Sometimes you just need a good map that you can touch, label, color. It’s hard to get a sense of a place if you just read about it. Just exactly where is Africa? Having a map can help kids make connections.

Years ago I picked up Map Trek by Terri Johnson and it was a purchase that that paid for itself many times over. It has maps that begin with the Ancient World and go through the conflict in Iraq. There are also individual state maps of the United States. The major cities are labeled and show the bordering states. This hardbound book has all colored maps and a CD-ROM is included in the complete collection for you to print off black and white copies of the maps. You may want the e-book instead to print off what maps you need.

Masterbooks curriculum is carrying the Map Trek line and you can get your own copy here: Map Trek. Amazon, Rainbow Resource, and Christian Books sells it too. Here are other features that are included with Map Trek:

• Full-color teacher answer maps.
• Blank outline maps for the student.
• Instructions for how to use the maps
• Lesson Plans
• Glossary of terms

On another note: If you are curious about the picture, The basket in the background is from Ethiopia, courtesy of a dear family whose children I taught. The colorful stones of African animals are carved on a rock known as soapstone.

Have you heard of Map of the Month Club? These maps are excellent and I highly recommend them. My seventh grade World Geography and eighth grade World History students enjoyed working on them. They are well done and have geographical, political, and historical maps. They are extremely reasonable, only $1.00 each, but the S & H is $8.00. You purchase individual maps so you could order maps for the entire school year and save yourself some time and money. Ranging in skill level from elementary through senior high, these 16″X20″ maps can serve your entire family. They come in a sturdy flat box and can be stored safely in it until you need them. MAP OF THE MONTH CLUB I know the image isn’t that clear, but it is just to give you a general idea of the map.

Have a great week! ~Lisa~