How I'm Planning for Around the World with Picture Books from Beautiful Feet Books | Plan and Prep

In this video, I'm sharing how I'm beginning to plan and set up for a rich year of geography studies. Beautiful Feet Books gives us a great starting point to jump into exploring the world, one that I'm excited to add onto. In this video, I begin by giving a look inside the Around the World with Picture Books guide, and then I'll talk through my planning process. What homeschool geography curriculum or resources have you enjoyed using?
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I'm Rachel, a mom of two and the oldest in a family of 8 kids. I'm a second-generation homeschooler who is passionate about education. I'm originally from Michigan, but am living overseas. My two young boys and teaching homeschool lessons to my youngest sisters keep me busy, but I make time for writing and for making KZbin videos, too! On this channel, you can expect videos featuring books and homeschool curriculum, homeschool tips for hard days, our journey raising bilingual kids, and vlogs about the intentional adventure that our homeschool lifestyle allows! Subscribe to join our family here:
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[@HomechoolbythePond]

We're doing this this year and I've been getting like 25 books a country and letting her pick the one she wants to read each day! It's been so much fun and even I've learned a lot. We're taking a break right now because we're moving and Madison is still asking what books we can read for the country we're on.

[@SevenInAll]

I'm looking forward to it and I think it will be a lot of fun! I do think this will be one of those curriculums where I'll wish we had public library access--there's so many great books out there but of course there's limitations to how many we can actually access at home. That's awesome that she's still asking for more books to keep learning about the country!

[@amandab.6815]

Ahhh! Very excited for this video. We are pretty much curriculum twins for our 5 year-olds. For ATW, We have both part 1 and 2, and honestly, it will take us several years to get through it all. We are doing reading and math, and then milking this for all it is worth. In addition to the core books, we will be adding in as many extra books as we can, documentaries, poems, music from that country, etc. I am also incorporating Jamie Martin's Give Your Child The World for coordinating read aloud suggestions. So far, I only have China planned out, and I have 6 weeks of material. Just for China lol. I also don't plan on studying the countries in the order they have laid out. We will jump around. For sure we are starting with China, but then we might hop over to Africa because my 2nd grader wants to read the Anna Habiscus books. I bought the guides, but we are heavily relying on the library for most of the books outside of Maps and the Annos books. So library availability will also play a part into the order we do things. Overall, very excited. I talk about it to my friends all the time, and they said they want to come over and sit in on our school day too lol.

[@SevenInAll]

I'm excited! I think having library availability will definitely help with stretching things out - I did purposely buy extra books to the extent that I could for the countries we're studying, but we don't have those amazing public libraries. And yes, this feels like the kind of study that just tempts you to dive in deep and spread it out. If you're looking for a China movie for mom and dad - "To Live" and "The Road Home", both by director Zhang Yi Mou, are amazing films, I will be watching them with my teen sisters. I took classes in Asian history and philosophy in college in addition to 4 years of Mandarin...the amount of topics I'm tempted to include is ridiculous, but I have to remember that my primary student for this is a kindergartener.

[@nateandrosannaengebretson3996]

I don’t know where to start! I stumbled upon this video late last night, staying up way too late due to a fierce thunderstorm raging outside. What a pleasant surprise! I love your common sense approach balanced with your passion for education. I love that you acknowledge the fact some of us have budgets. I love your multicultural experience (I was introduced to the fascinating world of multiculturalism 19 years ago when I met my husband, an MK from Zambia.) Thanks for your endorsement of this guide; it’s been in my cart all summer I can’t wait to get my hands on it and travel through it with my 5 and 7-year-old. Your ideas for extras sound fun and I love your display wall; I was hoping to do something like that for us. Thanks from a brand new fan! Oh, and your hairstyle is so pretty 🤩!

[@SevenInAll]

Hope the storm didn't cause any damage! Thank you for the hair compliment...with curly hair there are good days and not-so-good ones, haha! We're having a great time with our "around the world" study now...currently finishing up Antarctica and about to head to Australia. :)

[@bethanypeterson-wu1mh]

For Japan, I think My Neighbor Totoro would be a perfect movie choice. It’s an amazing movie for kids and adults.

[@SevenInAll]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@kaitlinleigh8751]

My kids LOVE this movie.

[@amandab.6815]

Disney Nature's Born In China is a great documentary. And they have others pertaining to animals for other countries.

[@LearningPlantingGrowing]

It is a great one!

[@LearningPlantingGrowing]

This does look like a fun study! No wonder your sister want to sit in also! Which is so sweet by the way! If you need more book suggestions for the older girls Guest Hollow has Literature based Geography high school and Geography Jr with the full book lists online.

[@SevenInAll]

I'm not sure the girls will have that much time for extra reading for the study - although I will definitely try to give them chapter books suggestions for free reads. I have several favorite chapter books to suggest for China...for Japan, I really like "While I Was Away".

[@stephanieh.1633]

I'm using this program for my twins' kindergarten year. Very exciting. 😊

[@SevenInAll]

I'm anticipating it eagerly!

[@ValCasco]

Thank you for this! Really considering this curriculum for our kindergarten year.

[@SevenInAll]

Glad it was helpful! We're having a lot of fun with it!

[@TheThomasTribe13]

I would love to see more videos as you plan and start going through it! I’m considering choosing this for our rising 2nd grade son. I’m trying to look ahead and choose a curriculum that I can use again with both my sons in a few years so I’m also interested in how you adapt it for your sisters. I really wanted to try Sonlight but our boys are a little too far apart in age, so I’m thinking of trying this one, and then just add in more books and do a deeper study for our oldest next time. I’d love to see if you have any chapter books you may add in too since our son loves chapter books. (He’s always saying “just one more chapter mom! 😆)

[@SevenInAll]

In my April homeschool update, I shared a little bit about what we did for China and Japan, and how it's going so far. I'm also trying to share chapter book recommendations when I can! "Bronze and Sunflower" is a fantastic one for China. Here's the April homeschool update: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXq3iIiDbtB4gcU

[@TheThomasTribe13]

@@SevenInAll Oh I must’ve missed that one, thanks! I will definitely be following your videos closely especially since you already started it. Maybe I’ll end up being just a bit behind you and can glean lots of knowledge and ideas from you! We are on our second year of homeschooling (3rd I guess if you count preschool) and I still feel like I don’t know what I’m doing. I love to find other moms doing something similar to get ideas!

[@makeanddohandmade]

I love how you’re approaching this, feeling so inspired. I think I would add in a day with studying folk costume for the country, fashion is personally fascinating for me! I would love for you to give updates country but country. I plan to do that myself with my own KZbin channel when we start in the fall 💗 love this update!!

[@SevenInAll]

I also find fashion and traditional dress very interesting...the "People and Places" DK book that I got incorporates photos of and some details of traditional dress. I have a feeling my boys wouldn't be as interested in that aspect, though. ha! I am going to have to play around with how I will update on what we do for each country...not sure if there will be enough interest for me to have dedicated videos on the topic, but I may wind it into my monthly update videos, since we'll probably do at most 2 countries in a month...and I could also do instagram posts for a round-up of what we did. My instagram is @seveninallfamily

[@ssd9154]

I thought I'd written a comment but can't see it now. Sorry if it's a duplicate! We've been working slowly and steadily through. I definitely find having the physical extra books makes it so much more interesting and richer. The FB group for this programme also has some helpful resources if you haven't seen it yet. Other parents have already kindly compiled lists for each country with links to all the books available a YT read alouds and short appropriate video links for different animals and related topics eg. comorant fishing. I found it so helpful in planning. We also have a couple of books similar which comes Peoples and Places and Children like me which covers some similar countries and Book Excess had a book on food around the world, similar style to the Maps book with the country and food on it so we've had some fun looking at things in there. We leave the books out and they like to flick through and explore. I have one child that loves languages so we're keeping it simple and counting to 10 in the different languages (hopefully!). Mine also wanted to do something a little bit more than just the colouring of the pictures so they made a simple lapbook for the country which was fun (I just searched a few templates and free resources on a couple of sites for them to use). Oh and they love the Little Pear book as a read aloud for China :). Thanks for your suggestions on the various extras, will definitely look into them. Do you have any suggestions on what aspects could be done in an informal coop type of setting. Some friends really like the books and content but won't be able to easily access the books where we live so we're trying to think of ways we can combine some of it so they can enjoy too.

[@SevenInAll]

In a group setting - art, food, and movies/documentaries tend to be fun to do together with friends. I would think about what categories of activities your group would like to do and then once you have categories it makes the planning easier. You can also read-aloud a picture book to a group of kids.

[@tori.homeschoolingmom]

We used ATW when my oldest was in 2nd grade and we LOVED it! You have a great year ahead. The optional library connection books were wonderful, my son especially liked the picture book biographies.

[@SevenInAll]

I'm excited, and I'm glad we were able to get some of the extra books!

[@MargotBrown]

Thistles and Biscuits have some beautiful country unit studies!

[@SevenInAll]

Yes! I think I will definitely be picking up a few from them.

[@makeanddohandmade]

Eeeeee!!!! So pumped! I’m starting this with my kindergartener in the Fall 💗👌🏻

[@SevenInAll]

It's gonna be awesome!!

[@HomeschoolwithRachel]

So great hearing your approach to this! Seeing the Japan books takes me back as it was one of our fans. Allen Say books are so good, and we really liked Manjiro learning about that true story. I’d love to hear occasional updates on what extras you’re doing!

[@SevenInAll]

I think Japan will be a really fascinating country for the kids!

[@faithfullyinfertile]

This is so exciting!!

[@SevenInAll]

I'm very excited, I think we'll have a blast!

[@sarahescobar4828]

We are doing part 1 this year! Looking forward to checking out these extra resources you mentioned 😊

[@SevenInAll]

That sounds fun! We're two weeks into learning about China now and it's been a blast so far.

[@ashleighe7311]

I’ve been looking into this for a while now and I’m hoping that I will be able to find time to do with my crew next year. Thanks for sharing; I love seeing your updates.

[@SevenInAll]

:) Glad it was helpful!

[@juliequezada7504]

I loved this. I especially loved your China display wall.

[@SevenInAll]

Thank you! I'm hoping that the display wall is something I can keep up from country to country...to help make it a learning tool, I have given the older girls ideas like, hey, every time you walk past the China wall, stop and look at the map and try to learn where the different major provinces of China are (i.e. Sichuan province, Guangdong province...these come up regularly when talking about events or locations and it's helpful to know--is this southern, northern, where in China are we talking about?), or practice saying the names of the instruments (the girls know how to read Pinyin well). For my little boys, its more just general exposure.

[@Hswamp2008]

Thank you so much for your wonderful videos! I have seen so many positive reviews of BFB curriculum, but with the caveat that it can be overwelming and hard to condense into a more appropriate level of time. Your thought process on giving each country a specific amount of time was so helpful!

[@SevenInAll]

Glad that helps! I find it very helpful for myself to think about realistically how much time I want to devote to a certain country, and plan from there. This won't be the last time my boys hear about any of these countries, so I'm not worrying about needing to cover every single thing (I am doing this with a kindergartener, after all).

[@RockSimmer-gal4God]

I love the idea of planning per country!!! I love the idea of using categories of extras!!! I loved joey but I’m not sure if it’s available outside of Australia!!! We love angel bread and it’s just bread with butter and sprinkles, it’s a Aussie favourite for little kids!!! The China display is awesome!!! My kids have loved using bear grills videos for landscape information!!! He’s definitely out there tho and over little kids heads!!!

[@SevenInAll]

I will definitely be looking for ideas for activities for little kids to learn about Australia in a few months!

[@toddletrails1016]

What if you learn one or two phrases in each language? Something like, "Hi, how are you?" and "I love you." I LOVE your ideas. (What about Pixar Shorts for some of the countries? Not sure Disney is a reliable source with movies like Mulan, but I love the nature documentary idea).

[@SevenInAll]

Learning phrases could be a good idea. We've been focusing on learning just the names of major languages spoken in each country and I've been showing examples of the scripts used (because I find different writing scripts so beautiful and fascinating!).

[@mywarriorshaven8280]

So fun to watch! We’re planning on using ATW starting August and will also start with China! ❤

[@SevenInAll]

Exciting!!

[@jerilyn-ourhomeschooltable]

That looks so fun! We have several of the books that you showed from when we did Five in a Row volume one. I really like the way Beautiful Feet books uses so many picture books instead of getting into chapter books. 👍🏻❤️

[@SevenInAll]

Yes, I'm really happy with my decision to focus mostly on picture books for this season--there's so much to be learned from them!

[@jerilyn-ourhomeschooltable]

@@SevenInAll I’m using Notgrass Star Spangled Story next year and I’m using book recommendations from Beautiful Feet Early American History and the newly named Sonlight A instead of using the chapter books recommended from Notgrass. Mainly because we’ve already read 4 of the 8 books. So we’ll do the other 4 and then add picture books. 👍🏻

[@SevenInAll]

@@jerilyn-ourhomeschooltable Sounds like a good plan!

[@lisaroper421]

Ah! This looks so fun! I picked the Early American History unit because I do have older daughters with the preschool/kindergarten boys, but I was sorely tempted to do what you are doing! Some day! I will try to remember if there is anything South American I have come across, but so far I am drawing a blank!

[@SevenInAll]

I think we're going to have a blast! Maps and planning vacations are already two of my oldest son's favorite things (ever since our travels last summer, he now seems to think it's possible to go 'on vacation' to whatever he learns about...vacations he wants to go on include: the desert so that he can explore it, somewhere where he can see whales, and somewhere he can see snow).

[@megbelle06]

I'm excited to look into those Africa resources. We're planning to do part one next year. I did purchase some issues of On Mission and the deluxe version of Maps with extra countries but was still feeling like we needed more for that portion. I tend to lean a bit overboard though. It's hard to remember there's plenty of time in the future and I don't have to do everything in one go.

[@SevenInAll]

I highly recommend "Amazing Africa" by Heritage Mom--that where I got my extra book recommendations. And yes, that is important to keep in mind! This will not be the last time they learn about these countries...but we do want to lay a foundation that gives a rich view of the countries. That's one of the reasons I bought the "People and Places" book by DK---I wanted more focus on the peoples of the world (the guide includes lots of animals), but different people groups and how they live are a big part of world geography.

[@sarahescobar4828]

I would love to see a video of your DIY Mexico study… my husband is Hispanic as well and would love to add Mexico to part 2

[@SevenInAll]

I will definitely try to share when we get there!

[@katieshort6904]

Yes, I second that, please share your Mexico study when you get to it!

[@mariek7122]

You probably already know but Thistles and Biscuits as well as Little World Wanderers have great country studies, which have book and activity suggestions as well as things for a display. As someone with zero background with China, I was supposed at how much my young kids and I learned from watching Abominable. It is PG, includes chase scenes and a fight scene, so not sure how sensitive your boys are.

[@SevenInAll]

Yes, I know both of their shops, and I think I will definitely be using some Thistles and Biscuits printables if I want to continue the "display wall" feature. :) I'll have to check out Abominable, thanks for the recommendation!

[@StephanieMT]

Were doing geography for our year and i had some stuff planned but its not enough so i have to get curriculum for more ideas. Im using book list suggestions from guesthollow and plan to use build your library level 0. I have seen what your using but not sure if i want to get it or not.

[@SevenInAll]

Booklists can be very helpful, for sure! I feel like it helps me out that this curriculum starts with a part of the world that I am fairly familiar with--as we 'travel' to other continents I'll have to do more research!

[@user-vr5jr3mx3i]

Im planning on using this with my 2nd grader how many times a week/overall planning would you think, to make both 1 and 2 to fit into a "year" we school sept to june but we also bleed over into the summer months just not as heavy and do math and LA review instead of continuing with new material

[@SevenInAll]

I think it's really just going to depend on how long you spend on each country/how many extras you do. I'm not planning ahead with a specific end date but more just taking a 'common sense' approach and spending more time on the countries I have more resources for (i.e. China) and less time on the countries I don't have as much for (Thailand). We take the approach of doing a little bit every day vs. larger chunks a couple times a week.

[@kita3256]

I’m doing 1 for 2nd grade spine. Hope it’s not too easy for my almost 7 year old. I like your ideas.

[@SevenInAll]

Because it's so topical, I definitely don't think it'll be too easy for a 7 year old, and a good picture book is almost age-less in appeal--I think even my teen sisters will be learning new things regarding capitals, flags, cultures, festivals, etc--you can always add in some chapter books for your older child to read independently, and their notebook will naturally go in greater depth.

[@kita3256]

@@SevenInAll thanks

[@user-xe6qz1cy8k]

Yay China! Only 3 weeks? 😂 Let us know if you find any good kid movies. I've always liked Mulan, but my American husband thinks it's too American. . . I'm curious what you envision language exposure looking like? Also, des the Amazing Africa book cover culture? The Peoples and Culture book looks really good. I might have to get my hands on a copy. I have a habit of wanting to learn about obscure countries (we did a unit on Tajikistan). So that could be a very helpful resource for us.

[@user-xe6qz1cy8k]

And yes, I would love updates. ❤

[@SevenInAll]

I know, 3 weeks seems pretty skimpy for China...and it may end up being a little bit longer...BUT I have to remember that this is only Kindergarten, there are plenty of topics we can save for later, and we will come back to China again and again over time to cover a few thousand years of fascinating history. I also have a soft spot for Mulan...I think I come from that generation that grew up with it. Amazing Africa is a broad overview type of book, with only a page or two per country, it does include some cultural tidbits but by nature of the book, isn't super in-depth. I'm very excited by the "People and Cultures" find--again, it's trying to cover the whole globe, so it doesn't go into incredible depth, but I was excited to see that they cover some of the indigenous people groups local to our region--and in China, they cover the Miao people, and they have pages on the people of Mongolia and maybe Tibet, too, if I remember right. As far as language exposure...I'm still trying to wrap my mind around that. I know the ideal for teaching kids a second language is to just use that minority language as much as possible in everyday routines and really commit...however, to implement that with Chinese would pretty much necessarily result in reducing Spanish input, which I don't want to do. I think for now I'll treat it more as a gentle academic introduction---learning high-frequency phrases/short sentence patterns and building a basic foundation. Like I said, I'm still wrapping my mind around this...I don't necessarily think that fluency always has to be the end goal of language study--languages are worth studying even if total fluency and literacy isn't achieved...

[@user-xe6qz1cy8k]

@@SevenInAll I was just teasing about the 3 weeks thing. :) I totally agree that fluency isn't always the end goal. It's definitely not worth reducing Spanish input at this point. But it's cool getting a broader exposure! I think I would like my kids to begin studying a foreign language at some point, not necessarily to achieve fluency, but I suspect having the experience of putting in the work to learn a non-family language is valuable. And you never know. They might fall in love with it and end up fluent anyway. ☺

[@Theultrateam4]

I have been pretty disappointed with this curriculum so far

[@SevenInAll]

If you see my recent video with a year end review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKrRkKiMbqZ4pc0si=sWVu1SAsj4vrpck0 You'll note our experience with the BFB curriculum. I was able to identify some of my frustrations with it.