This report describes a program designed to enhance social studies skills and knowledge. The target areas for enhancement are geography skills and community understanding. The targeted population is a second grade class in a rural Midwestern setting. The need for strengthening these skills was documented by observation, checklists, surveys, and…

This document focuses on using satellite images from space in the classroom. There are two types of environmental satellites routinely broadcasting: (1) Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellites (POES), and (2) Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES). Imaging and visualization techniques provide students with a better…

A geographical exercise becomes more meaningful and more fun if we feel we can contribute to it in some way. Three map exercises that get college students to participate in a beginning human geography course are presented. (SR)

Lessons involve K-12 students in analyzing teacher-developed state and local thematic maps, identifying countries of the world with which their city has a linkage as indicated by local ethnic restaurants, discussing local companies involved in international trade, and learning about foreign-made products in their home and community. (RM)

Two experiments investigated learners' procedures in acquiring knowledge from maps. The better learners used successful techniques for encoding spatial information, evaluating their progress, focusing attention on unlearned information, and partitioning the map by spatial region or concept. Visual memory ability was also important. (Author/GDC)

The cloze procedure, a technique developed for use with textual material and employed in the testing of readability and comprehension, may be useful in the investigation of cognitive mapping skills. The technical problems associated with the design of cloze tests are examined and the results of some empirical tests are reported. (BT)

Presents a classroom exercise for an introductory physical geography course on the college level which explores some aspects of vegetation mapping and the relationship between climate and vegetation type. (Author/DB)

Examines four methods of identifying Amish-Mennonite settlement: local population data on religious affiliation; location of Amish church districts and Mennonite churches; topographic maps; and surnames and cadastral maps. Topographic maps proved unsuitable. Other methods produced reasonable approximations of Amish and Mennonite settlement. (TES)

Presented is an activity where students conduct a micrometeorological study in their neighborhood using temperature, humidity measurements, and mapping skills. Included are a discussion of surface weather observations, the experiment, and directions. (KR)

Explains methods for structuring student participation in an archaeological expedition to develop the students' self-worth and to increase appreciation for history as it relates to the students' lives. Skills acquired may include: (1) earth science; (2) mathematics; (3) map reading skills; (4) communication skills; (5) writing skills; (6)…

Presents a lesson plan that enables children to identify their community as a nodal region. Includes field trips, map tracing and comparison, discussion, and observation. Emphasizes children's analysis of the effect of rail transportation on their community. Suggests using the students' community as a geographic laboratory for hands-on experience.…

Discusses the importance of geographic knowledge and understanding for learning history. Emphasizes five themes of geography: location, place, relationships within places, movement, and regions. Provides specific lesson suggestions. Argues for geography instruction's integration into all areas of social studies with maps and geographic themes. (DK)

Asserts that teaching principles and concepts related to global time is a test of student comprehension and an instructor's teaching ability. Describes how teachers can create an International Date Line Wheel for classroom demonstration purposes. Includes 11 figures illustrating how to make and use the wheel. (CFR)

Asserts that all maps lie in two ways: (1) by concealing part of the whole truth or (2) by falsifying some part of the truth. Discusses how this topic can be used in geography instruction. Includes a description of class assignments and figures illustrating how maps and written directions include inaccuracies and deliberate lies. (CFR)