This book links the newNational Geography Standardswith the five Fundamental Themes of Geography using a systematic approach that builds from basic knowledge to more complex, explaining the physical, cultural, and economic systems that interrelate and operate on the planet. It encourages teachers to move beyond the traditional stereotype of geography as place memorization toward conceptual thinking about how Earth systems work.Discusses the importance of geographic literacy in an era of increasingly important global interconnections. Surveys the historic role of geography education in North American schools and providesexamples of how geography is taught in other countries. Coveres "geographic education revolution" in the United States. Interrelates theFive Themes of Geographyand theeighteen National Geography Standardsinto a uniform and convenient structure for the study ofanyplace oranytopic from a geographic perspective: Location, Place, Human-Environment Interaction, Movement, and Region.For educators or teacher-certification programs.