Children need the chance to explore and understand where they live and all the places surrounding them to make sense of their world. Through geography, children can feel a connection with people they have never met and places they have never been. Through these connections, children can be inspired to care about their place and their communities. This book includes chapters explaining the concepts of location, perspective, scale, orientation, map symbols and map keys, and the five themes of geography. In addition, chapters are included on various types of maps and the use of technology to teach map skills. There are suggestions for 100 activities to teach the concepts, assessment questions, and annotated childrens literature that relate to the concepts. The book includes a suggested scope and sequence for teaching map skills in the elementary grades and a glossary of geographic terms.

Dr. S. Kay Gandy is a professor in higher education and an educator of 44 years. Through her work as a teacher consultant with several state geographic alliances and the National Geographic Society, and her work with international education, she has gathered teaching ideas across the globe.

PrefaceIntroductionChapter 1: LocationChapter 2: PerspectiveChapter 3: ScaleChapter 4: OrientationChapter 5: Map Symbols and Map KeysChapter 6: Types of MapsChapter 7: Mapping with TechnologyChapter 8: Mapping with the Five Themes of GeographyConclusion: Moving Forward with GeographyAppendicesAppendix A: Suggested Scope and Sequence for Map SkillsAppendix B: Glossary of Geographic TermsAppendix C: Map Projection ChartAppendix D: News Shapes the WorldAppendix E: Evaluating Maps in Childrens Literature ChartAppendix F: Grid PaperAppendix G: BINGO CardAppendix H: Topographic MapAppendix I: Scavenger Hunt from Space ChartBibliographySummary List of ActivitiesAbout the Author