Okay, so not really 'crash' per se but I'm wanting to cover all continents between now and April when we finish up. About 15-18 weeks. I'm thinking 1 continent for every 2 weeks, plus a couple weeks learning states/capitals (we're 2/3's done with that now anyway) and the oceans. Here's my questions: What information or things should we cover that are INTERESTING, that will bring her back to studying the continent again and again and not bore her eyeballs out of her head? I'm not one to push figures, dates, etc... Help me make this an interesting and unforgettable course. Any and all information, links and ideas welcome. I'll compile them by continent and use them. We're heavily into reading, watching videos, websites, games, activities, etc... Not so much memory, worksheets, etc... but will look at all aspects you share. My child is in 6th grade, 11 1/2 yrs.
I'm doing "Around the World in 180 Days". We have done Africa, Australia, and Anartica. Tomorrow we'll be starting on South/Central America. So I do have a study guide to use, and we're going a bit slower than you want to. I would start with a trip to the library on Monday. Have him (her?) pick out a few interesting books and videos. We found an interesting travel video on Australia that lasted FOREVER, but the kids found it so interesting!!! Maybe he can pick one country per continent to do in depth. You can find outline maps on line at http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/testmaps/maps.htm as well as lots of information. Have him label countries/cities/geographical features/whatever else. For Anartica, I had the kids make a "travel brochure" advertising a tour. Where would they go? What would they see? What should they expect? The fun part was when my son was saying it would leave in June, because it would be summer. He forgot that the southern hemishere was the opposite, lol! Another great website is http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Geography.htm My oldest used it to teach herself all the countries.
Oh my goodness - there is literally tons of stuff out there on continent studies. Freebies, downloads, etc. All sorts of stuff. We're using MFW Exploring Countries and Cultures this year, and basically going continent by continent, learning all the locations of the countries and studying one or two in depth. So you could do that - Jackie's suggestion - very easily. YES...use your library, too...tons of interesting books out there. Also, consider downloading the Geography Scribe from www.historyscribe.com . I've used it sooo soo much this year. Anyway....go for it!! I would spend the first week going over the continents in GENERAL and the oceans in GENERAL....then do 2 weeks on each continent. HAVE FUN!!!!
I am using geomatters with my ds and we love it! The biggest negative to it was trying to understand how it all works together but we stuck it out and it is awesome! It goes continent to continent and covers different aspects of each continent. We started Europe last week and on Friday made a topographical map of Europe out of salt dough. The program works for elementary through high school.
What does she like doing most - for example my kids love food so I will be cooking my way around the world. Also, food doesn't have to be "continental" here in the UK just in the cities and towns I have lived in there are vagaries...for example, in Scotland they have "sauce" on their fries (which is actually vinegar of some sort - never worked it out but enlightenment would be good), in Hull they have a thing called Patties - which are mashed potato with herbs in batter, also there is variation on fish cakes through out the country either mashed together or layered. In the north east (Middlesborough way) they do a thing called Parmesan which is chicken dish - nothing to do with cheese and in the Midlands they do a thing called Grey paes and Bercon (pron. gray pays n berkon) ( (Grey peas and bacon) which is the grey peas are soaked and overnight with salt to soften them, rinsed, refilled with water / stock, then slow cooked with the bacon till they are thick and mushy - served hot with crusty bread. This is on top of other well known and marketed "traditions" such as Bakewell Tarts, Cornish pasties. etc. Hope this sparks some ideas SS
Jackie I have a ton of stuff to send you for South America, we have done videos on both Peru and Chile , since there have been catastorphes there recently I will be bringing them up in our up coming class too. I have maps, and web sites someplace here Lol, I have to find them in my long list of files on geography this year I am so bad at keeping things in order that way.
With MOH, Ems has a folder divided into continents. Each continent has a section for different countries on that continent. When she completes a lesson, the papers are filed under the continent, in the country that was studied.
Everyone's ideas are so wonderful! I love the idea of the salt dough Europe. I need to think like that more. Loved the UK food ideas as well. Writing it all down. She is into baking, science, art, history (some). Not so much paper work, worksheets. I really need to get on the ball with this or I'll lose the momentum. Yesterday we worked on our states and capitals for America. I think today we'll start labeling a map of the US and look up famous places online, watch videos of them and label them on our map. We're doing 3 weeks of just North America, then 2 weeks of every other continent. We'll just slip info in about the Oceans as we go. You all are getting me excited about this study. I just need to get it organized.
Go to Amazon and get "Material World". We are using it in conjunction with Around the World in 180 Days (pieces and parts of the curriculum for a basic geography study, not too in depth yet). This book has REALLY interested our kids. It takes families from all over the world and has them put their posessions out in front of their house to be photographed. Then there is a short additional 4-5 page photo essay of each family along with interesting statistics for families from that country. Our middle schoolers and young ones love this book so much! It is fascinating to see what other families have, how they live, what their homes are like. Cindy
Check out National Geographic's site for current events and landmarks. Great source to fill out information about an area you are studying.
This might sound like an odd suggestion, but one of the merit badges that boy scouts can win is "Citizenship in the world." As a framework for studying continents and countries in short order, the requirements associated with this badge might not be a bad choice. They are available online.
We use Seterra Geo Quiz program to learn all the continents, counttries, etc. http://www.wartoft.nu/software/seterra/ This website stinks, but the program is very useful. You can download it here: http://www.wartoft.nu/produkter/seterra/seterra.exe It was recommended through Bright Ideas Press Illuminations to compliment their geography curriculum that we do. We use it for review.
