National Clearinghouse for United States-Japan Studies

Need educational materials about Japan? See the SPICE program link to National Clearinghouse for U.S. - Japan Studies
http://spice.stanford.edu/docs/clearinghouse/

INTERNET TEACHER GUIDES:
http://spice.stanford.edu/docs/147

I am going to start posting recommended geography-based literature WITH LESSON PLANS...SO MANY GREAT PICTURE/NOVEL BOOKS to help teach geography using literature!!!

Starting with this title: "By the Great Horn Spoon!", by Sid Fleischman"

Related lesson plan found at this link:
http://education.boisestate.edu/compass/Facultyroom/LessonvaultAIG/GeoLit.htm

Book available through Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Great-Horn-Spoon-Sid-Fleischman/dp/0316286125

Get lost in Mapping: Find your way in Europe!!
http://www.ngsednet.org/uga
(click on "GeoAction/GAW Resources")

With help from the Utah & Hawaii Geographic Alliances, I have created a document with live links that is a one-stop guide to all types of activities and support for Geography Awareness Week.

The Utah Geographic Alliance website is hosting the document at the above site....The Hawaii Geographic Alliance has graciously let me use the format and some of their links for this document as well. The activities and suggested links are mainly geared to Utah teachers/core curriculum, but all are welcome to use the ideas collected here. Ideas for Geography Awareness Week:

• Join/sign up for Geography Alliance, MyWonderfulWorld, GeoAction! memberships and newsletters.
• See Geography Awareness Week /Utah geography core curriculum connections
• Links to free downloadable, Big Map and lesson plans
• Register for National Geographic Bee competition
• Children's literature connections for Geography Awareness Week
• Attend Utah regional GeoFests/teacher development activities
• Download FREE geography of Europe lesson plans!!
• Ideas for Geography Awareness Week activities
  

Make a BIG MAP, share ideas, watch videos, listen to music, read books all about Europe.....Enjoy and help celebrate Geography Awareness Week!!

CHEERS!!!!!!!!!

Geography / Map resource!!

I discovered a huge map resource for teacher/school/student use:
Maps That Teach: Free U.S. and World Maps and Puzzles http://www.yourchildlearns.com/geography.htm
"Maps that Teach take advantage of the fact that geography is spatial. They also utilize the way kids learn best, by actively participating in their learning; learning by doing. As students assemble the maps, they build a permanent mental picture of their world. From Maps that Teach, a student will learn about the continents and where they are in relation to each other; the countries of the world, their capitals and major cultural landmarks, physical features; what is far and what is near."

All kinds of printable maps (world,continents, countries, states, world regional maps,etc), map puzzles, online interactive maps, world atlas, BIG sized maps for download and printing..

Most of the printable maps, are basic outline (not labeled) maps...easy to use and print.
Very user-friendly site for teachers & students!!

Geography worksheets?

I'm not an enthusiast for using worksheets to teach geography!! I know that once in a while however...in a pinch to help reinforce an activity..a student worksheet would be acceptable. I found a website loaded with ready to use pdf.pages for map skills and geography (many topics and for many ages of students).


http://www.worldmapsonline.com/LESSON-PLANS/table-of-contents-lesson-plans.htm

Geography of "Rock 'n Roll"?

I found an odd, but interesting site linking geography to music...

http://www.jananddean-janberry.com/maps/maps.html

This website has a map of Southern California indicating locations of

all the places mentioned in songs by the singing duo

Jan & Dean as well as The Beach Boys...also places where the groups lived, worked, recorded songs..all California locales.

Interesting twist to teaching Southern California geography????

How to dig a hole to the center of the earth

http://browseinside.harpercollins.com/index.aspx?isbn13=9780064432184

Speaking of clay...I've had students build a cross-section model of the earth's inner layers in conjuction with the story: How To Dig A Hole To The Other Side Of The World, by Faith McNulty.
As you read this story to your students (assign students into teams of two) each team will model the different layers of the earth using clay as described in the story: core (small marble- sized ball) in a red clay, inner/outer mantle (surround the core with a different-colored layer of clay about 2" or more thick), and the crust (thin layer of blue-colored clay about 1/4" thick covering all of the mantle layer). When the story/models are completed, students (with a piece of string or a plastic knife) then cut the earth model in half. Each person then gets a "hemisphere" ....and students make little labels for each of the earth's layers (attach label to a toothpick or straight pin) and insert into the clay to identify the earth's inner layers. Great 3-dimensional geography/art projects for displays and take home.

I found a few more lesson plans (with lots of extensions) that relate to teaching about the inner layers of the earth. These lessons also use: "How To Dig a Hole to the Other Side of the World."

http://www.usmint.gov/kids/teachers/lessonPlans/50sq/2005/0406-3.rtf
http://www.thesolutionsite.com/lesson/1206/watsonelB1.html

http://www.nku.edu/~enved/services.htm

Realistically, we could not dig to the other side of the earth....but if we could? The following fun websites below will show you where you would exit (antipode locations) ...if you could dig to the other side of the world!!!!!
http://www.freemaptools.com/tunnel-to-other-side-of-the-earth.htmhttp://www.antipodemap.com/

Lantern festival

Sharing a cool video I found showing the 2007 Annual Latern Festival in Pingshi, Taiwan... for more information about lantern festivals:

http://www.chinavoc.com/festivals/lantern.htm

http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Cynthia/festivals/giant_lanterns.htm

Global "play-dough"

Students of all ages enjoy using clay for art projects, but try using it for geography projects as well! Using clay is a great way for students to learn vocabulary/tearms of physical geography features. For this project, send the following clay recipe home with students a couple of weeks prior to the activity date...ask them to make three batches of clay if possible in different colors: blue, green, & white (plain/no color). This recipe is one of the best that I have used for clay projects, because it's 1)fairly easy to make, 2) can be repeatedly re-used for different projects (if stored in plastic zip-bags or containers), and 3)projects made from this clay dry slowly, hold together for quite a while (and do not crack/fall apart).


GLOBAL "PLAY-DOUGH" recipe:
MIX:
1 cup flour
1 cup water (food coloring can be added here)
1/2 cup salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon cream of tarter
COOK:
Cook the above ingredients in a cooking pot over low heat...stirring constantly...until thick and lumpy. ( the dough will stir into a ball)
KNEAD:
When the dough has cooled, knead the dough for several minutes. (If the dough is too wet or sticky...it's not "cooked" enough...reheat in pan).
Let kneaded dough cool completely...store in plastic zip bags or plastic containers. The dough can also be refridgerated.

Global "play-dough" physical features ideas:
1) cut 6 in x 6 in squares of poster board or cardboard. Write three similar physical features vocabulary words on each board. Give each student (or pairs of students) a vocabulary board & clay...they must look up the definition of the words...& write them on the back of the card. Then the students use small amounts of clay to "model the physical feature".

Examples of geography physical features words for the cards:
key, island, boundary
source,lake, upstream
tributary, plateau, mesa
mt. pass, butte, canyon
island, bay, shore
point, reef, ocean
reef, compass rose, harbor
delta, harbor, bay
mesa, butte, plain
plain, peninsula, cape
cape, point, gulf
gulf ,bay, strait
boundary upstream island
mt, lake, forest
mouth(river), source, river
hill, plain, downstream


Students can make little labels to identify each physical feature...attach the labels to straight pins or toothpicks and insert into the clay. Students show the class their finished physical features definitions and "models"...As the students are explaining their models, the rest of the class writes the definition and sketches a pictures of the model as well. The students notes/sketches could be taken on a worksheet, journal, or 11x17 art paper folded into 16 squares.

geoGreetings

http://www.geogreeting.com/
What a fabulous and fun way to experience geography!!!
GeoGreeting from Google Earth lets you type a message or geoGreeting email....but the letters are spelled out in the shapes of buildings from around the world!
Using this website would be a great geography activity to use during your computer lab time, or use on a SmartBoard, on a single classroom computer or as homework. (Have your student's send a geoGreeting to your school email!)
And.... what a fun way to get the little kidlets to practice their alphabet!!!!

Geography Simulations

Are you looking for fun, interactive class simulations to teach your students geography? Check out INTERACT simulations

http://www.interact-simulations.com/!!

This company produces fun, challenging, hands-on, interactive group/class simulations for students concerning many subjects including geography &/0r social studies. The simulations include the the activities (w/ teacher lesson plans), scheduling details, student worksheets and background information. I have used several of these simulations over the years, and the students always loved the fun, crazy learning activities provided in the simulations.

My Favorites: Caravans (world geography), Athenian Secret (Ancient Greece+geometry), King Lexicon (Middle ages+dictionary work), Pioneers (stuggles of American pioneers), Greeks (ancient greece history), Dig (archaeology), Fitness (circulatory system and fitness activities), and many others. Some of these simulations require more class time than others, but can be adjusted for shorter time periods. Everytime I used these simulations with my classes, the kids loved the activities and hated to see the simulation end!!!!

You may order a free catalog of their simulations:http://www.interact-simulations.com/c/catrequest.html?nocache@14+s@ZlbHwBIsUS_z2

(Prices vary, but overall I've found them very resonable for all the materials you get with the teacher/student materials. The materials are reusable, so you may be able to use textbook funds?)

Many of my most wonderful memories from teaching had to do with crazy moments from these INTERACT Simulations!!!

Continental Quizzes/Tests

As a sixth grade teacher for many years, I discovered each year that many of my students could not name or locate the continents!! Therefore I always started the year with teaching the basics...shape of the earth/oceans and continents. I used many tools and teacher tricks to teach the continents, but found myself using this quick quiz (MAP READING--THE WORLD, PART 1, Milliken Publishing co.) for review, pretests, tests, etc. No, the continents are not to scale, but kids learn to recognize the shape of the continent as well. (double-click on image to enlarge) There are a zillion little tests and quizzes online now too..I've listed a few that I found. These sites are great geography continent practice resources/review for those sheduled times in the computer labs or if you have a one-computer classroom, --or you could use these sites as homework assignments. Many of these programs could be used for the really young kidlets too!!
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Games/GeographyGames/Geospy
(quick, easy loading game to identify continents)
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/World_Continents.htm
(audible/clickable maps for practice and quizzes)
http://www.lizardpoint.com/fun/geoquiz/index.html
(clickable map quizzes)
http://www.factmonster.com/quizzes/continents/1.html
(continental facts quiz)
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/geography/printable/50230.html
(printable quizzes)

Chinese New Year

Happy Chinese New Year! The above video is about the history of the Chinese New Year traditions. I've listed several teachers sites below with all kinds of lesson plans & activities related the Chinese New Year!

Start with a China Geography lesson plan from Asia Society: http://www.asiasociety.org/

http://askasia.org/teachers/lessons/plan.php?no=33&era=&grade=&geo=

Chinese New Year activities and customs:

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/chinese-new-year/#aboutchinesenewyear

http://www.kiddyhouse.com/CNY

http://holidays.pppst.com/chinesenewyear.html (online powerpoint presentations about Chinese New Year subjects)

http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/festivals/chinese.htm (lots of ideas here and lesson plans)

http://www.teachervision.fen.com/new-years/teacher-resources/6649.html (New Years celebrations and traditions of many different cultures!!)

Geography of Monarch Butterflies

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/butterflies/

I just received notice from PBS/NOVA of a new program: "The Incredible Journey of the Butterflies". FANTASTIC geography component when teaching butterfly metamorphosis to the younglings!!!!

"Program Overview :
NOVA traces the monarch butterfly's 2,000-mile migration to Mexico from Canada and the Northeastern United States." http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/teachers/programs/3601_butterfly.html

Excellent geography viewing/lesson ideas:http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/teachers/viewing/3601_butterfly.html

Additional links and book resources listed on the site as well!!http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/butterflies/resources.html

Also...if your school is still planning a Geography Awareness Week: Mapping the Americas...This would be a perfect subject to complement your Americas' mapping activities!!!!!

Rand McNally Classroom

I thought I would share a popular resource that I know many teachers are using to help them teach geography, social studies, earth sciences, and other subjects:
Rand McNally Classroom.
This is a subscription service but offers a FREE 14-day trial. See http://www.randmcnally.com for 14-day FREE online trial.

Rand McNally Classrsoom is an award-winning website loaded with easy access maps of all (18,00+) types of reference & history maps, online atlases, games, activities, lesson plans, current events, reference articles and teacher tools (including "Traveling Teddies" postcards, "Where in the world?" photos, etc)..

Rand McNally Classroom is content rich, and very user - friendly for teachers and students!

PARTNERS Video Mgazine

A GREAT FREE Geography Resource!!!!!!
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/partners/partners.html
Partners Video Magazine
Partners is an award-winning video magazine produced by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES). It highlights the programs and accomplishments of the partnership between CSREES and the Land Grant University System in the areas of research, education, and extension.

This USDA online video magazine website provides a huge variety of free materials including videos for download (or on DVD) on all types of technology & agricultural topics. Entire episodes or individual segments/topics are available for download. Episode titles include: Fueling America, The Science of Small, Fluid Planet, and many other geography related topics. This site also provides possible grant information!!!

Origami globes

http://ngdc.noaa.gov/ngdc.html

The National Geophysical Data Center &

NOAA Satellite and Information Services have many incredible satellite photos, maps, posters, and student activities at their education site : http://ngdc.noaa.gov/education/education.html --including

NGDC Origami Balloon (composite satellite world images that can be folded into a globe)

http://ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/image/origamiearth.pdf &

Dodecahedron (composite satellite images folded into another globe)

http://ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/image/dodecahedron.pdf

IB geography level website

WOW what a site for IB school geography instructors & students!

"The aim of geographyalltheway.com (& its updated site http://www.geographyalltheway.com/geogalot/)is to provide online geography resources, student projects, talking head instructors, weekly geography contest, professional development, newsletters, and lessons for geography teachers and students at Key Stage 3, MYP, GCSE, IGCSE, AS, A2 and IB Geography level "
(see following link for more site info)http://www.geographyalltheway.com/support/about_this_site.htm

Distance calculator

http://www.indo.com/distance/

This is a great website (with many other links) that quickly calculates distances between cities,etc.

Arctic Issues

I previously posted information about the NOVA PBS/ tv series "ARCTIC PASSAGE". In following the "books and links" from the "ARCTIC PASSAGE" webpage http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/arctic/ , I found three additional very helpful sites concerning Arctic geography subjects including human geography:
Arctic Studies Centerwww.mnh.si.edu/arctic/index.htmlThe National Museum of Natural History's Arctic Studies Center hosts a Web site dedicated to the culture of northern peoples. Explore issues of history, archeology, and social change.
NOAA Arctic Theme Pagewww.arctic.noaa.gov/index.shtmlThe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provides information on Arctic research, including a climate index, photo gallery, articles, and more.
Arctic Conservation www.panda.org/about_wwf/where_we_work/arctic/index.cfmThe WWF offers a Web site devoted to Arctic conservation, policy, and species protection. Learn about current issues affecting the region through audio and video clips, interviews, photos, and articles.