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Kristin
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| Posted: June 21 2007 at 2:35pm | IP Logged
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My son is really showing interest in learning about the world for the first time and I haven't spent much time thinking about the Montessori geography materials. I've been so busy thinking about reading and math that I'm feeling a little broad-sided by this one! 
I know there has been a lot of talk about these on various threads but I don't know if I'll have time to read through all of them. I was just wondering what you all think would be a good, modest start to geography for a just-turned 4yo? We don't currently have room for a map stand but I figure we will need a world map ... what about land forms ... Argh, I'm really stretching my brain on this one!
Feel free to direct me to the appropriate thread if this has already been discussed! 
Thanks!
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Bunch 'o Honey to my Honey Bunch and Mama to five - Noah 10y  , Rose 8y  , Dominic 2.5 y  , Oliver 16m 
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Mackfam
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| Posted: June 21 2007 at 2:56pm | IP Logged
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Kristin-
It would definitely be worth your while to read through this Geography thread.
I'm in a bit of the same boat. In a perfect world, I'd like to buy the set - cabinet and puzzles from Alison's. It's simply the best there is out there, and for a great price (with the coupon Stalvey.)
However, I have a couple of other materials to get, and geography has to squeeze in.
Here are a few things that might help you keep it simple if you can't order the whole set.
First, these presentations on geography should help you flesh out what you might want to do this year. I just happened to be reading through them when you posted. They have been very helpful to me. With a younger child - well with all of them actually - you start with their world and work out. At the minimum (and BTW, this is what I think I am going to do) you'll need the world map, the North America map, and the US map. There are control maps to be purchased as well, you'll have to decide if those are truly necessary, and if you want labeled or not.
You may consider globes of various types, but they are just too expensive for me so I'm going to figure out a way around them - I think I have a very good substitute to illustrate hemisphere and the like with a small rubbery globe I have that has raised land forms (replacement for sand globe) and splits in half to reveal the layers of the earth's crust.
Look for all wooden, I think everyone but KidAdvance does all wooden. Having said that, Alison's bargain basement has some cardboard in her puzzles - if that is important to you, don't buy from the bargain basement.
These are my two favorite sources so far for maps because of their price and quality:
Montessori Outlet
Alison's
Yes, you'll need land and water form cards, but you can download some from Montessori Materials for free. They have a number of other very helpful resources for download that should help offset the cost of your maps. Also, there are a number of great sites with resources and ideas for making land forms in smallish containers with clay - great idea - I love Sculpey! I can't remember where to link you to for that though. Meredith?
I've decided cabinet will sadly  have to come later. But, I don't want to miss the opportunity to start some geography lessons this year. For a younger student (and I see that your oldest is 4  ) I believe that the 3 maps I mentioned above will do her for the year...then you can collect again next year  with me.
Whew! This is getting long - can you tell I've been mulling this over for a while?  I hope a little of this helps - the albums ought to give you some ideas for sure!!
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Jen Mackintosh
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Meredith
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| Posted: June 21 2007 at 3:58pm | IP Logged
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Here is a wonerful link to an Island Activity this looks totally fun and doable!
Here is one for Oceans
Here is the Land Forms Lesson I mentioned somewhere else, but didn't link  doesn't that look fun!!
HTH give you a few more ideas!!
Blessings! (By the way, all these were from the NAMC site)
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Meredith
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CatholicMommy
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| Posted: June 21 2007 at 5:43pm | IP Logged
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Just one potential suggestion, if you're interested in making anything: the continent maps can be made out of cardboard or felt or some other material, instead of or until you are ready for the wood maps. The felt is great for easy of space but is more difficult for tracing. I've done both and am slowly adding the wooden ones as I can afford them (I wish I could make them as easily as I made the regions of Israel, but it's too much detail for my woodworking skills).
I am almost every day drawing a sketch of our house and having the kids do a treasurehunt based on information on the map - we've also used the van, the backyard, hotel rooms, the park and other places, so they understand what the maps are about.
The world map is almost a must-have - it's just so nice and the kids really take to it, tracing and reproducing on large paper. And (my current project is to locate) 3 small globes - either from a Montessori company or homemade to show the land and water (sand or sandpaper), continents (colors painted to match the flat map), and just a plain political one.
With these and the various landform cards (ours are currently just flat, but I have a couple of containers in which I let the kids use wet sand to make each landform when they're interested), you could have some pretty decent lessons on geography.
HTH.
:)
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SeaStar
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| Posted: June 21 2007 at 8:42pm | IP Logged
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Before I became interested in Montessori, my sister picked up two laminated maps at Walmart for me- one of the US and one of the World. Dh bought a gigantic piece of foam board at Staples and mounted one map on each side. My kids love to stand in front of the map and trace the states or countries. We carry the map around the house, and sometimes they put it on the floor and lie on it and zoom cars down the Mississippi, etc. Sometimes they prop it up against the couch and lie on the floor with their feet on it and yell out the countries they see. It has held up surprisingly well.
The maps were on clearance for $0.39 and are very, very large. I don't think that's a very Montessori approach, but my kids do love their maps.
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Erin
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| Posted: June 21 2007 at 10:55pm | IP Logged
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CatholicMommy wrote:
| Just one potential suggestion, if you're interested in making anything: the continent maps can be made out of cardboard or felt or some other material, instead of or until you are ready for the wood maps. The felt is great for easy of space but is more difficult for tracing. I've done both and am slowly adding the wooden ones as I can afford them (I wish I could make them as easily as I made the regions of Israel, but it's too much detail for my woodworking skills). |
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Catholic Mommy,
I think we have to crown you the queen of stretching the dollar   You are amazing When you have time it would be great if you could start a thread on what can be made at home. You know in your spare time.
Melinda
We purchased an excellent world map poster on ebay from an ebay store for a very reasonable price and it sits on our dining room table under some clear plastic. It is referred to often that way.
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Kristin
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| Posted: June 22 2007 at 8:45am | IP Logged
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Thank you so much everyone for your input and the links --- you've been very helpful! I am well on my way to sorting out this aspect of next year's home learning experience. Now it's a matter of prayer and talking to dh!
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Bunch 'o Honey to my Honey Bunch and Mama to five - Noah 10y , Rose 8y , Dominic 2.5 y , Oliver 16m
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: Geography materials ...
