地理學習圈：唱歌、玩耍、探索世界各國

If my Master's Degree in International Relations has taught me one thing, it's that every country in the world has something to admire, and that's what we unearth in this class.

Welcome world explorers! In each meeting of this class, I will draw from years of study and decades of international experience to help you identify three countries on the same continent and their flags. We will look at atlases, globes, and screen-shared images on Google Earth and the CIA World Factbook to identify landmarks, natural wonders, and other items of interest. We seek to find what each country is proud of and gain a greater overall sense of this big, blue, beautiful world on which we live.

⏰ DAILY SCHEDULE
Note: Class lasts 35 minutes for 4-5 learners; class will end a few minutes earlier for 1-2 learners.
✔️ HELLO SONG
✔️ CONTINENT
✔️ FLAGS
✔️ PHOTOS 
✔️ GAME
✔️ QUIZ
✔️ QUESTIONS 
✔️ GOODBYE SONG

🗓 TOPICS BY CALENDAR WEEK
→ Week of NOV 10 - Topic - Western Asia: Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia
→ Week of NOV 17 - Topic - South Asia: Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar
→ Week of  NOV 24 - FALL BREAK - NO CLASS
→ Week of  NOV 24 - Topic - Eastern Asia: China, Mongolia, Korea

WHAT IF MY CHILD IS SHY OR RELUCTANT?
Listening is learning! Some of my very best learners were too shy to participate at first. It is okay for your child just to listen until they get used to the class. Keep your child in the room where they can hear my voice and give them something for their hands, like coloring or building blocks. Before long, they will likely hear something that interests them and start participating on their own.

MODEL THE BEHAVIOR YOU WANT TO SEE
One way to help your child relax is to participate alongside them, just off-camera. Let them see you following the motions, repeating the words, and having a good time. 

NOTE ON MUSIC
I strive to provide a welcoming and loving environment for all learners in my class. Therefore, I research the history and origins of all the songs I use in my classes and don't use any I find to have hidden or harmful messaging, associations, or history. My own original songs are written with diversity, inclusion, and love for all children in mind.

TEACHING METHOD
You'll notice I cap all of my classes at 5 learners — this way I can see all of the learners' screens at all times and they can all see each other for maximum group engagement. I also keep the class focused on my face, voice, and physical visual aids such as flannel pieces, magnetic cutouts, and books. Studies show kids in their formative years learn best through face-to-face interaction, so I don't use slides or virtual graphics that render my screen small and make the other learners' screens disappear. Learning in my class is centered on human-to-human connection, which creates a deeper, more permanent learning experience. Come see for yourself!

NOTE ON INCLUSION
I am an LGBTQ+ND mom and spouse and my classes are safe for all families and learners of all neurotypes.

I make my classes safe for LGBTQ+ families by saying "grown-up" instead of "mom" or "dad." I also don't assume gender based on a learner's name or appearance; I use "they" until their preferred pronouns are specified.

I make my classes safe for neuodivergent (ND) learners by making participation optional. Learners may participate as much or as little as they are comfortable — they will never be pressured to speak, share, or sit still. Movement is encouraged!