Two activities are suggested for involving students. In the first, "Project Short Wave", students speak directly to people in geographic region being studied in the classroom. In the second, "Weather and Climate", the teacher's information input is reinforced by student projects. (JH)

Elementary teachers can interest their students in U.S. geography by having them plan a cross-country concert tour for a rock and roll band. The project develops research, writing, and critical thinking skills as students learn about U.S. geography. The article includes a listing of state tourism agencies. (SM)

Presents an activity in which students construct models to explain glacial action. Describes the models, which recreate specific glacial processes, and discusses 11 glacial actions. Students examine the economic implications of glaciation and use maps to identify the locations and effects of glaciers. (CMK)

Describes a "treasure hunt" exercise designed to encourage elementary students to think reflectively. Using compasses and maps, student groups find prehidden objects. Group discussion and oral reports follow the field experience. (KC)

Focuses on Perry School (Erie, Pennsylvania), the first geography theme-based elementary school in which everything is related to geography. Describes what students learn in each grade level and the expectations on what they should know. Reports on the creation of their geography learning lab. (CMK)

Describes a hands-on geography activity that is designed to teach longitude and latitude to fifth-grade students. Children create a scale model of the earth from a 300 gram weather balloon. This activity incorporates geography, mathematics, science, art, and homework. Provides information for obtaining materials. (KO)

Describes a Louisiana elementary school's multidisciplinary geography program. The class selects a destination to which they travel by imaginary plane (created in the classroom), and the teacher integrates cross-curricular skills. Students research and discuss the trip (resources, flight plans, passports, and travel logs) and write descriptive…

Presents ideas for getting the most out of an elementary school trip to the zoo. The article offers before, during, and after lesson plans which touch on biology (the life cycle), geography (continents and regions of the world), conservation (endangered species), ecology (natural communities), and career guidance (zoo jobs). (SM)

Describes a third grade class geography project in which students assembled a quilt from fabrics acquired from 29 foreign countries. Presents photographs of quilt squares obtained and excerpts from letters of contributors. States that the project made textbook locations seem more relevant to students. (DB)

Presents an interdisciplinary instructional unit focusing on the Mayan Civilization. Describes the use of interactive story telling and guided imagery to heighten student interest and involvement. Provides suggestions for using these methods to teach about other countries or civilizations. (CFR)

Describes the Earthmobile Project, a tractor trailer educational exhibit that contains a working model of a Native American archaeology site. Explains how the Project appeals to both student and teachers. Outlines how teachers can develop instructional activities that would replicate the Earthmobile experience. (CFR)

Describes a community study project that uses history and the five fundamental themes of geography as a framework. The project involves organizing committees to study the need for a traffic signal in a small town. By studying various dimensions of the issue, the committees are able to demonstrate the need for a signal. (KO)

Presents instructional activities that bring "real world" content to the study of World War II by elementary students. Includes experiential activities such as interviews, guest speakers, visits to war memorials, and reading fiction and biographies. Includes an "All-American Matching Exercise" emphasizing cultural pluralism. (CFR)

This curriculum guide is intended for teachers to use with students in grades 3, 4, and 5 and features lesson plans that focus on the Olympic Games. The guide is part of a larger program sponsored by the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles that is targeted at southern California students, ages 8-10, who were born just before or after the…

Techniques for making geography more relevant to elementary students are discussed. For example, the abstract ideas of latitude and longitude can be taught by having students "live" a grid system, i.e., evenly spaced letters and numerals posted on the classroom walls. An interdisciplinary approach is needed. (RM)