What are some ideas for a project that I could have my 10 &9 year old sons do together?

Question

We are currently doing a unit study on Geography. So far we've covered Oceania and Africa. Once we are done with all the continents, I would like to have them do a project together. They have never had to do anyting like this before, so we both are (they will be) a little stumped. I'm not at all sure what I could have them do and would surely appreciate any ideas.

Answer 1

I'd have the 10 year old write a 5 page paper on a specific country and its culture in Africa (i.e., Zimbabwe for instance); the nine year old, I might have write a one page paper. The 10 year old, I'd expect information about the culture, (i.e., information about a specific tribe, about the general culture, or a little about its history), while the 9 year old, maybe about the facts (i.e., the country's capital, language, climate(s), religion(s), and topography (i.e., the Congo has forests while Kenya has many mountains). At that age, you aren't really seeking form, organization, or conciseness, but merely looking for ideas and good grammar as well as being able to learn about a region. I'd also have the 10 year old add what was expected of the 9 year old. I'd take it from brain-storming, to rough draft, to second draft(s), ..., and to final draft. I'd show the 10 year old the importance of editing and revising, while the 9 year old, I'd work solely on editing (i.e. for grammar and spelling).

I think having a little Anthropology can be extremely interesting and can captivate their interest. Using the reference librarian for the first time will be an experience for your 2 kids.

At the very least, it is a good idea to know the 50 state capitals. Learning geography is very good.

Answer 2

A five page paper is a little extreme for a 10 year old..I don't know many 10 year olds that organize their thoughts well enough to do that yet!

Anyway, the possiblities are endless. You could make a 3-D map of area with mountain ranges and rivers made out of clay. Posters . You could have them make a website (yahoo geocities is easy to figure out) with research they've done on a particular region.

You could compare your local climate with the climate of other regions. You could sew traditional clothing from different countries.

Answer 3

Would they be interested in making a lapbook about what they are learning?  They could do one for each continent.

Here is some information on lapbooking:

http://www.homeschoolingonashoestring.co...

They could also make a craft or recipe or demonstrate an activity from some of the countries they have studied.  Here's some information on homeschooling history:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

Answer 4

MAke a diagram of one of the different climate zones.