It’s an unusual combination, but they actually work quite well together. The foundation of the geography curriculum is "Mapping the World by Heart." This is a dynamic geography program that emphasizes cartography. Students interact with, make, and copy maps of various kinds until they can reproduce the political map from memory. Along the way they learn latitude, longitude, projections, political boundaries, continents, countries, capitals, mountain ranges, major rivers and much more. Each student studies a few countries in-depth and learns about the people, culture, food, traditions, terrain, and agriculture etc. of their chosen countries. Students prepare research papers and oral presentations for each country on which they concentrate. Year one students cover North America, South America, Antarctica and Oceania. During year two, Europe, Asia and Africa are covered.
The year one Language Arts portion of the class covers writing the research paper using the "Institute for Excellence in Writing" (EIW) method as well as some basic grammar. The EIW method is a step-by-step approach to learning excellent writing skills beginning with systematic note taking. As the semester progresses instruction in various writing elements are added. The results of the EIW program among our students have been outstanding. The MLA Handbook will be used to teach students style sheet formatting and proper citations. Students will be using all of the Language Arts elements to write their geography research papers.
Year two Language Arts covers persuasive writing, the expository essay, the compare and contrast essay, the editorial, argumentation writing, grammar, and multi-media reporting. Geography research will be integral to most of the writing projects.
Please note: As of Fall 2009, Year 1 and Year 2 will be offered in alternate years. 2009-10 is for Year 2 students who have completed Year 1.
Instructor: Caroljeanne Phillips
Class time: Tuesday, 8:30AM - 11:00AM (Both Year One and Year Two are two semesters each)
Cost per Semester: $230 tuition + $25 lab fee
Class size: 8
Level: 7th grade and up
Semester length: 15-weeks
Computer Access: Students must have easy access to a computer and email. Internet research and use of World Discovery Deluxe are a weekly part of the course. All papers are required to be typed. If your child doesn’t yet know how to type, the summer is a good time!
Software Requirements: Students must have MSWord or be able to convert to MSWord (NOT MSWorks). Year 2 students need MSPowerPoint for the spring semester.
Required texts:
