If you’re looking for some simple and fun homeschool geography ideas for high school, I have a few resources.Too, I have more tips How to Homeschool High School. Also, look at my page Homeschool Geography for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.
My summer or these past few months anyway reminds me of a quote: ” Life’s up and downs provide windows of opportunity to determine your values and goals. . ..”
Well, I have had all kinds of windows over here and more than I would like during any one time.
Too, Mr. Awesome is a different type of learner than Mr. Senior 2013. He is okay with geography but doesn’t want anything over the top exhaustive.
And nothing gets me more excited than to get into a geography groove.
I have been mulling over several options this year.
One book that we been using has been a life saver for us over the last few weeks.
Fun Homeschool Geography
You know I’m not a huge text book fan, but when I find a good one and it is geared toward an older child, I like to share.
It is by McDougal Littell and it is called World Cultures and Geography.
I like it because it has a hodgepodge of things in it. Some of the features are analyzing primary sources, fun facts and a history makers section.
Of course like most text books, it has only bits and pieces of those things and it is not real expansive, but that is all we want. So it serves as a nice reference book for us. I am hoping to share some pictures of the inside too.
Mr. Awesome has been using it for a history makers unit we have be doing. I will share that next week.
Then of course you know how much I love Runkle Geography and it will be a mainstay for our journey in geography through all the years
Simple Homeschool Geography
Updated: We ended up using Runkle Geography and absolutely loved it.
In addition, we used North Star Geography as another fun and simple geography resource.
I would like to add one more hands-on or interactive resource so I have been eyeballing Geography Challenge.
Mr. Awesome, unlike Mr. Senior 2013 has a low tolerance for bookish work.
Sure, the kid is obedient but I am not trying to run an obedience school. I want a kid that loves it and I save bookish work for his essays.
Homeschool High School Geography Resources and Books
Geography for high school should still be fun and hands-on. It can take years to find the right resources. However, I’ve gathered up some of my favorite books and resources.
North Star Geography covers basic geography skills (maps, navigation) as well as physical geography (topography, biosphere, structure of the earth) and human geography (environmental stewardship, agriculture, culture, heritage & more)—all from a Christian perspective. Each lesson in the Reader is approximately 10-15 pages and geared toward junior high-high school students, though it may be adapted for younger students; the text features full-color maps, illustrations, and interesting sidebars. Accompanying each lesson on the Companion Guide, hands-on project options, as well as an “atlas building” section where students label outline maps, are provided. Note-taking pages feature ten questions taken from the text that can be used for review or comprehension questions, as well as for a study guide for the exam
Brenda Runkle’s World Physical Geography makes an often-boring topic come to life!
With our world seeming to shrink with each passing week, knowing about virtually all peoples and nations is more important than ever.
It focuses on physical geography, providing the basis for learning the fundamentals of geography.
Challenges students to remember important facts and encourages them to enjoy themselves in the process.Deals with facts and principles related to the study of life science, physical science, and earth and space science.
Around the World in 180 Days is a geography and history program covering the history, geography, and culture of each continent. And yet this is not a textbook. It is a series of questions that the student must research in order to answer. Plenty of resources are suggested to help students conduct their research, and the teacher's edition provides all the answers. This revised and updated curriculum is written with a multilevel approach with study questions for students of all grade levels, making this a curriculum your whole family can do together! This two-volume set includes an illustrated teacher's edition and a student workbook.
Get out the sombrero for your Mexican fiesta! Chinese egg rolls! Corn pancakes from Venezuela! Fried plantains form Nigeria! All this and more is yours when you take your family on a whirlwind tour of over thirty countries in this unique international cookbook. Jam-packed with delicious dinners, divine drinks, and delectable desserts, this book is sure to please.
Student worktexts include daily instruction and review as well as ample opportunity for assessment of student performance using self tests and unit tests. To encourage individualized instruction, we have included a teacher's guide designed to help you guide your student's learning experience according to his specific interests and needs. This essential teaching resource includes teaching notes for each unit, a complete answer key, and information about additional resources and learning activities.
If you would like a geography course that includes mapping activities, atlas usage, research, notebooking and culture with very little teacher preparation, look no further. The Trail Guide to World Geography is a week one, day one kind of teacher s manual with daily geography drills (answers included) and numerous weekly assignment choices. <P> Multi-level geography course for 36 week school year for elementary through high school. <P> Assign as much or as little as YOU decide.
And, because I have always been determined to feed him through his mode of hands on and creative, learning geography through a game may make a good fit this year.
Of course, this means I would be the one having to play it with him. But I do see that this could benefit Tiny too as he could have access to the questions which are the answers.
More Geography Resources
- Homeschool Geography Go To Resources
- Homemade Compass. Simple Geography Projects Equals Huge Wow Factors
- Homeschool High School World Geography Program
- First Grade Homeschool Curriculum for History and Geography
- 35 Hands-on Geography Activities to do in 15 Minutes or Less
- DIY Atlas – North Star Highschool Geography
- 5 Steps to Choosing Geography Living Books Your Children Will Love
- How to Find A Well Laid Out Homeschool High School Geography Curriculum
- Homeschool Geography Go To Resources
- Mega List of Workbook Style Homeschool Curriculum For K to 12 Kids
- DIY Atlas – North Star Highschool Geography is Here!
- Simple and Fun Homeschool Geography Ideas for High School
Here is the review on Amazon about it:
The format of Geography Challenge! is similar to that of a popular game show. A student is given the answer and is asked to provide the question. Games are organized by geographic region of the world. Five levels of difficulty answer key included. Grade Level: 9th – 12th Author:
I like Around the World in 180 days too but it uses more of a notebook and research format, but I don’t think I am looking for that this year.
Did you pull the trigger on something already or are you like me taking your time on finding a geography resource this year?
Hello Tina
Thinking of you. Your (discreet) account of how you have home educated in tough times will have blessed someone else, I am certain.
We are using a quick romp through the travels of Marco Polo, and then a book about the Geography of the UK, where we live. It’s on a CD called The Mother’s Companion, which is sold by a lovely lady in Wales. It is affordable and written especially for home educators.
Hi Anthea,
Thanks for your sweet words. I think homeschooling in tough times only makes me more determined to keep going because you see the flexibility you do have to change things around. Wow! The geography sounds beautiful and especially useful when you find something created by another homeschool mom. We would like to do a unit especially on the travels of Marco Polo…but only have read about it….
Thanks for sharing!
I am very sorry to read about your husband and will add him to our prayer list.
As for geography, we found two great books through Northwoods Press. The first is called Canada My Country and the second is Canada: Province by Province. I am combining them with Apple Press’ Canada Map Book. My Monkey is starting grade 3 and last year he did his entire geography curriculum in 3-weeks. He just devoured it and then the cupboard was bare. So this year I got both grade 3 and 4 books in a vain attempt to last us the year. If not, I’ll definitely go hunting up the Rad McNally book. It looks like a great choice.
Oh..thanks for the kind words :o) and I did see those geography resources. Well you have my kind of kid..lol
You will have to let me know how it goes…those books look great. I am still waffling about my youngest guy…
But of course anything geography, we are all up for!
@ Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus recently posted…Finding Our Geography Groove