[AlaskaTeacher]

I am looking for some new ideas on integrating geography and some map skills into my 6th grade social studies class. What does everyone do? Any suggestions on resources?
Thanks

[Nik]

I start each class by having the students answer two geography questions. They keep answering on the same paper all week and turn it in on Friday. The questions can be answered by looking at a map, chart, or graph. For example, questions may ask about capitals, language spoken, bordering countries, latitude and longitude, etc. I like how this makes the students continue to use map skills every day and also makes them more familiar with where things are in the world. This also gives me time to take attendance.

[AlaskaTeacher]

Thanks Nik - that's kinda along the lines of what I'm thinking about doing. What resource to you use?

[Nik]

The kids answer using the maps, charts, etc. from their textbook. I get the questions from various sources. I have used questions from National Geographic Geography Bee study guides, and I make up my own questions, too. I make questions they can answer using the maps, but I also like to make questions using the charts that list each country with their population, population density, capital city, language spoken, GDP, literacy rate, etc. Sometimes I use questions that the teacher edition has for the various maps, graphs, and charts in the textbook. You can also google geography trivia for questions. Just be sure to check the maps in the student's textbook that the answer can be found.

[mimi77]

I like to have them draw and label the continents, oceans and important lines of longitude and latitude the very first chance we get (before we learn anything and with no map to look at). I tell them it is a snapshot of what they knew on the first day of sixth grade. They should not feel badly if they do not know anything much. I find it works out well if I give them a piece of copy paper that has been trimmed down a bit in size. They must label it very carefully Beginning of Year Map. I tell them it is priceless - money can not buy it because it is what they know on this first day.

I will take it up and they can redo it that day or the next day using notes.

I can give it back later for them to glue into their INB after they have learned to draw it better.

[1956BD]

http://www.educationworld.com/a_less...nschmidt.shtml

We find the key words in the riddle to do research and find the answers. Then we locate the place on the world map. Then we look for pics of the landmarks on Google Images.

[mimi77]

Thanks for sharing your idea. That looks great!

[historyrocks]

is the title of a book I have used in the past - - think "Daily Oral Language" but for geography and map skills. There is a different book for each grade level.

[Rockguykev]

What is your purpose in doing this? There are a ton of ways to look at geography depending on what you actually want the kids to get out of it.