The Geography Book: Activities for Exploring, Mapping, and Enjoying Your World [Paperback]

Caroline Arnold (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Get to Know the Earth's Many Forms with Dozens of Fun and Easy Projects

From finding directions by the stars, to mapping your neighborhood, to making an earthquake in a box, you'll have a great time learning about the world with The Geography Book. You'll find out how to determine location on the Earth, how maps can provide us with a wide range of information, how different landforms were created, how water has helped shape the Earth, and much more.

Using simple materials you'll be able to find around the house or in your neighborhood, you'll be able to create things like a giant compass rose, a balloon globe, a contour potato, a map puzzle, and a tornado in a jar. So get ready for a fascinating trip around the globe.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grades 3-6--This well-organized title explores basic concepts in a clear and interesting fashion. It discusses a number of different types of maps and will serve as a great tool for demonstrating a variety of geographic concepts (landforms, bodies of water, weather, and climate). Each two- to three-page chapter addresses a different topic ("The Magnetic Poles," "Weather Maps," "The Continents") and includes an activity or experiment that will allow readers to extend their understanding through concrete application. A list of necessary materials and step-by-step instructions for each activity are provided. Sidebars provide additional information. Clear black-and-white illustrations support the text and activities and the glossary is comprehensive. This title will provide support to geography lessons and suggestions for science-fair experiments.
Robyn Ryan Vandenbroek, Elgin Court Public School, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-7. Arnold offers a hands-on introduction to geography in this large-format volume of activities for children. Divided into five thematic sections, the book leads children to explore topics related to maps, land formations, water, and weather. A typical two- or three-page entry comprises an introductory discussion, a list of supplies, and step-by-step instructions for carrying out the project. Illustrated with simple line drawings, the suggested activities include making a relief map, creating a solar water heater, and building a model of a dam. A glossary and a bibliography are appended. Clearly written and illustrated, this book provides practical ideas for middle-grade geography and science fair projects as well as classroom and home-school activities. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (November 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471412368
• ISBN-13: 978-0471412366
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #225,039 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Caroline Arnold is the author of more than 100 books for children. She writes both fiction and nonfiction and recently has illustrated some of her books with striking cut paper art. To see prints and cards of her illustrations, go to www.etsy.com/shop/CarolineArnoldArt. Recent nonfiction titles include A Polar Bear's World, A Bald Eagle's World, Global Warming and the Dinosaurs, A Panda's World, Giant Sea Reptiles of the Dinosaur Age, Super Swimmers, and Easter Island. Her recent fiction books include Wiggle and Waggle, a collection of five stories for beginning readers, and The Terrible Hodag and the Animal Catchers, a tall tale.
Her books have received awards from the American Library Association, the National Science Teachers Association, P.E.N., and SCBWI. Recently she received the Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Nonfiction Award for her body of work, the Leo Politi Award from California Readers, and from the Children's Literature Council of Southern California, the Best Written and Illustrated Suite of Nonfiction for children.
Caroline's interest in animals and the out-of-doors began when she was a child growing up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After majoring in art and literature at Grinnell College in Iowa, she received her M.A. in art from the University of Iowa. Some of her new books are illustrated with her own art. Caroline lives in Los Angeles and teaches part-time in the Writer's Program at UCLA Extension.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Like Minded Kids, December 27, 2006

By 

Stephanie Anne "music & book nut" (Maine, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Geography Book: Activities for Exploring, Mapping, and Enjoying Your World (Paperback)

I bought this as a Christmas present for a map-loving church student of mine. I guess that maybe I didn't pay close enough attention to the style of the book when I ordered it, because when it arrived, I was dismayed to find that it wasn't exclusive to map reading and functioned more as a text book from school. Among topics it covers are orienteering and reading weather and oceanography maps.

However, my intended recipiant was more than thrilled to receive the book. He said that he's studying the same stuff at school and he loves it. He could hardly put it down in order to go through the church service. It was engaging and insightful, he said, and that's saying a lot coming from a kid who's ADD and hates to read. I recommend this product.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TEACHERS BEST FRIEND!, May 24, 2007

By 

Teacher Friend "middleschoolssteacher" (Fort Campbell, KY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Geography Book: Activities for Exploring, Mapping, and Enjoying Your World (Paperback)

This is an excellent book for Geography teachers. I will be teaching multiple ideas from this book without any thought process on my part. One of the best teacher lesson plan books I have EVER seen!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Geography, October 4, 2010

By 

susguz42 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Geography Book: Activities for Exploring, Mapping, and Enjoying Your World (Paperback)

This book was selected for a resource for my 6th grade class. It has great information for teaching or learning about the various components of geography. Examples: Map skills, maps, and landforms.