Promoted by National Geographic, here’s what you should know about Geography Awareness Week which occurs November 14-18, 2022:
Too many young Americans are unable to make effective decisions, understand geo-spatial issues, or even recognize their impacts as global citizens. National Geographic created Geography Awareness Week to raise awareness to this dangerous deficiency in American education and excite people about geography as both a discipline and as a part of everyday life.
Each year more than 100,000 Americans actively participate in Geography Awareness Week. Established by presidential proclamation more than 25 years ago, this annual public awareness program encourages citizens young and old to think and learn about the significance of place and how we affect and are affected by it. Each third week of November, students, families and community members focus on the importance of geography by hosting events; using lessons, games, and challenges in the classroom; and often meeting with policymakers and business leaders. Geography Awareness Week is supported by access to materials and resources for teachers, parents, community activists, and all geographically minded global citizens.
Here are excellent web resources to promote your geography lessons (click headings for more links):
- 2-minute geology
- Atlas–Barefoot World Atlas is an interactive 3D globe for iPad
- BatchGeo—map locations
- Breathing earth–the environment
- Continents explained (with humor)
- Dig hole through the earth with Google Earth
- Digipuzzles
- forecast weather in any place around the world by typing “forecast for ***”
- Geography Activities—for teachers
- Geography Duel–two players see who knows the most geography trivia (app)
- Geologic movies–great and fun
- Globe of Extremes–extreme location around the globe, like the deepest trench
- Google Earth Timelapse–what changes to the planet over time
- Learn the states
- Ology Sites
- Statetris–like Tetris, but instead of blocks, put the states or countries in their proper position (app)
Biomes
In the Desert
In the Mountains
In the Prairies
In the Ocean
General
Virtual Tours
#GeoWeek and #ThatsGeography.
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Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice, CSTA presentation reviewer, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, contributor to NEA Today, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.
That’s fascinating, Jacqui. I didn’t know there was a Geography Awareness Week. It coincides with World Nursery Rhyme Week. Now that’s a bit of a difference in focus, eh? I could certainly improve my knowledge of geography and am trying to do so by completing the Worldle puzzle each day and occasionally (when I make time) learning with a World App.
Aren’t you impressive, Norah! I wish I’d do that, too. World Nursery Rhyme Week–I hadn’t heard about that one. A worthy week!
Yes, both worthy weeks. I don’t think there’s anything impressive about what I do, but I’m learning. I guess that’s impressive. 🙂
When I first came/visited to the US as an exchange student in 1987 I quickly realized that World Geography was not an important subject in the US. Adults did not even have what I considered to be kids knowledge of geography. It was a big difference between the US and Sweden (and the rest of Europe). I met adults who thought you could drive to Europe or China from the US. World Geography was seen as useless trivia. It was a cultural difference. I did not know about Geography Awareness Week until now, but I think it is a great initiative. I’ve seen a lot of efforts to change geography awareness recently and it seems to me that today’s American youth are much better educated on that subject, but that is just an impression.
We have some problems in our education system. Geography is probably one! Thanks for the comments, Thomas.