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Further Suggestions for Integrating Geography acrossthe CurriculumPublished online: 28 Sep 2007.

To cite this article: (1988) Further Suggestions for Integrating Geography across the Curriculum, Journal of Geography, 87:3,105-106, DOI: 10.1080/00221348808979069

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00221348808979069

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ered. Younger children can be taken outside as a class with a compass to walk a predetermined route in a given direction to see how the compass shows the direction in which they are walking. These activities also help correct the ubiquitous mis- conception among some children that north is up, south is down.

In music education, maps can be used to show areas of the world where composers were born or composed their music. The study of national or folk music especially lends itself to geographic linkage and would fit nicely into an integrated social studies unit in which children learn about a place and its people and hear and sing the music of the area.

If subjects are taught by subject specialists, social studies teachers might consider suggesting a linkage approach to their specialist colleagues. Planning the linkage process jointly might help ease the implementation.

Finally, geography linkage can facilitate an integrated core curriculum approach, in which the geography of an area provides the central core for the unit. Thus, a study of the city of Edmonton in western Canada could center on its river val- ley to show: the city’s historical development from fur fort to modern metropolis; how the river system influenced trade and settlement; the travel routes of immigrants to the area and their settlement patterns; how the climate influenced the area’s development; the location and living habits of the native Indians; and, the cultural aspects and values of these people. Basic arithmetic can be taught and applied (as noted earlier) regarding travel and distance, and the science ele- ments can be introduced through geographic concerns. For example, energy concepts can be taught while examining the water flow rate of the North Saskatchewan River, the avail- able sunlight and wind in the area, and the oil and natural gas industry.

If the readers of the Journal are concerned about the ser- ious deficits in geographic knowledge and the lack of geog- raphy instruction in schools, they should bring the idea of geo- graphic linkage to the attention of supervisors, professors, and teachers. There is nothing here that requires radical curricu- lum revisions, massive financial aid, extensive teacher re- training, or the overhaul of existing teacher education courses. The cooperation of curriculum supervisors to bring these ideas to the attention of those in their jurisdiction, the willingness of professors of education and geography to make mention of them and provide sample studies for their students, and the implementation of the ideas by classroom teachers is all that is needed for a beginning. Geographic linkage is a rea- sonable, inexpensive, and functional way to increase geo- graphic knowledge and awareness. There is no reason, except inertia, why these ideas cannot be used immediately.

MAY-JUNE 1988

Further Suggestions for Integrating Geography

1 Y 1 across the Curriculum

Professor Kirman suggests several ways in which geography can be integrated into other subjects in his article. During Geography Awareness Week last year, similar suggestions were proposed in a Geography Awareness Week Activity Packet prepared by the Texas Alliance for Geographic Educa- tion. The suggestions were directed toward elementary school teachers and were collected and submitted by Debbie Robertson, College Station ISD and myself for the Texas Geography Awareness Week Activity Packet. Our ideas are reprinted below. They have been grouped by subject.

Mathematics 0 Discuss the international origins of modern mathe-

matics. List famous mathematicians and the place where they were born. Discuss early number systems and their origins. Point out how the contributions of past civilizations affect us today.

0 Discuss the economic systems of other countries. Learn the units of currencies of different countries. Convert prices expressed in foreign units to dollars as a lesson on ratios. Examine the value of trade between nations in this context.

0 Graph geographically relevant information (popula- tion, vegetation, agricultural output imports, exports, etc.) in different ways (i.e., line graphs, bar charts, pie charts, etc.).

0 Teach latitude and longitude as a mathematical coordinate system. Point out its use in the construction of maps.

Science 0 Discuss climates on a global basis. Find other areas

with climates similar to your own. Determine the factors that influence your climate. Compare the average yearly tempera- ture in your area to the average high and low temperatures. Use climagraphs.

0 List famous scientists. Map their birthplaces. 0 Investigate unique animal groups found in other

parts of the world. Map the distribution of animals and discuss what factors affects animal populations.

0 Ask students what causes the seasons. Explain why days are longer in the summer and shorter in the winter.

0 Talk about the physical geography of your town. Discuss the physical processes that affect the geography of your local area in the long and short terms.

Language Arts Read well-known books that were written by people

from other countries. Librarians can help suggest books and

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authors appropriate for your grade level. Point out words used in English that come from other

languages. Discuss the origin of the English language. 0 Read a story in English and have a native speaker

read part of it in its original language. Le Petite Prince is commonly available in both English and French.

0 Introduce students to famous foreign authors and their native country. Use maps and pictures whenever pos- sible. Ask where common fairy tales and nursery rhymes originated.

0 Arrange for pen pals from the United States or from another English-speaking country for students. Encourage students to write about both the similarities and differences between places.

Physical Education Learn folk dances from other countries. Play games that originated in other countries (e.g.,

hopscotch, darts, kickball, soccer, dominoes, and tic-tac-toe). A good source is Games of the World available through UNICEF for $14.00 (call 800-553-1200).

S. ?K B., Associate Editor

Leslie Uggams, Honorary National 75th Anniversary Chairperson, for the American Cancer Society.

Join us with your generous contributions of money and time.

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