That study represents one of the turning points in geography education in the United States. Although most U.S. students still don't take a "geography" course in school -- as students in many other countries do -- increased emphasis on the development of geography skills is more widespread today than it was ten years ago. Organizations such as National Geographic and the National Council for the Social Studies have created materials to aid teachers in teaching geography skills. And about ten years ago, the Joint Committee on Geographic Education of the National Council for Geographic Education and the American Association of Geographers developed five specific themes to help focus teacher and student thinking when it comes to geography. Those five themes follow: - See more at: http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson071.shtml#sthash.NuF2A5kT.dpuf