CM Blog Carnival! Hooray!

I don't know anyone who wouldn't love a CM carnival!  Well, besides my uncle Ron, and maybe my father-in-law's friends... well okay, maybe I'd better say, I know a LOT of people who LOVE a good CM carnival, so how 'bout let's have one!!





There are SO many sights at a carnival like this one, the ferris wheel of habit training (it goes round and round...), the nature study exhibit (perhaps the most popular!), the popcorn stand (or shall we say biscuits and tea?), the artist and composer tent, karaoke hymns, the hands-on booth ... you name it!  You know what you came for!  So, I'm totally curious, what's your favorite part of the carnival?  Please leave me a comment!

Now, I figure that from the carousel we'll each be able to spy out the different sights as we go around... you gals have gone and posted SO much this time around, and I have the feeling this is going to be so FUN you're surely not gonna wanna stop!  So, seeing as the carousel is about to start, find your favorite animal, climb aboard and let's get this show on the road!  :)

Make sure that at each place you stop, if you enjoy what you've read, leave a kind note...  it's the best kind of fun to be among friends :)









*Nancy gives us a chart for looking at training the will  "...20 adults met to discuss our reading of Charlotte Mason's Towards a Philosophy of Education, Chapter 8, "The Way of the Will"... " Of course, everyone wants something practical, something to apply right away, something to use..." So head on over to her place and get the chart!  The Way of the Will Chart posted at Sage Parnassus.

*Scripture memorization in big chunks... "I'm sure we've tried memorizing things before but with this year being our first year using Charlotte Mason methods, we're memorizing scripture."  Be inspired!  Contessa presents Scripture In Pictures

*Nebby questions the good of testing...  "a kind of mental exercise, like lifting weights for the mind. The time limits imposed by a testing environment force the student to concentrate and to perhaps be more systematic and diligent in their thought processes..."  Testing in Homeschool

*Deborah Jean relishes in memories of early CM days...helping us mothers of yet young ones relax in CM methods :)..."It's no wonder I fell in love with Charlotte Mason's gentle learning approach for the elementary ages." ...  Busy Hands, BUSY WORK or both? 








*Shirley Ann talks about the beauty of Artist study as passed down from one generation to the next, and showcases some blooming beauties and how they relate to taking off in reading.  Hello Vincent. AND Spring Blooms and Late Bloomers

*Mama Squirrel presents a reflective post on Listening. You'll definitely want to head over and read this: Don't talk over the music posted at Dewey's Treehouse.

"...for of the evils of modern education few are worse than this - 

that the perpetual cackle of his elders leaves the poor child not a moment of time, 

nor an inch of space, wherein to wonder - and grow."

*Robin has found a relatively painless way to learn new birdsong!  Hilarious.  Creative Nature Study: How to Let Bird Song Wake You Up - Crack the Egg


*Pamela talks about nature study for city-dwellers... "So, one of the things I am always super grateful for when we spend any amount of time in a big city is finding the little refuges where nature has a little bit of space to do her thing, and so do we. Thank goodness people in the past had the foresight to set aside some land for parks before the sprawl of civilization took it all over."   Check out her post here: Trees in the City 

*Melissa's starting and customizing their book of centuries  "...starting at Creation and learning the truth of history from the Bible is one of the greatest gifts I can give my children. From the beginning of time, God's love for us is evident and that continues to be the common thread throughout the course of time.." Book of Centuries...givin' it a go! 







*Becky's CM basics, Living Books, Narration, Art, Composer, Poetry.
"Lots of homeschool parents look into the Charlotte Mason method and get overwhelmed.  Here are 5 easy ways to make the CM method part of your busy day..." 5 Ways to Add a Little Charlotte Mason to Your Routine

*Jeanne talks about how all of life is a classroom, a must read. "How different things are from those first heady days when I was first learning about homeschooling. The book work set me up to succeed, but it was the actual doing that made me a homeschooling mum, not the reading about it."  Learning about learning posted at A peaceful day.

*Nadene talks about motivation!  Very good tips.  All of us have some of those months days, grab some good ideas to turn things around!  Turning those frowns upside down ? Motivation! posted at Practical Pages.

*Penny makes Artist studies a matter of everyday conversation...
Excellent (and easy) idea!  Making an art placemat

*Phyllis shows First Reading Lesson in Pictures!  Nice and easy :)
All Things Beautiful: First Reading Lesson Charlotte Mason Style









*Phyllis does nature walks... just right.  She reminds us of how Charlotte advised was the best way for spending time outside. All Things Beautiful: Taking a Nature Walk

*Anna encourages us not to be afraid to offer our children wholesome foods. CM talks about the importance of balanced nutrition in Vol. one.  For Pure Pleasure: Assume the Best

*Jennifer has talked about her Book of Centuries project and it looks GREAT!  She also made some VERY nice timeline book pages/BOC for purchase. Now Complete! Jewish Book of Centuries (Charlotte Mason style) 

*Laura Grace Weldon is a writer mom pondering education at the grass roots level  :)  Asking questions: Mom Knows Nothing


*Jimmie gives us a CM summary post... perfect for those just starting out to get a handle on some of the basics: Implementing Charlotte Mason Basics posted at Jimmie's Collage.


*Tricia shows us an EXCELLENT idea incorporating, art, cooking, multi-generational learning... and pretty photos :) Pastels Tutorial: Hot Chocolate

*Rachel presents a hands-on feet-on activity for a picture book: Fun Learning Activities for Preschoolers and Kids » Blog Archive » Purple Toes: The Book & Activity


*Makita hopes to show some progress on Copywork, one of those constants... cheer her on at: Copywork Revisited!

*Lynn gives us some images of autumn in Signs of Autumn.

*Need handicraft ideas? Susan has one! Stitching Life: Maple Leaf Handicraft.







*amy in peru shows one way to teach map drills. Hey!  that's me!  You're in the right place!  ;)  Map Skills: What we do posted at Fisher Academy International ~ Teaching Home.

*amy in peru inspires us how to make Nature Study a high priority: Nature Study: One of the Constants here at Fisher Academy International ~ Teaching Home.

HAHAHAH!  It's such fun to talk about myself in the third person :)

OOh... and one last post:

*Richele shares more nature study nitty-gritty facts! More Mechanics of Nature Study!

Alright, time's up!  After the carousel has come to a complete stop, please step off and exit straight to the beach, for some good peace and quiet!  Though I love a good carnival as much as the next mom, I do enjoy the peaceful putting into practice part the best ;)  I hope you've found something you enjoyed! 

It's been so much fun, let's do this every month...

no wait, how 'bout every two weeks! ;)

See you around next time friends... 

So, what's YOUR favorite ride at the CM blog carnival?  

Is there something in particular you usually come to see?

Map Skills: What we do

If you read this blog even remotely regularly, you'll catch on that I've ever-so-slightly had geography on the brain lately.  :)   See here and here if you doubt my words ;)  It's not that geography is all that we do... it's not even one of the MAIN things, so I'm not sure of the reason for all the latest craze!

But here we are.  :)

I've mentioned here that we've been using A Child's Geography: Explore The Holy Land by Ann Voskamp for the second half of AOy5 into the first half of this year.  In addition to mapping the readings for AmblesideOnline (which we have NOT been uber-faithful in doing for EVERY book over the years) we also hone our map skills using map drills ala SimplyCharlotteMason style. 




Here's what we do:

In AOy4 or AOy5, we formally begin Map Skills (depending on the child's skill level).  We use blackline maps and do the same sort of thing as we would do with picture study only with maps!  It's fun.  We pick a continent/region to concentrate on each term.  I give the boys their maps, they spend about 5 minutes looking at/memorizing what they can from the labeled map.  When they're done, or the time's up, they turn over the map and fill in everything they can remember - the country names/oceans, etc.  After a couple of weeks, once they have the general idea of the continent being studied, they usually like to spend time looking from various atlas maps as the coloring and such varies and makes it more interesting.

Now, since we do this weekly, there is no need to be sloppy.  They are to memorize one or two states or countries perfectly (spelling & capitalization) and fill them in.  Or, they are to remember as many as they possibly can and then refine the spelling later on (I prefer the former, my kids the latter ;).

They either hand this in for me to look over, or they self-correct using the labeled side of their map, or an atlas (this depends on my own assessment of how detail-oriented they are, or in need of encouragement).  They then wipe off their maps and store them away.

Also, since there are years of school ahead... I don't stress out about how much they remember (by the end of the term it is pretty amazing what all they know!).  Of course I want them to put forth their best effort, but they'll have other opportunities throughout the years to look at a map as it comes up in their readings and other studies.  What I'm aiming for is a good understanding of who is neighbors with who, which countries border the sea, which are land-bound, etc.  I also do try to choose a map that corresponds with what they'll be studying in the AO year they are in.

Materials:

Blackline map of the region desired.
Sheet protectors (with a glossy finish).
Fine tip, wet-erase pens (overhead markers).
Clear packaging tape (optional).
Sponge for wiping (optional).







How-to:

1. Print off maps (preferably find a map that has both labeled and blank versions of the same map, otherwise you'll have to fill in one neatly...)
2. Tuck into the sheet protector one labeled and one blank map back to back.
3. Tape the open edge shut (this will prevent your map from getting yucky when little people clean it off.
4. You are good to go!

Helpful Links:

THE 3 best sites online for FREE labeled and blank outline maps of the various regions -
National Geographic (print detailed, basic and even as simple continent outline, in .gif or .pdf!) &
Eduplace.com (available in .pdf only)
PrintableMaps.net

Expo Vis-A-Vis Wet Erase Markers, 8 Colored Markers - $7.50!  (pack of 4 pens is $6.50)
Avery Diamond Clear Heavyweight Sheet Protectors, Acid Free, Pack of 25 - These are the ones I use, cost a little more but are VERY good quality!  A great investment.

Ambleside Online, Geography {part two}

I just knew that you all were just sitting on the edge of your seats waiting for the sequel to the really long post with lots of book titles on it...  and I will not let you down!  ;)


Geography covered by region (AOy1-8): 

Now, you'll note some of the regions have more resources listed than others, that is in part due to the fact that several years list several book options.  From my estimation of things, The Book of Marvels in Y5, really adds a LOT to AO Geography...  Oh, and with exception to Kim in Y5 I haven't listed books under other categories such as Literature that might also add to the overall study of Geography **(see note below). Also, see AO's rotation for covering basic geography in years 1-6, here & click over to each year's booklist on the AO site to support them with your amazon-linked purchases, if you will!

I've also purposefully left out AO y9-11 because there is such a wide variety of books available, and much is left to parent/student discrimination/discretion.  :)  Feel free to mention certain geographical locations covered in any of those titles in the comments as well..  (see this post for complete list of Ambleside Online Geography titles - Years 1-11)






N. America:
(Y1) The Great Lakes (Canada/U.S. ) [Paddle-to-the-Sea by H.C. Holling]
(Y2) U.S. states of the Southwest [Tree in the Trail by Holling]
U.S. east coast, around South America, west coast of U.S. and to the Orient.[Seabird, Holling]
(Y4) Mississippi River; US States along river; Gulf of Mexico [Minn of the Mississippi, Holling]
(Y5) (The Bay Bridge, California), (San Francisco, California), (Yosemite Falls, California), (The Grand Canyon, Colorado/Arizona), (Boulder Dam, Colorado River), (Niagara Falls, Canada/New York), (New York City), (Washington DC) [Book of Marvels: The Occident, by Richard Halliburton]
(Y5) (Gulf of Mexico), (central Mexico), (Chicen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico) [Book of Marvels: The Occident, by Richard Halliburton]
(Y5) ch5 (American colonies); ch6 (Washington DC); ch7 (New England); ch8 (New York); ch9 (New England); ch10 (Great Lakes USA); ch11 (Mississippi River); ch12 (Florida); ch13 (western US); ch14 (Grand Canyon, Yellowstone western US); ch15 (California); ch16 (Alaska); ch17 (Canada); ch18 (Mexico); ch19 (Central America) [A Child's Geography of the World, Hillyer]







Carribean/S.America:
(Y5) (Haiti), The Panama Canal (Central America), (Machu Picchu, Peru), Iguaza Falls (Argentina/Brazil), (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), [Book of Marvels: The Occident, by Richard Halliburton]
(Y5) ch20 (Caribbean, Cuba, Haiti, etc) ch21 (Ecuador, Peru); ch22 (Amazon River, Brazil); ch23 (Argentina, Chile) [A Child's Geography of the World, Hillyer]
(Y7) Spain, Atlantic Ocean, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Canary Islands, Cuba, Lesser Antilles, Greater Antilles, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Trinidad, Venezuela, Central America [Christopher Columbus, Mariner
by Samuel Eliot Morison] OR [The Life of Christopher Columbus by Edward Everett Hale]
(Y7) Peru, South America, Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands [Kon-Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl ]






Africa:
(Y5) (Timbuctoo, western Africa), (spray from Victoria Falls, south Africa) [Second Book of Marvels: The Orient, by Richard Halliburton, 1938]
(Y5) ch64 (Egyptian pyramids); ch65 (Morocco, Sahara Desert); ch66 (Africa, Livingstone); ch67 (African jungles); ch68 (South African diamonds)  [A Child's Geography of the World, Hillyer]
(Y6) Mid-Southern Africa [The Story of David Livingstone, Vautier Golding]






Europe:
(Y3) Mediterranean Sea, Italy, Adriatic Sea, China, South (east) Asia, tiny bit of former USSR? [Marco Polo, see AO site for recommended authors]
(Y5) Gibraltar (Spain), Carcassonne (castle in southern France),Mount St. Michael (castle in northern France), (Reims Cathedral, France), The Tiger of the Alps (Matterhorn, Switzerland), The Monastery of St. Bernard (Switzerland/Italy), St. Peter's (Rome, central Italy), (Mt. Vesuvius, southern Italy), (Pompeii, southern Italy), (Blue Grotto, Capri, off Italy), (Athens, Greece), (Simopetra, Orthodox monastery, Mount Athos, northern Greece), (Moscow), (Santa Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey)
[Book of Marvels: The Occident, by Richard Halliburton]
(Y5) ch25, 26 (England); ch27 (Wales, Ireland); ch28, 29 (France); ch30 (Belgium, Holland); ch31 (Gibraltar, Granada); ch32 (Madrid, Portugal); ch33 (Switzerland); ch34 (Venice); ch35 (Florence); ch36 (Rome, St. Peter's); ch37 (Mt. Vesuvius); ch38 (Germany); ch39 (Denmark); ch40 (Scandinavia); ch41 (Norway, Sweden); ch42 (tip of Norway); ch43 (Russia); ch44 (southern Russia, Caspian Sea,); ch45 (Poland, Romania, Yugoslavia); ch46 (Greece); ch47 (Turkey) [A Child's Geography of the World, Hillyer]
(Y7) North along the west coast of Ireland [The Brendan Voyage by Tim Severin]
(Y7) Britain, places in beloved storybooks (Winnie-the-Pooh Country),(Robert Louis Stevenson’s childhood home), (Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons), the River Thames, looking for Toad Hall by Kenneth Grahame in The Wind in the Willows, Pook’s Hill (on Rudyard Kipling’s farm), the heights of Tintagel, etc. [How the Heather Looks by Joan Bodger]

Middle East:
(Y5) Middle East [How the Heather Looks, by Voskamp]
(Y5) The Travels of Demetrius (Greece and Ephesus, Turkey), (King Mausolus's tomb, western Turkey),
The Colossus (Rhodes, off Turkey), The Pharos (lighthouse, Alexandria, Egypt), (Sphinx and Pyramids, Egypt), The Pyramids Today (Cairo, Egypt), The Labyrinth (Knossos, Crete), (Mecca, Saudi Arabia), (Petra, Holy Land), The Dead Sea (Holy Land), (Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem), (Solomon's Temple, Jerusalem), (Temple of Jupiter, Syria), (Queen of Palmyra, Syria), (Bagdad, Persia/Iraq), Babylon (Iraq)[Second Book of Marvels: The Orient, by Richard Halliburton, 1938]
(Y5) ch47 (Turkey); ch48 (Asian camels); ch49 (Asia Minor); ch50 (the Holy Land); ch51 (Jerusalem, Israel); ch52 (Nineveh, Bagdad); ch53 (Arabia, Mohammed); ch54 (Persia/Iran)






Asia:
(Y3) Mediterranean Sea, Italy, Adriatic Sea, China, South (east) Asia, tiny bit of former USSR? [Marco Polo, see AO site for recommended authors]
(Y5) (Madrasa College and Isfahan, Persia), (Udaipur, western India), (Palace in Udaipur, western India), (Taj Majal, Agra, India), (Taj Majal, Agra, India), (Mt. Everest, Nepal/Tibet), (Lhasa, Tibet), (Bhuddist Dalai Lama, Lhasa, Tibet), (Hindu temple, Madura, southern India), (Indo-China temple, Angkor, Cambodia), (Great Wall, China), (Fujiyama, Japan), [Second Book of Marvels: The Orient, by Richard Halliburton, 1938]
(Y5) ch48 (Asian camels); ch49 (Asia Minor); ch55 (Calcutta, India); ch56 (Bombay, Hindus); ch57 (Siam, Thailand, Burma); ch58 (Tibet); ch59 (China); ch60 (China); ch61 (Siberia); ch62 (Japan); ch63 (Fuji, Japan)  [A Child's Geography of the World, Hillyer]
(Y5) India [Kim, Rudyard Kipling]

Australia/Oceania: ?!?!?!?
(Y5) ch69 (Australia)  [A Child's Geography of the World, Hillyer]
What in the world?!?  You Aussie ladies have got the right to protest!
Give some suggestions here, PLEASE!! 

Atlantic Voyages:
(Y5) ch 24 (Atlantic Ocean) [A Child's Geography of the World, Hillyer]

(Y7) North along the west coast of Ireland, then north-west and north to thread through the Hebridean islands, north again to the Faroes, then west to Iceland, west again to Greenland, then south-west along the coast and the edge of the Arctic pack ice to Labrador and Newfoundland. [The Brendan Voyage by Tim Severin]
(Y7) Spain, Atlantic Ocean, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Canary Islands, Cuba, Lesser Antilles, Greater Antilles, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Trinidad, Venezuela, Central America [Christopher Columbus, Mariner
by Samuel Eliot Morison] OR [The Life of Christopher Columbus by Edward Everett Hale]

Pacific Voyages:
(Y5) ch70 (South Sea Islands, Hawaii) [A Child's Geography of the World, Hillyer]
(Y7) Peru, South America, Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands [Kon-Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl ]

General Geography: understanding oceans, topography, mountains, atmosphere, etc.
(Y4)  ch1 (General Earth Intro); ch1, 2 (Atmosphere); ch3 (Continents); ch4 (Oceans); ch5 (Seasons, Climates, Weather); ch6, ch7 (Inner Earth, Core, Tectonics); ch8 (Volcanoes); ch9, ch10 (Latitude, Longitude) [A Child's Geography: Explore His Earth, Ann Voskamp]
(Y5) ch1 (the world from space); ch2 (mentions millions of years evolution); ch3 (cross section of the earth); ch4 (all the people on earth) [A Child's Geography of the World, Hillyer]


**Please point out any errors you see, and/or any additions in the comments...

Ambleside Online, Geography

Please see each AO year's booklist pages for specifics and links to resources for Geography selections (years are linked below)... 

 *See this post for AO Geography titles listed by region.* Also, see AO's rotation for covering basic Geography topics in years 1-6 here.

**Note from Fisher Academy, this information is based on AO's curriculum and is not intended to replace use of the AO site; only to enhance usability.  I have only pre-read the books up until year six so far.  Therefore, these books are listed here not because of personal recommendation, nor do I necessarily personally approve of all the books (especially those recommended as alternatives to later years, which may contain some mature content - see notes to the individual titles).

**Note from the AO Advisory: While previewing the content of mountains of books for the HEO high school years, we've been constantly aware that we cannot predict how far across that bridge other people's children may be. Families vary greatly in their views on sheltering, protecting and preparing for adulthood, so it would be futile for us to attempt to be the censor or guardian (the bridge troll?) for all House of Education Online scholars. We set a very high standard for HEO materials, and we've gone the extra mile and beyond to create and provide a Year 11 prototype that reflects excellence. However by no means do we claim to have done all the work for you! It remains the homeschool parent's job, most particularly on the high school level, to assume full responsibility for matching your child's sensitivities and sensibilities, and your family's standards, with the books you select for study.

Y1
Paddle to the Sea by Holling C. Holling

Y2
Tree in the Trail by Holling C. Holling
Seabird by Holling C. Holling

Y3
Marco Polo (various authors - see website for recommendations)

Y4
Minn of the Mississippi by Holling C. Holling

Y5
Explore the Holy Land by Ann Voskamp,
OR The Book of Marvels: The Occident and/or Second Book of Marvels: The Orient by Richard Halliburton
OR A Child's Geography of the World by Virgil Hillyer, both out of print but wonderful if you have access to them.

Y6
The Story of David Livingstone by Vautier Golding. This book could be covered in one term, leaving time to use another resource (perhaps one of the options from Year 5). Or, you may prefer to use Missionary Travels by David Livingstone, although some students have found it very dry. Livingstone's journeys were selected for their geography of Africa, so map work is vital.

Y7
* ** The Brendan Voyage by Tim Severin (there is a documentary about this journey)
*** How the Heather Looks by Joan Bodger (You will love this book and may therefore look for more by the same author for your child to read. Please exercise caution in doing so.)

Map Drills
Ten minutes of map drills each week, locating places from the week's reading on a map.
Mapwork for Roman Britain and Ireland. Northern Gaul outline maps also available.
For those who would like a way to find modern town names.
An overall quiz on Medieval locations.
Europe as it was in the timeframe covered in Year 7 studies.
The most straightforward outline maps of modern world.
Some easy-to-read maps of Europe in the Year 7 timeframe.
Blank outline map of Late Medieval Europe.
An extra note: Will and Ariel Durant's history series volume for this time period contains excellent maps inside the covers that portray the geographical locations pertaining to Year 7 studies.

Y8
* Christopher Columbus, Mariner by Samuel Eliot Morison (This book, especially ch 11, will require parental screening) OR The Life of Christopher Columbus by Edward Everett Hale
** *** Kon Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl
OR ** The Discovery of Muscovy etc. by Richard Hakluyt and
*** The Discovery of Guiana by Sir Walter Raleigh

Alternative suggestions are listed on page of geography options (**see end of this post).

Map Drills
Ten minutes of map drills each week - websites available
Locate places from the day's reading on a map


{The list of Geography book selections below will carry through all four HEO high school years. Please plan accordingly.}


Y9
If you wish to match your geography to the time period for year 9, we suggest you choose one to three of the following:

* London to Land's End by Daniel Defoe
** A book about the Lewis & Clark Expedition - Two suggestions are Undaunted Courage by Stephen E. Ambrose,
and Lewis and Clark by Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns. (Preview any other titles, as many books on this subject contain graphic material.)
*** A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland by Samuel Johnson (the one online is called A Journey to the Western Isles of Scotland) currently in print, approximately 133 pages (will vary by edition).

If you wish your geography to be more current, select from our page of geography options. (**see end of this post).  (The 36-week schedule uses The Royal Road to Romance by Richard Halliburton, and Walking the Bible by Bruce Feiler.) 

Map Drills
Ten minutes of map drills each week - websites available. Geosafari (available now on CD-rom) would be sufficient.
Locate places from the day's reading on a map
Explore foreign places relevant in news and current events. (See our notes about The World and I under current events. This is a rich resource for this purpose also.)
Many countries have a tourism department, and writing to their embassies for free brochures, maps, and other travel information might be an inexpensive way to supplement geography studies.

Y10
If you wish to match your geography to the time period for year 10, we suggest you choose from the following:

Eothen by Alexander Kinglake

*** The Oregon Trail by Francis Parkman

For those who wish their geography to be more up-to-date (you may, of course, combine options, using a geography book contemporary to Year 10 one term and a more modern text in another term), select from our list of geography options (**see end of this post).

Map Drills
Ten minutes of map drills each week - websites available. Geosafari (available now on CD-rom) would be sufficient.
Locate places from the day's reading on a map
Explore foreign places relevant in news and current events. (See our notes about The World and I under current events. This is a rich resource for this purpose also.)
Many countries have a tourism department, and writing to their embassies for free brochures, maps, and other travel information might be an inexpensive way to supplement geography studies.

Y11
BOOKS - The first and last titles have been especially recommended by at least one Advisory member, but since this is a salad bar, you might prefer to choose one of the other geography options (**see end of this post), all of which were published in the 20th century.

The World: Travels 1950-2000 by Jan Morris, formerly James - well written, but there's a brief non-graphic mention of the author's gender-change operation in chapter 18, titled "Casablanca." The chapter is very short and can be skipped or removed. This book should be spread over all three terms. (This book is divided over the year in AO's posted 36-week schedule as the only geography selection)

* Endurance - The Endurance set out on the very eve of WWI--in fact, war was declared but the Prime Minister wanted the expedition to continue. Very exciting tale of survival and exploration, scientific expeditions, polar exploration, human ingenuity
OR South by Sir Ernest Shackleton - Shackleton's exploration of the South Pole on The Endurance; travel, geography, adventure

** Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes - great geography book, but the movie of the same name isn't recommended

Alternative suggestions are listed on page of geography options (**see those listed below).

Ambleside Online Geography Options 
(as listed and linked from AO here)

--Books by H.V. Morton such as In Search of England, In the Steps of St. Paul, A Traveller in Rome. Morton set the standard for travel books.

--The Christmas Mystery by Jostein Gaarder--Excellent as a literary advent calendar. A journey in time as well as distance, more historical and philosophical than religious.

--Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton--Great book for a glimpse into South Africa. Contains especially deep ideas that would be valuable for young people to confront. Fits particularly well in term 3 of Year 10.

--Dervla Murphy's books, such as Full Tilt. She sees the world on a bicycle. Fascinating reading, well written, and quite current. Also somewhat anti-Christian in flavor. Pre--reading recommended.

--Tracks by Robyn Davidson. A young woman crosses Australia by camel. Well written, interesting, definitely needs pre-reading (she sometimes travels nude).

--My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell. Most of Durrell's books are travel stories with conservation-minded animal collection as the purpose. They also work well as nature reading.

--Travel books such as Lonely Planet and Insight Guides. These will need a bit more parental involvement as certain readings will be a waste of time, and others less than edifying (descriptions of red light districts, for example).

--Heidi's Alp: One Family's Search for Storybook Europe by Christina Hardyment. Well written travel guide tracing the roots of children's books from Hans Brinker's Holland, to Hans Christian Anderson's Denmark and Germany. Pre-reading recommended (includes a passage about castration).

--Naturalist by E.O. Wilson. His autobiography; well written. Theme: how his childhood interests and adventures developed into his (spectacular) adult career. Also, his Journey to the Ants is a popular book on the travel and research behind his Pulitzer prize winning book Ants. Please preview.

--Dove by Robin Lee Graham. Preview, read aloud, or save for a more mature student.

--Peace Child by Don Richardson. Mr. Richardson was a missionary who brought the gospel to a cannibalistic tribe. An amazing story of a stone age tribe's first contacts with the outside world in the early 1960's.

--Walking the Bible by Bruce Feiler (this is used in AO Year 9's 36-week schedule)

--Royal Road to Romance by Richard Halliburton - please preview (this is used in AO Year 9's 36-week schedule)

--Walk Across America by Peter Jenkins - In the 1970's, Jenkins set out discouraged with life and determined to find meaning in his existence by walking due west. The places he sees and people he meets along the way help him find answers. Sequels are Looking for Alaska, Walk Across China and The Walk West, which was co-written by his wife, Barbara Jenkins.

--Bill Bryson books (as readalouds)



The Advisory hasn't looked at these, but they come highly recommended and are worth pursuing (as listed and linked from AO here):

The Geography Behind History by Gordon East
The Last Secrets of the Silk Road by Alexandra Tolstoy
Chasing the Sea by Tom Bissell
Waugh Abroad by Evelyn Waugh
1,000 Places to See Before You Die: A Traveler's Life List, by Patricia Schultz
Almost Heaven by Martin Fletcher
The Hills is Lonely by Lillian Beckwith

Other older travel books (as listed and linked from AO here):

For those watching the budget, these are online as free etexts!
- Following the Equator: A Journey Around the World by Mark Twain
- In the South Seas by Robert Louis Stevenson, Neil Rennie (Editor)
- Sailing Alone Around the World by Joshua Slocum
- Mariner of St. Malo: A Chronicle of the Voyages of Jacques Cartier (1500's) by Stephen Leacock

Ann Voskamp's, A Child's Geography on SALE.

Just wanted to give any of you a head's up on a sale for one of my favorite homeschool resources!
I know a lot of you either already use or are planning to use A Child's Geography by Ann Voskamp.  We've loved both of them!

The e-book version is on sale at 25% off HERE. 

We're currently using Exploring the Holy Land with my 5, 7, 11 and 12 yos. I'd say you could use this for 1-8th graders (it's recommended for 1-6th). We love doing the lessons and adding in map skills at every section break, plus fun activity links.  These are on sale for a limited time.  We've loved our study! 

Wednesday: Geography & Bible

image courtesy of lusi

Last week, I wrote about what we use and LOVE for our geography studies: Ann Voskamp's, A Child's Geography: Explore The Holy Land.  Today, we started a new chapter Isreal: The Land of Milk and Honey.  I'm VERY excited!  About 2 years ago, my BIL and SIL went to live in Israel for 9 months.  I was SO jealous.  I wanted very badly to go and tour Israel while my sweet sister Sarah was there.  My in-laws went to visit them in our stead.  :)  Anyway, I asked her to send us some Israeli paraphenalia... and she DID!  a potato chip bag, some food labels, tourist maps and such.  My MIL found some really cool laminated placemats with cool info about Israel.  I'm thrilled to be finally able to use them for more than just protecting the table!!

Of course they're in Trujillo.  Shoot.

I'll definitely have to have them sent to us!

Here's another thing we do to complement our geography studies on Wednesdays...

First thing every morning we read something for 'Bible'... we've done all sorts of things ranging from reading straight through the Bible itself, The Child's Story Bible, to Randy Alcorn's Heaven for Kids.  But currently we are re-reading Leading Little Ones to God: A Child's Book of Bible Teachings. Oh, it's good.  It might be my favorite resource for teaching the Bible. 

Anyway, in the morning after Bible time on Wednesdays we haphazardly select a country from Window on the World: When We Pray God Works**, we read it, get out the globe and then pause to let it all soak in a minute.  We finish as each of us pray for some aspect of God's work among the people of that country.  It has been amazing how it has not only opened our kids eyes to other peoples of the world, but how to pray for and love them.  It's awesome.  My kids ask for it every week!!


Books we've used for Bible:

Free resource on Turkey from Voice of the Martyrs:  HERE.
You'll have to sign up for their newsletter... but why not be up-to-date on what's happening around the world with the persecuted church... it would be totally worth it!!

**[Window on the World is a nicely bound book that features 85 different people groups.  The full color glossy pages are captivating for the littles and the magazine-type layout holds the attention of the older group.  It is easy to read and very informative.  Each chapter includes a little information on culture, history and the country's religious climate as of 2001.]

Wednesday: Geography

"Mom, this book makes me love Turkey!  I just LOVE it!  I mean I'm sure there are probably some bad things about it that the book doesn't say, but..."

{voice trails off as the reading takes him in...}

A Childs Geography Explore the Holy Land

This is what we are using for Geography in y5 because, well... we love Ann.  and it's excellent.  and of course all the kids can participate... so we are taking a voyage full of imagery and new and exciting discoveries in the middle east. 

Everybody finds a cushion to take a ride on the magic flying carpet through Turkey.  After the lesson, each little starting with the youngest records his/her finds on the 'tape recorder' and then charts the discoveries on their very own hand loved map.  Here are some of our recordings: