(Click
on any photo to see our History Class Photo Album)
Physical
Geography
The Primary Globes (Age 3-5):
globes for the very young child that isolate single concepts
of globe study-how land and water are shown, and the corresponding
shapes of the continents that they learned from the puzzle maps.
The Puzzle Maps (Age 3-7): the
continents, the countries of each continent, and the states
of the U.S. They are presented to the children at an early age,
and are at first enjoyed simply as challenging puzzles. Soon,
however, the children begin to learn the names of given countries,
and by age 6 are normally very familiar with the continents
of the globe, the nations of North America, South America, and
Europe, along with most of the states of the U.S. As soon as
the children can read they begin to lay the puzzle pieces out
and place the appropriate name labels to each as a reading and
geography exercise.
Land & Water Formations:
materials designed to help the very young child understand basic
land and water formations such as island, isthmus, peninsula,
strait, lake, cape, bay, archipelago, etc., they are represented
by three-dimensional models of each.
Transference to maps: Introduction
to written names and various forms of maps, along with early
study of the flora, fauna, landscapes, and people of the continents.
Maps and compass: Introduction
to longitude and latitude, coordinate position on the globe,
the Earth's poles, the magnetic poles, history and use of the
compass, topographic maps, global positioning satellite devices,
electronic charts.
An introduction to humankind's
search to understand how the Earth was formed, from creation
stories to the evidence of contemporary scientific research:
origins, geologic forces, formations of the oceans and atmosphere,
continental drift and tectonic plates, volcanoes, earth quakes,
the ice ages and the formation of mountain ranges.
The study of coasts and landforms:
hills, mountain ranges, volcanoes, valleys, plains, etc.; their
formation, animal life, and effect on people. The study of the
hydrosphere: ocean, rivers, lakes, and the water cycle.
Cultural Geography
Countries are studied at all levels
in many ways, beginning at age 3-4. Many studies are held every
year to focus on specific cultures and to celebrate life together.
The children's interests are used to help them become familiar
with the countries of the world: flags, boundaries, climate, traditional
dress, houses, major cities, children's toys and games, stamps,
coins, traditional foods, art, music, and history. Study of the
regions, culture, and natural resources of the United States,
including geography, climate, flora and fauna, major rivers and
lakes, capitals, important cities, mountains, people, regional
foods, traditions, etc. This begins in the primary and continues
at increasing depth at each level. The detailed study of one nation
at a time, all aspects are considered: geography, climate, flora
and fauna, major rivers and lakes, cities, mountains, people,
food, religions, etc.
Economic Geography (Upper Elementary)
Natural resources of the earth; how
natural resources are used by people; imports and exports, and
the interdependence of nations.
History and The Needs All People Share
The basic needs of man are food,
shelter, clothing, defense, transportation, culture, law, religion
or spiritual enlightenment, love, and adornment. This study begins
at age 5-6 and continues throughout the curriculum. The concept
of time and historical time is developed through many activities,
like telling time on the clock, time lines of child's life, time
lines of a day, week, month or year.
The story of the evolution of the
planet and its life forms over the eons is first studied at about
age 6, along with an overview of human history. This is repeated
throughout the curriculum in increasing depth of study. The Upper
Elementary level (ages 9-12) history program follows a three-year
cycle study. The class focuses on the creation of the universe,
formation of the earth, evolution of life, and early human civilizations.
