A Child's Geography: Explore The Classical World Review and 2 Giveaways

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Knowledge Quest was started by a homeschooling family in 2001. They noticed a need in the homeschool marketplace and were led to create some of the materials that you will find on their website. They started out with producing simple black and white maps that children could label and color while studying both World and American history. But over they years they have expanded and now sell 10 foot wall timelines, a beautiful harcover timeline book (I own one of these), a historical biography series, apps and much more! Their most recent release is the third volume in the A Child’s Geography series (and after reviewing volume III I can tell you I want the other 2).

P.S I heard a rumor they are coming out with a magazine too at some point, COOL!

A moms review:
I was really, really excited when I found out I was chosen to be part of the launch team for A Child’s Geography: Explore the Classical World (originally introduced by Ann Voskamp, with Volume III written by Terri Johnson). We love geography! Especially fun, hands on geography. But this book is so much MORE than just a geography book. It is also a history, science, art, home economics, language arts......book! It is an amazing living book and will get your children excited and wanting to learn more...trust me. This textbook is definitely not a boring textbook and is one that you will be able to use over and over again!

We have been working our way through the soft cover book a little each day as a read aloud. The book is 224 pages long and contains 15 chapters. My children (ages 6 and 7) are so excited about the book and what we are learning that it is taking us much longer than I thought it would to get through the first chapter. We generally read a couple pages a day and then complete an activity or two. The paragraphs are laid out very nicely so it is easy to find a stopping point. When we start back up the next day I generally do a quick little review/quiz about what we covered the day before. I have a feeling it is going to take us ALL year to get through the book. The children are so intrigued by what we are learning that they also insisted on getting even more books on Greece (1st country discussed) at the library....see told you they would want to learn and explore more.

Books the kids picked out. Some of them are on the recommended reading list, some are not. The blue "The Greeks" book has been a huge hit because it has fun craft activities. 

I love how throughout the chapter's there are questions incorporated into the text that help start conversations with your children and get them thinking about what they are learning. Like, "How would you like to leap over a charging bull?" Umm yeah my son answered it would be fun...he's a little crazy! There are also a couple stopping points in each chapter to allow you a chance to jot down your "field notes." We are using a simple mead journal to jot down our thoughts down. At the end of the chapter there is also a timeline events wrap up to make it very easy to add important events onto your timeline. I highly suggest the Knowledge Quest Wonders of Old Timeline Book it is gorgeous and a fabulous family keepsake!

The book is written for children in grades 1st - 6th, however I could see slightly younger and older children benefiting from the book as well. A Child's Geography takes your family on a journey around the globe, without ever leaving your kitchen table or living room sofa. It is written in such a manner that it really feels like you are actually on a guided tour of these amazing destinations. The colored graphics and full colored maps are absolutely amazing and the children love discussing how different the buildings, cities and landscapes are compared to what we see here in the United States. They are also begging to take a real trip to Greece....thanks Terri!

The introduction starts out by saying, "Grab your passport and your map. Strap on your backpack and tie your shoes." And that is just what we did. We made our own passports so we could keep track of all the places we are visiting and really delved deeper into each destination. You can print your very own play passports over at the Guest Hollow blog (laminate them for added durability).

As an eclectic, relaxed homeschool family I love how versatile the book is and how it can easily be adjusted to fit your families needs. You can use it as a stand alone curriculum or add to it as you see the need. You can cover the book over a semester or over an entire year. The year long option would be covering a chapter every two weeks, this is about the pace we are going.

A Child’s Geography Volume III takes your family through the Classical World and covers the following countries:

• Greece
• Italy
• Macedonia
• Albania
• Montenegro
• Serbia
• Bosnia and herzegovina
• Croatia
• Slovenia
• Italy 
• Malta

In the back of the book is a very helpful glossary as well. Glossary terms are indicated in bold throughout the book. Definitely a huge help for children who are always asking who, what, why, where and how!

Attached to the back inside cover of the book there is a CD that includes these additional PDF supplements:

• E-book Version - helpful for on the go families.
• Extra Reading - we totally took advantage of this and checked out several of the books at the library.
• Timelines - makes it very easy to fill in your timeline after each chapter.
• 11x17 Map of the Classical World
• Activities - my kids had a blast with these, the mosaic craft was a huge hit. 
• Travel Log - this is very helpful for helping your children label their maps. 
• Recipes - yum is all I have to say oh and this is great way to incorporate some math too.
• Prayer Guide - this prayer guide lists some quick facts about each of the countries like population, capital, etc. And lists several current events and ongoing problems that each of the countries faces It also includes pictures of flags for each of the countries. This is the perfect for discussing current events and why it is important to pray for these countries.
• Labeled and Unlabeled Maps - these were fantastic for labeling and the kids had lots of fun tracking our journey's.

Also throughout the textbook there are recommended links to view additional photos and videos. This was totally up our alley. My kids love watching videos that go along with what we are learning!

A Child’s Geography is written from a Christian perspective however since it is also a history book myths and religions of other cultures are discussed throughout the book. Terri describes various myths and beliefs but does point you back to scripture to uncover the truth about Christianity and compare Christianity to other religions.

Imagine my excitement when I found out that this book went along perfectly with our current volcano unit study. I love it when our non-planning falls perfectly into line. Some of the things we learned about included how Akrotiri and Santorini were affected by a volcanic eruption, what a caldera is, how volcanic hot springs helped provide hot water for the Akrotiri people, that the Minoan eruption of Thera was the largest volcanic explosion to ever occur on Earth, how the mystery of Atlantis came about and of course Pompei (skipped a little head, ok to the end of the book).

Mosaic art, Greek theater masks and erupting volcanoes.

Last year we did a mythology unit study and A Child’s Geography also really helped reinforce what we learned last year as well as provided us with more amazing information that we didn't cover. In a few weeks we are visiting one of our favorite local museums the Michael C. Carlos History Museum. They have a great Ancient Greece and Rome exhibit and though we have been there many times I am excited to see the kids reaction to the various artifacts and artwork that we recently read about.

So just in case you couldn't already tell we LOVED this book. I really hope to get the other two volumes and cannot wait to see if any more volumes will be created.

Be sure to check out the other launch team members reviews here.

Freebies:
Knowledge Quest provides some great freebies on their website.

• Sign up for their newsletter and receive an awesome Trek Sampler Freebie.
• Visit the Child’s Geography: Explore the Classical World page to read the first 3 chapters for FREE. You will be hooked.

Gwyns (7 yrs old) and Rowyns review (6 yrs old):

Gwyn, "we are having fun exploring and traveling the World. I like the pretty pictures. And we did fun craft projects."
Rowyn, "I like the book. It is fun. We made masks and put on a Greek play. I was the bad guy. I like the pictures too and the videos."

Links to follow:
-Knowledge Quest Website
-Knowledge Quest  Facebook page
-Knowledge Quest Twitter page

Where to buy:

You can purchase A Child's Geography Volume III: Explore the Classical World directly from Knowledge Quest. The softcover book is $34.95 and the eBook version is $24.95. All 3 volumns of A Child's Geography can be purchased together for $79.95 which saves you $23.00!

There are 2 giveaways so be sure to enter both!!!!!

Now time for the giveaways: 

Knowledge Quest Maps has graciously offered to giveaway a digital copy of the this amazing book to one lucky reader. Only the first entry is mandatory. Other entries are optional and give you extra chances. This giveaway is not affiliated with Facebook in any way. The winner will be posted on the blog and will be emailed. Winner must reply within 48 hrs with their contact information or another winner will be chosen. Prize will be mailed via the Knowledge Quest. Open to all countries.

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In celebration of this launch, Knowledge Quest Maps teamed up with some amazing publishers to bring you a fabulous MEGA giveaway with 11 prizes, totaling $650 in value.  Be sure and enter! The giveaway ends on September 15th. This giveaway is not affiliated with Facebook in any way. Winner will be contacted by a Knowledge Quest representative and prizes will be mailed by publishers. USA residents only.

Prizes include:

• Knowledge Quest — A Child’s Geography Volume 3 with Wonders of Old Timeline Book ($34.95 + $24.95)
• Write Shop — Writeshop Primary Level — winners choice of A, B, or C ($29.95) + Activity Pack (4.95) + and You Can Write a Story ($16.95)
• NotebookingPages.com  — Treasury Membership ($99.95)
• Home School Adventure Co. — Philosophy Adventure Physical set ($89.95)
• Raising Real Men  — signed Raising Real Men book, signed My Beloved and My Friend Book, A Cry from Egypt book, Boot Camp 9-12, and Hero Tales Volumes 1-3, ,prize package ($100)
• See The Light — 2 DVDs ($30)
• The Shorter Word – King Alfred’s English and Baktar ($13.89 + $10.95)
• A Journey Through Learning — $50 Gift Certificate
• Diana Waring — Romans, Reformers, Revolutionaries Intro Pack ($64.95)
• Pretty Hair Lilla Rose  – 2 Flexi Clips ($32.00)
• A+ Tutorsoft  – 3 Months Online Program of choice ($49.95)

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