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Teaching junior high students can be a challenge. But when it comes to time in the classroom, there are a few simple tips that can make any topic more interesting, including geography.

Geography teachers run into two issues when trying to teach states and capitals to less than enthusiastic 8th grade students. First is their short attention span, and second is that the topic relies strongly on memorization. The best way to engage the class and give them a way to learn the material is by providing hands-on learning experiences.

Games

One way to make states and capitals memorable is by creating a game where the students take turns picking up cards. Each card should have the name of a state or capital that they have to correctly place onto a blank map at the front of the classroom. Or, the cards could name only the state (which has to be affixed to the blank map) and then for extra points, the team would have to name that state's capital.

Teenagers love competition and there is always the opportunity for a teacher to give out extra credit or a small reward to a team that excels. By playing on multiple days, possibly changing which students are teamed up together, more rewards can be handed out and spread among classmates. Competition plus reward equals a stronger incentive to remember the material.

Reports

Ask the students to write reports on topics connected to each state's capital. Open up the possibilities to their imaginations by allowing students to make videos, collages, bring in food, or whatever they can think of to represent something unique about their capital.

Videos

Depending on how much time has been set aside to learn capitals, a video could be memorable. When young people can connect a story or visual to a place, it often sticks in their mind longer. Libraries are great resources when it comes to finding visual teaching materials. Many have video libraries with historic or travel films that would be appropriate.

Between students' excitement for the following year of high school, stress to get good grades, commitments with extracorricular activities, and raging hormones, teachers often get the "leftover" energies that can be hard to channel into memorable lessons. And although geography, like any subject, can be a challenge, it doesn't have to be difficult. By creating a fun, hands-on environment teachers can build a bond with their students that makes their year together enjoyable. And by incorporating games, hands-on reports, and watching videos, teens will be able to pay more attention and remember what they learned.

Learn more about this author, Lauren Von Lehe.
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