The author describes methods for using picture books to teach geography in middle school. Introducing students to geographic regions through narrative and visual text can provide background information about the area, stimulate student interest in the culture, and facilitate student comprehension of geographic concepts. The author provides…

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…

Discusses the unique perspective that the built environment brings to the study of history. Presents questions that can be used to analyze a building to examine identification, form, function, and impact. Suggests that studying a building is like conducting a micro study of the development of a society. (DK)

Describes holiday celebrations in the Caribbean as important contemporary social events with historical, geographical, and cultural significance. Discusses the origins, development, and customs of the major Caribbean street festivals. Suggests that the holidays can combine all social science disciplines into focus and emphasize the geographic…

Describes a series of 10 video programs and accompanying print materials that are designed to enhance citizenship education. Expresses the basic tenet that geographic learning is essential to the sound teaching and learning of history. Includes outcome goals, program content, structure, and a description of each of the 10 programs, emphasizing…

Contends that knowing the right questions to ask is crucial to making an analytical and informative examination of a topic. Presents a question framework for country studies in geography. Includes questions on physical, political, cultural, economic and population geography, transportation, communications, natural resources, and technology. (RW)

Provides a lesson plan on the geographic and civic aspects of municipal wastes. Offers action activities for students. Maintains that students will become familiar with the geographic, moral, and political features of municipal waste disposal. (RW)

Asserts that teaching concept formation and generalization development are central to any social studies program. Presents a classroom activity designed to teach geographic concepts to middle school students. Includes four figures and instructional procedures to be used in the activity. (CFR)

Suggests a social studies unit on escaping geography. Examines escape from dangerous places including an airliner, hotel fire, or war zone or from a social situation such as a boring speech or party. Describes historic escapes such as the Underground Railroad and the Berlin Wall. Lists learning strategies such as awareness of space and cognitive…

Asserts that the study of geography promotes spatial skills and increases awareness of the significance of location and place. Maintains that novels are good resources for geographic instruction. Provides geographic content reviews and suggested instructional methods for using two novels, "Old Yeller" and "Prairie Songs." (CFR)

Maintains that the nature and role of geography within social studies has been a major area of debate since 1916. Asserts that geography relies too heavily on rote memorization of facts and neglects geographic thinking. Contends that geography teachers share the blame for this and must change their teaching and evaluation methods. (CFR)

Discusses the use of globes to teach geographic concepts and geographic location. Contends that smaller, eight-inch globes can be effective instructional tools. Describes how students can produce inexpensive personal globes for classroom use. (CFR)

Maintains that Venezuela has many U.S. ties because of its relative proximity and economic significance. Asserts that the Five Themes of Geography can be used to design effective classroom lessons about Venezuela. Presents five activities that include student objectives, necessary materials, and step-by-step instructional procedures. (CFR)