Please read Rachel’s book review on LA Parent’s Great Reads with Ronna.

Candor, written by Pam Bachorz (for young adults.)

• Puerto Rico was discovered by Columbus in 1493.
• The impressive, well-preserved Fort San Felipe del Morro Castle was built in Old San Juan starting in 1539 to protect the island from invaders. Today it is a World Heritage Site.
• Spain ruled the island from 1539 to 1898.
• In 1898, under the Treaty of Paris, Puerto Rico became a US sovereignty. This marked the end of the Spanish-American War.
• Since 1917, Puerto Rican residents have been serving in US wars.
• Since 1947, Puerto Ricans have been able to hold democratic elections to vote for their own Governor.
• Puerto Ricans are US citizens, but residents are not able to vote in American national elections, nor do they have senators. However a commissioner from the island expresses his opinions to the House of Representatives. But he too is not able to cast an official vote.
• Other than federal employees, Puerto Rican residents do not pay US income taxes.
• Puerto Rico is located 1,100 miles southeast of Miami.
• The Dominican Republic is located to the west of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are located to the east.
• Puerto Rico is 100 miles wide and 35 miles long, and the Capital, San Juan is situated on the northeast section of the island.
• The island is marked by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south.
• The Caribbean side of the island is home to a mountain range and the small El Yunque Rainforest.
• The climate of Puerto Rico is subtropical, similar to South Florida.
• Hurricane Hugo caused more than $1 billion in damages to Puerto Rico in 1989.
• Travel to and from Puerto Rico from any of the 50 US States does not require a passport or customs.
• Luggage undergoes Agricultural Inspection before leaving the island to any US  State.
• US currency is used in Puerto Rico.

the walls of del Morro Castle overlooking the Atlantic

I just returned from the National Council for Geographic Education Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The purpose of this conference is for geographers, teachers of geography and those who have businesses related to or a passion for geography to get together to share information, research and experience about teaching geography to students from elementary school through college.

This was my first conference with NCGE, and quite a fascinating experience (especially from the perspective of a children’s travel book author.) Over 500 people attended from all over the USA and Canada and more than 210 workshops and sessions were offered over the course of 3 days. Here’s the gist of what I learned with the sessions I was able to attend:

1. Lack of geography knowledge in the USA is an epidemic from elementary school, through the university level and beyond.
2. Global and spacial thinking are paramount to not only education but to our nation’s political relationships with other countries.
3. There are many exceptional software programs, lesson plans, books, events and more to help teachers and parents teach geography.
4. Geography is not just about finding places on a map. It’s about people, cultures, plants, animals, weather, space, distance and so much more.

Specific sessions I attended:

1. Rand McNally has just released a brand new and extremely impressive 22^nd Edition of Goode’s World Atlas, the most phenomenal teaching atlas ever. Every geographer and teacher must have this. I’ve got one!
2. National Geographic Society offers an extraordinary program for schools called Giant Traveling Maps. Floor maps the size of rooms are rented out to schools all over the USA for unforgettable lessons in geography.
3. ESRI offers the world’s most comprehensive and advanced Geographic Information Systems to teach geography. You’ve got to try their software products to experience the benefits yourself.
4. 3^rd Grade teacher, Marilyn Pineda from Comanche Pubic Schools in Oklahoma shared how music and literature can be used effectively to teach geography. (This was right up my Lilly Badilly alley!)
5. Two teachers, with great senses of humor, from the Mississippi Geography Alliance, Sandra K. Morgan and June Hollis, demonstrated how to use a large floor map, nursery rhymes and songs to teach US geography to elementary age children.
6. Through Coppin State University and a generous grant from NASA, Dr. Doug Reardon told us how geography education is being transformed in West Baltimore, a low income area. The stories of the teachers in this district are inspiring and will set a standard for all those who long to bring geography into the classroom, for all schools in the USA.
7. Dr. Cynthia Resor from Eastern KY University talked about how Place Based Education can help students learn about geography, starting in their own communities.
8. Dr. Jimmy Dunn from the University of Northern Colorado wrote about Setting New Geography Standards for Colorado. He spent a lot of time quizzing his students about geography using different methods and tracking the results. Fascinating!
9. Venice, Italy is sinking due to excessive flooding, which is cased by a number of factors. Geographer, Dr. Denise Blanchard of Texas State University gave a fascinated session on the causes and possible solutions to the problem.

FYI – I hosted a workshop called “Fun with Geography in the Classroom.”

These were just a small fraction of the many learning experiences to be had at this year’s NCGE conference. I would have loved to attend every one of the sessions, but that would be impossible. I’m looking forward to next year.

To join NCGE, click here. Remember, you don’t have to be a geographer or teacher to care about geography education in America.

Cme back tomorrow . . . it’s all about Puerto Rico.

Geography Matters More than You Know!

This place is gorgeous! I will tell you all about it upon my return.

I’m at MIA on my way to the National Council for Geographic Education Conference in San Juan, PR. A few observations:

1. The chaos outside the airport is not necessarily an indication of what you will find inside the airport.
2. Almost every single time I fly, my gate is the every last one in the terminal.
3. Very few travelers actually know what to do at security, as if it is a completely foreign, freak-out-stressful experience. “Take off my shoes?!!” “Liquids need to be what??!!!” “Are you kidding me? Take my laptop out of the case?!”
4. People look unhappy/bored/exhausted while they are waiting for flights.
5. People talk very loudly on their cell phones in terminals and often argue on the phone.
6. The people who work at the newsstands and kiosks are like robots, and they never look you in the eye.
7. People drag a lot more carry on luggage than is technically allowed on the plane.
8. It is either freezing or boiling both in the airport and on the plane.
9. People speak to me in Spanish first (Unfortunately, I cannot speak Spanish.)
10. Baggage handlers outside sit around a lot. But when the planes come in they work fast and hard.

I do not like being away from my family, but at least I am at the real home of Lilly P, Nellie and Willie Badilly.

I reviewed a simple book for LA Parent Magazine called Getting There by Martha Stewart Konrad from Tundra Books. What I love most about this book is 1)  it educates children about the world and 2) the publisher donates royalties to support children of extreme poverty through an organization called World Vision.
Read the review here.

Dear readers,

As you all know, I am a geography nut! Tomorrow I am flying to San Juan, PR for the National Council for Geographic Education Conference. I will be attending workshops, conducting a workshop called “Making Geography Fun in the Classroom” networking and taking some time to see Old San Juan. What a pleasure it will be to be among so many others who are dedicated to improving geography education in America.

Stay tuned for info about what I learn there and for photos of Puerto Rico.

Wandering Educators recently interviewed Amie O’Shaughnessy, the publisher of www.ciaobambino.com.

This ingenious, beautiful website offers parents great tips on traveling with kids and gives unbiased, comprehensive reviews of accommodations all over the world.  Plus community reviews are provided from readers who have traveled to these destinations. You’ll also find a travel blog on this site with great photos.

When Amie wanted to travel after her son was born, she could not find reliable, detailed information to help her plan trips. That’s what inspired her to create Ciao Bambino. Many parents want to travel – both domestically and overseas – with their children. And it is sometimes difficult to know where the best destinations are for kids and where to stay when you get there. Families can enjoy their travels only when their children are truly welcome  and there are plenty of sites and activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Check out www.ciaobambino.com before you go on your next family trip. You’ll find many luxury travel options on this site as well as those with great value.

A site that promotes geography, travel and kids is always a good thing.

If you and your kids love books about animals and want to learn about them together, read my new book reviews on LA Parent’s Good Reads with Ronna.

• Think of an Eel
• White Owl Barn Owl
• Sea Horse
• Caterpillar Caterpillar

These 4 were all really cute books from the Read and Wonder series. White Owl Barn Owl was my favorite of the 4.

Your entire family will love this. It’s delicious, healthy and easy to make.

http://www.freeclipartnow.com

Mrs. Glade’s Grilled Eggplant Soup

• 1 large eggplant
• 1 med sweet onion chopped
• 8 sliced cloves garlic
• olive oil
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 2 large peeled and chopped tomatoes with some of the seeds removed
• 2 tbs. basil pesto (homemade or store bought)
• salt and pepper

Remove skin from eggplant. slice into 1/2 inch thick pieces. brush both sides with olive oil. Grill eggplant on both sides until nicely browned, but not burned. In a heavy duty saucepan saute onions in 2 tbs of olive oil on med heat. When onions start to brown, add sliced garlic to the pan. Lower the heat to med low. stir garlic and onions until grlic starts to brown slightly. Don’t burn it, or the garlic will be bitter. Add chicken stock, chopped tomatoes, grilled eggplant (chopped), salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 20 minutes until tomatoes are well cooked. Add pesto. (I always have homemade pesto in my fridge). Puree soup with an immersion blender until thick and smooth. 4 hearty servings. Serve with crusty bread. YUM!