Educator Spotlight: Considering the ‘Why’ Behind Fantasy Maps

Ralph Covino combined a lesson on map-reading skills with a lesson on the Byzantine and Mongol Empires. By creating backstories for the maps of fantastical lands in Martin O’Leary’s “Uncharted Atlas,” students explored the many reasons behind borders throughout history. Continue reading Educator Spotlight: Considering the ‘Why’ Behind Fantasy Maps

Educator Spotlight: Channeling Curiosity to Teach Natural Phenomena

Sonia Saunders taught her fifth-graders how plants and animals obtain energy by presenting students with three “phenomena.” Through research, creativity, and collaboration, students were able to better understand Earth’s natural processes and see themselves as part of a larger ecosystem. Continue reading Educator Spotlight: Channeling Curiosity to Teach Natural Phenomena

Educator Spotlight: Expanding Perspectives through Outdoor Exploration and Social Media

Sharon Davison emphasizes the importance of spending time in nature. For her National Geographic Educator Certification capstone project, her kindergarten students went on a nature walk, made observations, wrote in journals, and then communicated their findings to people around the world using social media platforms. Continue reading Educator Spotlight: Expanding Perspectives through Outdoor Exploration and Social Media

Strategy Share: Building Empathy Through Virtual Immersion

The following post was written by 2017 Grosvenor Teacher Fellow Ali Farlow-Troy, a middle- and high-school science and physical education teacher in Toronto, Ontario, after her expedition to the Arctic. The Grosvenor Teacher Fellow Program is a professional development opportunity for pre-K–12 educators made possible by a partnership between Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic Education. Hanging off the bow of a ship called the National Geographic Explorer, watching a polar bear guide … Continue reading Strategy Share: Building Empathy Through Virtual Immersion