I am so excited to announce that my Imaginary Island Curriculum is finally ready!
What is Imaginary Island?
Imaginary Island is a project taught in some Montessori Upper Elementary programs. It is a beautiful culmination of the Montessori Cosmic Curriculum, weaving together components from the Geography Albums, Biology Albums, and History Albums.
Who is Imaginary Island for?
I have adapted the traditional lessons and curriculum for homeschool families and co-ops. I have taught Imaginary Island to 1st-8th graders and provide adaptations/extensions in the curriculum to adapt to this wider age group. While these adaptations are in place, I do recommend my Imaginary Island Curriculum to 3rd – 8th grade. It is wonderful to see the themes and stories that the slightly older students weave through the project, and the younger students love seeing the connections the older students are making.
What does Imaginary Island Cover?
The Imaginary Island Curriculum is broken into three units.
Unit 1 is grounded in the Montessori Geography Album – or Earth Science. Students decide which geological processes create their islands, and how that process affects island geography. They’ll make maps, determine their island’s location on the globe, and discover how the location influences the climate of the island. Students will dive into different map types, wind and ocean currents, and much more.
Unit 2 straddles both Earth Science and Life Science – the Montessori Geography and Biology Albums. Lessons on biomes and ecosystems let students really begin to visualize their islands. Exploring every area of life they’ll build food webs and have the opportunity to create imaginary plants, animals, and fungi that are especially well adapted to life on their particular islands. Unit 2 sees the Imaginary Islands come to life!
Unit 3 features lessons and explorations from the Montessori History Album covering human history, anthropology, sociology, government, and industry. Students create a realistic timeline for human arrival on their islands and then think about the natural resources their island might provide – and how those resources fulfill the Fundamental Human Needs. Students continue building their Imaginary Island by examining early island cities, industry, and government systems. Finally, students imagine several major historical events and examine what might make people from around the world want to visit their island!
What is provided in the Imaginary Island Curriculum?
Four key files are included in your download:
1. The Imaginary Island Student Text features photographs and realistic diagrams and is written directly to the student. Project breakdowns, planning guides, and thought provoking prompts are provided to help students develop a complete picture of their Imaginary Island over the course of the curriculum.
2. The Imaginary Island Instructor Guide provides supply lists, lesson adaptations/extensions, and additional resources for the adult guide. Each lesson is laid out in an easy-to-read manner and provides deeper background information for each lesson. Discussion questions are provided along with sample work responses.
3. The Imaginary Island Metric Supplement provides substitute lessons and images for several lessons in the Imaginary Island Student Text that use US Customary (Imperial) units. The page numbering mirrors that in the Student Text for easy substitution.
4. The Imaginary Island Printable Posters file provides larger versions of the images in the Imaginary Island Student Text. These can be printed or displayed on a screen to provide visuals to students or groups where the adult guide has chosen to present information from the Imaginary Island Student Text in a verbal lesson style, or for additional reference.
BONUS! Your download also features The Island Research Guide, a wonderful jumping off point for the Imaginary Island Curriculum where students research and existing island. This can also be used as an additional project for more capable students in a mixed-level group.
How do I get the Imaginary Island Curriculum?
Click here and hop on over to my store! You’ll find The Imaginary Island Curriculum all ready to go – and a sample curriculum download if you need more convincing!