world in your classroom, The

Teaching Pre K-8, Nov/Dec 2003 by Bafumo, Mary Ellen

Spark students' interest and learning by practicing geography as a habit - starting with these five "worldly" activities

The study of geography literally opens a world of learning to students. Geography is innately appealing to students because of its kinesthetic nature. Maps and globes are meant to be touched. Landforms and climates are familiar realities. Cultures and traditions are intriguing. Spark learning by practicing geography as a habit, rather than a required classroom topic.

If you're thinking about the challenges geography poses, such as emerging nations or the lack of computer programs and up-to-date maps and globes, don't be concerned. Oaktag and floor space are all you need to start the geography habit. The following activities will help you out, too!

1. Create colorful unlabeled oaktag continents. Trace and enlarge continents from an atlas. Distribute six of the continents and place the seventh as a frame of reference. Volunteers locate their continent accurately on a floor map. Or, scramble the continents and have students arrange them accurately.

2. Include geography in your morning review of current events. Ask what's happening and where and then have students pinpoint the location on a map. Check back issues of National Geographic magazine to begin a map collection. If you display maps, you and your students are likely to use them frequently.

3. Use music to learn the names of the 50 states, rivers and mountains. Check with the music teacher for songs like "Fifty Nifty United States" that make it easy for students to learn and recall names and locations.

4. Purchase laminated placemats with a world map on one side and the U.S. map on the other, for each student. Stores like Wal-Mart sell these for less than a dollar each. Use a transition time during the day to play "Name That State!" Give directional clues such as, "Name a state west of the Mississippi, north of Kansa's and south of Canada." Individual maps for reference and brief, daily practice in game form are motivating ways to boost learning for your students.

5. After studying other cultures, assign cooperative groups to create a culture. Have students draw a map for their culture, add specific landforms, demonstrate an example of the language, traditions, government and dress. With scavenged classroom props, students can be wonderfully creative as they integrate content knowledge, art and language skills. Have fun!

Mary Ellen Bafumo directs principal and teacher development at the Council for Educational Change. E-mail: bafumome@prodigy.net