When I decided to incorporate a World Geography/Culture study into our History studies, I wanted to find a book that would guide us through a brief, but thorough study of each continent. I have found that guide in the Evan-Moor Geography Units. At the Evan-Moor site, you can look through these books page by page and I encourage you to do this! It's one thing that I love about their website.

 

 

These geography guides are geared for grades 3-6. They include reproducible maps, activity pages and even a 17 x 22 full-color map of the continent being studied. This map shows the elevations of the various areas of the continent as well as the most popular (or well-known) geographical features there - mountain ranges, rivers, cities, etc. There is a "teacher's information" center in the front of the book because this book is supposed to be used in a public school classroom. However, this book is very homeschooler-friendly so don't let that part fool you! The sections covered in each book are:

 

Introducing (the continent)

Water and Landforms

Geographic Regions

Political Divisions

(the continent's) Resources

(the continent's) Plants and Animals

The People

 

Each section contains questions that the child must answer by either reading information in that section or researching other materials to find the answer.  There are Bonus questions and activities at the bottom of most of the pages, some more challenging than others. In the back of each book are the following features: A glossary, an answer key, and a Bibliography listing books, cd's and websites that can supplement your studies further.

 

Now, you could purchase one book for each child and have them fill it in, but you are given the right to reproduce the pages for each student. I only purchased one for our family and am going to reproduce the pages for each child to make up their own notebook. I am just using this series as the groundwork for each culture/geography study. I have some other great books lined up to flesh out this basic material. These include:

 

Multicultural Mini-Units (Elementary)

 

WORLD CULTURE STUDY:

People Around the World by Kingfisher

Kingfisher Geography Encyclopedia

Children Just Like Me

Usborne's Peoples of the World

 

ATLASES:

Eyewitness Atlas of the World

Encyclopedic World Atlas (6th Edition, Updated and Expanded) - "scratch & dent" copy is here

Family Reference Atlas of the World

Nat'l Geographic World Atlas for Young Explorers

Nat'l Geographic Student Atlas of the World - paperback version is here

The Kingfisher Young People's Atlas of the World

Atlas of the World by Keith Lye

 

ANIMAL STUDY:

DK Animal Encyclopedia

The Concise Animal Encyclopedia

Kingfisher Illustrated Animal Encyclopedia

Nat'l Geographic Animal Encyclopedia

 

Well, I hope this review helps you as you look for good materials to cover the basics of world geography. I can't wait for us to get started on our study!

 

DISCLAIMER: I am in no way affiliated with this company - I'm just a HAPPY CUSTOMER!

 

... Kris ...