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Number of Students Involved: Approximately 150

Project Title: Family Geography Challenge (Developed by National Geographic Society)

Goal(s): The goals of Family Geography Challenge are:

Part One: To host a Family Geography Night. (1) To use current events as a tool for learning Geography; (2) Application of skill learned in class; (3) To increase family participation in student learning.

Part Two: The Challenge. (1) To complete eight challenges in a one month period by using a current event, answering questions, and recording information in a journal; (2) For families to discuss current events and locate places on a world map.

How will this proposal enhance your program? Family Geography Challenge will supplement and support the concepts and skills learned in class. The challenge will also develop family awareness of how geography affects every day life. Family involvement will lead to increased student learning.

How will achievement of your goal be measured? Achievement will be measured by the number of families that return their journal with completed activities. Journals will be checked for accuracy and positive feedback will be provided. Success will also be measured by a parents evaluation of the challenge. Families completing the challenge will receive a certificate of completion, a congratulatory letter, and an inflatable globe.

How is this project a creative or unique use of money? Family Geography Challenge is a creative and unique use of money because it incorporates literacy skills to a content area. This project will also increase global awareness of the problems facing the world. Most importantly, students and parents will understand the importance of geograpghy in their everyday lives.

Sample Lesson Plan

Objective(s): (1) To enable parents and students to use maps; (2) To ask and answer geographic questions; (3) To use the five themes of geography to identify physical and cultural features of a place; (4) To use geography in everyday life.

Materials: Invitation to Family Geography Night, Overhead transparencies, Family Journal, Copy of parent evaluation form, Copies of certificates and congratulatory letters

Procedure: (1) Introduction and Overview of Geography; (2) Regional Overview Activity (Use an atlas to answer questions found in a news story); (3) Current Events Activity (Demonstrates how to read a newspaper article or watching a news story and discuss the information from a geographic perspective); (4) Explain the challenge.

Evaluation: Review the activity sheets and journal entries and review the program evaluation forms.

Susan Boyle
Ormond Beach Middle

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