July 26th, 2011 / No Comments » / by Terri
It’s summer and you are probably thinking about something else… like sitting by the pool and reading a good book, or taking the canoe out on the lake, or packing up to go camping. You are probably not thinking about geography!
Let’s face it… Geography is one of the most overlooked subjects in traditional public schooling and in homeschooling. Why? It is probably because it doesn’t seem very important to our everyday, busy lives. Do my students really need to know where Liberia is located? How about Chile? Is this relevant information or should we just spend a little more time with math, history and writing?
Geography is very important to learn and will help your children immensely as they grow into compassionate adults who care not only for themselves, but for the people around them, both locally and globally.
So, how can we add in some geography to our school week in a fun and yet easy way? Here are 5 very easy and even enjoyable ways to learn more about our globe without compromising your other studies or losing your kids to utter boredom. In fact, learning geography will enhance nearly every other subject area that your students are studying.
1. Mark It on the Map
When you study a place, a person or an event, mark in on your wall map. If you do not have a wall map of the world, pick one up inexpensively at Cosco, Borders or Walmart. Thumb tack it to your wall. Let’s say that you are studying Louis Pasteur in science. Using a colored marker, place a dot on Dole, France (where he was born) or Paris, France (where he lived and died) and mark the location with his name. You can do this with almost any location information that you read about during your normal course of studies.
2. Color an Outline Map
Perhaps you would like to take this one step further and actually see what the map looked like at a particular period in time. Purchase or search online for a set of historical outline maps. As you study various events in history, print out an appropriate map for your students to label and color while you read their history text to them. Here’s an example, using a map of the Napoleonic Wars. When studying the life of Napoleon, print out the maps at the link below. Have your students label the important cities and islands on the map – Corsica, where Napoleon was born; Paris, where he established himself as First Consul and then later Emperor; Elba, where he was first exiled; etc. Also, have them label the important battles of Napoleon’s campaign. When they are finished labeling their maps, they can color them and then add to a history binder, the refrigerator or bulletin board.
Napoleonic Wars – Printable Outline Maps
3. Mix it up with a Unit Study
Maybe your students are burned out on the regular schedule and it is time for a change. Why not mix things up by doing a unit study? A great way to throw in a splash of geography into your studies would be to study one country for a week. Learn about their customs, their religion, their architecture and their values. Read some great books, look at beautiful pictures, cook up some authentic cuisine, create a craft.
4. Take a Map on your Trip
Will you be taking a road trip at any time in the near future? Print off a map of the area you will be driving (or flying through) and have your kids mark places of interest as you pass by them on your journey.
5. Dig in Deeper
Perhaps you and your students are ready for a deeper study of a particular geographic region. It is perfectly acceptable to set aside another subject for a time, such as history or science, and dig deeper into geography. You won’t cause your students any educational damage by laying aside one subject for a time to pick up another. In fact, they will retain more if they can study more deeply in one subject, rather than spreading themselves too thinly across a multitude of subjects.
In conclusion, geography does not need to be hard or intimidating. We can learn more about our world right alongside our kids. Don’t worry if your children are not connecting the dots right away and still seem disorientated with the globe. Over time and with continued reinforcement, your children will become familiar with the layout of our planet and the people that God has placed upon it. As home educators, we can feel confident that we are producing well-rounded, well-educated and compassionate kids when we add a splash of geography to our studies at least once a week.
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Looking for some fun and easy geography resources to spice up your homeschooling adventures? Find historical outline maps, unit studies and more at www.knowledgequestmaps.com. Get a free 1 year geography program when you sign up for our newsletter.
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June 9th, 2011 / 117 Comments » / by Terri
Looking for Freedom & Simplicity™ in Christian home education? Lifestyle Education through Discipleship™ helps you find it through combining Real Resources and natural, family-friendly methods with Biblical foundations, principles and reasoning for Biblical excellence.
The L.E.D. Seminar is the place for you to get started on your journey of Freedom & Simplicity™. And you can attend in the comfort of your own home, at your own convenience.
In this audio/visual Seminar you’ll learn:
How to educate from a Biblical Worldview
How to teach Biblical Principles in all of Life, and every “school subject”
How to teach multiple ages – without cloning yourself
How to disciple your children for God’s purpose for their lives
How to use Real Books and Natural methods for Excellence
Hands-on application included
Make the Biblical excellence of the Principle Approach® family friendly, and the Natural learning methods of Charlotte Mason Biblically grounded.
Read more here:
http://frommeandmyhouse.com/led-seminar.htm
Enter a comment to win this audio-seminar. Winner will be notified within 48 hours.
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June 9th, 2011 / 331 Comments » / by Terri
#1 Most Entered Drawing!
Set of 3 Historical Biographies:
- What Really Happened in Ancient Times – This collection of historical biographies geared toward 8-14 year olds presents the lives of ordinary people who accomplished extraordinary deeds during the Ancient time period. Illustrated with stunning portraits, this inspiring compilation of stories describes with historical accuracy and age-appropriate content the quality character and unbending determination of Eve, Noah, Gilgamesh, Imhotep, Daniel, Cyrus the Great, Eratosthenes, and Constantine.
- What Really Happened During the Middle Ages – This collection of historical biographies geared toward 8-14 year olds presents the lives of ordinary people who accomplished extraordinary deeds during the time of the Middle Ages. Illustrated with stunning portraits, this inspiring compilation of stories describes with historical accuracy and age-appropriate content the quality character and unbending determination of St. Patrick, Theodora, Alcuin, Wenceslas, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Joan of Arc, Johann Gutenberg and Martin Luther.
- What Really Happened in Colonial Times – This collection of historical biographies geared toward 8-14 year olds presents the lives of ordinary people who accomplished extraordinary deeds during the Colonial time period. Illustrated with stunning portraits, this inspiring compilation of stories describes with historical accuracy and age-appropriate content the quality character and unbending determination of Pocahontas, Lady Alicia Lisle, James Cook, Rachel Walker Revere, Lord Admiral Nelson, Catherine Ferguson, Lucretia Mott and Narcissa Whitman.
Each book contains 8 historical biographies for a total of 24 accounts of extraordinary people who made an impact on our world.
Would you like to win this set of 3 books, valued at $35.00? Enter a comment below, along with a way to contact you, and you will be entered into our drawing. We’ll post the winner tomorrow morning!
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June 9th, 2011 / 321 Comments » / by Terri
#2 Most Entered Drawing
Have you ever been teaching a history lesson when one of your children pipes up with a question. “Mom, is Carthage a city in Oregon or some other country?” Oh dear, you think to yourself and then calmly explain, “Honey, first of all, Oregon is a state, not a country. And Carthage no longer exists, but I think it was located on the northern tip of Africa across the Mediterranean Sea from Italy.” After receiving two or more questions along this vein, you realize that you need some better resources.
Actually, you only need ONE!
Map Trek is an atlas plus historical outline maps that allow you to teach geography alongside history. This is a resource that any homeschool parent can use with brilliant success, even if you don’t remember a thing from your history or geography classes in public school.
http://www.knowledgequestmaps.com/Map-Trek-Hardcover-Atlas-+-CD-ROM.html
Would you like to win this book, valued at $55.00? Enter a comment below, along with a way to contact you, and you will be entered into our drawing. We’ll post the winner tomorrow morning!
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June 9th, 2011 / 317 Comments » / by Terri
#3 Most Entered Drawing!
From the sparkling sands of Brazil to the orange groves of Morocco to the rising cosmopolitan city-state of Singapore… It’s time for an expedition! Grab your passport and let’s explore the people and places of our globe. Within these pages, you will discover the sights and sounds of all 195 countries of our world and learn about the people who live there, the crops they raise, the food they eat, the music they play, the religions they follow, and so much more. From the exotic to the ordinary, you will learn about the amazing facets of our globe without leaving your own home. However, the pages of this book may inspire you to hop on a plane and experience the near and far corners of our planet for yourself.
Read more here, plus download a FREE sample:
http://www.knowledgequestmaps.com/Expedition-Earth.html
Would you like to win this book, valued at $39.95? Enter a comment below, along with a way to contact you, and you will be entered into our drawing. We’ll post the winner tomorrow morning!
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June 9th, 2011 / 188 Comments » / by Terri
Hands and Hearts has been very generous to offer a party favor for everyone – 15% discount off anything on their website – http://handsandhearts.com. Use coupon code – quest - to receive your discount.
Also, they are offering a $25 gift certificate to one lucky winner. Visit the website above to see all that they have to offer. Our family has greatly enjoyed their History Kits, which are still available for possibly only a limited time. So get ‘em now while you still can.
Hands and Hearts has just established their presence on Facebook, so if you all want to head over there and “like” them, the Estes family would be thrilled. Here’s the link:
www.facebook.com/handsandheartshomeschool
To enter this drawing for the $25 gift certificate, please leave a comment here about why you would like to win this, along with a way to contact you in the event you are the winner.
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June 9th, 2011 / 120 Comments » / by Terri
Heart of the Matter Online Home Education Conference was the fulfillment of a vision given to a group of friends years ago but that wouldn’t begin to be fulfilled until August of 2007. They had a desire to do more for the online homeschooling community and as they prayed, God began to bless every aspect of their ministry. Heart of the Matter Online was born on January 8, 2008 and with that an online magazine just for parents and home educators. The first Online Home Education Conference in 2008 was successful beyond their wildest imaginations. So many received help and comfort, practical ideas and tips, and were revived to continue to do the task God has called them to do.
The heart of this ministry is to bridge the gap between the child and the parent, a relationship designed by God. We hope to accomplish this by presenting you with motivational speakers, encouragement and fellowship from “real” parents, and practical resources so that the parents can take 100% control of their child’s education.
Check the speaker line-up here:
http://conference.heartofthematteronline.com/
We are giving away 3 tickets to the Heart of the Matter Conference, which will be held August 8-12. Tickets are valued at $14.95, an exceptional price for an exceptional conference. To enter this drawing, please leave a comment about why you would like to win a ticket along with a way to contact you, if you are the winner.
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June 9th, 2011 / 172 Comments » / by Terri
Tired of getting that blank look when your children read the instructions to a math problem, especially when you are certain they know how to do the work? Often, the problem isn’t the math itself that confuses the child, but rather, understanding the terminology.
This booklet covers 16 commonly used and easily forgotten math terms. Memory Triggers utilizes the same FUN mnemonic approach used so successfully with Times Tales. Simple pictures and stories combine to trigger your child’s memory to remember the meaning of the term and what to do to solve the problem. This is a great tool for any elementary age student struggling with remembering commonly used math terms. Put an end to questions like, “What does denominator mean, again?”
Read more here:
http://triggermemorysystem.com/Elementary-Math-Terms-Memorize-for-kids-3rdgrade-Math.html
Would you like to win this book, valued at $5.95? Enter a comment below, along with a way to contact you, and you will be entered into our drawing. We’ll post the winner tomorrow morning!
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June 9th, 2011 / 246 Comments » / by Terri
Learn History on the Drive Home from “The Most Interesting American”
Teddy Roosevelt won the Medal of Honor and the Nobel Peace Prize. He wrote
military textbooks and guides for birdwatchers. He was a sickly child who
became a rancher, governor, Amazon explorer, the youngest president ever. A
friend of cowboys and emperors. A diplomat and a warrior.
No wonder he was called,
“The Most Interesting American!”
And he not only made history,
he wrote about it to teach children virtue and patriotism, too.
Hero Tales from American History
These stirring stories by Theodore Roosevelt and Henry Cabot Lodge teach young
Americans real character through the lives of great men and surprising facts
about America’s first centuries. Parts 1 and 2 cover the nation’s founding, the
War for Independence, the French Revolution, and the War of 1812.
Now you and your children can enjoy this classic in audiobook format complete
with cannon fire, slapping waves, and angry French mobs!
Two hours of history you’ll never forget, for only $10!
New from Great Waters Press
Publisher of Raising Real Men, CSPA Book of the Year
Read more here:
http://www.raisingrealmen.com/ourstore/for-boys/herotales/
Would you like to win this CD, valued at $10.00? Enter a comment below, along with a way to contact you, and you will be entered into our drawing. We’ll post the winner tomorrow morning!
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June 9th, 2011 / 153 Comments » / by Terri
Trivium Pursuit is giving away 2 copies Bless the Lord: The 103rd Psalm by Johannah Bluedorn Stanford
Trivium Pursuit is pleased to announce the release of their newest children’s picture book Bless the Lord: The 103rd Psalm. This is the second in the Illustrated Psalm series by artist Johannah Bluedorn Stanford. In addition to the 30 paintings illustrating the text, the psalm is set to music.
About the author/illustrator: Johannah Bluedorn Stanford has been homeschooled all her life and is self-taught in art. Skilled in the use of a variety of media, Johannah has illustrated several other children’s books, including Little Bitty Baby Learns Hebrew, My Mommy My Teacher, The Lord Builds the House: The 127th Psalm, and The Story of Mr. Pippin (all published by Trivium Pursuit), and From Dark to Dawn: A Tale of Martin Luther and the Reformation and Raising Maidens of Virtue (both published by Books on the Path). Johannah is married and lives in Pekin, Illinois.
Read more here:
https://www.triviumpursuit.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16149&cat=263&page=1
Would you like to win one of these books, valued at $18.00? Enter a comment below, along with a way to contact you, and you will be entered into our drawing. We’ll post the winner tomorrow morning!
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