From Geography Matters: One of the most common questions we get regarding The Trail Guide to Learning Series is about  the future of the curriculum. The first three years have thoroughly covered American history, but what comes next? Co-author Debbie Strayer has graciously taken the time to answer that question here. Enjoy!

 

Setting the Foundation

The Trail Guide to Learning Series began with a three level tour of American History. Not only do these three levels cover all the main events of American history from our beginnings as a nation through modern times, but they also lay a foundation for understanding nation building. The model of explorers, settlers and builders and the scientists and inventors demonstrates the importance of purpose and connecting history, geography, science, and literature to fully understand the course of a society.  

Looking Forward

 

High School

 

We want to say a big "thank you" to everyone who participated in our Facebook party last night. We had so much fun! The winners have all been notified via email, so check your inboxes. Here's a list of the lucky folks as well! Debbie Strayer's Encouragement Toolkit: Alisa Russell You Can Teach Your Child Successfully by Dr. Ruth Beechick: LindaLea Galloping the Globe Lapbook Download: Heidi with the comment, "Galloping the Globe looks great! I love Journey Through Learning so I am sure the lapbook is awesome as well!" Cantering the Country Lapbook Download: Giovana Cavarretta Geography Through Art by Sharon Jeffus & Jamie Aramini: Nicole Hale Profiles from History Volume 1 & 2 by Ashley Wiggers: Sara with the comment, "These books are so neat! Thanks for the opportunity!" The Adventures of Munford 4 book set by Jamie Aramini: Rebecca C Trail Guide to World Geography w/ 3-level student notebook CD: AnnG We hope you'll continue to follow us on Facebook. We look forward to many more fun promotions in the future!        

Our last prize of the evening is the Trail Guide to World Geography by Cindy Wiggers w/ a 3-level student notebook CD-Rom, a $53.90 value!

If you’d like a geography course that includes mapping activities, atlas usage, research, notebooking and culture with very little teacher preparation, look no further. The Trail Guide to World Geography is a “week one, day one” kind of teacher’s manual with daily geography drills (answers included) and numerous weekly assignment choices.

To be entered to win, simply leave a comment on this post by 10 pm EST on 9/13. We will notify you via email by 9/16 if you’ve won! Here's a few ways to get an extra chance at winning this prize: Leave a separate comment letting us know that you follow us on Facebook Leave a a separate comment letting us know that you follow us on Twitter   Don't forget you have until ten o'clock Eastern time to make sure you've entered all the giveaways. Just click on the category "Giveaway" in the sidebar to make sure you've done so!  

Our next giveaway is for The Adventures of Munford, books 1-4 by Jamie Aramini, a $35.80 value. This includes: Munford Meets Lewis and Clark Munford and the Klondike Gold Rush Munford and the American Revolution Munford Meets Robert Fulton Although he’s just two part hydrogen and one part oxygen, Munford is all adventure. He can be rain, snow, sleet, or steam. He has traveled the world in search of excitement. Throughout history, he has been present at some of the most important and world-changing events. Fun and educational,Munford will inspire your children to learn more about many of history’s greatest moments. These readers make a great addition to your learning experience in areas such as history, geography, and science. This book series is written on an elementary reading level, but provides plenty of read-aloud entertainment for the entire family. To be entered to win, simply leave a comment on this post by 10 pm EST on 9/13. We will notify you via email by 9/16 if you’ve won! For an extra entry, follow Munford on Facebook.  (Be sure to leave a separate comment letting us know that you did!)

Our next giveaway is for Profiles from History, Volumes 1 & 2 by Ashley M. Wiggers. Profiles from History takes a fresh look a familiar faces. Along with beautiful illustrations and fascinating stories, this book encourages children to think about the motivations of twenty historical figures. Activities and discussion questions help students recognize the effect these individuals have had on history. To be entered to win, simply leave a comment on this post by 10 pm EST on 9/13. We will notify you via email by 9/16 if you’ve won! For an extra entry, you can "like" author Ashley Wiggers on Facebook. Be sure to leave us a separate comment telling us that you've done so!

Next up: A giveaway of Geography Through Art by Sharon Jeffus and Jamie Aramini, a $19.95 value. Geography Through Art is the ultimate book of international art projects. Join your children on an artistic journey to more than twenty-five countries spanning six continents. This Internet-linked book includes a variety of project types, from watercolor to paper mache to sculpting and more. Features Include: • QuickSketch: assignments with step-by-step examples • ArtistProfile: bios of famous artist's contribution to society • CultureConnection: commonalities of art in different cultures • Materials Lists: included with every project • Geography Summaries • Reproducible Maps and Templates • Student Level Ratings • Internet linked for in-depth study opportunities • Recipe references to Eat Your Way Around the World Use this book as an exciting way to supplement any study of geography, history, or social studies. Geography Through Art is sure to make a lasting addition to your home or school library. You'll find yourself reaching for this indispensable guide again and again to delight and engage students in learning about geography through the culture and art of peoples around the world. To be entered to win, simply leave a comment on this post by 10 pm EST on 9/13. We will notify you via email by 9/16 if you’ve won! For an extra entry, you can "like" the Facebook page for author Jamie Aramini! Be sure to leave a separate comment telling us that you've done so!

Our next giveaway  has been graciously donated by the ladies at A Journey Through Learning. It is for an instant download for the lap book companion to our popular book Cantering the Country! This lapbook is specifically designed to go with Cantering the Country, an enchanting way to learn geography—a unit study/discovery learning resource by Geography Matters. It can be used from 1 – 3 years and covers all 50 states plus Washington DC. Saddle up your horses and strap on your thinking caps! Learning geography is an adventure! And it’s not just about memorizing facts. Geography ties together all disciplines of learning in one fascinating package. This unit study course teaches a wide range of academic and spiritual disciplines using the geography of the U.S.A. as a starting point. Learn about each state—its geographic features, its history, and its interesting characters—and tie in language arts, Bible, science and civics at the same time. To be entered to win, simply leave a comment on this post by 10 pm EST on 9/13. We will notify you via email by 9/16 if you’ve won! For an extra entry, be sure to follow the Journey through Learning company on Facebook then leave a separate comment to let us know that you've done so!

Our next giveaway  has been graciously donated by the ladies at A Journey Through Learning. It is for an eBook download for the lap book companion to our popular book Galloping the Globe! This lapbook is specifically designed to go with Galloping the Globe, an enchanting way to learn geography—a unit study/discovery learning resource by Geography Matters. It can be used from 1–3 years and covers all 7 continents. The main objective of Galloping the Globe is to introduce students to the seven continents and a few of the countries within each continent. Along with studying geography, the students will be introduced to various historical figures, missionaries, holidays, and animals of the world. This study is geared for kindergarten to fourth grade level. It can be easily adapted to older or younger children using a few companion texts. Galloping the Globe has 8 sections- Asia, Europe, Christmas Around the World, The Poles, North America, South America, Africa, and Oceania. To be entered to win, simply leave a comment on this post by 10 pm EST on 9/13. We will notify you via email by 9/16 if you’ve won! For an extra entry, be sure to follow the Journey through Learning company on Facebook then leave a separate comment to let us know that you've done so!

Our next giveaway is for You Can Teach Your Child Successfully by Dr. Ruth Beechick. “The best all-round introduction to homeschooling ever published,” wrote a reviewer of this award-winning, now classic book on homeschooling. By curriculum specialist Dr. Ruth Beechick, it helps homeschoolers know what schoolteachers know so they need not feel intimidated. There is no obscure educationese, but as one mom wrote, it gives lay persons access to educational concepts otherwise beyond their reach. Packed with nuts-and-bolts help, so even veteran homeschoolers find more help than they dreamed was possible in one book. This book alone can take the place of a tall stack of unnecessary workbooks and other curriculum materials. Use from about fourth grade through eighth and even into high school in some subjects. To be entered to win, simply leave a comment on this post by 10 pm EST on 9/13. We will notify you via email by 9/16 if you’ve won!

Our first giveaway is for Debbie Strayer's Encouragement Tookit, valued at $14.95. Debbie Strayer's Encouragement Toolkit brings together three of Debbie's most popular talks on CD-Rom: • Gaining Confidence to Teach • Reviving Your Teaching and Your Students • Overcoming Burnout As an educator, Debbie understands and shares principles of learning and teaching that can revolutionize your instruction. As a veteran homeschooler, she brings the heart of a mom who has been there, done that, survived and thrived as a blessed mother of homeschool graduates. Shared with humor and honesty, Debbie brings real life experiences into focus with Scriptural encouragement. You may laugh, cry, or just realize you are not alone but you will definitely come away with the tools for encouragement at your fingertips! Sit back . . . relax . . . and be encouraged as you listen tothree of Debbie Strayer’s most popular talks! To be entered to win, simply leave a comment on this post by 9 pm EST on 9/13. We will notify you via email by 9/16 if you've won! For an extra entry, go and "like" Debbie's Facebook page! Be sure to leave a separate comment telling us that you've done so!