Teaching Geography: About this Workshop
Site Leader Notes for Teaching Geography
Return to Using the Videos and Website
These notes are also included in the print guide and in the Programs and Activities of each workshop.
Workshop 1: Introduction
Getting Ready 1
On the Border
Please prepare an appropriate number of index cards,
one per participant, prior to meeting. Each card should have printed on one
side either Mexico or United States. Evenly divide participants between Mexico
and United States and randomly hand them cards as they walk in the door. Once
everyone is present, have everyone whose card reads "Mexico" move to one side of the room, and those whose
cards read, "United States," move to the other side of the room.
Please keep participants to five to seven minutes of small group work and then facilitate large group discussion for the remaining time.
Workshop 1: Introduction
Going Further 1
Using the Standards
Please keep participants to five minutes of individual
writing and facilitate discussion for the remaining time. You will need copies
of the National Geography Standards for this activity. You may print them from
the activity page.
Workshop 1: Introduction
Getting Ready 2
Lost in Space
Please make sure that each group of three has a set of satellite images. Please
help participants keep track of the time. When it appears that all groups have
identified the images, feel free to move into discussion.
Workshop 1: Introduction
Going Further 2
Skill Builder
This activity is in two parts and requires participants to work with a partner
in the second part. Please make sure that everyone has a partner before beginning
the activity. Help participants keep track of the time.
Workshop 2: Latin America
Getting Ready 1
How's Your Mental Map?
Part of this activity involves discussing with partners. Please be sure that
everyone has a partner before they engage in the activity and help people keep
track of time. The first five minutes of this activity should be done individually
and the last 10 minutes should be spent with a partner.
Workshop 2: Latin America
Going Further 1
Migration Inquiry
Please keep participants to five minutes in the first part
of this activity.
Workshop 2: Latin America
Getting Ready 2
What Do You Know About Volcanoes?
Please keep participants to 10 minutes in the first part of this activity.
Workshop 2: Latin America
Going Further 2
Adaptive Teaching Strategies
After participants have completed their lists, please facilitate a large
group discussion.
Workshop 3: North America
Getting Ready 1
Local Diversity
Please divide participants into groups of three to four for this activity
and see that each group has a set of seven maps.
Workshop 3: North America
Going Further 1
Characterizing a Region
Please help participants keep track of time. Please facilitate discussion
such that the first seven to eight minutes are spent discussing participants'
questions and the last two to three minutes address the lesson-oriented
questions below. You can start group discussion as soon as most people
have completed their list.
Workshop 3: North America
Getting Ready 2
Urban, Suburban, or Rural?
Part of this activity involves discussion with partners. Please be sure
that everyone has a partner before beginning the activity and help participants
keep track of time.
Workshop 3: North America
Going Further 2
Investigating Local Growth
Please help participants keep track of time.
Workshop 4: North Africa/Southwest Asia
Getting Ready 1
Land Grab
Please divide participants into two groups for this activity. Keep track
of the time as participants move through the different five-minute sections
of this activity.
Workshop 4: North Africa/Southwest Asia
Going Further 1
Refugee Reflection
Please instruct participants to work individually for the first five
minutes. Please keep track of time and facilitate group discussion for
the remaining 10 minutes by moving through participants' answers to each
of the questions.
Workshop 4: North Africa/Southwest Asia
Getting Ready 2
Pyramids of the Future
This activity involves analyzing population pyramids. Please make sure
that everyone has a copy for this exercise. Begin with five minutes of
individual work and then open things up to group discussion for the remaining
time.
Workshop 4: North Africa/Southwest Asia
Going Further 2
Making Connections
Discuss the issue in a large group.
Workshop 5: Sub-Saharan Africa
Getting Ready 1
Into Africa
This activity requires two maps, one of colonial possessions in 1930
and the other of the South Africa Black Homelands in 1986. Please make
sure that everyone has a copy of both prior to starting the activity.
Keep participants to five minutes for the first part of the activity
and facilitate discussion for the remaining 10 minutes.
Workshop 5: Sub-Saharan Africa
Going Further 1
Multiple Media - Getting Beyond the Text
This activity is split into three time periods. Please help participants
keep track of the time and facilitate the group discussion.
Workshop 5: Sub-Saharan Africa
Getting Ready 2
Rating Health
This activity involves analyzing a map of Africa. Please keep participants
to five minutes in the first part of the activity and facilitate group
discussion for the last ten minutes.
Workshop 5: Sub-Saharan Africa
Going Further 2
Sensitive Subjects
Please help participants keep track of the time and facilitate group
discussion.
Workshop 6: Russia
Getting Ready 1
Why is St. Petersburg There?
Part of this activity involves discussing with partners. Please
be sure that everyone has a partner before they engage in the activity
and help people keep track of time.
Materials Needed: Physical map of Russia from this site, atlases, or wall map.
Workshop 6: Russia
Going Further 1
Geography and Historical Development
Discuss the questions in a large group.
Workshop 6: Russia
Getting Ready 2
Sources of Conflict
Please keep participants to five minutes in the first part of this activity.
Workshop 6: Russia
Going Further 2
Simulating Conflict and Negotiation
Please read the following quote out loud. During discussion, please help
participants keep track of time.
Workshop 7: Europe
Getting Ready 1
A Wall in Your Town
This exercise requires a map of your town. Prior to the workshop, please
get a large map of your town (usually available from Chambers of Commerce),
and arbitrarily divide the town in half, indicating a wall or border
splitting the town with a thick red line. Lay the map out on the table
or post on the wall so that everyone can see it. During the activity,
keep everyone to five minutes for the first half and moderate the discussion
for the remaining 10 minutes.
Workshop 7: Europe
Going Further 1
Berlin Inquiry
Please facilitate group discussion.
Workshop 7: Europe
Getting Ready 2
European Stability
This activity involves analyzing a map of Europe. Discuss the topic as
a large group.
Workshop 7: Europe
Going Further 2
Debating Debatee window
Discuss the questions as a large group.
Workshop 8: Global Forces/Local Impact
Getting Ready 1
Where Are Your Clothes From?
Please make sure that everyone has a partner. Part of this activity involves
using a world map. Please be sure each pair has access to a world map
before beginning.
Workshop 8: Global Forces/Local Impact
Going Further 1
Relationships in Your Region
Part of this activity involves working with partners. Please be sure
to allow enough time for individuals to create their drafts before breaking
into discussion. Be sure to limit the entire activity to 15 minutes.
Workshop 8: Global Forces/Local Impact
Getting Ready 2
Water in Your Community
Part of this activity involves discussion with partners. Please be sure
that everyone has a partner before they engage in the activity and help
people keep track of time.
Workshop 8: Global Forces/Local Impact
Going Further 2
Your Classroom, Your Community
Part of this activity involves discussion with partners. Please be sure
that everyone has a partner before they engage in the activity and help
people keep track of time.