ABC and 123: A Learning Collaborative: Expedition Earth Curriculum Giveaway!

Monday, November 8, 2010

Expedition Earth Curriculum Giveaway!

This giveaway is now closed, thank you to everyone who entered and congratulations to Katie, comment #29, who said, "I follow Erica via facebook"

Today we'd normally have our regular contributors Erica from Confessions of a Homeschooler's Play to Learn feature. She's done some really wonderful posts for us, just filled with tons of great ideas for fun hands-on learning! We really appreciate all of her hard work and willingness to share her activities! Erica has so much enthusiasm for education and it's been our pleasure and privledge to have her!

Erica is one busy wife, mother, homeschooler, digital scrapbook designer, and very active with many different groups. We're happy that Erica will be continuing to be a part of ABC & 123: A Learning Cooperative! She'll just be moving to the second Monday of each month. So please be sure to join her each month!

As many of you know, Erica has a wildly popular Letter of the Week Curriculum. Both Katies have had the pleasure of reviewing it, and find it to be extremely helpful. In case you didn't know, Erica also has a second curriculum, Expedition Earth and she's has generously agreed to give a downloadable version to one of our readers!

Here is a little bit about it, from her website:
Expedition Earth: A Journey Through God’s World

Expedition Earth is a geography unit study that covers 31 countries across the world. It is designed primarily for K-3 students. I am going to do this with my prek, 1st, and 2nd graders together. I won’t expect my prek to do reports, but she should be able to learn the country names, songs, languages, pray and do all the fun crafts and recipe activities I have planned!

The curriculum has 164 pages of fun activities and even includes a Craft Supply Shopping List for each country just to make your life a little easier!

Each country comes with a Monday – Friday Lesson plan that includes mapping, country flags, ecosystems, People, animals, recipes, crafts and more!

Click here to download a sample of our Brazil Week

  • 7 Wonders of the World
  • Geographical Location
  • Science: Ecosystems Study
  • Geography Vocabulary
  • People of the Region
  • How to Pray for the Regions
  • Christmas around the world
  • Children like me
  • Science: Animals mini-books for each country
  • Science: Animal Classification Study
  • Food and recipes
  • Craft activities
  • Country Songs
  • Fun activities and games

Language study: Each country comes with a fun flashcard to help you learn how to say “hello” in the main language of the country!

Additional activities for older students: Depending on the age of your student you may want some additional challenge. I have created 5 reports that your student can complete depending on interest or skill level.

  • Country Report
  • Continent Report
  • Animal Report
  • Ecosystem Report
  • Children Like Me Report

Printable Passport: No world wide expedition would be complete without a fun souvenir for the students! Expedition Earth comes with a fun printable passport that you can use to stamp for each country visited. I suggest world flag stickers in the Resources List, however I have also included printable flags that can be glued on as well.Book Basket: I suggest visiting your local library or doing an internet search for countries that interest your child. They can use the book basket during their free reading time for a fun educational experience! There is an additional reading resource section to help with the book basket.

What We Thought of Expedition Earth:

I honestly loved it! Expedition Earth is really well thought out, very organized, well rounded and all inclusive. I kept thinking, this must have taken a really long time to put together, as I persused it.

The hyperlinks to materials listed on the weekly lesson plans are very helpful. I could see how it would be a big timesaver not have to hunt down resources, printable maps, etc. for each country while planning. I was also immediately impressed with how Erica provided not just a curriculum but also support for the educator, through the resources, which include how to organize your binder and materials and printable pages for reports.

At four years old, my daughter is too young for most of the activities, however we've been slowly making our way through some of the suggested literature for the book basket and she really likes getting a new sticker for her passport and singing the songs from the Wee Sing CD. Plus many of the crafts or supplemental activities like cooking lessons are appropriate ways for her to be introduced to the different countries.

If you are a fan of Erica's early childhood Letter of the Week curriculum, you'll will be ecstatic to have another curriculum available for you to use as your learners get older! Bottom line, Expedition Earth is well worth the price!

Purchase!

Erica's Expedition Earth Curriculum is available as a download for $15 and there is also a $20 CD version. Please visit her site for links to purchase.

Giveaway!

One reader will win a downloadable copy of Expedition Earth, a $15 value!

To Enter:

Tell us why you are excited about Expedition Earth Curriculum! Does one feature in particular sound great, who will you use it with? Tell us!

Extra Entries: Please read directions for additional entry methods carefully, you must leave seperate comments for each extra entry or them will not count! Do not list them all in one comment or you will only get one entry!

  • Tell us which activity from Erica's Play to Learn series you like the most.
  • Check out the Expedition Earth activities Erica has shared and tell us which one you like the most.
  • Subscribe to Erica's blog: Confessions of a Homeschooler, follow her via Google Friends Connect, Twitter, and/or Facebook. One additonal entry for each method of follow, leave a seperate comment for each way you stay in contact with Erica.
  • Subscribe to our blog: ABC & 123: A Learning Cooperative, follow us via Google Friends Connect, Twitter, and/or Facebook. One additonal entry for each method of follow, leave a seperate comment for each way you stay in contact.
  • Provide a text link, blog post, or share this giveaway via Facebook or Twitter. One addtional entry for each way you share it, leave us a seperate comment for each one and a way for us to see how you shared, i.e. link to your post etc.
Freebie! Erica has a FREE animal unit study called Expedition Earth: Discovering God’s Animals supplement for the country study that includes animals found in each country. Don't forget to check it out! There's also a link to another coordinating freebie on her listing for Expedition Earth, scroll down to the bottom to get the Continent Hop Scotch!

Fine Print & Disclousure: This giveaway is open for two weeks, now through Nov. 22 at midnight EST to our readers, worldwide. Winner will be chosen by random.org and notified by email. Winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new one will be chosen. A reviewer's copy of the curriculum was provide and all opinions expressed are personal and unbiased.

82 comments:

  1. I would love to win this unit to use with my daughter and future children. Although she is still too young yet we love to travel and I would love to show her the world through travel and studies! I am new to the whole homeschooling and am hoping to purchase her letter of the week curriculum soon as well!

    ReplyDelete
  2. The thing that appeals to me the most is how she included activities for the older children as well. With one 11 year old, and one 5 year old, it's hard to find things for them to do together.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I subscribe to this blog through Google Reader.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I subscribe to Erica's blog through Google Reader.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've been watching her Expedition Earth series for awhile now. I think the thing that impressed me the most was when she and her children built the Great Wall of China.

    ReplyDelete
  6. The one thing in the play to learn that we've tried is the shaving cream spelling. But I'm also hoping to do more with manipulatives, like the pom poms and clothespins.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This would be so much fun to have. I am a mother of 3 so I would use it for all of them! I love teaching as many things as I can with cross curriculum ideas. This would be so helpful to do this. I also am finishing up my degree to become a teacher and this would be a fun kit to add to my stock pile for my own classroom! Thanks for the opportunity.
    Rebecca@RootsAndWingsCo

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've been looking at this curriculum for next year. I have 4 kids and I love all the crafts and songs she's included.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. My favorite thing that Erica has done with expedition earth I'd The Great Wall of China and how she takes her family out to eat at all the different restaurants that fit the culture they are studying that week. I have four girls and would love to incorporate this into our curriculum and possibly as a part of our co-op. I also love her idea of expedition earths Gods animals!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am a subscriber to Ericas blog.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am a fan of confessions on facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I have been eyeing up this cirriculum for a few months now. We just finished up a brief study of India offered by Sonlight and my kids really enjoyed it. I realized during that study that we have not done any formal geography study yet. It is hard to pick on thing that I really like because it all looks cool. I would use it with my oldest 3 children 8, 6 and 4. tiffanyjohnson74@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I follow Erica's blog.
    tiffanyjohnson74@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I follow Erica on FB
    tiffanyjohnson74@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I subscribe to the ABC&123 blog
    tiffanyjohnson74@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I follow ABC&123 on FB
    tiffanyjohnson74@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I shared this on FB
    tiffanyjohnson74@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I follow Erica through Facebook
    dani welch

    ReplyDelete
  20. dani.welch at yahoo.comNovember 8, 2010 at 2:02 PM

    I shared this link to all my FB friends

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love the passport idea. It makes the kids feel like they're visiting the country! Great giveaway.
    markntiff777@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I follow Confessions of a homeschooler on FB.
    markntiff777@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love the all encompasing aspect of this study. Love when kids get excited about learning more about the world.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Besides the fact that I already enjoy her writing and creativity on the blog, I like the fact that there are things for older children as well....my younger two are 3 and 10 so it would allow me to teach both simultaneously, a rarity!

    Eddie erind35(at)yahoo(dot)ca

    ReplyDelete
  25. I love it!! I have a 3rd grader and K. I would love to win this. I think it is great to have lapbooking things to crafts to learning new words. I really loved the great wall of China that Erica's kids built. I follow Erica on FB and her news letter. I will be following you on FB also. Thansk!
    Amy L.
    ma061899@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  26. I have already gotten the free accompanying content, and I would love to have the full program

    Katie
    aclassofherown(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I follow Erica via google connect

    Katie
    aclassofherown(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I follow Erica via twitter (Class413)

    Katie
    aclassofherown(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I follow Erica via facebook

    Katie Abbott
    aclassofherown(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I follow this blog via google connect

    Katie
    aclassofherown(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I subscribe to Confessions of a Homeschooler.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I would use this with my kids, 4-12. I like how they can all work together, but at different levels. My favorite feature is Children Like Me. I think it would be a good way to show the kids how we are different AND how we're alike.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I like the calendar times. Susan steveac@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  34. I subscribe. Susan steveac@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  35. I like the fact that you can use it with different agr groups. I do Family Childcare and the older children love to help the younger ones. Susan steveac@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  36. I like when they built the Great Wall of China. Susan steveac@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  37. I like that it can be used for all my kids at the same time!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I like the activities in her Logic Learning post!

    ReplyDelete
  39. I like the Japanese Karesansui Mini-Gardens the most

    ReplyDelete
  40. I tweeted! http://twitter.com/soblessedmomof4/status/1848535431520257

    ReplyDelete
  41. I love how the curriculum is appropriate for all age levels and it is so hands-on!

    ReplyDelete
  42. My favorite activity that I have seen is the Great Wall of China...she is so creative!

    ReplyDelete
  43. I already follow Erica's blog and love it! t.sundstrom12@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I'm following Erica on Facebook now as well!

    ReplyDelete
  45. I have Confessions of a Homeschooler on my bloglist at www.sunnysundstromsideup@blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. I've been seriously considering this to go along with our history learning. Unfortunately (as my hubby puts it) I've run out of funding for this year to buy more things, so I was going to add it to our things to buy for next year. It would be great to win this :)

    ReplyDelete
  47. I am excited about this because I am getting started on teaching my son about different countries and it would be nice to have this.

    ReplyDelete
  48. I love the lowercase letter crafts in the play to learn series and plan on using them when we complete the Capital letter ones.

    ReplyDelete
  49. I LOVE the great wall of china they made. Amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  50. I plan to use Expedition Earth with my three daughters: ages 6,5 and 3. They love to learn about new places and I think the craft ideas are exceptional!! I also love the little reports the kids can do and that they fit a wide range of ages. I love the passport too!
    erinropelato (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I would heart to have this curriculum because having used Erica's Letter of the week, I know how EASY it is to use . . .and seeing as though I just had our 4th child three weeks ago, I need something easy, but still hearty and filled with learning. Plus reading all of her posts has made me really want this curriculum!

    ReplyDelete
  52. The "Play to Learn" feature I love the most from Erica was her post in September about Numbers and Counting. She shared a lot of wonderful ideas and had links to a favorite "Domino Parking Lot" of my girls.
    erinropelato (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  53. I subscribe to Confessions of a Homeschooler by e-mail.
    erinropelato (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  54. tell us which one you like the most: I would love to make the Great Wall of China. I've book looking for those blocks ever since she made the Great Wall.

    ReplyDelete
  55. I like Confessions of a Homeschooler on facebook.
    erinropelato (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  56. I follow Erica on Twitter. GranolaMom4God

    ReplyDelete
  57. I subscribe to ABC and 123 through e-mail.
    erinropelato (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  58. I like ABC and 123 on FB!
    erinropelato (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I subscribe to ABC and 123 via email!

    ReplyDelete
  60. I follow ABC and 123 on Twitter!

    GranolaMom4God

    ReplyDelete
  61. I tweeted about the giveaway!
    http://twitter.com/#!/GranolaMom4God/status/2099761171664896

    Thanks so much!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  62. i like some help w geography. Speacially the craft part, since i'm not so creative.

    nesg@live.com


    (i'm sooooo new here)

    ReplyDelete
  63. i follow abc123 on twitter

    ReplyDelete
  64. i follow erika on facebook

    nesg@live.com

    ReplyDelete
  65. What I like most is that different ages can learn together and it is FUN! Geography in school was never this fun.

    ReplyDelete
  66. I really like the Japanese Karesansui Mini-Gardens craft!!

    ReplyDelete
  67. The Play to learn activity that I like the most right now does not have a name. It is to learn number recognition, 1-to-1 correspondence and counting with a grid (provided by Erica) and pom-poms or stickers.

    I have been using poker chips with my eldest as the pompoms were taken by my younger when they first came out.

    ReplyDelete
  68. I think I am most excited about the children just like me section. I will use this with my two girls. So excited!

    ReplyDelete
  69. I love the ideas she has for CHina with the great wall and all. Fabulous.

    ReplyDelete
  70. From play to learn, I like her lowercase letter series. We are working through them now and loving them.

    ReplyDelete
  71. I subscribe to Confessions via google reader

    ReplyDelete
  72. I subscribe to ABC & 123 via google reader

    ReplyDelete