Join us as we journey around the world and back in time!  Beginning with North America, we'll travel through all seven continents.  Each week we'll start with a story from a different country.  Then we'll learn the geography of that country, iconic places, animals that live there, and important times in history.  Students will get to experience a hands-on activity each week to bring what we are learning to life!  

This class is for students in GRADES 1-3.  It is ongoing, so students may join or leave at any time.  Upon enrollment you will receive a  supply list for the continent we are studying, so you should be able to jump in wherever we are.  This class covers 36 countries, making it a perfect year-long social studies curriculum for homeschoolers!  

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CLASS FORMAT
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DAY 1: STORY & VIRTUAL VISIT
(10 minutes) Students are welcomed and introduced to the country.  They see what the flag looks like.
(15 minutes) I read the story to the students.  They may read along or listen and color their flags.  
(20 minutes) We take a virtual tour of the country using an interactive slideshow.  Students choose from a variety of places, celebrations, animals or historical landmarks to explore.  We explore through pictures, videos, and discussions.   

HOMEWORK:  WORLD ATLAS READING
Students are assigned pages to browse in their National Geographic Kids World Atlas.   

DAY 2: GEOGRAPHY & HANDS-ON ACTIVITY
(25-30 minutes) Students share what they learned in their homework.  They find and label/color the country on their map. We go over the geography and climate typically found in the country.  We also learn about some of the animals you might find in the country. 
(15-20 minutes) Hands-on activity.  This might be a craft, cooking activity, game or other activity.  They are listed below in the schedule.  

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FALL 2023
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NORTH AMERICA, SOUTH AMERICA & AFRICA

WEEK of SEPT 4: CANADA
Story: The Bag of Warmth
Highlights: Niagara Falls, Ice Castles, Calgary Stampede
Activity: Maple Mug Cakes (students will be using a microwave for cooking and will need supervision)

WEEK of SEPT 11: MEXICO
Story: The Giant's Secret
Highlights: Chichen Itza, Beaches, Desert
Activity: Clay Sun Faces

WEEK of SEPT 18: Costa Rica
Story:  The Lucky Table
Highlights: Rainforest, Ziplining
Activity: Toasted Cashews (requires the use of an oven, so students will need supervision or to complete the baking after class)

**NO CLASSES September 25-October 13**

WEEK of OCT 16: Puerto Rico
Story: Tiger Gets Stuck
Highlights: Beaches, Mosquito Bioluminescent Bay 
Activity: Pina Coladas

WEEK of OCT 23: Brazil
Story: The Two Brothers
Highlights: The Cristo, Amazon Rainforest, Sugar Cane
Activity: Chocolate Brigadieros 

WEEK of OCT 30: Peru
Story: The Llama's Secret
Highlights: Llama Farm, Machu Picchu
Activity: Finger Knitting

WEEK of NOV 6: Ghana
Story:  Anansi and the Sky God's Stories
Highlights:  Kakum National Park, Crocodile Ponds
Activity: Plantain Chips

WEEK of NOV 13:  South Africa
Story:  The Baobab Tree
Highlights:  Swim with Penguins, 
Activity: Paper Weaving

WEEK of NOV 20: Kenya
Story: Mama Panya's Pancakes
Highlights: Safari, Giraffe Hotel
Activity: Egg Carton Mancala

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WINTER 2023
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AFRICA, MIDDLE EAST &  EUROPE

WEEK of JAN 8: EGYPT
Story: Isis & Osiris
Highlights: Pyramids of Giza, Nile River
Activity: Hieroglyphs

WEEK of JAN 15 : JORDAN
Story: The False Prince
Highlights: Dead Sea, Petra
Activity: Colored Sand

WEEK of JAN 22: IRAQ
Story: Gilgamesh & Enkidu
Highlights: Ancient Mesopotamia, Gate of Ishtar
Activity: Cuneiform Tablets

WEEK of JAN 29: U.A.E.
Story: The Magic Lamp
Highlights: Burj Khalifa, Ancient Arabia
Activity: Marshmallow Towers

WEEK of FEB 5: TURKEY
Story: The Three Hares
Highlights: Turkish Ice Cream
Activity: Fruit Kabobs 

WEEK of FEB 12: GREECE
Story: Paethon and the Chariot of the Sun
Highlights: Coliseum, Ancient Greece
Activity: Greek Salad

WEEK of FEB 19: ITALY
Story: Strega Nona
Highlights: Venice, Rome, Leaning Tower of Pisa
Activity: Paper Mosaic

WEEK of FEB 26: SPAIN
Story: Ferdinand
Highlights: Running of the Bulls 
Activity: Arroz con Leche

WEEK of MAR 4: GERMANY
Story: Bremen Town Musicians
Highlights: City Artwork, English Gardens
Activity: Apfelpfannkuchen (requires the use of an oven, so baking should take place after class or with adult supervision)

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SPRING 2024
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EUROPE & ASIA

Week of APR 1: FRANCE
Story: The Two Sisters
Highlights: Eiffel Tower, Mona Lisa
Activity: French Crepes (no cooking required, unless you would like to heat the crepes up in the microwave)

Week of JAN 15: ENGLAND
Story: Silly Jack
Highlights: Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Stonehenge
Activity: Quilling Paper Design

WEEK of JAN 22: IRELAND
Story: The Irish Cinderlad
Highlights: Blarney Castle, Terra Nova Fairy Garden
Activity: Irish Soda Bread (requires the use of an oven, so baking will need to be done after class)

WEEK of JAN 29: NORWAY
Story: Thor and Loki in the Land of the Giants
Highlights: Vikings, Arctic Dome, Flam Railway
Activity: Lapland Felt Square

WEEK of FEB 5: UKRAINE
Story: It Could Always Be Worse
Highlights: Chernobyl, Black Sea, War in Ukraine
Activity: Ukraine Peace Wreath

WEEK of FEB 12: RUSSIA
Story: The Determined Frog
Highlights: Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral
Activity: Matryoska Dolls

WEEK of FEB 19: CHINA
Story: The Frog Who Lived in a Well
Highlights: Great Wall, Forbidden City, Chinese New Year
Activity: Making Paper or Eraser Signature

WEEK of FEB 26: SOUTH KOREA
Story: The Ungrateful Tiger
Highlights: Boryeong Mud Festival, Hanok Village, Everland Theme Park
Activity: Korean Do Drum

WEEK of MAR 4: JAPAN
Story: Peach Boy
Highlights: Mt. Fuji, Hot Springs, Ninja House
Activity: Kumihimo Bracelets

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SUMMER 2024
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ASIA, OCEANIA, ANTARCTICA & THE ARCTIC

WEEK of APR 10: VIETNAM
Story: How Tiger Got His Stripes
Highlights: Tet (New Year), Craft Village, Golden Bridge
Activity: Non La Hats

WEEK of APR 17: THAILAND
Story:  Red Onion, White Onion
Highlights: Songkran Festival, Buddhist Temples
Activity: Sticky Rice with Mango

WEEK of APR 24: INDIA
Story: Munna and the Grain of Rice
Highlights: Taj Mahal, Holi Festival
Activity: Stone Inlay

WEEK of MAY 1: NEPAL
Story: A Dog Named Haku
Highlights: Mt. Everest, Festival of Lights
Activity: Mango Lassi

WEEK of MAY 8: INDONESIA
Story: The Mouse Deer's Wisdom
Highlights: Komodo National Park, Bali 
Activity: Sticky Coconut Cake (baking done with supervision or after class)

WEEK of MAY 15: AUSTRALIA
Story: The Selfish Sand Frog
Highlights: Sydney's Opera House, Great Barrier Reef, Outback
Activity: Koala Treats

WEEK of MAY 22: NEW ZEALAND
Story: The Star Hunt
Highlights: Glow Worm Caves, Sculptureum 
Activity: Glow in the Dark Cave Art

WEEK of MAY 29: ANTARCTICA
Story: The Emperor's Egg
Highlights: Ice Sheets, Science Stations, Penguins
Activity:  Crystal Watercolor Snowflake

WEEK of JUNE 5: THE ARCTIC
Story: A Promise is a Promise
Highlights: Inuits, Northern Lights, Icebergs
Activity: Scrimshaw Carving (Students will be using toothpicks to carve soap)