Fun Geography Projects for History Classes
Integrating Music, Art, and Food Promotes Creativity and Learning
Dec 9, 2008
A fun geography project in a World History or World Cultures class goes beyond simple map exercises. Geography projects should include every aspect of a particular culture including food, music, art, and religion. An all encompassing project involves the entire class and allows students to demonstrate learning through creative ways. In many ways, a well constructed geography project is the next best thing to being there.
Mapping Out a Successful Geography Project
Allow students within individual classes to form small groups of two to three students. Post a list of different countries and allow the different groups to select one that they wish to explore. Based on a first come basis, limit each country selection to only one group. If teaching multiple classes, consider broadening the scope by creating limits on all selections so that no two groups, regarding of class, are working on the same country.
Divide the project into phases and grade each part separately. Part one might consist of an actual, brief, research paper that includes sources. Require each member of the group to address a different aspect of their selected country. This will ensure a degree of independent work within each group and provide for accountability on the part of each group member. Possible areas to highlight include:
- Political Institutions
- Social Demographics
- Religion
- Physical Geography and Natural Resources
- Environmental Issues
- Poverty
- Economic Issues
If the idea of a research paper is too formal, substitute other written assessments such as the creation of expanded passports that, like a paper, can disclosure specific facts researched by the students. Or have students create a travelogue of the country and other types of fact sheets. Allow students to write articles on their chosen topics and combine them into one class newspaper.
The Classroom Presentation
Post a schedule that allows groups to select a date to give a class presentation on their country. Break down appointments so as to allow each group enough time to present (10-15 minutes is a good guideline). Teachers should be aware that this project will span several days. Build several “empty” slots into the schedule in the event that circumstances may prevent a group from presenting on a day they have previously selected.
Require each member of the group to actively participate in the presentation while stressing that the presentation should be a cohesive totality rather than three separate presentations that do not tie together. Presentations can include:
- Visuals such as posters or brief video clips
- Music
- Food specific to the country
- Examples of export goods
- Flags and other symbols of the country
One successful project featured a student from Bolivia bringing her brother into class to demonstrate a Bolivian dance. Another project allowed students discussing Ireland to show Irish Step dancing. Female students focusing on the Middle East wore the burqa.
Geography projects are an excellent way to allow foreign exchange students or immigrant students to share their culture with the rest of the class. Such projects break down barriers and address crucial goals relative to global issues and considerations. Teachers contemplating a foreign summer tour will find that a geography project builds interest in visiting foreign lands.
Teachers will see that student feedback is highly positive. Projects of this kind are long remembered by students and are often cited as the most exciting assignments. More than just “fun and games,” geography projects can fulfill curriculum standards by interjecting creativity and cooperative learning.
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