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 Scholars should be filling out ONLY the “K” and “W” columns in their packet.

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. Scholars will draw the equator and prime meridian on their corresponding map in their notes. Then, in the same box, have them write that it is in the Northern and Western hemispheres.

There are 23 countries in North America. Write “23 countries” in the box that has the arrow pointing to the corresponding map in their notes.

Central America is part of North America. Write this note in the space around the corresponding map in their notes

North America is the 3rd largest continent. Write the fact in the number in their notes.

North America North America’s vertical length, from Alaska to Panama, is 5,437 miles. Write the distance in the arrow on the corresponding map in their notes.

North America North America is the ONLY continent with EVERY KIND of climate in the world. Write this in the sun in their notes packet.

How many countries are in North America? 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 Countries of North America 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! Number scholars off, 1-5. Each group will work together to create the maps that are titled above (Ex: Group 3 will label their maps with the mountain ranges and deserts). Although they are working together, they each need to be making their own map. When the groups are finished, the teacher will create mixed groups of AT LEAST FIVE scholars. Each group should have at least one scholar from every group. In their new groups, scholars will share their information and they will each walk away with one map with all of the human and physical geography components.

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! Written reflection on the lined pages on the next page.

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

How do you think physical and human geography relate to each other? 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.

What are things that you learned today about North America? “L” on your kwl chart What are things that you learned today about North America?