Summary
The creation of a dedicated student atlas for use in Nebraska elementary grade classrooms will be discussed. This teaching tool began with an initial 2016 limited edition and came to fruition with subsequent revised publications in 2017 and 2022. Mirroring efforts in recent years by several state geography organizations, the process of starting an atlas project and continuing it through revised editions will be presented. From the beginning, necessary consideration must be given to atlas format, funding, research, deadlines, and roll out. Focus groups involving elementary school teachers can identify state- specific subjects for emphasis. Buy-in from educators can be achieved via creation of ancillary materials (e.g., informational website, teacher’s guide, and lesson plans) to complement atlas use.
Session Focus
All Grade Levels | Curriculum and Instruction | Atlas, Mapping
Conference Room
Nebraska
Meet the Presenter
Dr. Randy Bertolas is professor of geography at Wayne State College in the rolling hills of northeast Nebraska. He has taught at WSC for 30 years and chaired the Department of History, Politics, and Geography for the past 17 of those years. From 2004-18 he served as coordinator of the Geographic Educators of Nebraska and in 2011-12 was president of Gamma Theta Upsilon, the international honor society in geography.
