PASS Objectives

The student will:

1. use maps and other geographic representations, tools and technologies to acquire, process, and report information from a spatial perspective.
    
2. use the concepts of places and regions as the basic units of geographic inquiry.
    
3. examine earth's physical processes (e.g., climate and landforms) and organize them into ecosystems.
    
4. examine human cultures, populations and activities such as settlement, migration, commerce, conflict, and cooperation.
    
5. evaluate the interactions between humans and their environment.
    
6. analyze problems and issues from a geographic perspective using the tools and skills of geography.

  Research Links

Geography is the study of spatial patterns of the human and physical dimensions of the world. Students will explore, describe, analyze, and seek to understand the spatial arrangement of objects and people on earth's surface. Students will use the skills and tools of geography to examine the world and its inhabitants from a spatial perspective, solve problems of geographic dimensions and make informed decisions based upon solid research.

Standard 1: The student will use maps and other geographic representations, tools and technologies to acquire, process, and report information from a spatial perspective.

1. Apply geographic representations and technologies to depict, analyze, explain and solve geographic problems.

2. Demonstrate the use of mental maps to organize information about people, places, and environments in a spatial context.

3. Analyze the spatial organization of people, places, and environments on earth's surface.

4. Design appropriate forms of maps incorporating elements of geographic information such as: relative/absolute location, direction, size, shape, elevation, and scale.

5. Recognize the different map projections and explain the concept of distortion.

1. Identify the human and physical characteristics of particular places and regions.

2. Conduct regional analysis of geographic issues and questions.

3. Explain how culture and experience influence people's perceptions of places and regions and how these perceptions change over time.

1. Identify and describe the components of the earth's physical system (e.g., atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere).

2. Explain how earth's physical systems and processes shape the patterns found on earth's surface.

3. Describe the characteristics and spatial distribution of ecosystems on earth's surface.

4. Analyze patterns of natural phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tornadoes, and hurricanes.

1. Identify and describe the characteristics, distribution, and impact of migration of human populations on earth's surface and cultures.

2. Interpret the patterns and networks of economic interdependence on earth's surface.

3. Explain how the processes, patterns, and functions of human settlement have changed over time.

4. Explain how the forces of cooperation and conflict among people influence the division and control of earth's surface.

1. Explain how human actions modify the physical environment.

2. Describe how physical systems affect human systems such as the impact of major natural hazards/disasters on humans.

3. Explain the changes that occur in the meaning, use, distribution, and importance of resources.

4. Observe and predict the possible economic effects and environmental changes resulting from natural phenomena (e.g., tornadoes, hurricanes, droughts, insect infestations, earthquakes, El Nino, and volcanoes).

1. Explain the fundamental role that geographical context has played in affecting events in history.

2. Apply geography to examine contemporary issues in the context of spatial and environmental perspectives.

3. Use geographic knowledge, skills, and perspectives to analyze problems and make decisions.