On November 30th, qualifying Newcastle Elementary 4th and 5th graders will once again have the opportunity to participate in the fun and challenging National Geographic School Geography Bee! To qualify for the school bee, Newcastle 4th and 5th graders will soon be participating in mini geography challenges in their individual classrooms to determine grade level
finalists.

Are you wondering how to prepare for this challenge? The National Geographic website (website: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee/) is a fabulous place to start with a study corner, daily quizzes and links to other geography resources.  If you'd like to practice your knowledge of locations, free online map quizzes can also be found online at Seterra (http://online.seterra.net/en/).  Who will be the fastest and most accurate in your home?

"Each year thousands of schools in the United States participate in the National Geographic Bee using materials prepared by the National Geographic Society. The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms, spark student interest in the subject, and increase public awareness about geography. Schools with students in grades four through eight are eligible for this entertaining and challenging test of geographic knowledge." (website: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee/)

2013 National Geographic Bee Dates:

School Bees: November 12, 2012–January 15, 2013

(Newcastle Geography Bee = November 30th)

State Bees: April 5, 2013

National Level: May 20–22, 2013

Stay tuned, more information to follow as the date of the bee draws nearer!