European Geography & Cultures Lesson Plan 4 ~ The Nordic Countries

This post is part of the European Geography and Cultures Series. Please the Introductory Post for a list of countries covered with links to all of the blog posts of this series.

This is a Geography Lesson Plan for the Nordic Countries: Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden and Denmark), Iceland and Finland.

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I am an affiliate of Amazon, and will receive a small commission if a link on this page is used to make a purchase.

You can download this lesson plan (including checklists) as a PDF file. Click on the thumbnail below and open the PDF file in Adobe Reader to read and print. If you open in a browser window, the text may be garbled. You may share this online and use the image above without permission, but please have all links point to this blog post, not to the PDF file. Thanks!

Introduction to the Nordic Countries

Read

Country Explorers: Norway (The images in the PDF file provided below and my sample cards are based on this book.)
Children Just Like Me page 28 and 36

Map Folders and Stamp Albums (Follow General Instructions.)

Pass out Folders and Stamp Albums.
Pass out postage stamps from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland, and stamp hinges.

Physical Geography of the Nordic Countries

Where on Earth?

Find the continent of Europe and the countries of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland on a globe. Have students color these countries on the map on their folder.
Find Europe and these countries in the Atlas: start on page 76 of DK Where On Earth? Atlas, then find the countries on page 78. Move on to page 80 to view the landscape, and to page 94 to see it by night.

Land, Climate, Population and Wildlife

Review Europe’s overall climate on page 90 of DK Where On Earth? Atlas.
Review page 92 of DK Where On Earth? Atlas to see the wildlife common across Europe, and don’t miss the “Biomes” sidebar.
Read page 56 – 57 of the DK Children’s World Atlas about Scandinavia and Finland. Find out about agricultural products, major landforms, and water bodies.

Card File (Follow General Card File Instructions.)

Listen to Around the World Stories from one of the Nordic Countries while working (subscription required).
Flag and Map Country Cover Card PDF File (see below)
Country Information Card PDF File (see below)
Category Cards – plain index cards or pre-printed PDF File (you may want to provide samples for students to copy)
Images PDF File for Category Cards (see below)

PDF Files to Download for Card File

Click on the thumbnails below and open the PDF files in Adobe Reader to read and print. If you open in a browser window, the text may be garbled. You may share this online and use the images above without permission, but please have all links point to this blog post, not to the PDF file. Thanks!

People

Choose the activities that interest you the most. Add to your Card File as you learn new things and complete activities. Listen to related music and/or stories while doing projects if possible.

1. Artists

* Theodor Kittelsen

Explore Theodor Kittelsen’s art: https://www.wikiart.org/en/theodor-severin-kittelsen.
Make Art: make a painting inspired by his work.
Color a Troll: http://www.supercoloring.com/pages/norwegian-troll?version=print.

2. Authors & Poets

* Hans Christian Andersen

Read or listen to a story by Hans Christian Andersen and make a related craft.
Watch a movie based on a story by Andersen.

3. Composers

* Edvard Grieg

Listen to the Story of Schumann and Grieg in Words and Music (VOX Music Masters CD)

4. Ministers, Missionaries and Caregivers

Explore: http://www.thankstoscandinavia.org/the-rescues/. Thanks To Scandinavia is an organization which provides scholarships for students from Scandinavia and Bulgaria in recognition of the ordinary people who performed extraordinary acts of courage during WWII. I suggest you preview the rescue stories before reading to young children.

5. Prominent People

* The Vikings

Read or listen to a story from the library about the Vikings.
Make a craft related to the Vikings (search “Vikings craft for kids” on Pinterest.com).

6. Scientists

* Alfred Nobel

Read about Alfred Nobel: http://mocomi.com/alfred-nobel/
Pick a name or two from the list of Nobel Prize recipients: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nobel_laureates and research why they received the prize.
Do a related experiment.
Explore https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/

Places & Food

Choose the activities that interest you the most. Add to your Card File as you learn new things and complete activities.

1. Landmarks & Attractions

Read about 14 Attractions and Things to Do in Scandinavia: https://www.tripsavvy.com/best-attractions-in-scandinavia-1626843
Read about 10 Must-See Natural Attractions in Iceland: https://www.escapehere.com/destination/10-must-see-natural-attractions-in-iceland/

2. Food

Make Viking Bread: https://raisinglifelonglearners.com/kids-in-the-kitchen-viking-bread-recipe-2/
Make Norwegian cookies: http://gingerbreadsnowflakes.com/node/339
Make more Norwegian baked goods: http://www.sunnygandara.com/category/baked-goods/

Find more ideas on my Scandinavia Pinterest Board!

Checklists

Checklist for Basic Materials:

- - - Globe
    - Children Just Like Me
    - DK Where On Earth? Atlas
    - DK Children’s World Atlas
    - Country Explorers: Norway (or similar book)
    - Map Folders, Stamp Albums, Stamps & Hinges
    - Card File materials including printed PDF files (see general instructions)
    - Music and/or Story CDs
    - Stories from Scandinavia by https://www.aroundtheworldstories.com
    - iPad or Computer with internet connection for research (optional)

Checklist for Projects:

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Checklist for International Food Dishes:

- - - - Recipes from the Nordic Countries.
      - Recipe ingredients: ______________________________
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Please comment below with your questions and suggestions – I will respond as soon as I can! Thank you for visiting Cotton Ridge Homeschool!