Geography Adventure Returns

Sometimes school might need to look a bit more like this . . .

The girls did have to fill the geography challenge jar to earn this afternoon on the slopes. Tonight I will empty the jar and we will start working toward a new goal.

If you are interested in trying out Tapestry of Grace, don't forget to check this out.

If success is measured by learning opportunities

Geography challenge #2 was, if nothing else, fun. I love that the most ordinary activities become exciting with children.

I let each girl pick a destination. My 6 year old routed us from our pick up spot to the "transfer circle". From there she guided us onto our next bus and pulled the bell when our stop was announced. When we reached our destination she looked up at me and said, "Thanks for planning this."

My 8 year old was also able to reach her chosen destination, but it took a little more work. She did not need to switch buses, but she really wanted to. After two attempts at navigating a bus transfer she agreed to stay on the main line and get off at the stop closest to her goal, the library. The ride back to the car went more smoothly.

I would like to repeat this activity. I think that I would be able to tweak it as they get older. Superimpose latitude and longitude type lines on the bus map, give the destinations in the form of coordinates. Also, it would be fun to ask them to be the tour guide for our town and have them plan a tour using the bus system. That idea would focus more on social studies and language arts.

Geography Challenge #2

At the beginning of the year I tried a geography challenge with the girls. It worked even better than I had hoped.

We are now filling the "geography adventure" jar again. For the next two weeks, as we read about Columbus, I will be teaching the girls basic map skills. Each morning I am asking them questions from the previous lesson. Along with the review questions I am throwing in world geography questions. For my first grader I am also asking her questions about our address.

My ideas do not always work. This one is working. For this homemade geography unit I am using a book called Maps and Mapping: geography facts and experiments. (check the J912 section in your library for something similar) I am also using TOG Year 2 map aids.

And the adventure that will reward all of their hard work? A trip on the Applcart! What? The Applcart is our college town's version of public transportation. Each girl will be given a map, pick a destination, and without assistance pick the bus route that we should follow to reach the chosen destination. They are so excited that it is almost embarrassing. You would think that they never leave the house.

I do not care to spend the entire day on the college bus with my 4 children, so I am highly motivated to teach well. I hope to take pictures of this adventure.

Week 3

The girls filled the geography challenge jar this week. That means that week 4 will start with a field trip. I think that it will be good for all of us to spend some extra time outside. This idea worked well, and I would use it again.

I was hoping to get in some of the art projects this week, but that did not happen. I think that once winter sets in we will do the weekly art projects.

Math is going well. So far the balance of Saxon and mathematical reasoning is working. I would like to spend some time playing math related games next week.

School is in session (Year 2, Unit 1, Week 1)

We are off to a smooth start. In the interest of honesty, we started about 30 minutes later than I had hoped due to a toothpaste explosion. I would say that flexibility is on the top ten requirements list for home schooling moms.

This year I have created a schedule for us to follow. I am hoping that it will help the girls move forward when I get distracted by toothpaste explosions created by my younger two. I am also hoping that the schedule will help me re-enter school mode post-toothpaste explosion.

Tapestry of Grace eases into the school year. Today McKenzie read the first two chapters of King Arthur and the first chapter of The story of the Middle Ages. We started reviewing geography terms, completed placement tests for Spelling Power, and started math.

For the most part we are sticking to the basic Tapestry of Grace plan for the next few weeks. I have added a "Family geography challenge" I knew that we would need to focus on math facts this month. Handing the girls another stack of flash cards did not seem like a good idea. They are still making the flash cards, but after that they can ask anyone in the family the definition of the term. We have a jar that they can put a token in for each correct answer. When the jar is full we will go on a geography adventure (i.e. - hiking, berry picking, fishing, etc.).

My goal for the year is to post on Mondays and Fridays. I would love to trade ideas with other moms. How do you start your school year? What fun ideas are you using this year? Leave a comment. If you have already answered the questions on a blog feel free to leave the link as a comment.

Author's note: Sorry that there are no pictures. The camera is broken currently. I hope to have that problem fixed by the end of the month.