Describes Project Marco Polo in which students, teachers, and staff from "National Geographic" and the U.S. Navy traveled to Japan. Reports that they studied Japanese culture, oceanography, and natural science while on the trip. Includes excerpts from field journals kept by the participants, photographs of the trip, and a map. (DK)

Addresses the question of why Mesoamerican religions and related cultures disappeared after the conquest. Argues that certain principles of social organization and behavior have survived to today. Discusses four principles among those that have always been of fundamental importance to Mesoamerican peoples: (1) cardinality; (2) duality; (3)…

Argues current social studies reform movement raises false dichotomy between those who would emphasize content of history geography and those who would focus on critical thinking or information processing skills. Contends real goal of social studies should be practical citizenship competencies/participation. Concludes that teachers should create…

Presents a bibliography of 18 video products for use in the classroom. Includes programs on geography, Japanese culture, Native American culture and history, change in the former Soviet Union, and the Persian Gulf War. Gives a brief description of each program. Lists recently released software programs on geography, tests, history, and computer…

First published in 1969 in "Journal of Geography," this article suggested an introductory geography course provided an introduction to field of geography and provided useful image of world. Claimed that these objectives were viewed as incompatible, and suggested a geography course that served both purposes. Described early textbooks and the…

Argues that dispute between history and social studies in the curriculum is not recent but goes back 75 years. Asserts the term "social studies" is not a separate discipline but simply an umbrella term to describe the broad field of social subjects offered in the school curriculum. Calls for an end to the dispute between history and…

Reviews research on geographic literacy, particularly related to identification of countries, cities, and physical features of maps. Reports that preservice social studies teachers had difficulty in constructing accurate mental world maps. Provides practical suggestions for improving the geographic literacy of preservice teachers. (CFR)

Discusses the impact of globalization on the jobs and trade of Canada. Emphasizes new relationships with countries in Latin America and Africa. Notes the types of trade that Canada enjoys with these two areas and encourages expansion of business into them. (DSK)

Presents a chart of socioeconomic data for 38 developing countries and the United States. Includes statistics on GNP per capita, percent of people living on less than one dollar a day, under-age-5 mortality rate, percent of population without access to safe water, and total adult-literacy rate. (DSK)

Discusses the development at Bowen High School (Chicago, IL) of firsthand experiences to create connections for students between their local and global worlds. Outlines the course, explains specific projects, and discusses links between the classroom and community. Includes a list of helpful teaching resources. (DSK)

Notes the cultural turn in geography toward children's issues. Addresses four research issues: (1) background to current research trends; (2) ethical issues associated with working with children; (3) examples of good methodological practices for working with children; and (4) provocative issues dealing with geographers studying children. (DSK)

Reviews reasons for incorporating work-based learning (WBL) into higher education degrees and the barriers to achieving this. Notes five key dimensions of WBL. Describes and evaluates environmental audits undertaken in a graduate geography course at Lancaster University (England). Makes recommendations for maximizing the benefits of WBL in…

Interviews faculty who teach introductory geography education courses, and surveys preservice students in them, to determine if a course at the University of Northern Colorado meets the Colorado Geography Standards. Uses the results to design introductory courses that strengthen skill and content training. Assesses the success of these courses.…

Suggests how teachers can approach the Internet conceptually and use it practically as they teach about the American South. Asserts that the Internet should be seen as representing a "place" where students and teachers can appraise the South from multiple, alternative perspectives. Offers lesson strategies and resources. (CMK)

States that the Bown house, built in 1879 and overlooking the Oregon Trail, serves as a case study for demonstrating how historical houses can be used to teach about the past. Explains that the house is used as a living laboratory for social studies and describes the six rooms in detail. (CMK)