TITLE:   Making an Illustrated Dictionary with Geographic
         Terms

AUTHOR:  Anita M. Scanga

OVERVIEW:  Students do not realize a complete understanding
of new geographical terms by simply writing out a definition
for each word in a list.

GRADE LEVEL AND SUBJECT:  Appropriate for grades 5-8 and may
be used for all Social Studies' curriculums.

PURPOSE:  The purpose of this activity is to acquaint
students, through left and right brain activities, with the
new geographic terms that will be used during the course of
study.  If the activity is used in the beginning of the
school year, it can be used as an "icebreaker" activity and
to promote cooperative learning methods in the classroom.

OBJECTIVES:  As a result of this activity, the student will
be able to apply geographic terms in describing and
understanding the specific places of study in the world.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS:  Student dictionaries, glossary in
Social Studies book, printed list of terms, paper, markers,
colored pencils, book binder (optional, but students become
more excited when they can produce a book of their own). An
example I use is GEOGRAPHY FROM A TO Z by Jack Knowlton,
Thomas Y. Crowell, N.Y., 1988.

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:  Students will work in small
groups (2-4) to produce an illustrated dictionary of
specific geographic terms. Each student should have their
own finished copy (either by a copier or each student makes
enough copies of their pages for everyone in their group).
Be sure to have each group share their finished products
with the rest of the class.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:  Students will have  a personal copy
of their illustrated dictionary to use during the year.
Combining illustrations with written definitions of a word
enhances the ability of the student to apply these terms to
their studies.