Describes the development by the National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis (NCGIA) of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) teaching materials. Explains that the demand for GIS professionals and the need to distinguish between the practical and theoretical aspects of GIS motivated the project. Examines the results of and prospects for…

Discusses problems that students have in appreciating the relevance of the philosophy underlying geography instruction. Presents an activity that requires students to apply geographic concepts to decisions concerning the location of urban retail outlets. Includes details on implementation, rationale and background, and procedures. (SG)

Presents a middle school lesson on the geographic theme of human-environmental interaction. Explains that the natural environments of the Dominican Republic and the gulf region of Alabama are compared and contrasted in the production of sugar cane. Includes maps, graphs, a historic speech, and suggested texts. (DK)

This study is an investigation into the place names of West Virginia to see if they reveal a record of the history of the state. It was found that the study of place names is indeed a study of the history of the land, because the people who inhabit the land give names to it that commemorate themselves, their deeds, and their passions. The study of…

Every map depicts both objective realities and subjective elements and is a rich resource for studying the geographic knowledge and values of mapmakers and their societies. This paper considers cognitive mapping research and describes how world maps reflect world images. Cognitive mapping is defined as a process that allows people to acquire,…

Discusses the strengths and weaknesses of geographers' temporal strategies for research. Suggests diagrammatic interpretations and examples of the strategies. Presents classroom activities for increasing student understanding of the organization of time in the study of geography. (SG)

Presents two lesson plans integrating social studies, art, music, and literature to teach geographic themes using the concepts of human settlement and transportation. Explains that comparing two paintings of rural life illustrates the themes of relationships with places and movement. Suggests that comparing songs about great projects uses the same…

Often students are naive or have misconceptions regarding physical geography because of little or no exposure to the discipline; therefore it might be beneficial to relate content to their other experiences and interests. Students have an interest in some type of music, and by tapping into this, students can further explore geographic concepts.…

Suggests that geographers can serve their communities as Boy Scout merit badge counselors. Identifies several merit badge projects that are closely related to geography topics. Discusses projects involving (1) environmental science; (2) geology; (3) oceanography; (4) orienteering; (5) weather; (6) U.S. cultures; (7) community citizenship; and (8)…

Discusses the teaching of geographic concepts through the use of childrens books. Suggests following up the books with a geographically focused activity to increase children's geographic awareness and knowledge. Includes an extensive annotated bibliography. Links specific books to the geographic themes of place, location, movement, regions, and…

Describes a grass-roots geographic education program that combines the efforts of elementary school teachers, Auburn University (Alabama), and a local newspaper. Explains that the program is designed as an alternative to existing curriculum materials. Discusses how geographic themes are illustrated in a way that takes advantage of local interest…

Describes a video series that offers information on the impact of current world problems on family life. Explains that the programs illustrate the five geographic themes by comparing the experiences of young people in North America and Western Europe. Suggests that the series helps teenagers see how the same problems affect families in different…

Presents ideas developed by four teachers for teaching the geographic themes. Includes a plastic flamingo sent traveling with instructions for those taking it to return postcards to a first grade class, a wall mural of the United States, and a song representing geographic concepts. Describes how one school painted maps of the continents in a…

Materials to use in geography instruction and ways to evaluate student learning in geography are described. Portfolios are a good way to determine whether students have achieved the desired objectives in geography. Portfolios also require that the student be involved in both learning and assessment. For learning to use maps and globes, student…

To shed light on the prevalance of families choosing one residential area over another on the basis of the quality of schools in each area, the article explores whether a geography of intelligence exists in a small Kentucky town of approximately 20,000 people. Findings indicated significant spatial associations among IQ, achievement, and…