My Place in the Universe- Michigan

Me on the Map by Joan Sweeny is a wonderful book that we have used to understand our place in the Universe. The activities that follow is still one of our favorite ways to visualize it. When we lived in Maryland we made and shared a circular form, however we went with a simple square display to learn our new Michigan address.

World Geography 1 * 1st 16 Countries * Afghanistan-Belarus

This beautiful world we live on has so much to teach us, God placed signs for us throughout this vast planet. From the vegetation to the animals, from the history of the people . . to their culture . . to their foods, there is just so much to learn. Learning about the Geography and History of our World can keep us from making the same mistakes over and over again, so that we don't have to recreate the wheel, but more than that. . . .  it can also teach us how to live in peace and harmony with others and with our environment. 

And of His signs is the creation of the heaven and the earth and the diversity of your languages and colors. Indeed in that are signs for those of knowledge.    ~Quran 30:22

Canada Country Study

We have been delving into Canada after our Road Trip to Canada.

North America

Harriet Tubman

On 12-12-12, I love that date, we did the Finding a Way to Freedom Driving Tour. We were staying on the Eastern Shore with Humble Dad, our first work vacation since we moved to Maryland. Cambridge, MD is a beautiful old city on the Chesapeake Bay.

US State Notebook

El Salvador- World Study

We learned about El Salvador through many books, culminating with a famous Salvadorean artist: Fernando Llort. He is so remarkable because of his social service that he has done for his country's people teaching a whole community in La Palma to be self-sufficient through art. They sale many painted items using the techiques and rich colors that Llort is famous for.

Children of the World

I found a real jewel in the library the other day. I wasn't looking for it, in fact, I really didn't want another project. The book was so beautiful, with so many delightful children, it was a project waiting to happen. If I didn't do it, someone else would of have to.

The Beginning of the Ancients- 10000 to 3100

I wanted easy timeline cards that I could print and take with us to Chattanooga to work with our Timeline. I remember seeing really cute ones on Satori Smiles. I knew I would have to make some adjustment to the cards like add a few dates that represented more countries than Iraq, Egypt, Greece, & Italy. We all know about Mesopotamia,  Ancient Egypt, the Greeks and Romans, but many of us don't know about Catal Hüyük  for instance. Then it slipped my mind that although, Muslim & Christians have similar beliefs when it comes to God Creation, we have a different view when it comes to when civilization began. I must say the similarities are the most important, we both believe that man started in paradise with Adam, not apes and the world didn't just happened, it was Masterfully Planned.

History Time Line and Number Line

I wanted my blessings to study each country thoroughly, so I created a Fundamental of Human Needs Chart for them. However, I still needed a mechanism for my older children: Big A and S Man to understand the history of each country in a chronological order. A traditional paper timeline provides this opportunity, however due to space constraints it is more difficult to compare countries. A manipulative Montessori timeline can be successful at allowing children to see more than one country's history simultaneously. We often learn what was happening in Spain and England separately then what was happening in Nigeria and Costa Rica, although both the latter countries were greatly affected by the former, therefore, it is imperative to see date and events simultaneously. It will not correct history but it should give my Blessings a sense that all people are important, all history is important, and more importantly they will learn the importance of accuracy and upholding the truth.

Costa Rica- World Study

Our current country in North America is Costa Rica.
Our activity was making the beautiful painted Ox-Carts of Costa Rica.
All of our World Study Printables can be found at Montessori-World Study.


*We start our World study by reading books and internet sites about the particular country.
*Then we enter all important information in our North American Passport books with an emphasis on Geography. We also use a dry erase board to reinforce geographical items.
*We use a Montessori inspired printable to study the country based on the Fundamental Needs of Human chart.
*We look at the History of the Country using a Montessori inspired timeline.
Finally we have an activity that is based on the particular country:

Panama- World Study

Our current country in North America is Panama.
Our activity was recreating the beautiful Mola of the Kuna people.
All of our World Study Printables can be found at Montessori-World Study.

*We start our World study by reading books and internet sites about the particular country.
*Then we enter all important information in our North American Passport books with an emphasis on Geography. We also use a dry erase board to reinforce geographical items.
*We use a Montessori inspired printable to study the country based on the Fundamental Needs of Human chart.
*We look at the History of the Country using a Montessori inspired timeline.
Finally we have an activity that is based on the particular country:

Passport to World Travel

We are traveling the world starting with North America. We are using the Montessori- Fundamental Needs of Humans Chart and 3-part cards to study each country. My children will look at each country to see how they met their fundamental needs in the past and how they currently meet their fundamental need. We will not shy away from talking about how bigger countries encroach on smaller countries ability to meet their fundamental needs. i.e. cutting down rain forests, mining all of their precious natural resources. We are also using a Montessori inspired timeline to look at important historical dates of each country.

Well you can't very well visit a country without a Passport, even when you are World Homeschooled Traveler.  I laminated the cover and left the inserts plain white paper. I glued a picture of my children on each inside cover. Their passport number is our phone number in case it gets lost, maybe some caring person will try to return it to us. They use a skinny marker to outline the country and a colored pencil to color in the country on the North America Map and then they fill in the country's facts.

Fundamental Needs of Human

Making this Fundamental Needs of Human Chart was a labor of love. I really like the concept that humans have fundamental needs that are the same no matter where you go or what century in time you are in. These fundamental needs do not change due to social, political, or economical status, the only difference is the style or type of the needs. We all need food, but depending on where we live the style or type of food will change. We all need shelter, but the type of shelter will depend on our social, economical, or geographical status. To deny any human one of these fundamental needs is oppressive and inhumane.

Continents & Oceans of the World

Felt is a favorite homeschool item because it is cheap and easy way to recreate items on a budget. For example, Montessori world puzzles that range in price from $25 to $50 can be made for under $5 with felt.
That's exactly what we did here. It has served as a beautiful and nice alternative.

Land/ Air/ Water

Montessori's Land, Air, & Water lesson is a simple one that requires labels and samples of each. The Air dish appears empty but is filled with what the element we can not see or taste, although we know it is there because it fills our lungs. You may also want a balloon and stick with a ribbon attached. Blow up the balloon and ask your child "What is in the balloon to make it big?" Then you may blow at the ribbon and ask your child "What made the ribbon move?"