I have always been fascinated with other cultures and countries, but teaching geography isn’t the most exciting thing on my list. Travel? That’s another story. When we can’t travel to learn about new places, we learn the geography of places we are talking about in history.
In years past we have always tied our geography in with our history because that’s the easiest way to learn it. A child with no concept of a country or land formations won’t grasp those without something to help put them in context. Teaching history along with geography just makes sense. We can use these concepts when we visit certain countries in Epcot for hands on learning.
While reading about the Republic of Brazil and the War of the Triple Alliance, we also studied South America and learned where all the countries are.
Troop movements and takeovers changed the country borders and taught us how they used the rivers to define boundaries and ultimately win the war.
Language groups tend to congregate in regions too, and these are also easily illustrated using a map to help students see what they are learning.
5 Reasons Geography Should be Tied to History
1. Students better understand the purpose for learning it.
2. Students better visualize the history when seen from the perspective of a map.
3. Often culture ties with geography, as a fishing village will be located at the mouth of a large river or on a coast line.
4. Geography is frequently used by military, to their advantage.
5. When a student can HEAR about it (reading), SEE it (maps and DVDs), DRAW it (mountain ranges, labeling locations and troop movements) they can ASSEMBLE it into a realistic, sensible picture in their minds. The building blocks become a whole base of knowledge.
So why wouldn’t you tie the study of geography to your study of history?
Do you have trouble getting your pre-teen and teens interested in history? Maybe they find it boring or dull? Maybe they can’t keep all the dates straight, so they don’t engage?
Hope House Press has some great books that will not only excite them but bring history to life!
This month, several other homeschool bloggers and I have joined together to bring you an amazing giveaway this month from Hope House Press. They are giving away three different prize packages to THREE lucky Winners!
Prize Package #1: The Seabirds Trilogy Companion Curriculum (Print Set, Value $49.96)
Learn the who, what, why, and how of the Second World War. Simple Solutions to High-school Level WWII History, Social Studies, College Prep, Critical Thinking Skills, Academic Research and Writing, and Spiritual Growth. A Faith-based approach with a global perspective. The instructor’s guide provides answer keys, grading scales, scripts for Movie Night, and discussion questions so a teacher can successfully guide their student through the curriculum.
Prize Package #2: The Seabirds Trilogy (Print Set, Value $55.97)
Book 1: Voyage of the Sandpiper
When fifteen-year-old Agatha’s mother falls gravely ill, she is shipped off to the coast of Maine to live with her aunt, Edith Philipa Gordan, an eccentric writer who hasn’t finished a novel in decades and paints birds obsessively. What begins as a dull summer immediately takes a turn towards adventure with the arrival of Edie’s old beau, Horatio Macleay, and his handsome nephew. With WWII looming on the horizon, Agatha and her new group of friends race against time and across continents to complete their mission before it is too late. Along the way, Agatha learns the importance of trusting in the perfect timing of God and discovers the power of hope. 12+
-Book 2: Flight of the Seahawks
Newlyweds Piper and Peter return to Maine after Peter is injured on the North African front believing they are in for a quiet winter. When Aunt Edie sends them a mysterious manuscript, their vacation plans are pushed to the wayside. As the Adleman sisters struggle to find a place to call home, Peter and Piper must discover their new calling as the USA determines to remain neutral in the face of the rising Axis powers in Europe. 12+
-Book 3: Song of the Storm Petrel
Peter and Piper’s quiet life on Honolulu comes to an abrupt close when Aunt Edie and Uncle Horatio arrive for a surprise visit along with the Adleman Sisters. With no foreseeable end to WWII in sight, Piper and her cousins learn to trust God in the unknown and in the process discover what really matters. 12+
Prize Package #3: Girl Reporter Series (Print Set, Value $19.98)
-Book 1: The Exclusive
While Piper waits for Peter to return from the war, a mysterious stranger arrives at Kingbarns. Meanwhile, Piper’s skills are put to the test when she receives an assignment to photograph a Hollywood legend. In these troubled times, is anyone who they say they are? Do they have the courage to do what God asks? An adventure story set “in-between” Voyage of the Sandpiper and Flight of the Seahawks from “The Seabirds Trilogy” on the coast of Northern Scotland. Perfect for ages 11+
-Book 2: The Con Artist
In 1940, the discovery of a fabulous and near-forgotten necklace hidden at the Kingsbarns Estate in North Scotland, a house full of strangers, and the worst blizzard of the century add up to a holiday party that goes terribly wrong. Will the jealous greed of a conniving thief hijack the joy of Christmas, or drive Piper and those she loves to discover the true meaning of loyalty and friendship? Perfect for ages 11+
Thank you to our sponsor:
Hope House Press is a family-run publishing house centered on Judeo-Christian values. We publish fiction, non-fiction, and educational material to encourage laughter, learning, and excellence. Our motto “Heal, Protect, Build, Nourish,” encompasses our heart for the restoration of the family and our desire to become more like the Savior every day. Our goal is to provide quality stories that change lives, heal hearts, and give hope.
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