Item #: 014495
ISBN: 9781931397155
Retail: $18.95
Rainbow Price: $14.20

This book literally blazes a trail through geography - all you have to do is follow it! Cindy Wiggers has done a terrific job of combining questions, mapping, and other activities into a fun, easy-to-teach approach to geography. Intended as a thirty-six week program, the first twenty-seven of these include a variety of activities. The first weeks encompass the world as a whole; then you focus on different regions continent by continent. Within each week there are several different methods of learning. One of these, Geography Trails, provides questions four days a week that will improve the student’s ability to use maps to locate countries, capitals, bodies of water, and landforms, teach them valuable geography terms and learn many geography facts. Different questions are given for grades 2-4, 5-7, and 8-10, so that you can use this book for children at different levels at the same time. The questions are based on the content of three recommended atlases (one for each age group) which are listed in the key resources below. Additional geography activities for every week are in the form of “Points of Interest,� where you can take time to learn more extensively. Activities to choose from include mapping, researching, suggestions for art projects, and weekly projects to compile into your very own geography notebook. Then it’s Geography through Literature for the last nine weeks as you read through Around the World in 80 Days. Questions for each chapter are provided, as are ideas for additional research and spelling and vocabulary words. Happy trails!

Please note that that this course provides a framework for studying world geography, and relies on additional resources for reference, maps, and activities. Required resources include: Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne (if you are planning on completing the literature portion of the study) and one or more of the recommended atlases (depending on the age of the student(s). Three other “key� recommended resources you will rely heavily on for many of the activities include the Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide, Uncle Josh’s Map Book (in book form, or CD-ROM), and Visual Manna’s Teaching Geography Through Art (for the art in geography lessons). Although you could make the study work without these, they are often referred to in the lessons, and the program would work much more easily with them. These and other recommended resources are listed below. An almanac is also recommended, in case you don’t have one on hand, we recommend the World Alamanac & Book of Facts. A Geographical Terms chart is also recommended; we are unable to offer this specifc one, but it is available from Geography Matters. ~ Stephanie

Item #: 028741
ISBN: 9780792236955
Retail: $35.00
Rainbow Price: $26.95

If anyone can show us the history of the world, it is National Geographic. From the earliest times through 2005, the history of the world is described, outlined, and shown in full color. The book begins with a discussion of “prehistory� as an alternative to creation – a section that spends about 30 pages guessing and assuming an alternative theory of early history. Actual recorded history is divided into 7 time periods: First Empires (ca. 7000 B.C.-200A.D), Ancient World (2500 B.C.-900 A.D.), Middle Ages (5th-15th Century), Early Modern Period (16th-18th Century), Modern Era (1789-1914), World Wars and Interwar Period (1914-1945), and the Contemporary World (1945-2005). Each of these sections is packed with information-rich text, photos, paintings, illustrations, maps, and short bios. There are two types of timelines in the book: a running timeline along the bottom of each page, which details the date of events and important people through history, and 4 fold-out timelines – one of the Roman Empire, one for the Reformation, one chronicling the French Revolution, and one covering WWII. Point to note: there are photos and paintings that show nudity and dead bodies. 636 pgs, hc.

Item #: 038146
ISBN: 9781587923203
Retail: $2.49
Rainbow Price: $1.95

Introduce young students to basic geography terms with this colorful poster. Basically, it’s a colorful outdoor scene with a wide variety of landscapes represented. On the colorful poster, 46 basic geographic items are labeled (like glacier, forest, hill, peninsula, gulf, desert, bay, atoll, and cliff). It’s a great way for students to visualize different geographic features. The back of the poster includes a few geography activities for students to complete. Poster measures 17� x 22� . ~ Rachel

Item #: 006063
ISBN: 9780825128806
Retail: $26.00
Rainbow Price: $17.50

A wonderful way to incorporate geography into your world studies! Besides teaching basic map concepts like longitude and latitude, they help teach the facts and ideas of history; each map becoming a do-it-yourself visual aid. There are 35 map activities in all - each with a research and instruction sheet and a map to be completed, that span history from “Ancient Near East� to “Africa: The New Nations� . Some maps are examples of historic concepts and terms. The map of Africa in 1914, for example, is a vivid portrayal of the concept of imperialism. Some activities are self-contained, some require reference to a text, others require some research in an atlas or encyclopedia. These sheets are not keyed to a particular text, but should work well with whatever text or course you choose - or use by itself as a survey course. A key is provided for each of the exercises, but there is no key for the map work. Sheets are reproducible (for within your home.)

Item #: 006624
ISBN: 9780794508159
Retail: $14.99
Rainbow Price: $11.50

If a picture is worth a thousand words, these are worth a million! Profusely illustrated with lively, but sparse, text, this volume would appeal greatly to a visual learner. The cutaway diagrams, maps and timeline features are very helpful. Like the first edition Kingfisher Illustrated History of the World, most pages incorporate a timeline of events during the period covered on the page-spread. A bottom of the page timeline shows in shaded color the period covered. Medieval World goes from 500 AD to 1500, beginning with the destruction of the Roman Empire and ending with the birth of the Renaissance. Very attractive overviews that your children will read for fun (and pick up a lot of history along the way).

Item #: 030666
ISBN: 9780794508166
Retail: $14.99
Rainbow Price: $11.50

In typical, fascinating Usborne style, this updated volume takes readers on a whirlwind tour of 10,000 years of history, from the first farmers to the fall of the Roman Empire. Unlike many other books that focus on this time period, the focus is not only on the Greeks and Romans, but early civilizations from around the world are also represented, including the Hittites, Canaanites, the Hebrew kingdoms, Assyrians, Persians, the early Chinese, early Arab kingdoms, early North Americans, the people of ancient Peru, the Olmecs, the Celts, early African kingdoms, and many more. The focus is more on daily life than events of the time, and examples of housing, architecture, art, weapons, tombs, agriculture, and more are represented for each time period. Visual types will enjoy the cut-away views of structures so they can “see inside� houses and tombs of each civilization. A map and a list of important dates are also included for each civilization. Most pages also include a link to check out a related website that gives readers an opportunity to do things like hear how a Hittite would have said “hello� or play a game of Senet. An excellent resource for any study of ancient history. 96 pgs, pb. – Jess

Item #: 032533
ISBN: 9780753465752
Retail: $39.99
Rainbow Price: $26.50

Don’t think of this as a dusty old encyclopedia; think of it as an exciting, fascinating visual tour across the globe. With page after page of incredible photographs, specially commissioned computer-generated maps, clear, concise, easy to- read text, and fact panels providing the latest figures and information, enthusiastic explorers and casual readers alike will be enthralled. Not only does this encyclopedia cover each country of the world individually, the first and last chapters are packed with yet more information and pictures, broken down as follows. The first chapter is all about the physical earth, with 47 pages about the formation of earth, earth’s rotation, inside earth, earth’s magnetism, continental drift, earthquakes, volcanoes, rocks and minerals, the rock cycle, mountain building, rivers and lakes, oceans and seas, landscaping by water, landscaping by ice, landscaping by wind, soil, the atmosphere, climate, world climate zones, weather, human impact, world population growth, the future, mapmaking, the physical earth, countries of the world, and earth statistics. The last chapter is a .ready reference. section, with pages covering world biomes, world water, winds and ocean currents, world pollution, biodiversity and extinction, world health, world education, world wealth, world energy, world commodities, world trade, time zones, world organizations, world religions, world communications, and world statistics. Containing essential information on all the world’s countries, the authors have also included some evolutionary theories about the formation of the earth, and time spans for certain things may stretch back millions and billions of years. As a whole, though, as with any other Kingfisher book, you will not be disappointed. ~Zach

Item #: 025756
ISBN: 9780825146152
Retail: $25.00
Rainbow Price: $19.25

Every so often in one of my college classes, a professor would show a video or small clip to illustrate a point. I always enjoyed this change-up from a normal lecture, as did most of the other students. Historical films can be a great addition to the classroom. Not only do they provide variety for learning and stimulate students’ interest, but also the visual history will make the events which happened long ago more real and believable for students. This book features 16 historic films covering 16 historic events to engage students in world history. Time periods and movies discussed include Ulysses, Ancient Greece; A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Ancient Rome; The Lion in Winter, The Middle Ages; The Agony and the Ecstasy, The Renaissance; A Man for all Seasons, The Reformation; Cromwell, the crises of the 17th century; Napoleon, The French Revolution and Napoleon; Germinal, the Industrial Revolution; Zulu Dawn, Imperialism; All Quiet on the Western Front, World War I; Nicholas and Alexandra, the Russian Revolution; Gandhi,: the decline of colonialism; Conspiracy, the Holocaust; A Bridge too Far, World War II; Hope and Glory, World War II; and Xiu Xiu: the Sent Down Girl, the end of the 20th century. Smaller units provide film suggestions for prehistory and the origins of civilization and exploration without the teacher’s part and student questions. This book would be a good, stand-alone overview of the different events included or a great supplement to your regular lessons on each topic. For each film the minutes, rating if applicable, background, synopsis of the plot, ideas for class discussion, other related books, materials and media resources, and actors/actresses starring in the film are given, along with a “What to watch for� section to read before watching the movie. There is also a section for taking brief notes on major points while watching. After the film is viewed, vocabulary and questions based on the film are provided, similar to the questions found in a literature guide. Several of the featured movies are noted as having an “R� rating. The guide recommends that teachers skip scenes that are offensive, although in a homeschool environment, this would entail you previewing the film before deciding which scenes you would want to skip, or how much of the film you would want to use. If your family enjoys movies, I have a feeling that you may have a crowd sitting in on these history lessons...

Item #: 033158
Retail: $15.99
Rainbow Price: $12.25

One chart for each continent! These full-color charts are detailed maps labeled to show the countries, states, capitals, bodies of water, and major landmarks. Lines of longitude and latitude are also given. The charts are 17� x 22� in size and made from sturdy un-laminated cardstock. On the back of each chart are four reproducible worksheets about the continent for use in your classroom. These attractive wall charts will be great visuals for your study of the continents of the world. - elise

Item #: 033752
Retail: $13.99
Rainbow Price: $10.95
GeoCards are jumbo sized cards – 6� x 4.5� – that combine visual appeal with 5 easy-to-learn games. The world deck includes 50 cards of the world’s largest countries and the USA deck covers all 50 states. The games included are straightforward and differ slightly between decks. Both include games of solitaire, name the capitals, war, and 20 questions. The world deck then includes a game for collecting all the countries from a single continent, while the USA deck includes a game where you match the borders of neighboring states. The cards are glossy, bright, and colorful, with one side showing with the country or state, its population, and area; the other side shows the country or state surrounded by its neighbors and with its capital (and state nickname) labeled.

Item #: 027650
ISBN: 9780753463888
Retail: $24.99
Rainbow Price: $17.95

Reading about history is one thing; seeing pictures of historical artifacts, people, and places is another thing altogether. Each appeals in a different way. How fantastic is a resource that melds the two together, so you can see where things were taking place around the globe, and how people and places changed through the ages. By tying world history to maps, we get a colorful text that depicts history visually across the globe and through time. There are more than 60 hand-illustrated maps, all in full color, which are accompanied by authoritative text (in bite-sized paragraphs), timelines, and photos of people, places, and artifacts. The book looks as far back as 10,000 BC (which is not as far back as many secular history texts) and then divides history into four time periods: Ancient World, Medieval World, Exploration and Empire, and the Modern World (since 1800). 192 pages in hardcover, this book is durable enough to be enjoyed by the entire family. – Zach

Item #: 005954
ISBN: 9781568558868
Retail: $19.99
Rainbow Price: $15.95

Journey back in time to see the seven wonders of the ancient world with this fascinating DVD. Narrated by Pierce Brosnan, this DVD explains the history behind the Pyramid of Giza, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Statue of Zeus at Olympia, and more. The presentations contain plenty of live footage of these amazing sights, plus re-enactments by costumed interpreters of the significant people and events surrounding the construction of these landmarks. Maps, computer graphics, and other visuals help bring the structures to life. The DVD’s Extra Features section contains information about Alexander’s connection to the Seven Wonders plus brief presentations on Seven Alternate Wonders that could qualify as the Eighth Wonder. (The Parthenon, Great Wall of China, and Colosseum are some of the contenders for that eighth spot.) A great supplement to any study of the ancient world. Runtime is over 2 hrs. ~ Lisa

Item #: 037757
ISBN: 9781594640933
Retail: $19.99
Rainbow Price: $15.95

If you’ve ever dreamed of taking a year and traveling around the world to see all of the most magnificent sights, this movie is for you. It shows you all the natural and manmade landmarks that people most often visit when sightseeing, along with famous buildings, historical sights, traditional festivals, and breath-taking views. It takes you to countries and places at the perfect time of year to catch the area’s best attractions. The camera zooms in on the sights and makes the viewer feel like they are actually at the locations looking at the sights. A pleasant, male voice in the background points out interesting and historical information. It’s like having a tour guide with you as you travel around the world. Once the DVD is finished showing and describing one area, a map of the world is shown as the tour moves onto another area. The DVD menu allows you to either view the entire one-year trip around the world or break it up into mini-trips to Europe and the Middle East, Africa and Asia, and Australia and the Americas. Through this visual presentation, you’ll be able to do such things as celebrate New Year’s Eve in Paris, explore Egypt’s tombs, observe Africa’s wildebeest migration, walk China’s Great Wall, see the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, travel the Grand Canyon by mule, and end the year with Christmas in New York. Learn about different cultures, faraway lands, and historical events from around the world with this entertaining and fact-filled movie. The DVD is actually three movies put together, and each section is about 55 minutes long, making the entire DVD run 2 hours and 45 minutes. Because few have the time and money to take a year to travel around the world and see all the best sights, we offer this DVD as the next best thing. From the Reader’s Digest Classic Collection. Rachel

Item #: 018029
Retail: $129.99
Rainbow Price: $99.95
This globe guides young children on an exciting interactive adventure to introduce geography basics. Like the original GeoSafari Talking Globe, it uses quiz games to familiarize children with geography. Two game modes and variable subjects allow children to learn geography with spoken and visual clues, then immediately quiz each lesson. Digital voice technology, sound, and music add entertainment and educational value. An illustrated 12� globe has just the right amount of detail and color-coding to make it fun and easy for young children to read. Features adjustable volume, question repeat, help button, lights, and sounds. Variable subject selection lets you focus learning on continents, countries, US states, or oceans. The simple, colorful globe and multiple-choice questions are perfect for beginning geography students. One to three players, requires four “C� batteries or an AC adapter (sold separately).

Item #: 007961
ISBN: 9780528004643
Retail: $7.00
Rainbow Price: $5.25
The next level up from the Beginner World Atlas, the Intermediate Atlas has more detail, more maps, more photos, more graphs, and more thematic maps of all the continents – including Antarctica – for those students between atlases for children and atlases for adults. The layout is very similar to the Beginner Atlas, with a “how to use� section kicking things off, followed by seven different thematic maps of the world, and then a closer look at each continent in turn. Each continent section has physical maps, political maps, thematic maps (showing natural hazards, climate, environments, population, economies, transportation, and energy - though not for every continent), and many photographs of man-made and natural features. In full color, and including geographical and political comparison tables on the inside front and back covers, this atlas is a visually appealing exploration of the world. ~ Zach

Item #: 033767
Retail: $13.99
Rainbow Price: $10.95
GeoCards are jumbo sized cards – 6� x 4.5� – that combine visual appeal with 5 easy-to-learn games. The world deck includes 50 cards of the world’s largest countries and the USA deck covers all 50 states. The games included are straightforward and differ slightly between decks. Both include games of solitaire, name the capitals, war, and 20 questions. The world deck then includes a game for collecting all the countries from a single continent, while the USA deck includes a game where you match the borders of neighboring states. The cards are glossy, bright, and colorful, with one side showing with the country or state, its population, and area; the other side shows the country or state surrounded by its neighbors and with its capital (and state nickname) labeled.

Item #: 011952
ISBN: 9781928860082
Retail: $12.95
Rainbow Price: $11.50

Over 60 composers from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and 20th Century eras listed in color coded fashion. Major works listed.

Item #: 022390
ISBN: 9780804834094
Retail: $14.95
Rainbow Price: $11.25

Step back in time and experience ancient China with this collection of 30 traditional Chinese folk tales. The stories are framed around the Ling family, a fictional but typical wealthy family of old China. Some of the stories included are How Pan Ku Made the World, The Painted Eyebrow, The Daughter of the Dragon King, and Two Dutiful Sons. These classic stories have been collected from a variety of sources, and beautiful black and white illustrations visually bring these stories to life. As the Ling grandmother tells the stories to her grandchildren, the frame story does a particularly fine job of explaining the daily routine and customs of an ancient Chinese household. By Frances Carpenter; illus. by Malthe Hasselriis. 261 pgs, pb. ~ Lisa

Item #: 006340
ISBN: 9780825143496
Retail: $26.00
Rainbow Price: $19.95

A set of 25 map activities to help you incorporate geography into your study of U.S. history. Requiring no preparation time, these are activities to be used independently by students with any text or study of the U.S. to help student visualize events and movements in U.S. History. As with the World History Map Activities, each exercise includes an instruction/worksheet and a map to complete. Maps and activities are reproducible for your home school only, so you will need only one copy. Answers are included to all worksheet activities and map exercises. This book is extremely well-done, covering every phase of U.S. history from discovery through “American Involvement in Vietnam.�

Item #: 014822
ISBN: 9781564902849
Retail: $15.95
Rainbow Price: $13.75

Item #: 020872
ISBN: 9780883881323
Retail: $4.95
Rainbow Price: $4.50

Follow the development of our flag through history. Interesting text accompanies this fascinating colorable history from the Pilgrim era of America to modern times.

Item #: 033832
ISBN: 9781594640636
Retail: $29.99
Rainbow Price: $23.75

These DVDs take you as close to life in ancient civilizations as you can get in the 21st century through historical reenactments, computer reconstructions, graphics and photographs, and other stimulating visuals to accompany the engaging narration. Six disks explore Rome and Pompeii, Athens and ancient Greece, the land of the pharaohs, the fall of the Aztec & Maya empires, gladiators, and the rule of Cleopatra. Each DVD runs between 65 and 120 minutes, nine and a half hours of footage altogether, along with unique bonus features on each disc.

Item #: 012327
ISBN: 9780486476810
Retail: $9.99
Rainbow Price: $8.25

Item #: 035976
ISBN: 9781556525988
Retail: $17.95
Rainbow Price: $13.25

This readable, chatty book by Harvey Croze, an elephant expert who lives in Nairobi, brings to life the vast cultures and history of Africa while dispelling stereotypes and highlighting the things that make Africa beautiful, diverse, and unique. It is broken into three main sections. The first is titled African Continent and discusses all aspects of geology, from landforms to rivers to weather to natural resources. The second, Habitats, Plants, and Animals, talks about the various environments and territories that make Africa so beautiful. The third section, People and Places, describes the different cultures of Africa both past and present, highlighting specific people and places. Studies of both traditional tribes and modern African cities show Africa’s diversity. While the book points out the beauty and importance of Africa, it also highlights many of the problems the continent deals with. Conservation problems, urban poverty, child soldiers, AIDS, and other challenges Africa faces are explained and described in a way children can understand. From information about the early civilizations to modern events, the book gives a great look at the habitats, animals, and people that make Africa such a fascinating continent. Full-color photos and maps add visual appeal to the interesting information, and colorful designs are printed behind much of the text. An added benefit is the many activities that are sprinkled throughout the book. With a list of materials and step-by-step, numbered directions, the book shows students how to make crafts like a ritual elephant mask and a Maasai bivouac shelter, work as a field biologist, learn how to tie an African Kanga dress, write a fable in the African style, and more. This cross-cultural study shows kids what challenges Africa faces today while giving them a look at the dramatic history and various cultures of the modern country. Note that there is some evolutionary content surrounding the age of Africa and early civilizations. 144 pgs, pb. ~ Rachel

Item #: 006922
Retail: $16.00
Rainbow Price: $12.95

Item #: 007321
Retail: $11.00
Rainbow Price: $8.95

Item #: 012482
ISBN: 9780773759251
Retail: $10.95
Rainbow Price: $9.25

In this beautifully-illustrated book, the haunting lines of John McCrae’s famous poem are interwoven with historical information about World War I and biographical details of John McCrae’s life and his experiences as a war surgeon. Each line of the poem is accompanied by a beautiful, reflective oil painting of the scene the line brings to mind, and after each verse, several informational pages impart details of a soldier’s life during the war and explain how John McCrae’s poem came to be. Black-and-white photos and full-color war posters add visual interest to the informational pages and offer readers a glimpse into life in the trenches as well. Both beautiful and sobering, this book serves as a tribute to the brave men who served in World War I and also to the harsh realities of a long, exhausting war. - Jess

Item #: 008760
ISBN: 9780981609300
Retail: $19.95
Rainbow Price: $17.95

Another title in the “art through the core� series by Visual Manna, this one is a great complement to Teaching Geography Through Art (see description). Some of the topics and countries visited include mountains, islands, gardens, lighthouses, cities, bridges and architecture, ballet, Italy, Germany, Russia, and Holland. Along the way, kids will be exposed to many different masterpieces (black and white reproductions, unfortunately!) and art techniques - drawing, painting, sculpting, etc. and be encouraged to try their hand at these mediums. 82 pgs. The book is also available on CD, consisting of PDF files of the actual book so you can print off the pages you want, as you need them. ~ Melissa

Item #: 040087
ISBN: 9781602140066
Retail: $6.95
Rainbow Price: $5.75

This fold-out timeline is visually appealing and full of interesting information. It starts with George Washington and ends with George W. Bush with photos and important details about each figure. Additional information is given on the White House, civil rights achievements, a map of the White House, presidential pets, job responsibilities, famous first ladies, and more.The timeline is made out of full color, durable cardstock, folding out to a whopping 63� x 11� . One side features an actual timeline full of dates, full-color photos and illustrations with captions, and the other side includes additional facts and graphics. Folded up, the timelines measure 6.5� x 11� . ~ Rachel

Item #: 023957
ISBN: 9780140512496
Retail: $16.00
Rainbow Price: $10.50

In a remarkably fluid manner, this reference shows the political, religious, and trade changes occurring in Europe, North Africa and the Near East from A.D. 362 to A.D. 1483. There are 47 maps in all, arranged in six sections. Each section features five to six maps, spaced in intervals of about 40 years which show the political boundaries of the area at that time. The last map or two included in each section depicts the territories of Christianity and Islam, and various other maps may also be included that show trade routes and cities of the period, population of various regions, or further exploration of the world. Each two-page spread consists of the map on the right-hand page, with the left-hand page providing a detailed commentary on the changes that are reflected on the map. While the commentary may be a little advanced for younger students, the maps provide an easier-to-understand visual look at the known world of the period, and could be used as visuals for a wider range of students with some explanation. The maps themselves feature black-and-white land territories and blue bodies of water. Various shading patterns make it easy to distinguish the territories of different kingdoms and peoples. Additional notes and an index are also included. A fairly compact guide, this would make an excellent supplemental resource to any in-depth study of medieval history, where students can actually “see� the shift from Roman to early modern times. - Jess