This book focuses on improving geography skills and knowledge of basic concepts for grades 4-8, through a variety of activities and resources. The book is divided into six sections that combine to make it convenient for use. The sections include: (1) "Map Reading Skills"; (2) "Geography Concepts and Definitions"; (3)…

States that drainage basins, stream discharge, and sediment discharge are fundamental concepts in physical geography and integral parts of other cognate disciplines. Presents two exercises about these concepts. Includes a set of field-based exercises and a set of exercises for students who are unable to conduct field monitoring. (CFR)

This program presents a method for improving geographic literacy in a logical and meaningful way and for inclusion of geography in every social studies class. The third grade program utilizes six questions per week over a period of 32 weeks and is designed to be used during the first five minutes of each social studies class. The program focuses…

This program provides a way to enhance student understanding of social studies subjects by increasing their basic knowledge of geographic information. It enables teachers to make geography a part of every social studies class and is designed to be used during the first five minutes of each class period. An important aspect of the program is to…

Student understanding of geographic aspects of the world will be enhanced by utilizing these questions during the first five minutes of each social studies class. One goal of the program is to improve students' ability to locate geographic features, such as landforms and water bodies, natural and political boundaries, and capitals. This method…

Asserts that teaching principles and concepts related to global time is a test of student comprehension and an instructor's teaching ability. Describes how teachers can create an International Date Line Wheel for classroom demonstration purposes. Includes 11 figures illustrating how to make and use the wheel. (CFR)

Presents a model for structuring writing in the geography class with a focus on using maps to prompt writing that will promote student interaction with geographic concepts. Delineates four components of successful writing as fluency, flexibility, frequency, and formality. Includes suggestions for geographic writing activities. (MJP)

Summarizes methods from a high school geography class that used examples from local geography to teach basic geographic concepts. Maintains that these illustrative examples can be used even in courses where the content is not local geography. Provides examples of local landscapes illustrating concepts applicable to the Brazilian rain forest. (MJP)

Recommends making choropleth maps as a fun and interesting way to teach geographic concepts. Choropleth maps represent data and ratios (population density, voter registration) and can be constructed easily. Includes suggested activities and representative maps. (MJP)

Asserts that travelers' diaries are excellent primary sources that can be used to teach geography. Maintains that state historical societies and local archives are good sources for these documents. Includes lengthy excerpts from two diaries and a student worksheet. (CFR)

This text is a combination of a student training manual and a teacher's guide. The student manual gives background information, activities, and student worksheets for map work. Chapter titles include: (1) "Our Country"; (2) "World Regions"; (3) "United States Regions"; (4) "Continental Topics"; (5) "Urban Topics"; (6) "Rural Cultures"; (7) "World…

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)

This report of the Fund for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education (FIPSE) is organized into seven chapters. Chapter 1 discusses the objectives, rationale, and design of the project. Chapter 2 examines the formative evaluation process that was used to make improvements in the course syllabuses while they were undergoing development.…

Presents a classroom lesson in which students interpret historical cause and effect through the analysis of U.S. census data. Recommends the use of local historical census data to help students learn about their community's experience. Includes a map and charts of census data. (CFR)

Presents a learning activity in which the location of National Football League teams are used to explain geographic concepts. Contends that geography presented in most history textbooks is limited primarily to simple name-place identification. Provides maps and teaching suggestions to help students understand spatial perspective and historical…