Engaging Geography Lessons For Kindergarten And First Grade
When you think of teaching kindergarten and first grade students, you often think of letters, numbers, reading, math, etc. Those subjects are extremely important, but it is also beneficial to them to introduce the subject of geography!
Learning about the different countries around the world is so important. To these kiddos, they may not even realize that there is more out there besides what they can see. It’s so fun to teach them about all of the different countries, continents, and people around the world and watch their eyes light up in wonder.
Learning about geography is so vital to students because:
- It teaches them about the diversity of locations and cultures in other countries around the world.
- It helps them know where they are and what else is there- giving them a sense of location.
- It helps them understand the impacts of changes in the environment on land and people.
- It helps them understand and appreciate nature.
- It helps them understand the world and their place in it.
For kindergarten and first graders, you want to start with the basics to introduce the topic. First, teach them about maps and globes, cardinal directions, landforms, bodies of water, etc. This will help them understand the essentials as you get more detailed in your lessons.
After they understand that, try introducing our country and the states. You can teach students where they are located. Make it extra engaging by teaching about the locations of famous landmarks or attractions. Next, get the students involved by asking them about their favorite vacation destination and then finding it on the map together. Geography can be so fun!
If you are ready to dive into geography with your students, I have THE go-to geography resource for you.
My Geography Resource includes 9 weeks of geography lessons and hands-on activities that are perfect for kindergarten or first grade students. It has everything you need including lesson plans covering positional words, landforms, bodies of water, cardinal directions, maps, globes, personal information, and seasonal weather changes. It has crafts, interactive notebook pages, posters, a “Me On The Map” flip book, and a write the room activity.
Here is a breakdown of the 9 weeks:
- Week 1: Positional words to describe locations
- Week 2: Identify maps and globes
- Week 3: Cardinal directions
- Week 4: Identify land and water on a map
- Week 5: School and community places
- Week 6: Personal information (phone number and address)
- Week 7: Landforms
- Week 8: Bodies of water
- Week 9: Seasonal Weather
Additionally, you will get posters and directional signs for your classroom, a fun Earth hat, photo instructions of how to put materials together.
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