Students are introduced to the physical geography of Northern and Central South America. They identify the countries in this region and explore a map with political, physical, population, and climate layers, and compare and contrast the countries. Then they select two countries and compare and contrast their natural resources as well as the impact of those resources on the economy. Finally, they do independent research on environmental issues in the region.
Students are introduced to the countries of Northern and Central South America and the focus of the experience. They watch In South America to view a variety of South American landscapes, then examine an image of the Northern and Central region. Using a drawing tool, they label as many countries on the regional map as they can identify and then compare their labeled maps with a classmate to see if they can name additional countries together.
Teacher MovesPresent the overview and objectives of the experience, highlighting the list of countries in the Northern and Central South America region. Play at least the first 2.5 minutes of the video, then prompt students to attempt labeling the regional map from memory. Encourage partner discussion about their labeled maps before unlocking the next scene.
Students review the list of Northern and Central South American countries and open a political map of South America to locate any countries they did not identify in Scene 1. They then examine additional maps—physical, population density, climate zones, and biomes—to answer multiple-choice questions about population distribution, climate, physical location of cities, bordering bodies of water, and national capitals. Next, students choose one country from the region and conduct online research to gather information about its population and official language, physical features, ethnicities and religions, and natural resources, recording their findings in a structured graphic organizer. Finally, they participate in a whole-class discussion to compare and contrast the countries in Northern and Central South America using their research.
Teacher MovesGuide students to use the political, physical, population density, climate, and biomes maps to answer the embedded questions, clarifying map features and geographic terms as needed. Support students in selecting a country for deeper research and in using the graphic organizer to capture key information. Facilitate a class discussion in which students share and compare their findings, prompting them to notice patterns in physical geography, population, and resources across the region before moving on.
Students select two countries from a provided list (including Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay, and Bolivia) and read the “Geography” and “Government and Economy” sections of online country profiles, focusing on economic information and natural resources. They then post a response to a class wall explaining how the natural resources of each country align with its climate and describing how climate has influenced the economic development of each country, noting that economic activity can vary by climate zone within a country.
Teacher MovesDirect students to the appropriate sections of the country resources and remind them to connect geography, climate, and economic activity in their analysis. Review student posts on the wall and select interesting or exemplary responses to share with the class, using them to prompt discussion about how climate and natural resources shape economies in different parts of the region.
Students return to the country they researched in Scene 2 and use the internet to investigate a significant current or future environmental issue affecting that country. They post to a collaborative wall explaining the causes of the environmental problem and its impact on living and nonliving things in the area. Afterward, they read classmates’ posts and respond to at least two with a question or positive comment to extend the conversation.
Teacher MovesSupport students in identifying credible sources about environmental issues in their chosen country and in clearly explaining causes and impacts in their posts. Encourage students to engage thoughtfully with peers’ posts by asking clarifying questions or offering constructive feedback. Highlight and discuss one or more particularly insightful or well-supported responses with the whole class to deepen understanding of environmental challenges in the region.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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