Afterschooling Adventures: DIY GeoBlocks

 


When my girls and I started our Geography Afterschooling Adventures, I wanted to make something that would symbolize each country we studied.  I loved the idea of having a wooden block featuring the flag of the country we were studying and images to remind us of the things we had learned.

I was able to find 2" wooden blocks at Hobby Lobby for $0.99/each.  I've seen them at AC Moore & Michaels as well:

I painted each block to match the Montessori continent colors:

North America: Orange
South America: Pink
Europe: Red
Asia: Yellow
Africa: Green
Oceana: Brown
Antartica: White

For each block, the girls and I discuss things that we want to remember about that country.  Once we have a list, we search out images using Google Images and print them as wallet size.  We trim them down to just below 2" square (so a little of the block color still shows) and use JudiKins Diamond Glaze to mount them and seal the block.  Mod Podge would probably do as well, I just have a ton of Diamond Glaze hogging up studio space.

Here's a look at our India block:

 

This block features images of the Indian flag, the Festival of Color (Holi), the Taj Mahal, Mahatma Gandhi, Hindu Goddess Lakshmi and the Himalayas.

As we work our way through Asia, we have blocks for Japan, India, South Korea and North Korea.  Next stop:  Thailand!!