Over the next year, the GGA will be recruiting teachers of all grades and subjects to create content for a new GGA website. This includes content such as videos and lesson plans that show everyone that geography is everywhere and is relevant to everything, not just social studies. The long term goal of the new website will be to create online portals for students, educators, and parents as well as citizens and business leaders to see how geography is relevant to them.

The GGA is also launching a campaign to recruit teacher consultants across the state. Our goal is to have a TC in every school district by 2015. To become a TC, teachers are required to complete a free online video workshop on teaching geography. TC’s will be in charge of membership outreach and disseminating teaching materials in their districts. Benefits of being a TC include eligibility for continuing education field trips and advanced training as well as other networking opportunities. TC’s are also the first recipients any educational materials received or purchased by the Alliance.

If you’re interested, check yes to the questions on the last page of the new membership form available here.

The Georgia Geographic Alliance invites all Georgia students to participate the annual GGA postcard contest. This contest is designed to promote Geography Awareness by challenging all students to illustrate a postcard using this year’s Geography Awareness Week theme. Postcards can be submitted in three divisions: Elementary (K-5), Middle (6-8), and High School (9-12). The deadline for entries is January 1, 2012. First place winners will receive any National Geographic books or DVDs of their choice under $65, second place winners will receive any National Geographic books and/or DVDs of their choice under $30, and third place winners will receive their choice of any National Geographic Magazine Subscription. Schools of winning students or teachers will be sponsored by the GGA to participate in the National Geographic Bee. All entries will be posted on the GGA website, facebook page, and youtube channel. For more information go to www.GAofGeorgia.org.Video Contest

The Georgia Geographic Alliance invites all Georgia students, educators, and families to participate in the first GGA video contest. The contest is designed to promote Geography Awareness by challenging participants to create a video using this year’s Geography Awareness Week theme. Videos should be 2-5 minutes in length . Deadline for entries is January 1st, 2012. Participants who enter the top three videos will receive their choice of $200 worth of National Geographic books and/or DVD’s. Schools of winning students or teachers will be sponsored by the GGA to participate in the National Geographic Bee. All entries will be posted on the GGA website, facebook page, and YouTube channel.

While supplies last, new members (as well as current members who update their information) will receive a packet in the mail containing free maps and other educational materials from the National Geographic Society (NGS), the National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE), and the Association of American Geographers (AAG).

Each year thousands of schools in the United States participate in the National Geographic Bee using materials prepared by the National Geographic Society. The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms, spark student interest in the subject, and increase public awareness about geography. Schools with students in grades four through eight are eligible for this entertaining and challenging test of geographic knowledge.

Deadline for registration ($90): October 15, 2011
Late registration ends ($110): December 9, 2011
School Bees: November 14, 2011-January 13, 2012
Qualifying Test received by: January 31, 2012
State Bees: March 30, 2012
National Bee: May 22-23, 2012 http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee/

Click here to apply for the 2011 Summer Institute!
Click here to reserve a time slot for the Giant Map of North America!

Links to resources covered by the NCGE Webinar entitled “Using GIS in the classroom”

The Carter Library is holding a $10,000 Student Essay Contest! This essay contest is for students from 4 th thru 8 th grades, and they can WIN UP TO $10,000 in U. S. Savings Bonds!

http://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/ed…yContest.phtml

The Jimmy Carter Library & Museum and the Coca-Cola Foundation has generously established funding for the Carter Library to provide transportation funds for Georgia schools to use when bringing students to our newly-renovated museum for educational activities.

http://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/ed…ip_Program.pdf

This years theme for the annual GGA postcard contest is “Fresh Water”. Click here to see the rules and requirements for entries.

There is an important Bill working its way through the US Congress. This is the “Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act” (TGIF). If passed, it will improve geographic literacy among K-12 students by supporting professional development for teachers, as offered through institutions of higher education. It would rectify the problem that Geography was the only discipline not funded by the No Child Left Behind Act.

Please email your Representatives and Senators to voice their support of this Bill. The House Version of the Bill is HR 1240 “Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act.” You may find your House Representative’s email at http://www.house.gov/ . The Senate version of the bill is S-749 “Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act.” You may find Senators Chambliss’ and Isakson’s email addresses at http://senate.gov/

Thank you in advance for your support.

The GGA in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Education has created a Video on teaching geography entitled “Where We Live Matters“.