Offers a thematic approach for social studies scope and sequence. Outlines 10 themes which are offered at each grade level K-12 providing the scope for the curriculum. Illustrates how higher-order thinking and inquiry can be incorporated into the program and outlines the content for grades K-12. (SLM)

Examines, within the Geography Curriculum, the emphasis on rural settings in studying developing countries, and argues that such emphasis is conducive to racism. The authors argue that this emphasis is inappropriate when the largest cities are now present in these countries while Europe's cities are shrinking. A list of educational resources that…

Compared data on English first graders' understanding of geographical terms in 1991 with data from 1993, after two years of National Curriculum for Geography. Found no significant differences; children from both groups had restricted or inconsistent understanding of many terms, and often constructed their own meanings based on intuition or…

Describes an interdisciplinary unit involving math, English, science, and geography. Discusses support and development of the project, objectives for teachers and students, pitfalls and successes, equipment and supplies, and benefits. (MKR)

Describes the interdisciplinary approach of one British school for handicapped students to make students aware of environmental issues and to foster active participation in the care of the school and the extended environment. Discusses activities designed for the elementary, middle, and senior schools integrating environmental education into…

Discusses semantic complexities rampant in attempts to define rurality. Examines environmental and economic aspects of rurality and impacts on education. Proposes a definition of rurality based on five human considerations: approximate geographic divisions, level of access to community services, industry type, population makeup, and the…

The development of conceptual knowledge about the earth among 60 elementary school students in grades 1, 3, and 5 was studied through questions about its shape. In the process of knowledge acquisition, children appear to modify their initial models to make them more consistent with the culturally accepted model. (SLD)

Discusses the history of the Caribbean region and issues affecting the resion. Addresses language diversity, cultural interchanges, historical and cultural realities, ideological pluralism, and efforts at area cooperation. Suggests that the cultural diversity, innovation, and creativity that are such a part of Caribbean cultures can form the basis…

Students who learn more geography have a dual payoff: intellectual challenge through the introduction of new, stimulating information about people, places, and regions; and exposure to career possibilities that did not exist even five years ago. The 18 national geography standards stress a spatial world view, places and regions, physical and human…

Discusses cooperative learning as a means of teaching geography. Urges production of a positive classroom climate by using group builders and cooperative projects. Suggests projects involving maps, community study, and bulletin boards. Argues that students in cooperative learning become more involved in the subject and more motivated to learn…

Presents results of a study determining the level of place name knowledge and map skills of middle school pupils. Explores place location, symbols, legend, scale, seasons, directions, time zones, latitude, and longitude. Reports higher scores for males, transient students, and previous students of geography. Concludes that increased instruction is…

The use of ecological regression in voting rights cases is discussed in the context of a lawsuit against Los Angeles County (California) in 1990. Ecological regression assumes that systematic voting differences between precincts are explained by ethnic differences. An alternative neighborhood model is shown to lead to different conclusions. (SLD)

D. Freedman and others and W. Clark and P. Morrison misunderstand case law in the voting rights area and have unrealistic standards of precision that, if adopted, would make it virtually impossible for minority plaintiffs to succeed. Ecological regression, when used with care, is a reliable tool. (SLD)

This 1963 article, reprinted from the "Journal of Geography" lamented the lack of geographic education. Urged geographers to promote the subject and ensure its place in the curriculum. Claimed school administrators failed to understand geography's vital role. Discussed current status of the field and mentioned poor student test scores. (NL)

Suggests that feature films produced in developing nations can serve as an aid to geographic instruction because they visually represent conditions of daily life. Uses two films, "Salaam Bombay" and "Sugar Cane Alley," to illustrate geographic understanding. Appendices include information on film distributors, background…