Geography is a key to understanding and acting effectively in our world. It is the subject that, more than any other, enables people to comprehend the earth and its environment, and to appreciate the delicate balances between the human and physical elements that bind people to this planet. However, more than half the children of the United States are failing to achieve geographic literacy. Several reports for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reveal alarming deficiencies in the geography learning of U.S. youth. Furthermore, a recent international survey by the Gallup Organization found that U.S. young people lag far behind their age-mates in other industrially developed countries in their map skills and knowledge of geography. This ERIC Digest discusses: (1) what students should learn about geography; (2) what to do at school to improve the geography learning of students; and (3) what to do at home to improve the geography learning of children. A list of references and ERIC resources is provided. (DB)