Overview of Lesson		Materials
Connection to the Curriculum,Standards and Skills		Major Procedures
Grade Level		Body of Lesson - Procedure & Assessment
Purpose of Lesson		Activity One and Assessment
Primary Geographic Question		Assessment of Lesson
Secondary Questions		"What's In a Name?" Handout

Overview of the Lesson

Toponomy is the science of naming places. Places are named for specific reasons whether that place is just down the street or halfway around the globe. The perspectives taken when choosing a name are often cultural and/or political. Sometimes the history and culture of an area may become apparent through the names of places within that area.

Geography Standards

Standard 4:  The physical and human characteristics of places.

Standard 6:  How culture and experience influence peoples perception of places and regions.

Alabama Course of Study:  Social Studies Content Standards (Grade 7)

Standard 9:  Relate place names with cultural and/or political perspectives.

Standard 16:  Identify ways in which communities reflect the cultural background of their inhabitants.

Geographic Skills

Acquire geographic information: Using maps, gather data on place names.

Analyze geographic information: Speculate the reasons why the place was given a specific name considering the cultural/political influences of the area.

Grade 7

The student will be able to understand the cultural and political influence behind place names.

How does the name of a place express the cultural and political perspectives of an area?

Why would a place be named for a person?

Why would a place be named for an event?

How could a place name exemplify values, beliefs, or principles?

Could the name of a place effect a person’s opinion of that place? Why or why not?

What are some examples of place names that express our cultural and/or political perspectives here in the Shoals?

• Street or Road map of your community
• Handout: "What’s in a Name?"

Students will begin the lesson thinking about and listing reasons they believe their parents gave them their particular name. A discussion on place names and the cultural and/or political perspectives behind the names will begin at a local level. The students continue this analysis with a map study of place names and the cultural influences of the area. The lesson concludes with the students completing a handout that requires them to compile a list of place names that exemplify local culture. They are also given a situation where they must name a place considering cultural and political factors.

Activity One

Introduce the lesson by asking students to generate a list of the reasons they believe their parents gave them their particular name. After they have had time to do so, ask for some students to share their ideas. Discuss cultural and political reasons for naming children.

Turn the discussion to reasons behind place names. They are also usually cultural and/or political. Ask students why a place may be named for a person? Event? Values, beliefs, or principles? The students will jot down their reasons and be probed to keep the discussion interactive. Discuss the reasons why names were changed.

Assign the students to a group of two or three. Give each group a city street map. At the end of the lesson, students should be able to analyze the reasons behind place names.

• Assignment: Ask the students to select three places on the map. One that was named for a person, one that was named for an event, and one that was named for a belief, value, or principle. The students must then explain why they believe this place was named in this way.

Discuss the ways in which a name could influence one’s opinion of that place. What do you picture in your head when I say "Spring Park"? What if I said "Winter Park"? How does your mental image change?

Finally, each student will be given a handout called "What’s in a Name?". There are two items that each student must complete. In the first item, they must list places in the Shoals area and explain their influence. A scenario is presented in the second item. The students must decide what to name a new civic center in their community, discuss and defend their answers.

Assessing Student Learning: Activity One

Students will develop a list of names chosen and inferences made.  These will be shared orally and then displayed. The students will be asked to volunteer and discuss their answers.

Write a brief summary of reasons for naming places.