Geography Awareness Week

November 13-17, 2023

Geography Awareness Week has encouraged citizens young and old to learn about the significance of place and how we affect and are affected by it. During the third week of November, students, families, and community members celebrate the importance of geography by discussing geographic topics in the classroom or at home, as well as by getting outside to explore what the world has to offer and by participating in geography-themed events.

This year, Can Geo Education has decided to focus Geography Awareness Week on human geography and the intricate relationship between people and places. Human geography, at its core, delves into the stories of communities, cultures, and the spaces they inhabit.

To celebrate this week, we invite you to examine how human actions influence the ever-evolving landscapes that define our world and explore the ways in which we interact with our environments. Discover the dynamic interplay between society and geography as we delve into topics like urbanization, sustainability, cultural landscapes, global connections, and more. Learn how human geography shapes our cities, societies, and the future at large. Engage in discussions, activities, and educational opportunities to better understand the powerful role we play in shaping the world around us. Let’s explore how our choices, actions, and innovations can contribute to a more sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant global community.

Geography Awareness Week is your opportunity to uncover the stories of people and places that showcase our interconnectedness. Use this week to learn, reflect, and share your insights about how human geography influences our planet’s past, present, and future. Your active participation can make a significant difference in promoting awareness, knowledge, and positive change.

See below how you can participate this week and access our resources.

Contest on social media

For each day of Geography Awareness Week, we will be asking different questions on our social media channels about what geography means to you, how you teach geography in your classroom, and more! Reply to one of these posts and you will be entered into a draw to receive a free, 3-week booking of our Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada Giant Floor Map, which will be delivered right to your school for the date of your choosing.

Ways to celebrate with your students

Launch into Geography Awareness Week with our amazing resources connected to human geography:

Arctic Arts and Culture Lesson Plans – These learning resources encourage youth to explore topics such as activism, Indigenous sovereignty, connections to land, the importance of language, and more — all through an artistic lens focused on Arctic communities.
Placing the Pandemic in Perspective – Using this resource, students will understand how geography affects our individual experiences. Designed for educators with students in Grades 7-12, these activities explore visual storytelling, photography, and videography.
Canadian Immigration and Citizenship – This infographic and lesson plan examine the history of immigration and citizenship in Canada. Students will learn about the immigration system in Canada, the process for becoming a Canadian citizen, the challenges that immigrants face, and the values inherent to Canadian citizenship.
Commemorate Canada – From treaties and multiculturalism to sports and science, these lesson plans span a wide range of themes and engage students in learning about significant anniversaries in Canada’s history.
Virtual Voyage – Take a trip around the world with your students and families without ever leaving home. Explore global citizenship with your class by learning about new cultures and country contexts through the lens of international development.
Unmasking Influenza – This resource provides students in grades 7 to 12 with the opportunity to learn more about the connection between physical geography and major disease outbreaks in history, such as the Spanish Flu, the plague, cholera and malaria.
Paths to Reconciliation – Learn about the hundreds of residential schools which were never recognized in the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement and examine the ongoing work being done to document unmarked burial sites associated with residential schools.
Canada and Ukraine – Canada is home to approximately 1.4 million people of Ukrainian descent, which is nearly four per cent of Canada’s population. Students will learn about the Ukrainian diaspora in Canada and the connections between Ukraine and Canada using a map and lesson plan.
Michif Language and Métis Culture Lesson Plans – Learn about jigging, traditional harvesting, language, beading and more!

Dive deeper with our selection of interactive StoryMaps:

Growing towards a sustainable future – Explore sustainability and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through activities and resources which support the idea that all actions — no matter how big or small — are essential for ensuring a sustainable future.

Indigenous languages across Canada – From those that have thousands of speakers to those with only a few, explore the languages of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

Treaties and Agreements in Canada – Delve into an introduction about treaties and agreements between Canada and Indigenous Peoples.

Indigenous women in STEM – Learn about how Indigenous women are bringing together traditional knowledge and Western science.

Why we explore space – Discover how exploring the cosmos enhances our lives here on Earth and helps us learn more about our planet and ourselves.

Click on one of our infographics to see a larger version!

Other amazing resources!

There are many more amazing resources to explore for Geography Awareness Week and beyond. Here are a few highlights:

Great Canadian Electricity Map – This Giant Floor Map highlights the diversity of energy sources in Canada and the complexity of energy production and transmission across the Canadian landscape. You can book this map and accompanying activities for free!
Our impact on plastic pollution – Learn about plastic pollution with our video series and discover how you can make a difference in reducing your plastic waste.
Anthropocene Education Program – Bring the science of the Anthropocene into your classroom and explore human impacts on the environment.
Ocean, Freshwater, and Us – This Giant Floor Map highlights the foundational connections between us and the ocean and the fresh water that surrounds and sustains us. You can book this map and accompanying activities for free!
National Geographic MapMaker – Empower learners to explore Earth’s interconnected systems through a collection of curated basemaps, data layers, and annotation tools.
Books – Explore Can Geo Education’s staff picks for great geography books.
Video games – Geography is fundamental to the virtual world and these games are great examples!
Board games – Learn while laughing with this list of hands-on games.
Movies – Great for projects or for quiet time in the classroom, these movies explore a range of topics rooted in geography.