So, it's been awhile, I guess.  Where are we?

Instead of a true history curriculum, we've been using a World Geography/Cultures curriculum this year.  We are utilizing My Father's World Exploring Countries and Cultures.  I was very excited to work through this curr. when our school year started; I love geography and learning about far away places.  But, alas, something has fallen flat.  I'm still trying to figure out why I am feeling uninspired by our studies. 

If I was pressed to name one reason, though, I would have to say it's "User Error."  I, as the teacher, simply am not getting as much out of this curriculum for the kids as I could be.  Therefore, the kids seem uninspired and a wee bit bored by it all.  Inherent in studying geography is some memorization, and that can get tedious.  So that could be a part of it, too.  Learning is taking place, though, so I guess I should hold onto that positive thought.

We have so far studied the continents of North America (focusing on the United States, Canada and Mexico) and South America (focusing on Brazil).  Alongside learning about the countries and a bit about their cultures, we also are learning about habitats one would find on each continent (e.g., we studied the rain forest while "visiting" Brazil).

We are reading books that go along with our studies.  I will create a list to the right some time soon.  We just started "Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates" to accompany our study of Europe.

I was especially anxious to study the provinces of Canada.  I confess that I know very little about our neighbors to the north.  And that makes me a bit embarrassed, given that I was born and raised in a state that was directly south!  But, better later than never, right?

So when it came time to memorize the order of the provinces, the kids and I made up pnuemonics to help us out (a great learning device, in my opinion).  Want to share this in case you, too, are feeling a bit weak in your Canadian geography.

Starting west, here's what Sarah came up with for the first four provinces/territories:  YBCA (sung to the tune of "YMCA"):  Yukon Terr., British Columbia and Alberta; then for the next four, we came up with SMOQ (pronounced "smock"):  Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.  Now, keep in mind that there are a few more that we didn't include in our little ditties, but this is a good start.

That's your geography lesson for the day...