Download Geography Unit Guide Throughout this unit, students are to focus on

Geography Unit Guide
Throughout this unit, students are to focus on the specific region of the world covered, but we
will include terms and ideas from chapter 1-4 which focus on the scientific components of
geography as well in order to cover as much ground as possible. Keep clear notes; use the book
to guide your understanding and your questions; and communicate any uncertainties with your
teacher. We move fast.
Guns, Germs, and Steel Documentary
During the video, students should consider the main question which drives Jared Diamond’s
thesis- why and how is power distributed so unevenly around the world?
After the video, students are to write a one page (typed) essay reenforcing your understanding of
Diamond’s thesis. Answer the following question: How does Diamond argue that wealth and
power are distributed unevenly across the globe? Within your essay, consider and write about:
- What is the role of latitude?
- What is the role of climate?
- What is the role of resources (animals, food)?
U.S. and Canada Region (Chapter 5: 106-127, Chapter 6: 133-151, Chapter 7: 157-169)
Big Questions and Ideas:
1. What is absolute location; how is it determined; and what are its uses?
2. How many continents exist? What are they?
3. What natural advantages does North America have due to its resources?
4. What is a defining feature of North America’s population?
5. How has the U.S.’s post-industrial economy led to the “rust belt?”
6. What has led to the boom in the Sunbelt over the past 50 to 60 years?
Vocabulary:
timberline
urbanization
dry farming
socioeconomic status
post-industrial
trade deficit
absolute location
equator
latitude
region
sunbelt
megalopolis
dominion
literacy rate
retooling (the rust belt)
trade surplus
prime meridian
longitude
geography
hemisphere
Map and Region:
State map
U.S. and Canada Map (physical and political)
Assessments:
Completed Map
Quiz
Latin America (Chapter 8: 193-202, Chapter 9: 211-231, Chapter 10: 237-246)
Big Questions and Ideas:
1. What are the four basic spheres of the surface of the earth?
2. How does the motion of the earth continue to shape the earth?
3. What is the water cycle?
4. Why might the world continue to face more conflict due to water wars?
5. What are the three main regions of Latin America?
6. How does the Amazon River, the Amazon River Basin, and the Amazon Rain Forest affect the
resources and economy of Latin America?
7. What were the three main civilizations that existed in Latin America before the time of
European exploration? What were some of their advancements?
8. What political problems emerge from having primate cities?
9. What are the main obstacles to industrial growth in Latin America?
Vocabulary:
canopy
primate cities
cash crops
latifundia
Pangaea
erosion
aquifer
populated rim
chinampas
quipu
minifundia
continental drift
water cycle
Map and Region:
Latin America (physical and political)
Assessments:
Completed Map
Quiz
Europe (Chapter 11: 271-281, Chapter 12: 287-307, Chapter 13: 313-325)
Big Questions and Big Ideas:
1. What are the factors which affect climate?
2. What are the different climate patterns?
3. What is at the heart of Europe’s diversity?
4. What is nationalism? How does it lead to tension?
5. What political entity unified Europe in the Middle or “Dark” Ages?
6. How did the Crusades lead to a cultural rebirth or return to the Classical Period in Europe?
7. How did the Reformation, Scientific Revolution, and Enlightenment change the social and
political structure of Europe?
8. How did democracy and industrialization lead to conflict? In what form did that conflict
materialize?
9. How has Europe changed from competition to cooperation?
Vocabulary:
weather
Tropic of Cancer
cultural diffusion
nationalism
feudalism
Enlightenment
climate
Tropic of Capricorn
migration
language family
reformation
Map and Region:
Europe (physical and political)
Assessments:
Completed Maps
Quiz
Middle East (Chapter 17: 421-431, Chapter 18: 439-457, Chapter 463-473)
Big Questions and Big Ideas:
1. Why has birthrate increased so much in the past two centuries?
2. What are challenges to and from population growth?
3. How has migration changed with the change from an agrarian to industrial economy?
4. What is culture?
5. What are the five main religions?
6. What are some of the forces of cultural change?
7. Who are arabs?
8. What are the two main sects of Islam and what divides them?
9. Why did the Middle East struggle during the industrial era?
10.
How does water scarcity define the Middle East?
Vocabulary:
birthrate
doubling time
migration
culture
push and pull factors
sunni
petrochemicals
subsistence farming
zero population growth
negative population growth
urbanization
cultural diffusion
cultural hearths
shi’ite
refined oil
Map and Region:
North Africa and Middle East Map (physical and political)
Assessments:
Completed Maps
Quiz