Washington, D.C. - D.C. United announced today the beginning of the second year of D.C. United Soccer Geography, an educational curriculum created to allow students to closely follow United's travels during the season, while learning about the various MLS cities United visits. The program, developed in partnership with Sporting Geography of Chesterfield, MO, was designed to develop and enhance student's interest in U.S. geography.
"D.C. United is pleased to provide area teachers with the Sporting Geography program for a second consecutive year," said Catherine Marquette, Director of Community Relations and Executive Director of United for D.C. "D.C. United Soccer Geography will once again allow the study of U.S. geography to be both fun and interesting. With nearly 250 schools enrolled in the program to date, made up of 10,000 students, the curriculum is proving to be not only a hit with teachers, but with kids, as well."
The Sporting Geography program includes curriculum packets that complements current social studies curriculum. Designed for students enrolled in grades four through eight, the program integrates subject areas through a common theme of geography and builds interests by linking school activities with professional sports. Through a series of 12 lesson plans (one for each MLS team), students learn about the geography and history of the various regions of the United States as they track D.C. United's travels to MLS cities. New this season, the program includes a website, found under the Sporting Geography section at the community section of DCUnited.com, that provides a D.C. United Soccer Geography Quiz for students to answer while involved in each lesson plan.
Teachers interested in the D.C. United Soccer Geography program may register by sending an email to register@sportinggeography.org . Lesson plans are available in both English and Spanish. More information on the program may be found by visiting www.sportinggeography.com or by calling D.C. United Community Relations at 202-587-5000.
Sporting Geography was founded in 1988. In 1990, Geography Insights From Today's Sports, Inc., a non-profit organization, was founded to manage the not-for-profit program. Today, teams from across the United States participate in the program. Thousands of classrooms are reached each week through Sporting Geography materials and promotions.
