Monday and Tuesday of this week, Twilight sky watchers were treated to a
unusual conjunction of a crescent moon, Jupiter and Venus creating a clever,
"SMILEY FACE IN SPACE".
Friday, December 5, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Reposting: National Geographic Bee registration information
TIME SENSTITIVE INFORMATION: 2009 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BEE SCHOOL REGISTRATION
All schools wishing to participate in the National Geographic Bee must register yearly. Registration materials have been sent out to schools, so please "keep an eye out" for the materials in your school's mail. If your school does not receive registration information in the mail, (brochure/flier) please go the following link for registration details and deadline information: www.nationalgeographic.com/geographicbee.
Also see the above link for general Geographic Bee information and helpful study hints:
Get your school registered today for the 2009 National Geographic Bee! Good Luck with your School's Geographic Bee!!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
InternetResources for Maps & Map Making
A fabulous geographer, Carol Gersmehl, Monroe Community College, has provided the following excellent list of internet mapping resources!!!!
Internet Resources for Maps & Mapping—Examples November 2007 with July 2008 & December 2008 updates - - carol.gersmehl@gmail.com
U.S.
The U.S. Census provides ready-made maps about counties of the U.S. :
http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/atlas.html
This is a great introduction to census maps.
Topics: population, diversity, race, and Hispanic origin (by counties)
Use census.gov to create thematic maps using Census data from year 2000:
http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ThematicMapFramesetServlet?_bm=y&-_lang=en
“American Factfinder” provides data about the U.S.. It steps you through creating a map. If you want to look at all of the U.S., then you would map data for “counties.” If you want to look at a smaller portion of the U.S., you might map data for “tracts” or “block groups":
http://factfinder.census.gov/home/saff/main.html?_lang=en
Overview of American Factfinder:
http://factfinder.census.gov/jsp/saff/SAFFInfo.jsp?_pageId=gn7_maps
Thematic & reference maps:
http://www.census.gov/geo/www/maps/CP_MapProducts.htm
Use historical U.S. census data to create maps:
http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/collections/stats/histcensus/
Historical Census Browser. This site provides data for states and for counties—for every decade all the way back to 1790.
Find aerial photos and topographic maps for local areas in the U.S.
Terraserver and Topozone:
http://www.terraserver.microsoft.com/ --for aerial photos and topographic maps. Generally, choose a small area (part of a city or part of a county) and zoom in.
Use the National Atlas to find printable maps or to select layers for your own map (technical).
“Printable Maps” http://www.nationalatlas.gov/printable.html
mainly thematic maps
http://www.nationalatlas.gov/printable/reference.html
reference maps (with or without labels)
“Map Maker” Section http://nationalatlas.gov/natlas/natlasstart.asp Choose one state or a group of several states. Note “Redraw Map.” http://www.nationalatlas.gov/atlasftp.html http://www.nationalatlas.gov/atlasftp-na.html for download
Find maps and data about agriculture in the U.S. (Census of Agriculture, NASS)
http://www.nass.usda.gov/research/atlas02/ has nice already-made maps (e.g., about milk cows)
http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/
http://www.nass.usda.gov/QuickStats/ for data
http://www.nass.usda.gov/census/census02/censuscd/index.htm for data download for experienced GIS
Digital atlases provide ready-made maps. (William A. Bowen California Geographical Survey) We can talk about the use of circles and the choice of colors on these maps. Notice that there are separate maps for total number of persons vs. percentages of persons.
http://130.166.124.2/NYpage1.html maps about census data for New York City
http://130.166.124.2/dcpg1.html maps about census data for Washington, DC
http://130.166.124.2/US_1.html maps about census data (ancestry) for U.S. counties
Find data and maps about religion in U.S.
http://www.thearda.com/ http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/maps.asp Choose maps and reports about religious groups.
http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/society/rellinks.htm provides general overview and links
Other U.S. government websites (mortality, environmental quality, watersheds)
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/other/atlas/atlas.htm has already-made maps about diseases and types of injury from the Centers for Disease Control - Atlas of United States Mortality
EPA Enviromapper http://www.epa.gov/enviro/html/em includes NYC air sampling data after 9/11
EPA Surf Your Watershed http://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/locate/index.cfm includes “locate your watershed”
Find maps in the Library of Congress Map Collection. There are 1000’s of maps.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/gmdhome.html Search by keyword or choose a section.
This has many current and historic maps for the U.S. and also for other parts of the world.
WORLD (Also look into Google Maps and Google Earth!)
Worldmapper: http://www.worldmapper.org/ http://www.worldmapper.org/textindex/text_index.html
- has unusual type of map (cartogram); topics include present-day and also some historical:
Population in Year 1 http://www.worldmapper.org/ and
Wealth in Year 1 http://www.worldmapper.org/display.php?selected=159
World Resources Institute has maps and also data lists: for example http://earthtrends.wri.org/maps_spatial/index.php?theme=4
Columbia University, CIESIN, has maps: http://sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu/gpw/global.jsp
CIA Factbook is a basic source for reference maps and comparative data.
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html
Choose a country (e.g., Afghanistran) and you will see a map followed by much data and description. OR – Do not choose a country and then click on “Reference Maps” to see maps of world regions.
Globalis has many map layers about countries and world regions. http://globalis.gvu.unu.edu/index.cfm Start in upper left--choose a theme under Thematic Maps.
You will see maps about the entire world, or at top left, choose “Zoom to” to select an area.
Choose map topics under either “Statistics” or “Thematic maps.” Be sure to “Update map.”
Le Monde Diplomatique has already-made maps about issue-oriented and controversial topics.
http://mondediplo.com/maps/
Geography Network is an ESRI interactive mapping site where you can “Search” for maps.
http://www.geographynetwork.com/maps/arcexplorerweb.html You can launch ArcExplorerweb from here.
Using this can be more complicated, but is worth learning about.
Ready-made maps from National Geographic: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/atlas/
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/matrix3.html has “starter” lesson ideas
GOOD: Human footprint http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/map/atlas/africa-human-footprint.html
Perry-Castaneda Library Map Collection has many current and historic ready-made maps.
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/ Choose from a list of continents or from current interest topics.
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/ provides historical maps
UNESCO World Heritage has locator map, photos, and descriptions of important historic places.
http://whc.unesco.org/ Zoom in and move around on the map to see locations of important places.
http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31 Important historical places are listed within countries.
USGS Earthshots: Satellite Images of Environmental Change (satellite images)
http://edcwww.cr.usgs.gov/earthshots/slow/tableofcontents has image and article about each yellow dot
Various historic maps for U.S. and world
http://www.davidrumsey.com/ David Rumsey map collection provides 1000’s of historic maps, BUT
technology and sometimes GIS experience may be necessary.
Geography.about.com is a searchable site designed for teachers.
http://www.geography.about.com/ has dozens of links on the left side
World Atlas of Panoramic Aerial Images shows landforms and land cover. http://130.166.124.2/world_atlas/index.html COOL! Choose a region within the world or the U.S.
http://130.166.124.2/library.html shows contents of “The Electronic Map Library” by Wm. Bowen
GEsource is recommended by librarians for geography-related maps, data, and articles. http://www.gesource.ac.uk/worldguide/ summarizes CIA Factbook for countries
At top, for “Country,” please select country/region.” Then press “Go.”
http://www.gesource.ac.uk/geography_timeline.html Choose topic and date range.
http://www.gesource.ac.uk/worldguide/countrycompare.html Compare 4 countries at a time.
http://www.gesource.ac.uk/worldguide/cities.html has city maps (satellite images)
http://www.gesource.ac.uk/home.html Use “keyword search” to find maps and articles.
THANKS CAROL! Teachers: Great resources to use with your smart boards!!!!!!!!!!
Internet Resources for Maps & Mapping—Examples November 2007 with July 2008 & December 2008 updates - - carol.gersmehl@gmail.com
U.S.
The U.S. Census provides ready-made maps about counties of the U.S. :
http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/atlas.html
This is a great introduction to census maps.
Topics: population, diversity, race, and Hispanic origin (by counties)
Use census.gov to create thematic maps using Census data from year 2000:
http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ThematicMapFramesetServlet?_bm=y&-_lang=en
“American Factfinder” provides data about the U.S.. It steps you through creating a map. If you want to look at all of the U.S., then you would map data for “counties.” If you want to look at a smaller portion of the U.S., you might map data for “tracts” or “block groups":
http://factfinder.census.gov/home/saff/main.html?_lang=en
Overview of American Factfinder:
http://factfinder.census.gov/jsp/saff/SAFFInfo.jsp?_pageId=gn7_maps
Thematic & reference maps:
http://www.census.gov/geo/www/maps/CP_MapProducts.htm
Use historical U.S. census data to create maps:
http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/collections/stats/histcensus/
Historical Census Browser. This site provides data for states and for counties—for every decade all the way back to 1790.
Find aerial photos and topographic maps for local areas in the U.S.
Terraserver and Topozone:
http://www.terraserver.microsoft.com/ --for aerial photos and topographic maps. Generally, choose a small area (part of a city or part of a county) and zoom in.
Use the National Atlas to find printable maps or to select layers for your own map (technical).
“Printable Maps” http://www.nationalatlas.gov/printable.html
mainly thematic maps
http://www.nationalatlas.gov/printable/reference.html
reference maps (with or without labels)
“Map Maker” Section http://nationalatlas.gov/natlas/natlasstart.asp Choose one state or a group of several states. Note “Redraw Map.” http://www.nationalatlas.gov/atlasftp.html http://www.nationalatlas.gov/atlasftp-na.html for download
Find maps and data about agriculture in the U.S. (Census of Agriculture, NASS)
http://www.nass.usda.gov/research/atlas02/ has nice already-made maps (e.g., about milk cows)
http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/
http://www.nass.usda.gov/QuickStats/ for data
http://www.nass.usda.gov/census/census02/censuscd/index.htm for data download for experienced GIS
Digital atlases provide ready-made maps. (William A. Bowen California Geographical Survey) We can talk about the use of circles and the choice of colors on these maps. Notice that there are separate maps for total number of persons vs. percentages of persons.
http://130.166.124.2/NYpage1.html maps about census data for New York City
http://130.166.124.2/dcpg1.html maps about census data for Washington, DC
http://130.166.124.2/US_1.html maps about census data (ancestry) for U.S. counties
Find data and maps about religion in U.S.
http://www.thearda.com/ http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/maps.asp Choose maps and reports about religious groups.
http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/society/rellinks.htm provides general overview and links
Other U.S. government websites (mortality, environmental quality, watersheds)
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/other/atlas/atlas.htm has already-made maps about diseases and types of injury from the Centers for Disease Control - Atlas of United States Mortality
EPA Enviromapper http://www.epa.gov/enviro/html/em includes NYC air sampling data after 9/11
EPA Surf Your Watershed http://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/locate/index.cfm includes “locate your watershed”
Find maps in the Library of Congress Map Collection. There are 1000’s of maps.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/gmdhome.html Search by keyword or choose a section.
This has many current and historic maps for the U.S. and also for other parts of the world.
WORLD (Also look into Google Maps and Google Earth!)
Worldmapper: http://www.worldmapper.org/ http://www.worldmapper.org/textindex/text_index.html
- has unusual type of map (cartogram); topics include present-day and also some historical:
Population in Year 1 http://www.worldmapper.org/ and
Wealth in Year 1 http://www.worldmapper.org/display.php?selected=159
World Resources Institute has maps and also data lists: for example http://earthtrends.wri.org/maps_spatial/index.php?theme=4
Columbia University, CIESIN, has maps: http://sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu/gpw/global.jsp
CIA Factbook is a basic source for reference maps and comparative data.
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html
Choose a country (e.g., Afghanistran) and you will see a map followed by much data and description. OR – Do not choose a country and then click on “Reference Maps” to see maps of world regions.
Globalis has many map layers about countries and world regions. http://globalis.gvu.unu.edu/index.cfm Start in upper left--choose a theme under Thematic Maps.
You will see maps about the entire world, or at top left, choose “Zoom to” to select an area.
Choose map topics under either “Statistics” or “Thematic maps.” Be sure to “Update map.”
Le Monde Diplomatique has already-made maps about issue-oriented and controversial topics.
http://mondediplo.com/maps/
Geography Network is an ESRI interactive mapping site where you can “Search” for maps.
http://www.geographynetwork.com/maps/arcexplorerweb.html You can launch ArcExplorerweb from here.
Using this can be more complicated, but is worth learning about.
Ready-made maps from National Geographic: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/atlas/
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/matrix3.html has “starter” lesson ideas
GOOD: Human footprint http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/map/atlas/africa-human-footprint.html
Perry-Castaneda Library Map Collection has many current and historic ready-made maps.
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/ Choose from a list of continents or from current interest topics.
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/ provides historical maps
UNESCO World Heritage has locator map, photos, and descriptions of important historic places.
http://whc.unesco.org/ Zoom in and move around on the map to see locations of important places.
http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31 Important historical places are listed within countries.
USGS Earthshots: Satellite Images of Environmental Change (satellite images)
http://edcwww.cr.usgs.gov/earthshots/slow/tableofcontents has image and article about each yellow dot
Various historic maps for U.S. and world
http://www.davidrumsey.com/ David Rumsey map collection provides 1000’s of historic maps, BUT
technology and sometimes GIS experience may be necessary.
Geography.about.com is a searchable site designed for teachers.
http://www.geography.about.com/ has dozens of links on the left side
World Atlas of Panoramic Aerial Images shows landforms and land cover. http://130.166.124.2/world_atlas/index.html COOL! Choose a region within the world or the U.S.
http://130.166.124.2/library.html shows contents of “The Electronic Map Library” by Wm. Bowen
GEsource is recommended by librarians for geography-related maps, data, and articles. http://www.gesource.ac.uk/worldguide/ summarizes CIA Factbook for countries
At top, for “Country,” please select country/region.” Then press “Go.”
http://www.gesource.ac.uk/geography_timeline.html Choose topic and date range.
http://www.gesource.ac.uk/worldguide/countrycompare.html Compare 4 countries at a time.
http://www.gesource.ac.uk/worldguide/cities.html has city maps (satellite images)
http://www.gesource.ac.uk/home.html Use “keyword search” to find maps and articles.
THANKS CAROL! Teachers: Great resources to use with your smart boards!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
U.S. National Parks
A fun way for your children and students to learn geography, is to have them plan a vacation to a U.S. National Park.
The National Park Service http://www.nps.gov/
has a very user friendly website packed with information about each and every National Park--including lesson plans for teachers, free materials, videos for download, maps, history & culture information, trip planning guides, science information, and an interactive Kids' Zone.
Have your students prepare presentations for a "National Park Day"....and invite the whole school to visit (i.e. similar to a science fair)....Make it a competition to see who can produce the most exciting, INFORMATIVE, National Park presentation (let the visiting students vote for their favorite presentation)! And most importantly, make sure all of the students' presentations have a geography component using The Five Themes of Geography as a focus for their research.
The Five Themes of Geography?
Location, Place, Movement, Human/Environmental interactions, Regions
http://geography.mrdonn.org/5themes-definitions.html
The National Park Service http://www.nps.gov/
has a very user friendly website packed with information about each and every National Park--including lesson plans for teachers, free materials, videos for download, maps, history & culture information, trip planning guides, science information, and an interactive Kids' Zone.
Have your students prepare presentations for a "National Park Day"....and invite the whole school to visit (i.e. similar to a science fair)....Make it a competition to see who can produce the most exciting, INFORMATIVE, National Park presentation (let the visiting students vote for their favorite presentation)! And most importantly, make sure all of the students' presentations have a geography component using The Five Themes of Geography as a focus for their research.
The Five Themes of Geography?
Location, Place, Movement, Human/Environmental interactions, Regions
http://geography.mrdonn.org/5themes-definitions.html
This is one of many videos available on the http://www.nps.gov/ for download.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Maps and Geography for the little ones
To start introducing your younglings to maps and geography (ages 5-6)...
Visit:
http://pbskids.org/bigbigworld/parentsteachers/activities_14.html
The PBSKids.org website It's a Big Big world offers some simple ideas and family activities to start your kids and students thinking geographically by introducing them to the use of maps..
Multicultural December Celebrations
December is a month full of many types of celebrations around the world.I found a great website at EducationWorld.com with lots of ideas and lesson plans for helping your students celebrate the gegographical & multicultural aspects of the December season:
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson246.shtml
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson246.shtml
Crayola.com also has wonderful multicultural art projects AND lesson plans: http://www.crayola.com/lesson-plans/
(Search for a specific activity by subject, month, or grade...)
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thanksgiving Celebrations around the World
I found a really great website that gives information about how Thanksgiving is celebrated differently around the world--Korea,
Malaysia, Africa, Australia, U.K., Canada, U.S., and India:
Thanksgiving Day Around the World
http://www.thanksgiving-day.org/thanksgiving-around-world.html
"Thanksgiving is essentially a harvest related festival. It celebrates communal harmony. Though it is said to have been originated in America, a number of other countries celebrate harvest related festivals. They are observed with different names and in different seasons.Harvest related festivals, all the over the world are characterized with lot of fun and merrymaking. Each region has its unique customs and traditions to jubilate the occasion. Canada celebrates thanksgiving on the second Monday in the month of October. India also has a number of harvest related festivals in different regions. Popular regional festivals are Pongal, Baisakhi, Lohri, Onam etc. Though the underlying principle behind each of them is same, every festival is exclusive and different from the other.Other Asian countries such as China, Malaysia, Korea celebrate the festival on different dates. Each festival has a folklore attached to it. Harmony, peace, feeling gratitude is the underlying theme of the celebration all over."
(Teachers--No lesson plans @ this website, but a great "research" site for information/student reports.)
FROM MY CORNER OF THE WORLD TO YOUR CORNER OF THE WORLD......HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
Malaysia, Africa, Australia, U.K., Canada, U.S., and India:
Thanksgiving Day Around the World
http://www.thanksgiving-day.org/thanksgiving-around-world.html
"Thanksgiving is essentially a harvest related festival. It celebrates communal harmony. Though it is said to have been originated in America, a number of other countries celebrate harvest related festivals. They are observed with different names and in different seasons.Harvest related festivals, all the over the world are characterized with lot of fun and merrymaking. Each region has its unique customs and traditions to jubilate the occasion. Canada celebrates thanksgiving on the second Monday in the month of October. India also has a number of harvest related festivals in different regions. Popular regional festivals are Pongal, Baisakhi, Lohri, Onam etc. Though the underlying principle behind each of them is same, every festival is exclusive and different from the other.Other Asian countries such as China, Malaysia, Korea celebrate the festival on different dates. Each festival has a folklore attached to it. Harmony, peace, feeling gratitude is the underlying theme of the celebration all over."
(Teachers--No lesson plans @ this website, but a great "research" site for information/student reports.)
FROM MY CORNER OF THE WORLD TO YOUR CORNER OF THE WORLD......HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The Thanksgiving holiday origins
Thanksgiving...a great holiday. But where and when did the holiday originate? The History Channel has a great video as to the holiday's beginnings:
bcpid1681694254/bclid1672079702/bctid1586348651
Friday, November 21, 2008
Great Geography Quote
"Big Tiger had never had a map in his hand before, but he pretended to know all about maps and remarked airily: “I can’t read the names on this one because they’re in English.” Christian realized he would have to show his friend how to read a map. “The top is north,” he said. “The little circles are towns and villages. Blue means rivers and lakes, the thin lines are roads and the thick ones railways.” “There’s nothing at all here,” said Big Tiger pointing to one of the many white patches. “That means it’s just desert,” Christian explained. “You have to go into the desert to know what it looks like.”….. “That’s a fine map,” said Big Tiger. “It’s useful to be able to look up beforehand the places we reach later.”….. “Are there bandits about here?” asked Christian. “Perhaps it’s written on the map,” Big Tiger ventured. “Look and see.”…..
Big Tiger and Christian by Fritz Muhlenweg,
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Celebrate Geography Awareness Week in a BIG WAY
Celebrate Geography Awareness Week (GAW) in a BIG WAY.. with a BIG MAP of the Americas! Download a FREE "toolkit"
from National Geographic's GeoAction! website that includes the individual pieces for this map project, lesson plans, and ideas for
a school-wide GAW celebration theme of "Mapping the Americas"!
GOOD NEWS!! If you missed Geography Awareness Week this year (November 16-22)-- These materials will be available at the above website for the entire year. Celebrate "Mapping the America's" in a BIG WAY with a BIG MAP any time during the year!!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
"Earth: The Apple Of Our Eye" lesson plan
This amazing lesson plan is perfect for showing how little of our planet actually produces all the food for the world's population....and how important it is to protect these limited agricultural/ocean food producing resources. I've seen several versions of this lesson, but this one gives information about food products from the ocean as well. This Lesson plan comes fromPopulation Connection:
Double-click on the images to enlarge.......
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Toot & Puddle..geography/picturebook characters come alive!
Meet NOGGIN's new friends, Toot & Puddle, premiering Sunday, 11/16 at 7PM ET! Come along on the adventure every day at 5PM ET.
Toot & Puddle is a terrific series of picturebooks about the travels and adventures of two crazy little pigs...great way to introduce the younger kidlets to geography!!
See a clip from the new series:
NOVEMBER IS AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH
November is the month designated to remember the nation's first peoples. Social studies lessons come to life with these projects that explore history and contemporary Native American culture.
The Crayola.com website has some terrific art projects to not only support American Indian Heritage Month, but Geography Awareness Week:Mapping the Americas:
The Crayola.com website has some terrific art projects to not only support American Indian Heritage Month, but Geography Awareness Week:Mapping the Americas:
- Hides that Reveal http://www.crayola.com/lesson-plans/detail/hides-that-reveal-lesson-plan/
- Homes for Native Nations http://www.crayola.com/lesson-plans/detail/homes-for-native-nations-lesson-plan/
- Raven the Trickster http://www.crayola.com/lesson-plans/detail/raven-the-trickster-puppet-tales-lesson-plan/
- Longhouse-spirits http://www.crayola.com/lesson-plans/detail/longhouse-spirits-lesson-plan/
- Hopi-Kachina Figures http://www.crayola.com/lesson-plans/detail/hopi-kachina-figures-lesson-plan/
- Begin with a Buffalo http://www.crayola.com/lesson-plans/detail/begin-with-a-buffalo-lesson-plan/
- Cork Husk characters http://www.crayola.com/lesson-plans/detail/corn-husk-characters-lesson-plan/
- Rainbow in a rug http://www.crayola.com/lesson-plans/detail/rainbow-in-a-rug-lesson-plan/
- Native American pendants http://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages/print/native-american-pendants-coloring-page/
Thanks, Crayola.com for your great art lessons!!!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
More Geography Links
" Take students on a virtual whirlwind tour of the world this November with MyWonderfulWorld.org, a National Geographic-led campaign to give kids the power of global knowledge. During Geography Awareness Week (November 16-22), experience a range of geo-activities designed to engage kids in exploring their world while they become more informed global citizens. You can take a geo-tour of global hotspots on a virtual globe, including polar regions, coral reefs, and great cities. Explore earth's marine ecosystems as you pilot an underwater vehicle. Hear from young people living and working around the world. Give kids the power of global knowledge! Find out how you can help now at http://www.mywonderfulworld.org/gaw to see the world in new ways!
The page, linked closely to the Geography Action! page on NG.com, is designed to educate the public about what geography has to offer, providing tools and resources for students and their families to explore.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Geography-at-a-Glance
In support of Geography Awareness Week: Mapping the Americas,
check out the following fabulous http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ websites for teachers, kids, and parents:
check out the following fabulous http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ websites for teachers, kids, and parents:
- National Geographic EdNet teacher site: http://www.ngsednet.org/
- National Geographic education gateway site: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/education/
- National Geographic Bee school competition and registration information: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geographicbee
- The JASON Project Bring your students into the exciting world of scientific exploration and discovery, as a JASON Argonaut! A nonprofit subsidiary of the National Geographic Society, JASON connects young students with great explorers and great events to inspire and motivate them to learn science. Its core curriculum units are designed for 5th – 8th grade classrooms but are flexible enough to be adapted for higher or lower grades. http://www.jason.org/public/home.aspx
- National Geographic Student Expeditions Designed for high school students, these hands-on expeditions combine education and adventure with projects that allow students to focus on photography, writing, culture, or conservation. http://ngstudentexpeditions.com/
- Geography Action!Find out more about our annual K-12 geography education and awareness program—a five-year world curriculum tour starting in Africa. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geography-action/index.html
- My Wonderful World Campaign Help give kids the power of global knowledge. Parents and educators, take action. Find out more!
- National Geographic Channel http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/
- National Geographic Xpeditions Maps, lesson plans,Xpedition Hall http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/hall/
- National Geographic Live! Live events for students featuring National Geographic explorers, scientists, adventurers, and photographers.http://www.ngsednet.org/community/index.cfm?community_id=482
- Giant Traveling Maps Geography comes alive when a Giant Traveling Map visits your school, taking K-8 students on an unforgettable hands- and feet-on adventure! http://www.ngsednet.org/community/index.cfm?community_id=515
- Join Your State Geographic AllianceYour local geography alliance can help you get classroom materials, extend your skills with professional development opportunities, and meet fellow geography-minded educators in your community. http://ngsednet.org/community/about.cfm?community_id=94
- ePals Join the leading global online community of connected classrooms for safe collaborative learning and project-sharing. http://www.epals.com/
- In2Books ePal's research-based, curriculum-aligned e-mentoring program for 3rd-5th graders. Free to Title I schools for the 2008-09 academic year. http://in2books.epals.com/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fdefault.aspx
- All Roads Film project With 29 dynamic films and 4 captivating photography exhibits, collectively representing 20 cultures from 15 countries, the 5th anniversary of the All Roads Film Festival showcases a special selection of contemporary stories from indigenous and under-represented minority artists from across the globe.
- NatGeo Music http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com/worldmusic/view/page.basic/home
- National Geographic Maps http://maps.nationalgeographic.com/maps
- NGS Literacy/School Publishing:http://ngsp.com/
(A few of the above website descriptions are direct quotes from NGS links)
Sunday, November 9, 2008
MyWonderfulWorld.org
To all Teachers: Did you know that of all the subjects called out in the
No Child Left Behind mandates--GEOGRAPHY RECEIVES ABSOLUTELY
ZERO FUNDING??? TRUE. National Geographic is part of a huge business coalition leading the charge to change the Federal funding status of Geography dictated by NCLB!! They have created an on-line campaign to raise 100,000 "signatures" (online registrations) in support of the coalition campaign's to include funding and requirements for teaching Geography in America!
Go to MyWonderfulWorld.org today and register your "voice/signature"....and indicate that you too believe Geography Education is not only important....but vital to the future of our country and our world. If you wish, there is also a link on the website, where you may send a ready-made email message/letter to all of your state's legislative Representatives (county and national) indicating your concern for proper funding of NCLB's geography requirements....easy! Join the MyWonderfulWorld.org coalition! Register your "voice" to improve funding for Geography at the MyWonderfulWorld.org site today!!
Geography Awareness Week: Mapping the America's
CELEBRATE GEOGRAPHY AWARENESS WEEK:
NOVEMBER 16-22, 2008!!
"For more than a century, the National Geographic Society has fostered awareness of the world’s diverse cultures and environments. The tradition continues with Geography Action! , an annual awareness program that helps educators promote geographic fluency in schools and communities across the United States and Canada."
Geography Action! Mapping the Americas
"Join schools from across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico in planning celebrations during Geography Awareness Week, November 16-22, and throughout the school year. Download a free Geography Action! Mapping the Americas Toolkit filled with activities, maps, and tips for planning highly interactive, festive events for students, families, and communities to enjoy.
Find more ways to celebrate online and in your community at the Geography Awareness Week website. "
NOVEMBER 16-22, 2008!!
"For more than a century, the National Geographic Society has fostered awareness of the world’s diverse cultures and environments. The tradition continues with Geography Action! , an annual awareness program that helps educators promote geographic fluency in schools and communities across the United States and Canada."
Geography Action! Mapping the Americas
"Join schools from across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico in planning celebrations during Geography Awareness Week, November 16-22, and throughout the school year. Download a free Geography Action! Mapping the Americas Toolkit filled with activities, maps, and tips for planning highly interactive, festive events for students, families, and communities to enjoy.
Find more ways to celebrate online and in your community at the Geography Awareness Week website. "
Make a "BIG MAP" for Geography Awareness Week
Make a BIG MAP for Geography Awareness Week: Mapping the Americas Nov 16-22, 2008!!!The map shown here is composed of enlarged "map tiles". Students are given several tiles, which they need to correctly tape together, color, & add geography features as directed by the teacher. Each student then matchees their set of connected tiles to another child's set of tiles...ultimately forming a 12' x 20' map of the Americas!!
The tiles (177+key!) are FREE and can be downloaded from the National Geographic GeoAction! website toolkit: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geography-action/index.html
You can download just the tiles you wish (if you only want a map of North America), and use them for any geographic topic...all ages of kids and adults love this activity! Ideas for how to use this map are available at the above website as well. This group of teachers put the North America section together (without coloring) in about 20 minutes. It will obviously take more time for kids to do this so plan accordingly, and you'll need to schedule a large room or gym, and have lots of scotch tape available!
Enjoying Mapping the Americas in a BIG WAY during Geography Awareness Week, Nov. 16-22, 2008!!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Utah Atlas
FINALLY! A fabulous student-friendly, State Curriculum CORE aligned, low-cost, atlas of Utah is now available!! The Utah Atlas was developed by Cliff B. Craig , Ph.d. & M. Elijah Carr, M.S. (Geography Department, Utah State University), and is published by: Gibbs-Smith
This Atlas is particulary perfect for teaching Utah Studies subjects taught in 3rd, 4th & 7th grades where traditional world atlases do not contain enough Utah specific Geography/History maps.
"This full-color atlas boasts 32 pages of maps, including:
- political
- topographical
- climate
- population
- historic"
www.gibbs-smith.com/education
education@gibbs.smith.com
1-800-748-5439
Price: $6.95 (with discounts for orders over 25 copies!)
ISBN:
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