I recently heard the term geo-literacy, and guessed that it had something to do with understand the world and how it works. Daniel C. Edelson, PhD is the VP for Education and executive director of the National Geographic Education Foundation, and has written numerous articles about geoliteracy and he lists three components:
- Understanding human and natural systems
- Geographic reasoning
- Systematic decision-making
Geo-literacy is not only knowledge of geography, though that is certainly a part of it. A geo-literate individual comprehends the relationship between human (political, cultural, and economic) systems and their interactions with and impact on our environment (water, plant, and animal ecosystems). A geo-literate student understands that our world is interconnected, and decisions we make have long-lasting effects near and far. Teachers wishing to improve geo-literacy must provide real opportunities to practice critical thinking, come to conclusions, and then evaluate the outcome of the decisions from different perspectives.
Many of these exercises in geo-literacy are aimed at middle school, high school, and university students…. but can we start younger? What can the younger kids learn that will provide a foundation for these more complex lessons that come later in their education? Here are some age-appropriate lessons to increase geo-literacy in primary school students:
- Explore different homes around the world and guess why the types of home fit their environment
- Discover why certain cultures celebrate certain holidays, and what is important to them
- Investigate different habitats and biomes, such as the rainforest; look at tangible ways kids can prevent their destruction
- Surround kids with geography: study maps, create maps, follow maps, play with maps. The more you develop their spatial intelligence when they’re younger, the more kids will understand their place in this world.
- Learn about the water cycle and the conserving and managing our freshwater resources
- Research your child’s favorite animal, turning it into a global lesson about protecting their habitat and food sources; what decisions can we make that will affect the outcome of this animal?
Kid World Citizen
is constantly updating our lesson plans on TeachersPayTeachers to include units and activities that incorporate geo-literacy for the youngest students! Check out our TpT page for products that incorporate cultural and global awareness, such as this great freebie: What is a World Citizen? Video + Activity for kids.
Do you have more ideas about increasing geo-literacy in our younger children? How can we teach them how our world works, how we are interconnected, and how to make knowledgeable decisions? Leave us your ideas and favorite lessons in the comments section.
For more information about geo-literacy, watch the following videos or check out Daniel Edelson’s blog, facebook, or twitter feed.
What is Geo-Literacy? Here is National Geographic Education‘s definition:
Here is what National Geographic Education says about the importance of Geo-Literacy:
Hi, a wonderful ideas to set the basis for tomorrow’s international children!
Great post!
I agree Tony- our world is more and more interconnected, and our kids need this foundation in order to become a successful part of this new global community.
What a wonderful subject to introduce children to! I think it’s so important for kids to think through a global perspective as they get older and to consider how their actions could have an impact on others. Thanks so much for sharing ways that we can start to build on this with the kids while they are little!
Thanks Gina! I think it is a hugely important skill that is not being taught enough. It’s so great when parents start teaching their kids about the world, other cultures, and geography from a young age!
I wish that geo-literacy was actually taught in school when I was in instead of geography. This is exactly how children should be taught about geography, not simply capitals of countries – this has absolutely no effect or meaning of a child, they need to be able to comprehend their surroundings not be told memorize this and you pass. I personally find myself dumb in educated in the area of geo-literacy because it wasn’t incorporated in my education and it saddens me that I could’ve been that much more prepared for the world had it been a subject. My daughter will definitely grow up with geo-literacy and not geography because it’s all one in my mind to mean anything.
I 100% agree with you!!! I am now learning more, so that I can teach my children. It’s so important for kids to understand their communities place in the world, and see how we are all connected.
this is a very good website for explaining geo-literacy.
It gave me all the information i need to do on my homework.
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eseta& Josiah
Excellent!! Thanks for visiting:).
Interesting concept! I’m sharing your post on twitter. Besos desde Barcelona,
Marta
We are also a bilingual family, I loved your article. I hope more and more people will take it to heart and dig deeper into other countries’ cultures. I also really love the map your children’s’ hands are on. Do you know where I could get one? Thanks!
I found it at a garage sale years ago!!!!! Does this look like the same one Beata? http://amzn.to/2b1Qczk