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Memorizing the locations of countries on a world map can be a daunting task, but there are many ways to make the process easier just make sure you start with an up-to-date map.
1.Study it piece by piece, section by section, and/or by continent.
Break down large areas into smaller, more manageable regions (e.g., continents, countries, or states within regions).
Focus on one area at a time, such as identifying all the states of the U.S. Midwest before tackling all 50 states. We do this with map games on Early Finishers web page.
US States - Identify all 50 States game.
If you are having problems identifying all 50 states; practice the US regions below.
2.Tie in current events to give what you're memorizing extra context; try to make it relevant. Relate political maps to news stories or historical events.
Example: “Where is Ukraine? Let’s find it on the map and discuss why it’s been in the news.”
Example: "Where is Japan? Why was there a Tsunami warning?"
3. Songs and Rhymes Create a song or rhyme to help students recall key places.
4. Visualize the outline of a state or country like we do with clouds ("Cloud View"). For example Italy looks like a boot. What does Oklahoma look like?
5.Use proximity to places you know.
For example, I know where Illinois is on a map (I better, because I live there) and I remember that Wisconsin is north of Illinois and Indiana is east of Illinois.
Or, I know California is the state on the West Coast (Pacific Coast). I recall that Oregon is to the north and Nevada is to the east while Arizona borders California to the south and east.
6. Use mnemonic devices (silly sayings, acronyms, etc). For example, I use Be Good Every Hour Near Coal City Police to recall the countries in Central America zig-zagging East to West from North to South (Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama).
Or, Spider Man Hates Eating Oreos to recall the Great Lakes from West to East
(Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario).
DC fans can replace Spider Man with Super Man.
Can you use the "tricks" above and memorize the 50 states of the United States?
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