An analysis of 14 introductory physical geography textbooks yielded 121 core concepts (basic concepts appearing in 7-10 books). The authors suggest that the trend toward overspecialization in introductory geography classes can be reversed if teachers agree to stress core concepts and their relationships to geography as a whole. (AM)

A survey of 2,092 high school seniors in 16 Georgia schools shows that geography is liked the least of social science subjects by the most students and liked the most by the fewest. Reasons are teacher attitudes and methods. Recommendations include better teacher training, more use of the inquiry approach, and more emphasis on social concepts and…

Describes a cartographic exercise to help students in an introductory geography course on the college level understand the geography of world affairs. The activity involved students in creating a diagrammatic map commensurate with amount of news magazine coverage of various foreign countries. (Author/DB)

The article describes a study undertaken to investigate the impact of geographical training (controlled experience) on junior high school students' ability to interpret topographical maps. Findings indicated that those students with more developed spatial skills (often resulting from a greater amount of geographical training) performed better on…

Teaching the geography of the United States to gifted elementary-level children in a way that challenges preconceived ideas about people and places is the focus of this article. Detailed student instruction is described, including thinking and writing activities that enable students to compare preconceived notions and reality. (CR)

Explores the interplay between geographic concepts and geographers' Web site design. Draws on the work of Maurice Merleau-Ponty and phenomenologically oriented geographers to propose the structure of cyberplace. Explores two examples of virtual field trips, "Virtually Hawaii" and "Bosnia Virtual Fieldtrip", stating that three…

Identifies teachers as primarily responsible for increasing geographic literacy, and suggests newspapers as a valuable source for geography lessons. Gives lesson plan ideas that include the use of the sports, news, travel, and weather sections of the paper. Lessons should enhance appreciation and knowledge of geography in everyday life. (RW)

Presents a secondary education geography lesson plan for teaching the theme of place and relative location. Provides samples of student materials. Using Japan as an example, shows how place and relative location can be used to study a country. (KO)

Parents can help children study geography by providing interesting activities, using correct terminology, and prompting questions about their surroundings. The article includes activities to help parents encourage geographic thinking in their children. Activities include exploring the neighborhood, learning about other cultures, and examining…

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)

Discusses some misconceptions relating to location and to the earth's hydrosphere, atmosphere, and lithosphere. Provides correction and explanation of various phenomena. Includes ocean names and sizes, sea level, coriolis effect, greenhouse effect, lightning, magma, and mass wasting. Suggests that myths can be dispelled by exposure combined with…

Discusses a study of sixth grade children's preferences regarding the portrayal of houses on maps. Reports that there were no significant differences between boys' and girls' preferences for the manner in which rooftops and streets were oriented. Concludes that apparent sex differences found previously may have been a result of the preferences of…

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)

Highlights the social construction of scale on the Internet and how some scale relationships are represented in web-based visual images. Maintains that web sites contain story lines that can act as guides through these scale representations. Shows the need for a "visual grammar" that will enable people to understand the logic behind the Internet.…

Presents a unit on volcanoes and experiences with volcanoes that helps students develop geography skills. Focuses on four volcanoes: (1) Rangitoto Island; (2) Lake Pupuke; (3) Mount Smart; and (4) One Tree Hill. Includes an answer sheet and resources to use with the unit. (CMK)