Geography can be such a delightful and rich subject to teach in homeschool. It can also be overwhelming if you try to do all the things! When I was planning out what I wanted to do for geography in the elementary years, I knew there were three requirements that my plan had to meet:
- It had to be simple.
- It had to be relaxed, with lots of time to linger on each continent.
- It had to be literature-based.
I decided we would take our time exploring one continent each semester, beginning with Africa this fall. I also decided to contain the majority of our geography learning during our bedtime basket–a relaxing and peaceful part of our homeschool day during which we read from a variety of books on a variety of topics just before bed. And, finally, I decided to keep my formula simple and hassle-free: read books, learn countries on the map, learn a few words in a foreign language, and the add occasional sprinkles when inspiration strikes.
Here is how I plan out a relaxed unit study for a continent, to be completed over one semester:
Step 1: Books
Choose enough books to read for 10 minutes, 3 to 5 nights per week during bedtime basket. Collect them from used bookstores, library, Amazon, etc. Clear a space on a shelf to house them all together for easy access. Keep the current book in the bedtime basket.
Step 2: Foreign Languages
Choose 1 – 2 foreign languages spoken on the continent. Learn how to count and say a few words and simple phrases. Teach and review after bedtime basket book most nights of the week.
Step 3: Maps
Find a small laminated map of the continent to use during bedtime basket. Whenever we read a story, we’ll find the location of the story on the map. We will learn 2 – 3 new countries on the map each week, and review all the ones we know 1 – 2 times per week. (We do this simply by pointing to them on the map.)
Extras: Videos, Music, Arts, and Cooking
A couple of times during the semester, we’ll spend a day watching videos, listening to music and looking at art made by the people that live on that continent, and cooking recipes from that continent. No pressure or stress here-just keep it relaxed and fun!
If you’d like to see how I’m applying this plan to our current unit on Africa, please check out the video below:
Here are the books we’re using for our Africa unit:
Africa is Not a Country by Margy Burns Knight
The Adventures of Spider: West African Folktales by Joyce Cooper Arkhurst
Beatrice’s Goat by Paige McBrier
Jambo Means Hello: Swahili Alphabet Book by Muriel Feelings
Moja Means One: Swahili Counting Book by Muriel Feelings
A is for Africa by Ifeoma Onyefulu
One Big Family: Sharing Life in an African Village by Ifeoma Onyefulu
Why the Sky is Far Away: A Nigerian Folktale by Mary-Joan Gerson
Chinye: A West African Folk Tale by Obi Onyefulu
Wangari’s Trees of Peace: A True Story From Africa by Jeanette Winter
Honey…Honey…Lion! by Jan Brett
Bongani’s Day: From Dawn to Dusk in a South African City by Gisele Wulfsohn
Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan by Mary Williams and R. Gregory Christie
What are you using to teach geography in your homeschool? Please share in the comments!
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8 Comments
I love everything you do and I hope one day you will sell a history/geography curriculum!
Thank you Sarah! 🙂
I second that! You are amazing and have been a clear light to me in choosing a curriculum. I was so overwhelmed with choices and different approaches I couldn’t see through the fog of it all. And then, I found Blossom and Root with your easy going and clear approach, you made my decision simple. I too would love it if you created a geography curriculum. I LOVE this approach!
Thank you so much! <3 That means so much to me.
Hi Kristina, will you be sharing info on the other continents as you teach them? I’d love to know your book lists 🙂
Yes, absolutely! We took a pause from it last semester but will jumping into Asia this semester, and I’ll definitely share our books and resources. 🙂
Hi! I am so grateful that I found you!
My daughter is going into second grade and we are first time homeschoolers. Would you recommend jumping into geography with a continent study, or should we start more local and study the US first?
Thank you for all of your wonderful ideas and guidance!
Hi there!
You’re so welcome! That’s totally up to you, and your child’s interests. Does one option seem more exciting to her than the other? I would go with curiosity and interest. 🙂