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Geography Matters' flagship product is the Mark-It Outline Maps, which are available in a variety of sizes in paper or laminated for creative write on-wipe off activities. Geography Matters also provides geography curriculum manuals and support materials, such as atlases, to make teaching geography a simple task for homeschool parents and classroom teachers.
Website: Geography Matters
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(2 Reviews)
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Cons: a little "light" in some areas, monotonous after a while, book used for science not written for kids
Grades Used: POE for 2nd&5th, POS for 3rd & 6th
When we first started Paths of Exploration we had been homeschooling for 3 years and were burnt out on the same thing we had been doing. My then 2nd and 5th grader loved it! We flew through the first 3 units but by the 4th unit we were getting bored. We actually just read the books for the 4th unit and skipped to the 5th. We are now in the first unit of Paths of Settlement and I think we are going to have to make some changes. My boys are getting bored and I just don't think it is deep enough. I am not an over-ambitious homeschoolers and I don't want to push my kids in an over-the-top way but it seems really light on grammar, spelling and writing. We have never enjoyed the science and substituted our own science from the beginning. If my kids were younger (2nd -4th) I might stick with it but POS is way too easy for my 6th grader and really not challenging my 3rd grader either. I do plan to continue using about half of the activities to teach a really thorough American History program, but I will use my own grammar, writing, science, and spelling.
Cons: not deep and broad enough for our needs
Grades Used: Trail Guides to...and cooking books
We used GeoMatters' Trail Guides to US Geography, World Geography, and Bible. I like the choices of multi-sensory lesson components and the PDF student book. It would be good for a family with learners in all levels. The breakdown of levels is easily followed. The depth and breadth, however, were lacking for me. But they were a great jumping off point.
We also used the "Eat Your Way Through the USA" and "Eat Your Way Around the World" geography/cookbooks. They are very visual and fun. They're appropriate for all levels and work great for a homeschool co-op environment.