Presents a simple, yet effective method for drawing a world map that helps younger students remember the continents, oceans, and major seas. The only materials required are a ruler, paper, and a world map (a transparency would work best). Includes suggestions for related activities and ways to improve map skills. (MJP)

Reports on a study where pairs of students in the fifth and seventh grades generated and answered questions based on maps. Results indicated that students most often generated three types of questions: (1) symbol reading, (2) inferring latitude and longitude, and (3) interpreting scale. Analyzes these questions in regard to cognitive processes.…

Reintroduces and updates the geographic profile as a visualization technique for representing and analyzing the structure of geographical information. A computer software-generated profile focuses on specific information (persons per square mile in selected cities) and represents that information spatially on a graph. (MJP)

Outlines a variety of activities using each of Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences to teach map reading skills. The Multiple Intelligences are logical/mathematical, linguistic, musical, bodily/kinesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. Includes multiple activities for teaching six key ideas and four skills. (MJP)

Presents the results of a study contrasting conventional instruction with protocol lessons (a sequence of lessons based on developmental stages of learning with each lesson building on the previous one) concerning sketch maps. The students taught with the protocol lessons showed significant improvement over the other group. (MJP)