Wondermaps CD-ROM Version 1.2

There are times when I pick up a new item and find myself saying "Wow I sure wish this was around when I was being homeschooled!" I loved maps and geography. Actually, I still do. So when I had the opportunity to explore this program, I was very excited. The concept is very simple: these are PDF maps that can be manipulated to show just what you need you can add or subtract names, borders, rivers, color, cities, and physical features at will. With the newest version, you can even edit maps in Adobe Reader and print them. This makes this a fantastic resource for many ages and skill levels and a really great value. There are four main map categories on the home screen: World, USA, Historical, and Thematic. The program includes 75 maps of the world, over 60 USA maps, over 150 historical maps and map sets from Mystery of History. When you click on "World" you are shown a world map with continents and oceans named. You can create a map at that level or click on one of the names to "zoom in" on a particular area. The next map, again, gives you the option to create a map or "zoom in" to get details on a couple of neighboring countries. There are only a couple of instances where the closest "zoom" will show an individual country (like New Zealand, Australia, Ireland/Northern Ireland), most show a continental region (like Southern Africa or Korean peninsula). The USA category can be explored by state or by region. In a similar manner to the countries, states are shown with their neighbors (though neighbors are only labeled with the state name and rivers if selected). The category for historical maps is further divided by time period: Ancient (Creation 33AD), Middle Ages (33 1456), Renaissance and Reformation (1457 1707), and Modern (1708 Present). Thematic maps include American history, Explorers, Native Americans, World Wars, Biblical Maps, 20th Century Treaties, and Chinese Dynasties. You can access different maps through several means. The first is the "zoom in" process described above. The second is via the left-hand navigation that pops up as soon as you select any category. This lists all of the major regions or time periods in the category so you can pick from the list quickly. The third way to access maps is via one of the alphabetical indexes unique to each of the four main categories.

The content doesn't end there. All of the maps used in Mystery of History volumes 1-4 and All American History volumes 1-2 are included in the program. When you select one of those volumes you can either scroll through all of the maps or use the left-hand navigation to find the required map. These maps are not customizable, but are presented as they would be used in the programs.

Another useful feature is the Teacher's Guide. The resources of the TG will be helpful for learning about this program as well as teaching geography in general: quick start guide, tutorial video, user manual, downloadable MP3 workshops on "Loving Geography" and "Packing a Punch with Timelines and Maps", and several lessons adapted from the book "Hands-On Geography": 50 bright ideas for using outline maps, the 5 themes of geography, how to make a salt-dough map, history and geography, 16 easy mapping projects, and Joseph's Journey.

As far as supplemental geography resources go, this one is fantastic in scope and depth. With over 350 different maps and the ability to customize as needed, you can incorporate maps and geography into any lesson with ease. Compatible with Windows through Windows 10 or Mac and requires Adobe Reader 12.0 or higher. ~Zach