Two elementary-grade activities on geography are combined. The first activity employs a group discussion approach to investigate neighborhoods and residences. Given data about a neighborhood area in Houston, students make predictions and express feelings about future developments in the area. The second activity investigates urban planning in Moscow. Issues that are examined include the future of cities, urban sprawl, the morphology of a large city, and the relationship of people to an urban environment. It is hoped that students learn to apply the regional method of geography to a study of Moscow, and that they develop an understanding of their local urban environment. Problem-solving and inquiry skills are utilized as teaching techniques. Five investigation questions and 24 activities are offered. The activities described above are two of 12 (SO 009 140 through 150) teacher-developed elementary instructional activities and 17 teacher-developed secondary instructional activities (SO 009 151 through 167) comprising this series on geography-related topics. They are available individually and as elementary or secondary sets. The materials are intended to help teachers in developing units for the classroom. Topics that are covered require student inquiry into current problems such as land use, development, pollution, and population. Mastery of geography skills is emphasized. Instructional approaches include simulations, role playing, mapping, group discussion, experiential learning, field excursions, gaming, and case studies. (ND)