Geography: Grade 8 - Patterns in Human Geography

In previous grades, students analysed how human activities are affected by physical features. In Grade 8, they extend their understanding by examining global patterns in human geography. The focus is on understanding global population distribution and patterns in settlement and land use. Students examine patterns in population characteristics to identify correlations.

Overall Expectations (O.E. column below)

1. identify and explain patterns in human geography (e.g., population distribution, population characteristics, settlement patterns, and urbanization) and describe how human activities are affected by these patterns;
2. demonstrate an understanding of employment patterns and trends;
3. use a variety of geographic representations, tools, and technologies to gather, process, and communicate geographic information.

Site Name	Online	O.E.	Description
Arctic Dawn - The Journeys of Samuel Hearne		1	Arctic Dawn - The Journeys of Samuel Hearne is the odyssey of the first European to explore the western Canadian Arctic.
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade		1,2,3	A plethora of information about Canadian foreign affairs, economic relations, international trade, travel, culture, etc.
Images of Canada		1,2,3	An outstanding site that has current images of Canada that can be use in many curriculum areas.
Imagination Country: Creating a map		1,2,3	Students make a physical map for an imaginary country they create. This is a great introduction to map making.
The Malthus Syndrome		1,2	This is a site presenting opinion in the population debate and requires balancing input from the teacher.
Mapping Our City		3	A chance for Ontario teachers to view a GIS pilot project in an American middle school involving high achieving Grade 6 girls.
Otto Sverdrup Centennial Expedition		3	Follow the Otto Sverdrup Centennial Expedition as it explores the Canadian Arctic. A terrific site where students from Canada and Norway can share ideas and thoughts about this voyage.
Patterns in Human Geography		1,2,3	Students examine population characteristics to identify correlations.
Welcome To Researching In Essex County		1,2,3	This site features a wide collection of all things historical about Essex County.
About Agriculture		1,2	This site contains plenty of current Canadian and International content about this topic.
About Forestry		1,2	There is good Canadian content on this topic,but it is more US oriented than the Agriculture site.
About Geography		1,2,3	This is a comprehensive geographic site which provides current information and links to many related pages.
Atlapedia Online		1,2,3	Atlapedia Online contains full colour physical and political maps as well as key facts and statistics on countries of the world.
A Brief History of Canadian Lighthouses		1	As the name suggests, this site provides information on Canadian lighthouses, a topic of interest to both historians and geographers.
The Canadian Communities Atlas		1,2,3	The Canadian Communities Atlas offers a unique national network of geographic information by providing schools the opportunity to create an Internet-based atlas of their community.
Canadian Geographic Online		1,2,3	Join Canadian Geographic Online every few weeks as they reveal the intricate and fascinating stories behind some of Canada's land forms.
Canadian Issues		1,2,3	This includes many pertanent Canadian issues.
Canadiana -- The Canadian Resource Page		1,2,3	This is a page dedicated to everything and anything Canadian.
CareerClick		2	This is a direct link to national articles on job trends in Canada.
Carfree Cities		1	This site shows car-free cities past, present, and future and offers solutions to the problem to the urban auitomobile.
The Discovery Channel Canada - Online		1,2,3	Nature Homepage and the Adventure Homepage  provide a continually changing series of topics related to Canadian geography are of particular interest.
Education Network of Ontario: MET Demo Site Website Introduction to the Grade 7 & 8 Sample Units:		1,2,3	This site contains a sample unit for each of the topics for Grade 7 & 8 in both History and Geography.
ESRI Schools and Libraries Program		1,2,3	This site is focused on educational issues and resouces pertaining to the GIS software ArcView.
Florida Geographic Alliance		1,2,3	The Florida Geographic Alliance provides a searchable database of K-12 lesson plans and maps.
Focus on the World Online Magazine		1,2	This site presents a lighter version of global human patterns and tourism in particular with a focus on the Mediterranean.
Géographica		1,2,3	Un magazine de géographie physique et humaine.
The Map Machine		3	This is the index page for map making, reading, facts on countries, provinces, and states of the world.
National Atlas on SchoolNet		1,2,3	This site presents interactive learning about Canada and its geography.
Outline Maps		1,2,3	This is a teacher/student resource page. There is a selection of outline maps for use in the classroom or at home. Feel free to print or download any of these maps for your personal use in activities, reports, or stories.
Statistics Canada (Search)		2	The inclusion of this search site is to enable students to research job trends and other population and economic issues.
World Wildlife Federation		1	This site which is in both English and French provides information on conservation in Canada, endangered species and spaces as well as wildlife toxicology.