Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.
We had so much fun traveling the world with Let's Go Geography a couple years ago that we couldn't wait to review it again! This trip, we're visiting 28 more countries with this homeschool geography curriculum. So, pack your bags and join us as we venture to learn more about the people and world around us in Let's Go Geography, Year 2.
Let's Go Geography is a K-5th grade curriculum that gives you a taste of traveling the world. Carol Henderson, creator of the company and veteran homeschooler, couldn't find a curriculum that was just right for her large co-op geography class. She wanted to teach a new country every week using activities that the kids would love. She decided to write her own lessons and activities, pulling information from around the web, refining and tweaking until Let's Go Geography was born. It has since grown into a three-year program.
Year 2, just like the other years, focuses on countries from each continent. The lessons were written to be completed in roughly an hour once a week, but there are plenty of suggestions for lengthening your trip. There are activities, crafts, songs, videos, journaling, books, online content, globe skills, photos, and more. A subscription gives you immediate access to all lessons along with additional resources and free materials.
Each lesson is divided into 6 sections:
The beginning of each lesson includes a printable itinerary with boxes to check as you complete the assignments. After that is a detailed list of things you need for the trip: library books, craft supplies, and a travel journal (3-ring binder to keep and organize the printables and information for each country). Carol emphasizes that this curriculum is to be adapted to best suit each family's needs, ages, and abilities. She also stresses that you shouldn't feel obligated to do every single activity that's offered, since the goal is to familiarize the student with the country, not overwhelm him.
Each lesson is divided into 6 sections:
- Map It -- a printable map of the country/region that lists many things to find and explore (cities, bodies of water, neighboring countries, etc.) and also teaches map skills and terms
- The Flag -- mini flag to be cut, colored, and glued to either a page in the travel journal or a personal passport while teaching symbolism, colors, and history
- The Music -- cultural music such as national anthems, traditional fold music, and dance
- Let's Explore -- various facts about the country (landscape, people, places, animals, occupations, and more)with links to videos for further study; also includes more online facts, library books, a printable journal page for notebooking, and a photo album of pictures
- Create -- printable coloring page relating to something in the study along with directions, tips, and any needed printable for a featured craft
- Printables -- all the printable needed for the lesson
The beginning of each lesson includes a printable itinerary with boxes to check as you complete the assignments. After that is a detailed list of things you need for the trip: library books, craft supplies, and a travel journal (3-ring binder to keep and organize the printables and information for each country). Carol emphasizes that this curriculum is to be adapted to best suit each family's needs, ages, and abilities. She also stresses that you shouldn't feel obligated to do every single activity that's offered, since the goal is to familiarize the student with the country, not overwhelm him.
The lesson format is incredibly easy to follow and includes the links for videos and other content directly in the lesson where they're needed. It's easy to scroll through the lessons in order without having to jump around to find what you need. There are also photographs, maps, and graphics throughout the pages, making them visually appealing, as well.
I've been traveling these countries the past many weeks with my kids ages 11, 10, 7, and 5. We are studying one country a week, but dividing each lesson into 2 days. The first day, we cover the first 3 chapters. We start by finding the country on our globe and then discussing the Map It topics. From there we move to The Flag and The Music. Instead of making individual travel journals for each of the kids, I chose to make a combined one for the family since it worked so well the last time we used this curriculum. The kids take turns coloring the flags and marking the maps.
I've been traveling these countries the past many weeks with my kids ages 11, 10, 7, and 5. We are studying one country a week, but dividing each lesson into 2 days. The first day, we cover the first 3 chapters. We start by finding the country on our globe and then discussing the Map It topics. From there we move to The Flag and The Music. Instead of making individual travel journals for each of the kids, I chose to make a combined one for the family since it worked so well the last time we used this curriculum. The kids take turns coloring the flags and marking the maps.
Day 2 is Let's Explore and Create. We watch all the videos together and stop them often to discuss different aspects. This is probably my favorite part! The videos vary in quality, but that also means it keeps it interesting because the content is so different. One thing that I appreciate is that they stream from SafeYouTube. Even though the curriculum was designed to have the teacher present during the lessons, this added step of caution is reassuring in clean content for my little ones. After the videos, we move to the craft and coloring page. Some of my kids are craftier than others and some of the crafts and pages aren't as appealing to all of them. I let them choose which ones they'd like to create. On the other hand, the crafts are my daughter's favorite part. There are so many aspects of this program that it's easy to pick and choose what to use and still get a good understanding of each country.
Our family continues to love this curriculum! It incorporates the perfect blend of learning styles as it touches enough aspects of each country to whet a child's appetite and give him a familiarity with the countries and offers additional learning for deeper study.
One thing that we've done differently with our Year 2 study is utilizing the suggested library books. We pick out a few books and use them throughout the week. I have them available for the kids to flip through on their own and then read portions with them, as well. Another thing we've added is creating a recipe from the featured country each week. This week we are studying Mexico, so we made churritos and Mexican hot chocolate. The kids are loving this part! The churritos are bound to be a repeat recipe, but it was a unanimous decision to stick with the traditional American drink. It's fun to try new things though! And it's neat to see what people in other parts of the world eat.
One thing that we've done differently with our Year 2 study is utilizing the suggested library books. We pick out a few books and use them throughout the week. I have them available for the kids to flip through on their own and then read portions with them, as well. Another thing we've added is creating a recipe from the featured country each week. This week we are studying Mexico, so we made churritos and Mexican hot chocolate. The kids are loving this part! The churritos are bound to be a repeat recipe, but it was a unanimous decision to stick with the traditional American drink. It's fun to try new things though! And it's neat to see what people in other parts of the world eat.
If you're looking for a way to teach your elementary child about the countries of the world, Let's Go Geography is a fantastic choice! It works well for a variety of ages, offers a great selection of materials, and is enjoyed by our whole family.
Head over to Let's Go Geography to get your passport ready and prepare to travel the world!
Head over to Let's Go Geography to get your passport ready and prepare to travel the world!
You can connect with Let's Go Geography on the following social media sites:
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You can read more reviews of Let's Go Geography on the Homeschool Review Crew blog and see the fun other homeschool families are having as they travel the world from the comfort of their homes.
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You can read more reviews of Let's Go Geography on the Homeschool Review Crew blog and see the fun other homeschool families are having as they travel the world from the comfort of their homes.
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