A new Walch Education series, Critical Thinking about Geography makes the connection between understanding geography and evaluating the information. Students analyze maps to interpret the changing historical, cultural, and environmental nature of various regions.

The series consists of three titles:

• Critical Thinking about Geography: United States, Canada, and Greenland

• Critical Thinking about Geography: South America

• Critical Thinking about Geography: The Middle East

Each title employs up to 15 lessons that engage students in opportunities to practice and apply the geography skills and concepts that they are learning. Sample topics include “Reading a Political Map, “Exploring Economic Resources,” “Connections between Culture and Geography,” and “Geographic Factors Affecting the Population Density.” Each chapter includes one or more maps that serve as a springboard for discussion, classroom activities, and further research.

Addressing National Geography Standards, Critical Thinking about Geography is ideal for whole class, small group, or individual instruction. Activities are designed to take 20-30 minutes each.

A debriefing discussion after each map lesson provides an opportunity for students to reflect on their experiences and synthesize their thinking. It also provides an additional opportunity for informal assessment to assist instructional planning. Each book includes a fully searchable CD-ROM of the contents.