By way of change of pace, students are asked to use as many terms as possible in the construction of a puzzle pattern on a blank matrix. The instructor selects one pattern and completes it in the form of a crossword puzzle to be used at the end of the unit. An example is given from a weather and climate unit. (NH)

Geographic information systems (GIS) are computer-based tools for geographic data analysis and spatial visualization. They have become one of the information and communications technologies for education at all levels. This article reviews the current status of GIS in schools, analyzes the requirements of a GIS-based learning environment from…

A teaching unit is presented, using the collage as a teaching technique in geography instruction, emphasizing unit objectives, teaching procedures, and evaluation methods. (JB)

Describes a teaching unit which explores the concept of development in a study of the Caribbean tourist industry. Intended for use by high school students, its purpose is to make students aware that development must not be equated with economic growth alone and that tourism brings both costs and benefits. (CS)

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)

Lists some of the citations in the ERIC database dealing with teaching global studies in elementary school. Includes works on approaches to integration of ethnic content into the curriculum, procedures for evaluating multicultural books, and teaching suggestions. Suggests that young students do not narrowly define culture. (DK)

The climatic water budget model provides an analytical framework to help geography students examine the processes shaping the environment. Examples illustrate how the model can be used in geography classes. Two flow diagrams are presented to help students master quantification of water budget variables. (RM)

Describes a game to be used with high school seniors or college freshmen studying the geography of underdeveloped nations. The game involves role playing, decision making, computations, and analysis. It should provide a platform for discussion of the prospects and problems of farming in a developing region. (CS)

Explores the value of Mark Twain's "Life on the Mississippi" for the middle-school geography classroom. Examines the genesis of the book, investigates the authenticity of Twain's experiences, analyzes the book's content, and suggests teaching strategies. Finds the detailed geographic observations in the book quite useful for the…

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…

The use of geographic information systems (GIS) in the classroom provides a robust and effective method of teaching the primary spatial skills of identification, description, and explanation of spatial pattern. A major handicap for the development of GIS-based learning experiences, especially for non-GIS specialist educators, is the availability…

Environmental impact statements are informational documents representing a systematic study of long- and short-term relations between a proposed project and its environments (i.e. physical, social, economic, etc.), written for the layman, and easily adapted to the classroom for use in student research activities. (JR)

Notes that the National Geographic Society (NGS) has produced curriculum materials since 1972 and that its current catalog contains over 635 multimedia products for the K-12 curriculum. This article details the range of recent NGS activities which are designed to improve the teaching of geography at all grade levels. (JDH)

At many colleges and universities, an opportunity exists for geographers to offer and popularize an interesting course that includes as its central theme geographical, geological, and ecological hazards and disaster. The course is outlined and described, and instructional materials are listed. (RM)

At all levels of instruction commonplace items such as fruit, gelatin, golf and tennis balls, and sugar cubes can be used to demonstrate geographic concepts such as earth-sun relations, locative grid, structure of the earth, glaciation. Tactile and visual demonstrations in which students participate are more effective than other alternatives. (NH)