Aerial imagery has a great capacity to engage and maintain student interest while providing a contextual setting to strengthen their ability to reason proportionally. Free, on-demand, high-resolution, large-scale aerial photography provides both a bird's eye view of the world and a new perspective on one's own community. This article presents an…

Provides an understanding of thematic maps and how they might be used to teach hypothesis testing. (RS)

This article describes an outdoor activity known as orienteering, the practice of using a map and a compass to find points in a landscape. Downloadable materials, courtesy of The Roger Tory Peterson Institute, can be found on www.TeachingK-8.com. These materials include instructions for the activity and reproducible illustrations of seven basic…

Advocates the use of infrared satellite maps for geography and social studies instruction above third grade. Teaching ideas with Landsat maps are listed and the costs and ordering sources of the maps provided. (SJL)

A simulation game designed to increase knowledge of basic place location is described. Preparation, materials, and variations of the game are included in the description. (DE)

Describes several activities including directions for surveying and mapping the schoolgrounds, designed to help children comprehend the meaning and significance of contour lines. (JR)

Provides a lesson plan designed to increase student map skills. Objectives are to (1) trace a route on a street map; (2) use symbols for locating skills; and (3) employ mileage scales to determine distance. Includes the procedures and an answer key. (RW)

Presents a mapping activity which helps students understand the purpose of latitude and longitude lines. Gives students an opportunity to use longitude and latitude in a meaningful way by asking them to plan a world concert tour for a rock star. Includes a reproducible activity page. (LS)

The drawing of schematic maps from memory is a useful instructional technique for providing students with a conceptual mental framework of world geography. (DE)

Presents an activity designed to introduce middle through high school students to the atlas. To be used specifically with GOODE'S WORLD ATLAS (17th edition), students complete questions that enable them to systematically work their way through the atlas. Includes activity objectives, key terms, and a 52-part atlas exercise. (GEA)

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)

Map exercises designed to graphically illustrate the concept of interdependence are provided. Students locate points of origin for current news items on a world map, and then locate other places on the map where those same news items will have economic, political, or social consequences. (Author/DE)

This guide contains 20 classroom activities designed by teachers to study topics in geography with the eventual goal of aiding in the development of geographic literacy in students. The various activities involve map reading skills, climatology, current events, urban development, and community planning. Each activity presentation includes an event…