home

=**__Mr. Wellman's Survey of Social Studies!__**=

I encourage both you and your parents to bookmark this page, as we will use it on a daily basis. Parents, this is also a helpful tool to help you answer the question, "What did you do at school today?" If you have any questions or concerns you can email me at any time. rob.wellman@daviess.kyschools.us


 * What is Human Geography?[[image:eartth2.jpeg align="right"]]**

Few people—the general public and students alike—about their daily experiences in geographic terms. That is not to say that the general public or students do not know anything geographic; it is simply that you may not recognize geography when you see it. For example, looking for and thinking about cultural imprints on the landscape, such as how Hispanic markets or religious institutions affect your environment, is geography. Locational questions like “Why is the interstate highway where it is?” or “Why do most Indonesians practice Islam?” are geographic questions with geographic answers. These are just two examples of how we can use the world around us in classroom lessons.

media type="custom" key="20574940"

Haven't all the places in the world been discovered, located, and named already? For the most part, yes.
 * Why Study Geography?**

So, why geography?

It seems that citizens of the United States are finally becoming aware that their ignorance of geography is affecting their country's environmental, political, and economic well-being. The world is shrinking fast and it is important to know where things are located. But more important yet is knowing how those places are affected by the environment and its peoples. That, too, is geography.

The earth's survival depends on our knowing where the rain forests are being cleared and where the ozone layer is being depleted. It would behoove us to know why people want to fly airplanes into buildings. And we must respect the interdependent web of existence of which we are a part. At the heart of all that is geography.

media type="custom" key="20574758"
 * Why is Geo-literacy important???**

Here is what the fine people at Google Earth have to say about, "Why Geography Matters" media type="custom" key="10196183"

And here is why Mr. Wellman wants you to study geography...so you don't end up EVER doing this: media type="custom" key="10196187"

Before We Get Started...
As your teacher, I am curious about how you do your best learning. We all learn differently and at a different pace. For me to do MY job, and for you to be able to do the BEST YOU CAN DO, I would like you to complete the following Learning Styles Survey. Answer the questions to see what your dominant learning style is. After getting your results, read the hints for studying and learn about your learning style. Finally, once you have finished this, I now need to find out just how much Geography you already know. To do this, I need you to complete this Geography Pretest. Thank you, good luck, and let's have a GREAT semester!!!

**__Syllabus__**