We are not Classical homeschoolers, but that doesn’t mean we cannot use some of the great Classical curricula that is out there. Recently, we have had the opportunity to use Geography 1 from Memoria Press. I’ve received their catalog in the past, but this is our first opportunity to use their resources. It won’t be the last.
I’ve written before about my love of geography and how we typically include it in our studies (worked in with history most often). So while we are regularly learning about various countries and regions, we don’t spend much time reviewing or revisiting those countries. Geography 1 from Memoria Press is a great way to review some of the countries we learned about in studies from a few years ago.
This is a complete set with a Teacher Guide, Student Text and Student Workbook. There are also two books for the United States States and Capitals Review – Teacher Key and Student Workbook. The teacher books in both contain the answers to the student workbook as well as quizzes and tests that are not found within the student pages. To purchase the set is $48. The books are also available individually — great if you have multiple children as each will need their own copies of the Student Workbook ($11.95 for Geo1 and $5.00 for States & Capitals review). These are also part of the Core Curriculum for 4th grade. This set is useful for any student from 4th through 8th grades.
Geography 1 covers the regions of the Middle East, North Africa and Europe – the areas encompassed by the Ancient Roman Empire. It has been about 3 years since we studied this time in history. My eldest daughter remembers more of these studies than her younger sisters, so I thought she would enjoy this review the most. We spent about 3 days a week covering one lesson (or country) each time. There is review included at the end of each region. For additional review, there are quizzes and tests in the Teacher Guide which can be copied and given to your student.
The information to be read for each lesson is found in the Student Text. When looking at a country, the ancient name is given as well as the modern name. A look at historical times and current times is given. Each country has a two-page spread featuring a fully labelled map on the right-hand page and the text, including a Fast Facts box on the left-hand page. In addition to the History’s Headlines, other interesting information is also included. For many of the countries making headlines in the recent past (as recent as 2011), a Tour of Today is included. For Sudan in Northern Africa, this includes the creation of South Sudan nearly 2 years ago (July 9, 2011). This comparison of the past to the present has been a great review for my eldest daughter (rising 7th grader).
In our history cycle we will be returning to the Ancients in another year or so. Utilizing this geography study about midway through the cycle is an easy way to review what we learned as well as relate to some of the more current events in the region. As this daughter enters junior high, I have been wanting to incorporate current events into her studies. This has been a good introduction for both of us in bringing this in.
The way this is laid out is perfect for helping move my daughter into more independent work. The reading is short – a great help for reluctant or struggling readers. I have been reading this aloud for the review period, but probably won’t continue this practice to complete the text. All of the Student Workbook pages are straightforward to complete with all the information required found easily in the Student Text.
The United States States & Capitals Review has been a great bonus. In the Core Curriculum Cycle, 3rd grade covers United States Geography. This review is great for students having completed this course of study. I have been very pleased at how easy it has been to pick up and use by my learner that did not complete this previous course. The Student Workbook pages are almost solely map work and matching capitals with states. The review has been set-up so that it can be beneficial to learners with and without prior experience.
Just because you don’t follow a Classical model in your homeschool is not a good reason to overlook the many great resources from Memoria Press. In addition to our reviews for Geography 1, other Schoolhouse Review Crew members also reviewed Prima Latina. Be sure to read all the reviews!
