I have the Trail Guide to World Geography and love it but in the mapping sections the OMB (page numbers) do not match the page numbers on my Uncle Josh's Outline Map CD.

The Trail Guides were originally written to use Uncle Josh's Outline Map Book. The CD ROM version of the book has added pages which throws off the page count. But the solution is simple, just add three to the OMB number in the Trail Guide to World Geography. Example: Page 32 of the Trail Guide to World Geography; Mapping section; World (OMB 49) + 3 = 52. Go to page 52 of your Uncle Josh's Outline Map CD and on page 52 is the map you need. You can also go to the "Table of Contents" on the map CD and click on the map that the lesson asks for. Example: Page 78 of the Trail Guide to World Geography; Mapping section; Australia and New Zealand (OMB 14). Go to the "Table of Contents" on the map CD and click on Australia and New Zealand.

How can I learn more from people who are using this curriculum?

Join our Yahoo users group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/geographytrailguides

How do I teach 3 levels at once?

To teach 3 levels at once provide each student with the recommended atlas at their level.

Geography Trails
Assign daily atlas drills (Geography Trails) to each student according to level. Students will follow the same trail marking throughout the book.

First level
Students in grades 2-3 will need ample assistance.
Students in grades 4 will begin to work independently as they become more familiar with how to use their atlas and they develop thinking skill to determine where to find answers.

Middle and difficult level
Students in the middle and more difficult level should be able to find answers in their atlas or look up definitions on their own. You will need to provide sufficient instructions on using their atlas and also a resource with geography terms (i.e. geographical terms chart or The Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide) Some Q referring to geo-terms will not be answered from the atlas.

Mapping
You may want to select only the simpler more basic places for the first level of students to draw on their map.

Most students in grades 4 and up will be able to do all the mapping.

Trail Blazing
Select from the many Trail Blazing choices what assignments can be done by each level of students. For example first level students would do a jigsaw puzzle, play concentration for country/capital memorization, while a high schooler may deem that type of assignment too elementary.

Most assignment choices can be done by all levels but will be accomplished differently according to the skills of the student. I.e. reading about/learning about a country can be done at all ages each using resources at their level of reading/research abilities. Salt dough maps are fun for all but the quality and detail of the finish project will vary drastically according to student age/level.


The general idea is that all levels can focus on the same area of the world together and do assignments and project that are appropriate or of interest to their abilities. For more ideas, activities and book lists for the younger group (K-4th grade) we highly recommend Galloping the Globe. Both books (GtG and Trail Guide) can be used together by studying the same continent at the same time.


What grade level is appropriate for this book?

Recommended for 2-high school when teaching multi-grades. Most appropriate for 4th-high school

Use for 2nd and 3rd graders only if your student is reading independently, wants to do mapping, or loves atlases. Or great if you are teaching older students and want to include your 2nd or third grader.

If your OLDEST student is in 2nd-4th grade use Galloping the Globe now and step up to Trail Guide in the next year or two. Galloping the Globe is much more fun and engaging for the younger students.


Do I need to have The Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide in order to use the Trail Guide effectively?

The Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide is an added helpful resource, not a necessity. Your students will be doing research on a number of topics. Often just a basic summary of places is all that is needed. When that information is in The Ultimate Guide its page number is provided in parenthesis. Summaries can also be found in encyclopedias, almanacs, and library books. The Ultimate Guide also has great mapping assignments and geography terms flash cards and glossary of geography terms that can be used throughout the school year. This is just a great all around book to use as a reference for directions on many topics such as:

• making student notebooks
• using outline maps
• integrating geography while reading literature
• great internet websites
• using timelines
• how to teach geography

There are plenty of assignment choices that do not make use of The Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide, however if you like having research resources handy, you may want to include it in your personal library.

What's the difference between The Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide and the Trail Guide to World Geography? How do I decide between them?

The Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide is a K-12 curriculum guide complete with teacher refresher course, teaching helps, geography games and activities, instructions on incorporating geography with science, history, literature and more. It includes complete units studies (Study of Holland using Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates {literature}, Volcanoes {science}, Weather {science}) and specific geography course for middle school and also for high school. It also provides instructions on setting up your own unit studies in science, literature, and history. There are over 150 reproducible pages including maps, timeline figures, scope and sequence check off, and more. It is great for those who love unit study approach and can plan their own with just a little guidance.

Trail Guide to World Geography uses the same philosophy and teaching methods as recommended in The Ultimate Guide, but with more specific assignments laid out in a daily and weekly format. When information in The Ultimate Guide is helpful, it is listed by page number. The Trail Guide to World Geography is the book of choice for those who do not want to make their own lesson plans, want to use an incorporating-geography approach, or want their students to make a geography notebook throughout the year. For the most part, once students are comfortable using an atlas they can work independently.

If you can swing it, both books work great together!


Can this geography course be considered in depth enough for a high school student?

The Trail Guide IS suitable for high school credit. Be sure the student does enough of the assignment choices to warrant it. If you follow the secondary trail throughout the Points of Interest section you will be able to combine it with the High School level Conquering the Continents course in the Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide. (It is referred to in the Trail Guide by page number when the added high school assignments should be done)

Please keep in mind the Trail Blazing section provides the meat of any in-depth geography course. Students will use outside resources to complete these assignments. We recommend Internet, library, or encyclopedia. The Encyclopedia of World Geography is a wonderful resource for the Trail Blazing assignments.

What other resources do I need to use the book?

Highly Recommended:

Outline Maps for mapping assignments (We recommend Uncle Josh's Outline Map Book or CD ROM)

• World Atlas for mapping assignments and daily geography drills
• Primary level (2nd-4th grade)—Jr. Classroom Atlas
• Intermediate level (5th-7th grade)—Classroom Atlas
• Secondary level (8th grade-high school) —Atlas of World Geography

Additional Helpful Resources:

• Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne—used during the last 9 weeks of the year for literature unit. Students will travel the world with the key characters of this classic mapping the trail and choosing from a variety of additional assignments. You may be able to obtain this book from the library.
• Geography Through Art by Sharon Jeffus and Jamie Aramini—used for all art projects. Categorized by continent and listed in the Trail Guide, which project to do when appropriate to where your study has taken you.
• Geography Terms Chart—great visual aid for understanding geography's physical terms. Used as a resource for weekly Illustrated Geography Dictionary assignments.
• USA/World Doublesided Outline Map—recommended for 2nd or third graders doing the primary level.
• The Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide by Maggie Hogan and Cindy Wiggers—a great reference resource for weekly Points of Interest assignments. Referenced in Trail Guide by page number for your convenience. Also used in tandem with Trail Guide to World Geography for high school credit.

How many years can I use the Trail Guide to World Geography?

You can use this book for at least 3 years. The daily drills (Geography Trails) are written for 3 levels. You can use any of the remaining trails or levels for subsequent years as a simple geography moment each day to keep atlas usage and geoTerms fresh.

If I buy the Trail Guide with these additional resources can I get a discount?

We offer discounts when you buy a bundle of resources that compliment the Trail Guide to World Geography. See the Specials section of our Website.

Can I teach more than one level at a time?

Yes, this book was designed to allow teachers and parents to teach a variety of student levels all at once. All students are studying the same topic, but doing assignments at their own academic level. Assignment choices range from research to art to making crossword puzzles, salt dough maps and keeping a geography notebook and much more. Choose assignments for each student that meets their learning style and interest and you'll have a great time learning together. Set aside one day each month to let each student share what he/she is learning with the others.