
A newspaper article from the Chicago Tribune this morning wrote that United States Americans are one of the least knowledgeable people in World Geography today. There have been many surveys which have led to this conclusion, but why is it that one of the strongest countries in the world today can't even tell New York from Arizona? Although this article talked a lot about around the world geography, I am going to use some of my knowledge from years past in the US.
When I was in third grade, my teacher made it a point to teach us every where every state in the US is and what their capitals are. By the end of that year, I didnt even have to look at a map and I could go across the US from top to bottom and name every single state and its capital. My older sister had the same teacher as I did, but my twin, who did not, has never learned how to do this. Over the years, my knowledge has left about the states and their capitals, but I could tell you if the state is in the West or East quite easily.
My sister came home from college this year and told her that her room mates from New York could not even point out on a map where Illinois was, let alone their home state of New York. Knowing all that I do from third grade, and also knowing that these college students, who are at one of the top schools in the nation, I could tell that this is not something to be proud about. When I was little we had a puzzle in the house of the US and you had to put all of the states where they belonged. That was a great learning tool.
So I think what this article is trying to say is very good. Students should have to learn more aabout the geography of the world because it is a key factor to knowing baout current events in the world.
1 comment:
I agree with you, it is important to know the geography of your country but should the schools have to keep reminding and teaching college and high school students about where states are? I mean it's pretty easy to look up a map by yourself or in a book at your house? Why can't we just study and learn our country on our own? Everyone should know their own country and similar to your sister I have dealt with the same thing in ski school_every year I go- I have to say Chicago instead of Illinois. hah! it is kind of sad isn't it, so how should we educate these people?hahh ;) kidding
Post a Comment