National Geography Standard 1 requires that students learn:"How to use maps and other geographic representations, geospatial technologies, and spatial thinking to understand and communicate information" (Heffron and Downs 2012). These concepts have real-world applicability. For example, elevation contour maps are common in many…

This curriculum packet about maps, with seven accompanying lessons, is appropriate for students in grades K-3. Students learn basic concepts for visualizing objects from different perspectives and how to understand and use maps. Lessons in the packet center on a story about a little girl, Nikki, who rides in a hot-air balloon that gives her, and…

These learning activities involve secondary geography students in making a turf map, using map grids, solving problems dealing with map scale, and making a map scale. Complete teacher instructions are provided. (RM)

This teaching guide offers educators glimpses into the value of remote sensing, the process of observing and analyzing the earth from a distance. Remote sensing provides information in forms to see spatial patterns over large areas in a more realistic way than thematic maps and allows a macro-scale look at global problems. The six instructional…

Discusses shortcomings of conventional maps and examines how to transform map geography to provide more functional cartographic illustrations. (Author/DB)

This interdisciplinary packet of materials on mapping is intended for grades 7-12. The lessons are organized around themes: location, navigation, information, and exploration. Each lesson has an introductory text and two main activities. Students learn basic mapmaking and map-reading skills and see how maps help answer fundamental geographic…

The paper describes a method of using simulation games with inverted maps to teach college undergraduates basic cartographic and spatial knowledge in geography. The author discusses the nature of simulation gaming in terms of the conflicting needs for structure and open-endedness, then identifies his major objective in developing the new approach.…

Three hands-on activities that will actively involve secondary students in learning map skills and acquiring a global perspective are presented. Students make their own maps, use 16-inch diameter globes to investigate many topics, and devise a sequence for a randomly shuffled pack of slides. (RM)

This curriculum unit teaches students about the basic physical and political geography of Europe and introduces or reviews fundamental geographical concepts and vocabulary in a European context. The unit offers a geographic introduction to the changing map of Europe. Each of the unit's five lessons can be integrated into the curriculum where it…

This curriculum unit teaches students about the basic physical and political geography of Africa and introduces or reviews fundamental geographical concepts and vocabulary in an African context. The unit offers a geographic introduction to the map of Africa with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa in terms of its examples and information. Each of the…

This curriculum unit teaches students about the basic physical and political geography of Asia and introduces or reviews fundamental geographical concepts and vocabulary in an Asian context. Each of the unit's five lessons can be integrated into the curriculum where it best suits students' needs, but it is suggested that the unit be taught as a…

Gives driving directions for a circuitous route while asking the drivers to make observations, measurements, interpretations and to locate features. Includes an example for the LaSalle Quadrangle, Illinois, which takes about one hour to complete. (Author/MVL)

A child's immediate environment provides an ideal data source for initial mapping experiences. How teachers can help pre-school and primary school children make block maps, picture maps, and drawn maps is discussed. (RM)

Provides instructional materials, tasks, and activities to supplement a unit on map reading. Presents a two-page color topographical map of Arthur's Pass (New Zealand). Includes learning activities covering reading grid references, estimating distances, cross-sections, and sketch mapping. Briefly discusses and illustrates digital terrain models.…