Going Global

We plan on traveling all over the world this summer...

...without ever leaving home.

That's right, this summer we embark on a journey around the world and discover where we fit into it!

Xander already has my love of maps.  Sometimes I wonder if it can be genetic.  Afterall, I am the daughter of a cartographer dad and a geography-degreed mom! 

This last year we've had fun running to our wall map of the world to find locations that come up in our reading.  After reading a book about the earth, the boys set to work creating their own maps!

I was actually pretty amazed at the features and locations that Xander (5.8 yo) included on his map.  He totally pegged where we live in his rendition of North America and was able to pinpoint where Ittiel lives (the Peruvian boy we sponsor through Compassion.)

Keegan (3.8yo) drew a fanciful map of his 'world' which included mostly local places (our house, the store, the cookie store, Oma/Opa's house, Aunt B's, etc...)

It is always amazing to see where they are each at and appreciate them for who they are and what they are ready to create!

While coloring is fine and dandy, the icing on the cake of our introduction to world geography was the hands (and feet) on approach of playing our version of Twister - global style!

There is something so powerful in engaging one's whole body in the learning process.  They loved figuring out the names of the continents.  Xander loved using both his hands and feet to mark the continents I called out.  With Keegan, we kept it simpler and I asked him to "hop into" _____ continent.  And Trey, at 2 years old just loved running and hopping at random, although I wouldn't be surprised if he catches on and is participating more!

We plan on eventually adding in the four oceans to the mix and when he's ready for an added twist, specifying right or left!

It was a challenge to get the idea from my head successfully to a mat.  In the end, although I ended up freehanding the continents (don't look too close, Dad), I'm happy with how it turned out. 

A tutorial for this just might need to be done.  So much fun is just meant to be shared! (Tutorial found here.)

Come check out all of our WORLD GEOGRAPHY ADVENTURES!