Usborne books have made our geography study this year; it truly would not have been the same study without them. Not only did I get my anchor texts from Usborne, but many of our fun embellishments are from Usborne as well.
The Usborne Essential Atlas of the World
Click for sample pages
When I chose to purchase this atlas ($10.99) over the Usborne Encyclopedia of World Geography ($39.99), I was a little worried it would be insufficient. But this has really been the perfect atlas for us, particularly for the age my kids are at. The 112 page atlas provides an overall map for each continent with some additional information and internet links, plus additional maps to cover specific countries and regions within each continent. While the larger Encyclopedia of World Geography is still on my wish list, this atlas has been literally “essential” to our geography study.
And my kids love the bright colors and easy to follow topography key. It’s a highlight of our week.
Around the World Sticker Dolly Dressing Book
An important part of our geography study was looking at the cultures of other countries, both the differences and the similarities. We’ve loved using the book Children Just Like Me, and I have my son do a notebooking page each week from this book. But I really wanted something for my little one, too, something that she would be able to interact with on her level. The Around the World sticker book has been perfect. Though not every one of our countries is covered, it’s still a thrill for her when I pull it out. The stickers are reusable, and the characters throughout the book display the traditional dress of their country.
It’s been a huge hit, for my son as much as for my daughter.
Animal Jigsaw Atlas
Another fun part of our geography study has been learning the animals that make their home in each country. We make flip-books and classify the animals (mammals, reptiles, etc.). But another highlight is our Animal Jigsaw Atlas. The jigsaw books are honestly the coolest books I’ve seen. The pages are similar to board book pages, with jigsaw puzzles that fit into the actual page. Remove the puzzle pieces and the picture is beneath to help the child match the right pieces in the right place. In this particular book, each spread of pages covers a different continent with pictures of animals that live on that continent. The facing page shows the animals for the child to spot within the puzzle picture.
So much fun!
The Living World Encyclopedia
The Living World Encyclopedia adds to our animal study by providing more specific information on the habits and habitats of the animals. It’s the perfect tie-in with the geography and land features we learn about in the atlas. For instance, as we covered the Sahara desert, we were able to read more about deserts and the animals that made their home in the desert. It really brought the lesson to life for the kids and helped them to understand what a desert is, beyond just a definition.
Animal Fact Cards
Click to see sample cards.
Another resource that I haven’t used as much as I would have liked are the Animal Fact Cards, and that’s just because I often lack the energy to find the cards we’re covering before we actually cover them. So you see, it’s not that my kids don’t love them, it’s that I’m lazy or unmotivated or pregnant. Either way, I wish we were using them more. They are fun, beautiful, informative, funny (when do pandas do handstands?) and the perfect on-the-go homeschool lesson. Hmmm. Maybe that’s what I should do with them. Put them on a ring and toss them in my purse for an on-the-go activity.
So now you see why I’m a consultant. These are just our resources for one subject. I love Usborne Books!
Fun Fact: Over 80% of Usborne’s products are under $10. And a purchase of any amount earns you 10 extra entries in the giveaway for an Usborne Encyclopedia. Place your order at this link; then be sure to claim your entries for the giveaway.