This article describes findings from a survey of 173 preschool through 12th grade teachers
in which they express their thoughts about what children should learn about geography.
Results indicate that despite geography's lack of attention in the curriculum, teachers are
unhappy with the state of geography in schools. Their reflections reveal a strong sense of
need, even urgency, for students to learn geography. Four trends were identified in their
thoughts about geography education: expanding horizons paradigm of curriculum;
connections that geography allows for in the curriculum; maps, continents, countries,
and states; and Americans' appalling lack of geographic knowledge. Framing their
thoughts in the context of the current state of geography, the article also describes the
importance of geography in creating effective citizens, the ambiguity of the discipline
itself, its unique role in the curriculum, and insights about integrating geography across
the curriculum. The article concludes with hope for reviving geography in schools.
Copyright & 2015, The International Society for the Social Studies. Published by Elsevier,
Inc.