TITLE: THE FIVE THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY
AUTHOR: Debbie Prevost
GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT: 5-8 Social Studies/Geography
OVERVIEW: A study of geography begins with knowing where things are
located on a map. But more important, it requires a knowledge of why
things are located in particular places and how those places influence our
lives.
To provide a framework for such questions, geographers have developed
five fundamental themes. They include: Location, Place, Movement, Human-
Environment Interactions, and Regions.
By using these themes as a basis for understanding geographic
information, we can gain a better appreciation of cultural and
environmental differences around the world.
PURPOSE: This activity will provide an overview or serve as a review of
the five fundamental themes of geography.
OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to:
1. Name the five themes of geography.
2. Explain the five themes of geography.
3. Identify the five themes of geography by interpreting photographs from
magazines.
RESOURCES/MATERIALS:
Teacher-made slide presentation
National Geographic Magazines-1 per group
Glue, scissors, marking pen for each group
Colored construction paper for each group
ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
1. To introduce the five themes or to review the five themes, the teacher
will show a short slide presentation. The photographs should be taken in
and around the town in which the school is located. While showing the
slides, the teacher should summarize the five themes of geography and
relate the photos to them. The teacher could also ask for class input and
discussion.
2. Divide the class into groups of 2-4 students.
3. Give each group one magazine (National Geographic will
work well).
4. Instruct each group to look through their magazine and select one
picture that represents each of the five themes of geography.
5. Have them cut out their photos and glue them to colored construction
paper. They should then label each picture with the theme it represents.
(Step 4 and 5 should take about 15 minutes)
6. Have each group present their photos to the class and explain how each
shows the theme chosen.
TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:
1. Display the group products around the room and refer to them in later
lessons.
2. Use this activity as a springboard to doing a study of a particular area
relevant to what the students are studying in history or literature.
3. This lesson could serve as a review or the five themes of geography, or
it could be used to introduce the five themes.
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