Geography is a central subject in Montessori elementary school that involves a wide variety of academic lessons focusing on local, national, or global locations. These five activities are excellent examples that provide you with some insight into how geography is applied across multiple fields of study.
1. Puzzle Maps
Montessori elementary uses puzzle maps early because they help with primary motor control development as well as other educational benefits. As children get older, the maps and the puzzles themselves can be more complex.
2. Animals of the World
Children are interested in animals of all types, and learning where different ones are native to is a great way to teach geography. Fun geography games related to animals include word games using animal names beginning with each letter of the alphabet and where that animal comes from, puzzle maps with animal locations, and more.
3. Foods From Around the World
Learning geography with food is a tasty way to explore the world. Try having “tasting parties” which feature foods from different geographic regions. Discovering where their favorite fruits and other foods originate uses a sensory perspective for geography lessons.
4. One Human Family
Just as food and animals have origins all around the globe, so do people’s races and nationalities. Learning where the ancestors of themselves and their classmates teaches children to be tolerant and inclusive in their interactions, and fosters the concept of “One Human Family” over a world divided by superficial differences.
5. Drawing Maps
A great way to learn how maps and geography impact our lives is to have Montessori elementary children draw maps of their own. They can map everything from the classroom to their home and neighborhood, or even larger projects like the states and nations of the world.
These ideas are only a few of the many Montessori-inspired geography activities available. Through learning about locations on a map, children gain an interest in the greater world they live in, and how different regions impact their individual lives.