Summarizes consensus points reached by three university professors and three elementary school teachers who examined the Silver Burdett Ginn elementary textbook series. Explains the study's methodology. Finds textbooks constrained by the expanding environments framework, limited in multicultural coverage, and inadequate in developing themes around…

Contends that effective use of time is critical in today's elementary classroom. Describes a curriculum development process in which 75 preservice elementary teachers created an integrated geography, language arts, and arts curriculum. Maintains that the approach could be used at all levels to teach about geographic features. (CFR)

Describes the history, culture, cultural geography, and current place in the school curriculum of American Indians of the southeastern United States. Contends that American Indians are both ignored and stereotyped in most social studies instructional materials. Provides an annotated bibliography of recommended materials for teachers and students.…

Presents a learning activity in which the location of National Football League teams are used to explain geographic concepts. Contends that geography presented in most history textbooks is limited primarily to simple name-place identification. Provides maps and teaching suggestions to help students understand spatial perspective and historical…

Examines the theme of movement in human geography as it is expressed by the phenomenon of temporary buildings. Discusses the anthropological and sociological clues derived from their composition and structural appearances. Includes a simple inquiry model that can be used for structures as diverse as an aluminum espresso bar or a tepee. (MJP)

Introduces "SimCity 2000," a computer simulation, as a tool for teaching urban geography. Argues that, combined with other activities, it can enhance computer literacy, geographical knowledge, and critical skills. Notes gender differences in students' previous exposure to the software; argues that instructors must consider this when…

This collection of papers is from a seminar on China includes the following papers: "Women in China: A Curriculum Unit" (Mary Ann Backiel); "Education in Mainland China" (Deanna D. Bartels; Felicia C. Eppley); "From the Great Wall to the Bamboo Curtain: China The Asian Giant An Integrated Interdisciplinary Unit for Sixth…

Ten exercises based on the weather map provided in the national newspaper "U.S.A. Today" are used to teach intermediate grade students about weather. An overview describes the history of "U.S.A. Today," the format of the newspaper's weather map, and the map's suitability for teaching weather concepts. Specific exercises, which are briefly…

By distinguishing between the Soviet government and the Russian people in Soviet studies, teachers can assist students in forming positive but realistic attitudes about Russia. Geography, music, art, and literature offer a wealth of information about Russia. A good starting point is a discussion of Russian children: the age at which they enter…

A geographer responds to three themes found in the U.S. National Commission on Excellence in Education report "A Nation at Risk": (1) the return to basics theme, (2) the science and technology theme, and (3) the social science theme. The report recommends the adoption of "New Basics," which, in four years of high school, would…

This publication is designed to assist secondary level curriculum planners, teachers, and teacher educators in developing a social studies curriculum that includes geographic skills for students' development. The first section lists general student objectives in geography that are considered essential. The following six sections contain more in…

The monograph examines objectives and preparation of environmental impact statements (EISs) and assesses the degree to which these documents are successful in monitoring the environmental impact of development in the United States. The document is part of a series of resource papers developed to supplement college-level geography textbooks. The…

As geographers incorporate futuristics into geography instruction, they must develop an area of inquiry (geofuturistics) with a clearly defined purpose and direction. Geofuturistics is interpreted as futuristics involving the application of geographic skills, methods, and viewpoints in teaching and research. Although future-oriented research has…

This book is the first in a series of UNESCO guide books for teaching geography on a continental scale, dealing with either land masses or vast regional groups which have common characteristics. Written by African geographers, it is intended for primary and secondary school teachers, teacher-training institutions in Africa, and also for geography…

The major purpose of this study was to compare self-instructional mastery and nonmastery treatments to determine if there are differences in learning, retention, and time-to-testing of high, middle, and low aptitude students. Twenty grade 7 classes from the Savannah-Chatham County School District served as the experimental population. Students…