EARTHWEEK
Nancy Jolstead, Madras, OR

OVERVIEW:

Students will gain information through newspapers and other media. By using the Earthweek section of the Oregonian newspaper, students will be made aware of the ongoing changes in the relationship between human beings and their physical world.

CONNECTIONS WITH THE CURRICULUM:

Global Studies, English, Geography

TEACHING LEVEL: Grades 8-12

CONNECTIONS TO NATIONAL GEOGRAPHY STANDARDS:

1: maps, globes, and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies.
15: Physical systems affect human systems.

CONNECTIONS TO OREGON CONTENT STANDARDS:

Read, interpret, and make maps, charts, and graphs to understand spatial and geographic relationships.
Apply geographic skills and concepts to interpret historical and contemporary events and issues.

MATERIALS:

Copies of "Earthweek: A Diary of the Planet" from the weather section of The Oregonian newspaper- one per student
Large classroom world map
Copies of outline maps of continents to be covered, one per group
Colored pencils.
One source in A Model for Action, National
Geographic Society
Index cards
Atlases for reference

PROCEDURE:

    1. Discuss meaning of human/environment interactions. Discuss the relationships in terms of change: changes to the environment by humans and the adjustment humans must make when environment changes.
    2. Distribute Earthweek.
    3. Review symbols generally and particular symbols on the map.
    4. Discuss the final symbol on the map. This symbol is usually for a rather offbeat occurrence.
    5. Divide into small groups for mapping and discussion.
    6. Each group will color the country of the event they are covering. They will then write a short analysis of the effect of the event on the residents of the area and worldwide.
    7. Evaluate