As a fifth grade teacher, I get to teach many subjects such as math, language arts, and science, but my true love is social studies. Because Virginia has not established social studies standards specifically for the fifth grade, my school division developed a local course called, My Place in Time and Space.1 One compelling (conceptual, divergent) question in the course is How am I connected to other spaces and places? Two supporting questions (answerable with facts or opinions) are Where have I been? and Where do I want to go in the world? To help my students engage with these inquiries, I…

Geo-Inquiry is an exciting new integrated, project-based process that connects students to real-world questions, National Geographic explorers and components of civic action. Created in collaboration with the Buck Institute, The Center for Civic Education and ESRI these sessions will introduce participants to strategies that develop the critical thinking skills needed to: ask questions, collect information, use GIS to visualize data, create a compelling story using photography and videography tips, and ultimately become advocates for change in their local community.   Part 2 of 2

Geo-Inquiry is an exciting new integrated, project-based process that connects students to real-world questions, National Geographic explorers and components of civic action. Created in collaboration with the Buck Institute, The Center for Civic Education and ESRI these sessions will introduce participants to strategies that develop the critical thinking skills needed to: ask questions, collect information, use GIS to visualize data, create a compelling story using photography and videography tips, and ultimately become advocates for change in their local community. 

How have human activities changed the Earth’s landscape, atmosphere, and ecosystems over the past two centuries? What are the ways to engage all kinds of middle school learners on human geography concepts as they relate to sustainability? In this webinar, participants will discover hands-on activities that build global awareness on population dynamics, land use patterns and environmental impacts (deforestation, climate change, and biodiversity loss) while cultivating critical thinking and problem-solving skills, communication and creativity. The presenters will explore the many applications…

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What kinds of information are needed – in particular what spatial data – to conduct apportionment and redistricting? Redistricting involves the creation of maps based on population data collected through the decennial census; an understanding of the history, geography, and economy of the region undergoing redistricting; and knowledge of the guidelines for treating everyone fairly to guarantee “one person, one vote”. In previous decades, it was difficult for average citizens to obtain information needed to assess whether maps were being drawn fairly, but with the advent of online geospatial…

In this ever changing, interdependent world, students need a geographic awareness that includes familiarity with different cultures, beliefs, and lifestyles to understand and address global issues.