• Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Activity, Change, Progress

  • HOME
  • How to
    • Preschool
    • Kindergarten
    • Middle School
    • High School
  • Planner
  • Lapbooks
    • Trioramas
    • History Games
  • Shop
  • GET STARTED NOW!
    • Learning Styles
  • 7 Step Planner
    • DIY Best Student Planner
    • Free & Easy DIY Home Management Binder
  • Unit Studies
    • Creation to Ancients
    • Middle Ages to Reform
    • Exploring to Revolution
    • World Wars to Today
    • Science
    • Free Art Curriculum Grades 1 – 8
  • Curriculum
    • More Unit Studies
    • Geography
    • Writing PreK to 12th
    • Geronimo Stilton
  • BootCamp
    • Resources
      • Dynamic Subscriber Freebies
      • Exclusive Subscribers Library
      • Ultimate Unit Study Planner

Welcome

Easy Preschool Jellyfish Button Practice Activity Your Kids Will Love

June 13, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a fun preschool jellyfish button activity your kids will love.  Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more learning and playing ideas.

And look at my page Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook for more ocean activities. I have a creative and engaging way to help your preschooler build fine motor skills.

My jellyfish button practice activity is a perfect blend of fun, learning, and tactile play.

Easy Preschool Jellyfish Button Practice Activity Your Kids Will Love

Besides having fun, your preschooler will learn more.

For instance, they practice button skills which is an essential life skill.

Also they will explore jellyfish life and learn about the ocean.

And working on fine motor skills helps your preschooler to get ready for things like writing, calculating math and reading.

But too it teaches confidence and independence from an early age

BOOKS ABOUT JELLYFISH FOR KIDS

Then use some of these books as read aloud or just to include your older children in learning about jellyfish.

Younger kids practice their fine motor skills while they older learn too is a win win for the day.

7 Books and Resources about Jellyfish

Add some of these books and resources to your study of jellyfish.

Jellyfish: A Natural History

With their undulating umbrella-shaped bells and sprawling tentacles, they are compelling and gorgeous, strange and dangerous. In many places they’re also vastly increasing in number, and these population blooms may be an ominous indicator of the rising temperatures and toxicity of the oceans.

Jellyfish (A Day in the Life: Sea Animals)

Beautiful and translucent, jellyfish can be deadly but some are perfectly harmless. Learn about the physical traits of jellyfish, how they move, where they are found, and their hunting and sleeping habits.

Moon Jelly Swims Through the Sea

Describes the life cycle of a female moon jellyfish as she escapes the many hazards of the sea to develop from planula to polyp to ephyra to a young adult ready to lay her own fertilized eggs.

Jellyfish - 70 Piece Tube Building Stem/Steam Toy

SIMPLE DESIGN - FUELS CREATIVITY: One shape, endless possibility! Every brick easily connects to the next. Create colorful flat mosaics or work in 3-D to make more intricate builds. Mix and match any Plus-Plus set to bring more ideas to life!

Jellyfish Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles

CHALLENGE GAME - Wooden jigsaw puzzles with uniquely shaped pieces are actually more challenging than traditional woodcut puzzles. It is absolutely going to be a great adventure!

A Jellyfish Is Not a Fish (Let'S-Read-And-Find-Out Science Book)

Describes the general characteristics and functions of a variety of jellyfish with emphasis on the ones to avoid.

Bloom

Once, the ocean was full of friends. Then a little jellyfish notices that things are changing--friends are disappearing! He sets out to discover the truth and learns that everyone has a part to play in protecting the careful balance of the ocean. "Bloom" refers to a substantial increase in jellyfish population that can be caused by climate change and pollution. In this beautifully illustrated, timely, and topical tale, the jellyfish band together to deliver an important message.

Also, look at the benefits of learning through playing.

BENEFITS OF LEARNING THROUGH PLAY

  • Fine Motor Skills:
  •  Strengthens small hand muscles and improves finger coordination by practicing buttoning.
  • Hand-Eye Coordination:
  •  Helps children align the slit with the button and manipulate the felt accurately.
  • Color Recognition & Patterning:
  •  Kids can match or alternate tentacle colors to make creative combinations.
  • Creative Expression:
  •  Encourages imaginative play and design choices as kids build their own jellyfish friends.

Then, look at more how to preschool activities.

MORE ACTIVITIES FOR PRESCHOOL

  • Free Find And Count Printable & Spring Activities Preschoolers Love
  • Letter L Handprint Craft | How to Make a Lobster Handprint
  • How to Make a Queens Crown | Letter Q Crafts for Preschoolers
  • How to Make Goodnight Gorilla Craft Puppets for Storytime
  • Jumpstart Learning with the Free Alphabet Frog Lily Pad Game
  • Sensory Play Made Easy: Crafting a Community Helpers Sensory Bin
  • Easy Spring Activities For Preschoolers Science And Fun Busy Book
Easy Preschool Jellyfish Button Practice Activity Your Kids Will Love

And then look at more jellyfish activities.

MORE JELLYFISH ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

  • Celebrate World Jellyfish Day With A Jellyfish in a Jar Preschool Activity
  • Easy Jellyfish Bubble Painting
  • Learn How to Make an Easy Jellyfish Lights Craft.
  • JellyFish Craft Made From Coffee Filters

Finally, look at how to do this fun activity to strengthen fine motor skills and teach an essential life skill.

PRESCHOOL JELLYFISH BUTTON ACTIVITY

Here is your easy list of supplies.

  • Felt sheets
  • Scissors
  • Hot glue gun.
  • Buttons (small to medium size). Note: Bigger buttons can make this easier but adjust accordingly.

And of course your child can help as you make it, but your child will really love playing with it more.

Easy Preschool Jellyfish Button Practice Activity Your Kids Will Love

First, create the jellyfish head.

Cut a large jellyfish head shape out of felt.

A rounded dome with a flat bottom works best.

Easy Preschool Jellyfish Button Practice Activity Your Kids Will Love

Then attach the eyes.

Hot glue two buttons onto the top portion of the jellyfish head to act as eyes.

Easy Preschool Jellyfish Button Practice Activity Your Kids Will Love

Next, add buttons for tentacles.

 Along the flat bottom edge of the jellyfish head, glue several buttons spaced evenly apart.

These will be used to attach the tentacles.

Easy Preschool Jellyfish Button Practice Activity Your Kids Will Love

Finally, prepare the tentacles.

Easy Preschool Jellyfish Button Practice Activity Your Kids Will Love

Cut long strips of felt in coordinating or contrasting colors to create the tentacles.

Fold over one end of each strip and cut a small vertical slit through both layers.

This slit should be just wide enough to fit over a button.

Easy Preschool Jellyfish Button Practice Activity Your Kids Will Love

Kids will use the slits in the tentacle strips to “button” them onto the jellyfish head.

They will stretch the slit over each button and pull it down until it’s secured, just like buttoning a shirt.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: button, fine motor, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, jellyfish, ocean, preschool, preschool skills

Cool Facts About Mollusks | How To Create A Decoupaged Oyster Shell

June 12, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Cool facts about mollusks, ideas for amazing activities, and a tutorial for a decoupaged oyster shell are just a portion of what I have for you. Also, look at my page Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook for more hands-on ideas.

Mollusks are a fascinating group of animals that live mostly in water and have soft bodies, often protected by hard shells.

They are invertebrates, which means they don’t have backbones.

Cool Facts About Mollusks | How To Create A Decoupaged Oyster Shell

And they belong to the phylum Mollusca, one of the largest groups of animals in the world and there are over 85,000 known species of mollusk.

We loved this book About Mollusks: A Guide for Children.

Next, look at more books to add to your study.

MOLLUSKS BOOKS FOR KIDS

I prefer living books when I can find them.

8 Books About Mollusks

Add some of these books to your home library or to your unit study for the day.

About Mollusks: A Guide for Children

The book uses simple, easy-to-understand language to teach children what mollusks are, how they look, how they move, what they eat, and where they live. The beautifully detailed, realistic paintings of noted wildlife illustrator John Sill introduce readers to a variety of mollusks—from the small garden snail to the giant Pacific octopus. An afterword provides more details about the animals in the book.

Giant Squid (Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor (Awards))

The giant squid is one of the most elusive creatures in the world. As large as whales, they hide beyond reach deep within the sea, forcing scientists to piece together their story from those clues they leave behind.An injured whale's ring-shaped scars indicate an encounter with a giant squid. A piece of beak broken off in the whale's belly; a flash of ink dispersed as a blinding defense to allow the squid to escape-- these fragments of proof were all we had . . . until a giant squid was finally filmed in its natural habitat only two years ago.In this beautiful and clever nonfiction picture book about the giant squid, Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann explore, both visually and poetically, this hidden creature's mysterious life.

Matisse's Magical Trail

A young snail's artistic trail inspires a whole class of children to be creative too!

The snail's spell

"Brilliant illustrations and a short text invite an unnamed sleeping, pajama-clad child into a garden teeming with wildlife. The boy gradually shrinks until he is so small he experiences things as a snail would. The incredibly detailed drawings and the idea of shrinking to enter another world should capture children's imaginations

Escargot

Escargot is an adorable French snail who only wants two things: 1) To be your favorite animal, and 2) To eat the delicious salad at the end of this book. Except this delicious salad has a carrot in it. And Escargot hates carrots. But when he finally tries one―with a little help from you!―he realizes that it’s not so bad after all.

The Snail House

Here is the story Grandma tells one evening on her wide veranda steps. It has Michael and Hannah and the disappearing baby in it, a tigerish bird, raindrops like sacks of water, and the hugest apple you ever saw. Oh yes . . . and the Snail House. So gather round, climb up now into Grandma’s lap. Darkness is falling, the air is still, and the story is just about to begin.

Snail in the woods (A Nature I can read book)

A snail's life from the time it is hatched to the time it lays its own eggs.

The Biggest House in the World

A young snail dreams of having the biggest house—or shell—in the world. Then one day, his wise father tells him the story of another snail with the same dream. He grew and grew, adding bright colors and beautiful designs, until he found that his house came at a terrible cost. The young snail decides that a small, easy-to-carry shell might be best for a life of adventure and exploration.

Today we are going to look at the 3 main types of mollusks-bivalves, gastropods, and cephalopods before we begin our craft.

3 MAIN TYPES OF MOLLUSKS

BIVALVES

(“Bi-” means two)These mollusks have two shells hinged together, like a book. They are usually filter feeders and don’t have a head or much visible movement.

  • Scallops – Can “swim” by clapping their shells together
  • Oysters – Create reefs and sometimes pearls
  • Clams – Live buried in sand or mud and use a foot to dig
  • Mussels – Attach to rocks using strong fibers called byssal threads

GASTROPODS

(“Gastro” means stomach and “pod” means foot—because they move on their stomach-foot!). This is the largest group of mollusks. Most have a single, spiraled shell, though some (like slugs) have none at all.

  • Snails – Found on land and in water, with a coiled shell for protection
  • Slugs – No shell, but covered in mucus to keep from drying out
  • Sea Hares – Large marine snails with soft bodies and beautiful colors
  • Whelks and Conchs – Marine snails with beautiful spiral shells.

CEPHALOPODS

(“Cephalo” means head and “pod” means foot—because their feet (tentacles) come out of their head!) Cephalopods are the smartest and fastest of the mollusks. Most don’t have external shells, except the nautilus, and can change color and texture.

  • Octopuses – Eight arms, high intelligence, and the ability to squeeze into tiny spaces
  • Squid – Ten limbs (eight arms, two longer tentacles) and fast swimmers
  • Cuttlefish – Similar to squid but with a special shell inside (the cuttlebone)
  • Nautiluses – Have beautiful, coiled shells and many tentacles, but lack the speed of other cephalopods

8 COOL FACTS ABOUT MOLLUSKS

  1. Cephalopods like squid, octopuses, and cuttlefish use special skin cells called chromatophores to change their color and pattern for camouflage, communication, and to scare off predators.
  2. In ancient times, people harvested murex snails to make a deep purple dye known as Tyrian purple, used in royal clothing. It took thousands of snails to make just a small amount, which is why it became a symbol of wealth and power
  3. Oysters can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, they do this to extract food and minerals from the water.
  4. Octopuses can open jars, use tools, and even solve puzzles!
  5. Scallops have dozens of tiny blue eyes along the edge of their shell.
  6. Some oysters produce pearls- a smooth, shiny ball formed when a grain of sand gets trapped inside their shell.
  7. Giant clams can grow over 4 feet wide and weigh more than 500 pounds.
  8. Some sea snails have shells that spiral in different directions—right (dextral) or left (sinistral).
Cool Facts About Mollusks | How To Create A Decoupaged Oyster Shell

Also, look at my post How Do Mollusks Breathe | Easy Pipe Cleaner Snail Craft.

Finally, look at how to do this fun decoupaged oyster shell.

HOW TO CREATE A DECOUPAGED OYSTER SHELL

You will need:

  • Decorative napkins or tissue paper
  • Mod Podge (or white glue mixed with water)
  • Small paintbrush
  • Scissors
  • Optional: gold paint or a gold paint pen
Cool Facts About Mollusks | How To Create A Decoupaged Oyster Shell

If you are using shells you found on the beach (or collected from a seafood restaurant) clean the shells to make sure your oyster shells are free of dirt and debris.

You can scrub them lightly with soap and water.

Using a paintbrush, coat the inside of the shell with Mod Podge.

Cool Facts About Mollusks | How To Create A Decoupaged Oyster Shell


Separate the thin printed layer from the white layers.

Cool Facts About Mollusks | How To Create A Decoupaged Oyster Shell


Gently press the paper onto the Mod Podge-coated shell. Smooth it out carefully to avoid wrinkles.

Cool Facts About Mollusks | How To Create A Decoupaged Oyster Shell

While still wet carefully tear away the excess away from the edges all the way around the shell.

Cool Facts About Mollusks | How To Create A Decoupaged Oyster Shell


Once everything is dry, paint the edges of the shell with gold paint for a polished, elegant look or use any color you like to finish off the edge.

Here are a few of the creative ways you can put your decoupaged oyster shell to use. To hold your sea glass collection…

Cool Facts About Mollusks | How To Create A Decoupaged Oyster Shell

For spare change…

Next to the sink to hold your ring while you do dishes…

For hairpins…

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, mollusks, oysters, science

Free Reptiles Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning

June 11, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a free reptiles lapbook for your hands-on learners. Also, look at my page Homeschool Lapbooks – Powerful Tools For Mastery Learning for more lapbook ideas.

Reptiles are a fascinating group of animals. There is a tremendous amount of diversity from lizards and snakes to reptiles.

Too, some reptiles like geckos and bearded dragons are popular as pets.

Free Reptiles Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning

Reptiles are cold-blooded vertebrates that lay eggs (with a few exceptions) and have scaly skin that helps them retain moisture.

There are four major groups which are crocodilians, lizards, snakes, and turtles and tortoises.

And they are ectothermic. This means they rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature.

REPTILE BOOKS AND RESOURCES FOR KIDS

Next, add some of these books and resources to your day learning about reptiles.

6 Reptile Books and Resources

Add some of these books and resources about reptiles to your library.

Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles

A fascinating picture book biography of a pioneering female scientist who loved reptiles!While other girls played with dolls, Joan preferred the company of reptiles. She carried her favorite lizard with her everywhere--she even brought a crocodile to school!When Joan grew older, she became the Curator of Reptiles at the British Museum. She went on to design the Reptile House at the London Zoo, including a home for the rumored-to-be-vicious komodo dragons. There, just like when she was a little girl, Joan hosted children's tea parties--with her komodo dragon as the guest of honor.

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.Nature Anatomy is the second book in Rothman's Anatomy series – you'll love Nature Anatomy Notebook, Ocean Anatomy, Food Anatomy, and Farm Anatomy, too!

The Ultimate Book of Reptiles: Your guide to the secret lives of these scaly, slithery, and spectacular creatures!

Sink your fangs into the hidden worlds of these scaly and sensational creatures with leading reptile scientist and National Geographic Explorer Dr. Ruchira Somaweera as your guide.Meet the coolest cold-blooded animals ever. From lizards to snakes, turtles to crocodiles, something called a tuatara, and even enormous prehistoric reptiles (think real-life sea monsters!), you’ll discover what makes a reptile a reptile; how these creatures live, hunt, hide, and raise their young, and the wild adaptations that make them so unique. Learn which snake is the most venomous on the planet and which are surprisingly gentle creatures, which reptile is born with a highly developed third eye in its forehead, and which one is so tiny it could balance on the tip of your finger—plus loads of super important conservation information and impactful ways to join the fight to save endangered reptile species right from home!

Professor Noggin's Reptiles and Amphibians Trivia Card Game

  • PLAY & LEARN: Professor Noggin’s series of educational card games encourages kids to learn interesting facts about their favorite subjects.
  • FUN FACTS: How about Reptiles versus Amphibians?!  That's just one of the topic cards in this kids card game.  Find out more fun facts from Eggs to the Komodo Dragon!

Reptiles do the Strangest Things

A great book that parents could read for kids and also includes fun trivia!!

Album of Reptiles

Dramatic incidents preface descriptions of reptiles ranging from crocodiles and cobras to turtles and tuataras

Also, look at more hands-on activities to pair with this free reptiles lapbook.

ACTIVITIES TO PAIR WITH THE FREE REPTILES LAPBOOK

  • Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles
  • Celebrate Snakes | How To Make A Fake Snakeskin Snake Craft Preschool
  • Animals That Are Born Alive And Hatched From Egg DIY Hatching Egg Activity
  • 10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana
  • From Egg to Sea Turtle Nature Unit Study & Lapbook
  • Leatherback Turtle Life Cycle: A Deep Dive into Their Journey
  • Dinosaur Unit Study
  • Amazon Rainforest Predators and Make a Fun Pasta Emerald Tree Boa
Free Reptiles Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning

And look at more homeschool lapbooks.

MORE HOMESCHOOL LAPBOOKS

  • Free Butterfly Lapbook For Kids Who Love Hands-On Learning
  • Free Ladybug Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-On Learning
  • Math Lapbook Ideas And Free Time And Money Lapbook
  • 15 Amazing Lapbook Materials to Use Besides Glue and Paper
  • 75 AWESOME Things to Add to a Lapbook
  • Exploring Space and Astronomy
  • Honey Bees Lapbook for Kids
  • Free Wildflowers Lapbook
  • Amber – Freezing Gold Lapbook
  • Coral Reef Lapbook
  • Fall Unit Study (Includes Apples, Sir Isaac Newton, Art, and Appleseed)

Next, look at the free downloads in this lapbook.

  • habitat
  • types of reptile scales
  • classification of reptiles
  • name the reptile
  • all about reptiles
  • crocodiles of the world

Finally, look at how to grab your free reptiles lapbook.

HOW TO GET THE FREE REPTILES LAPBOOK

Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, lapbook, lapbooking, lapbookresources, lapbooks, reptiles, science

Why Were Trail Cattle Branded & How To Make A Branding Iron Craft

June 10, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Have you ever wondered why were trail cattle branded? What is the purpose and how do they do it? Also, look at my page History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail.

Mosey on down the trail with me and let’s learn all about it.

Cattle branding began way back in ancient civilizations. Early Egyptians, dating back to around 2700 BC, are known to have marked their cattle.

There is also evidence that indicates similar practices in other ancient societies like those in Mesopotamia.

Why Were Trail Cattle Branded & How To Make A Branding Iron Craft

During the westward expansion, cattle branding was important for identifying ownership and deterring theft on the open range.

Branding became essential for managing large herds and determining ownership in the vast open ranges of the American West, especially during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Brands were registered, and distinct designs became essential for preventing theft and confusion.

Trail cattle are still branded today, but not as extensive as in the past.

BOOKS ABOUT CATTLE TRAILS AND DRIVES FOR KIDS

Next, look at some of these books about cattle trails.

I prefer living books when we can find them.

10 Resources for Learning About the Lone Star State & Texas Cattle Drives

Add a few of these resources to learn about the great state of Texas.

The Chisholm Trail: A History of the World's Greatest Cattle Trail

The Chisholm Trail was the original "Cowboy Highway" stretching hundreds of miles from the ranches of Texas to the Cattle markets in Kansas. This classic work chronicles in vivid detail the entire journey of the trail and is complete with descriptions of actual incidents and events that occurred along the trail as well as stories of famous and infamous cowboys, outlaws, rustlers, Indians, and lawmen who made the journey.

A Gentle Tour Through Texas History

A guide for teaching Texas History through literature. It is based on a 34-week timeframe and is useful for students in grades K-6/7.

Texas History for Kids with 21 Activities

Encapsulating the 500-year saga of the one-of-a-kind state of Texas, this interactive book takes readers from the founding of the Spanish Missions and the victory at San Jacinto to the Great Storm that destroyed Galveston and the establishment of NASA’s Mission Control in Houston while covering everything in between. Texas History for Kids includes 21 informative and fun activities to help readers better understand the state’s culture, politics, and geography. Kids will recreate one of the six national flags that have flown over the state, make castings of local wildlife tracks, design a ranch’s branding iron, celebrate Juneteenth by reciting General Order Number 3, build a miniature Battle of Flowers float, and more. This valuable resource also includes a timeline of significant events, a list of historic sites to visit or explore online, and web resources for further study.

Texas Activity Book (Color and Learn)

A New Way to Enjoy Texas with Your Family

For hours of excitement, give your kids the Texas Activity Book by Paula Ellis! They'll enjoy learning about the Lone Star State through pictures and puzzles. It's also perfect for keeping kids entertained on the car ride to your next destination.

Texas Longhorn Bull Cow Toy Figure

DETAILED & REALISTIC. Crafted with precision and authentic detail to create a lifelike toy that teaches and inspires toddlers and kids; helps introduce children to animals. From the first sketch to the intricate finishing touches, we see value in every detail.

Susanna of the Alamo: A True Story

“Remember the Alamo!” is one of the most familiar battle cries in American history, yet few know about the brave woman who inspired it. Susanna Dickinson’s story reveals the crucial role she played during that turbulent period in Texas-American history.

The Boy in the Alamo

The classic story of the siege of the Alamo, as told for young readers. Originally published in 1958, thousands of children each year enjoy this story from the unique point of view of twelve-year old Billy Campbell.

Plains Warrior: Chief Quanah Parker and the Comanches

A biography of the legendary Comanche leader profiles the son of a white woman, who fiercely defended tribal lands against those who tried to seize them and who, after being moved with his people to a reservation, fought for the recognition and decent treatment of his tribe.

Make Way for Sam Houston

Colorful Sam Houston leaps to life in the pages of this fresh and funny biography, set against the story of Texas's fight for independence from Mexico.

Trail Fever: The Life of a Texas Cowboy

The story of one of Texas's most famous cowboys is filled with cattle drives, stampedes, floods, droughts, freezing desert nights, raiders and bandits, and one man's endurance and love of life on the plains.

Branding is still used by many ranchers as a method of livestock identification, especially in larger herds or those that graze on open range.

Electronic tagging and other identification methods are also used, but branding remains a traditional and often practical way to identify cattle.

HOW AND WHY WERE TRAIL CATTLE BRANDED

First, look at cattle branding during the westward expansion.

CATTLE BRANDING DURING WESTWARD EXPANSION

Why?

  • To identify ownership of cattle on open ranges.
  • Deter cattle rustling (theft).
  • Essential during cattle drives like those on the Chisholm Trail.

Methods:

Hot Iron Branding: Most common method. A metal brand was heated in a fire until red-hot. Pressed onto the animal’s hide, burning the skin and leaving a permanent scar.

Branding often happened on the trail or at roundups. Cowboys would rope the calves, wrestle them down, and apply the brand.

Designs were unique to each ranch, designed to be hard to alter (to prevent rustling), and registered with territorial or state brand registries.

This method was rough, manual, labor-intensive and often unsanitary and painful for animals, but considered necessary.

MODERN CATTLE BRANDING

Still Used, But Evolving:

Branding is still common, especially in Western states. Used to establish legal ownership, even with fences and technology.

Methods:

Hot Iron Branding-Same principle, more regulated. Equipment is more sophisticated, propane-heated irons. Often used on older or range-roaming cattle.

Freeze Branding- Uses super cooled irons (dry ice or liquid nitrogen), Kills pigment-producing cells, leaving white hair growth in the shape of the brand, and is less painful and scarring than hot branding. Often used on horses or dairy cattle.

Ear Tagging / RFID Chips- Non-permanent, easier to read at a distance. Includes barcodes or microchips. Common in feedlots or more tech-driven operations.

Tattooing-Less visible but used in purebred or registered cattle.

Why Were Trail Cattle Branded & How To Make A Branding Iron Craft

Also, look at more activities to pair with why were trail cattle branded.

ACTIVITIES TO PAIR WITH WHY WERE TRAIL CATTLE BRANDED

  • History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail
  • 7 Wyatt Earp and the Cowboys Facts And Kids Gun Holster Handicraft
  • How Texas Cattle Drives Shaped Its History and Longhorn Craft
  • Free Copywork Cattle A Texas Poem For a Fun Unit Study
  • Of course, you can incorporate some home economics/life skills into your unit with a tasty trail recipe like these Dutch oven recipes that the trail cook could prepare over open fires

DIY TRAIL CATTLE “BRAND” ACTIVITY

Full transparency, when I came up with this idea for a cattle brand, I intended to be able to use it as a hot glue stamp with ink or paint

However, I found that it just didn’t transfer well at all.

Even smoothing out the hot glue by pressing it onto a silicone sheet while it was still slightly warm didn’t help the ink stick to the surface.

But I still thought it was a really cool and fun project that opens discussion for talk about the how’s and whys of early and modern cattle branding.

You will need:

  • Small wooden disk
  • 12” dowel rod
  • Pencil
  • Hot glue gun/glue sticks
  • Ink pad/ paint
Why Were Trail Cattle Branded & How To Make A Branding Iron Craft

After you have researched brands sketch out a bunch of designs on paper with a pencil until you find one you like.  Use your initials, simple images, or just some various shapes.

Why Were Trail Cattle Branded & How To Make A Branding Iron Craft

Next, use the pencil to redraw the design lightly onto a wooden disk.

Why Were Trail Cattle Branded & How To Make A Branding Iron Craft

TRAIL CATTLE “BRAND” ACTIVITY

Trace over the pencil drawing with hot glue, trying to keep the thickness uniform.

Why Were Trail Cattle Branded & How To Make A Branding Iron Craft

*Tip- Before you use the glue gun to create your design practice with it a bit, getting the hang of how thick and how fast your glue comes out, so your lines are smooth and even, use a silicone mat or a sheet of parchment paper.

To make the handle of our brand apply a small puddle of hot glue to the back of the wooden disk your design is on and press the dowel rod into the glue, holding it for a couple of minutes until the glue cools and sets.

Why Were Trail Cattle Branded & How To Make A Branding Iron Craft

Repeat the process adding a bit more glue each time, running it down the sides an inch or two up from the disk to create a thick sturdy “weld”. Allow to cool completely.

Why Were Trail Cattle Branded & How To Make A Branding Iron Craft

To give our brand a bit more of the look of metal we are going to take paint or ink and rub or brush it all over the handle and branding head, including the brand itself.

Why Were Trail Cattle Branded & How To Make A Branding Iron Craft

Now I was able to stamp it into playdough/clay to get a decent brand impression. So, you can include that in your activity as you talk about how a real brand is applied to cattle.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: cattle, cowboy, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool

How To Make A Desert Diorama With Free Printables

June 9, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I’m showing you how to make a desert diorama with a free printable desert diorama you can download.

Creating a desert diorama is a fun hands-on activity that combines art and science.

It sparks creativity while reinforcing key lessons in ecosystems and geography. And a desert biome offers a perfect blend of beauty and fascinating life forms.

How To Make A Desert Diorama With Free Printables

For instance, you can learn about ecosystems, food webs and climate.

Too, learning about the various deserts around the world is a fun way to learn geography.

Personally, I like them with unit studies since you can learn about the flora and fauna along with geography.

DESERT BOOKS FOR KIDS

Also, add some of these books about the desert so you child can explore which deserts interest him.

I have plenty of books below that your child can choose from.

18 Desert Books & Resources for Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

Add some of these living books and references books about the desert to your library.

The Seed & the Giant Saguaro

Children's reader on the subject of deserts and what lives there Large book with very large kid friendly illustrations

Cactus Hotel (Rise and Shine)

It is another hot day in the desert. Birds and other animals scurry about looking for food. When they get tired they stop to rest at a giant cactus. It is their hotel in the desert!Many different animals live in the cactus hotel. It protects them; and they protect it, by eating the pests that could harm the cactus.The cactus grows larger and larger and will live for about two hundred years. When one animal moves out, another moves in. There is never a vacancy in the cactus hotel.This story--about a desert, a giant cactus, and the animals who live in it--is one that even the youngest child will understand and enjoy.

Desert Giant: The World of the Saguaro Cactus

A venerable saguaro cactus stands like a statue in the hot desert landscape, its armlike branches reaching fifty feet into the air. From a distance it appears to be completely still and solitary--but appearances can be deceptive. In fact, this giant tree of the desert is alive with activity. Its spiny trunk and branches are home to a surprising number of animals, and its flowers and fruit feed many desert dwellers. Gila woodpeckers and miniature elf owls make their homes inside the saguaro's trunk. Long-nosed bats and fluttering white doves drink the nectar from its showy white flowers. People also play a role in the saguaro's story: each year the Tohono O'odham Indians gather its sweet fruit in a centuries-old harvest ritual.

Where Is the Sahara Desert?

Imagine over three million square miles of sand dunes that are as tall as a ten-story building. That place is real -- it's the Sahara Desert! Vast, yes! And home to fascinating creatures such as ostriches and fennec foxes as well as amazing plant life. The shallow roots of the mesquite tree can grow almost 200 feet across to absorb water. Readers will also learn about the famous trade routes of the past with caravans of up to 10,000 camels, European explorers to the region (some very unlucky ones), and native populations like the Berber and Tuareg, the faces of the men are blue from the dye in the veils they always wear.

Where Is Antarctica?

Antarctica, the earth's southernmost continent, was virtually untouched by humans until the nineteenth century. Many famous explorers journeyed (and often died) there in the hope of discovering a land that
always seemed out of reach. This book introduces readers to this
desert--yes, desert!--continent that holds about 90 percent of the
world's ice; showcases some of the 200 species that call Antarctica
home, including the emperor penguin; and discusses environmental dangers to the continent, underscoring how what happens to Antarctica affects the entire world.

A Desert Scrapbook: Dawn to Dusk in the Sonoran Desert

In the early morning hours, an artist stirs. Gathering her paints and notebook, she heads into the Arizona Sonoran Desert to explore its treasures. Sketching, painting, and writing, she records all that she sees and as night falls, she spreads out her pictures to make this scrapbook of her day, from dawn to dusk.

This Place Is Dry: Arizona's Sonoran Desert

Surveys the living conditions in Arizona's Sonora Desert for the people and unusual animals that live there. Also describes the engineering accomplishment of Hoover Dam.

Desert Solitaire

In Desert Solitaire, Edward Abbey recounts his many escapades, adventures, and epiphanies as an Arches National Park ranger outside Moab, Utah. Brimming with arresting insights, impassioned arguments for wilderness conservation, and a raconteur’s wit, it is one of Abbey’s most critically acclaimed works.   Through stories and philosophical musings, Abbey reflects on the condition of our remaining wilderness, the future of a civilization, and his own internal struggle with morality. As the world continues its rapid development, Abbey’s cry to maintain the natural beauty of the West remains just as relevant today as when this book first appeared in 1968.

Coyote Raid In Cactus Canyon

While the rest of the animals hide from view from a group of rambunctious coyotes, the fearless gang takes full advantage of the open space of Cactus Canyon and participates with great zeal in an array of nighttime activities, but an unexpected encounter with a rattlesnake quickly puts an end to the coyotes fun as they are sent running for cover, too!

Roxaboxen

Marian called it Roxaboxen. There across the road, it looked like any rocky hill—nothing but sand and rocks, and some old wooden boxes. But it was a special place. And all children needed to go there was a long stick and a soaring imagination.

Why Oh Why Are Deserts Dry? All About Deserts

n this latest installation of the Cat in the Hat's Learning Library, the Cat takes Sally and Dick to explore different kinds of deserts around the world,  from the hot, dry Sonoran and Mojavi to the bitter cold Gobi and Antarctica. Young readers learn why deserts are dry, and how plants and animals—including cactus, kangaroos, camels, penguins, roadrunners, and many others—have adapted to survive the unforgiving climate. Also included: how sand dunes are formed; the reason we see mirages, and how shallow water beneath the surface of the ground can create an oasis. Fans of the new PBS preschool science show The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! (which is based on the Learning Library series) won't want to miss this hot new addition to the series!

One Day in the Desert

‘A wounded mountain lion moves from his mountain habitat to a Papago Indian hut in Arizona’s Sonoran desert during a record-breaking July day. All creation adapts to the blistering heat until a cloudburst causes a flash flood. With a measured yet vivid style, this introduction to desert ecology makes a memorable impact."

Deserts

This intriguing yet simple description will captivate young readers who have an interest in the unfamiliar.

A Walk in the Desert (Biomes of North America)

Take a walk through the desert. This hot, dry biome of the southwest is full of life. How do plants and animals of the desert live? As you wander through the desert, discover how each and every plant and animal relies on the others to live and grow.

Wildlife of the Southwest Deserts

Learn about the fascinating creatures of the desert Southwest including: Venomous Animals Insects and Arthropods Rattlesnakes, Lizards, Desert Tortoise The Roadrunner and other Birds Bighorn Sheep, Kit Fox, Coyote.

Indian Uses of Desert Plants

Now in its fourth edition, this is a beautiful book with both historical and contemporary images showing the most important plants used by Native Americans. Medicinal, food resources, tools and shelter are just some of the uses discussed. Plants shown and described are among the most widespread plants in the desert Southwest.

Desert Snakes

Learn all about desert snakes with the beautiful book by James W. Cornett.

The Namib Desert

An excellent introduction to the natural history of the Namib Desert of southwest Africa. At its heart, second only to the Atacama Desert of Chile and Peru as the driest place on Earth. Also, it is the oldest desert on our planet and the only desert with a megafauna including elephant, giraffe, and rhinoceros. The lofty orange dunes, highest in the world, are also shown and discussed.

Next, look at more activities to go with this free printable desert diorama.

MORE HANDS-ON DESERT ACTIVITIES

  • How To Create An Engaging Desert Sensory Bin For Hands-On Play
  • Check out these 8 Desert Craft Ideas | How To Make Egg Carton Cactus to focus a bit on the flora of the desert biome.
  • 7 Desert Crafts For Kids: How To Make A Clay Cactus Jewelry Holder
  • Exploring Edible Cactus: Hands-on Learning (The Desert)
  • Easy Desert Animal Crafts And A Scorpion Creation
  • Explore 3 completely different desert habitats and learn How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica to display the flora and fauna of each.
  • While you are learning about snakes of the desert here is a fun craft Celebrate Snakes | How To Make A Fake Snakeskin Snake Craft Preschool to learn about this aspect of snakes.
  • Make a Hygrometer: Day 1 Hands-on Learning (Humidity in the Desert)

How To Make A Desert Diorama With Free Printables

Finally, grab the free printable desert diorama.

HOW TO GET THE FREE DESERT DIORAMA WITH FREE PRINTABLES

Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: desert, diorama, habitat, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, science

  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 405
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Footer

Privacy Policy | About Me | Reviews | Contact | Advertise

Categories

Archives

Tina Robertson is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 · 5 TNT LLC · Log in · Privacy Policy