Teaching Geography | Homeschool 101 | Part III

Do you have a plan for teaching geography?  Today, I'd like to share:

• how to schedule it
• how to teach it
• a few favorite books

for studying geography at home.

Why geography?  Geography is the description of the earth's surface, and in order to understand many other subjects, particularly history and literature, as all  stories have settings, it's important for children to know the divisions of earth. 

How to Schedule It

I find that it's easy to fit geography into my weekly schedule.  First, here is a look at how I  schedule my day.

​8:30 - 9:00 : Christian Studies (includes Bible, History, and Geography)
9:00 - 12:00 : Individual Studies (grade-level Math, Science, L. Arts)
12:00 - 1:00 : Lunch Break & Free Afternoons*
3:00 - 4:00 : Enrichment Studies & Tea
*Latin, Logic, and Literature Reading if  not completed in the morning

This year we are following a 4-Day Schedule.  So, Geography is on Day 4.  The idea is to study geography one time per week.

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Bible	Bible	History	Geography

How To Teach Geography

There are three tools, I like to use for teaching geography.

1. A Geography Lesson Book (see suggestions below)
2. A Recitation Notebook
3. A World Map (posted on the wall or in an atlas)

What is a Recitation Notebook?  I am one who believes in study, not endless repetition, but a little is important for long-term memory.  A very simple solution  is the Recitation Notebook.  This is a composition notebook given to the student.  On the first page, simply write the first question to be answered.  Then, turn the page, and on the back, write the answer.  As you go through your geography lessons each week, add Q & A to it.

Start each geography lesson with an oral recitation of all previous lessons.  In this way, over-time, you will build long-term memory of geography through simple recitation.  By the way, this study method can be used in almost any class. 

Geography Books to Use

I want to share my top three Geography Lesson Books!  Your are welcome to share your favorites in the comments below.

• First Lessons in Geography (is great for any beginner) - I like it because it includes beautiful maps, it teaches the basic terms, it follows a clear progression of study, and the recitation is already done for you. One drawback is that a few updates will need to be made as it is an "old" book.  
• Geography for Beginners (is great for any beginner) - I like it because it reads a bit more like a story, includes clear explanations, and beautiful illustration. 
• Elements of Physical Geography (is for middle and high) - I like this one so much that I bought a physical copy of the old book.  It includes the most beautiful illustrations, clear explanations written at two levels (larger print for middle; smaller print for high).  

Now, as I said before, I like to include American History each year in the final term or quarter.  So, I will add this book as a bonus:  States & Capitals by Memoria Press when studying American History.  Also, see Map Work here.

Remember, a simple way to add geography to your week, without anymore additional time, is to (1) schedule it once per week as a family together study, (2) learn it using a recitation notebook, and (3) finally, choose a good geography lesson book.