People nowadays communicate with each other in many ways. Beyond sending letters and postcards, Internet services such as e-mail, blogs, chatrooms, instant messaging, and video conferencing are used. It should be no surprise that children love to get mail too, and it is nice to know that the envelope-and-stamp variety has not lost its charm.…

Elementary social studies has used the same scope and sequence for more than a half century despite significant changes in society. Efforts to reform the curriculum are adversely impacted by inertia, tradition, the culture wars, traditional state autonomy in setting curriculum, publishers, and competition between disciplines for space within the…

The Delaware Geography-Health Initiative is a Web- and GIS-based set of lesson units for teaching geographic concepts and research methods within the context of the state's high school geography standards. Each unit follows a research-based, inquiry-centered model addressing questions of health because of Delaware's high incidence of cancer,…

This article presents a field technique that exposes students to the indirect effects of habitat fragmentation on plant distributions through studying edge effects. This assignment, suited for students in an introductory biogeography or resource geography class, increases students' knowledge of basic biogeographic concepts such as environmental…

Six unsatisfactory ways of approaching geographic concepts in the classroom are presented. An alternative that would promote global-mindedness and the development of accurate mental maps in students is discussed in terms of teaching techniques. (JH)

Making and using needle-sort cards fosters logical thinking, facilitates accumulation of factual knowledge in geography and can be applied students at any grade level. (JH)

Describes a game, designed for use with primary grade level children, which uses a raised plastic relief map of North America to demonstrate the effect of a rising sea level in order to help the students focus on the variety and location of elevation changes in Canada and the northern United States. (JDH)

In 1984 the National Council for Geographic Education presented James Michener with a special award for his "Outstanding Contributions to Geographic Education through the American Novel." Michener's acceptance speech is presented. (RM)

The Commission on College Geography of the Association of American Geographers recently conducted a survey of 855 junior college presidents to determine the current status and role of geography instruction in their institutions. Instructional arrangements, courses taught, and role in terminal and transfer programs were outlined. (JO)

The most common igneous minerals and their diagnostic properties, which the author considers the most significant and pragmatic aspect of igneous geology for physical geography students, are discussed. The nature of igneous geology is also examined. (RM)

Presents and discusses a photograph showing the changing shoreline of Cape Hatteras. (RM)

Describes ways of teaching the initial steps of mapping on 1:10,000 scale base maps. Provides sample and exercises and discusses student pitfalls and solutions. (KC)

Argues that the best procedure for teaching the philosophy of geography is to show how philosophical issues arise from geographic concepts, assumptions, and problems. Explores philosophical assumptions inherent in locating things in space and determining their relationships. (Author/KC)

Describes the status of geography instruction in American public schools. Argues that geography literacy should address important issues of culture, competency, and conservation and thus should not be squeezed out of a standards-based school curriculum. Includes national K-12 human- and physical-geography standards. (PKP)

In last month's column, the authors examined the different kinds of maps that exist in everyday life. In this month's column, they experience, through simulation, the skills that are required of a cartographer. A cartographer is a person who practices the art of making maps. Cartographers' maps were often unique, visual representations of data.…