Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #987111 in Books
• Published on: 2002-03-28
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 144 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 4-7 This book provides enough angles on geography and the Earth to satisfy even reluctant explorers. With subjects ranging from mapping to climate and family trees and world snacks, these activities will appeal to a number of students. Each project includes an explanation and clear "What You Need" and "What You Do" sections and those that need adult supervision are identified with an icon. However, there is no listing of craft supply sources, and some materials will most likely have to be purchased, such as photo-transfer paper, acrylic paints, hex bolts, compass, etc. The layout is visually stimulating with color backgrounds, illustrations, and photographs. Unfortunately, the text boxes with their many fun facts and different fonts may confuse some younger readers. A note to educators and parents lists the projects under their objectives when teaching geography. While offering lots of different activities, this book would probably be most fully utilized in the hands of adults working with students, especially homeschooling parents. -Genevieve Gallagher, New York Public Library
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 4-6. Teachers and parents will find this cornucopia of instructive projects will help spark interest in geography topics. The authors not only define geography as the study of where things are globally, but also as the purview of more complicated issues such as cultural development. The strongest projects lead off, with readers learning how to make an astrolabe, a cross staff, and a compass. Intertwined are explanations of latitude, longitude, and bits of relevant history regarding explorers and the use of these instruments. Cartography comes next, with special care devoted to explaining how world maps compromise actual distances and shapes in their efforts to depict a view of landforms. A chapter on weather and its influence on land and people includes instructions for making a barometer, an anemometer, and a wind vane. The book underscores not only the complexities of where we are, but also how we got here. The writing is friendly and upbeat, and the page design kinetic--pictures of kids and projects plus sidebar stories and boxed information keep visual interest high. Denise Wilms
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From the Back Cover

Customer Reviews

An absolute gem
My four year old son and I love this book. It is absolutely choked full of terrific projects and activities that he and I can do together. There are a number of activities that will be more appropriate for an older child, but we've had a terrific time doing things like making "deep maps", creating three dimensional landscapes, and designing a treasure map that is soaked in tea leaves to make it look ancient. The directions are easy to follow, the materials used are simple and inexpensive, and the ideas sparkle with originality. I highly recommend this book.

magnificent
This is a fantastic step by step approach to learning through INTELLIGENT craft activities. No more growing been shoots,like we've all done 100 times before. This book is full of thought provoking, challenging, unusual craft ideas about the world.It is aimed at late primary to early high school aged kids, but I enjoyed the activities as much as my kids did. We have used almost all of the activities in this book, from making our own mud bricks to the creating a dream travel box. The lay out is fantastic with lots of photo's. I want more books like this please.