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Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 08:30:43 -0400
From: "John D. Crissinger" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Book review
Sender: "John D. Crissinger" <[log in to unmask]>
Just received a children's geography book that was really disappointing. Felt like making a few comments in case anyone else is considering its purchase.
Geography Brainstretchers: Creative Problem-Solving Activities in Geography
by Anthony D. Fredericks
Good Year Books: 1999
0673586502
for grades 4-6
I saw the title and recommended it to our education librarian. She was as excited as me. But were we ever disappointed. We expected some good geographic interaction type activities with title buzzwords like "brainstretchers" and "creative problem solving activities." But after 91 pages of "sequences, multiple choice selections, analogies," etc., it's all stuff I would have expected to see 20 years ago. And yes that translates to BORING.
Example under groups and categories:
"These are RICHMORS: range, peak, plateau, volcano
These are not RICHMORS: river, tributary, swamp, reservoir
Which of these is a RICHMOR? canal, hill, lake, gulf"
Sorry, folks, but I can't envision a fifth grader getting turned on by this. Too much like a multiple-choice test. And what is a Richmor anyway? Why not use geographic language.
another under explanation of analogies:
45 degrees: northwest:: 90 degrees _______. Answer given is WEST.
West? Am I missing something here? What has NW got to do with west, or anything for that matter. Maybe 45 degrees north or west or east, but why northwest. Have no idea.
My take on it is that a great opportunity to impart some neat geographic education to the young folks is again blown. So sad. Only our opinion, but this one is purely and optional purchase.
John D. Crissinger
Geography instructor & Librarian
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JOHN D. CRISSINGER *
NEWARK CAMPUS LIBRARY * Tele: 740-366-9306
OSU-N/COTC * Fax: 740-366-9264
1179 UNIVERSITY DR. * email: [log in to unmask]
NEWARK, OH 43055 *
*
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<center> "Geographers never get lost,
they are only exploring unfamiliar places!"
</center>
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