Argues that primary grade level teachers must provide activities which promote thinking skills before expecting achievement in map, globe, and graphing skills. Provides examples of activities which may be used to promote the basic thinking skills which underlie all school work. (JDH)

Reports efforts to investigate use of LOGO as mapping aid. While finding LOGO motivational, the authors conclude (1) children did not transfer skills from computer to other situations, (2) younger students appeared to be too young to benefit from the qualities of LOGO, and (3) claims of mental relationship between the graphics cursor and the…

Identifies five major aims for teaching about the United States in European secondary schools. Presents the content of eight themes for achieving these aims: (1) stereotypes; (2) location; (3) environmental diversity; (4) human response; (5) the peopling of the United States; (6) the U. S. political system; (7) the United States as a global power;…

Because most decisions on the basic requirements in public school curricula and on the funding required to implement them are made at the state level, it is proposed that the major U.S. geographical organizations join in a vigorous campaign to promote the establishment of strong state and metropolitan societies. (RM)

The central finding of a review of 63 high school history, geography, civics, and economics textbooks is that the textbooks are not accurately describing the world economy. For example, few of the texts refer to economic gains being made by many countries or mention the existence of middle income countries. (RM)

A study is outlined that evaluates the effectiveness of a program to train prospective college geography teachers by comparing those trainees with untrained teachers after one year of teaching experience. The study gathered information on teacher intentions, situations, feelings, and judgments about their profession. (MSE)

A study of 97 new college geography teachers revealed several problems in their preparation, situation, and performance. The teachers' recommendations at the end of their first teaching year are combined with the study's findings to suggest helpful actions by new teachers, their departments, graduate students, and graduate departments preparing…

Explains a mathematical formula used for locating public sites close to the expected geographic center of an area where population (or population density) and distance are the two major suitable variables. Application of the site selection methodology is proposed for schools, libraries, parks, and other public sites. (MLF)

Discusses major characteristics of the 21st century and stresses that a high degree of global interdependence is probable. Skills that students will need to deal with the future are identified and ways in which schools can prepare them for their future roles are specified. (Author/DB)

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is working together with state and local government and private sector partners to prepare the nation and the nation's schools for emergencies of all kinds. This teaching guide includes lessons, reproducible worksheets, and a classroom poster that can be used to reinforce key curriculum concepts while…

For people living in the 20th century, Russia has been associated with images of communism, the Bolshevik Revolution, totalitarian regimes and leaders, and the fears and stereotypes of the Cold War era. The dissolution of the Soviet Union, the end of the Cold War, and the liberal revolutions of the 1980s-1990s have provided an opportunity to…

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 4-6. The lesson plans include reproducible student work pages that coincide with each lesson; state facts and information about the 2001 state quarter designs (New York, North…

This paper presents a study unit on Japan for elementary students which can be adapted for any level. Lessons include: (1) "Video Traveling Activities To Accompany Students on Their Journey to Japan"; (2) "Travel Brochure"; (3) "Discovering Culture by Using a Realia Kit"; (4) "Comparative Geography Using the Five…

This document details Florida's state, elementary, intermediate, and secondary, social studies standards, approved May 29, 1996. It is divided into four grade level clusters: grades preK-2, grades 3-5, grades 6-8, and grades 9-12. For each cluster the standards are outlined for time, continuity, and change (history); people, places and…

The Water in Africa Project was realized over a 2-year period by a team of Peace Corps volunteers. As part of an expanded, detailed design, resources were collected from over 90 volunteers serving in African countries, photos and stories were prepared, and standards-based learning units were created for K-12 students. This unit, "Narrative…