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1. Discuss the meaning of the terms location and place.
Write the words location and place on the board. Ask: Have you ever traveled to a different location? If anyone has, ask him or her to describe it to the rest of the class. For each, write some of the describing words on the board. Then have a whole-class discussion to explore the following questions:- Did the student describe it in terms of location (where it is, such as the city, state, or country)?
- Did the student describe it in terms of place (what it is like, such as hot, cold, urban, or country)?
2. Compare and contrast the descriptions.
Ask students: How are the experiences alike? How are they different?
3. Use a globe to illustrate the concept.
Using a globe, pinpoint your location to show students that location is where the place is on the Earth’s surface. Then show them photographs of your neighborhood, town, city, or state to illustrate that place describes what it is like there.
4. Have students determine location or place.
Have students return to the descriptions in Step 1 and decide if the original description was of the location or the place. Have them say “L” if it was a description of the location and “P” if it was a description of the place.Extending the Learning
Have students imagine that an exchange student is coming to their house. Ask students to explain the locations of their homes and to describe what those places are like.
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Subjects & Disciplines
- Geography
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- explain the difference between the terms location and place
Teaching Approach
- Learning-for-use
Teaching Methods
- Discussions
Skills Summary
This activity targets the following skills:
Connections to National Standards, Principles, and Practices
National Geography Standards
- Standard 4: The physical and human characteristics of places
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What You’ll Need
Materials You Provide
- Globe
- Photographs of your neighborhood, town, or state
Required Technology
- Internet Access: Optional
- Tech Setup: 1 computer per classroom, Projector
Physical Space
- Classroom
Grouping
- Large-group instruction
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Background Information
A geographic perspective is a way of looking at the world. Location helps you answer where. Place helps you answer what or who.
Prior Knowledge
- None
Recommended Prior Activities
Vocabulary
Term Part of Speech Definition Encyclopedic Entry geographic perspective Noun a way to understand a topic or area using spatial features and relationships.
location Noun position of a particular point on the surface of the Earth.
Encyclopedic Entry: location place Noun area having unique physical and human characteristics.
Maps
Media Credits
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Editor
Christina Riska Simmons
Expert Reviewer
Michal LeVasseur, Ph.D., National Geographic Alliance Network Liaison
Sources
adapted from National Geographic Xpeditions lesson “Welcome to Your New School!: Using a Geographic Perspective”
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