Why People Move Educational Resources K12 Learning, Geography, Geography Lesson Plans, Activities, Experiments, Homeschool Help

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

You've probably heard the common saying, "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." It means that things often appear to be better somewhere else.

Sometimes, it's true that what we have is pretty great if we stop to appreciate it. Sometimes, though, the situation people live in is not so great — it may even be unbearable or threatening.

Often, the situation causes people to move away, near or far, to where they have a chance at a better life.

What do you think are some of the factors that cause people to migrate, or move, from one place to another?

List at least eight factors you can think of. Then, for each factor, see if you know a historical or contemporary situation where that factor played a role. Write the time and place where that situation arose.

Take a closer look at why experts think people migrate. See how many you already have!

As you read about The push-pull factors of migration, gather the important information and ideas on the research organizational interactive below. (Or you may use the Push-Pull Factors Research found in the Downloadable Resources in the right-hand sidebar.)

Seek at least two more online sources on the same topic. Add any new information and ideas you uncover to the chart.

After completing your research, consider the following questions.

What were the most important factors in human migration in the past?
What makes you think so?
What about the present? The future?

Now you have developed your ideas about why people move from place to place.

In the Got It? section, look at real human migrations taking place in today's world and apply your understanding of the reasons to analyze those migrations.