Read The Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide Chapter 2, Pages 23-47.

In the geography section for fifth grade in Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum, I recommend photocopying a small section of a map, with an identifying landmark, from a particular atlas, giving that to the student, and letting him figure out which map it came from. Then he answers certain standard questions: which continent is this landmark found on, which country, which latitude and longitude.

This is a method I have used with my own children, and it has many advantages. It encourages detailed observation, uses real maps, and involves critical thinking because it encourages the children to evaluate possibilities and eliminate those that don’t meet certain criteria. However, it involves particular equipment (a photocopier) and extra work for the homeschooling mom. I have found, in working with families, that many people prefer a text that requires no preparatory work. The Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide used here is such an alternative.

Note: Please take a moment to review the resources, attached to this syllabus, that are generic to the grade level and/or subject, e.g. the rubrics (these are found to the right of week 1, day 1). Some of the PDF files found here are taken from the printed copy of the corresponding syllabus, if there is one. There are also resources specific to the particular course that will be assigned or referenced within the syllabus assignments. Answer Keys or Assignment overviews for the syllabus, if applicable, are only found via the parent log-in; the student log-in may access all other syllabus resources.

Read pages 37-42.Now draw the national flags of the following countries: South Korea, Syria, France, Estonia, and Liechtenstein. (You should be able to find these using your online encyclopedia under “<<name of country>> facts and figures”.)

Complete workbook pages 240 and 241 today. You will need a good atlas as well as an online encyclopedia to answer all questions.