Travel Around the World

Each week a new part of the world will be introduced covering North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Russia, Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East. We will cover physical, economic, and cultural characteristics for each area.  For homework, students will learn additional history about the region and map the world. The answer key will be posted the following week for students or parents to check. During the class, students will gain knowledge about the world around them. 

Week One: North America; Greenland, Canada, and the United States - We will cover the Coastal Plains, Appalachian Highland/Mountains, Interior Lowland, Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, Basin & Range, Coastal Range, and Canadian Shield. We will discuss regional labels like Corn Belt, Rust Belt, and Tornado Alley. In the economic section, we will cover NAFTA and Agribusiness. In the cultural characteristics section, students will learn about cultural diffusion and cultural convergence.

Week Two: Latin America:  Central and South America - The tropical climate along with the Amazon Rainforest, two grassland areas in South America, and the three agricultural zones. We will also look at the Monarch Butterfly Route. The economic section will cover different types of agricultural businesses in the region. The Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas will be covered in the cultural section. 

Week Three: Europe - After mapping the area, students will learn the five major peninsulas and important waterways. (the English Channel, the strait of Gibraltar, and the Dardanelles and Bosporus). The economic section will include different types of natural resources in the area and the three types of economic systems in the area. (free market, mixed, and command). The spread of European culture through exploration, colonization, and imperialism will be briefly looked at. 

Week Four: Russia and Central Asia - We begin by mapping Russia and the five countries in Central Asia. We will look at a map of the "ring of fire" and the Urals and the Caucasus Mountains. We will look at the climate zones of Russia; tundra, taiga, and steppe. We will cover the renewable and nonrenewable resources of the area. The cultural section will touch on Matryoshka dolls, the ballet, Faberge eggs, and popular religions in the area. 

Week Five: Asia and Oceania- We will start with the influence of the mountains (Mount Fuji and Himalayas) and bodies of water in the region. The methods of farming; terracing and slash and burn, will be touched on. Students will learn about the Green Revolution.  Oceania will also briefly touch on. 

Week Six: The Middle East and Northern Africa - Students will map the area including the Sahara Desert and Suez Canal. They will learn the terms; oasis, wadi, desertification, and drought. The primary economic activities of oil, agriculture, and pastoralism will be discussed. The three major religions that began in Southwest Asa will be briefly touched on. 

Week Seven: Sub-Saharan Africa - We will look at the size of Africa and map some parts of the region. Students will learn the landforms; escarpments and rift valleys. The climate and deserts will be discussed. We will compare developing and developed countries in the area. Students will learn about colonization and imperialism and its effects. We also will touch on the disease, food, and art of the area.