Offers three activities for middle school classrooms. Activity 1 uses a newspaper reporter exercise to demonstrate two viewpoints of the U.S. Civil War. Activity 2 develops geographic awareness of direction and distance on a sphere through study of the great circle route. Activity 3 provides associative learning clues and mnemonic devices for…

Presents a simulation in which students assume the role of committee members of an aid-giving organization which has limited funds to distribute to a number of requests from Tigray, Ethiopia. Students use background papers and program proposals to make decisions, and are encouraged to identify criteria used for supporting a project. (LS)

Suggests the use of picture books to teach the five fundamental themes of geography in the primary grades. Describes the use of maps which follow the paths of characters in children's literature. Discusses the use of four stories that are accompanied by maps and follow-up activities. Includes reproducible maps. (KO)

Describes the creation of a traditional Samoan feast in a teacher-librarian's Pacific Studies course. The feast helped students learn to see as other see, recognize culture as a way of being, and realize they have options in life when they understand diversity. (SM)

Asserts that decisions regarding textbook content China are political and determined by the central government. Reports on a study of 15 elementary and secondary geography textbooks published between 1948 and 1991. Finds that the image of the United States portrayed in these books has changed dramatically. (CFR)

Focuses on the context and major efforts designed to reform teacher education in the nation's universities. Provides an overview of systems governing and impacting teacher education. Concludes with a discussion of general educational reform trends and leadership opportunities open to geographers. (CFR)

Discusses the use of globes to teach geographic concepts and geographic location. Contends that smaller, eight-inch globes can be effective instructional tools. Describes how students can produce inexpensive personal globes for classroom use. (CFR)

Discusses problems of maintaining higher education geography fieldwork in an era of increasing class size. Presents and describes 13 strategies for coping with these problems. Recommends that individual teachers and geography departments redesign their fieldwork programs in accordance with their priorities. (CFR)

Contends that the success or failure of an undergraduate research project can hinge on one or two decisions made at an early stage in the process. Describes a "Snakes and Ladders" board game used to remind students of good and bad research design practices. Includes game rules and a listing of the good and bad practices. (CFR)

Reviews five instructional media packages designed for classroom use. Discusses the content and approach of each of the items, which include a computer game, two video cassettes, and two instructional films. Includes teaching suggestions for using the products. (CFR)

Maintains that regional geography is undergoing important changes in its method of study to achieve a greater degree of relevancy in the context of a global system. Presents Western Europe as a case study to reflect this new approach. Includes 11 maps illustrating 6 generalizations applied to regional patterns. (CFR)

Presents a classroom simulation that takes a geographic approach to teaching about HIV and AIDS in Africa. Asserts that the biological simulation illustrates disease transmission through a spatial dimension. Includes sample profile cards, a map, and two tables illustrating the spread of the AIDS virus. (CFR)

Maintains that Venezuela has many U.S. ties because of its relative proximity and economic significance. Asserts that the Five Themes of Geography can be used to design effective classroom lessons about Venezuela. Presents five activities that include student objectives, necessary materials, and step-by-step instructional procedures. (CFR)

Asserts that integrating music with core curriculum subjects can improve student achievement in production, perception, and reflection in general music classes. Describes the Arts PROPEL approach, based on the philosophy that students learn best when they are active constructors of their own knowledge. (CFR)

Maintains that history is stories of extraordinary and ordinary people confronting problems not unlike today. Presents and discusses five keys to history: (1) time; (2) place; (3) people--achievements and failures; (4) society--contributions and failures; and (5) connections between past, present, and future. (CFR)