Geography Awareness Week
November 15-21, 2009
Established in 1987 and supported by the National Geographic Society and other geographic organizations, Geography Awareness Week is held the third week in November to encourage school-aged children to know and understand their planet. We offer the lesson plans, activities and resources below to help you raise geographic awareness in your classroom.
Lesson Plans
- A World of Information
Students learn about the "top ten" countries relative to a variety of statistics.
- Memorable Maps
Create maps at the beginning and then again at end of the school year to show how much students learn about geography over the whole year.
- On the Street Where You Live: Online Mapping
Grades K-2 use online mapping tools to write directions from their home to school.
- Where in the World?
Grades 3-8 learn about important places in the world and world history.
- Comparing Countries
Students research two countries, analyze their similarities & differences, then present findings.
- Earth at Night
Students use a map image of Earth as seen from outer space to identify continents and cities.
- Geography Twister
Students of all ages can practice geography skills by playing a fun game.
- An Immigration Graph
Students analyze data about U.S. immigration from 1899-1924 and practice converting that data to graph form.
- Create a Country
Students use the geography skills they have developed to create a map and related materials for an imaginary country.
- The Gap vs. Old Navy: Mapping Brand Names Across the U.S.
Students use online tools to compare the variety and types of retail outlet stores that can be found in their state.
Activity Ideas & Teaching Tips
These teaching ideas were submitted to us by readers of our popular Works4Me e-newsletter.
- Creative Map Making
Some of Virginia's Standards of Learning cover the knowledge of physical features, regions, directions and the states bordering Virginia. After instruction in these areas, we make physical maps in two different ways.
- Bedroom Maps
In order to reinforce map skills, my students write a detailed description of their bedrooms including shapes, sizes, colors and directional relationships between objects in their rooms.
- Directionally Challenged Students
I found out most accidentally that using an overhead sheet when I teach geography and the four main directions (North, South, East and West) works great.
- Floor Maps
Our social studies curriculum requires us to reach a unit on Africa so that our children become aware of the needs of people throughout the world. To assist with geography skills.
- Friends Around the World
I do a 'Friends Around the World' theme using the Madeline book series. We make a paper suitcase and talk about what we will need to take with us if we go to France where Madeline lives. We make a passport with our school picture in them.
- Geography Dictionaries
In an effort to help my students learn geography vocabulary terms, I have them create their own Illustrated Geography Dictionary.
- Improving Geography Quizzes
I use post-it notes for quizzing students on geographical locations. I start by writing large numbers on the post-it notes then; I stick the numbers on maps that I have on my walls.
- Maps from Around the World
When I had an elementary classroom, I always needed maps and other materials on various places around the world.
- Place the State
I use computer games in class. Our fourth grade social studies curriculum revolves around the history and geography of the U.S.
- Pumpkin Geography
During the month of October, I take advantage of the pumpkin harvest to bring hands-on geography to my students.
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