Thinking Geographically

Unit 1: Essential Questions

  • How do geographers use maps and data to depict relationships of time, space, and scale?

Supporting Questions:

  • Why do geographers study relationships between places?

  • Why do geographers study patterns among places?

  • How do geographers use maps to help them discover patterns and relationships in the world?

  • How do geographers use a spatial perspective to analyze complex issues and relationships?

Unit 1 Essential Vocabulary

  • Cartography

  • Climate

  • Cultural Ecology

    • Environmental Determinism

    • Possibilism

  • Distance Decay

  • Distribution

    • Concentration

    • Density

    • Pattern

  • Geographic Tools:

    • GPS

    • GIS

    • Remote Sensing

  • Maps:

    • Distortion

    • Projection

  • Scale:

    • Small scale

    • Large scale

  • Site

  • Situation

  • Space-Time Compression

  • Toponym

  • Absolute Location

  • Relative Location

  • Regions:

    • Formal Region

    • Functional Region (Nodal)

    • Perceptual Region (Vernacular)

Lesson 1.1: Introduction to Maps

Key Understandings

  • Identify types of maps, the types of information presented in maps, and different kinds of spatial patterns and relationships portrayed in maps.

Topic 1.1: Types of Maps

  • Reference Maps:

    • Used as a reference tool to identify an object’s absolute and relative location.

    • Types include political maps, physical maps, road maps.

  • Thematic Maps:

    • Used to communicate a specific theme or type of information such as population distribution, political affiliations, income, etc.

Quick Progress Check

  • What is the purpose of a political map? When would you use a physical map?

Lesson 1.1: Thematic Maps

  • Dot Density Map:

    • E.g., U.S. Lightning Deaths, 2007-2017; represents each dot as one individual.

  • Choropleth Map:

    • E.g., 2016 November General Election Total Votes; uses shades of color for data representation.

  • Proportional Symbol Map:

    • E.g., Urban World Population Maps; uses symbols of different sizes to demonstrate population density.

Map Distortions: SADD

  • Shape: Changes in the shape of features from their true representation.

  • Area: Misrepresented proportions of the surface area.

  • Distance: Incorrect representation of distances between features.

  • Direction: Distortion in the cardinal directions.

Human Environmental Interaction (Lesson 1.5)

Concepts of Nature and Society

  • Sustainability: A balance in resource use now vs. future needs.

  • Environmental Determinism: Assertion that physical environments restrict human actions.

  • Possibilism: Emphasis on human adaptation and technology to overcome environmental challenges.

Human Development Index (HDI)

  • Definition: A measure of human development dimensions such as health, education, and living standards.

    • Higher HDI indicates better standards of living.

Regional Analysis (Lesson 1.7)

Types of Regions

  • Formal Region:

    • Has measurable characteristics (e.g., language).

  • Functional Region:

    • Defined by activities (e.g., urban commuter zones).

  • Perceptual Region:

    • Varies in definition by people's perceptions (e.g., the South).

Reflective Questions & Exam Tips

FRQs: Understanding Commands

  • Define: Provide precise meanings or terms.

  • Explain: Provide evidence or reasoning for relationships.

  • Describe: Outline characteristics with examples.

Final Review and Preparation for Unit 1 Exam

  • Ensure all vocabulary and materials are prepared before the assessment.

  • Engage with review activities such as the Jeopardy game and practice quizzes to solidify understanding.