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)

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)

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)

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)

Presents an extended classroom activity in which students explore relationships, organize information, and make generalizations about geography and the world around them. Includes writing assignments and examples of student work. Provides suggestions for extending the activity. (CFR)

Illustrates how U.S. history and geography teachers can locate supplementary materials for teaching about immigration using the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) database system. Cites 11 documents containing units of study, lesson plans, and class activities. (NL)

Suggests the study of automobile license plate designs as a tool for helping students learn and understand the concept and perception of place. Includes examples of representative plates and tables of physical and cultural features found on the plates. Outlines considerations and teaching procedures for a class exercise. (DK)

Reviews the work of the Geography Standards Project, a national effort to develop standards for geography education in grades K-12. Describes committee structures, definitions of "world class" student performance and "standards," and the nature of the standards developed, indicating that they focus on outcomes, performance, and…

Explains interrelationships between geography and social studies. Highlights developments affecting school geography since 1980. Determines that geography's spatial perspective distinguishes it from other social sciences. Examines 10 presuppositions of geography education to reveal geography's scope, role, and relevance to social education.…

Explores the vital development of the Pacific Rim. Advocates integrating the study of this region into social studies curricula. Criticizes the Eurocentric bias that results in ignoring the Pacific Rim's geography, history, literature, and languages. Reports on social studies programs, primarily in Alaska schools, where study of the Pacific Rim…

Asserts that full implementation of the national geographic standards will require their adoption by all states and school districts. Discusses the role of professional associations and teacher education in the implementation process. Maintains that the national standards provide the geography education community a unique opportunity. (CFR)

Argues that geography education lacks empirical data that might inform and underpin decisions about standards setting, curriculum design, materials development, teaching strategies, and assessment procedures. Identifies four needs: (1) a new attitude toward research; (2) baseline studies; (3) a research agenda; and (4) a research clearinghouse.…