Visits to… for little ones

we really enjoy Visit’s To…. series. I think it is great for all grades. Even as a tag along preK (and then Kinder) my little guy participated because he wanted to color 🙂

When young I have the student color the map instead of write the name, or place a piece of paper with the name written on the map. For example if doing North America and we do Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma. He would color each one a different color then the next week he would color those states the same color (trying to do it from memory as I say the state name, but I helped him as needed) and we would add the next state. It amazed me how he would remember where the states were located. For the make a map, when little I copy it and they simply color it as I point out thinga like mountain range or specific cities.

By 2nd grade (we have used Visits to for 4 years) my students are using it as written but instead of writing the country names, in the back.of the book is a page with all the countries typed up. I copy this page and the kids cut apart and use the preprinted country names to label the map. It amazes me that we did Africa 3 years ago with baby, Kinder and 2nd grade, and if my older two hear the name of a country from Africa they still recognize the country name and get pretty close on the location.

I find the books to be very age appropriate, and we all enjoy them! I also like that the lessons are short, not drawn out.  Visits to… is one of my favorite and the kids really enjoy it too!!