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Ask Me Anything about using geography to teach history with Rachel Hansen // November 2023

Kathy Hays

We are honored to have  join us this week for to answer your questions on using geography to help students understand history and the world around us. A Distinguished AP Human Geography educator and National Geographic Explorer, she is passionate about designing learning experiences that compel students to engage in meaningful, authentic projects in their communities, where they can build relationships that produce sustainable change the world. Rachel leads her students in using geography to take action in their own community.

As a Big History educator, Rachel has included geography in her instruction to help students understand the impact of both human and physical geography on world history.  In honor of Geography Awareness Week this month, she will answer your questions on incorporating geography skills into your history instruction.

To help get started, Rachel recommends checking out the following resources:

What questions do you have for Rachel? Here are some ideas you may want to consider:

  • What are the best ways to incorporate geography into a history course?
  • Why is it important to use geography when teaching history?
  • How can I make geography engaging for students?

Share your questions in the comments below. We look forward to exploring the world with you!

Want to learn even more about incorporating geography into your history instruction? Check out the recording of our recent OER Project Skills Clinic - Mapping History.

Parents Reply
  • in reply to Laura Massa

    Hi,  ! I think that Mapmaker is the most student friendly mapmaking software. It's pretty intuitive for students to use, doesn't require an account, and it just keeps getting better as Nat Geo and Esri add more datasets to layer onto the maps. I've had students use it to draw out their Personal Supply Chain maps from BHP Unit 8. 

    One more mapmaking tool that I didn't include that is also super user-friendly is Google My Maps. I've had students create Migration Maps following the journey of a fictional or real-life migrant. Here's a sample map. 

Children
  • in reply to Rachel Hansen

     I like the activity based on a refugee's journey. We recently interviewed a Syran refugee living in Jerash, Jordan, so I foresee the applicability of this tool. I also use Google My Maps and I find it very user-friendly.

    Would you mind either sharing or providing an explanation on how you use the activity on Personal Supply Chain maps?

  • in reply to Laura Massa

     , your learning opportunities around refugees sound engaging, important, and timely! I wish I could be a fly on the wall of your classroom.

    Here's an old blog post on how I do the Personal Supply Chain activity and mapping with students. Here are my Slides for how I set it up. Sometimes we got low-tech, sometimes we go high-tech. Here's what students need to include on their maps:

    • Locations of raw materials
    • Locations of manufacturing centers
    • Locations of distribution centers
    • Transportation route between raw materials, manufacturing, distribution (ship, truck, plane, rail)
  • in reply to Rachel Hansen

    Excellent  ! The Personal Supply Chain activity would be a great idea to incorporate in the LBHP.  I am familiarized with the T-shirt supply chain video as I use it in my classes for AP Human Geography. 

  • in reply to Laura Massa

    Students love the t-shirt supply chain video!

  • in reply to Rachel Hansen

    Thank you so much for bringing these geography resources/ tools to our attention  !! Mapmaker seems awesome! I especially love how students can make a key on here. When I used to teach Global History, the number one thing I used to struggle with would be getting students to slow down when looking at maps and really unpack the information the keys give. Having students create their own maps and come up with their own keys could be a fantastic way of drawing student attention to all these important geography/map tools. Can't wait to share this tool with other History teachers! 

  • in reply to Adriane Musacchio

    Yes! Super user-friendly and embedded with some cornerstone geography skills. I'm glad it's helpful. Happy mapping. :)