Trail Guide To U.S. Geography

Description

Following the same great format as Trail Guide to World Geography, this book focuses on U.S. Geography. The thirty-six weekly lessons in this book cover the fifty states, organized by region. Students study the states at a rate of about two per week. This easy-to-teach book covers essential geographical facts and features of each state. This trail guide includes 5-minute daily drills, mapping, building a geography notebook--using the optional student notebook--and a wide variety of additional projects with research and discovery. The literature unit in this book focuses on the Lewis and Clark expedition, using the book The Captain's Dog, by Roland Smith. Heavily used resources include Uncle Josh's Outline Map Book or maps available in the Student Notebook download. Other resources are also recommended to help enhance the study. In this edition, all students use the Desk Atlas of the United States. A Geographical Terms Chart is recommended with these and all Trail Guide studies. We do not offer the chart that is recommended; however, it is available through Geography Matters. This is the 2015 update. ~ Rachel S./Rebecca G.

Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
Consumable
Consumable
Designed to be written in; not reusable.
Non-Consumable
Not designed to be written in; reusable.