Open currency, time zone, and language settings

Exploring the World: Geography for Beginners

In this ongoing course, we will explore our world, including its continents, oceans, and countries, as well as states, major cities, and landmarks.

Meghan Martinez

Average rating:

4.9

Number of reviews:

(46)

What's included

1 live meeting

30 mins in-class hours per week

Class Experience

Students will learn all about Earth's geography through instructor-led discussion and visual aids of maps and globes. They will study the seven continents and their topographical and zoological features, the five oceans, major countries, the 50 United States, major cities throughout the world, and major landmarks, such as the Amazon rainforest and the Great Wall of China; they will also learn about directions (North, South, East, West) and climate.

NOTE: While I update the content periodically, this class consists of eight core lessons that repeat on a cycle. Students are welcome to stay for more than one cycle to revisit previously explored continents and explore more countries.

Tuesday 2:45 pm PST section:
6/28: North America, Part I countries and landmarks (Statue of Liberty, Grand Canyon)
7/5: North America, Part II (Yellowstone)
7/12: North American, Part II continued (Mexico, Canada) 
7/19: South America (Amazon rainforest, jaguars, monkeys)
7/26: Europe (Eiffel Tower, London Bridge)
8/2: Asia (Russia as overlapping two continents, Great Wall of China; pandas)
8/9: Africa (topography and zoology: grasslands, plains, zebras, lions, antelope, elephants)
8/16: Australia (zoology: kangaroos, koalas)
8/23: Antarctica (climate and zoology: whales, penguins)

Thursday 6:30 pm PST section
7/21: North America, Part I countries and landmarks (Statue of Liberty, Grand Canyon)
7/28: North America, Part II (Yellowstone, Mexico, Canada)
8/4: South America (Amazon rainforest, jaguars, monkeys)
8/11: Europe (Eiffel Tower, London Bridge)
8/18: Europe, Part II (Norway's Northern Lights, castles of Ireland, Vatican)
8/25: Asia (Russia as overlapping two continents, Great Wall of China; pandas)
9/1: Africa (topography and zoology: grasslands, plains, zebras, lions, antelope, elephants)
9/8: Australia (zoology: kangaroos, koalas)
9/15:  Antarctica (climate and zoology: whales, penguins)

No prior knowledge is needed.

Other Details

Language of Instruction

English

External Resources

Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Meghan Martinez

Joined April, 2020

4.9

46reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

I began teaching professionally in 2009, but I have been a lifelong teacher, as well as a lifelong learner. Teaching runs in my family. I am primarily an English teacher; I love to teach reading, writing, and literature. I have experience teaching reading to all ages, from Kindergarten through high school. I especially enjoy working in nontraditional learning environments where we learn for the sake of learning. Learning, especially reading, helps us improve as individuals, opens up our imaginations, and leads us to wonderful, new opportunities.

A little more information about me through the years:
2011: I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor's degree in English from the University of California, Riverside, where I attended on an academic scholarship. 
2012: I married my best friend while working as an Academic Advisor for undergraduate students.
2013-2014: I taught English, Literature, and Writing to students from grades 8-11 at Saint Joseph Academy in San Marcos, CA.
2015: I taught English classes to grades 10-12 at Notre Dame High School in Riverside, CA (where the cost of living is much more conducive to a private school teacher's salary).
2015 (continued): My husband and I welcomed our first child while attending graduate school full-time.
2017: I graduated with my Master's degree in Biblical Theology from John Paul the Great Catholic University. 
2017 (continued): My husband and I welcomed our second child into the world.
2019: I taught the Institute of Reading Development's Summer Reading Program for grades K-11 in the Inland Empire. It was a marvelous experience. 
2020: I began teaching on Outschool.com, then took a sabbatical while working as a Summer Writing Coach for the Institute of Reading Development and managing my most difficult pregnancy. 
2021: My husband and I welcomed our third child into the world, and I returned to teaching classes on Outschool. 

My baby girl is very attached to me, so she may make a guest appearance in my classes. If she causes a distraction, she will go to Dad.