While the collection of materials in the Continent Studies Package for the Upper Elementary Classroom is very similar to the Continent Studies Package for the Lower Elementary Classroom, there are more opportunities here for the curriculum to become a structure for independent research.
The advanced levels of the command cards provide opportunities to use and hone skills of application and synthesis to gain a deeper understanding of the materials. The Elementary Continent Mat extension for land and water form cards challenge students to learn the names of specific geographical features around the world. The Biomes of the World Mat’s third level of command cards explore the themes of biomes in relation to the equator, migration routes, climate, and ocean currents. The physical geography illustrated by the Biome Mats and Continent Stencils can be explored in detail in an Upper Elementary classroom. Students working with the Biome Mats will gain knowledge of the "lay of the land" and foster familiarity with and working knowledge of the continent. That knowledge translates to further mapmaking work with the Continent Stencils.
You will stock your Cabinet of Continents with the Biomes of a Continent Cards. This packages includes one of each of our continent portfolios to get you started. They are intended to be used by an individual child while studying a continent to collect their research, make maps, write journal entries, and create art projects.
Classroom packages include all materials shown on this page. Classroom shelving is sold separately and can be found here: https://wasecabiomes.org/pages/furniture