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Visual World Geography

Publisher: Tender Heart Press
Author: Theresa A. Blain
Review last updated: January 2012
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Visual World Geography

Visual World Geography makes it easier for some students to learn geography through mnemonics—visual images that help students make connections to the names of the countries. Countries are grouped to form images that interrelate neighboring countries. For example, Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia are grouped together to make an image of a chile pepper. The program presents the mnemonic, explaining that the country of Chile is an orange strip running down one side of the chile pepper. It continues, “Argentina is the red, fleshy part of our Chili Pepper. Ardent Tina lives in Argentina. The word ‘ardent’ means passionate; Tina is sure passionate about peppers! That is why Tina is known as ‘ardent’ Tina—because of her passion for chili peppers!” Bolivia, sitting at the top of both countries, is depicted as the leaves of the chili pepper: “When Tina plucks the leaves off the peppers so she can cook them, she places all the leaves in a bowl. It is the bowl of leaves we call Bowl-leaf-ia (Bolivia).” Students will also learn about the use of puns in this curriculum! Sure some of this is silly, but for many students mnemonics really do help them remember and visualize much better.

The core of the course is video presentations. There are eight DVDs that come two per case in four cases. Videos offer two options for each group of countries: just the mnemonics, or the mnemonics along with other photos and interesting information about each country. Each presentation is relatively brief, and you can select only the one you want to watch each time. The videos are a bit amateurish, but the tongue-in-cheek style might well appeal to your children.

The 136-page Visual World Geography workbook repeats the information on the DVDs, but this is likely to be valuable since the DVDs move at a pretty fast pace. The workbook shows an outline map of the a continent, then focuses in on the group of countries to be studied; those countries are formed into a full color illustration such as the chili pepper mentioned above, and the illustration is within the continent outline map so the context is clear. The mnemonic “stories” are also printed here. An appendix has quizzes that ask students to identify the countries within each mnemonic group.

There are two CD-ROM discs that come with the complete program. One CD has printable PDF worksheets and map drawing pages. The worksheets ask questions that are based on the lengthier presentations on the DVDs. Students will have to watch and listen carefully for information about the geography, climate, rivers, capital, important features, or other facts about the country. They should look at the questions before watching the DVD so they’ll be alert for the information they need to know. Answer keys for the worksheets are included on the disc. The map drawing pages, found under “supplemental drawing sheets,” include continent outline maps, map forms with latitude and longitude markings, and “anchor point sheets.” Anchor point sheets include some segments of the outline lines for continents and countries to assist students in creating their own maps. The continent maps and anchor point sheets should be used before students attempt to work on the latitude and longitude sheets. Instructions for using these sheets are included on the disc. The second CD has all of the licensed photos that are used in the DVD lessons. A student might access these to create a report, but otherwise they are not necessary to the program.

An optional set of seven laminated grid maps might be very helpful. Each map has a continent on one side with all of the mnemonic illustrations filled in. On the reverse, is an outline map with latitude and longitude markings. The outline map is color coded on the outside edges as a hint showing where each mnemonic begins and ends. Students could practice working on these outline maps with washable markers as they learn. However, they should begin with smaller sections before tackling entire continents.

You can purchase the program in various configurations. A set containing all these items is the best, but also the most expensive. Another set omits the laminated maps and will certainly be adequate for most families. While you can purchase the workbook on its own, I think you really need the DVD presentation to make this program come alive for students. Since this is really a bit different than traditional programs, be sure to check out the sample video lessons you can watch at the publisher’s website.

Pricing

Complete progam $215
Set without laminated posters $175
Text $45

Instant Key

  • Suitable for: about fourth grade and up
    Need for parent/teacher instruction: moderate
    Prep time needed: minimal
    Teacher's manual: N/A
    Educational philosophy: Mnemonics
    Religious perspective: Secular but "Christian friendly"

Publisher's Info