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Take-it-to-Your-Seat Geography Centers is a series of books containing complete, ready to use geography games and activities. Each activity, or center, is designed to be stored in a regular two pocket paper folder. You simply remove the pages from the book, cut out any cards or puzzle pieces, and store everything in the folder. There is an attractive cover sheet for the front of the folder and an instruction sheet to tape to the back of the folder. (The instructions do suggest laminating the covers and some of the pieces, but unless you happen to have a laminator you could certainly eliminate this step.) Each center also includes a reproducible activity sheet that the student uses to complete written work. You can make several copies at once or laminate the sheet and provide an overhead transparency pen. A self-checking answer key is provided to put in each center. The completed centers can be stored in a plastic milk crate or box.

The center activities are both truly educational and engaging, and children will feel a real sense of satisfaction each time they complete one. The graphics are full-color and extremely appealing, which adds to the fun! These centers are ideal for times when you need to have a child working on his own for a little while. (We are always on the lookout for this sort of thing. Our younger children have plastic tubs of activities that can be done more or less independently, and it is also good to have this sort of self-contained learning activity for the older children. We use them when I am busy with another child or housework, when one child finishes his work early and needs something constructive to do before we all move on to the next thing, when a child is bored, etc. They are also fantastic when a child needs an appealing way to master or review important skills.)

While the books are marketed to specific grade ranges, most children will enjoy working in books above and below their "official" grade. If you buy more than one book, you can just store all of the centers together and allow children to work at their own level. Children enjoy using the same center over and over again - it is enjoyable to be challenged with new material, continue to do the activities until they are mastered, and then revisit and review familiar activities. Many of the same topics are covered in each book, but each time they are covered at a higher and more complex level, which means that if you have more than one book, your children can tackle several centers on the same subject as he gains increased mastery, or you can introduce each book in order to provide spiral review. No matter how you use the, I am certain that you and your children will absolutely love these books!! They are winners at our house!

The centers in this book are:

The Fifty States: Children match the names of states with their outlines, then practice state names, capitals, and abbreviations.

Regions of the United States: Children complete a chart by correctly sorting cards that identify the physical features, location, states, and tourist attractions in each of six regions of the United States.

North America Q & A: Children use card sets to complete activities based on a physical map and a political map of North America.

A World Puzzle: Children complete a large world map puzzle, including pieces that label the continents and oceans by name and shape.

Mystery Countries: Children glean clues by reading attractive "postcards" from all around the world, then use those clues to determine the origin of each postcard. Lots and lots of learning happens with this highly motivating activity!

Looking at A Globe: Children complete a variety of activities to learn key globe terms such as meridians, poles, equator, etc. They learn the definitions and also learn how to identify these terms when they are marked on a picture of a globe.

Parts of a Map: Children learn to identify and use the parts of a map.

Kinds of Maps: Children practice using product, physical, political, and road maps.

A Map Grid: Children use a grid map of Australia to complete a variety of activities. Many key facts about Australia are learned while praticing grid skills.

Landforms on Earth: Children complete mini-puzzles and writing activities to learn 12 main types of landforms. The child will identify landforms by name, definition, and picture.

Bodies of Water: This center is like the one above, except that children learn 8 types of bodies of water.

Time Zones of the United States: Children use a time zone map to complete card and written activities.