Summary
Why do the Five Themes of Geography often feel like a flat checklist of definitions rather than a dynamic lens for understanding the world? Too often, geography instruction in the secondary classroom stops at memorization, leaving students disconnected from the human stories behind the maps. This hands-on workshop seeks to enliven the geographic experience by integrating culturally rich, award-winning children’s literature into adolescent inquiry.
Participants will go beyond simply exploring a curated “Geography Trunk”—they will learn the methodology to design and build their own. By analyzing a wide breadth and depth of cultural narratives, attendees will discover how to select texts that offer deep cultural experiences while illustrating how the Five Themes impact us all. Using visual literacy strategies, we will demonstrate how to transform these stories into vibrant tools for critical thinking. You will leave with a curated bibliography, a “Trunk” blueprint, and the tools to move your students beyond the definitions and into the heart of global citizenship.
Session Focus
Middle School/Junior High | Human and Cultural Geography | Inquiry
Conference Room
Byrd
Meet the Presenter
Kendra Miller is a middle school social studies teacher at Providence Christian Academy and an executive board member for the Tennessee Council for Social Studies. A seasoned presenter, she frequently shares her expertise at national, state, and local conferences within the social studies and education sectors.
Currently, Kendra is a PhD student at Middle Tennessee State University studying Literacy Studies with an emphasis on Literacy Instruction and Staff Development. Her work bridges classroom practice and academic research, focusing on the intersection of literacy and social studies education.
