Discusses beavers and their geomorphic impacts on their environment. Considers dam building, bank burrowing, and canal building. Suggests using the beaver as a classroom and field trip example to illustrate animals' effects on the physical landscape. Provides a review of published works on beavers in their roles as geomorphic agents. (DK)

Presents a classroom lesson that teaches about the transfer of plants and animals between Europe and the Americas as a result of the Columbian voyages. Includes a list of teaching resources and step-by-step procedures. (CFR)

Presents a one- to two-week instructional unit in which students create a newspaper based on the Columbian voyages to the Americas. Recommended instructional resources and step-by-step teaching procedures are included. Student evaluation sheets and a sample front page are provided. (CFR)

Describes the use of oral history as a means of having students experience qualitative research. Argues that instructors have to teach reading, listening, and writing skills to help students do oral history. Includes some problems associated with this method and suggests ways to overcome them. (CFR)

Uses the National Council for Geographic Education Competency-Based Geography Test to measure the 1987 level of geographic ability of more than 3,000 students enrolled in introductory classes at 18 Indiana institutions of higher education. Study provides a baseline level of geographic knowledge for future comparisons. Measures impact of gender,…

Maintains that comparison of students' sketch maps at the beginning and end of the year can provide information on how student's representations of the world changes. Describes a study from the California International Studies Project (CISP) that provides an easy method for sorting and summarizing sketch map data. Illustrates the method with…

Maintains that local school districts will soon be confronted with the task of implementing national standards in geography, history, civics, and government. Asserts that the geography community needs strong partners among teachers' unions and other educational organizations. (CFR)

Asserts that to establish standards-based education in K-12 geography, educators must develop strong instructional materials; train teachers to use those materials; and ensure adoption of the materials by providing curricular guidance. Maintains that alternatives to traditional content and instruction must be used. (CFR)

Contends that recent progress in improving geography instruction at the precollegiate level is not yet reflected at the college level. Maintains that a successful effort to create consensus guidelines for college geography majors would enhance geography's reputation as a science discipline and improve student skills and creativity. (CFR)

Asserts that the national geography standards must be relevant to everyone associated with educational reform. Argues that the special advantage enjoyed by geography during the Reagan-Bush administrations is slipping away. Suggests that one way for geography to demonstrate its relevance is to strengthen its ties with environmental education. (CFR)

Contends that the integration of history and geography has long been recommended by historians and social scientists. Discusses the five themes of geography and how they can be integrated into an effective lesson plan. Provides an annotated list of resources on this topic. (CFR)

Describes the background and development of the Geographic Inquiry into Global Issues (GIGI) project. Maintains that the secondary school lessons are designed to teach citizenship and critical thinking skills. Emphasizes that the pedagogical approach is founded on the inquiry approach. (CFR)

Describes an instructional activity in which students collected and analyzed data from an urban environment. Explains that students developed an "urban attractiveness scale" and used it to rate different urban areas. Concludes that the exercise was effective as a learning activity. (CFR)

Summarizes the objectives, guidelines, and skills sets contained within the 1994 National Geography Standards. Concise examples illustrate the implementation of broad objectives. Discusses how each stage of the curriculum is connected to developmental growth. Recommends increased cooperation and coordination between secondary and higher education.…

Details theoretical and practical uses for Statistics Canada's E-STAT CD-ROM in helping preservice teachers explore the local communities in which they are to teach. Claims that E-STAT allows users to learn mapping and graphing skills and to confront their preconceptions about particular locales. Notes possible uses in social studies instruction.…