Creative Curriculum Integration and GIS in Education

with Barbaree Duke

Integrating technology, geography, sciences and more with traditional classroom content is the focus of my work. Geospatial technologies offer many simple ways to connect students to their studies while actively engaging them in their learning. Come explore the possibilities with me!

Creative Curriculum Integration and GIS in Education - with Barbaree Duke

Oh Canada!

Happy Victoria Day to our northern neighbours! (That’s a day celebrating Queen Victoria’s birthday with merriment and festivities!)

I have the honor of hearing many great geographers and scholars in my job as the Webinar Coordinator for the National Council for Geographic Education.  This past Wednesday, our topic was Canada with Dave McDowell.  He did a beautiful job sharing how we share so many aspects of climate, geography and population.    In addition, he highlighted some amazing differences that present excellent examples to discuss in your classroom when comparing countries. He shared some excellent resources that I’m sure can benefit many folks out there!

Dave’s Resources:

 

Interesting Facts: Authors, Words and Books

Thanks to a recent email from a friend who knows I love cool and quirky facts, I found yet more…cool and quirky facts from the fun folks at Mental Floss.  Some of these could be excellent fun as we approach the end of another school year.

Twain’s Typewriter

Authors and DIDJAKNOW?

Authors and Their Typewriters
I’m thinking this is a great way to talk about the creative process and the tools you use.  I still love writing ideas down in a small notebook, even though I’m a self-proclaimed techno-geek.
http://mentalfloss.com/article/21979/quick-10-10-authors-and-their-typewriters

Now these are just fun things that make you say, “Hmmmm.”
Thoreau….yoga master…REALLY?!?  Apparently, yes! http://mentalfloss.com/article/50408/henry-david-thoreau-yoga-master

Making Up Words? 
According to my students, I’m famous for this skill.  They named my language “Duke-ish.” Ol’ Sir Isaac Newton himself invented his own language.  That’s not bad company! http://mentalfloss.com/article/50461/language-isaac-newton-invented

And if you want to be proper, here’s a spelling and grammar video for you. http://mentalfloss.com/article/50485/38-common-spelling-and-grammar-errors

Spendy Volumes
Here’s a stack of books that will cost a little more than those you find at the yard sale! http://mentalfloss.com/article/50220/8-rare-books-cost-fortune

http://gisined.blogspot.com

http://www.barbareeduke.com

Reading, Writing and Thinking for Any Gadget

book cover image for reading, writing and thinking around the globe

I’ve been busy making books accessible in multiple formats over the last few months.  My book is now available in digital PDF, Kindle and of course the good ol’ print version.  In the coming weeks look for all the Carte Diem Press titles in multiple digital formats for your easy access to geospatial curriculum!

The whole team at GISetc is working hard to bring you everything you need to be geospatially successful in your environment…great deals on Esri Press books, buttons and fun stuff as well as solid lessons and activities for any age or environment.  We even encourage you to get outdoors with our GPS books!

Worried about the standards and how you can integrate geospatial technology and geography? Then, worry no more!  We have you covered on the standards as well!  All of our books are aligned to the Technology, Geography and Common Core ELA standards!

If you need books in bulk, they’ve got you covered too!  Just zap an email to the staff and they’ll quote you a bulk discount.

Stay posted on all the latest from GISetc as well as free resources by liking our Facebook page or joining the list to get the latest info and resources once a month or so.

http://gisined.blogspot.com

http://www.barbareeduke.com

Mapping the Holidays

Today I was thinking about sharing a Christmas map resource. I envisioned maps of trees or Santa’s track for Christmas Eve. I started with ArcGIS Online and typed in the search word “Christmas.” The search result alone gives great ideas on ways to map holiday happenings no matter where you are in the world.

Some ideas from other fine map-mined folks around the world are:
  • Christmas Islands
  • light displays
  • market maps
  • parade maps
  • tree recycling locations
  • events
  • Santa sightings
  • shopping malls
  • Christmas dinner
  • Christmas list
So go enjoy some great maps from other folks or make your own and share it with us!
Mappy Holidays!
http://gisined.blogspot.com

http://www.barbareeduke.com

Baseball: A Game for Every Subject

I read an article today by Matt Davis that prompted me to update my Baseball Unit.  It’s baseball for every subject in this unit…even English class!
http://edcommunity.esri.com/software-and-data/Lessons/O/Out_of_Bounds_A_Cross_Curricu

Here are the details of the Out of Bounds Baseball Unit, if you don’t want the PDF:

Back Story
Integrating GIS into core content is easy if you take advantage of preexisting content.  This unit was born out of a baseball theme in English Language Arts (ELA) class.  As the four core teachers talked about what we were doing in ELA class, they wanted to get on board.   Over time, we incorporated all four classes at the same time to create a powerful experience for our middle school students.  This is an outline of what each class did as their part of the baseball unit.  The GIS activities were incorporated in ELA, Science and Social Studies classes.  Perhaps you can play out of bounds and integrate!
English Language Arts / Reading
  • Take Me Out to the Ball Game” song by Jack Norworth
  •  “Strong Men Weep” short story by Benedict Cosgrove
  •  Excerpts from Wait Till Next Year a novel by Doris Kerns Goodwin
  •  “Who’s on First?” play by Abbott and Costello (videos available at YouTube)
  •  “Casey at the Bat” poem by Ernest Thayer (videos available at YouTube)
  •  “Baseball in April” short story by Gary Soto
  • Shakespeare Bats Cleanup by Ron Koertge

Science

Ball analysis (measurement, physics, experiment procedures)

Math
Baseball statistics and spreadsheet formulas
Social Studies
Games and sports in cultures around the world
Projects
Build a baseball Museum
Research baseball topics
GIS
Play Ball! Spatial Analysis of Baseball (http://edcommunity.esri.com/arclessons/lesson.cfm?id=334)
Where should you put the next MLB team?
Demographic patterns related to baseball
Resources

 

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