Recommended Books and Resources

On this page you’ll find the recommended books and resources for Global Explorers, along with how they are implemented into the overall curriculum. Of course, you may choose to use all of them or simply omit any that do not fit your family’s needs.

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Geography & Culture

DK’s Countries of the World: Our World in Pictures – Begin each unit study with a general overview of every country.
Smithsonian Children’s Illustrated Atlas – Explore maps, learn about exports and industry, and practice estimating the distance between places using the provided scale.
Lonely Planet’s This Is My World: Meet 84 Kids From Around the Globe – Meet kids from around the world as they share about their families, their communities, their favorite activities and meals, and their dreams and aspirations.
The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide for the World’s Most Adventurous Kid – Read about some of the world’s most amazing natural wonders.
Cooking Class Global Feast!: 44 Recipes That Celebrate the World’s Cultures – Explore global cuisine while practicing culinary skills.
This Is How I Do It: One Day in the Life of You and 59 Real Kids from Around the World – Have fun journaling while learning about other cultures and countries.

global explorers curriculum books and resources including DK Countries of the World, How to Make Hand-Drawn Maps, Cooking Class: Global Feast, The Flag Book, Smithsonian Children's Illustrated Atlas, and The Wondrous Workings of Science and Nature Coloring Book

Language Arts

Circle Round – Listen to folk tales from around the world, complete journal prompts, and practice narration skills.
The Writing Revolution: A Guide to Advancing Thinking Through Writing in All Subjects and Grades – Complete sentence strategy activities tailored to each country and Circle Round folk tales.
Global Explorers Book List and Literature Guide – Read books from each country with your children, incorporating additional learning extensions and discussion topics as desired.
Making Words or Making Big Words – Practice phonemic awareness and spelling with a related “Making Words” activity for each country.
Global Explorers Book Passes – Track, rate, and record books related to each country using a book list tailored to each country.
Global Explorers Vocabulary Journal – Research and record new vocabulary words you discover through your country studies.

Creative Arts

Artist Study – Discover new artists, musicians, writers, and poets and explore suggested activity guides and project ideas.
Carnegie Hall’s Musical Explorers Program – Listen, sing, and dance to music from around the world.
How to Make Hand-Drawn Maps – Make maps and explore cartographic skills to supplement literature, science, character education, and geography.

How to Make Hand-Drawn Maps with art supplies and rhythm sticks

Character Education

The Virtues Project – Learn more about virtues that are important to people of all cultures. Choose between The Family Virtues Guide: Simple Ways to Bring Out the Best in Our Children and Ourselves (non-secular) or Virtues Cards: Educator’s Edition (secular).
Daily Positive Affirmation Cards for Kids – Boost confidence and help your children feel empowered by affirming their own virtues every day.

Science

Waseca’s Introduction to the Biomes Elementary Curriculum – present corresponding science lessons, utilizing nomenclature cards and black-line masters to give students the opportunity to conduct independent research.
Janice VanCleave’s Science Around the World: Activities on Biomes from Pole to Pole – have fun with these hands-on learning activities and experiments related to a topic pertaining to each country.
The Global Explorers Journal – document interesting animals and plants found in each country
Activity Guides – dive deeper into topics of study using recommended activity guides.

Supplemental Resources

Global Kids: 50+ Games, Crafts, Recipes & More from Around the World – incorporate these fun and engaging activities alongside your country studies.
Mapominoes – become more familiar with each country’s location and national flag playing this unique take on the classic game of dominoes.
Montrose Biology’s Ecologies card game – supplement your study of the biomes and ecology by playing this game throughout the school year.