Summaries of News Articles

The importance of teaching children to read maps

Daniel C Edelson. Link

• Maps frequently used to convey important information and relationships

• 2010 National Assessment of Educational Progress in Geography

  • 58% of 4th grade teachers reported tha tthey use maps or globes in their instruction at least once a week

  • Only 21% of 4th graders in the US were performing at grade level in an assessment that included basic map skills, among other geography content and skills. < 10% for students identified as African-American or Hispanic.

• National Geographic's Network of Alliances for Geographic Education launched an initiative to improve the teaching of map skills in early grades. Led by Brenda Barr and Kim Hulse of NG.

  • Started with review of research on children's spatial reasoning and map interpretation skills (commissioned by NGEF). By Drs Audrey and Lindsey Mohan.

    • Gr 2-4: can transition from iconic/representative symbols to abstract symbols

    • Gr 2-4 still can make errors in symbol interpretation. Therefore, recommend limited amount of information in maps to allow focus