Geography Matters: Exploring our Fifty States United States Geography – Thursday – Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 – 20 Weeks – Grades 5 -7
Thursday, September 14 2023 @ 1:00PM – Thursday, March 21 2024 @ 2:30PM EDT
Instructor:
Eva Goldstein-MeolaInstructor Email:
eva@opententacademy.comGrade/Level:
5 – 7Day of Week:
ThursdayClass Times:
3:00PM – 4:30PM (ET)Terms/Semesters:
Fall 2023 and Winter 2024
Did you know that about 75 % of graduating seniors admitted to not being able to……
- name all fifty United States
- name all fifty capitals
- locating the states on a blank United States map? (Reuters, 2016)
Additionally, according to the Nation’s Report Card, students lacked basic geographical awareness in both general know and problem solving. For example, 55% of graduating seniors could not answer the following question correctly:
What is the most common use of land in the Great Plains region?
- Fishing
- Farming
- Mining
- Recreation
With the focus on STEM related subjects, there has been a sharp decline in geographic awareness. That is where this class steps in. While at homeschooling conferences this spring by talking with students across the board, I noticed that students lacked knowledge in not only the geography of the United States, but the geographical features and location of our nation’s gems.
Geography is more than drawing a map and noting a specific state’s location. During our 20-weeks together, the students and I will focus on an in-depth study of our amazing country. We will focus on climate, flags and seals, date of statehood, mottos and symbols, tourist destinations, significant historical events, people that were important to that state, timeline of key events, and much more!
Students will maintain an INTERACTIVE NOTEBOOK filled with maps and “State of the Unions”. They will also complete three projects: Physical Features Map, State in a Bag and an United States Regions Map Collage. Additionally, during the course of 20-weeks, they will take three quizzes: geography vocabulary, state capitals and states on a blank map.
Join us for a wild and crazy ride!
Homework is approximately two to three hours a week (with the exception of long term projects). Students will “map” each state and complete a State of the Union using their Atlas.
NOTE: This class must reach the minimum of five students by August 20th to run. If we do not reach this minimum, parents will be notified by email.
My son LOVED this class!
My son was adamant that he was not interested in this subject and made it very clear he didn’t want to take this class. I researched it out and read glowing reviews so I convinced him to take it. He LOVED this class, the teacher, the projects, everything. HIGHLY recommend!
My son LOVED this class!
My son was adamant that he was not interested in this subject and made it very clear he didn’t want to take this class. I researched it out and read glowing reviews so I convinced him to take it. He LOVED this class, the teacher, the projects, everything. HIGHLY recommend!