The Montessori approach to geography and culture study is a favorite of mine and of my kids. Puzzle maps and continent boxes in the first plane are replaced by pin maps, research, and more in the second plane of development. Long past when they have transitioned to the classical approach we use in the third plane, my kids come back to these materials and the concepts they have learned through this approach.
(If you aren’t sure what I mean by planes, the first plane of development covers the ages of birth through six, the second six through twelve, and the third twelve through eighteen. Each stage marks particular ways and things that the child is driven to learn.)
Through the puzzle maps of early childhood the students learn a ton about the physical geography of each continent. During the second plane, they move deeper into the details of political and physical geography through the pin maps.
One of my first attempts to DIY pin maps involved a bunch of velcro dots and eventually I figured out how to make my own pin maps using push pins and thick poster board. You can see a tutorial for that in my instagram story highlights under Montessori Homeschool.
In addition to more detailed mapping, Montessori geography in the second plane involves a great deal of research and is the primary source for early non-fiction and paragraph compositions. Early second plane compositions may involve simply copying paragraphs others have written and then evolve into filling out outlines and creating their own sentences. **** (See below for a great deal on some premade outlines!)
In the studying of people and places, a great deal of research is centered around the Fundamental Needs of People. Students in the second plane, compare and think crticially about how people in different climates, cultures, and places meet their needs for food, clothing, shelter, and more.
Montessori is a integrated curriculum model with each subject area interacting regularly with all of the other subject areas. With tools such as extensive maps, research outlines, and common language for discussion in the fundamental needs of people, Montessori geography in the second plane provides a new level for students to approach studies in geography, history, science, art, music, and more. By the end of the second plane, Montessori students are capable of beautifully detailed compositions and extensive research.
****From February 10-14, 2020 my friend Colleen is offering her Geography bundle through the Catholic Mom Bundle. The geography bundle includes research outlines for country, continents, landmarks, and animal reports. These research outlines are great for guiding students new to research and composition in selecting the important information they need to gather. Keeping a stack handy saves me time and supports independant work! The geography bundle also includes a file with more ideas and a set of cardwork for North American saints!
Of course as part of a bigger bundle, there are even more workbooks, printables, and courses in the complete Catholic Mom Bundle- including a new family study for Lent written by yours truly! Ordinarily everything would cost $333. That’s a good chunk of change, I know, but for 5 days we’re selling all our products as a bundle for only $25. Hurry- The sale ends February 14th at midnight, so now is the time to buy.****
Recent Comments