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Geography ResourcesOur geography resources include fun geography games, geography activities for kids, and products for teaching geography. Fun Geography GamesContinents and Oceans Cut Out
Begin at Middle EarthGoal: Identify countries of the world.Geography Resources Needed: You will need a globe, either a solid globe or one of the inflatable globes. The solid globes are one of the best scholarly geography resources available. Their inflatable counterparts won't last as long or give as much detail. However, they can be used with numerous games and activities, and you don't lose as much money when a country changes its name. For this game you can use a blindfold, or have the student close his or her eyes. You will also need a ruler or a piece of an index card that is two inches long and folded in half (as a one inch and two inch marker.) Students hold an inflatable globe in their hands. Put their fingers in the middle of the Mediterraneum Sea (which means Middle of the World.) If you have a solid globe on a stand, simply place their finger in the middle of the Mediterraneum. Announce one of the countries you have studied and that they are reviewing. They have to move their finger from the Mediterraneum to the country. Three points if they get it right, two points if they are within one inch, and one point if they are within two inches. Let Your Fingers Do the WalkingGoal: Identify states, provinces, or local regions.Geography Resources Needed: You will need a map of the United States or other country or region you are studying. You will also need a mask or blind fold for the child(ren). With the map in front of the blind-folded student, put their index finger on the map of the state or province where you are located. The student will announce an adjoining state or area and march his/her fingers to that region. Give them the feedback if they are correct (1 point for the name, 1 point for landing on it.) The student can go North, East, West or South. He or she continues to "visit" other states by announcing a state next to the one they are in. If they wish to return to their home area, assist them by moving their index finger back to the middle of your state. They can continue as long as they are able. Place the ContinentsGoal: Identify continents and oceans.Geography Resources Needed:For this game, you will need an outline of the world, and cut outs of the 7 continents (or 6 continents, if you leave Europe and Asia together.) Laminated maps are one of the best resources available. One will be cut up into pieces, and the other left whole. You will also need a mask or blind-fold for the child. The child sits with the whole map of the world in front of him or her. With the child blindfolded, I hand him or her one of the cut outs of one of the continents. They have to feel the size and shape and guess which continent it is. If they guess correctly, they get one point. If they miss it, simply tell them which continent it is. Next, they have to place the continent cut out onto the whole world map. They get one point if it touches the correct continent, and two points if 50% of the cut out is on the whole map outline. Repeat with the other continents. In addition, you can name the oceans and see if they get put their finger on each of the major oceans.  
Two sided Laminated Map (re-usable)World Map - front USA Map - back $2.00 each Unit Study Books and Lap BooksIt is beneficial to include maps as part of your unit study project booklet or lap book when doing a unit study. However, we sometimes have had difficulty fitting the larger laminated map into the final product.There are some advantages to the larger map, however, For one thing, the wipe-off surface is so convenient. A larger map also shows better detail than a map on an 8 1/2 X 11 page. Here's an idea that works well. Use the larger laminated map (or other large map) to complete your unit study. Then take a close up shot with your digital camera, then download to your favorite internet photo program. It can then be printed to a size that fits your lapbook or unit study booklet. Our Great Big EarthGoal: Create a large three dimensional map of your history or geography unit study.Geography Resources: You will need one of the large exercise balls (preferable one with concentric lines for ease of use.) You will also need a wipe off marker, a permanent marker. A flexible tape measure in centimeters is also helpful. It is also helpful to have a smaller globe (inflatable or solid). Here's one of the geography resources for the creative student. But please read the warning box at the bottom of the instructions for this activity. Plan what the globe will represent. For instance, the voyages of the major explorers; the British colonies at the height of England's power; or the location of the world's active volcanoes. If you use multiple color schemes, the same ball can be used for numerous projects over a year's time. Here's a suggestion for making it easier to mark on the ball. Use your milimeter ruler to determine the diameter of the ball and the globe. Calculate the difference (It will be mighty handy if the globe happens to be 1/2 the size exactly.) Using the smaller globe, determine the four outside points of one of the continents. Measure the distance in milimeters from the dead center of the North pole on the small globe. Perform the mathematical calculations for your child (unless this is also a math project for a middle school or older student.) Make dots of the four corners of the continent on the large ball. Have them trace the outline of the continent on the larger ball with the erasable marker. Repeat for all other continents. Once you are satisfied with the results, trace the outline with the permanent marker. (See the warning box, please.) Then add whatever features are appropriate to your study. WARNING BOX:Please - Think about kids and permanent markers. This is probably a good project for the front porch lined with old papers, or the garage floor. I am picturing a new, pure white carpet and kids with black permanent marker. Yikes! Even adults can slip here and leave a permanent expression of your current unit study on your living room floor. So wait until you are certain the permanent marker is dried before allowing the ball back into the living quarters.Election Night ReturnsGoal: Analyze election results.Geography Resources: You will need a laminated map of your country, and erasable markers. As the elction night returns come in, mark the state or province with the results. For our family in the United States, we use red for Republicans and blue for Democrats as is standard. Before hand, note how many votes or electoral points are needed for the presidency. As each area announces the results, color it in the appropriate color. Keep a running total of the number of electoral points. Other benefit: kids who do this once of twice have no trouble understanding what the electoral college is. We like to make it a super-bowl like party: favorite foods and snacks. Like the Superbowl, we either celebrate or console each other at the end of the night. Online Geography ResourcesOn-Line Geography QuizHere is a great way to access on-line geography quizzes from www.education-quizzes.com. They have free quizzes as well as paid subscription for more tests in geography and many other subjects. They are in Europe which gives those from other continents a chance to improve their European geography as well as international.Geography WorkbooksFlags of the World Stickers
This 8 1/2 by 11" book contains 96 pressure sensitive stickers of international flags. A black and white world map on the inside back cover shows where each flag is from.The stickers can be applied to most surfaces. However, I kept the back on, cut them apart, and used them as a spot quiz to identify flags, countries, and geographic locations.
Flag Sticker Book $5.95 each United States Map Sticker Book
This is a laminated multi-color map of the United States. There are 50 different re-usable stickers for students to practice state geography and capitals. When the book is unfolded, the map is 18" X 12".
United States Sticker Book (re-usable stickers) $5.95 each Spot the Differences Around the World
A fun geography resource for students who enjoy looking for differences. The 20 sets of illustrations include: Amazon Basin, Big Ben, CN tower in Toronto, Easter Island statues, Eiffel Tower, Empire State Building, temple of Kamakura, the Sphinx, Great Wall of China, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Lincoln Memorial, Copenhagen Harbour, Neuschwanstein Castle, the Parthenon, Pyramid of the Sun, St. Basil's Cathedral, Stonehenge, Sydney Opera House, and the Taj Mahal. An inexpensive way to travel around the world!
Spot the Differences Around the World Workbook $4.99 Wonders of the World Coloring Book
This coloring book has many of the same places as the workbook above. For the cost of a box of crayons, you can visit 27 wonders of the world including: Parthenon, Temple of Aremis, Statue of Zeus, Mausoleum, Colossus, Lighthouse of Alexandria, Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx, Abu Simbel, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Petra in Jordan, Persepolis, Stonehnege, Colosseum, Taj Mahal, Shwedagon Pagoda, Borubudur Temple, Angkor Wat, Great Wall of China, Easter island Stone Heads, Banaue Rice Terraces, Tikal, Tenochititlan, Mont-Saint-Michel, Leaning Tower of Pisa, and more.
Wonders of the World Coloring Book $3.99 Tell Others About Your Favorite Geography ResourcesDo you have any geography resources or activities?Share you favorite geography activities or games. What Other Visitors Have SaidClick below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Borderline, USA edition
TIME for Kids World Atlas
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