#worldgeochat is a weekly chat focused on teaching geography and global studies. Chats vary between geography specific topics as well as general teaching and education topics. ALL are welcome in worldgeochat!
WAHOO! Welcome to #worldgeochat, folks! Sam here from MA, 7th grade world geo teacher. 1/8 of the moderation team! Sorry I've been MIA for the past couple of weeks. It's been a crazy ride lately. Happy to be back!
I wish I could say that I have scotch tonight for #worldgeochat but it's actually a cup of sleepytime tea. Living the dream (almost literally as soon as the chat is over lol)
WAHOO! Welcome to #worldgeochat, folks! Sam here from MA, 7th grade world geo teacher. 1/8 of the moderation team! Sorry I've been MIA for the past couple of weeks. It's been a crazy ride lately. Happy to be back!
Following some cool chats tonight! Please join us for the inaugural #APTeach chat on 4/4 at 8pm CST. Hope to see all those inside and out of the Advanced Placement community join. #worldgeochat#personalizedPD#PIAchat
A1: The first thing that we do in the classroom is establish the population centers and discuss why they are where they are, then take a look at natural barriers and talk about their impacts on human/cultural development. #worldgeochat
Virginia has our curriculum standards by regions so I follow those: Russia/Central Asia; Southwest Asia/North Africa; South Asia; Southeast Asia; East Asia #worldgeochat
A1: don't really teach geo regionally, but when we address specific examples for topics, current events, etc... the focus is on cultural regions #worldgeochat
A1 Virginia has our curriculum standards by regions so I follow those: Russia/Central Asia; Southwest Asia/North Africa; South Asia; Southeast Asia; East Asia #worldgeochat
A1 Always Always Always start with allowing students to create questions about what they think they want to learn about. #worldgeochat Let them learn HOW to ask and build GOOD questions
A1.1: I follow the MA frameworks which breaks Asia up by region starting with SW Asia (the middle east), then South Asia, SE Asia, (I take break and go to Australia & Oceania) then swing back to East Asia, and then North & Central Asia. #worldgeochat
A1: when teaching about Asia, using the key geographic features really helps; climate/weather patterns, mountain ranges, deserts, etc... Ss enjoy creating physical geo maps #worldgeochat
A1 SW Asia, S Asia, E Asia, SE Asia, the latter being my fav to teach. Focus on differences of daily life, pop culture, religious traditions and changing traditions #worldgeochat
A1.2 While teaching, for each unit I use the 5 themes of Geo, especially focusing on unique features, the impact of Population on countires and cities. Then for my last 3 Asian units, I teach through the lens of the Cold War and how it affects these regions today #worldgeochat
A1a: Ss are interested in current events, so using those are a go to for starters; especially stories about animals/environment & impact on people #worldgeochat
LOL we're doing Russia and Central Asia so matrioshkas are the nesting dolls typical icon of Russia and the kiddos love talking about yurts... the "tee pees" of the steppes!! #worldgeochat
A2: CIA FB for sure, it is a go-to for everything. I also like to use true size of to show the enormity of Asia compared to other countries. #worldgeochat
A2: my first stop is always @NatGeo and @NatGeoEducation - Ss are consistently intrigued by the photos and stories across many grade levels #worldgeochat
A2 questions are from the 4 main characteristics we cover from the curriculum= historical, economic, cultural, and physical #worldgeochat and I let Ss come up with connections
The True Size (https://t.co/syuYsjYqjy) is an AWESOME site! I love seeing the jaws drop from students when they see the actual size of countries #worldgeochat
Hi!!! I started today. The kids loved it. I used @Jim_dEntremont stations and it worked really well. Tomorrow they will collaborate and create. And we discussed that everyday should be #WorldWaterDay! #worldgeochat
A2 I follow @NatGeo and @NatGeoTravel on Instagram and their photos from Asia are always great conversation starters for SeeThinkWonders and intros to new regions #worldgeochat
A2: one favorite resource: the Power of place Video series has some recent (early 2000's) video resources online that have great videos like Delhi bursting at the seams, but it covers many different geography topics and places. #worldgeochathttps://t.co/E88ksj1pRL
I try to stay as current as possible with my curriculum so I use a ton of current events. Junior Scholastic, Global Citizen, BBC, NY Times Learning Network all have fantastic resources. #worldgeochat
Utilizing instagram is a great way to get to students 'where they are' and its also a fantastic virtual window in the daily life of whatever country you are studying! #worldgeochat GOLDSTAR!
A2 I follow @NatGeo and @NatGeoTravel on Instagram and their photos from Asia are always great conversation starters for SeeThinkWonders and intros to new regions #worldgeochat
Question 3
#worldgeochat
What Physical geography skills, concepts & issues to you tie-in to human geography current events?
How? I'm thinking water and looking at you @cheffernan75!
Ahhhh I am blanking on the site very similar to this one. Dollar Sense? Where you can examine toys, toilets, homes, families, etc. from around the world #worldgeochat
Question 3
#worldgeochat
What Physical geography skills, concepts & issues to you tie-in to human geography current events?
How? I'm thinking water and looking at you @cheffernan75!
A3: the impact of water pollution on the Ganges and Yangtze rivers are very interesting to kids. Aral Sea maps over the past 100 years are also great conversation starters. #worldgeochat
Question 3
#worldgeochat
What Physical geography skills, concepts & issues to you tie-in to human geography current events?
How? I'm thinking water and looking at you @cheffernan75!
The Aral Sea is actually one of our Common Assessments within our school district. Students usually find this shocking that water is actually disappearing #worldgeochat
A3: development of infrastructure and trade are concepts I try to connect to physical geography; a “how do we survive where we live” connection #worldgeochat
They have a similar reaction to Lake Chad. Both are a great way to drive thinking about cause and consequence on humans and the environment. #worldgeochat
A3 #worldgeochat I love to use this when looking at how humans are shaping the environment and physical geography. Looking at the coastline of Shanghai usually blows kids away https://t.co/2p4FU1Iuhl
A3.1: In my South Asia unit, we analyzed the impact of population on a place. So I had students use google maps to study Mumbai, Dhaka, New Delhi, Karachi, Calcutta, and figure out first why people settled there, and then why their city was able to grow. #worldgeochat
Question 3
#worldgeochat
What Physical geography skills, concepts & issues to you tie-in to human geography current events?
How? I'm thinking water and looking at you @cheffernan75!
We're finishing up R/CA and after break (next week) we'll begin South Asia. I am going to teach them by creating their own StoryMaps!! from @EsriStoryMaps#worldgeochat
In reply to
@ParkersGeocats, @NatGeoEducation, @GeoSpiegs, @cheffernan75, @EsriStoryMaps
A3. There are maps galore showing the coastal impacts of sea level rise. We go one step further and discuss who the "winners" might be with rising seas/less ice - think shipping routes in the Arctic. #worldgeochat
Question 4
#worldgeochat
Let's brainstorm sone new ideas for units & lessons! What current events/issues/topics are not getting enough attention that we could take a risk and try diving into in the future?
Question 4
#worldgeochat
Let's brainstorm sone new ideas for units & lessons! What current events/issues/topics are not getting enough attention that we could take a risk and try diving into in the future?
Question 4
#worldgeochat
Let's brainstorm sone new ideas for units & lessons! What current events/issues/topics are not getting enough attention that we could take a risk and try diving into in the future?
Oh this looks like a good one too! I talk about how the Colorado is basically a trickle when it meets the Gulf of California!! Thanks for sharing! #worldgeochat
In reply to
@Ms_Mielke, @SamMandeville, @GeoSpiegs, @cheffernan75
A3.2: After that we looked at slums, how they developed and who actually lives there. Then at the end of the unit, I let students present a current event report: the Rohingya crisis, Women's Rights with Malala, the Impact of Climate change on India, and Kashmir #worldgeochat
A4. NERD ALERT I used to have the kids debate the senkaku-diaoyu island dispute and talk about "Who deserves/get to control world resources" and why that's important. We could then talk about UNCLOS #worldgeochat
A4: I would really like to dive more into the impact on the environment as a result of industrialization in Asia. I have shown the video of open-pit (flooded) solar fields, but would love to do more. Referenced it with the summer Beijing games, but not in detail #worldgeochat
A4 Why are we and the North Koreans threatening to nuke each other? What would be the geographic effects if such a war actually occurred? #worldgeochat
Question 4
#worldgeochat
Let's brainstorm sone new ideas for units & lessons! What current events/issues/topics are not getting enough attention that we could take a risk and try diving into in the future?
A4: Modern slavery is also an important topic to discuss in an Asia unit. It is prevalent in so many industries, and impacts men, women and children. #worldgeochat
A4: let’s discuss food! Agriculture in 21st century, food production, sustainability, where does a population’s food actually come from, etc... #worldgeochat
A4: the relationship between the American government & various Asian countries (compare/contrast the differences between our relationship w/ dif. countries) #worldgeochat
Yes you could! The conversation often led into "where else in the world are there boundary disputes... and what does that really mean/why are they REALLY happening" #resources#worldgeochat
Side question: These are all WONDERFUL topics, but which ones do you feel are more appropriate for middle school? Does this question make sense? #worldgeochat
Question 5
#worldgeochat
What do you consider to be your "Big 3" takeaways for students after they finish studying Asia?
In a perfect world, what would your students say about Asia?
Any of them could work, it's more how you shape the unit to made is accessible. I used to consult with my librarian for help and she would almost always knock it out of the park #worldgeochat
A4: I need more powerful women case studies for Asia, or Role of women case studies. I have a few examples, but I feel I don't represent this well because I lack resources. #worldgeochat
Question 4
#worldgeochat
Let's brainstorm sone new ideas for units & lessons! What current events/issues/topics are not getting enough attention that we could take a risk and try diving into in the future?
I do human slavery but leave out sex slaves. Child Labor is an issue in the garment/textile industry and slavery in the fishing industry is rampant. My students are mesmerized. #worldgeochat
Question 5
#worldgeochat
What do you consider to be your "Big 3" takeaways for students after they finish studying Asia?
In a perfect world, what would your students say about Asia?
Question 5
#worldgeochat
What do you consider to be your "Big 3" takeaways for students after they finish studying Asia?
In a perfect world, what would your students say about Asia?
Question 5
#worldgeochat
What do you consider to be your "Big 3" takeaways for students after they finish studying Asia?
In a perfect world, what would your students say about Asia?
Question 5
#worldgeochat
What do you consider to be your "Big 3" takeaways for students after they finish studying Asia?
In a perfect world, what would your students say about Asia?
A5: 1 - Asia is more than just China, 2 - many of the world's innovations originate in Asian inventions, 3 - the evolution of politics in the region
#worldgeochat
I know this is Africa, but I was going to show students child labor in the Ivory Coast for cacao. But connecting it to how slavery is unfortunately all over the world would be beneficial #worldgeochat
Even just getting students to understand the incredible large variety of cultures in Asia and how their histories have put them where they are now #worldgeochat
A5
1. It's more complicated and diverse than you can possibly imagine. . . and that's just India.
2. Asia is leading the world in innovation and you probably didn't know that,
3. The world economy is ENTIRELY reliant on it. #worldgeochat
A5 cont. but if I had to pick 3, it would be how connected Asia was in the past, how vulnerable Asia is in the present, and how powerful Asia will be in the future #worldgeochat#dontwriteoffAsia
A5: Three things I want S's to learn: Asia is BIG: Largest Landmass, Largest Population, and China is an economic Giant. Asia is diverse: so many people and languages- it can't be stereotyped into one culture. Asia is old: lots of history still impacts today. #worldgeochat
Question 5
#worldgeochat
What do you consider to be your "Big 3" takeaways for students after they finish studying Asia?
In a perfect world, what would your students say about Asia?
A5
1. It's more complicated and diverse than you can possibly imagine. . . and that's just India.
2. Asia is leading the world in innovation and you probably didn't know that,
3. The world economy is ENTIRELY reliant on it. #worldgeochat
A5: 1) examples of cultural diffusion 2) examples of boundaries both physical and political 3) contributions from variety of Asian nations #worldgeochat
A5: 1. Population increase has had significant impact on the environment. 2. The influence population density has on the economy and resources. 3. Like Africa, not a single story. Much diversity in culture and in access to life's necessities. #worldgeochat
then show Blood, Sweat, and Take Aways!!! I think it was a chicken and rice episode that took the contestants to Indonesia and basically was a sweatshop type experience for feeding the West #worldgeochat
Question 6
#worldgeochat
How do you ensure that students get an accurate view of Asia?
How do you avoid biases?
What are some biases you have encountered?
So I'm planning to utilize our Geography, Alive! textbook as a precursor to our district's common assessment. I'll send you a list of possible ideas tomorrow. It's at my school :) #worldgeochat
One of the most imp & critical questions with this map though - why are these two countries overpopulated even though their reproductive birth rate is less than 2.4 per family?
#worldgeochat
If possible, Skype with people - it's the real deal. Go visit or teach in Asia (I've done both.) . Find people in your communities who are willing to come in and speak with students. #worldgeochat
A6 teach Asia by smaller culture regions rather than one continent. Bring in stories...personal stories and pictures, ask anyone with connections to Asia to share their family background, make connections, teach importance and VALUE of Asian impacts!! #worldgeochat
What's really crazy is that every school year it feels like Asia gets short-changed because it ends up being at the end of the year (standardized tests, end-of-year disruptions, not enough time to do it justice) #worldgeochat
A6: I find the best way to get an accurate view is to show them: I use lots of videos and current events readings to give them background. To avoid biases, a colleague of mine suggested address stereotypes first, and then show them the truth. It has worked well #worldgeochat
Question 6
#worldgeochat
How do you ensure that students get an accurate view of Asia?
How do you avoid biases?
What are some biases you have encountered?
If possible, Skype with people - it's the real deal. Go visit or teach in Asia (I've done both.) . Find people in your communities who are willing to come in and speak with students. #worldgeochat
Question 6
#worldgeochat
How do you ensure that students get an accurate view of Asia?
How do you avoid biases?
What are some biases you have encountered?
A6: really struggle with this because of the multitude of regions and cultures, just try to show as many accurate examples as possible; most common problem is Ss see Asia as just China and Japan #worldgeochat
A6: I find the best way to get an accurate view is to show them: I use lots of videos and current events readings to give them background. To avoid biases, a colleague of mine suggested address stereotypes first, and then show them the truth. It has worked well #worldgeochat
Question 6
#worldgeochat
How do you ensure that students get an accurate view of Asia?
How do you avoid biases?
What are some biases you have encountered?
A6- before spring break, we talked with an American businessman in Jordan and plan to talk with a Pakistani and a Filipino. Can’t wait for my Ss to hear what it’s like from a natives perspective and their view of America #worldgeochat
I had a fellow teacher tell me about 12 years ago she hated teaching India and China, so she intentionally taught them last. Silo. No foresight. Ethnocentric. #worldgeochat
Final Question
#worldgeochat
Share your favorite location or story about Asia and why it is your favorite. Include a picture if you've traveled there or a link to a story.
Have the Vietnam and Korean wars faded from memory? And, do they not wonder about why we and the North Koreans are threatening to nuke each other? #worldgeochat
A6: really struggle with this because of the multitude of regions and cultures, just try to show as many accurate examples as possible; most common problem is Ss see Asia as just China and Japan #worldgeochat
Once again, the 53-year-old actor has rightfully used his talent as he urged fans to help him in the fight against water scarcity. https://t.co/B52bnY7D6Y
