Like many homeschoolers, I suppose, Fridays are frequently field trip days. We pack a lunch or eat out, and don’t slow ourselves down by schlepping around heavy books. Instead, we try to read a chapter en route, take time to appreciate a brief observation in nature, and, of course make real use of our ipad. Netflix, Youtube and a variety of learning apps have been a wonderful way for us to supplement our day, or refocus when things go awry. The boys’ favorites are the geography apps.
All apps listed can be purchased for only $1.99 or $.99.
GeoBee Challenge HD by National Geographic
Do you think you know geography? This will whip you in shape whether you are looking to kill a few minutes waiting in line, or seriously preparing for the National Geography Bee. There are three types of play with this app. The first is a series of constantly new, multiple choice questions. The second is pinpointing the locations of countries and cities on the global map. The third, and most challenging level, is identifying the location of unidentified photographs. Some are landscapes, others are famous landmarks. There is currently a problem with the second level freezing, but they should be fixing this soon.
This was our first geography app, and none of us are tired of it yet. Geomaster quizzes you on the locations of countries, cities, regions and flags. Not only are you timed, but you also acquire extra points the more accurate you are. I dare you to pinpoint Djibouti, Djibouti with 100% accuracy.
This is S’s favorite app. It is probably the most visually appealing to a child, and gives plenty of incentives. Once you sign in you are able to collect states as you answer questions on states, capitals, flags, and landmarks. Be careful you stack the states properly or they just might topple over. There are different games you can open once you pass various levels.
S plays Stack the States, but A enjoys the extra challenge of Stack the Countries. This app is set up precisely the same way but with a global focus. Photographs of scenes from around the globe serve as the background.
A Montessori Approach to Geography
Montessori has a series of wonderful geography apps to familiarize children to maps and the globe. With standard Montessori colors, this app teaches and quizzes the user on the shapes, names and locations of countries, continents, rivers and oceans. The image shown is just for the Europe app.
Geography remains an important subject to study. It allows younger students a greater understanding of who and where they are in the world. For older ones, it facilitates a larger interest in humanity. Geography encompasses not only the study of maps and topography, but also anthropology, religions, politics, cultures and languages. For my aspie, geography provides a field of study which encourages flexible thinking. If we can accept another’s way of life across the globe as legitimate, perhaps we can tolerate the person down the street, as well.
Primarily, however, we study geography for the same reasons we study nature and science and history : it is all part of God’s creativity.
“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.” Psalm 24:1-2
lovingeveryleaf.com 