Keep This Under Your Hat

Adapted from a lesson by Don Robertson OSGI 1994

Overvalue:

Students will understand that the human and physical characteristics found in an area distinguish it from other places. Students will generate a personal definition for the geographic theme. Place and illustrate it with a collage.

Connection with the Curriculum:

Geography, Social Studies, cooperative learning

Teaching Level: 4-6

Connection to State Content Standards:

2 Identify the physical and human characteristics of places and regions

Connection to National Standards:

6 Places and Regions: How culture influences peoples' perceptions.

Materials:

Slides from four contrasting areas of the world selected to illustrate unique human and physical characteristics.

Four hats to match each area:
Fez (Morocco)
Coolie (Thailand)
Greek fisherman's cap
Sombrero (Mexico)

Selection of travel magazines:

"National Geographic"
"European Travel and Life""
"Conde Nast Traveler"

Scissors, paper and glue

Procedure:
    1. Show several sample hats to the students, other than those specifically keyed to the slides. Discuss the history and significance of head coverings in different societies. Hats can be worn for protection, to show respect or lack thereof, as a fashion statement, or to indicate membership in a group. Hats are as unique as the PLACES where we find them.
    2. Divide the class into groups, giving each group a hat. Ask them to look carefully at the slides to notice how people wear head coverings in different areas and other ways in which the four countries presented are different from each other and our country. At least one slide from each country group will show a person wearing the group's hat.
    3. Following questions and discussion during the slides, pass out magazines, scissors, paper and glue. Direct students to create a collage of at least ten pictures that illustrate the concept of PLACE. Ask students to create a 2-3-sentence definition of PLACE.

Evaluation:

Monitor group work on collages and definition. Students should be able to explain why they have selected each picture for their collage. Allow time for sharing with the entire class.