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.