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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

  •  Teaching geography has been a touchy subject in my district lately. For example- many teachers that do US history will teach memorization of the states and their locations (no matter the grade level and often the capitol even if it is not relevant). How would you suggest teaching about the geography of a place without making it about memorization?  What part of the geography of a place is important to teach kids about when doing history? 

  • in reply to Kimberly Milligan

    Kim! Thank you so much for this question. I've actually changed the way I do "map quizzes" in my classes to get away from memorizing locations and landmarks. Instead, I have them identify and describe geographic advantages and disadvantages on the map. I think framing geography this way - in terms of advantages and disadvantages - forces students into more analytical spatial thinking. These geographic consequences often determined the course of history!

    We've been using the illustrated version of Prisoners of Geography to learn to make sketch maps and identify geographic advantages/disadvantages. Then when it's time for the quiz, students choose 5 locations to label and analyze. Here are some samples! It's cause/effect with a geographic twist. :)

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  • in reply to Kimberly Milligan

    Kim! Thank you so much for this question. I've actually changed the way I do "map quizzes" in my classes to get away from memorizing locations and landmarks. Instead, I have them identify and describe geographic advantages and disadvantages on the map. I think framing geography this way - in terms of advantages and disadvantages - forces students into more analytical spatial thinking. These geographic consequences often determined the course of history!

    We've been using the illustrated version of Prisoners of Geography to learn to make sketch maps and identify geographic advantages/disadvantages. Then when it's time for the quiz, students choose 5 locations to label and analyze. Here are some samples! It's cause/effect with a geographic twist. :)

Children