free homeschool curriculum

Geography for Little People

Dear Sis,

I recently posted Global Greetings Geography, a full year of cultural immersion for elementary homeschool families. This is what I plan to use for our 2022-2023 school year. 

This post is the prequel. We are using what I am call Geography for Little People this year. This is a single semester (18 week) geography immersion for your littlest learners, (Preschool – 3rd grade). It can be used with a single student or family style. Eventually, I hope to post an 18 week health and safety class for littles that can be paired with this course for a full 36 weeks of programming in a given time block. 

The Text

Beginner’s World Atlas (spine)

Beginner’s World Atlas by National Geographic Kids

This link leads to the 5th edition, which came our in July of 2022. We bought our book before that date, so we have the 4th edition, published in July 2019. Either will work for this course.

Children Just Like Me (spine)

Children Just Like Me by DK

This book develops the cultural side of geography, because geography isn’t just places… its people too! Occasionally this book is used heavily. On such weeks, you may need to break the reading into two sittings. One do half, break for the sticker activity, and then do the second half.

World Atlas Sticker Activity Book

(consumable)

World Atlas Sticker Activity Book by Nation Geographic Kids

This book adds a hands-on aspect! What little person doesn’t like stickers?! Please note that you will need one copy per student.

The Manipulatives

Every homeschool family needs a globe and world wall map! If you haven’t invested in these items, please do! The inflatable globe from the Dollar Tree is a good place holder until you can invest in a good quality globe (might be a good item for a birthday or holiday wish list). Just don’t let your kids pop it, like mine did on the very first week of school…lol. Our wall map is actually a wall quilt I made in 4H a few decades ago, but it works great.

Lastly, this compilation makes use of a world map floor puzzle. There are countless purchasing options here as well!

Without further ado here is the schedule, so you can get started teaching your littles geography!

Geography for Little People Curriculum Schedule PDF

Happy Homeschooling!

Love,

b




Music Appreciation – Pop

Dear Sis,

This is the eighth of ten parts in our Music Appreciation lesson plan series. If you are just finding us now, the text that corresponds with these lessons is Music is… by Stephen T. Johnson. 

Popular Music

Note to parents: I’m sure you’ve notice by now… I’m careful when selecting videos. If I’ve missed any questionable content, please let me know in the comment section. I’ve left out sample four completely, because I couldn’t find a way to present it appropriately! 

Week Twenty-Seven

Approximately 25 minutes

Read playful narration “Pop is…” text.

  • Encourage your pre-reader to try to repeat the song and sing along. Being silly with your kids is a great way to catch their interest.
  • If you have multiple learners you can make a game of it and see who can give the best performance by family vote

Watch the What is Popular Music? video.

Week Twenty-Eight

Approximately 25 minutes

Read “POP” history text.

Watch The History of Popular Music video.

Listen to Sample One: “I’m a Believer” by the Monkees (pop rock)

Listen to Sample Two: “Vogue” by Madonna (electronic/dance-pop)

Listen to Sample Three: “What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction (pop rock)




Week Twenty-Nine

Approximately 20 minutes

Watch What is Commercial Pop? video. 

Take time to discuss with children how popular culture effects your family and young people as a whole. It might be a great time to explain to your kids exactly why certain aspects of pop culture aren’t welcome at home! 

Listen to Sample Five: “Happy” by Pharrel William (funk/soul pop)

Week Thirty

Approximately 20 minutes

Watch What is a Verse, Chorus, and Bridge? video.

Listen to Sample Six: “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake (disco pop)

Take the time to figure out which part of the song is verse, chorus, and bridge. Listen to the song a few times as needed.

Alternately, you can use one of your child(ren)’s favorite songs for this diagnostic process instead of sample six.

Please tell us about your experience in the comment section. Stay tuned for the ninth installment: Rhythm & Blues (Weeks 31-32).

Happy Homeschooling!

Love,

b




Global Greetings Geography

Dear Sis,

I love the idea of literature based curriculum, but I learned last year that the prep work required to keep up with Torchlight was more than I can manage, from week to week. Also we do read aloud as a family for fun, so I don’t want to do too many subjects with a literature approach. 

As I’m pieces together a plan for our kindergarten year, I’m finding we lack a fun engaging way to study geography material. This literature based compilation borrows some material from the reading lists of both Torchlight Level K and Build Your Library Level 0, which both have a global theme.

This elementary program can be used for a single student or as a family. Adding the optional cookbook, and using it on the weeks when time allows, will greatly enrich your family experience. In addition to the books below, the curriculum schedule includes prompts for an eight week family geography/history journaling project.

The text: Books will be labeled as consumable (one per student), spine (plan to purchase for reoccurring use), single use (can be borrowed from library to cut cost).

A Story Series (single use)

Greetings from Somewhere by Paris Harper, is an illustrated chapter book mystery series. Ethan and Ella bring adventure into your home as they travel the world with their parents, for their mom’s job as a travel writer for the local paper. Each book can be read in one or two sittings. Your upper elementary students can take turns helping with the reading too! Over this 36 week program we will read all ten books in the series.

Collection of Folktales (spine)

A Year Full of Stories: 52 folktales and legends from around the world by Angela McAllister, provides short stories arrange by the twelve months of the year from a wide variety of places and cultures. Many of the stories cover various holidays from around the world.

The Atlas (spine)

We have the 4th (2013) edition, of the Kids World Atlas by National Geographic, because we got a great deal on it. The layout is consistent between additions, so the 5th (2018) or 6th (2021) editions will work too.

Update: March 19, 2022

I was able to preview the 6th edition, thanks to our local library. Here are the main changes that aren’t cosmetic or stat/map updates!

  • A two page spread was added in the Physical World section addressing Endangered Species.
  • A two page spread was added in the Political World section addressing human Migration.
  • The East Africa spread was divided into two spreads: Eastern and Central Africa. 
  • The games in the back of the book have been removed.

Please note that page numbers on the schedule will be a bit off with newer additions, so work by content instead of page numbers. Also, the games for the final week will not be available to those with newer text.

The Consumable

Ultimate Sticker Book: Flags Around the World by DK

The Cookbook (optional spine)

Cooking Class Global Feast!: 44 recipes that celebrate the world’s cultures by Deanna F. Cook

This is a 36 week homeschool program. We prefer to do all the weekly activities on a single day, but it can be broken into two or three small portions each week, if that is preferable to your family. Print the schedule to get started.

Global Greetings Geography Curriculum Schedule PDF

Happy Homeschooling!

Love,

b




Music Appreciation – Latin

Dear Sis,

This is the seventh of ten parts in our Music Appreciation lesson plan series. If you are just finding us now, the text that corresponds with these lessons is Music is… by Stephen T. Johnson. 

Latin Music

A note for parents: Many Latin genres pair music and dance. When a listening sample features a style of music that is also a dance, a video sample is provided in an attempt to bring as much authenticity to your learner as possible.

Week Twenty-Three

Approximately 20 minutes

Read playful narration “Latin is…” text.

  • Encourage your pre-reader to try to repeat the song and sing along. Being silly with your kids is a great way to catch their interest.
  • If you have multiple learners you can make a game of it and see who can give the best performance by family vote

Watch Exploring Latin Music movie.

Listen to Sample One: “Mambo No. 5” by Perez Prado (mambo/cha-cha-cha/big band)

Watch The Mambo. This video features “Mambo No. 8,” also by Perez Prado.

Watch The Cha-Cha-Cha. This video features “Ritmando Cha Cha Cha by Orquestra Riverside.

Week Twenty-Four

Approximately 20 minutes

Read “LATIN” history text.

Listen to Sample Two: “Anuas de Marco (waters of March)” by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Elis Regina (bossa nova/Latin jazz)

Listen to Sample Three: “Volver Volver” by Vicente Fernandez (mariachi/ranchera)

Watch The Instruments of Mariachi Music video.




Week Twenty-Five

Approximately 25 minutes

Listen to Sample Four: “Oye Como Va” by Carlos Santana (Chicano rock/soul)

Listen to Sample Five: “Bamboleo” by Gipsy Kings (rumba/flamenco)

Watch The Rumba. This video features “Faded” by DJ Ice (Alan Walker Cover)

Watch The Flamenco. 

Week Twenty-Six

Approximately 15 minutes

Watch and listen to Latin American Instruments video.

  • Pause the video as needed to read the text to your learner.
  • Do they recognize any of the instruments from the other listening samples and/or videos?

Listen to Sample Six: “Baila Esta Cumbia” by Selena y Los Dinos (tejano/cumbia)

Please tell us about your experience in the comment section. Stay tuned for the eighth installment: Pop (Weeks 27-30).

Happy Homeschooling!

Love,

b




Music Appreciation – Hip Hop

Dear Sis, 

This is the fifth of ten parts in our Music Appreciation lesson plan series. If you are just finding us now, the text that corresponds with these lessons is Music is… by Stephen T. Johnson. 

Hip Hop Music

A note for parents: Much of the hip hop world is not fit for our most precious learners, but I hope this serves as a family friendly sampling.

Week Eighteen

Approximately 20 minutes

Read playful narration “Hip Hop is…” text.

  • Encourage your pre-reader to try to repeat the song and sing along. Being silly with your kids is a great way to catch their interest.
  • If you have multiple learners you can make a game of it and see who can give the best performance by family vote.

Listen to Sample One: “Super Rappin’ No. 2” by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five

Listen to Sample Two: “The Home of Hip Hop” by Grandmixer D.ST.

Listen to Sample Three: “Me, Myself, and I” by De La Soul

Week Nineteen

Approximately 20 minutes

Read “HIP HOP” history text.

Watch “The Birth of Hip Hop” video.

Listen to Sample Four: “I Missed the Bus” by Kris Kross

Listen to Sample Five: “Don’t Sweat the Technique” by Eric B. & Rakin

Listen to Sample Six: “ABC’s” by Sugarhill Gang




Please tell us about your experience in the comment section. Stay tuned for the sixth installment: Jazz (Weeks 20-22).

Happy Homeschooling!

Love,

b

Music Appreciation – Heavy Metal

Dear Sis, 

This is the fourth of ten parts in our Music Appreciation lesson plan series. If you are just finding us now, the text that corresponds with these lessons is Music is… by Stephen T. Johnson. 

Heavy Metal Music

A note for parents: Much of the heavy metal scene is not fit for our most precious learners, but I hope this serves as a family friendly sampling.

Week Fourteen

Approximately 20 minutes

Read playful narration “Heavy Metal is…” text.

  • Encourage your pre-reader to try to repeat the song and sing along. Being silly with your kids is a great way to catch their interest.
  • If you have multiple learners you can make a game of it and see who can give the best performance by family vote.

Listen to Sample One: “Space Trucking” by Deep Purple

Listen to Sample Two: “Back Street Kids” by Black Sabbath

Listen to Sample Three: “Godzilla” by Blue Oyster Cult

Week Fifteen

Approximately 20 minutes

Read “HEAVY METAL” history text.

Listen to The “History of Metal” with Andrea Boma Boccarusso

Week Sixteen

Approximately 20 minutes

Read about the “INSTRUMENTS” used in this genre.

Listen to Sample Four: “Live to Rock (Rock to Live)” by Dokken

Listen to Sample Five: “Can’t Live Without You” by Scorpions

Listen to Sample Six: “Black Star” by Yngwie Malmsteen




Week Seventeen

Approximately 20 minutes

When heavy metal and classical music converge, it is a new twist on both genres. Music always has a way of sneaking out of any box we try to put it in!

Listen to our Classical to Heavy Metal samples:

Discuss with your learner the similarities and differences of each version of “Winter.”

Listen to our Heavy Metal to Classical samples:

Discuss with your learner the similarities and differences of each version of “Bring Me to Life.” 

Optional Project: Help your learner find a cover of one of their favorite songs that is in a completely different genre. 




Please tell us about your experience in the comment section. Stay tuned for the fifth installment: Hip Hop (Weeks 18-19).

Happy Homeschooling!

Love,

b

Music Appreciation – Electronica

Dear Sis, 

This is the third of ten parts in our Music Appreciation lesson plan series. If you are just finding us now, the text that corresponds with these lessons is Music is… by Stephen T. Johnson. 

Electronica Music

Week Eleven

Approximately 35 minutes

Read playful narration “Electronica is…” text.

  • Encourage your pre-reader to try to repeat the scat in a musical way. Being silly with your kids is a great way to catch their interest.
  • Emerging readers can try to sound it out. Sometimes its fun to read non-sense!
  • If you have multiple learners you can make a game of it and see who can say it fastest or with the best musical performance, by family vote.

Watch our “Early Electronic Instruments” Playlist:

Week Twelve

Approximately 30 minutes

Read about “ELECTRONICA” music text. 

Watch our “Early Recording and Sampling” Playlist:

Listen to Sample One: “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer (1977)

Week Thirteen

Approximately 30 minutes

Listen to Sample Two: “Pocket Calculator” by Kraftwerk (1981)

Listen to Sample Three: “An Ending (Ascent)” by Brian Eno (1983)

Listen to Sample Four: “Your Loving Arms (Club Mix)” by Tiesto feat. Karen Overton (2005)

Listen to Sample Five: “A Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay (2014)

Listen to Sample Six: “See the End” by Above & Beyond and Seven Lions feat. Opposite the Other (2019)




Please tell us about your experience in the comment section. Stay tuned for the fourth installment: Heavy Metal (Weeks 14-17).

Happy Homeschooling!

Love,

b

Music Appreciation – Country

Dear Sis,

This is the second of ten parts in our Music Appreciation lesson plan series. If you are just finding us now, the text that corresponds with these lessons is Music is… by Stephen T. Johnson. 

Country Music

Week Seven

Approximately 20 minutes

Read playful narration “Country is…” text.

  • Encourage your pre-reader to try to repeat the song and sing along. Being silly with your kids is a great way to catch their interest.
  • If you have multiple learners you can make a game of it and see who can give the best performance by family vote.

Listen to our “Appalachian folk” aka. Birth of Country Music Playlist (1920s):

Week Eight

Approximately 30 minutes

Read about “COUNTRY” music text.

Watch the videos in our Instruments in Country Music Playlist:

Listen to Sample One: “Lovesick Blues” by Hank Williams

Listen to Sample Two: “I Walk the Line” by Johnny Cash




Week Nine

Approximately 20 minutes

Listen to Sample Three: “All I Have to Offer You Is Me” by Charlie Pride

Listen to our African Americans in Country Music Playlist: 

Week Ten

Approximately 25 minutes

Listen to our Women in Country Music Playlist:

Listen to Sample Five: “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson

Listen to Sample Six: “Big Ol’ Truck” by Toby Keith

Please tell us about your experience in the comment section. Stay tuned for the third installment: Electronica (Weeks 11-13).

Happy Homeschooling!

Love,

b