socody Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Which do you think would be more important for my k'er to study before we start the 4-year history cycle: World Geography or American History? I was sold on this World Geography curriculum, then I discovered Elemental History's Adventures in America and now I'm torn! I want her to do both, but that would be too much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaKinVA Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 I would honestly give them a frame of reference before delving into geography in a detailed manner by: Geography Songs (Continents and Oceans) Maybe States & Capitals Songs...with a state puzzle These are fun, easy to integrate, and can provide a jumping off point. I might also do some basic social studies things like maybe a person of the week (either focusing on policemen, firemen, doctors, lawyers, authors...or a notable person). Very light, but helps to provide context for future reading/learning. Then, in grade 1 (or 2, depending upon which cycle you use) when we get to studying Egypt, identify which continent it's on, the waters that surround it, and delve more about Egypt proper (major oceans, mountains, regions, deserts, neighboring areas (although I wouldn't worry about memorizing their neighboring countries...it's an INTRO. They will get this 3 more times, adding depth each time) That's just me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rbsmrter Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Check out Me on the Map. It's a great starting point for early geography. If you google the title you can find a lot of great activities to go along with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristenR Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Just another thought for you-- I started my K on a Prehistory this year and we will segue into ancient history next year. I've been blogging about some of our prehistory activities here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doubleblessings Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 We did half and half. I used the history/geography section of What Your Kindergartner Needs to Know as an outline. We started with the Me on the Map book above. Then we learned about each of the continents (read books from/about some of them, learned about the countries, wildlife, food, culture, art and music in each). Then we did a brief overview of American history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankcassiesmom Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 We did blob maps, tracing, etc. for Kers. They learn all the continents and oceans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitterpatter Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Both. Maybe check into these two resources. http://www.evan-moor.com/Product.aspx?CurriculumID=7&ClassID=158&SeriesID=206&TitleID=727&EmcID=2847 http://teacherexpress.scholastic.com/subject/reading/nonfiction/nonfiction-literacy-building-booklets-activities Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socody Posted February 11, 2012 Author Share Posted February 11, 2012 These are all good suggestions! I was previously sold on the 4-year cycle, starting in 1st grade, but I think I'm slowly changing my mind to start the cycle in 2nd grade, so I might go ahead & do a intro. to geography in K and then the American History in 1... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa in the UP of MI Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 We're doing both geography and American history first, but not in Kindergarten. DS will listen to American history biographies in first grade, informally study geography along with saint stories and folk/fairy tales in second grade, and start the history cycle in third. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurelia Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 I would study world geography, but get a few books throughout the year on some American traditions, like the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving at the appropriate times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamela H in Texas Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 We are doing geography. I just put up a world map and a USA map. And we talk about various things and review things we've talked about. I guess we're not systematic about it. For example (yesterday with C): Me: C, where is Canada? He points to Canada. Me: WHere does Mickey Mouse live? C: Florida and he points to it Me: Where do we live? He points to Texas and says it is orange. He then says Uncle David lives in Georgia (also orange on our map) C: Where was Mama born? He points to Ohio (correct) and says, "Mexico." Me: Ooops, that is Ohio. Mama *was* born in Ohio! A.J., where is Mexico? AJ points to Mexico. C copies him. We practiced spelling Ohio. We learned the way to tie shoes linked on the general board and saw it was supposedly from China. So we looked up China. We talked about Alaska so pointed it out on both maps (so we would know where it REALLY is). We have learned that three of the orange states (Texas, Georgia, and NY) all have capitals that start with the letter A. We looked up Zimbabwe as a friend of ours is from there. We printed out flags of several countries and are learning the flag, country, and location on the map. In Texas, we point out the part in which they were born and where we live and Grandma lives. We do a poem about the continents and match it to our wall. We just started about two weeks ago. I hope to add more in time. It'll be easier when they are HOME all the time rather than spending much of the day at school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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