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We first purchased this program because I loved the concept of how it was to work.
Basically, the workbook is broken down into 3 sections: one for beginners (grades 2-4),
intermediate (grades 5-7), and advanced (grades 8-high school). You will need the
Beginner Atlas, Intermediate World Atlas, and Answer Atlas, respectively, for each level.
Each level involves asking two questions per day, and the children must use the atlas for
that level to look up the answers, usually with a mapping activity on the last day.
Pros: Concept is great. If it worked properly (see Cons), it would instill a great sense of
independence in the children's learning.
Cons: There were so many errors in the Beginner level. Click here for a list of the
errors we found. I realize that most publications are rarely error-free. However, I
believed this was excessive. It caused a lot of frustration with my children trying to find
answers that just weren't there. Questions would be asked where there was no
corresponding answer in the appropriate atlas, and there were wrong or incomplete
answers in the Answer section.
When trying to ask about the errors via their support yahoo egroup which is monitored by
the Geo Matters staff, I was told to make up alternate questions for the ones with errors
for my children to answer, they began intercepting my messages about the errors, and I
was told they were not interested in seeing my complete list of errors.
Ultimately, we had to shelve this product. It's ashame it wasn't more up to par and the
author herself, Cindy Wiggers, was curt and just not interested in making the product
better.
Bottom Line: I would recommend using one of the following great alternatives instead:
Daily Skill Builders - World Geography grades 4-8+
Daily Warm-Ups World Geography and Cultures grades 9-12
The Geography Coloring Book for all age including adults!
(don't let the name fool you on this one - it's very indepth)
Basically, the workbook is broken down into 3 sections: one for beginners (grades 2-4),
intermediate (grades 5-7), and advanced (grades 8-high school). You will need the
Beginner Atlas, Intermediate World Atlas, and Answer Atlas, respectively, for each level.
Each level involves asking two questions per day, and the children must use the atlas for
that level to look up the answers, usually with a mapping activity on the last day.
Pros: Concept is great. If it worked properly (see Cons), it would instill a great sense of
independence in the children's learning.
Cons: There were so many errors in the Beginner level. Click here for a list of the
errors we found. I realize that most publications are rarely error-free. However, I
believed this was excessive. It caused a lot of frustration with my children trying to find
answers that just weren't there. Questions would be asked where there was no
corresponding answer in the appropriate atlas, and there were wrong or incomplete
answers in the Answer section.
When trying to ask about the errors via their support yahoo egroup which is monitored by
the Geo Matters staff, I was told to make up alternate questions for the ones with errors
for my children to answer, they began intercepting my messages about the errors, and I
was told they were not interested in seeing my complete list of errors.
Ultimately, we had to shelve this product. It's ashame it wasn't more up to par and the
author herself, Cindy Wiggers, was curt and just not interested in making the product
better.
Bottom Line: I would recommend using one of the following great alternatives instead:
Daily Skill Builders - World Geography grades 4-8+
Daily Warm-Ups World Geography and Cultures grades 9-12
The Geography Coloring Book for all age including adults!
(don't let the name fool you on this one - it's very indepth)
| Review of The Trail Guide to World Geography 2006 edition by Geography Matters |
Country Hills Academy
| Our Grade: 7/09 D |