Galloping the Globe and Cantering the Country

Name: Galloping the Globe and Cantering the Country
Brand: Geography Matters

by Geography Matters

Social_studiesGrades K–5

About This Curriculum

Geography-based unit studies that integrate multiple subjects including geography, history, literature, science, and character building using notebooking approach. Galloping the Globe covers world continents and countries while Cantering the Country focuses on U.S. states.

What makes it unique: Literature-based geography curriculum that integrates all subjects except math into comprehensive unit studies, allowing families flexible 1-3 year completion timeline with extensive book lists and hands-on activities for each location studied.

Galloping the Globe and Cantering the Country: Geography-Based Unit Studies

Geography-based unit studies that integrate multiple subjects including geography, history, literature, and science using a notebooking approach. Galloping the Globe covers world continents and countries while Cantering the Country focuses on U.S. states, both designed for elementary students with flexible scheduling over 1-3 years.

Best for

Elementary homeschooling families seeking flexible geography-based unit studies who can provide their own lesson structure and chronological history instruction

Evaluation Criteria

1 strength · 3 concerns · 2 neutral · 1 insufficient evidence

Geographic KnowledgeStrength

Strong geographic knowledge focus with systematic coverage of continents, countries, and states including maps, vocabulary terms, and physical features. Students learn geographic terms, complete map work, and study physical and political geography.

Each lesson includes geography vocabulary, map activities, and systematic study of countries/states; includes recommended atlases and globes

Teacher TrainingConcern

Minimal teacher support beyond activity suggestions and resource lists. No evidence of professional development materials or pedagogical guidance for instruction.

Reviews describe the curriculum as providing 'lots of reading and activity suggestions' but no mention of teacher training or instructional guidance

Direct InstructionConcern

Minimal direct instruction structure, operating more as a resource menu requiring parents to select and organize content. The curriculum provides suggestions and activities but lacks systematic lesson plans.

Multiple reviews note it's 'not an open the book and read the lesson program' but rather 'a menu of choices' requiring parent selection and organization

Chronological KnowledgeConcern

History coverage is not chronological or comprehensive, presenting events thematically by country rather than in historical sequence. Reviewers note this limitation requires supplemental resources for students beyond third grade.

Cathy Duffy notes 'history coverage is not chronological or comprehensive' and recommends other resources for children beyond third grade level

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

Limited systematic retrieval practice, though notebooking approach may provide some review opportunities. No evidence of structured review or assessment of previously learned content.

Reviews mention included puzzles, word searches, and notebooking activities but no systematic review or cumulative assessment practices

Vocabulary BuildingNeutral

Geography vocabulary is explicitly taught with terms listed for each country/state study. However, broader social studies vocabulary instruction appears limited to geographic terminology.

Reviews mention 'Geography lists terms for children to learn' and geography vocabulary sections for each location studied

Primary SourcesInsufficient Evidence

Limited evidence of primary source engagement, with focus primarily on secondary literature and reference books. The curriculum emphasizes biographies and general reference materials rather than historical documents.

Reviews mention extensive use of biographies, reference books, and literature but no specific mention of primary source documents or historical evidence

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com, homeschoolgiveaways.com