Geography

I have the kids read out of Hirsch's book, answer the worksheets and then work on memorizing the locations of:

• The continents (2nd grade?)
• The States (4th grade)
• Countries of Europe and Asia (5th grade)
• Countries of the World (6th grade)
• Capitals of major countries (7th grade)

They use one the computer programs listed below for about 10 minutes per day until they think they are ready to be tested. Then I print out one of the Virtual Tourist's blank maps, give them a list of the states or countries with abbreviations and they fill in the names on the map as a test.

Then we go to the library and each child chooses a country that they want to study and we check out the Enchantment of the World book on that particular country. Older kids can write a report on some aspect of their chosen country. Resources:

• What your Nth Grader Needs to Know by E.D. Hirsch
  • 4th Grade Geography Worksheets
  • 5th Grade Geography Worksheets
  • 6th Grade Geography Worksheets
• Maps (National Geographic)
  
• GeoUSA PC shareware game
• Around the World PC shareware game
• Enchantment of the World country books by Childrens Press