This is it! Outschool's original ongoing COUNTRY STUDIES class. This is the PRIVATE LESSON version of this course.  This means there is more flexibility with regard to what country(ies) will be taught.  Every week, we will study the physical and human geography of one country, with an emphasis on physical geography. 

WE ARE ON LESSON #181 - GABON! Please scroll down to see upcoming countries.

PRIVATE LESSON STUDENTS  are allowed to make substitutions if they wish.  I have lessons prepared for 165 different countries. Please ask for a list of my prepared country lessons.  

I have taught Geography for decades and Country Studies is my thing! Join us! There are quite a few students who have been with me for more than two years.... since I started this ongoing class back in early 2021.   Each lesson is bespoke and takes about fifteen hours to create.  This is why I don't offer much else.   

During each class, we will label and sometimes color at least two maps of the subject country and its continent and discuss important topics as we do so.  Geography is an extremely broad subject that overlaps with many other subjects such as Earth Science, Government, Economics, and History. Depending on the country we may touch on just some or all of these subjects. Links to the maps and the list of map locations are posted to the classroom approximately 24 hours before class. Students are expected to print these out and bring them to class along with a few colored pencils, a black marker, and a ruler.  There are usually two or three maps, plus a list of map locations.  

**********NB:  Upon arriving at class, the student will be provided with a link that will take them directly to the Nearpod lesson.  The learner will then split their screens so that Zoom appears on one side of their computer screen and Nearpod will appear on the other side of their computer screen.  Learners who do not wish to split their screens can, alternatively, use two devices, where one device is on Zoom and the other device is on their laptop, etc.       

The lessons focus primarily on physical geography, but, depending on the country, we may also learn about one or more of the following topics:  food, history, language, religion, ethnic groups, animal life, economics, government, current events, etc.  

At the beginning of each meeting, the student will use Google Maps to find and mark the country's location on an interactive map.  Nearby countries and bodies of water will also be located and labeled.  Learners will draw in the mountain ranges of the country in question as well as label the most important rivers, lakes, deserts, plateaus, and cities of that country.  There are lots of discussions about peninsulas, islands, river deltas, archipelagos, mountain building, plate tectonics, disputed territories, UNESCO sites, including the intangible UNESCO list, language & religion, ethnic groups, the movement of people, climate, currents, where cities are located and why, etc. - There is just so much!

Most of my lessons include lots of map work (drawing mountain ranges, deserts, etc.), discussions, slides, short videos, and lectures.  If time permits, I try to end all classes with a short game/quiz to assess learning. 

It is expected that the student know their compass directions. N, E, S, W!   (Never East Sour Watermelon!)  :-)    
(Never, Ever, Stop Wandering) (Never, Ever, Stop, Wondering)

If none of the days/times suit your schedule, please do not hesitate to contact me and request or create another section.   

Students are encouraged to communicate with me before the lessons and tell me what their greatest specific interests are about upcoming countries so I may incorporate those subjects into the lessons.  

Here is the list of upcoming lessons.

NOTE: I will be away and on vacation from Friday, Nov. 22 through Sunday, Dec. 1. Meetings will resume on Monday, December 2.  

#181 - GABON - November 18 - December 1
OBJECTIVES:
On a map, we will locate the country, its capital(s), other major cities, and important physical features.
We will focus on what is geographically, culturally, historically, economically, etc. most significant about this country

#182 - DOMINICA - December 2 - 8
OBJECTIVES:
On a map, we will locate the country, its capital(s), other major cities, and important physical features.
We will focus on what is geographically, culturally, historically, economically, etc. most significant about this country
       
#183 - LAOS - December 9 - 15
OBJECTIVES:
On a map, we will locate the country, its capital(s), other major cities, and important physical features.
We will focus on what is geographically, culturally, historically, economically, etc. most significant about this country

#184 - LIBERIA - December 16 - 22
OBJECTIVES:
On a map, we will locate the country, its capital(s), other major cities, and important physical features.
We will focus on what is geographically, culturally, historically, economically, etc. most significant about this country

#185 - HONDURAS - December 23 - 29
OBJECTIVES:
On a map, we will locate the country, its capital(s), other major cities, and important physical features.
We will focus on what is geographically, culturally, historically, economically, etc. most significant about this country

NOTE:  I will be on a short holiday break on December 24th and 25th. Meetings will resume 
on December 26th

186 - Belarus 
187 - Kuwait 
188 - Malta 
189 - Mauritius
190 - Luxembourg 
191 - Afghanistan 
192 - Finland 
193 - Barbados 
194 - Northern Ireland - An exception - Not a sovereign nation
195 - São Tomé and Príncipe 
196 - Libya 
197 - Hungary 
198 - Armenia 
199 - Guinea Bissau 
200 - Federated States of Micronesia 
201 - North Macedonia 
202 - Algeria 
203 - Syria 
204 - Ghana 
205 - Saint Kitts and Nevis
206 - Republic of the Congo