Unit 1

Geography: It's Nature and Perspectives

Why are maps selective in information and how do map projections distort spatial relationships in shape, area, distance, and direction?
What are the types of spatial patterns represented on maps?
Who can gather geographic data and how?
What are the five themes of geography?
What are the major spatial concepts of geography and what information do they convey?
What are the various scales of analysis?
How do patterns and processes at different scales reveal variations in data?
How are regions defined by geographers and what are the different types of regions?

Identify types of maps, the types of information presented in maps, and different kinds of spatial patterns and relationships portrayed in maps.
Identify different methods of geographic data collection.
Explain the geographical effects of decisions made using geographical information.
Define major geographic concepts that illustrate spatial relationships.
Define scales of analysis used by geographers and explain what the scales of analysis reveal.
Describe different ways that geographers define regions.

SS.Geog1.a.h - Use printed and digital maps to ask and answer geographic questions (e.g., Where are there patterns? Why there? So what?) and evaluate the appropriateness of geographic data and representations to understand real world problems.
SS.Geog1.b.h - Interpret maps and images (e.g., political, physical, relief, thematic, virtual/electronic) to analyze geographic problems and changes over time.
SS.Geog1.c.h Compare and contrast a mental map before and after an event to see if perception reshaped their perspectives.