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homeschool geography

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

July 8, 2023 | 15 Comments
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

  • Simple and Fun Homeschool Geography Ideas for High School
  • 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!

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.

North Star Geography

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

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Geography

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.

World Physical Geography

It focuses on physical geography, providing the basis for learning the fundamentals of geography. 

Geography Challenge

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, 2nd Edition (two-volume set)

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.

Eat Your Way Around the World

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. 

Lifepac History & Geography & Geography 11th Grade

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.

Trail Guide To World Geography *OP

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.

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

  • First Grade Homeschool Curriculum for History and Geography
  • 35 Hands-on Geography Activities to do in 15 Minutes or Less
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?

 

15 CommentsFiled Under: Geography, Hands-On Activities Tagged With: geography, high school, highschoolgeography, homeschool geography, homeschoolgeography

Free Physical Landform Vocabulary for an O Ring Fun Geography Activity

May 13, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today I have free printable physical landform vocabulary words for a fun geography activity. Also, look at my page Homeschool Geography for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.

Too, look at my Geography, Country Studies, and Timeline page.

Do you know your butte from your isthmus? Okay, couldn’t resist.

But you’ll love this hands-on geography activity for your kids.

I have a set of 10 pages of words to learn about physical geography.

Free Physical Landform Vocabulary for an O Ring Fun Geography Activity

Besides, teaching geography doesn’t have to be boring or be just about maps.

True, here is an easy way to remember what is a geographer.

Geo = earth, graph = to write or draw, and er = one who.

So, while a geographer is one who writes about or draws maps, geography entails so much more.

Why Use Hands-on Geography

Learning by doing is the best way to learn because what you do sticks.

Reading is a good way to learn but hands-on activities help your child to remember what he is learning.

In addition, there are many ways to learn about geography hands-on.

For example, salt dough maps are not only fun, but children can touch and feel landforms while they’re creating them.

Also, geography entails learning about not just the physical parts like mountain ranges and water systems but it’s about the flora and fauna that make their home in places.

Too, you want to learn about the people and the culture.

Children can appreciate the culture of a country when they study the dress, the food, and even the music and musical instruments of each country.

Free Physical Landform Vocabulary for an O Ring Fun Geography Activity

Too, look at some of these 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.

North Star Geography

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

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Geography

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.

World Physical Geography

It focuses on physical geography, providing the basis for learning the fundamentals of geography. 

Geography Challenge

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, 2nd Edition (two-volume set)

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.

Eat Your Way Around the World

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. 

Lifepac History & Geography & Geography 11th Grade

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.

Trail Guide To World Geography *OP

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.

How to Use the O Ring Geography Vocabulary

Next, after you download the free vocabulary words you can use them in many ways.

First, you will want to put them on an O ring.

After you print, fold them in half.

On the front you will see the word and, on the back, will be the definition.

Then laminate them.

After you laminate them, punch hole, and put them on an O ring.

They are easily stored, or you can take them on the go for learning.

In addition, they make a fun hands-on tool which fosters independence.

A child can pick them up and learn with any subject.

Free Physical Landform Vocabulary for an O Ring Fun Geography Activity

Similarly, look at more hands-on geography activities for multiple ages.

Geography Activity Hands On

  • 3 Reasons Hands-on Geography is Important in Middle and High School Homeschool
  • First Grade Homeschool Curriculum for History and Geography
  • 11 AWESOME Ways to Learn Geography (Other Than Labeling a Map)
  • Simple and Fun Homeschool Geography Ideas for High School
  • Fun Outdoor Activities For Middle Schoolers Geocaching and Nature Study
  • Hands-on Geography Wool Earth Craft to Celebrate Earth Day
  • The Benefits Of Using Games That Teach Geography | Review Of Scrambled States
  • 18+ Fun and Interactive Ways to Learn Geography With Kids
  • STEM and Geography: How to Build an Ancient Viking Ship
  • Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • 100 BEST Books for Kids from all 50 States (Easy Geography)
  • 5 Ways to Raise a Natural Geography Lover Easily
  • Hands-On Geography Activity: Make a Pangaea Puzzle
  • Hands-On Geography: Australia Awesome and Deadly Animal Art
  • Hands-on Geography: Longitude/Latitude Mapmaking Activity
  • 35 Hands-on Geography Activities to do in 15 Minutes or Less
  • 5 Steps to Choosing Geography Living Books Your Children Will Love
  • John Muir Spring Unit Study (and Hands-on Geography Ideas)
Free Physical Landform Vocabulary for an O Ring Fun Geography Activity

How to Get the Free 10 Page Physical Landforms Geography Vocabulary

Now, how to grab the free geography vocabulary printable. This is a subscriber freebie.

 1) Sign up on my list.

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: 1. My FREE Learning Printables {Any Topic} Tagged With: geography, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschool geography, homeschoolgeography

Simple and Fun Homeschool Geography Ideas for High School

April 18, 2023 | 5 Comments
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.

North Star Geography

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

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Geography

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.

World Physical Geography

It focuses on physical geography, providing the basis for learning the fundamentals of geography. 

Geography Challenge

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, 2nd Edition (two-volume set)

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.

Eat Your Way Around the World

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. 

Lifepac History & Geography & Geography 11th Grade

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.

Trail Guide To World Geography *OP

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.

Simple and Fun Homeschool Geography Ideas for High School

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.

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?

5 CommentsFiled Under: Geography Tagged With: geography, high school, highschoolgeography, homeschool geography, homeschoolgeography

Hands-on Geography Wool Earth Craft to Celebrate Earth Day

March 22, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today I have some ideas to incorporate hands-on geography and a fun new handicraft to celebrate Earth Day. Also, look at this other post Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map for more ideas. Too, look at my page Homeschool Geography for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.

This hands-on geography craft gives your child practice in fine motor skills, planning, and problem solving, as well as a fun way to celebrate Earth Day.

I have come up with a wonderful new skill to share with you that incorporates handicrafts into an Earth Day celebration.

Hands-on Geography Wool Earth Craft to Celebrate Earth Day

Have you heard of needle felting?

If you have ever wanted to try it but have been intimidated by its seeming difficulty don’t be.

It is much simpler than it looks, and the end results are super cute.

Also, I have rounded up a list of 8 hands-on ways to celebrate Earth Day.

8 Hands-On Ways To Celebrate Earth Day

Conserving water and electricity, reducing our waste in the landfills, upcycling, recycling, planting food for pollinators, and doing our part in general should be a daily habit.

But it’s nice to have a specific day to reflect on some changes we can make and how we affect the earth we live on.

Look at these 8 hands-on ways to celebrate Earth Day.

  1. Planting wildflowers is a wonderful way to celebrate and give something back to the earth. These Wildflower Seed Bombs are an easy way to spread wildflowers for the pollinators and upcycle paper scraps.
  1. Celebrate with dirt cups for Earth Day and have a discussion about what gardens, switching to natural insecticides and even worms can do for the environment.
  1. Make a Bird Feeder to help our feathered friends who help pollinate the earth, spread nutrients through their droppings, transport seeds, exterminate insects, and help keep ecosystems healthy.
  1. Clean up a park or field in your area. Grab a trash bag and a pair of grabbers and collect all the loose trash you can find. You can often find organized groups going out to clean up parks or beaches, especially around Earth Day but don’t let it stop you if you can’t find one nearby. This is a great family project.
  1. Start recycling, create bins for paper, plastic, and metals. Find a recycling center in your area and drop off regularly.
  1. Research how and then create your own composting bin. Doing this you create your own rich natural soil and fertilizer, reduce your household waste, reduce the need for pesticides and chemical fertilizer.
  1.  Make a craft to spread the word about Earth Day to help yourself and others remember just how important this one earth we have is.
  2. Make Earth Day Cookies & Fascinating Earth Facts

I would recommend this activity for kids ages 8 and up as well as adults.

Hands-on Geography Wool Earth Craft to Celebrate Earth Day

It is a wonderful way to keep hands busy while reading aloud, waiting for a long appointment, or anytime. I love the focus that it helps you keep and the rather quick results you get are very satisfying.

Other Hands-on Geography Activities

Next, look at some other fun hands-on geography ideas.

  • The Benefits Of Using Games That Teach Geography | Review Of Scrambled States
  • Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • 18+ Fun and Interactive Ways to Learn Geography With Kids
  • STEM and Geography: How to Build an Ancient Viking Ship
  • 100 BEST Books for Kids from all 50 States (Easy Geography)
  • 5 Ways to Raise a Natural Geography Lover Easily
  • Hands-On Geography Activity: Make a Pangaea Puzzle
  • Hands-On Geography: Australia Awesome and Deadly Animal Art
  • Hands-on Geography: Longitude/Latitude Mapmaking Activity

Then, look at this The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study for a fun edible geography idea.

Hands-on Geography Wool Earth Craft to Celebrate Earth Day

Also, I have a few more resources to make geography come to life.

10 U.S. Geography Resources

If you're looking to teach U.S. geography in a hands-on way, you'll love adding one or two of these resources to your day or study.

The Scrambled States of America Game

Quick! Find a state that ends with the letter A. Now find one that borders Tennessee. Have fun learning about the United States in this madcap game of observation and quick reflexes. 

The 50 States: Explore the U.S.A. with 50 fact-filled maps!

Explore every state of the USA from Alabama to Wyoming with these 51 charmingly illustrated infographic maps! Includes an expansive guide to the state flags and US presidents.Discover more than 2,000 facts about the people, cities, nature and historic events that have helped make America what it is today. Ghost towns, swamp tours, the center of the universe… bacon donuts, brainy berries, salmon jerky… The French Fry King, The Mother of Oregon, The Queen of Blues… be inspired by the inventiveness, beauty and diversity of our great nation in this curious collection of fact-filled maps.

National Geographic Kids U.S. Atlas

 Kids will have fun learning about each and every U.S. state in this amazing 6th edition atlas, packed with maps, stats, facts, and pictures

The U.S. History Cookbook: Delicious Recipes and Exciting Events from the Past

Who knew history could be so delicious? In The U.S. History Cookbook, you'll discover how Americans have lived and dined over the centuries. This scrumptious survey of periods and events in U.S. history mixes together a delectable batter of food timelines, kid-friendly recipes, and fun food facts.

The United States in 100 Words

How do you sum up a whole country in just 100 words? This striking book takes on the challenge! From amendment to Vegas, each of the carefully chosen 100 words has its own 100-word-long description and beautiful illustration, providing a snapshot of what the USA means to people today: its roots, its values, its culture, and customs. Basically, everything you need to know in a nut shell.

Supertoob: USA,Figure Playsets

This Toob includes figurines of the Lincoln Memorial, Hoover Dam, Liberty Bell, Alamo, Mount Rushmore, Statue of Liberty, Gateway Arch, U.S. Capital, Empire State Building, White House, as well as a flag and an eagle.

Geographic USA Scrunch Map

Easy Storage: Unfold and spread flat when you need it or scrunch it up and store away when you're done. The USA map makes a wonderful addition to your home, office, library, kid's room, classroom or playroom.

States & Capitals Flash Cards for Kids – 50 American State Cards

LEARN STATES & CAPITALS IN A FLASH: Get to know each of the 50 states! How well do you know your home state and neighbors? Perfect for all ages

50 FLASH CARDS: Includes 50 educational flash cards for studying important school subjects such as US Geography and History!

9 LEARNING GAMES: Teach and participate in 9 specially made enrichment activities: Name Games, What's the Motto, Heads Up, Region Round-up, State Trivia and more! Fun symbols

1000-piece USA Map Jigsaw Puzzle & Poster 50 States | Illustrated American Landmarks

Test your geography knowledge with Talking Tables beautifully illustrated 1000-piece USA 50 States Map Jigsaw Puzzle & Poster. This USA Map Puzzle features landmarks from across America! Our Jigsaw Puzzles For Adults make for Fun Indoor Activities and can be framed as Wall Art

Geography from A to Z: A Picture Glossary

Have you ever wondered what a badland is? What about a gulch?
Do you know what an isthmus is? Or a seamount? What about the difference between a plateau and a plain, or a knob and a knoll? Well look no further. This broad introduction to the fascinating world around us explores our planet’s physical features from the highest mountain peak to the deepest ocean trench. The team behind Maps & Globes proves that geography can indeed be an adventure.

Then, you’ll love adding this idea for more hands-on geography.

Hands-on Geography Wool Earth Craft to Celebrate Earth Day

Finally, look at how to make this felt earth wool craft to celebrate Earth Day.

How to Make A Felt Earth Wool Craft

You will need:

  • Cotton batting or a styrofoam ball
  • Wool Felt Needle
  • Felting Pad
  • Blue and Green Wool
Hands-on Geography Wool Earth Craft to Celebrate Earth Day

Now you can either use a small styrofoam ball as the center of your earth to save time and get a perfectly round sphere circle or you can use a ball of cotton batting to get started.

Go with whatever you have on hand.

For me that was cotton filler.

The steps after preparing the cotton filler will be the same for the rest of the project.

Grab a piece of cotton and ball it.

Roll it in your hands to create as close to a sphere as you can.

Add more as needed to get a ball slightly smaller than you want your end product to be.

Hands-on Geography Wool Earth Craft to Celebrate Earth Day

Pull a piece of blue felt from the ball and wrap it around the cotton filling (or styrofoam ball).

Hands-on Geography Wool Earth Craft to Celebrate Earth Day

Continue covering with a thin layer until it is all wrapped.

So, take your felting needle and move all around the sphere poking with shallow stabs all over until there are no furry spots sticking up off of it.

Hands-on Geography Wool Earth Craft to Celebrate Earth Day

Add more blue as needed to cover any bare spots.

Moreover, to keep the shape round you can roll and tuck the felt, poking it in those areas a little extra to hold the shape in place.

Hands-on Geography Wool Earth Craft to Celebrate Earth Day

Once you are happy with your blue wool as the ocean base you can begin building your continents,

Don’t worry about getting the scale or shapes perfect.

Hands-on Geography Wool Earth Craft to Celebrate Earth Day

It will be obvious when you do what you have created.

Experiment with rolling the green into balls or twisting it to get various shapes for your continents before felting them onto the blue.

Hands-on Geography Wool Earth Craft to Celebrate Earth Day

Again, just tap the needle all over the green until it is moderately smooth.

Add to the landforms as you need. It’s easy to add more small pieces.

Hands-on Geography Wool Earth Craft to Celebrate Earth Day

If you gently tug on the fibers and they fray and become loose you will need to poke it a bit more to give it a tighter weave.

Enjoy your new felt earth globe.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Geography Tagged With: crafts, earth day, geography, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, highschoolgeography, homeschool geography, homeschoolgeography

The Benefits Of Using Games That Teach Geography | Review Of Scrambled States

December 19, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

When teaching history, sometimes you have to come in sideways or use games that teach geography. I have more fun game ideas for teaching history on my history games page.

For example, gameschooling has become one of the most popular methods for teaching your child.

It doesn’t matter if you gameschool exclusively, unschool, use a packaged curriculum, online lessons, or put together unit studies.

Games that teach geography can be added to your day and teach so much through playing and enjoying time together.

The Benefits Of Using Games That Teach Geography | Review Of Scrambled States

First, you can build an entire lesson or even a full unit study around a game.

I’m sharing one of favorite games for learning geography.

Besides geography and history can go hand in hand.

Too, I’m showing you other items and activities to add to keep the lessons going as long as you want.

Everything from movies to books, a few more games, and other items helps to round out a geography or history slant or both.

What is Geography

The word geography comes from the Greek geo, which means “Earth,” and graphy, which means “writing or description.

So, geography means to learn about  the Earth’s land its surface, and features including water and air.

However, geography also includes learning about the people of the area, understand landmarks, and appreciating cultural differences

Immediately, you can see a tie in between learning about the natural resources of an area and the people.

Additionally, look at some of these hands-on geography ideas.

The Benefits Of Using Games That Teach Geography | Review Of Scrambled States

Finally, be sure to check out my post on the 100 Best Books From All 50 States

Hands-on Geography

  • 11 AWESOME Ways to Learn Geography (Other Than Labeling a Map)
  • Make a salt dough US Map or focus on one state at a time.
  • Homemade Compass. Simple Geography Projects Equals Huge Wow Factors
  • Edible Geography – Sea Levels
  • Homeschool Geography – DIY Lava Lamp

If you have been around for any length of time you know I am a fan of these Toobs for Safari Ltd.

This USA Landmarks and Symbols set is perfect for learning about symbolism and important places throughout the United States.

Use them as drawing inspiration, in sensory bins for younger children, as part of a diorama, or use them as game markers.

Fun History Games

Too, look at these games below which can be games that teach geography with history.

  • Kids Art History Board Game Ideas
  • Ancient Egypt DIY Simple and Fun Mummification Process Game
  • Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game
  • Easy Hands-on Fun Ancient Greek Games for Kids DIY Knucklebones
  • Unit Study: French Revolution + Free Storming the Bastille Game
  • 7 Super Fun History Games to Bring the Past to Life
  • Ancient Egypt Mehen free Printable Board Game (Hands-on History)
  • Free Ancient Greece Go Fish Game – Ancient Greece Unit Study
  • 13 Free and Fun BEST Printable History Board Game

In addition, look at these fun books and resources to help U.S. geography more lively.

10 U.S. Geography Resources

If you're looking to teach U.S. geography in a hands-on way, you'll love adding one or two of these resources to your day or study.

The Scrambled States of America Game

Quick! Find a state that ends with the letter A. Now find one that borders Tennessee. Have fun learning about the United States in this madcap game of observation and quick reflexes. 

The 50 States: Explore the U.S.A. with 50 fact-filled maps!

Explore every state of the USA from Alabama to Wyoming with these 51 charmingly illustrated infographic maps! Includes an expansive guide to the state flags and US presidents.Discover more than 2,000 facts about the people, cities, nature and historic events that have helped make America what it is today. Ghost towns, swamp tours, the center of the universe… bacon donuts, brainy berries, salmon jerky… The French Fry King, The Mother of Oregon, The Queen of Blues… be inspired by the inventiveness, beauty and diversity of our great nation in this curious collection of fact-filled maps.

National Geographic Kids U.S. Atlas

 Kids will have fun learning about each and every U.S. state in this amazing 6th edition atlas, packed with maps, stats, facts, and pictures

The U.S. History Cookbook: Delicious Recipes and Exciting Events from the Past

Who knew history could be so delicious? In The U.S. History Cookbook, you'll discover how Americans have lived and dined over the centuries. This scrumptious survey of periods and events in U.S. history mixes together a delectable batter of food timelines, kid-friendly recipes, and fun food facts.

The United States in 100 Words

How do you sum up a whole country in just 100 words? This striking book takes on the challenge! From amendment to Vegas, each of the carefully chosen 100 words has its own 100-word-long description and beautiful illustration, providing a snapshot of what the USA means to people today: its roots, its values, its culture, and customs. Basically, everything you need to know in a nut shell.

Supertoob: USA,Figure Playsets

This Toob includes figurines of the Lincoln Memorial, Hoover Dam, Liberty Bell, Alamo, Mount Rushmore, Statue of Liberty, Gateway Arch, U.S. Capital, Empire State Building, White House, as well as a flag and an eagle.

Geographic USA Scrunch Map

Easy Storage: Unfold and spread flat when you need it or scrunch it up and store away when you're done. The USA map makes a wonderful addition to your home, office, library, kid's room, classroom or playroom.

States & Capitals Flash Cards for Kids – 50 American State Cards

LEARN STATES & CAPITALS IN A FLASH: Get to know each of the 50 states! How well do you know your home state and neighbors? Perfect for all ages

50 FLASH CARDS: Includes 50 educational flash cards for studying important school subjects such as US Geography and History!

9 LEARNING GAMES: Teach and participate in 9 specially made enrichment activities: Name Games, What's the Motto, Heads Up, Region Round-up, State Trivia and more! Fun symbols

1000-piece USA Map Jigsaw Puzzle & Poster 50 States | Illustrated American Landmarks

Test your geography knowledge with Talking Tables beautifully illustrated 1000-piece USA 50 States Map Jigsaw Puzzle & Poster. This USA Map Puzzle features landmarks from across America! Our Jigsaw Puzzles For Adults make for Fun Indoor Activities and can be framed as Wall Art

Geography from A to Z: A Picture Glossary

Have you ever wondered what a badland is? What about a gulch?
Do you know what an isthmus is? Or a seamount? What about the difference between a plateau and a plain, or a knob and a knoll? Well look no further. This broad introduction to the fascinating world around us explores our planet’s physical features from the highest mountain peak to the deepest ocean trench. The team behind Maps & Globes proves that geography can indeed be an adventure.

As you can see combining geography and history is a natural fit.

The Benefits Of Using Games That Teach Geography | Review Of Scrambled States

Finally, look at how to play the scrambled states of America.

Scrambles States of America

First, The Scrambled States of America is a silly colorful game which introduces states as a game that requires observation and quick reflexes.

You collect the state cards, match them with neighbors, and more.

And you win by familiarizing yourself with the state cards you’re dealt.

Then, you try to be the quickest to respond to action cards like – capital that starts with D or a state that is south of Colorado.

It even comes with a small copy of THE Scrambled States of America Book. Fun.

The Benefits Of Using Games That Teach Geography | Review Of Scrambled States

While this game probably is best for middle to upper elementary. I definitely think that it is still fun for middle school kids.

It is a gentle approach to learning US Geography for anyone that needs to learn or refresh what they already know.

I don’t really have a con for this game except that older kids may feel that it is baby-ish.

However, if they can get past that it’s a great learning tool for the whole family.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Geography, History Resources Tagged With: games, geography, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history resources, homeschool geography, homeschoolgeography

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