Trail Guide to Learning
| Publisher: Geography Matters Author: Debbie Strayer and Linda Fowler Review last updated: June 2009 |
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Trail Guide to Learning
Trail Guide to Learning is projected to be a complete program for students in grades K through 12, although only one year of the program is available thus far. (The second volume is due in 2010.) The methodology is a combination of both Ruth Beechick's and Charlotte Mason's ideas, which overlap and complement each other very well. It uses a unit study approach built around geography in the context of historical events. Science, art, and language arts are also covered with language arts receiving a great deal of attention in a manner somewhat like that used in Learning Language Arts through Literature.
The first year available, titled Paths of Exploration, targets grades 3 through 5, although it can be easily adapted for use with second and sixth graders. The second year course, Paths of Settlement, will aim for a slightly older audience in grades 4 through 6. Paths of Progress, the third course, will shift up to grades 5 through 7. The latter two volumes are scheduled for publication in August 2010 and August 2011 respectively. World History will be the focus of the next group of volumes that will target middle school. High school and K-2 will follow after that.
The geographical themes are developed around historical characters and events. Each course is divided into six units, with each unit focused on on a single theme. This approach covers fewer topics but in greater depth than do traditional textbooks. The six topics in Paths of Exploration are Columbus, Jamestown, Pilgrims, Daniel Boone, Lewis and Clark, and Trails West. You can discern the natural thread of the study of U.S. History reflected in these themes.
United States History will continue to be the focus in the next two courses. Paths of Settlement will study the Colonial Period, the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War, and Westward Expansion. Paths of Progress will pick up with the Industrial Revolution and continue into the beginning of the twentieth century.
My review primarily describes Paths to Exploration since that is all that is available at this time. Lessons are laid out in detail for each day in two large hard-cover volumes (sold as a set). Each volume should take a semester to complete. At the back of the first volume is a computer CD-ROM (runs on Windows or Mac) with PDF files—more than 2000 printable pages! These are primarily forms that students will use as they create their own notebooks, but they also include games and maps students use for assignments. Student worksheets often include check boxes at the bottom for students to check off as they complete other assignments for which there are no student notebook pages. This helps children take on personal responsibility for completing all assignments.
I first found it curious that at the beginning of each lesson there is a boxed list of "Steps for Thinking" where you would normally find the lesson objectives. The Steps for Thinking are more abstract and general than objectives. For example, for Lesson 3, Part 1, the Steps are "1. When you learn about people, it helps you learn about things. 2. Observation is a key skill needed for learning about things in our world. It is the basis for success in science. 3. The goal of reading is to gain understanding. Hopefully it is also a source of enjoyment." The book explains that these Steps are the main ideas in the topics presented in the lessons. Parents are to introduce these "big ideas" at the beginning of each lesson, then make connections to them as they work through the various lesson activities. The Steps for Thinking are revisited at the end of the lesson, at which point children should have a better understanding and ability to discuss what they mean.
The objectives one normally finds at the beginning are located in Appendix A in a section titled "Lesson at a Glance." This is actually a record keeping chart where you can see and check off objectives as they are completed. Viewing all of this in one place and being able to keep track of it there certainly has its advantages, and I suspect it works better than simply having a list of objectives at the beginning of the lesson.
Copywork and dictation are important techniques used in this program. Student pages with models to copy as well as lined space to do the copying are found on the CD-ROM. The CD-ROM groups the pages by grade level so you can print out worksheets that are appropriate for each level. Parents should adjust the amount of copywork as needed for each child. Complete directions are in the main books along with the models for copywork for easy reference. Worksheets are not only for copywork. Many others are for word studies, dictation, drawing, writing assignments, word searches, map work, scientific observation, spelling, etc.
Instructions in the main books are written to the student. For example, "Carefully read and then copy, or write as your teacher dictates...." This seems a little odd since a parent might be teaching more than one child from the same book, but it actually is quite useful as students become self-instructors. A parent can teach directly from the book, telling children what to do, reading to them, and leading discussions--adapting the language as needed. As children become more independent, they can check on their next assignments and move ahead without requiring direction or interaction from parents except for those activities where it is necessary. Many assignments are marked with icons for third, fourth, or fifth grade level. Assign the appropriate level to each child or show them how to select those with their icon. You will need to provide more direction if you are including a second or sixth grader.
Real books are used throughout the program. A list of required resources is at the front of the first book, divided into lists for volume 1 and volume 2 so you can purchase what you a need a semester at a time. Examples of about half of the required resources for the first volume of Paths of Exploration are Meet Christopher Columbus, Stories of the Pilgrims, Profiles from History, Handbook of Nature Study, 1911 Boy Scout Handbook, North American Wildlife Guide, Eat Your Way Around the World, and Intermediate World Atlas. As you can see, children do quite a bit of reading, even though some of the resources are used for reading aloud and reference. Students are assigned independent reading time each day, encouraged to read something they enjoy, and keep track of their reading in a reading log in the student notebook. Biographies are prominent among the selected resources, and there is a strong emphasis on character building through study of exemplary characters. Narration—children retelling to you what they have read or heard in their own words—is another commonly used method used by Trail Guide that provides parents with feedback as to how well children comprehend their reading or books read aloud to them.
Language arts coverage is quite comprehensive including spelling, vocabulary, composition, grammar (informal rather than formal), public speaking/oral presentation, and reading comprehension. Some of these assignments are focused skill coverage, but as often as possible they tie to the lesson theme.
As mentioned at the beginning, Geography is the core, so each lesson features map work and other geographical activity or learning that ties to the books and theme of that lesson. For example, those coming to Jamestown started from London. Thus, students locate London on a map, expand to tracing a map of the United Kingdom and identifying its countries, then expand further to neighboring countries across bodies of water.
Science takes a naturalist approach as children learn to observe and record nature through drawing and writing. The North American Wildlife Guide and Handbook of Nature Study are the primary science resources for the first year. Art lessons are often (but not always) connected to science as children sketch what they observe. Basic drawing lessons by Barry Stebbing and Sharon Jeffus are at the back of the first book. Additional art lessons are in Lewis and Clark Hands On, one of the required resources for the second half of the course.
Enrichment activities are included for students who complete their work very quickly or are more advanced. Most sixth graders would fit this category. Enrichment activities might be a recommended book to read or a more elaborate project such as researching related topics or historical characters or an activity like researching and sampling different types of cheese.
Hands-on learning methods are built into lessons as drawing assignments, bingo games for every unit (found at the back of each book), art projects, experiments, demonstrations, cooking, and organizing student-made cards. Frequent discussions are a required element of all lessons. Students create a notebook of their work that does double duty by providing a means of documenting what they have learned. In addition to creating their notebooks, students also do presentations that demonstrate what they have learned.
There is a good amount of reading and writing in the program, but parents are instructed to adjust the amount and methods to suit the child. Both reading and writing are often taught in relation to the lesson theme or a meaningful context to help children understand why they need those skills. Also, these assignments are interspersed with discussion, narration, and other interactive activities to keep children engaged.
Notes to the parent/teacher are in the margins of the books. These are frequently valuable tips or insights regarding teaching methods. The layout of the manual actually makes it very easy for any parent to use. You really just walk through each lesson in order, selecting only when activities are offered for the different levels. Some advance prep work is required to acquire books, print out student notebook pages, and obtain materials needed (shown on a list at the beginning of each week). Answer keys are provided at the end of each lesson for those questions where it is appropriate.
Paths of Exploration is religiously neutral, but those who want to incorporate a Christian worldview might want to purchase the Light for the Trail Bible Study Supplement for the first course that ties directly to the lesson themes. This should be available July 2009.
While the student notebook/portfolio is the best way to document student accomplishments, some states require more traditional assessments. The optional Paths of Exploration Assessments CD-ROM might prove very helpful in such situations.
The Trail Guide series looks like a promising solution for families looking for book-based unit study that takes the guess work out of the process and is easy for parents to use.
Notes:
GeoMatters also sells preprinted packages of student pages if you do not want to print them yourself from the CD. They also sell packages of all the required resources. Check their website for prices.
A Journey Through Learning sells lapbooks that correlate with these books.
Pricing
Trail Guide to Learning Paths of Exploration Volumes 1 & 2 with CD
Debbie Strayer
Trail Guide to Learning; Paths of Exploration Student Notebook Pages Grade 3 Vol
Trail Guide to Learning; Paths of Exploration Student Notebook Pages Grade 4 Vol
Trail Guide to Learning; Paths of Exploration Student Notebook Pages Grade 5 Vol
Instant Key
- Learning Styles: best for Perfect Paula and Sociable Sue. Good for Competent Carl if he can work independently. Good for Wiggly Willy if reading and writing assignments are kept brief and balanced with more active learning.
Suitable for: family or one-on-one instruction
Audience: for grades 2-6
Need for parent/teacher instruction: moderate to high
Prep time needed: moderate
Presentation time needed: varies by age of student but some discussion/interaction always required; should take about 3-4 hours per day.
Teacher's manual: the book is your manual
Religious perspective: Christian supplement available
Publisher's Info
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Geography Matters
P.O. Box 92
Nancy, KY 42544
(606) 636-4678
www.geomatters.com
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