We’ve used map drill successfully, though this past year I let it slip along with a few other things due to health issues. We’ve only worked on continents, oceans and countries. We’ll be studying modern times this coming year and I’m debating what to cover. We could use work on a good deal of things, so I am considering North, South and Central American countries, US capitals, Canadian provinces. All of these the kids have about 1/2 knowledge of, so putting them together might work.
Do you ever have them do more than countries? Largest cities, capitals, rivers, etc? We read and notice the places on the map, but I’m having an “it feels too easy” moment.
We also play on the ipad a variety of games and such re. to geography.
Christie, I have found that people will very often refer to a place by city name rather than the name of the country, and my kids never know where it is. I’ve started having mine learn large cities and capitals both. I think it really helps them (and I discovered I had a few to learn as well).
We’ve been using Seterra for a fun way to learn them along with the regular map drill. It’s addictive, really. 🙂
What is Seterra? A website? And how about major mountain ranges, deserts, and the like that sometimes come up in conversation…just lightly to add some interest.
Wow, Christie, that one is terrific. Is there any reason to purchase any of the other map products (i.e. Uncle Josh) when something like this is readily available and free? Please tell me if I’m missing something. (we will only be starting map drill in the next few weeks. I’m completely new to this but had been just assuming I’d need to buy and Uncle Josh type product).
In addition to studying the countries with map drills last year, I have bought a couple of large, nice hardback atlas books for kids that have the interesting facts about largest rivers, topographical info of regions, etc. Since these books are brightly illustrated and fun to look through, I leave them out near a reading chair and/or coffee table where my kids will naturally look through and read. They have learned a lot this way and I don’t have to formally teach. 🙂
We are starting to build a personal atlas basing it upon the idea that Sonya posted recently from a friend of hers and how she had learned to do map study. http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/map-study-explained I tried it out a little myself. We will be using tracing paper to trace the map though, rather than doing the transfer paper. We will trace it first with pencil, then color and label it, then trace over the outline with sharpie in order to give them lots of exposure to the country borders, rivers, etc. I am only doing this with my age 10 and up kids because I want them to really take their time with it and make it something special.