Are your students ready for the GeoBee? Let’s help them prepare!

Good geographers combine information from different sources to arrive at logical conclusions. Through participating in the National Geographic GeoBee, your students will use the knowledge they have of the basic patterns of climate, geology, vegetation, landforms, human settlement, history, migration, and commerce—combined with their knowledge of regions and place-names—to answer questions. GeoBee questions are designed to teach students about these topics in varied ways, and … Continue reading Are your students ready for the GeoBee? Let’s help them prepare!

Five Fun Ways to Teach Halloween … Geographically!

‘Tis the season of All Hallows Eve(n). Did you know that the holiday name “Hallowe’en” comes from the Old English phrase “All Hallows Evening?” ” E’en is a shortened form of “even,” which is an abbreviation of “evening.” The commercialization of holidays often means that their historic and geographic origins all but disappear from the public consciousness … spooky! So channel your inner Jack-o-Lantern and … Continue reading Five Fun Ways to Teach Halloween … Geographically!

Educator Spotlight: Asking ‘Thick Questions’ to Understand Geographic Data

Peter Michaud incorporates geography into his lessons for subjects ranging from math to literacy. In an activity that combined data and statistics with mapping, he encouraged his fifth-graders to ask “thick questions” and consider different perspectives when answering them. Continue reading Educator Spotlight: Asking ‘Thick Questions’ to Understand Geographic Data

What Continent Do You Think They Are From? Drawing Humans to Reveal Internalized Bias

When teaching geography (and every subject) we need diverse voices. We need to push back against dominant narratives that amplify some perspectives (usually of those in power) and erase or ignore others. With this in mind, my co-teacher and I created a new activity to shed light on who we focus on and where they tend to be from. We hoped to encourage students to … Continue reading What Continent Do You Think They Are From? Drawing Humans to Reveal Internalized Bias

Food Maps Show Nations Are What They Eat

GEOGRAPHY A new series of food maps use ingredients synonymous with the region being mapped. Think India rendered in spices, New Zealand in kiwifruit, South America in citrus. (Nat Geo magazine) Use our MapMaker Kits to get started making innovative maps of your own. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. And be sure to click the links … Continue reading Food Maps Show Nations Are What They Eat