Even though geography helps us make sense of the world and should be an integral part of our curriculum, it is largely disappearing from American schools. One of the consequences is that Americans are becoming “geographically illiterate”. Integration of geography into an existing curriculum may be the answer when a formal geography course is not offered.

The Importance of Geography

Bibliography1. Bednarz. S. 1998. Further suggestions for integrating geography across the curriculum.

Journal of Geography, 87(3):105-1062. Dowd, F. 1990 Geography is children’s literature, math, science, art, and a whole world of

activities. Journal of Geography, 104:95-1033. Furner, J. and Ramirez, M. 1999. Making connections: Using GIS to integrate mathematics

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Geography, 92(2):56-635. Kirman, J. 1998. Integrating geography with other school subjects. Journal of Geography,

87(3):104-1056. National Council for Geographic Education. 1994. The importance of geography in the school

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secondary curricula. Journal of Geography,102(6) 275-281

Reading- “It is a challenge to find a book that has no relevance in geography!” (Dowd, 1990). Geographic settings, cultural diversity, and global themes are some of the lessons that naturally come from literature (Dowd,1990).

Language Arts- Teachers can use writing’s six traits, vocabulary and reading activities to learn about both past and present civilizations and make sense of our world. Some integration ideas include writing to pen pals in different countries and discussing differences and similarities between places, learning words that originate from other languages and the roots of the English language, and discussing the setting from well known books and fables (Kirman, 1988).

Social Studies- Geographic ideas can be linked to political, economic or historic events, and the spatial perspective must also be revealed. For example, when teaching an event that occurred in Rome, the location of Rome should be shown on a map, why it was important, and what meaning Rome has in a student’s overall understanding of the event (Gregg & Leindhardt, 1993). History teachers can easily incorporate geographic ideas into their content by using the five themes of geography in their lessons.

Science- Topics such as geology, hydrology, climate, geomorphology, and plant and animal life link with physical geography (Kirman,1988). Again, maps can be used to point out areas where features under discussion could be found. Other examples of integration activities include investigating unique animal groups and mapping their distribution, discussing climates on a global basis, and discussing the physical geography of one’s own town (Bednarz, 1988)

Math- Basically any lesson dealing with mapping, charting, or analyzing data can be linked to geography. Geographic information systems (GIS) are also useful for integrating geography content and technology into math (as well as science). Studies have shown that using GIS for problem solving results in students becoming more engaged in “doing” science and math and encourages critical thinking skills (Patterson et al 2003). Mathematically speaking, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) can be used to help students learn about algebraic equations to calculate distance and time, establish geometric baselines, determine the location of individual points of latitude and longitude, and change numerical information to a surface expression (Furner & Ramirez, 1999).

The accountability system in our schools is probably not going to change anytime soon, nor will the time constraints most teachers face in trying to cover all of the required standards. It is important that we keep geography in the curriculum if we want to maintain our current status as leaders and be globally aware citizens.

Integration is a means of teaching geography. It reinforces content from the core disciplines (math, language arts, etc..) and shows the interconnectedness of the disciplines. In my math class I have seen first-hand how this blending reinforces math content and increases student interest due to topic familiarity and real world applications. Since starting my masters degree I have been steadily incorporating geography content into my lessons with much success.

Introduction

Conclusions

Integrating Geography into the CurriculumStacey RussoMcKemy Middle School

“Without geography we’re nowhere.” -Author unknown

•Geography encompasses many fields, and understanding the earth and all its intricacies are its main goal. We need geographic knowledge and skills in order to understand the patterns and activities of our lives as well as the lives of others. •Geographic knowledge helps citizens become globally aware and deal with problems such as energy dependence, globalization, climate change, war and regional conflicts, as well as international terrorism (NCGE, 1994). •“Americans decision makers need geographic knowledge to maintain our moral, political and economic leadership in a world of complex cultural and environmental relationships”(NCGE,1994).

American Geographic IlliteracyAmericans are generally considered geographically illiterate by the rest of the world. The dominance of our products, currency, and language as well as our location (we border two countries but most citizens live hundreds or thousands of miles away from any border) contribute to the belief that knowledge of other cultures is not important (Ostapuk,2001).

Consider these findings from the 2006 Geographic Literacy Study:

* Of young American adults polled, only about 50% think it’s absolutely necessary

to know how to read a map or important to know how to use A GPS device.

* 6% cannot locate the U.S. on a world map.

* 75% cannot locate Indonesia on a map nor are they aware that the majority of its

population is Muslim (even though it is the largest Muslim country in the world and has

made headlines due to the tsunami in 2003). * 60% do not speak a foreign

language fluently, and almost 40% think its not really important to speak a foreign language

Geography in our Schools

IntegrationIntegration is the act of combining or blending different parts into a whole. While in our schools disciplines such as social studies, language arts, and math are presented as separate subjects, a relationship exists among them. “Different subjects are not isolated entities, but rather, they are interrelated and dependent on each other” (Patterson & Vetters, 1992). If we want our students to find relevance in what they are learning and truly understand, we must show them the interconnectedness of the disciplines.

Integration is ideal with all subjects and can be used to reinforce content. Geography especially has a lot of connections to other subjects. “It is a way of looking at the world and its study touches all subject matter (Patterson & Vetters,1992). Geography naturally lends itself to integration and practicing geographic skills on a regular basis can increase geographic awareness.

There are more hours needed than there is time in the school day to teach all of the content standards. Due to pressure from policies including No Child Left Behind (NCLB), teachers must devote most of their time and energy to subjects like math and reading, which results in a narrowing of the curriculum. Subjects such as geography and the social sciences are not tested under NCLB and often end up “left behind”. Other nations have recognized the importance of geography and kept it in their curricula; meanwhile geography has mostly disappeared from the curricula in our nation’s schools (Gregg & Leindhart, 1993).

Another reason that geography is disappearing from our curricula (especially at the elementary level) is because teachers are just not comfortable teaching this subject. Most Americans, including teachers, lack basic geographic knowledge and skills according to research (Dowd, 1990). Since teachers are inadequately prepared in their education programs to teach geography and inexperienced in this discipline, they focus on other subjects instead.

If teachers could become more comfortable teaching geography and the time hurdle could be overcome, there would be a place for geography in our schools. Integration could be the key, since it would allow for teacher comfort as well as reinforcement of other curriculum standards. It would also help because geography would not be seen as just a course.

Across the Curriculum