Summary

Participants will connect the importance of geography to the agricultural production of the food, clothing, and shelter that we depend on in our daily lives. These connections will focus on the three Big Ideas of the AP Human Geography course: Patterns and Spatial Organization, Impacts and Interactions, and Spatial Process and Societal Change. Through exploration of classroom-tested lessons and hands-on activities, teachers will learn strategies for active engagement in helping students understand how geography and agriculture impact their quality of life. The impacts of the geography/agriculture connection will be identified using the SPEED model—social, political, economic, environmental, demographic. Additionally, attendees will explore strategies for enhancing student discussion and assisting students in conducting risk assessments for socioscientific issues including bioengineered foods, organic vs. conventional farming, food sustainability, and livestock production processes. Presenters will share free online lessons tied to National Geography Standards, Common Core, and National Agricultural Literacy Outcomes. Attendee takeaways include digitally accessible resources and a resource bag of classroom materials.

Session Focus

APHG |Agriculture | Population

Room

Colonnade

Meet the Presenters

Cassie Bates has been teaching AP Human Geography since the fall of 2014, bringing a wealth of experience and passion to the classroom. With a strong commitment to hands-on learning, Ms. Bates strives to engage students in meaningful and interactive ways. Her dedication to geographic education is further highlighted by her achievements as a USIP Fellow and an AGS Teacher Fellow.