Cultural Geography

I knew that I didnt want to do a basic memorization program for geography.  While Im sure the kids can do it and have a general lay out in their minds, they wouldnt have any connections to these places.  They would be 2 dimensional and because of that they would be quickly forgotten.  So I have been trying to think of ways to bring the map to life.

Enter Cultural Geography...

Our teacher store has these wonderful huge blank spiral notebooks that measure about 18x24.  They are such a fantastic size and shape for a homemade atlas.  I have been holding onto a couple of them for years knowing that one day I would come up with the right project to fill its big blank white spaces.  I think this is just the thing.

So, Im thinking about an eight month long unit,  each continent spanning one month, with the exception of Africa, due to its size and vast number of countries, it will require two.  Obviously Antarctica can be a slightly lighter month, or I can add in a lot about the oceans and such when we do that continent.

Each continent will first be viewed as a land mass with a study of its biomes.  I dont believe it is possible to understand the cultural style of a region without understanding its ecosystems.  They are inseparable and a good understanding of a region's biomes will lead to better understanding of things such as trade routes, national exports and how the economy of a region is successful, or in some cases, unsuccessful.  The environment also plays a large role in religion and traditional myths, folklore and social organization.  Obviously the environment also dictates things like traditional housing, clothing and food as well.  So, for me, it makes no sense to learn about a region without understanding it's biomes and major geological features.  

So we will create an outline map for the continent and a key for the biomes, coloring them in so that we have a nice overview of the region.  From there we will move to political boundries and learning the names of the various countries.  The whole capital thing annoys me.  Please, someone explain it to me.  Of course if you know some of them, it is good, but I dont get the point of watching eight year olds on tv reciting the capital cities of each state.  blah, blah, blah... We will learn cities of influence for each country.  If that happens to be the capital, fantastic.  

Once we have identified the countries and their cities of influence, we will begin to learn about the people and animals that live there.  We will explore things like population, traditional housing styles, traditional clothing styles and of course, traditional foods.  We will learn about the myths and legends of the region as well as touch on the prevailing religion.  We will learn about art and music of the area as well.  

Each month we will have a list of potential research projects that will help us to create a personal connection to the region.  Maybe when studying Australia we will do a project about the Aboriginal arts or the life of a Koala Bear.  I want there to be some projects that bring in influential citizens as well.  Maybe when studying Egypt we will do a project that highlights the influence of Hatshepsut. 

As we move across the globe we will be filling in our Cultural Geography Atlases so that when the program is complete we have a wonderful reference book to keep for future use and just for fun.  

I really do think this is a better way for my kids to learn about geography.  I have tried to find a way to bring the continents to life and to help the kids develop connections to the various regions through experience and a deeper understanding about what life can be like if you lived there.  

Im still putting together the particulars but I have some brainstorm notes to share...

• Use Google Earth to view points of interest and major geological features.
• When presenting about a continent, have the kids research the weather and dress appropriately.  It might just be a rain hat, or if we are doing Australia in January it might be a swimsuit.
• While I wont be able to hit every detail for every continent, I do want the overall lesson to be about how where you live influences your culture and your lifestyle.  I am hoping that when the kids understand that, that they will be able to build more details on this foundation in coming years.  
• I want to combine research skills with art and creativity.  
• Bring in some historical figures of influence.  Great Artists, Explorers, Leaders or Scientists.
• I want it to be fun and to help the kids see more than just the political borders when they think of geography and the lives of people around the world.

Sparking a flame...

When given some direction, I can be one of the most supportive and encouraging parents out there.  You want to swim, I will be at the pool every day at 5am while researching how to get a pool installed in our backyard.  You want to know more about science and I will bend over backwards to get you to the greatest museums and into the best classes I can find.  I can really smother a flame of interest with over-enthusiasm if given the chance.  

What I struggle with is how to spark a flame of passion or interest.  How do you help support and encourage someone when they dont seem to really have anything that they are focussed on.  Nothing that really gets them excited or makes them smile through their eyes.  It is really hard.  

My ten year old son is like this.  He lives in a very dream-like world that really does not seem to enter our reality very often.  He is detached from the rest of us in that he walks around with his head in the clouds.  He has a wonderful imagination and wants to be an author one day, but if I try to encourage that at all, he shys away from it.  He almost pulls away from the interest if it seems to require any focus or work at all.  Sometimes I panic that he is just plain lazy, but then I know in my heart that he isnt, that he just hasnt found his spark.  

The other day he was asking to watch some movie previews on my computer and once I said yes, he was thrilled.  He watched preview after preview and was so excited and happy about them all.  He was shining with joy.  I know that he has always loved movies, but is it really his "thing"?  Can watching movies really be it?  Im trying to stear him in the direction of writing screen plays or working in the movie industry one day.  He seems interested, but I worry about whether or not that is a reasonable path for anyone to go down.  Arent I supposed to give him as many tools as I can possibly fit in his belt so he can be armed and ready for whatever his heart leads him to in the future?  He doesnt want my tools!!  He says their too heavy and cumbersome; he would rather just use some stick he found out in the yard.  :-)

I did plan a fun summer of things that might spark an interest in him.  He is getting to sample a lot of fun things and hopefully by the end of it all, he will have a little something that nourishes him and makes him feel motivated in even the smallest of ways.  We'll see...

Y'know, I think I just hit on my issue.  I dont feel that he is being nourished by anything.  Nothing seems to really sink in and energize him.  It's like everything just sits outside on a shallow surface level and the slightest breeze can come along and blow it off into the wind.  

He does enjoy reading, mythology, movies, games and tv.  That is his list.  All of it.  OK, well maybe you can add storytelling in various forms as well.  He dances Flamenco, but if I said he needs to stop he would be unfazed.  He plays drums, but he never wants to practice and has no real desire to improve or move up in ability.  He is perfectly happy playing in the beginner level, that is fun, without effort.  He likes to go rockclimbing, but he doesnt want to join the team, that is too much work and he isnt competetive.

I feel terrible writing all this, as if Im not holding him in a positive light.  But I truly an amazed by his creativity and talents.  He has a giant pool of potential and ability.  I just cant figure out how to get him to dip his toe into it. 

Maybe more time...

Maybe this summer...

Maybe I just need to leave the poor kid alone...

I cant help but feel that once his fire is lit that he will just take off and set the world on fire.  I just know it!!!!