5 Themes of Geography

Used as a way to organize what Geographers study1. Location2. Place3. Region4. Movement5. Human-Environment Interaction

5 Themes Song

1. LOCATION Where some place or someone is

A. Absolute location- a latitude and longitude (global location) or a street address (local location)

Broken Arrow is 36.0364° N latitude, 95.7836° W longitude SMS is 2701 S Elm Pl  Broken Arrow, OK 74012

Kabul Afghanistan is 34.5333° N latitude, 69.1667° E longitude

B. Relative location-are described by landmarks, time direction, distance from one place to another

- multiple things could possibly be there Ex: next to McDonald’s, on Main St., corner of 61st & Mingo

5 Themes of Geography

refers to the features that define an area and make a place unique

A. Physical Characteristics - mountains, rivers, wildlife, soil

B. Human characteristics - ideas and actions of people, result in changes to the environment

- buildings, roads, clothing and food habits

2. PLACE5 Themes of Geography

3. REGION areas that share at least one common

characteristic Political-based on actual boundaries set by the

government Example?

Physical-based on physical features Example?

Cultural-based on culture traits Example? Traits = Language, religion, race, holidays, etc.

5 Themes of Geography

4. MOVEMENT

looks at why and how people, things, and ideas move

Ex. Many American Indians traveled from the southeast United States to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears

Ex. Many Nike shoes are made in Chinese factories & shipped to other countries

Ex. Playing Xbox Live with a kid from Switzerland

5 Themes of Geography

5. HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION how and why people interact with their

environment How we depend on the environment How we modify the environment How we adapt to the environment

5 Themes of Geography

Map of where French is spoken

Right Side Activity Apply each of the 5 elements to your school

by writing a sentence explaining how your example is related to each theme. Location

1 absolute & 1 relative Place

1 example Regions

2 examples Movement

1 example HEI

2 examples

Activity (Possible Answers) Location

The absolute location of SMS is 2701 S Elm Pl  Broken Arrow, OK 74012

The relative location of the SMS is on Elm Street across from the fire station.

Place SMS is under construction and has the best teachers in the whole

world. Regions

The SMS students come from ________________________ elementary schools.

Several culture regions can be found at SMS such as Asian Americans, Spanish speakers, Catholics, etc.

Movement Students at SMS get to school via bus, car, or walking.

Human-Environment Interaction Land had to be cleared in order to build the U 6/7. On cold days or whenever they come to Mrs. Neel’s room, students at

SMS wear jackets or coats. Students have to dress out for PE

Five Themes Group Project Write each group member’s name on your

construction paper. Look through a National Geographic magazine &

select 5 pictures that you think represents each of the 5 Themes.

Glue these pictures onto your group’s construction paper. Label which picture goes with which theme.

Write a short summary below each picture that explains why you think the picture goes with a particular theme.