Discusses cooperative learning as a means of teaching geography. Urges production of a positive classroom climate by using group builders and cooperative projects. Suggests projects involving maps, community study, and bulletin boards. Argues that students in cooperative learning become more involved in the subject and more motivated to learn…

Suggests that feature films produced in developing nations can serve as an aid to geographic instruction because they visually represent conditions of daily life. Uses two films, "Salaam Bombay" and "Sugar Cane Alley," to illustrate geographic understanding. Appendices include information on film distributors, background…

Maintains that misperceptions or incorrect mental images about relative location and size are common in geography. Reports on a study of 708 students ranging in age from junior high school through undergraduate school. Finds that misperceptions are widespread and exist across grade levels. (CFR)

Presents an interdisciplinary approach combining geography and children's literature to teach about Japanese culture. Describes classroom activities that link the Five Fundamental Themes of Geography to literature and art. Includes 11 figures, 9 summaries of children's books about Japan, and a 15-item annotated bibliography. (CFR)

Describes a lesson plan that uses Main Street images of three towns to encourage students to recognize and compare human and physical characteristics of places. The lesson teaches the geographic concepts of site (absolute location) and situation (relative location) as well as introducing students to urban geography. (MJP)

Addresses concern that students in North America and Europe do not know place name geography. Discusses the use of mnemonic learning in geography and maintains that it is a positive teaching aid. Illustrates the use of mnemonics in instruction and recommends mnemonics workshops at geography education conferences. (CFR)

Uses the National Council for Geographic Education Competency-Based Geography Test to measure the 1987 level of geographic ability of more than 3,000 students enrolled in introductory classes at 18 Indiana institutions of higher education. Study provides a baseline level of geographic knowledge for future comparisons. Measures impact of gender,…

Contends that instruction at the primary school level should be consistent with the child's development and experiences. Describes how geography's "Five Themes" can be taught using an interdisciplinary approach. Includes three lesson plans divided among concrete, semiconcrete, and abstract levels of cognitive development. (CFR)

Asserts that the 1994 National Geography Standards provide a new and valuable resource for teachers who want to improve geography instruction. Presents a sampler of additional geography instructional materials developed during this same period of educational reform. (CFR)

Presents the National Council for Geographic Education statement on the geography component of preservice teacher education. Includes standards for all teachers, those of social studies, specific disciplines and methods courses within the social studies, elementary and early childhood teachers. Discusses increasing emphasis on geography in the…

Presents the National Council for Geographic Education statement on the geography component of preservice teacher education. Includes standards for all teachers, those of social studies, specific disciplines and methods courses within the social studies, elementary and early childhood teachers. Discusses increasing emphasis on geography in the…

Describes an educational game that is designed to review and reinforce elementary map and compass skills and help children to use maps to plot routes to specific locations in urban areas. The game is based on a tag procedure and can be used with almost any large-scale street map. (MJP)

Suggests the use of picture books to teach the five fundamental themes of geography in the primary grades. Describes the use of maps which follow the paths of characters in children's literature. Discusses the use of four stories that are accompanied by maps and follow-up activities. Includes reproducible maps. (KO)

Maintains that regional geography is undergoing important changes in its method of study to achieve a greater degree of relevancy in the context of a global system. Presents Western Europe as a case study to reflect this new approach. Includes 11 maps illustrating 6 generalizations applied to regional patterns. (CFR)

Suggests the study of automobile license plate designs as a tool for helping students learn and understand the concept and perception of place. Includes examples of representative plates and tables of physical and cultural features found on the plates. Outlines considerations and teaching procedures for a class exercise. (DK)