Geography covers a lot of information. How to work it into your already full homeschool day.
Geography can be an easy subject in homeschool. There are so many ways to work it into an already full schedule.
Have good resources – Make sure you have at least one reliable atlas on hand. Keep it in a spot the kids can easily reach. There are many available. Also, there are several good resources online for geography.
National Geographic offers two particularly worthy places to look. At National Geographic Xpeditions you can view and print black and white maps of almost anywhere. These maps can contain details or be left blank for filling in.
Also, the National Geographic GeoBee Challenge gives a daily online quiz taken from past GeoBees. These can be pretty difficult. Use the quiz as a jumping off point – encourage your child to look at maps and find the places the questions talk about.
WorldAtlas.com is another wonderful online resource, with excellent maps, country facts, and basic geography things to know.
Maps, maps, and more maps – Maps are hands-on, they are informative, and they can go anywhere. Hang maps in several places in your home, giving your child an opportunity to look at different times throughout the day:
- hang one by your child’s bed for them to look at when they can not fall asleep.
- Hang one on your child’s bathroom wall, with a short list of things to identify next to it. They can look at this when they brush teeth .
- Choose a continent or area to work on, print out a map, laminate it, and keep it in the car at your child’s seat. You can easily make or purchase a pouch that can hold books, maps, and other things for car rides. Have your child study maps when riding in the car for errands.
- Hang one or two good maps in your school area. Be sure to reference them any time possible. For example, when teaching history, have your child identify places on the map. Younger children will, of course, need more direction.
Basic Facts Everyone Should Know:
- The Seven Continents
- The Four Major Oceans
- Compass Rose
Anyone can start with these simple geography facts. Even preschoolers, with help, can learn the basics. Children as young as first grade can practice writing these places, so they not only learn the facts, but can spell them correctly, as well. Each day, verbally quiz your child on the names of the continents and major oceans. Then, have them copy the names out on a sheet of paper. Repetition is a great learning tool in geography.
After the basics are mastered, you can decide how to proceed. Focus on one continent at a time. Learn the oceans that surround it, major rivers, mountain ranges, and so on.
When it comes to geography, there is a lot to know. It is a very important subject for all students. Take it in small bits, master a few facts at a time. Before you know it, you will be worldy-wise!
