1. Do I need to be a football expert to use Pigskin Geography?
   
   No. It is not necessary to have any special knowledge of football to answer the questions, only a knowledge of U.S. geography. The first 1/3 of the quizzes concentrate on teaching the location of cities throughout the U.S., identifying states, capital cities and major bodies of water. The second 1/3 introduces geographic concepts and terminology such as peninsulas, cardinal directions, time zones, latitude and longitude, mountain ranges, transcontinental flights, and the confluence, source, mouth and delta of rivers. In the final 1/3, interstate highways are followed, mileage is calculated, watersheds are discussed and students learn about historic and scenic places.
   
   
   
2. Pigskin Geography quizzes are most appropriate for which grade level?
   
   The idea for Pigskin Geography was conceived in a 5th grade social studies class, and is appropriate for grades 5-10. However, Pigskin is utilized in grades 4-12. the quizzes will be difficult for 4th graders, so teachers and/or parents should be selective in the questions these students are expected to answer.
   
   
   
3. Are girls interested in Pigskin Geography?
   
   Yes. When the students realize that no knowledge of football is necessary, girls will be as or more interested than boys in studying United States geography.
   
   
   
4. What if a student is not interested in sports?
   
   No knowledge of football is required to understand the concepts presented in Pigskin Geography. One teacher stated, "By the time the students figured out they didn't have to know anything about football, I already had them hooked on geography."
   
   
   
5. What materials are needed to answer the Pigskin Geography quizzes?
   
   A large wall map is preferred, but any size United States map will do. Do not use a map in an atlas that has a page break in the middle of it. A wall map and a desk map are included in your Pigskin Geography quiz packet. Many questions require research and the use of an encyclopedia. Having the 2000 World Almanac available would be an asset.
   
   
   
6. Can I start doing the quizzes after missing a few weeks of the NFL season?
   
   Yes, you may begin anytime, but the quizzes are developed sequentially over the season. they start out by teaching the location of the NFL cities in the United States, and get more difficult as the weeks roll by. You may begin anytime you want, but it is suggested a few selected questions from preceding weeks be done to bring the necessary skills and concepts up to par. Can I say par in football?
   
   
   
7. When is the best time to have my child/students work on the Pigskin quizzes?
   
   Have 30 minutes to an hour of designated study time sometimes during the week preceding the games being played on Sunday. The quizzes are worked from the schedule of the upcoming games. They are never worked after the games were played on Sunday!
   
   
   
8. What is included in the Pigskin Geography Packet?

• 17 weeks of quizzes and 17 weeks of answer sheets about United States geography based on the travels of the NFL teams.
  
  
• Student Study Hint Sheet providing answers to several questions.
  
  
• Chart of the two-letter state abbreviations and the state nicknames.
  
  
• United States Time Zone map.
  
  
• Population information on the 35 largest cities in the United States.
  
  
• Seating capacity table of stadia in the NFL for 2011.
  
  

What if I have MORE questions?

CONTACT

Alfred J. Wilson,
NIE Consultant

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940-648-8588

940-648-8007(fax)