Super Resource: earthweek.com
Earthweek.com produces a weekly PDF that displays a world map, displaying currents events that are happening around the world during that week in a visually appealing manner. In my opinion, this resource could be used at the start of any Social Studies class (9-12) as it is visually appealing and not only are students able to read snippets of what is happening, they are also able to see on a map where those countries are. Most events in this week’s example are related to climate change and other physical geography processes, however, human, biological and urban issues are also present – and interesting! I think it would be a quick and interesting way to begin any class and engage in discussion on current events.
Earthweek.com relates to the Social Studies curriculum most specifically for Physical Geography 12, but also touches on content from Urban Studies 12 and Human Geography 12. For Physical Geography 12, it could be used not only as an introductory tool, but also as a gateway to look at the big ideas for the curriculum – and as a starting point for different units or projects. This resource relates to all three main “Big Ideas” for Geography 12 identified in the BC Curriculum:
- Incorporating data from a variety of sources allows us to better understand our globally connected world.
- Natural processes have an impact on the landscape and human settlement.
- Interactions between human activities and the atmosphere affect local and global weather and climate.
While it’s a snapshot, it allows students to critically expand upon these current events for either group discussions or for research projects. For example,
Example projects (group or individual):
- Look at the variation and distribution of geographic phenomena over time and space
- Example topic from earthweek: What are plate tectonics? Where do earthquakes occur? How are mountains formed and where are they found?
- Evaluate features or aspects of geographic phenomena or locations to explain what makes them worthy of attention or recognition
- Example topic from earthweek: Weather patterns and possible changes to them or extreme weather (hurricanes, tornadoes, hail…) and distribution of events
Example discussion topics (small groups and then together as a class):
- How do human and environmental factors and events influence each other?
- Ex) Climate change and extreme weather events such as hurricanes, massive rainfall increases, tropical storms going on in North America – how do these affect the planet and people in the regions? – any other examples??
- Make reasoned ethical judgements about controversial actions in the past or present and determine whether we have a responsibility to respond
- How much responsibility do we have for the environment?
- Can the oceans survive human impacts? What do we think about Fukishima? Will that be harmful to the oceans?
