A Child's Geography
by Ann Voskamp and Tonia Peckover
Reviewed by Martha Robinson
Purchase details: A Child's Geography, Volume I (Paperback, 168 pages, $32.95) by Ann Voskamp and A Child's Geography, Volume II (Paperback, 192 pages, $34.95) by Ann Voskamp and Tonia Peckover. Please support HomeschoolChristian.com by buying these books using our Christian Book Distributors links for Volume I and Volume II or our Amazon links for Volume I and Volume II.
With A Child's Geography, Ann Voskamp appeals to Charlotte Mason homeschoolers and others with an interest in "living books." The A Child's Geography series is immediately attractive because of its beauty. Slick, colorful covers, shiny paper, and lovely photographs entice students and parents to leaf through the books.
According to Webster's Dictionary, 1828 version, geography is "The science which treats of the world and its inhabitants; a description of the earth, or a portion of the earth, including its structure, features, products, political divisions, and the people by whom it is inhabited." The A Child's Geography series explores this full definition of geography, rather than the watered-down version of studying country locations and capitals often prescribed today.
The authors have made the implementation of this program flexible. They offer suggestions for scheduling (one to two sessions per week, for example), doing narrations, notebooking, doing copy work, and exploring the optional activities.
Volume I: Explore His Earth
Volume I: Explore His Earth covers a multitude of geography topics such as the atmosphere, the continents, the oceans, climate, the earth's structure, earthquakes, and maps. Each chapter begins with the information to be taught, presented in a storybook format. Key words appear in bold print so the parent will know what to emphasize. Periodically, sections called "Tell the folks at home all about it!" appear to prompt the child to narrate what he has just read. "Memory Jogger" questions help the reluctant or forgetful child. Black-and-white and color illustrations bring the story to life.
At the end of each chapter, there are several activity pages. The "Postcard Home" activity encourages the student to draw a picture that recalls where he has "travelled" during this chapter. The "Reaching Out to His World" section relates the information in the chapter to how Christians can love their neighbors around the world. This section also suggests activities, experiments, and recommended ways to pray for others. The "Further Explorations" page summarizes a number of "living books" that are appropriate for further study, and the "Too-Fun-to-Resist Excursion" segment offers hands-on activities.
A CD-ROM is included with the book. It has blank pages for copy work, postcard templates, colorful maps, and a printable puzzle.
Volume II: Explore the Holy Land
Explore the Holy Land offers a journey of faith through the geography of the Holy Land. Adventuring through the cities and countryside of the area, readers come to have a better understanding of both Old and New Testament people. At the same time, the student is made abundantly aware of the different cultures and faiths there, but is always pointed back to Jesus.
As in Volume I activities are included in the chapters. The "Field Notes" sections signal the parent that it is time for the student to narrate what he has learned using the prompt questions if needed. Next, the "Travel Log" specifies locations and landmarks that the student should map. The "Bringing It Home" section provides art and cooking projects, "living books" and poetry to read, and music to listen to. Finally, the "Go into all the world" pages suggest ways to pray for those people who live in the Holy Land. The appendices include fast facts about each country visited and a glossary of all vocabulary words introduced in the text.
The CD-ROM has much reference material. Blank copy work and notebooking pages, colorful maps, and recipes are included.
Recommendation: The A Child's Geography books are beautiful! Children will be captivated by the lovely and interesting illustrations, and Christian parents will be thrilled with the focus on faith found in both books. Children who grasp the immense quantity of material in this series will be far ahead of their peers in knowledge.
HomeschoolChristian.com resources related to this review:
Review of Geography Songs
Review of Geography Through Art
Review of Hands-On Geography
Review of Eat Your Way Geography Cookbook Series
Review of The Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide
Review of Uncle Josh's Outline Maps
Review of Hold That Thought Note booking and timeline products
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