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The Best Ninth Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips And Recommendations

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Let’s look at some of the best ninth grade homeschool curriculum to help make this year your best one yet. Also, you’ll love my page Homeschool Curriculum for more ideas and grade level curriculum and my page How to Homeschool High School.

Ninth grade aka freshman year is the kickoff to the high school years.

And it is a pretty big jump from middle school, but is also filled with exciting milestones like getting a driver’s license.

The Best Ninth Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips And Recommendations

Technology will likely play a big part in your child’s education by this time from using online calculators to classes, music appreciation, language apps, and more.

It is a time of growing independence and branching out into more electives or at least learning more adult life skills.

If they are not mostly independent in their daily work already, they will be able to take on more of their own work load whether their school takes place online, in books, or even in the woods.

Homeschool 9th Grade Tips and Recommendations

College and Career-This is the optimal time to start thinking about a career track for your student, leaning heavily into extra classes, maybe even dual enrollment to be sure that they have all the things that they need.

That is not to say college is the only, or even the best option for your child. They may intend to go into cosmetology, guess what?

They can start learning that skill now through online tutorials, friends, and even on the job training.

 Do you have a Marine Biologist on your hands? Be sure to load up on science classes and incorporate field trips that teach and feed that interest.

Flexible Scheduling-If your child has a job now make sure that you adjust their school schedule to accommodate work hours. Flexible doesn’t have to mean you cut way back on schooling at all, it might just mean that they do math in the evening instead of the morning or double up biology on the weekend.

Field Trips-As new interests will be developing at this level, long standing ones might increase or fade away all together.

Field trips, while they will look different than that early visit to a local farm, they are a wonderful way to support their interests and possible career choices.

Additionally, field trips can be a visit to a location for their career field of choice like the state capital building, behind the scenes at a hair salon or law office.

The Best Ninth Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips And Recommendations

You could visit a local pottery studio or glass blowing studio, watch a Broadway theater performance, or they could be in the form of take your child to work day in the office.

More Ninth Grade Homeschool Curriculum Tips

Best Homeschool Curriculum For All Grades

9th Grade Homeschool Curriculum

Lastly, look at some recommendations and tips.

9th Grade Homeschool Curriculum

Add these fun curriculum recommendations to your 9th grader's homeschool day.

22 Homeschool Geography Go To Resources

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some fun homeschool geography resources today. Too, look at my page Homeschool Geography for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.

We’ve used many homeschool geography resources through the years because geography is not about coloring boring maps.

I needed to round up our homeschool geography resources that we already had on hand and in the upper grades I needed something more laid out.

22 Homeschool Geography Go To Resources

For example, in the upper grades we used geography curriculum that we got from Bright Ideas Press.

Homeschool Geography Go To Resources

I did manage to round up these atlases and books that I have had to show you some of what I use. 

Homeschool Geography Resources

Too, I have taken some screen shots to show you our brand new WonderMaps because I will be using WonderMaps with North Star Geography.

homeschool geography resources

Today, I wanted to show you my growing geography resources that I know we will be using with North Star Geography.

I am sure you can study geography on probably a lot less than we have, but we can’t.

Our geography habit needs to be fed each year, so we have added resources slowly.

Too, as the boys got older they have wanted their own books and resources.  As the budget allowed, I added them in regularly.

So below I have listed resources that I think are must-haves or basic.

Again, it doesn’t mean you need all of them, but helping to know which ones are more useful or helpful makes it easier to decide. 

The other resources pictured above but not listed below,  I add in as enrichment and I just wanted you to see them.

Homeschool Geogrpahy Go To Resources Linked Up

22 Homeschool Geography Go To Resources & Gift Ideas

Add some of these fun books and resources to your learning day if you're wanting to study geography with multiple ages. Maybe you want to hook your child on geography with a gift or two.

Resources For Kids Learning Geography

  • 1. The inexpensive geography mats we actually picked up at Wal-mart a few years back.  One side has a world map and the other mat has the U.S. and then the flip side on both mats is blank.  We did and still do quick geography quizzes with them.  We will study a region, then quickly flip on the back side and try to fill in with a dry erase markers as many rivers, boundaries and countries that we could get.  Me too, I was included in the race to see how many I could label in a short time.

  • 2 National Geographic Visual Atlas of the World You know anything by National Geographic is top notch.  I always said I would never buy anything this big because of the problem of storing it.  That didn’t last long because once you take a look at how breath taking the solar system looks in it and how they compare geography facts like comparing two continents, it looks so much better in a large book.  Too, it is easier as the kids get bigger to gather around a bigger book.  (Tip: Always check to see that you are buy the most current edition.)

  • 3. DK is another favorite publisher. Complete Atlas of the World, 2nd Edition I actually got this one because it had some facts like population growth, global climate and border conflicts that I want my boys aware of.  The physical world maps are more in depth though not as vivid as the National Geographic.

Geography Resources For Kids

  • 4.  National Geographic Family Reference Atlas of the World, Third Edition is another beauty by National Geographic.  I purchased this one because of key information like tables, charts, biodiversity, education.  It truly is a family reference.  I guess if you had to make a choice for your middle to high school kids, this would be in the top running.
  • 5.   Junior Classroom Atlas This is one of our first ones because it is suited for elementary aged children and we still refer to it when the other atlases are teeming with overwhelming information.  Sometimes you can have too much information and it helps to break it down to the general sweeping facts.
  • 6.  CLASSROOM ATLAS-REVISED 2012 This is geared toward about middle school and can be used for elementary ages too.  It has been updated and it is one I will probably be adding soon.  Even though stats change, I feel some atlases are timeless.  Not so much changes (physical earth wise) that you can’t use an older atlas.  Sure, stats will change, but if your kids are young, they are not interested in that kind of stuff right now anyway.

Geography Books Kids

  • 7.   Historical Atlas of the World 1st (first) edition Text Only An historical map is one that you will need when studying ancient history because it shows the boundaries or empires as they were then.  It really helps your kids to get a foot hold on ancient history.  You can see this one is out date, but then again it’s ancient history and how much updating can you possibly do.  So I don’t always fall for having to have the most up to date.
  • 8.  Historical Atlas of the World  Now what I do fall for is when another kid needs their own copy.  So I have purchased the updated copy of the historical atlas simply because I had two older middle school kids and we needed more than one.  I won’t go into the fights over having their own copies.
  • 9.  Free geography vocabulary words I made and put them on a O ring.  These are good for your kids to study later too.
  • 10.  National Geographic World Atlas for Young Explorers, Third Edition
    I got this one because it we could read about things like the animals for the website links they gave us and each continent had basic facts.  Like it says more about the exploring aspect of geography and we love this one.  It is especially good for a child that is geography phobic so they can see  geography is about so much more than finding the prime meridian.  It is about exploring and going to far away places.
  • 11.  A Child’s Introduction to the World: Geography, Cultures, and People – From the Grand Canyon to the Great Wall of China  This is a really sweet book.  It includes a pop-up paper globe and stickers.  I like it because though its geared toward younger learners, it can still stand up for older kids too because of the information in it.  It is another keeper for multiple ages of children.

Homeschool Geography For Kids

  • 12.  The Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia of World Geography With Complete World Atlas (Geography Encyclopedias) Again, another one of my very first purchases.  I always made sure I didn’t just buy curriculum but had enough back in my budget for references that would stand the test of time.  A great reference book that we just love.

  • 13.   What is geography without games? And,  Professor Noggin’s History & Geography Card Games: Set of 6 is one of our favorite series.  We have a lot of them.
22 Homeschool Geography Go To Resources

More Geography Go To Resources

Also, I’ve update our geography go to resources.

The other two we have that didn’t make the picture because Mr. Senior had them someplace are Geography: A Visual Encyclopedia which is absolutely stunning which is why I can’t find it right now and has a lot of different things like gemstones, earthquakes and weather.  

And the other one is Atlas of World Geography which is a highschool level book that gets lost around here frequently too.  It is the one I will be using on North Star Geography, well at least for Mr. Awesome.

22 Homeschool Geography Go To Resources

Then of course my newest tool that makes studying geography absolutely a breeze is WonderMaps. You can print black or white maps or color maps.

Geography Wonder Maps

Take off boundaries or leave them on ALL with a click of your mouse. It truly is going to make studying geography so much more than finding boundaries or locating countries.

Homeschool Geography Go To Resources

Though we love all of our resources and we add to them as we plod along during the years, those above are keepers and I feel are basic to any library.

Do you have any geography go to resources that your family luvs?

Navigating the Perfect Present: 22 Gifts for Geography Lovers

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Check out this list of gifts for geography lovers full of cartographic wonders and geographical marvels that cover all ages and all the different types of travelers in your life. Also, look at my page Hands-On Simple And Best Homeschool Geography Ideas & Tips.

Need a gift for your map-loving child?

Navigating the Perfect Present: 22 Gifts for Geography Lovers

Or is there is a mom at co-op who is passionate about US Geography or is it your globe-trotting neighbor?

Whether they like to explore by pouring over geography-based documentaries, books, and maps or they wander the globe in real life there is a gift idea here for them.

Geography is a broad and wonderful subject.

Navigating the Perfect Present: 22 Gifts for Geography Lovers

It is simply the study of Earth’s landscapes, peoples, places, and environment.

For those who love traveling or even just learning about different cultures, its a passion.

One can learn about landmarks and natural landforms and study old or new maps.

If you have been homeschooling for any length of time then you know that after you get out of the preschool grades that homeschool geography can tend to get boring.

However, there is no reason it should be with these gifts for geography lovers.

Gift Guides for Families

Let’s unpack some of these thoroughly curated geographic gift ideas and see what you can find to send your friend or loved one on a worldwide journey.

Gifts for Geography Lovers

22 Homeschool Geography Go To Resources & Gift Ideas

Add some of these fun books and resources to your learning day if you're wanting to study geography with multiple ages. Maybe you want to hook your child on geography with a gift or two.

How to Find A Well Laid Out Homeschool High School Geography Curriculum

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I’m showing you how to find a well laid out homeschool high school geography curriculum. Also, look at more ideas on my how to homeschool high school page.Too, look at my page Homeschool Geography for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.

The anatomy of a well laid out homeschool high school geography curriculum is not an easy find because so many programs want to stay focused only on a text-bookish style which I have a problem with.

If you have been homeschooling for any length of time then you know that after you get out of the preschool grades that homeschool geography curriculum options are slim to none. 

How to Find A Well Laid Out Homeschool High School Geography Curriculum

Okay, that might be a slight exaggeration, but it sure feels like it when you homeschool the middle school/junior high and high school years.

So we have not wasted any time starting on our new North Star Geography curriculum by Tyler Hogan at Bright Ideas Press. 

I have to show you some of the highlights of our new homeschool geography program.

The Anatomy of a Well Laid Out Homeschool High School Geography Curriculum.

High School Geography Curriculum Planning a Cinch

Because we have just started using it, you know I have to organize as much as I can first. 

So if you missed Homeschool Geography Go To Resources that you can use alongside this curriculum, be sure to check them out.

Next, I just set up some quick go to temporary binders (you know I love them and especially in hot pink).  Until I get the sweet curriculum in my little hands in final form, it’s hard to decide on an organizational system. 

So just giving you a heads up now that no, the curriculum is not hot pink, though it would be a great color for it.

homeschool geography sample schedule

You know I tend to be pretty candid brutal on curriculum providers about giving tips for scheduling and planning when it comes to teacher’s manuals.  It is one of the things I always mention when I review curriculum. 

How to Find A Well Laid Out Homeschool High School Geography Curriculum

Maybe it comes from helping so many struggling homeschoolers.  Please, I don’t want to guess how to make this curriculum work with multiple children. 

Give me some options for scheduling and North Star Geography delivers.

Options include a one year intense schedule, a two year schedule and a one semester course when you need the bare bones.

Hands-on or Hands-off High School Geography

After the younger years, some curriculum really lags in the junior high and high school years for hands-on ideas too. 

Mr. Awesome is the reason that I had to push myself outside of my comfortable teaching zone because he learns best by hands-on.

Homeschool High School Geography 1

So right away I printed our first lesson so that he could get started.  But also where possible, I will be including Tiny in this curriculum too. 

High School Geography Curriculum Resources

It definitely can be used with multiple children though you may need to do some tweaking for your younger children or leave some parts out altogether.

Look at how North Star Geography is set up.

  • 16 Lessons total. Each lesson is about 10 –15 pages and then you decide which activities to include.
  • At least 3 hands-on activities to choose from for each lesson.  This doesn’t mean you have to do all 3 of them or any of them.   Lots of options here.
  • Note Taking Pages for those that like their geography a little less hands-on.  I love the fact they are not called worksheets, because taking notes is a vital skill needed in high school so it’s modeled here.
  • World Research Questions.  Again, research is the back bone of a well laid out high school program that uses higher critical thinking skills.  You can make the program as rigorous as you need.
  • Quizzes, Quiz Answers and Final Exam. Depending on how your teen learns best, you have plenty of choices or ways to review.  And especially if you are like me and are using this for high school credit, you will need to choose some of them.
  • Grading Rubric, glossary, graphic organizers, reference maps and outline maps.
  • Build an atlas.  I think this has to be the heart of the program and we are so excited about this feature.
  • Memorization Lists.  We have always enjoyed memorizing lists and the boys felt no different about the memorization lists in this curriculum.

More High School Geography Resources

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.

Of course memorizing lists in our home is a competitive thing so they got to memorizing the first list from Lesson 1. 

Homeschool Geography Memorization Lists

Does anybody fight in your house over who is going to be the first one to call out the list?

Other Homeschool Geography Activities

homeschool higschool geography north star geography 2

And they started on the beginning touches of their atlases by designing their unique covers.

What do you think? Does it sound like a good fit so far for your crew?

 

Simple and Fun Homeschool Geography Ideas for High School

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

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. . ..”

Simple and Fun Homeschool Geography Ideas for High School

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.

Simple and Fun Homeschool Geography Ideas for High School

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.

Runkle Geography Simple and Fun Homeschool Geography Ideas for High School

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.

Simple and Fun Homeschool Geography Ideas for High School

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.

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.

Simple and Fun Homeschool Geography Ideas for High School

More Geography Resources

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.

180 days Simple and Fun Homeschool Geography Ideas for High School

Did you pull the trigger on something already or are you like me taking your time on finding a geography resource this year?