The publisher discontinued this series in August 2020. The books are now out of print. If you learn of another series that serves a similar purpose, please let us know!
Whether or not you can read a map, MCP Maps/Charts/Graphs will help you ensure your kids can. Each worktext is full color and self-contained (answers are in the back), assignments are easy to follow, and a good balance of review and new material ensures kids thoroughly grasp the art of map-reading. Books D-H also contain relatively up-to-date atlases in the back with both world and U.S. maps.
There are 21-42 two-page lessons per consumable text. In the early books kids learn the purpose and basic nature of maps, using maps of neighborhoods and communitites to understand cardinal direction, distance comparison, keys and legends, etc. Pictographs and bar graphs are also covered, so that in later books students are able to analyze more intricate maps and charts. By Book H they can read topographical, climatological and detailed road maps.
This isn't a full-scale geography curriculum, but it is an excellent introduction before diving into one. A good working knowledge of geography is essential for the study of history, and extremely useful in most other fields—if students can't read a map, they won't be able to get very far. These books ensure they'll be able to do both, and won't cause you or your kids too much headache in the process.
These are also extremely useful for teaching kids direction and helping them understand orientation. For young ones still getting the hang of left and right (let alone the cardinal directions), working directly with maps is a great way to aid and speed up the process. The vibrant full-color format will also ensure even fidgety students won't mind locating Utah on a map, or learning how to chart a highway course from Baton Rouge to Omaha. Highly recommended before tackling any more complete geography course.
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Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he is a husband and father, teaches adult Sunday school in his Presbyterian congregation, and likes weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur.Read more of his reviews here.
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