New Links for the Imaginary Island

I have updated the links you can now go here
http://montessorihomeschoolhelper.wetpaint.com/page/Geography

2008 Iditarod Race

Thanks to a girlfriend I have run accross a wonderful yahoo site that does an interactive Ididarod class for students. Unfortunately registration is closed for this year but I will post the groups information so you may sign up during registration for the 2009 Race. This will start in December 2008.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eiditarod/

In the meantime here is the official teacher site.
http://surfaquarium.com/eIditarod/index.htm

The 2008 project will follow the following timeline:
December 1, 2007 - January 6, 2008 Open registration period
January 7 - February 3, 2008 Create a wall map of the trail
February 4 - February 16, 2008 Select a musher to follow in the race
February 19 - February 29, 2008 Prepare your class for the big event
March 1, 2008 - end of the race Follow your musher and post to each checkpoint's blog as he or she progresses!
March 31, 2008 Receive an official 2008 eIditarod class certificate for completion of the trail

Here are some links that I am using in our lessons or for reference to making materials.
2008 Iditarod Poster
Iditarod Read Trail - read a minute for every mile the racers travel
Tourist information on alaska
Racers of 2008
2008 Mushers
Large Map
Original Iditarod Site (incudes videos)
Printable notebook, coloring, wordcross sheets
Great activities


(I just want to thank all my friends who have helped compile this wonderful information!)

Montessori Imaginary Island

Aims:
To help children integrate their present level of understanding about physical geography, biomes, how human beings meet their needs in different settings and cultural geography through the creative developement of an imaginary island placed somewhere on the globe.

I made my materials a little over 2 years ago and my kiddos have enjoyed them ever since.

I printed my colored files onto letter size labels.
I laminated the printed side using Walmart's laminating paper (found in the drawer liner area).
Then I cut each square apart and stuck them to foam that I purchased from Hobby Lobby.

I used dark blue for water forms and green for the land forms.
So far they have held up through 2 boys.
For storage I use a tupperware container.

I ended up with a total of 155 pieces...and it still doesn't seem to be enough..LOL

Here is the download link for the files. The originals were made by a dear friend of mine Colleen, I just colored them in for easy printing.

Imaginary Island Files

Here is some information on the Imaginary Island.

Tim Seldin's Imaginary Island Studies
Sample Lesson from NAMC
What's included with the materials?

Worksheets that can be used with it:

My imaginary Island Worksheet
Imaginary Island worksheet
Imaginary Island Worksheet 2
Imaginary Island Checklist
Imaginary Island Example For Upper Elementary

Pictures:
Imaginary Island Pictures

Geography Ideas

A GF did the following study for North America, it was a great sucess!

Make continent boxes
animals
a cloth map
maps for them to color of that continent with the countries
command cards
labels of the mountain ranges for them to place on the cloth map
coloring command cards also (Find Greenland, color it green)
Artifacts (a 'capirucho' from El Salvador and some key chains with gourd jars - not much yet but hope to add more artifacts).
'label me' pages for landforms and rivers from enchantedlearning and answer keys.
Pin map for rivers of North America
Atlas
Draw a world map without looking at anything.

Florida State Folder Photo Sites

Florida: http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/photos/photos.htm

Continent Folders

Here's a list of what pictures to add to your continent folders:

Landscapes
People and families
Food
Culture - goods, work, native dress
Villages or Houses
Spiritual grounds - Churches, temples
Animals
Vegetation

Go here for links to royalty free clip art and photos:
http://peacefulmannclipart.blogspot.com/