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During July 13-17, 2009, more than thirty teachers from the New York City School District (and two teachers from North Carolina!) came to the Renaissance Charter School in Jackson Heights (Queens) to participate in the “Make Connections with Geography” summer institute. This geography institute was organized by NYGA's Co-Coordinator Carol Gersmehl. Each day, New York Geographic Alliance members from across the state – Gail Hall, Lin Butter, Adam Schwartz, Maureen Beyrer, Brooke Hammer, Jackie McKenzie, Rozella Kirchgaessner, Mary Duffin, Dorothy Bukantz, Tim McDonnell – shared geography lessons from their classrooms.
Photo above: Carol Gersmehl uses the giant floor map of the USA to illustrate spatial thinking activities for early grades.
Each morning began with presentations by Phil Gersmehl, of the New York Center for Geographic Learning, using lessons on the CD from his Teaching Geography book. These lessons present geography from a spatial thinking perspective, and they are designed to be used at all grade levels. All teachers at the institute received a copy of this excellent book and CD.
Photo Above: High School teachers learn how to use the Geohistogram, that combines geography with history on a timeline.
Participants at the NYC Geography Institute were impressed by the professionalism of presentations, and they were thrilled to receive materials that they can use in September in their classrooms. Many joined the New York Geographic Alliance, and they will be writing lessons and presenting them to their colleagues in the future. (Participants also were impressed by the food served by the catering service. Where else do you receive an afternoon snack of sushi and cheesecake?)
Photo Above: Teachers practice how to organize into a hierarchy, from a family all the way up to continents and the earth.
The partnerships that the Alliance built during this institute are very important. If you are a New York City teacher, and if you want to learn more about geography and how you can use it in your classroom, contact Carol Gersmehl (carol.gersmehl@gmail.com) or register as a member on this website. Membership in the New York Geographic Alliance is FREE! http://nygeographicalliance.org/membership-form.cfm |
Geography Awareness