Learning the Art of Orienteering

Labor Day weekend found us in the woods. We were camping at a state park which happened to have an orienteering course. Our oldest was enthralled, and the rest of us were along for the adventure. Well, truth be told, one of us dislikes hiking, but she made a gallant effort...actually a Herculean effort when, at one point, we had to troop through thick woods blazing our own trail as we went. It was very much out of her comfort zone, but she courageously met the challenge.

Orienteering is, according to the state park's website, "the art of map and compass reading." Basically, we picked up this flyer at the office.

It is not a trail map. Instead it reveals the area where each marker post is located. Those are the circles you see on the map. Each marker post is numbered or lettered. They look like this:

The upper left corner shows the marker post number and the lower right corner is the letter you write on your brochure to prove you actually saw the marker post.

From post to post you are on your own. With the aid of the map, a compass, and your own ingenuity, you decide how to get from post to post.

You can walk or run to the next marker.

We chose to walk, or be carried...

It took us about two hours or so to find all the markers - a bit long for little legs.

Some of the marker posts were easy to find. Others were a bit more tricky.

We found each and every one. {Mainly because it was important to our oldest son to finish the course and we wanted to support him.}

In the end, we were all glad we had found each marker post and finished the course...even our not so outdoorsy gal...after all, it counted for a day of school and she "didn't even have to do Latin."

Travel the World - The Extras

The trip is complete! However, along the way, we have encountered some general resources which may be of use to you on your own trip around the world. Each book was found at our local library. Links provided for further information.

Additional General Resources:

• Where in the World? Around the Globe in 13 Works of Art, by Bob Raczka 
• The International Cookbook for Kids, by Matthew Locricchio
• The Usborne Round the World Cookbook, by Caroline Young
• If the World Were a Village: A Book about the World's People, by David J. Smith
• World Wide Crafts: Animal Crafts, Iain MacLeod-Brudenell
• Children of the World: How We Live, Learn, and Play in Poems, Drawings, and Photographs, by Anthony Asael and Stephanie Rabemiafara
• A Cool Drink of Water, by Barbara Kerley

Travel the World - Australia

It has been quite the whirlwind of a year. My Kindergartener is finishing his trip around the world. Learning about different cultures has been incredible. At the same time, he learns about the physical geography of a particular region, including ecosystems, fauna, and flora. Though it has been a busy spring, we still found time to travel from Africa to Australia. With just one country as a continent, the overall learning seemed sparse. However, we did include Oceania, which helped to create a fuller unit.

Spine Books ~

• National Geographic Beginner's World Atlas pp. 50-55
• The Usborne Book of Peoples of the World, by Gillian Doherty and Anna Claybourne, pp. 80-91
• The Usborne World of Animals*, by Susanna Davidson and Mike Unwin, pp. 86-95 
• Galloping the Globe, by Loree Pettit and Dari Mullins: Australia - flag, p. 221; New Zealand - flag, p. 229

Read Alouds ~

• Australia ABCs: A Book about the People and Places of Australia, by Sarah Heiman
• New Zealand ABCs: A Book about the People and Places of New Zealand, by Holly Schroeder

Art Activity ~

"Scratched Animals"
from Art Treasury pp.72-75

 

 

Next Stop: Poles and Ocean

 

 

 

*The copy we have is out of print. However, a more recent version can be found here.

 

Travel the World - Africa

This year of learning about our world has been incredible. I have, er, I mean my Kindergartner, has learned so much! Alas, we are almost done with our trip around the world. From Asia, we traveled to Africa. It has been fascinating learning about the different regions and people of Africa. Below, I have listed the resources we used.

Spine Books ~

• National Geographic Beginner's World Atlas pp. 38-43
• The Usborne Book of Peoples of the World, by Gillian Doherty and Anna Claybourne, pp. 48-63
• The Usborne World of Animals*, by Susanna Davidson and Mike Unwin, pp. 54-65
• Galloping the Globe, by Loree Pettit and Dari Mullins: Egypt (flag p. 211), Morocco (flag p. 203), Kenya (flag p. 199), and South Africa (flag p. 196)

Read Alouds ~

• Egypt in Colors, by Nathan Olson
• Egypt ABCs: A Book about the People and Places of Egypt, by Sarah Heiman
• Count Your Way through Egypt, by Jim Haskins and Kathleen Benson
• Ethiopia: Faces and Places, by Elma Schemenauer
• The Lion's Whiskers: An Ethiopian Folktale, by Nancy Raines Day
• Morocco: Faces and Places, by Patrick Merrick
• We Come From Kenya, by Wambui Kairi
• Kenya ABCs: A Book About the People and Places of Kenya, by Sarah Heiman
• Kenya in Colors, by Sara Louise Kras
• My Rows and Piles of Coins, by Tololwa M. Mollel {takes place in Tanzania}
• Shaka: King of the Zulus, by Diane Stanley and Peter Vennema
• Count Your Way through South Africa, by Jim Haskins and Kathleen Benson
• Country Explorers: Ghana, by Lyn Larson
• Anansi The Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti, by Geral McDermott {Ghana folktale}
• Desert Elephants, by Helen Cowcher
• Hero Tales, by David & Neta Jackson {David Livingstone, pp. 56-67}
• Ricky and His Friends Go to Africa, by Tony & Tracey Van Dyke
• Stories from Africa, compiled by Kerry Lovering

*Most of these we found at our local library.


Projects ~

Kente Cloth
Inspiration found at

• Kente Cloth at Crayola
• Kente Cloth Strips at Kinder Art
• Kente Cloth printable lesson plan from Teacher Vision

 

Mask
The Usborne Art Treasury, by Katie Dickins, pp. 24-27

Next Stop: Australia

Travel the World - Asia

Our Kindergartner is still traveling about the world in his studies. He just finished several weeks learning about Asia. And, after our mini unit on Europe, I think we might have overdone the Asia unit. Alas, it is the ebb and flow of life.


Spine Books ~

National Geographic Beginner's World Atlas pp. 44-49
The Usborne Book of Peoples of the World, by Gillian Doherty and Anna Claybourne, pp. 65-79
The Usborne World of Animals*, by Susanna Davidson and Mike Unwin, pp. 74-85 
Galloping the Globe, by Loree Pettit and Dari Mullins: Russia - flag, p. 56; India - flag, p. 40


Read Alouds ~

The Never-Ending Greenness: We Made Israel Bloom, by Neil Waldman
Tokyo Friends, by Betty Reynolds
The Conference of the Birds, retold by Alexis York Lumbard
In the Far North, by Lola Kamalova
Russia in Colors, by Catherine Ipcizade
Russia ABCs: A Book About the People and Places of Russia, by Ann Berge
Sasha's Matrioshka Dolls, by Jana Dillon
The Littlest Matryoshka, by Corinne Demas Bliss
Once a Mouse...A Fable Cut in Wood from Ancient India, by Marcia Brown
India in Colors, by Nathan Olson
Japan ABCs: A Book About the People and Places of Japan, by Sarah Heiman
The Story about Ping, by Marjorie Flack and Kurt Wiese
China in Colors, by Marla Gamze-Pendergrast
China ABCs: A Book About the People and Places of China, by Holly Schroeder
No Year of the Cat, by Mary Dodson Wade
The Chinese New Year, by Cheng Hou-tien
A Grain of Rice, by Helena Clare Pittman


Activities ~

World Wide Crafts: Animal Crafts, by Iain MacLeod-Brudenell

"Origami Cygnets" pp. 20-21 {paper folding - Japan}
His older brother helped him fold the cygnet.

"Paper Peacocks" pp. 22-23 {paper cutting - China}
His older sister got into the fun as well for this project.

 

"Dragon Fire" {a movable dragon puppet}, pp. 10-11
This one, I made for him - he helped assemble it, but the rest was my handiwork.
He enjoyed playing with it.

Geography Through Art, by Sharon Jeffus & Jamie Aramini

"Matryoshka Doll" for Russia p. 72 {used provided template}

"Boy's Day Fish Banners" for Japan - p. 68 {used provided template}

Tangram for China
We used the tangrams we had from our math kit, but used the diagrams from Papercrafts Around the World, by Phyllis Fiarotta and Noel Fiarotta, p.10 to make animal shapes.

Field Trip ~
We spent a day at the art museum learning about Chinese New Year.{Read more here.}

During our visit to the art museum, we saw displays of art work made by local schools. Each display reflected an aspect of Chinese culture.

We tried out several of their ideas. You can read and see more of the art project ideas here.


Next Stop: Africa



*The copy we have is out of print. However, a more recent version can be found here.

Travel the World - Europe

 

Since the beginning of the school year, my Kindergartner has been learning about the world, one continent at a time. He has already traveled around North America and South America. Recently, he finished a unit on Europe.  As this unit fell after Thanksgiving and during Christmas, it was more challenging to complete and orchestrate special individual projects just for this unit. Consequently, you will find less activities overall and a few Christmas related art projects tucked into this unit.

 

 

 

Spine Books ~

National Geographic Beginner's World Atlas, pp. 32-37

The Usborne Book of Peoples of the World, by Gillian Doherty and Anna Claybourne, pp. 36-47

The Usborne World of Animals*, by Susanna Davidson and Mike Unwin, pp. 66-73

Galloping the Globe, by Loree Pettit and Dari Mullins: Germany flag - p. 85; Italy map - p. 72

Christmas Around the World Coloring Book, by Joan O'Brien: Sweden - p. 30; Germany - p. 15

Read Alouds ~

Books:
Wee Gillis, by Munro Leaf - A young Scot boy must decide between living among the Lowlanders, who call and milk long haired cows, or the Highlanders, who stalk stags.  He alternates each year, living one year with his mother's relations in the valleys, and the next with his father's relations in the mountains.  Wee Gillis learns how to call cows and stalk stags.  He likes both, but a decision must be made. What will he decide to do? My young son liked the story line and Robert Lawson's illustrations. I liked how Scottish cultural aspects like kilts and bagpipes were interwoven into the story.

Tim O'Toole and the Wee Folk: An Irish Tale, by Gerald McDermott - A funny story of a poor named Tim trying to find an easy way to get rich. He does, but he doesn't come by it easily, because he fails to follow all the instructions.

Too Many Leprechauns, by Stephen Kresnsky - A cute story about a village overrun by Leprechauns and one boy, named Finn, who solves the problem.

P is for Poland, by Agnieszka Mrowczynska & Prodeepta Das - ABC's of Poland in pictures and words

I Have an Olive Tree, by Eve Bunting - A girl, Sophia and her mother travel to Greece to see an olive tree which Sophia received as a present for her 8th birthday from her grandfather.


Activities ~

Papercrafts Around the World, by Phyllis Fiarotta and Noel Fiarotta

Sunburst, Sweden - p. 35

{My son opted to give these as gifts.}

 

Weihnacht Angel, Germany - p. 37

 

 {My son's and daughter's angels}

 

 

 

 

*The Usborne Book of World Animals we are using is no longer in print.

A more recent edition is found here.

 

 

Next Stop: Asia {Just in time for Chinese New Year!}

 

 

 

 

linked to:

Travel the World - South America

This year, my Kindergartner is learning about the world, one continent at a time. On this journey around the world, our first stop was North America, mainly because we live here, and our second stop was South America! I must confess to not having as many activities prepared and ready for him, but those which we did complete were fun and informative.

Spine Books:
National Geographic Beginner's World Atlas (pp. 26-31)
The Usborne Book of Peoples of the World (pp. 24-35)
The Usborne World of Animals (pp. 34-43)

Resources and Activities ~
South America, by Mary Virginia Fox
Brazil ABCs: A Book About the People and Places of Brazil, by David Seidman
Brazil in Colors, by Ann Stalcup
Maritn de Porres: The Rose in the Desert, by Gary D. Schmidt

Galloping the Globe, by Loree Pettit and Dari Mullins
p. 161 - map of South America
p. 178 - flag of Peru
p. 171 - flag of Brazil 

Art:

learning to weave...

Geography Through Art, by Sharon Jeffus & Jamie Aramini
p. 164 - "Bulls of Pucara" for Peru {we used play-do to make the clay bulls}

p. 150 - Rain Stick

p. 151 - Emerald Tree Boa {used a piece of green cardstock since we did not have a paper plate}

p. 155 -Pinata

 

 

 

 

Next Stop: Europe 

American Geography Resources and Ideas

 

Last year, our history covered the 'discovery' of the Americas.  It was then that we began a year long study of American geography using Trail Guide to U.S. Geography.  The children learned about the various regions of the U.S.A. and the states within these regions.  Maps were included every week. 

 

This year, we are making sure we review American geography.  I have been using several different resources and ideas to review what they learned last year. 

 

American Geography Ideas:

 

Using maps from Uncle Josh's Outline Map Book, our children have used maps to count license plates of various states we see as we travel on long trips.

 

They have also placed free stickers from an advertisement onto the corresponding states of a map.

 

 

Making a game with flash cards, the children raced to answer questions about the states.  Those state cards which they won, they located and colored on a map.

 

 

 Later, I quizzed each child individually with the entire packet of flash cards.

 

Our oldest daughter is currently using Geography: A Literature Approach, by Rea C. Berg (Beautiful Feet Books) with four Holling C. Holling books and Geography-Based Writing Lessons, by Maria Gerber (IEW).

 

Although American geography is new information to our youngest son, he does enjoy our Melissa and Doug United States of America floor puzzle.  It is an easy way to introduce him to the different states and their locations.

 

 

 

American Geography Resources:

Trail Guide to U.S. Geography, by Cindy Wiggers

Children's Illustrated Atlas: United States (Rand McNally Schoolhouse)

Don't Know Much About the 50 States, by Kenneth C. Davis

States & Capitals, pocket flash cards (Trend)

Uncle Josh's Outline Map Book, by George Wiggers and Hannah Wiggers

Unites States of America State Birds and Flowers, poster (Feenixx Publishing, Inc.)

 

Travel the World - North America

This year, my Kindergartner is learning about the world, one continent at a time.  On this journey around the world, our first stop was North America, mainly because we live here! 

Spine Books:
National Geographic Beginner's World Atlas  (pp. 16-25)
The Usborne Book of Peoples of the World  (pp. 10-23)
The Usborne World of Animals  (pp. 44-53)

Read Alouds and Activities ~

Geography:
Galloping the Globe, by Loree Pettit and Dari Mullins (maps and flags - pp. 123,130,136,144,156) 
One Nation: America by the Numbers, by Devin Scillian
Canada ABCs: A Book About the People and Places of Canada, by Brenda Haugen
M is for Mexico, by Flor de Maria Cordero
Hands of the Maya: Villagers at Work and Play, by Rachel Crandell
Guatemala ABCs: A Book about the People and Places of Guatemala, by Marcie Aboff

{Galloping the Globe, page 130}

History and Biographies:
Buffalo Bill, by Ingri &Edgar Parin d'Aulaire
The Buffalo are Back, by Jean Craighead George
Hill of Fire, by Thomas P. Lewis

Science:
Flute's Journey: The Life of a Wood Thrush, by Lynne Cherry

Art:
Geography Through Art, by Sharon Jeffus & Jamie Aramini

• Native American Hide Paintings (pp. 126-127)
• Quick Sketch: Moose (p. 117) - a bit too difficult for my Kindergartner, substituted with Easy to Read! Easy to Draw! Animals version of how to draw a moose

 

• Maple Leaf Rubbings (p. 116) - added to make it a full blown science page with bark rubbing and information (this idea found in Tell Me, Tree: All About Trees for Kids, by Gail Gibbons

 

• Papel Picado (p. 121)

 

 

 

• God's Eye (p. 122)

 

Discovering Canada, by Dianna J. Sullivan (p. 36-27) dog sled scene

 

Papercrafts Around the World, by Phylis Fiarotta and Noel Fiarotta, (p. 17) Curlicue Birds - Mexico

Literature and Fun Stories:
Bluebonnet Girl, by Michael Lind - a Comanche legend about bluebonnets told in lyrical text
Mike Fink: A Tall Tale, retold by Steven Kellogg - an American tall tale
Holy Mole! by Caroline McAlister - a Mexican folk tale
The Lion Storyteller Bedtime Book, by Bob Harman (pp. 16-17)

Bible and Missionaries:
Missionary Stories with the Millers (pp. 5-9)

Extras:
The United States of America Puzzle, by Melissa and Doug

Next Stop: South America