5 Themes of Geography
5 Themes of Geography
5 Themes of Geography
GEOGRAPHY
AN INTERACTIVE
LEARNING MODULE
5 THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY
Directions: Visit and read about each of the following 5 Themes of
Geography listed below. Forward the slides by clicking the enter
key on your Chromebook. As you go through the entire learning
module, you will answer questions on your graphic organizer. There
will be a short quiz at the end.
MOVEMENT
Movement includes the movement of people, things
(such as goods), movement of information, and movement
of ideas.
We can describe the type of communications a place has,
how they move ideas, the main forms of transportation, as
well as what goods are exported and imported. These all
come under the heading of movement.
MOVEMENT
Things to think about
Movement -- What are the patterns of movement of
people, products, and information? A study of
movement includes learning about major modes of
transportation used by people, an area's major
exports and imports, and ways in which people
communicate (move ideas).
MOVEMENT
~more~
MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE, GOODS, AND IDEAS
How are people transported in this city?
How are ideas transported in this city? (e.g.
communication)
* Answer the
questions about
Movement on your
graphic organizer
before you move
on
REGION
Regions are areas that can be grouped together by a set of things special to
that region. We have countries ruled by governments, areas which speak the
same language, or have the same religion, and we have areas served by a
particular service, such as a school district or a zip code. The four types of
areas are: government/physical, human, cultural, or functional
Regions defined by a government or physical characteristics are
regions that are strictly maintained, such as countries , continents, or
physical regions (e.g. Appalachian Mountain Region)
Regions defined by a function are areas served by a particular
service. Take the example of a fictitious school district of Geek's Rule
School. If Geek's Rule School closes down, then the school district
will no longer exist. Of course, it won't just disappear in a cloud of
smoke, but it will have to be named or described some other way.
Another examples would be areas which provide certain functions,
like a telephone area code, zip code, or even a bus service area.
Loosely defined regions are regions that are grouped together in
general terms. These are things such as the North, or the Mid-West,
or the Bible belt, or even the Far East and Middle East.
Cultural regions are regions which a region having a distinct pattern
of culture. Like the Great Plains Indians region, Latin America
(language), or Muslim region (religion)
REGION-Things to think about
Regions -- How can Earth be divided into regions
for study? Regions can be defined by a number of
characteristics including area, language, political
divisions, religions, and vegetation (for example,
grassland, marshland, desert, rain forest).
* Answer the
questions about
Location on your
graphic organizer
before you move
on
PLACE
It is a description of what makes that place different from others. If I was
trying to tell you about the bedrooms in a house, and I wanted to explain to
you exactly which one I meant, I could say, "the one with two beds and one
window." If the other rooms had only one bed each, or two windows, then
you could easily tell which room I meant.
PLACE is divided into 2 parts:
Physical Differences and Human Differences
Physical differences, or characteristics, include things that occur
naturally, such as mountains, rivers, type of soil, wildlife, climate etc.
I might say that a place is flat with rich soil and many rivers. I'm still
being vague, but already you can see a picture of it in your head, and
maybe even begin to imagine how the land is used.
Human differences, or characteristics, are things that have changed
due to people, such as roads and buildings, how people live and their
traditions.
This is where you can really go to town in your description. You can
discuss the cities, lifestyle, culture and all sorts of other interesting
facts that make the place you are talking about different and special.
PLACE
Things to think about
Place -- What makes a place different from other
places? Differences might be defined in terms of
climate, physical features, or the people who live
there and their traditions.
PLACE
~more~
What physical characteristics exist in this city
such as plant and animal life?
What cultural (human) characteristics are
typical of this city?
Which ethnic, religious, or political groups live
here?
* Answer the
questions about
Place on your
graphic organizer
before you move
on
WHERE DID THE 5 THEMES
COME FROM?
The 5 Themes of Geography originated
by the National Geographic Society to
fulfill a need for geographers (people
who study the earth and everything on
it) categorize everything they learn.
These 5 place names are easy to
remember. Just say the words
“MR HELP.”
WHAT IS “MR HELP”?
MR HELP is a mnemonic device that can be used
to help remember the 5 Themes of Geography.
Simply put, take the first letter of each Theme
to create the word MR HELP. They are:
Movement
Region
Human-Environment (interaction)
Location
Place
Quiz About
The Five Themes of
Geography
Directions: Write the answer to the following 7
questions on your student graphic organizer.
C. region D. human-
environmental
interaction people
Question 2
Which of the following is an
example of Human-Environmental
Interaction?
A. getting the mail B. watching TV
C. Indiana
D. the hills
Question 6
Which of the following is NOT
an example of movement?
A. Cutting down B. Westward
trees Expansion
C. EMAIL D. Immigration
Question 7
What is the name of a person
who studies the earth and
everything on it?
A. Photographer B. Cartographer
C. Geographer D. Mapographer