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…

Highlights ideas from urban geography that may be used to teach students about the interaction of people and space. Students will learn to better relate geography to their own lives if they understand how the concept of accessibility relates to competition for commercial land, and if they consider questions related to the use of urban space. (LS)

Describes five themes of geography used as a model for generating classroom activities in an integrated teaching approach. Uses James Michener's book, "Texas," to demonstrate the integration of geography and literature. Includes a teaching outline, class activities, and lessons plans for a five-day unit. (NL)

Identifies the problems maps pose for children. Provides a lesson plan designed to help first grade students understand maps through a study of lakes and rivers. Asks students to identify bodies of water on a globe and then build a model of a lake or river. Includes instructions for making a model. (RW)

Presents group activities for learning geographic terminology. Includes (1) learning basic terminology and definitions; (2) evaluating and selecting by consensus; (3) creating models to illustrate terms; (4) challenging classmates to identify terms; (5) grouping models into categories; and (6) explaining the meaning of terms in writing. Discusses…

Presents an instructional activity which can be used to introduce teachers to the five basic themes of geography, or to help intermediate or secondary students relate geography to their lives. The material can be used in several variations and is organized around the five concepts of location, place, relationships within places, movement, and…