Maps are an increasingly used source of information and it is therefore essential to develop map skills in students. A fundamental factor affecting the choice of map skills and the way they are developed is the teacher and his/her concept of map work. Based on the results of a survey and semi-structured interviews among Czech teachers, this study…

Presents five lessons in a unit designed to teach about land and water forms on relief maps. These lessons rely on teacher instruction, small-group or whole class interaction, and directed and independent practice. Includes four worksheet examples. (Author/AEM)

Described are activities which will increase fluency in the use of north, south, east, west, up, and down; reinforce the proper positioning of the cardinal directions on a map grid; relate map symbols to familiar surface features; give practice in identifying map symbols; and provide an opportunity to construct maps. (RM)

Discusses the importance of teaching place names and locations to students. Targeting rote memorization as an unstimulating method, offers an exercise and several activities using an incorrectly labeled map to teach place-name and location geography in an interesting manner. (AEM)

Vernacular regions are part of the broader field of place awareness. Gives directions for a unit which selects three popular sports and asks students to construct vernacular sports regions. This involves students in collecting, processing, and evaluating work in a more behaviorally oriented geography than is usual. (CS)

Discusses the desirability of teaching latitude and longitude concepts to upper elementary students. Includes a four-lesson unit on the topics. Employs hurricane tracking information available from the National Hurricane Center. Provides a foundation for future lessons on Middle and North American geography. (SG)

Determining the direction in which to face another location on the globe is a problem with significant social and religious meaning, and one with a rich and interesting history in the Western world. Yet a fully satisfying geographic solution to this problem is hindered by our intuitive perception of the world as a flat surface-where a "straight"…

The ability to see whether a map is equal-area, conformal, or neither is useful for looking intelligently at large-area maps. For example, only if a map is equal-area can reliable judgments of relative size be made. If a map is equal-area, latitude-longitude cells are equal in size between a given pair of parallels, the cells between a given pair…

This paper reports on 30 years of data collected concerning the level of knowledge about Africa University of Minnesota junior- and senior-level students had. The data show the dominance of the Middle East in Western media and the level of confusion and lack of knowledge shown by most students. Concludes with recommendations concerning geography…

Satisfactory completion of this self-contained map exercise will demonstrate student ability to use symbols, legends, scale, orientation, index, and grid in map reading and map use to give directions for way-finding. The exercise should take one class period to complete. (RM)

Suggests ways to improve secondary school students' locational knowledge. Argues for teaching strategies that emphasize the value of locational information. Discusses the importance of memory in the development of locational skills. Suggests that issue-oriented instruction can promote the development of such skills. (SG)

Urges increased geographic and meteorologic training for television weather reporters. Suggests using television weather reports to promote knowledge of place names and physical geography. Discusses a survey of television news departments in 48 states. Reports findings on the lengths of weather reports and the training of weather reporters. (DK)

Investigates the potential use of geographic-information systems (GIS), a computerized spatial-analysis tool, for teaching geography to elementary students. Finds that GIS offers students opportunities to practice geographic skills and is highly motivating, but it can create frustration. Suggests several promising approaches to using GIS at the…

Described is a map game for middle elementary grade students. The game has four objectives: (1) teaching geographical locations, (2) using map symbols, (3) applying the concept of scale, and (4) developing map-reading skills. (RM)

Maintains that teacher education courses in geography must be improved before teachers can realistically be expected to help elementary and secondary students understand geographic concepts. Provides three examples of exams given to prospective elementary school teachers in Vermont in 1907 and suggests that the exams can serve as guidelines for…