How do I "do" geography?

I found this sight doing the great little map idea and children of the world printables. I just had to share the idea before I lost where I found it at  .http://noorjanan.blogspot.com/2011/11/children-of-world.html
I love how they did the map i want one for my post cards but not up on the wall all the time this is perfect it folds up when not in use. Time to head to the store to make this map.

How do I "do" geography?

We have found a great way to "do" our geography. It is kind of a variation of Flat Stanley Project with my own twist. I joined one of those postcard club sites but it just flooded my in box with email. So now when ever a coworker or family member is going on vacation I beg ask them to sent the kids a postcard addressed from Flat Stanley. We have received post cards for many US States, Rome, Paris, and various Caribbean Islands. Flat Stanley really is quite the world traveler and the kids love getting the mail. We look on the map to see where Flat Stanley is now. We post the card on the bulletin board. We look up the state or country and study a little about it. It takes us many places and costs us very little. After we are done with each card we place it in order in a small photo album that cost me just a dollar at Walmart. Then we can pull cards out later if we are studying the same place again. I also bought a box of old postcards at an auction sale and have included these in the book as we study those states with Flat Stanley. The kids love looking at the cards and getting mail. Best of all no flood of emails! No strangers with my mailing address! And if we get the same place twice no worries we just get a new card and call it review time. This has really been fun for everyone envolved. My coworkers love being part of the kids education and enjoy hearing my Flat Stanley stories about how amazed the kids are the Flat Stanley took another trip.

We're home!

We just got back early this morning from our Wisconsin Vacation.

The kids got to go over the mighty Mackinaw Bridge.

Manistique Michigan Lighthouse

Escanaba, Michigan Lighthouse

 All the way across the southern coast of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and into Wisconsin. We stopped to visit two lighthouses along the way. Aaron's little sister graduated from high school so we got to see the ceremony and attend her open house. We learned a lot on our trip. The kids were so good! I was so amazed at how well they behaved. Considering all the behavior problems they had even just two years ago I was nervous about a long road trip. They were angels. I can't wait to plan another trip.

Japan Lapbook

In the light of the disaster in Japan we are doing a lapbook so the kids can better understand where Japan is and who the people are that are suffering there. It makes it more real and personal. I want the kids to feel real empathy for these people.

1. We have started with some a lapbook from lapbook lessons and more lapbook elements from homeschool share.
2. I printed a flag and map to color. from here
3. Activity Village has koi kites. 
4. I printed paper dolls from making friends.These are in traditional dress. as well as these awsome coloring page of traditional dress found here.
5. We found the characters for numbers1 through 10. I wanted to make flash cards but pitty-pat used them to do copy work of the symbols. We discussed calligraphy.
6. I read them fun facts from Scholastic about Japan. I enjoyed the section on manners and how important they are in Japan.
7. I printed out some origami patterns to try out.Some are from here at enchanted learning and here at ActivityVillage
8. We watched a video message from a high school friend who teaches in Japan that was made to let everyone know he is ok.
9. Japanese theme lunch- Ramen noodles and frozen mixed vegetables. Easy peasy! I did find a recipe at family fun for candy sushi I plan to try this weekend as well as buying real sushi at a local grocery store made fresh on the weekend. I happen to love sushi but I am not taking them an hour away to the nearest sushi restaurant.
10. Zen sand garden- We already have a meditation sand garden we bought at the local dollar store and embellished with more polished rocks. This can be kind of messy.

"I've seen the village and I do NOT want it raising MY children"--unknown  thanks for the quote Aimee

Postcard geography

I joined a post card swap and we got our first card this week from amish country in Pennsylvania. The kids are so excited to get mail. I can't wait to see where we get postcards along with the kids. My coworkers have sent the kids postcards from places they have vacationed and the kids can't wait to get out the map. I just checked my email and sent requests for more exchanges, so much fun.