The focus in this article is on the usefulness of spatial sequencing as a tactic for interpreting a map and organizing our memory of it. This skill is useful whenever some condition varies in a systematic way with distance. When students are asked whether they see a pattern on a map of a topic like wildfires or terrorist activity, some students…

Ever want to take a quick, deep-dive into a map found in students' textbooks? Ever want to use a web-based map to bring that static, print map to life? Maybe the map would be better with interactive or near real-time data. This article discusses the new Earth Science GeoInquiries! Earth Science GeoInquiries from Esri are instructional resources…

Discusses software that educators can use to teach about distortions associated with alternative map projections. Examines the Projection, MicroCAM, World, and Atlas-GIS software programs. Suggests using the software in either introductory or more advanced courses dealing with map design or thematic cartography. Explains how to obtain the…

This textbook is a primary-grade geography course. It presents the idea of direction and helps children form definite conceptions of the natural divisions of land and water through the aid of pictures and diagrams. Clear and beautiful maps in color, unencumbered with names not referred to in the text, are introduced, not as mere illustrations, but…

Offers suggestions for teaching high school students about the relevance of a nation's size, shape, and location to its geopolitical influence. Includes a map of and suggested teaching procedures concerning the hypothetical "Continent X" and its five component nations. Suggests follow-up topics. (SG)

Presents a sampling of items from the ERIC database concerning the teaching of human geography. Includes documents dealing with Africa, Asia, the United States, Canada, Antarctica, and geographic concepts. Explains how to obtain ERIC documents. (SG)

Introductory courses in Geographic Information Systems and cartography cover the fundamentals of map design. Students are given guidelines for producing a good map, but visual demonstrations are much more impressive. ArcView was used to produce illustrations of bad mapping practices and placed in a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation to demonstrate…

Provides educational resources for teaching geography from the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC). Includes units on the Model United Nations, China, Middle America, and the United States. Resources stress themes of economic, political, and social interactions and interdependence. Provides simulations, maps, sample tests, and lesson…

Fifteen maps of Florida, each containing errors to be corrected by students, are presented for use in teaching Florida geography. Among the error maps included are Florida's borders today, the rivers of Florida, cities in the Grapefruit League, and Florida's European explorers. Teachers are encouraged to reproduce the maps and students to use the…

Explores the use of the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) computer program by undergraduate geography students. Argues that, through place name mapping, students can integrate geographic concepts and explore geographic themes in an atmosphere of self-discovery. Offers as an example a GNIS exploration of Wisconsin's valleys. (SG)

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)…

Presents a geography lesson on China to be used to help students understand contemporary and historical China. Suggests that China's population may be the most important factor shaping Chinese culture today. Includes teaching strategies and a student handout to provide an understanding of culture through the geographical concepts of place and…

This packet is designed for use by students in grades 3-8 of Oregon schools, but has general applicability to students of other locales. The student magazine includes a map and geographic description of Lincoln County, Oregon, establishing its relationship to water resources. Topics explored are: "What is Maritime Folklife?";…

Eight units which depict the people and geography of Canada are featured in this document. Learning is facilitated through the use of maps, case studies, charts, graphs, sketches, photographs, and drawings which appear throughout the units. To help organize the information four symbols are used to indicate the concepts being explained. The symbol…

Discusses the educational benefits of map usage in social studies classrooms. Recommends approaches to teaching map skills, including instruction in location, distance, scale, and direction. Presents activities which utilize neighborhood resources. Describes an activity in which students devise maps of their local community. (RW)