Homeschool World Forum

[leaird]

I will be teaming up with a friend next year to co-teach US Geography to 4 kids in grades 3 through 5. We would like to begin with a brief introduction to maps (compass rose, scale, legend, etc). Then, we want to introduce the 50 states (by region). We would like for the kids to
learn the location, capital and abbreviation for all 50 states. We want to create a United States notebook with a map, flag, official symbols and an interesting fact on each of the states. We would also like to incorporate lots of fun activities like cooking, crafts, games, etc.
Once we are done with the 50 states, we are going to create a lapbook for our home state of North Carolina. We plan to pair them up to do some research for the notebooking and lapbooking.

Now, the hard part --- planning. Do you know of any resources that would be really great for what we have in mind?

[Theodore]

Just get a few maps of the US in various scales (and maybe also for population density, climate, political affiliation, crime levels, or whatever else your students might find interesting...), then Google for the other info. You can probably put the whole thing together in just a few hours. For states and capitals, I suggest flashcards and a game where people compete to see who can name the most capitals (or states belonging to the capitals) first.

To be honest, I dont think state flag / official symbols are useful for much of anything. That's the sort of information your students will promptly forget as soon as the course is over, so leave it out unless you think the parents really want it in the course schedule.
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[Dolly-VA]

Here is a terrific site you might want to have your kids check out. It is extremely fun (I played it, too!) and very helpful in learning the states and their capitals. http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games.htm

[momo3boys]

http://www.purposegames.com/geoquiz

this is a gerat site that is fun for all ages and levels, i was surprised at how much i didn't remember.

I'm working on all the states in the Union one at a time. This is a great way to work on them.
http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/unitssubjgeog/a/susindex.htm

I hope this helps
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