The Importance of Teacing Local Environment Subject Matters at Human Systems Teaching Area and Sample Activities

Abstract

When geography textbooks, prepared according to new geography curriculum, are examined carefully in high schools in Turkey, it is seen that while the regional and global views were emphasized heavily, local views and explanations were neglected. It is very important for students to learn their own local living area and its surrounding. With this way, they can be successful to solve everyday problems near to them. In order to prepare our students in this matter, the content of geography textbooks and other materials need to focus on local explanations in activities. This study focuses on teaching geography for high schools students explaining activities about local environment. The paper suggests different geography activities so that students can gain so many geography skills. However, the suggestions will be only in the teaching area of human systems subject matters about regional environment emphasis. Since high school geography curriculum neglects the local environment emphasis, this paper provides some activities which may help to students gain different geography skills.