Middle School Geography of the World: Part 2 Europe Landforms & Culture
Middle schoolers apply map skills to Europe, deep dive into country case studies, acquire analytic skills & vocabulary on physical, political and cultural aspects of Europe, with humor.*Small classes*Experienced teacher*No prerequisites
Miss Mollie Geography & Social Studies Writing
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(137)
What's included
4 live meetings
3 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Students are encouraged to complete modest independent projects. Projects are designed to give students an opportunity to practice skills we addressed in class. These can serve as portfolio projects to demonstrate learning. Estimated time for independent work after each class: 30 minutes. We will set aside some class time for students to begin their homework project in class. In this way, students can easily ask clarifying questions as they proceed. We also encourage students to practice with an online interactive puzzle game to review the names and locations of European countries. They should also review the key terms list each week to prepare for our dazzling Kahoot in Week 4.Assessment
A student-completed map of Europe, 2 independent projects and Kahoot quiz at the end of this mini-course will demonstrate mastery. We will provide a list of vocabulary and concepts, defined, to show scope of the Kahoot in-class quiz. . Student score on the Kahoot quiz is also available.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
This multi-day course is is the second in a series on Middle School Geography. Part 2 is designed to help middle schoolers and geography-motivated pre-middle schoolers apply their map reading skills (see Part 1 course) to the continent of Europe, and acquire new skills and vocabulary to understand cultural aspects of the small but varied continent of Europe. Students may succeed in this Part 2 course even if they have not taken Part I. After finishing Part 2, students will be able to demonstrate their familiarity with the map of Europe and major landforms, compare some political, economic and cultural features of selected regions and evaluate information on a country of their choice. The goal of this class is to provide students with skills and challenge them to apply these skills to increase their understanding of the world beyond their own experience. Week 1: Map Features - Introduce/review the political and physical map of Europe including specific landforms. Independent Project: Choice #1 - label the countries of Europe ; Choice #2 - practice with an on-line interactive map puzzle of Europe & complete a mini-quiz on the location of 10 countries (yes, the list will be provided by teacher). NOTE: A popular class feature, I encourage our students to send school appropriate geography jokes via the Outschool Classroom for teacher review. If appropriate, we share these in class and enjoy a 'geography guffaw.' Week 2: Country Focus - United Kingdom. In country focus, students will practice with the map of the country and its immediate neighbors. They will learn about cultural patterns such as language, and regional differences. They will also be introduced to selected notable political and economic concepts associated with the region. Independent Project: students are encouraged to create a structured, mini-powerpoint project on the United Kingdom Week 3: Country Focus - Germany. In country focus, students will practice with the map of the country. They will learn about cultural patterns such as language, and regional differences. They will also be introduced to notable political and economic concepts associated with the region. Independent Project: Students will begin their country project, using guiding instructions. Week 4: Country Focus - (country choice will be based on student suggestions). We will also play a Kahoot quiz game to review and reinforce learning. Independent Project: students are encouraged to complete a powerpoint project on a country of their choice (begin working on this in Week 3). They will have detailed instructions on how to create their project. A paper-pencil alternative version of this project is also available. These may be submitted for a grade, according to the project rubric. With this small class we are able to present concepts and guide students to apply ideas and draw conclusions about what the maps, primary sources, illustrations and data show them. We love the academic goal of expanding our students' thinking by helping them make comparisons, create questions and evaluate what they learn. This learning will be a good foundation for understanding future middle school geography classes about world continents, cultures, economics and history. We encourage students to complete the independent projects assigned. When possible, students may start their project before the end of class, giving them an opportunity to clarify their ideas and form a good project plan. We will share these at the beginning of the next class to help the class deepen their understanding and improve long term memory through repetition. These projects will also provide artifacts suitable for a student's learning portfolio. When students complete the 4 classes in this course they will receive a certificate that lists all completed project work. Related courses on Outschool, now: Middle School Geography of the World: Part 1 Mapping Skills (4 sessions) Middle School Geography of the World: Part 2 Europe Landforms & Culture (4 sessions) Middle School Geography of the World: Part 3 Russia @ Heart of Eurasia (4 sessions) Middle School Geography of the World: Part 4-Middle East-Land & Culture Regions (4 sessions) Middle School Geography of the World: Part 5 - South Asia Society & Economy (4 sessions) Middle School Geography of the World: Part 6 - China and South East Asia (4 sessions)
Learning Goals
This multi-day course is designed to help middle schoolers and geography-motivated pre-middle schoolers apply their map reading skills (see Part 1 in this series) to the continent of Europe, and acquire new skills and vocabulary to understand physical and cultural aspects of this small but varied continent. using engaging material, and encouraging student academic confidence with positive challenges. After finishing Part 2, students will be able to demonstrate their familiarity with the map of Europe and major landforms, compare selected political, economic and cultural features. Students will be offered the opportunity to choose one country for their focus. The goal of this class is to provide students with skills and challenge them to apply these skills to increase their understanding of the world beyond their own experience.
National Geography Standards addressed in this course:
Students will demonstrate thinking skills: chronology, statistical analysis and source analysis.
4 The physical and human characteristics of places Places and Regions
5 That people create regions to interpret Earth's complexity Places and Regions
9 The characteristics, distribution, and migration of human populations on Earth's surface Human Systems
11 The patterns and networks of economic interdependence on Earth's surface Human Systems
13 How the forces of cooperation and conflict among people influence the division and control of Earth's surface Human Systems
15 How physical systems affect human systems Environment and Society
18 How to apply geography to interpret the present and plan for the future. The Uses of Geography
Other Details
Supply List
Handouts will be provided for each class, through Outschool communication. Our first class focuses on the map of Europe. It will be useful to print out these handouts before class, if possible.
Week 1: A blank map of Europe.
(Can use Crayons or colored pencils, not required unless you choose a paper pencil project)
Week 2: A blank map of the United Kingdom +
Powerpoint /Google Slides /or/Word Technology-- for Country Project directions using technology Powerpoint /Google Slides
/or/Word Technology. Don't choose technology? Alternative Paper/Pencil project directions will be provided
Week 3: + Mini Project from Week 2
Powerpoint /Google Slides /or/Word Technology-- for Country Project directions using technology Powerpoint /Google Slides
/or/Word Technology. Don't choose technology? Alternative Paper/Pencil project directions will be provided
Week 4: Country Project from Week 3 + Vocab Terms for Kahoot
Terms to review for Kahoot Game (Students will use their main Outschool screen plus a second screen or smart device that
serves as the answer device. If a second device is not available, that is not a problem. Your student can set up a second tab on
their Outschool computer (split screen if possible) 1 file available upon enrollment
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
CIA World Factbook Maps https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/static/1c51b75f0974399446a7c1a067fa8974/europe_pol.jpg
Europe Maps Interactive Puzzle (Owl & Mouse) http://www.yourchildlearns.com/puzzle_eur.htm
Smithsonian Open Access. https://www.si.edu/openaccess
Library of Congress. Prints and Photographs http://www.loc.gov/pictures/
Historic England Images https://historicengland.org.uk/services-skills/education/educational-images/
Joined August, 2020
5.0
137reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Maryland Teaching Certificate in Social Studies/History
2 Degrees
Master's Degree from George Washington University
Bachelor's Degree in History from Trinity University of Washington D.C.
I am certified as a Social Studies Teacher in my state, and have taught Social Studies (including World Geography) for over 18 years. My classes have had lots of fun and engagement with European countries, delving into the wonders of 'oh so slightly' familiar cultures, and engaging in special projects, Kahoot Challenges, interactive games and other teaching practices designed to help our students become a master of their own learning. Master's Degree (Public Policy), Bachelor's Degree (History), Teaching Certificate (State of Maryland) Social Studies, History, Middle School Language Arts, 30 credits beyond Master's Degree.Reviews
Live Group Class
$60
for 4 classes1x per week, 4 weeks
50 min
Completed by 28 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
1-6 learners per class
