World History
The ERIC Digest The Nature of Geographic Literacy is by Alan Backler and Joseph Stoltman. It is from 1986. Despite the age of the article, it is still an interesting read. Students do not understand geography and this directly hinders their ability to understand history.
College students I teach often are clueless as to where American states are located. They are unaware of what countries are in Africa or Asia. No, neither Laos or Guyana is in Africa...
History teachers at all levels need to address geography before they launch into history or the students may not understand the lesson being taught.
From the site:
Much attention has been given recently to the "geographic illiteracy" of Americans. This attention has unfortunately reinforced the common view that geographic literacy consists only in knowing where things are. Where on a world map is Vietnam? Through which countries does the Nile River flow? Where is Atlanta located?
Knowing where things are is only the first step in attaining geographic literacy. Ultimately, geography is concerned with understanding why things are located where they are. To answer this type of question requires the use of a wide range of geographic themes, concepts, and skills. Birdsall (1986) says: "We must also be comfortable enough with the underlying concepts and principles of geography that our understanding of places and people will be enhanced, not limited."
This digest explores the nature of geographic literacy. It discusses 1) fundamental themes of geography, 2) basic geographic skills, and 3) likely outcomes of education for geography literacy.
- Literacy In Pre-hispanic Philippines
Literacy in Pre-Hispanic Philippines. When Spaniard Miguel de Legazpi came to Philippines, he found that a large portion of the population could read and write. This caused the priest to publish a book in the native script in 1593, long before the first...
- German Immigrants: Their Contributions To The Upper Midwest
German Immigrants: Their Contributions to the Upper Midwest This lesson plan uses German immigration to the USA as a method for teaching information literacy skills, primary sources, and Web evaluation skills. It is geared towards secondary students....
- Integrating Mexican-american History And Culture Into The Social Studies Classroom.
Integrating Mexican-American History and Culture into the Social Studies Classroom. This article looks at ways teachers can bring Mexican-American history into class. From the site: Hispanics in the United States are now the fastest growing and one of...
- Great Lesson Resources From The Virginia Alliance For Geography
The Virginia Geographic Alliance has developed some lessons for World History based on the essential knowledge of the Virginia SOLs, and often revolving around geography. I looked at two lessons, one for prehistory and one for early river civilizations....
- Teaching About Buddhism?
This site from National Geographic is interactive, and shows some wonderful pictures of the giant Buddhas that are found near caves Dunhuang, China. Dunhuang was near the ancient Silk Roads. In the early 20th century, archaeologists made an...
World History
The Nature of Geographic Literacy
The ERIC Digest The Nature of Geographic Literacy is by Alan Backler and Joseph Stoltman. It is from 1986. Despite the age of the article, it is still an interesting read. Students do not understand geography and this directly hinders their ability to understand history.
College students I teach often are clueless as to where American states are located. They are unaware of what countries are in Africa or Asia. No, neither Laos or Guyana is in Africa...
History teachers at all levels need to address geography before they launch into history or the students may not understand the lesson being taught.
From the site:
Much attention has been given recently to the "geographic illiteracy" of Americans. This attention has unfortunately reinforced the common view that geographic literacy consists only in knowing where things are. Where on a world map is Vietnam? Through which countries does the Nile River flow? Where is Atlanta located?
Knowing where things are is only the first step in attaining geographic literacy. Ultimately, geography is concerned with understanding why things are located where they are. To answer this type of question requires the use of a wide range of geographic themes, concepts, and skills. Birdsall (1986) says: "We must also be comfortable enough with the underlying concepts and principles of geography that our understanding of places and people will be enhanced, not limited."
This digest explores the nature of geographic literacy. It discusses 1) fundamental themes of geography, 2) basic geographic skills, and 3) likely outcomes of education for geography literacy.
- Literacy In Pre-hispanic Philippines
Literacy in Pre-Hispanic Philippines. When Spaniard Miguel de Legazpi came to Philippines, he found that a large portion of the population could read and write. This caused the priest to publish a book in the native script in 1593, long before the first...
- German Immigrants: Their Contributions To The Upper Midwest
German Immigrants: Their Contributions to the Upper Midwest This lesson plan uses German immigration to the USA as a method for teaching information literacy skills, primary sources, and Web evaluation skills. It is geared towards secondary students....
- Integrating Mexican-american History And Culture Into The Social Studies Classroom.
Integrating Mexican-American History and Culture into the Social Studies Classroom. This article looks at ways teachers can bring Mexican-American history into class. From the site: Hispanics in the United States are now the fastest growing and one of...
- Great Lesson Resources From The Virginia Alliance For Geography
The Virginia Geographic Alliance has developed some lessons for World History based on the essential knowledge of the Virginia SOLs, and often revolving around geography. I looked at two lessons, one for prehistory and one for early river civilizations....
- Teaching About Buddhism?
This site from National Geographic is interactive, and shows some wonderful pictures of the giant Buddhas that are found near caves Dunhuang, China. Dunhuang was near the ancient Silk Roads. In the early 20th century, archaeologists made an...