This article recounts the changes that occurred when a research study was redesigned to become more participatory, involving children, teachers, families, and the wider symbolic cultural neighbourhood. What emerged was a research study that was "integrated" into the curriculum of a four-year-old classroom. Here, the process is…

Quest to Learn, an innovative school for grades 6 to 12 in New York City, grew out of the idea that gaming and game design offer a promising new paradigm for curriculum and learning. The designers of Quest to Learn developed an approach to learning that draws from what games do best: drop kids into inquiry-based, complex problem spaces that are…

Using Piagetian spatial conceptual development theory and Bruner's theory of concept formation, discusses major issues underlying children's inability to perform well on map skill tasks. Mapping problems covered include teachers' inability to use maps, curricular issues, poor instructional practices, and the use of commercial maps. (DST)

Argues that map skills instruction is among the broadest skill applications in the elementary school curriculum. Identifies problems encountered by elementary school children in dealing with maps and describes tasks designed to address such problems. Suggests that what teachers and curriculum developers learn from working with students can be used…

The program of map and globe study skills for elementary social studies contains two parts: primary level for grades 1-2 and intermediate level for grades 3-6. Concepts of the units include maps as geographical representations; maps as symbols; directions; astronomical maps; city and world maps; and scales and measurement, among others. Each…

Briefly reviews education for map librarianship and identifies map collections available to schools of library education. The discussion covers concepts critical to library work with maps and suggestions for including those concepts in various curricula. (seven references) (Author/CLB)

In order to obtain information on the status of geographical knowledge possessed by University of South Dakota (Vermillion) students, a geography survey designed to determine specific knowledge about the locations of bodies of water, countries, and cities was conducted. One map was used for identifying cities, while the second was used for…

Discusses the importance of geographic knowledge and understanding for learning history. Emphasizes five themes of geography: location, place, relationships within places, movement, and regions. Provides specific lesson suggestions. Argues for geography instruction's integration into all areas of social studies with maps and geographic themes. (DK)

Geography skills for elementary and secondary grades are outlined in this teacher's guide. The teaching and learning of geography skills is a developmental process. Once introduced and understood, skills must be used repeatedly and in different situations if they are to become part of the students' equipment for learning. A planned program for…

Examined how varying levels of geographic expertise facilitated reasoning with maps as representations of the earth's surface. Found that geography experts performed significantly better than novices and preservice teachers, and experts' performance was differentiated by the reasoning in which they engaged. Explored implications for understanding…

Describes a college level course in which computer mapping is incorporated into the geography curriculum. Discusses problems associated with using commercial mapping software in the general geography classroom. Concludes that students have reduced computer anxiety and a better understanding of geographic concepts as a result of the computer…

A land use unit using information from space programs is intended to help secondary teachers develop, plan, and implement land use programs in the social studies classroom. The subject of this unit is a flood control dam in Colorado. Interdisciplinary curriculum includes activities in mapmaking, environmental and mathematical studies, local…