What is Geography?

Geography is literally everywhere, and sometimes we aren't aware that it is; it is what is happening in the world, why it is happening, and how it affects people throughout the world. Geographical knowledge watching the ten o' clock news, making a presidential vote, or just making a decision as simple as what food your child will eat. Although geography involves more than just places on a map, why do people tend to relate geography to that?

As a future teacher, it is my duty to educate children about geography; about people, places, and things all over the world. It is important to not just focus on the country we live in, but the countries around the world. Children should be aware that everybody is different; values, beliefs, and cultures are all aspects people hold valuable, but they are different depending on where that individual lives.

Let's talk about the basics

There are five themes of geography to take into account when teaching geography:

1. Location, Position on the Earth's Surface
2. Place, Natural and Cultural Characteristics
3. Relationships within Places, Humans, and Environments
4. Movement, Humans Interacting on Earth
5. Regions, How they Form and Change

Along with these themes, there are also six important elements to keep in mind:

1. The World in Spatial Terms
2. Places and Regions
3. Physical Systems
4. Human Systems
5. Environment & Society
6. The Uses of Geography

Where is the Emphasis of Geography in Classrooms?

Unfortunately, yes. Textbooks tend to relate geography to long lists of facts and map skill lessons. Words such as mountain, ocean, lake, equator, continent, and rivers are all wonderful terms to learn, don't get me wrong, but there is more to geography than maps and locations. Geography should involve more than just memorization of the different continents! Geography should be meaningful, value-based, active, integrative, and challenging. Children learn through experience, so they should be taught geography through personal interactions with their environment. With the technology we have; it is even possible to take students through a tour of Italy, France, or even China? Through the use of Google Earth, it is now possible for students to "take a walk" through the streets of Italy in their own classroom.