Students must develop skills in map reading, map interpretation, and mapping in order to use maps and globes effectively. Presents a compilation of basic map skills and concepts, along with techniques and "tips" for teaching map skills to grades six through eleven. (CS)

The accuracy of data collected by Dutch geography students in a field study of commercial activities in a French city was monitored with data available from official lists. The causes of error, both in student work and official sources, and some lessons for future field work are examined. (Author/IS)

Considers the nature of geography and its relation to social knowledge, investigates the emergence of geography as a social science and assesses the nature of the geographic contribution to an understanding of American society. (Author/DB)

Accused of harboring and supporting terrorists, Saddam Hussein's country of Iraq sits at the top of a short list of targets in United States war on terrorism. Iraq is a country about twice the size of the state of Idaho with a population of over 22 million. The country relies on oil for its economic well-being and controls what some estimate to be…

This teacher's guide on the 50 state quarters produced by the United States Mint includes six lesson plans that fit easily into the social studies curriculum for grades 2-3. The lesson plans include reproducible student work pages that coincide with each lesson; state facts and information about the 2001 states quarter designs (New York, North…

This paper shares the impressions of a participant from the 1996 Fulbright-Hays Summer Seminars Abroad Program in Mexico. These impressions address several current interest topics about international relations with Mexico including: (1) immigration; (2) politics; (3) education; (4) the economy; (5) the environment; (6) the media; (7) religion; and…

The impact of using integrated metacognitive instruction on high school students' achievement, self-efficacy, and test anxiety was studied. Forty students in 2 advanced geography classes in a large suburban high school participated. The level of metacognitive strategies students used at the beginning of the semester was assessed and compared to…

The current crisis in geography education has spawned several books on mapmaking, many of which advocate either recitation and drill or a conceptual top-down model that ignores children's interests. Maintaining that there is no substitute for hands-on experience, this book presents an alternative model. The initial emphasis is on local projects…

This lesson, one of four stand-alone lessons that examine Australia as an aspect of world history, introduces students to the environment and geography of Australia and the positions that Australia takes on global warming. Students are asked, as mock members of an Australian delegation to an international conference to be held in 2015 in Canberra…

The year 2003 marks the bicentennial of the 1803 Treaty of France, by which the United States of America acquired the Louisiana Territory, an area of more than 828,000 square miles. Upon this acquisition, known as the Louisiana Purchase, the territory of the United States doubled. Historians consider the Louisiana Purchase to be a landmark event…

These materials constitute part of an active, interdisciplinary, place-based curriculum that introduces fourth and fifth grade students to the concept of landscape and heightens awareness of the relationship between landscape and people. This photo packet contains nine color photos of the Boston-area landscapes that students use with "Picture…

Wisconsin's Model Academic Standards for Social Studies provide direction for curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development. The standards identify eras and themes in Wisconsin history. Many of these standards can be taught using content related to the study of Wisconsin. The sample lessons included in this document identify…

The mysterious darkness of Mammoth Cave in southwestern Kentucky, about 90 miles south of Louisville and 90 miles north of Nashville, has lured travelers to enter and warned them to stay away. From the dawn of time visitors have been awestruck by the cave's size and rugged beauty. This lesson is based on the National Register of Historic Places…

Surrounded by the beauty of southern Utah and panoramic views of three states, filigrees of colorful stones that erosion has shaped into a spectacular array of spires, fins, and pinnacles called "hoodoos" remind tourist viewers of church steeples, Gothic spires, castle walls, animals, and even people. In this lesson students explore why…

Canada's present role in the new world order and its trade and economic dimensions are clarified in this book. Furthermore, the book explains the intricacies of Canada's history and multicultural heritage. The chapters focus on the modes of social studies instruction, resources for learning and teaching, the use of films and videos, and new…