Celebrating GIS Week: Make Geography Count in Core Subjects

Happy Geography Awareness Week!

This week we celebrate the power of geography. Not just as a subject, but as a lens through which we understand our world. But here’s the catch: geography is rarely given the space it deserves in school. In fact, in many classrooms, it barely appears at all.

How do I know? Because I was one of those Americans who didn’t learn geography in school. When I first taught 5th grade, I learned the 50 states with my students. I didn't know the capitals. Couldn't place every state. It wasn’t until I had to teach it that I really learned it.

And I’m not alone. Geography has long been overshadowed by “non-negotiable” subjects like math and reading. I saw it firsthand as a 6th grade math and science teacher in New York City: if we didn’t finish math lessons on time, science got cut. Geography wasn’t even on the table. And yet, geography is critical. iIt builds global awareness, spatial thinking, and environmental literacy.

So I did what teachers do best: I got creative.

I blended geography into the subjects that do get taught consistently, especially math. Because while science and social studies often get squeezed, math isn’t going anywhere.

That’s how Math Maps was born. It’s my way of sneaking geography into the curriculum, one point at a time. Students graph, calculate, and explore the world by Coordinate Plane. They are traveling across national parks, historic landmarks, and biodiverse biomes. All through the language of math.

Rethinking Where Geography Belongs: It’s Not Just Science and Social Studies

Too often, we think of geography as sitting neatly alongside science and social studies. Sounds logical, right? Except those are the subjects most likely to get sidelined once the math block runs over or reading prep takes priority. And geography still loses out.

We need to think bigger.

Geography should be woven into all subjects. Let’s bring it into language arts through storytelling and setting analysis. Use it in art to explore cartography and spatial awareness. Geography isn’t just about places… It’s about people, patterns, and perspective.

Because if geography keeps waiting patiently in the social studies corner, it’ll keep getting skipped. It deserves more. And so do our students.

So as we celebrate #GeoWeek2025 let’s remember:

Geography isn’t a subject that should stand alone. It’s a subject that can stand with almost anything.

Let’s embed it into math, art, science, literacy, and beyond. Let’s teach kids the spatial skills they need to navigate a complex world, and let’s do it in ways that are creative, relevant, and unforgettable.

Because when we sneak geography in where no one expects it… Every student becomes a mapmaker!

About Traveling Miss T.

Traveling Miss T. creates coordinate plane worksheets that make learning creative, meaningful, and interdisciplinary. Math Maps © help educators bring curiosity, adventure, and exploration into every classroom.