The paper reviews the 18 National Geography Standards developed in 1994. The Standards are grouped under the organizers of: (1) The World in Spatial Terms; (2) Places and Regions; (3) Physical Systems; (4) Human Systems; (5) Environment and Society; and (6) The Uses of Geography. One hundred activities for the elementary classroom with each…

Discusses software that educators can use to teach about distortions associated with alternative map projections. Examines the Projection, MicroCAM, World, and Atlas-GIS software programs. Suggests using the software in either introductory or more advanced courses dealing with map design or thematic cartography. Explains how to obtain the…

Discusses the proper use of themes in teaching. Examines the five themes of geography: location, place, interaction, movement, and region. Presents counterpoints demonstrating the value of analogies as a less direct way of introducing a theme. Argues that teaching is an art and a craft requiring diplomacy and creativity. (DK)

Discusses ways in which planetary comparisons can be used to help give students a new perspective on earth's natural environment. Describes tectonism, volcanism, gradation, cratering, wind, and temperature as they are affected by different planetary conditions. Includes a chart comparing average surface temperatures and greenhouse warming of three…

This booklet is both an executive summary of "Geography for Life: National Geography Standards 1994" and an introduction to geography as an essential part of every child's education, and as an integral part of the lives of all U.S. citizens. The publication is illustrated on every page with photographs, paintings, graphs, and maps. It…

This document contains a test designed by the National Council for Geographic Education for middle school students to determine what knowledge, skills, and understandings students have developed in geography. The document also contains directions for administering the test, test performance data from a sample of 468 middle school students in 18…

Offers suggestions for teaching high school students about the relevance of a nation's size, shape, and location to its geopolitical influence. Includes a map of and suggested teaching procedures concerning the hypothetical "Continent X" and its five component nations. Suggests follow-up topics. (SG)

Presents a series of five short stories for children that incorporate geographic concepts. Includes the concepts of region, boundaries, and grids. Suggests that the stories will help children master challenging concepts and vocabulary that in turn will increase their knowledge and self-esteem. (DK)

These geography standards are subtitled "What Every Young American Should Know and Be Able To Do In Geography", and constitute a set of voluntary benchmarks that every school and school district may use as guidelines for developing their own curricula. The standards for grades K-4, 5-8, and 9-12 specify the essential subject matter,…

This pamphlet suggests ways in which families and caregivers can work with children to help them learn more about the world in which we live. The pamphlet is intended to help children expand their awareness of the world around them. The article explains why it is important to learn geography, relates how a parent or caregiver can help in the…

This lesson plan for instruction in geography addresses three social studies standards (People, Places and Environments; Culture; Civic Ideals and Values) and seven geography standards (development of mental maps; physical and human characteristics of places; people create regions to interpret the earth's complexity; patterns and networks of…

Presents a sampling of items from the ERIC database concerning the teaching of human geography. Includes documents dealing with Africa, Asia, the United States, Canada, Antarctica, and geographic concepts. Explains how to obtain ERIC documents. (SG)

Presents an analysis of the development of the basic themes of geography (location, place, relationships, movement, and regions) by selected southwestern Pennsylvania public schools. Concludes that students in grades three through six are most often exposed to the location theme and that sixth graders have the greatest overall exposure to all five…

Suggests that teachers must discover how geography can provide students with an understanding of the contemporary world in which they live. Describes the basic task of geography in general education as providing the basic understandings of human use of the earth. (DK)

Activities that employ the five themes of geography--location, place, relationships within places, movement, and regions--to teach about Venezuela and Mexico are described in this document. Each theme has objectives, a list of materials, and three types of activities--exploration, invention, and expansion. Background information on Venezuela and…