Aim: How have major landforms in the Western Hemisphere shaped the way people live in the Americas?

Do Now: List 2 geographic features that are positive for civilization and 2 geographic features that are

negative for civilization. Explain why

Positive geographic features for civilization

Negative geographic features for civilization

1. 1.

2. 2.

VocabularyNorth America: A continent in the northwestern hemisphere connected to South America by an isthmus

South America: A continent in the southwestern hemisphere that is well known for its tropical climate

Isthmus: A narrow strip of land with sea on either side, forming a link between two larger areas of land

Isolate: Separated from others; detached

Activity #1• On your own… complete the graphic organizer

for both North and South America based on the maps on the next slide

Activity #2

• Read/Answer questions with your partner– People in rows 1,3, & 5 will read North America

handout to their partner and answer questions together

– People in rows 2,4, & 6 will read South America handout to their partner and answer questions together

*I will collect work from ONE of you (this means both partners need to have fully completed worksheets*

North America 5. Why are temperatures in the southern part of

North America warmer than the Northern portion?

6. Why is Central America considered an isthmus?

South America5. Why would the natural resources of South America

lead to political unrest?

6. Why might South Americans have mixed races?

Summary

• How have major landforms in the Western Hemisphere shaped the way people live in the Americas?

Key Questions1. How has geography influenced the way people

live in the Western Hemisphere?

2. How have humans used and modified different environments in the Western Hemisphere?

3. How have humans adapted to different environments in the Western Hemisphere?

4. How has physical geography influenced culture?