Continent Studies

If you do all 7 continent studies you will have completed a full year each of biology, earth science, and geography at an early elementary level. Meaning you don’t need a separate science curriculum!

You will also have studied art history, astronomy, dance, art, cooking, etc. to lay the feast for future learning.

The following charts show which scientific concepts are covered in each continent study. It is not a comprehensive list (it was actually just quickly pulled from my own notes) but gives you an idea of the breadth of subjects covered in each unit and what your child will know when you complete the series. (This list doesn’t even include the concepts covered in the Foundations: Landforms & Biomes unit!)

What methods are used in the units?

I pull my philosophy from Charlotte Mason and Montessori. I like to create hands-on learning experiences that create opportunities for self-discovery, use living books and real-life object lessons where ever possible, and cross disciplines as much as I can. To cultivate critical thinking. We respect the cultures of the people represented and focus on indigenous cultures and the way that they traditionally or currently relate to their environment. Our units do not go into history or politics the goal with these units are to be an introduction to the beauty of the world around us. To lay the foundation of future learning by understanding the ecology of our planet so we know the stage world events are set upon and recognize the inherent value of the earth and the beautiful diversity of the biomes and people on it.

Check out the descriptions of the individual units below to learn more about the types of lessons, activities, and beautiful books incorporated into each unit.

How do I incorporate these units into our homeschool plan?

The following suggested course schedule through middle school is pulled from two main pedagogies. Montessori and Classical Education. Montessori typically has a three-year cycle that it repeats and Classical typically has a four-year cycle that it repeats. My curriculum was designed for early to mid-elementary school and can be started anytime between 1st grade and 3rd grade. Continent study is traditionally a more Montessori approach to learning as it uses systems thinking and a holistic view of the world, but I believe it sets up a very firm foundation for studying subjects by domain as they head into what would be the second cycle of learning in the classical method.

Kindergarten- Human body systems, Astronomy or Geologic Time & Dinosaurs, and nature study

1st grade- Foundations Curriculum, Astronomy or Geologic Time & Dinosaurs, and nature study

2nd grade- Continent Study and nature study

3rd grade- Continent Study and nature study

4th grade- Biology, cartography, ancient history

5th grade- Earth science, middle ages, physical geography of the world

6th grade- Chemistry, early modern history, political geography of the world

7th grade- Physical science, modern history, US (or your country’s) geography

After this point, you can start them on their second cycle of the classical science and history rotation (Which would typically start in 9th grade so there is some wiggle room here) or veer off and do your own special interest studies based on what you discovered through continent study and an overview of the history of the world. Would you like to study more Japanese history? European art? Study famous naturalists? You have the world open to you for humanities, history, and science.

This schedule is not set in stone, just a suggestion to help you when planning your child’s education. There is a lot of flexibility for when/how you teach your children. That is the beauty of home school!

If you do all 7 continent studies through Hatching Curiosity at the end of the Global Adventures you will have completed a full year each of elementary biology, elementary earth science, and early elementary geography.

Check out the full scope of the units at hatchingcuriosity.com/scopeofcontinentstudy

Which Continent should we do first?

I would start where you or your kids are passionate. I created the Antarctica unit first because my oldest was interested in penguins. I love to start with South America because it is my favorite. Africa is a favorite because of all the animals and colorful cultures.

If you are going off of a Montessori or Charlotte Mason philosophy you’ll want to start with your home continent and work your way out from there.

I designed the units so that you could start anywhere. They do sometimes reference each other but just in a nod to what they’ve done or a preview to what’s coming kind of way. Nothing that requires concepts to build on each other.

I do find that it is more fun to do the Antarctica unit in the Winter and the Oceania unit closer to summer but it’s all up to you. As I complete(or revise) the units I’ll place previews below to help you decide.