NFL Five Themes of Geography Final Project

Now that my students understand the Themes of Geography via our NFL worksheets, they divide into small groups and create a NEW NFL team to be based in the United States.

Some student groups will ask about having a team in another country, this leads to a GREAT class discussion on the problems the NFL might face with establishing Pro Teams in other countries: the travel distance (and time zone change) is one that really gets the students talking! At that point, they want their team to do well in weekly games, and choose to stay in the USA.

I have created a rubric to guide them.

After going over the rubric, I ask students to find a new city for their team. They must have a city that fits the NFL requirements. Generally, that means they need to justify the population, hotels, etc., compared to three other NFL cities.

Once the city is picked, students go on to create a new team name, new team helmet, stadium type, the NFL teams their team will play, how teams and fans travel / participate with the team, and any other information they want to include.

I usually let the students pick how to present the information. Some will choose Prezi, others Google Slides, and some will branch out into other formats.

On presentation day, most dress up. I tell them they are the new team owners, presenting to the NFL commission and current owners, trying to convince everyone the NFL NEEDS this team.

I know these lessons could transport over to any sport. I'm currently getting into Rugby, and I think I may try a mini-lesson with Rugby teams world wide.

NFL Human and Environment Interaction & Movement

For the final part of the NFL lessons on the Five Themes of Geography, I combine Human and Environment Interaction and Movement.

We start by discussing what Human Environment Interaction is. Students usually understand this concept better than Regions or Place.

If they are struggling, I mention common things:

• What do you wear if it is going to be hot out? 
• What do you wear if it is going to be cold out? 
• Why do you change what you wear if it is hot / cold? 

After that, my students look up the information to fill out the worksheet about the Super Bowl locations. 

This usually takes them awhile, I let them do it in pairs, and suggest they use the NFL Super Bowl History site.  This site provides most the information. The only thing it doesn't, is the style of the building that hosted the Super Bowl. 

This provides a great lesson on using Google Search - highlight the stadium name and click search. I will have students who don't do this. Instead, they will just try and look at Google Images and figure it out. (Usually, they miss the type this way.)

On Day Two, we discuss what we notice. 

For instance: 

• Why are most outdoor games in the Southern United States? 
• Why are most domed games in the Northern United States? 
• Why do some stadiums have new names -- even when it is the same building (Cowboy Stadium vs. AT&T stadium is a great example)? 
• Why might these places be picked? 

Most my students agree, they would rather go someplace warm in the middle of Winter to watch the Super Bowl, than be in places Winter might also be. 

This discussion also then leads into the Movement discussion. This discussion includes how do teams get to games, how do fans get to games, what if you can't attend a game... how does Human Environment Interaction then allow people to be involved where they are in the World? 

At this point, the students have covered all the themes of Geography.

They then break into small groups and start designing a NEW NFL team. 

NFL Regions 3

During this lesson, I have student look at the map they created with the Locations of all the NFL teams.

We then go to look at the list of current NFL divisions.
The students sometimes notice the way things are set up, but most often I then show them the 2014 NFL Division map.

At this point, even students who are not interested in the NFL see some issues:

• Why does Miami play New England? 
• Why does Seattle play Saint Louis? 

Of course, they have more questions, but these always make an appearance! 

We then discuss what these places may have in common to be a region. 

The next step:

Students reorganize the NFL Divisions based on the geographic land-forms, landmarks, or any other system that they can justify. I have them circle their new groups on this map. I then have them fill out a worksheet. 

I do NOT allow them to just say the cardinal directions. The new divisions may include a cardinal direction, but it must also include other geographic information. 

The next day, we discuss the newly arranged divisions and decide which student / student group came up with the best map for Regions. 

NFL Place Lesson 2

Last night, I posted the Location portion of my NFL project.

Today, I am going to share how we study Place.

First off, I always find Place and Region to be the HARDEST for students to understand.
Perhaps, it is because they are more abstract.

In order to understand PLACE, we discuss what all NFL locations have in common. The students realize that most teams are around population centers, which lead to having enough food options, hotels, etc.
This helps students understand the start of PLACE.

Next, we read this article to see how teams go their particular name. During this time, students start to make the connection to what an area's local history, local landmarks, and geographical features have to do with the naming of a team.

Finally, we are on to researching new team names. The key thing is to remind students to base the name off of a REALISTIC information for the area.

The worksheet I use.
Then, students draw a picture of the newly named team on the back of the worksheet.

This always leads to an insightful discussion the next day on why someone picked the name they did. Plus, if a name doesn't initially make sense, the students discuss and find out why it would. (I always like using Cincinnati's history as a reason for the name I give!)

Most often, by the end of this lesson, many of my students have a much more concrete idea about Place.

How to Teach Geography... with the NFL - Part 1 - Location

YEARS AGO - SEVEN, TO BE EXACT....

A FORMER EIGHTH GRADE TEACHER GIFTED ME,
A PACKET.

THAT PACKET CHANGED HOW I TEACH THE FIVE THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY....

FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The premise is simple. 

Use the NFL to show students how MR. HELP  is relevant in EVERY aspect of life.

I've tweaked this project over the years, and I am pretty content with how it is RIGHT now! 

My students are to the stage of working on their own projects.

First, I start with the worksheet about location. 

This one is simple. 

We go through and write down all the locations and names of the teams. 

Students are always amazed that the NY Jets / NY Giants share a stadium, that the Arizona Cardinals aren't in Phoenix (and don't have their own stadium), that the Dallas Cowboys aren't in Dallas, etc. 

This leads to a wonderful discussion on why those LOCATIONS are picked versus where the name conveys they are from. 

I number this map

My worksheet that students fill out. 

This usually takes two days. 

One to research and one to discuss! 

See blog post coming - NFL - Part 2 - Place.