Geography Travels: Burma/Myanmar

The official name of this country is the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; however, many countries (including the US and the UK) still refer to it as Burma.  The UN and other countries use the name Myanmar, and some use both.  Confusing.  To keep things simple, I will use the name Burma in this post.  As with other geography studies, we spent 2 weeks on Burma.

Week 1

Located Burma on the globe, map, atlas; discussed capital city and other major cities.  Rangoon (Yangon) was the former capital, but the capital has been in the “planned” city of Naypyidaw since 2006.

Listened to “Asia Song” from Geography Songs

Discussed names Burma/Myanmar

Began reading Ann of Ava (about missionaries Adoniram and Ann Judson)

Colored the flag of Burma and listened to different national anthems (both the flag and the anthem have changed recently—see links at the end of this post).  I found this flag page at Colouring Book of Flags:

Here’s the most recent national anthem:

Read from Geography From A to Z:  coast, mountains, rivers, gulf, valley, highlands, lowlands, jungle, ocean, islands, forests, plateau, delta, volcano

Labeled a map of Burma (Enchanted Learning)

Discussed language, government, religion, currency

Week 2

Missions—Adoniram Judson

Science: Monsoon, flood, cyclone, earthquakes, volcano

Culture: food, customs, architecture, music

Natural resources (gems) and agriculture (rice)

Wildlife and plants (jungle animals, bamboo, fruits)

Talked about Burmese cats and Burmese pythons  (personally, I would much rather have the cat)

The Not-for-Parents Travel Book—I found this book at Costco, and it’s part of our geography studies now.  Every country (big and small) is represented—one page per country.  It is full of fascinating facts and lots of photos.  Ignore the “Not-for-Parents” part of the title…this parent loves it!

Notebook page (Homeschool Creations)

Links

National Geographic

Bartering in Burma (Philip Martin World Travels)

Christian Biography Resources (Adoniram Judson)

Myanmar/Burma Travel—Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel (YouTube video)

Faces of Myanmar (YouTube)

I'm linking this post to "History and Geography" at All Things Beautiful.

Kindergarten Fun

We've just finished our 4th week of school, and Moriah is really enjoying kindergarten! She picked up the workbox system quickly, and she is settling into a routine and loving all the fun stuff scattered throughout the schedule. Here are some things she's done the past few weeks:

1. Fun with pattern blocks...she made the design herself!

2. Science experiment...how many fish counters can you fit into a foil boat before it sinks? We used all 200 counters before it began sinking!

3. Another science experiment where she had to test her sense of smell and try to guess what the scent was. Isaac and Daddy both tried it too!


4. History--We're learning about Joseph and Moses in Egypt, so Moriah made an "Egyptian collar" out of a paper plate.

Charity Shops and Yard Sales

I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a yard sale junkie! I have been addicted to yard sales since I was a child in Oklahoma, when our normal Saturday activity as a family was going to yard sales! I was so disappointed when I realized that yard sales aren't big in England...what was I to do??? Some friends suggested car boot sales, but they're one morning a week (while I'm doing school), and they're really more like American flea markets. My fix? Charity shops! Charity shops in England are just like thrift stores in America, except that there are way more of them! Because people don't really have yard sales, they give all their unwanted items to charity shops, which resell them at yard sale prices. I can't even begin to tell you all the educational bargains I've found at yard sales AND charity shops! I have loads of educational toys, games, puzzles, and kits of all types, and very few of them were purchased new. Yet, nearly all of them are in good condition and contain all their pieces. I love, love, LOVE yard sales and charity shops! Okay, well, anyway, here is my "find" for the day. It's an Ultimate Explorer kit on Ancient Egypt. I paid 1.99 at Oxfam...and it's like new! I just wish Isaac could have had it last year when he studied Ancient History.