Vocabulary Due in Notebook by Thursday
the 28th of August
2025
-
1 day late -1
1week late -10
Embedded Files
Unit I: Thinking Geographically
Big Ideas
Big Idea 1: Patterns & Spatial Organization (PSO)
Big Idea 1: Patterns & Spatial Organization (PSO)
Why do geographers study relationships and patterns among and between places?
Terms
Map
Cartography
Meridian
Longitude
Parallel
Latitude
Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)
Prime Meridian
International Date Line
Projection
Big Idea 2: Impacts & Interactions (IMP)
Big Idea 2: Impacts & Interactions (IMP)
How do geographers use maps to help them discover patterns and relationships in the world?
Terms
Geographic information science (GIScience)
Geographic information system (GIS)
Photogrammetry
Remote sensing
Global Positioning System (GPS)
Geotagging
Volunteered geographic information (VGI)
Mashup
Big Idea 3: Spatial Processes & Societal Change (SPS)
Big Idea 3: Spatial Processes & Societal Change (SPS)
How do geographers use a spatial perspective to analyze complex issues and relationships?
Terms
Scale
Map scale
Choropleth map
Graduated symbol map
Isoline map
Dot distribution map
Cartogram
Essential Questions
Essential Questions
How do maps and other geographic tools help us understand spatial relationships?
How do different scales of analysis influence what we can learn from geographic data?
In what ways do human–environment interactions shape cultural landscapes?
How do geographers use regions to analyze spatial patterns and processes?
Why is it important to ask “the why of where” when studying geography?
Assignment for Wednesday 27Aug25
NEWSELA Origins of Modern Maps.pdfNEWSELA: Modern Maps .pdfMini-Project: Visualizing the 2024 Election
8/28/25-9/2/25
Big Idea Connection
PSO: What do voting maps show about how places are connected and organized?
IMP: How do election results reflect people’s relationship with place?
SPS: How can visualizing data show us bigger social and political changes?
Project Goal
Create one clear visual (map, bar graph, or circle graph) that represents 2024 election results and explains what it reveals about voting patterns.
Key Skills
Data Analysis: Turn raw numbers into a meaningful visual.
Scale Analysis: Think about national vs. state vs. county views.
Source Analysis: Show how your design choices (colors, size, etc.) affect interpretation.
Supplies Needed
Election data
Outline maps of the U.S.
Poster paper or chart paper
Colored pencils/markers
Ruler/compass
Index cards for captions
Thursday, Aug 28
Learning Goal
Students will be able to describe spatial patterns in the 2024 election by collecting data and beginning a visual representation (map, bar graph, or circle graph)
Warm-Up: Quick Write
Maps don’t just show places—they reveal patterns. Think of a map you’ve seen (in school, online, or anywhere else). What information did it show, and what spatial pattern could you notice from it? Why do you think that map was effective?
Hint:
You might think about maps of weather, population, elections, or even a map app you use on your phone.
Friday, Aug 29
Learning Goal
Students will be able to explain how different types of data visualizations (maps, bar graphs, circle graphs) reveal spatial patterns and influence how geographic information is understood.
Warm-Up: Quick Write
When people look at graphs, charts, or maps, what makes the information clear and easy to understand? What makes it confusing or misleading? Give one example from your own experience.
Hint:
Think about colors, labels, titles, or the amount of detail included.
Week 4
📅 Tuesday, Sept 3
Review of Maps & Data (Topics 1.1–1.2)
Learning Target:
Students will be able to identify types of maps and geographic data, and explain how different maps present spatial patterns and relationships.
📅 Wednesday, Sept 4
Map Project + Note-Taking
Learning Target:
Students will be able to complete their map project and begin taking notes on the role of geographic data in revealing spatial patterns.
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