________ hemispheres.

NORTH AMERICA There are 23 countries in North America.

NORTH AMERICA Central America is part of North America.

NORTH AMERICA North America is the 3 rd largest continent.

NORTH AMERICA North America’s vertical length, from Alaska to Panama, is 5,437 miles.

NORTH AMERICA North America is the ONLY continent with EVERY KIND of climate in the world.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS How many countries are in North America? What is the difference between North America and the United States of America?

GROUP WORK Number off, 1-5 Using the maps in the textbook – Page 590-591 1.

Countries of North America 2.

3.

4.

5.

Major Cities (by population) of North America Mountain Ranges and Deserts of North America Rivers and Lakes of North America Climate Regions of North America Label the map provided – neatly!

RE-GROUP! Mix up, so there is one person from each of our group #1-5 in a new group (minimum of 5 people). Teach people what you learned! Mark the information on your map!

INDEPENDENT WORK Use your map to answer the following questions: 

What are the connections that you see between the physical geography and the human geography?



What are trends that you can see all over the continent?



Based on this, how do you think human geography and physical geography relate to each other? Use evidence!

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS What are the connections that you see between the physical geography and the human geography? What are trends that you see all over the continent?

HMM…BIG THOUGHTS How do you think physical and human geography relate to each other?

TODAY’S OBJECTIVES  SWBAT describe the physical and human geography of North America and how they interact.

“L” ON YOUR KWL CHART What are things that you learned today about North America?