Charter School: Holling 3-7 Geography Curriculum - Unit Study

This award-winning homeschool geography unit study is a literature-based program designed to bring geography to life for children. Now completely revised and expanded, the guide is presented in full color with new comprehension questions, vocabulary, activities, an answer key, and updated website links. Featuring four iconic Holling C. Holling books, Minn of the Mississippi, Paddle to the Sea, Tree in the Trail, and Seabird, this unit study offers a comprehensive exploration of the Great Lakes, Eastern Seaboard, national landmarks, rivers, lakes, and an introduction to world geography.

This engaging, literature-based geography study is the perfect way to combine reading, mapping, and exploration of the world for your students.

Curriculum Overview

• This curriculum contains 39 lessons.
• Complete 2 lessons per week for a one-semester unit study.
• Complete 1 lesson per week for a one-year unit study.

In this social studies curriculum, students will learn about 30 states and their capitals, indigenous animals, natural science, cultures, and industries. Focusing on three key regions of the U.S., the Great Lakes and Eastern Seaboard, the Mississippi River, and the Southwest, this unit also provides a solid introduction to the natural world and a broader view of the world's continents and oceans through the book Seabird.

Student Materials

This unit study includes four specially designed 18” x 24” maps for coloring and labeling, allowing children to reinforce their learning through mapping. We recommend that each child have their own set of maps for coloring and labeling, so they can build and keep their own personalized record of the journey, adding to their student portfolio. Additional maps are available for purchase here.

The teacher's guide helps maximize the impact of the books with comprehension questions, discussion prompts, hands-on activities, and vocabulary words.

Who It's For

Ideal for 3rd-, 4th-, 5th-, 6th-, and 7th-grade students, this unit study is a wonderful resource for both middle school and elementary school students.

About the Author

Rea is a homeschooling mother of six whose determination to teach history using quality literature rather than standard textbooks inspired her to research what was available to accomplish that purpose. The result has been a series of History Through Literature teacher guides, all designed to acquaint the reader with the best children's literature available on the subject. Rea holds a Master's Degree in Children's Literature from The Center for the Study of Children's Literature, Simmons College in Boston.