Ecuador Unit Study | Geography Curriculum & Hands-On Activities for Kids

Explore the geography, culture, and traditions of Ecuador with this hands-on, literature-based unit study designed for Grades 1 to 6. Perfect for homeschool families, co-ops, classrooms, or Montessori continent studies, this resource integrates mapwork, science, writing, and hands-on cultural activities for kids.

Visit the Galápagos Islands and learn about Charles Darwin’s discoveries through engaging, kid-friendly science activities. Explore Andean music, learn about the virtue of helpfulness, sip a tropical fruit smoothie, and try your hand at art inspired by Ecuadorian artist Julio Toaquiza.

✅ What You're Purchasing:

Our unit studies are literature-based learning frameworks built around carefully curated books, mapwork, journaling, and hands-on cultural activities. While books and select media resources are referenced, they are not included. Each country study provides flexible lesson plans, ready-to-use printables, and engaging activities that make it easy to explore the world together as a family or classroom.

✅ Learning Highlights:

• Read A Discovery of Dragons, a fictionalized account of Charles Darwin’s Galápagos expedition
• Explore ocean currents, natural selection, and biodiversity in the Galápagos Islands
• Build geography and research skills with mapwork and notebooking activities
• Practice writing skills with sentence-based activities using The Writing Revolution
• Listen to traditional Andean music and try your hand at Ecuadorian-inspired art
• Prepare a tropical fruit smoothie and play the trick-taking card game Cuarenta

✅ What’s Included:



• Ecuador Mapwork & Notebooking: Students label major cities, landforms, and cultural landmarks while customizing their own maps. Notebooking pages invite students to document facts, sketch discoveries, and color the national flag.
• Literature Study: Read and discuss A Discovery of Dragons, an imaginative introduction to Charles Darwin’s discoveries in the Galápagos.
• Circle Round Folktales + Writing Revolution Activities: Build writing skills with sentence-based exercises connected to Ecuadorian stories and geography.
• Science Notebooking: Explore the Galápagos Islands through hands-on activities covering ocean currents, biodiversity, natural selection, and animal adaptations.
• Creative Arts & Music: Listen to traditional Andean music and explore the work of Ecuadorian folk artist Julio Toaquiza, then create your own vibrant artwork.
• Cooking Class: Make a tropical fruit smoothie using ingredients native to Ecuador.
• Character Education: Discuss the virtue of helpfulness throughout the unit study.

✅ Bonus Materials:

• Printable Global Explorers Cookbook Page for Ecuador
• Discover Ecuador: Bingo Challenge activity sheet
• Ecuador Unit Overview Sheet
• Access to our optional digital planning tool in Notion
• Plus, more than a dozen extra printable resources, such as book passports, food chain pyramid templates, and more!

Format: Printable PDF + Optional Digital Access

Best For: Homeschoolers, co-ops, enrichment, Montessori continent studies, and classroom geography units

Why Choose Global Explorers?

At the Global Explorers Club, we believe geography should be an adventure and not just a list of places to memorize. Our secular, literature-based unit studies allow children to explore the world through living books, hands-on activities, mapwork, and meaningful cultural experiences. Designed for flexible, family-style learning, each study encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper appreciation for the people, places, and traditions that make our world unique.