A clever spin on the title of the classic book Around the World in 80 Days, this multilevel course does allow you to cover a lot of ground. Geography, history, religion, culture and current events are covered for all grade levels on a continent-by-continent basis. The two-volume set includes the Teacher's Guide and a Student Workbook, both softcover with similar format. The student must do research to find the answers to various questions. The author suggests books and textbooks to use for research, and important people to find out about. Answers to the questions are recorded on the worksheets, (which are perforated and can be removed to place in a binder). Other interesting and pertinent information can be placed in the binder as well. Thankfully, answers to the questions are included in the study guide.
The order of study is not the typical Northern Africa - Eastern Asia - Europe - North America sequence that you normally find elsewhere. Suggested study time to cover the guide in a one-year period would be as follows: Africa, 6 weeks; Australia, 3-4 weeks; Antarctica, 2 weeks; South America, 5-6 weeks; Asia, 6-7 weeks; Europe, 6-7 weeks; North America, 4-5 weeks. Each unit begins with geography questions and terms to research, and continues to map work; outlining the continent, drawing major physical features (rivers, mountains, deserts, lakes, etc.), and marking countries and cities. In addition to answering questions about history, religion, culture and current events, students are also given writing and speaking assignments. To make the product useful for a wide grade range, questions which are too difficult for younger students are marked UE for upper elementary, JH for junior high, or HS for high school. Although the study as a whole is designed for all grades, the workbook is geared for students in 4th-5th grade and up. Suggestions for teaching grades K-4 are included in the Teacher's Guide. Obviously, any attempt to cover geography and history on seven continents from Creation through modern times in one year for all grade levels with a 180-page study guide will only scratch the surface. This study will give a good overview of world geography, hit highlights of world history, and give some basic insights into various cultures. Use it as a framework to build in whatever direction you choose.