Geography, Humans and the Environment
Unit description: Students will utilize maps to practice using various map tools, legends, and cardinal directions. They will be given the opportunity to practice these skills to describe location of items in the classroom as well as find places in the community or give directions to another student. In addition to this, students will learn about people and communities depending on and modifying their physical environment in order to meet basic needs and how humans interacting with their environment can have a positive or negative impact.
Download the complete Grade 1 Social Studies – Geography, Humans and the Environment framework to customize for your own planning.
Standards
- Standard 1- U.S. & N.Y. History
- Standard 3- Geography
- Standard 5- Civics, Citizenship and Gov’t
Essential Questions and Big Ideas
- BI: There are many tools that we can use to identify the world around us and how it has changed.
How do we use maps?
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- Maps show us where things are in location to one another.
- Maps have keys to identify symbols and show us the cardinal directions of North, South, East and West.
How are natural resources and basic needs important to my community?
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- People need natural resources to meet their basic needs.
- Communities work together to use natural resources to meet the needs of their members.
How does the environment impact human choices?
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- People chose to live in places that provide for their basic needs.
- People modify their environments to help make their lives better.