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How to Create a Hands-on Fun Shark Vocabulary Anatomy Activity

August 20, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a fun way to learn anatomy shark vocabulary. Also, look at this Shark Unit Study for more fun ideas.

You do not need to grab expensive box curriculums or load your learner down with tons of worksheets. They can learn so much with things like this shark vocabulary hands-on anatomy activity.

I thought this activity would be just in time for celebrating International Whale Shark Day on August 30th. 

Yes, a whale shark is a shark, not a whale.

How to Create a Hands-on Fun Shark Vocabulary Anatomy Activity

I used a great book for reference, a few plastic shark toys, and a sheet of cardstock to create a simple activity that can be used over and over to help teach about sharks from snout to caudal fin.

This activity is easily adaptable for older and younger children by adding more or less of the anatomy words to be labeled.

Too, changing up the type of vocabulary words like choosing species, layers of the ocean that you might find each shark, etc. will increase the depth of facts to introduce.

Shark Vocabulary Anatomy 

One resource I reach for time and again is Ocean Anatomy by Julia Rothman.

When thumbing through it I found this great shark anatomy page that gave me a great idea for an activity.

How to Create a Hands-on Fun Shark Vocabulary Anatomy Activity

This book is not a one-hit wonder though, besides the anatomy diagram there is information on their teeth, eating habits, size, and different species of sharks.

That is just the information on sharks, there is literally a whole ocean of information in the book.

How to Create a Hands-on Fun Shark Vocabulary Anatomy Activity

We are also adding in some typing skills by having children do as much of the activity as possible from start to finish.

Below you will find a couple shark vocabulary lists to choose for them to create their own anatomy or species labels.

Shark Anatomy Words

  • Nostril
  • Eye
  • Mouth
  • Spiracle
  • First Dorsal Fin
  • Second Dorsal Fin
  • Precaudil Pit
  • Caudal Fin
  • Caudal Keel
  • Anal Fin
  • Pelvic Fin
  • Pectoral Fin
  • Gill Openings
  • Gill arch
  • Backbone/Spine

Shark Species

Also, look at these species of sharks.

  • Lemon
  • Great White
  • Mako
  • Tiger
  • Whale
  • Leopard
  • Hammerhead
  • Nurse
  • Black Tip
How to Create a Hands-on Fun Shark Vocabulary Anatomy Activity

Then, add some shark books and fun hands-on resources about sharks while learning about the anatomy of sharks.

Homeschool Shark Unit Study Resources

Add one or two of these fun shark books and resources to your study about sharks.

Sharks! (Animal Planet Chapter Books #1)

Dive inside the world of sharks with this guide to the most incredible creatures in the sea. Photographically illustrated chapters highlight kid-favorite species such as Great Whites and Hammerheads, with a focus on behavior, senses, breeding, and feeding. Sharks! is the perfect overview for developing readers ready to explore this popular animal subject on their own. Special features include full-color photography throughout, "Meet the Scientist" sidebars, and "In Your Newsfeed" articles about amazing new discoveries.

DKfindout! Sharks

Supporting STEM-based learning, this fact-filled book for shark aficionados ages 6–9 is the ultimate guide to sharks, from hammerheads to great whites. Entertaining and educating young readers through a combination of close-up images, quirky trivia facts, quiz questions, and fascinating tidbits, it’s the perfect book for any kid who can’t get enough of these ferocious fish.

Professor Noggin's Life in The Ocean 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: Explore underwater and learn about the amazing creatures in the sea. Discover facts about common mammals, plants and other Life in the Ocean.

Sharks Top Trumps Card Game

Find out if the Nurse Shark or the Tiger Shark is the most mysterious, or if the Spiny Dogfish Shark or the Whale Shark has been involved in the most incidents

Bag of Genuine Shark Teeth - Fossilized

30+ genuine (broken) fossilized shark teeth from Morocco! These are broken and partial teeth fossils! Each bag will have about 2-3 small full shark teeth, the other teeth will be broken and chipped!

LEGO Creator 3in1 Deep Sea Creatures Shark

This sea creatures toy building set features 3 sea animal figures: a scary shark, a posable crab with a box of treasure and a wide-mouthed Angler Fish

The dark-blue and white colored toy shark figure has an opening mouth, pointy teeth, posable fins, movable body joints and reflective eyes

Eyewitness Kits Shark Casting Kit

  • Fun
  • Educational
  • Learn While Having Fun
  • Comes With Everything You Need
  • PerfectCast 5 Times Stronger Than Plaster

Sharks 100 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle

 100 Piece Puzzle

Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

Julia Rothman’s best-selling illustrated Anatomy series takes a deep dive into the wonders of the sea with Ocean Anatomy. Follow Rothman’s inquisitive mind and perceptive eye along shorelines, across the open ocean, and below the waves for an artistic exploration of the watery universe. Through her drawings, discover how the world’s oceans formed, why the sea is salty, and the forces behind oceanic phenomena such as rogue waves. Colorful anatomical profiles of sea creatures from crustacean to cetacean, surveys of seafaring vessels and lighthouses, and the impact of plastic and warming water temperatures are just part of this compendium of curiosities that will entertain and educate readers of all ages. 

6PC Realistic Shark Figurines Set

✔ SHARK FIGURINES BIG PARTY - Includes whale shark, hammerhead shark, tiger shark, blue shark, mako shark, zebra shark. Totally includes 6 sharks figurines. Kids would like to spend more time to observe and play with them.

✔ REALISTIC EMULATIONAL DETAILS - This sea animal figures set was made by hand painted with high realistically detailed appearance, cute face and childish eyes. Their uniquely molded textures and richly painted details make the animals vivid. And all the animal figures stands up very well, they do not fall over. Children would like to spend more time to observe and play with them.

Additionally, look at more ideas for learning about sharks.

More Activities to Learn About Sharks

  • How to Make A Megalodon Shark Tooth Fun Homeschool Project
  • How Do Sharks Float STEM Activity Free Shark Unit Study & Notebooking Pages
  • Shark and Oceans for Kindergarten Fun Sight Word Activity

Finally, look at this fun way to learn shark anatomy vocabulary.

Shark Vocabulary Anatomy Activity

You will need:

  • Oceans Anatomy
  • or Shark Anatomy Diagram
  • Cardstock
  • Plastic shark figures
  • Small basket
How to Create a Hands-on Fun Shark Vocabulary Anatomy Activity

First, for older children, have them type (or write) all the shark vocabulary words from the list. Then print it out on cardstock. Cut out each word and place it in a basket.

How to Create a Hands-on Fun Shark Vocabulary Anatomy Activity

Add a few plastic sharks that have enough detail that your child will be able to find each of the words.

You will want something close to 6” or larger so there is enough room to put down all the labels.

How to Create a Hands-on Fun Shark Vocabulary Anatomy Activity

Give them the book or a printout of shark anatomy to use as a reference.

How to Create a Hands-on Fun Shark Vocabulary Anatomy Activity

Now your child can use the words to label each part of the shark.

How to Create a Hands-on Fun Shark Vocabulary Anatomy Activity

To make it harder after they initially label each part you can remove some of the words and see if they can recall what is missing.

For example, cover the words on the diagram one by one until they know all the parts, or close the book together and see how many they can get on their own.

How to Create a Hands-on Fun Shark Vocabulary Anatomy Activity

For younger children, you could simplify it by only giving them a few words like snout, nostril, eye, dorsal fin, mouth, and caudal fin.

Also, you can use shark species as another type of vocabulary to learn.

In the same manner as above, type up some species to match the sharks you already have or print out photos of them.

Let your child match the name with the correct shark.

These small sharks offer a variety and are great for labeling species but would be too small for the anatomy activity.

How to Create a Hands-on Fun Shark Vocabulary Anatomy Activity

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: crafts, elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, life science, ocean, science

How to Make an Easy Anderson Shelter World War II Activity Craft

August 19, 2023 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have an easy Anderson shelter World War II activity. Also, you’ll love my World War II unit study and free lapbook for more ideas.

I have an upcycled Anderson shelter tutorial for you as well as other great WWII crafts.

No need to run out and buy fancy diorama supplies.

With some old Amazon boxes, paint, and construction paper you can create a replica air raid shelter.

Encourage your child to get creative with supplies and how they fit basic needs inside.

How to Make an Easy Anderson Shelter World War II Activity Craft

During the war with the constant threat of air raid attacks air raid shelters were built and used to protect in the event of an enemy attack.

Anderson shelters were the most widely used civilian home shelters in the UK during World War II.

They were made of corrugated steel and held 4-6 people.

Too, they were built in sections and usually built right into backyard gardens, covered in dirt for added protection, and then sometimes sandbagged in.

 Built into the earth they were dark, dirty, and chilly inside but gave families a sense of safety.

World War II Activity Resources

15 Books and Resources for Studying About World War II

Add some of these books about World War II and the time in history when there has been no other war before or after that killed so many people.

Number the Stars: A Newbery Award Winner

Through the eyes of ten-year-old Annemarie, we watch as the Danish Resistance smuggles almost the entire Jewish population of Denmark, nearly seven thousand people, across the sea to Sweden. The heroism of an entire nation reminds us that there was pride and human decency in the world even during a time of terror and war.

Great World War II Projects: You Can Build Yourself

From spy maps and victory banners to spotter planes and ration cakes, Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself brings one of the most defining periods of American and world history to life through hands-on building projects and activities. Detailed step-by-step instructions for creating each project combine with historical facts and anecdotes, biographies, and trivia about the real-life models. Together they give kids a first-hand look at daily life at home and on the front lines during America's war years.

Snow Treasure

In the bleak winter of 1940, Nazi troops parachuted into Peter Lundstrom's tiny Norwegian village and held it captive. Nobody thought the Nazis could be defeated—until Uncle Victor told Peter how the children could fool the enemy. It was a dangerous plan. They had to slip past Nazi guards with nine million dollars in gold hidden on their sleds. It meant risking their country's treasure—and their lives. This classic story of how a group of children outwitted the Nazis and sent the treasure to America has captivated generations of readers.

The Tuskegee Airmen Story

A grandfather reminisces about his service as a Tuskegee Airman.

Voices of Pearl Harbor (Voices of History)

December 7, 1941-the day a sleeping giant awoke. Japan's surprise attack devastated the American Naval Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and forced the Americans into WWII. These moving accounts of the lives affected by the assault capture the scope of the day's emotions and repercussions. Viewpoints of both historical and imagined characters include the mother of a Japanese pilot, officials from both countries, and the grandchild of a WWII veteran.Powerful illustrations accompany every tale.

The Book Thief

It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still. Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement. 

Who Was Anne Frank?

In her amazing diary, Anne Frank revealed the challenges and dreams common for any young girl. But Hitler brought her childhood to an end and forced her and her family into hiding. Who Was Anne Frank looks closely at Anne’s life before the secret annex, what life was like in hiding, and the legacy of her diary. Black-and-white illustrations including maps and diagrams provide historical and visual reference in an easy-to-read biography written in a way that is appropriate and accessible for younger readers.

The Chestry Oak

As he watches his homeland of Hungary being taken over and run by invaders from Nazi Germany, young Prince Michael of Chestry strives to retain his identity and integrity during one of the most dangerous seasons in human history.

Michael carries an acorn all the way from his castle home in Chestry Valley to the warm soil of
the Hudson Valley farm in the USA where he makes a new home after WWII.

Enemy Brothers

British airman Dym Ingleford is convinced that the young German prisoner, Max Eckermann, is his brother Anthony who was kidnapped years before. Raised in the Nazi ideology, Tony has by chance tumbled into British hands. Dym has brought him back, at least temporarily, to the family he neither remembers nor will acknowledge as his own. As Tony keeps attempting to escape, his stubborn anger is whittled away by the patient kindness he finds at the White Priory. Then, just as he is resigning himself to stay with this English family, a new chance suddenly opens for him to return home-to Germany!

Making Bombs for Hitler

Lida thought she was safe. Her neighbors wearing the yellow star were all taken away, but Lida is not Jewish. She will be fine, won't she?But she cannot escape the horrors of World War II.Lida's parents are ripped away from her and she is separated from her beloved sister, Larissa. The Nazis take Lida to a brutal work camp, where she and other Ukrainian children are forced into backbreaking labor. Starving and terrified, Lida bonds with her fellow prisoners, but none of them know if they'll live to see tomorrow

World War II for Kids: A History with 21 Activities

This book is packed with information that kids will find fascinating—excerpts from actual wartime letters written to and by American and German troops, personal anecdotes from people who lived
through the war in the United States, Germany, Britain, Russia, Hungary, and Japan, and gripping stories from Holocaust survivors—all adding a humanizing global perspective to the war.

Who Were the Navajo Code Talkers? (Who Was?)

Learn how this heroic group of American Indian men created a secret, unbreakable code and helped the US win major battles during World War II in this new addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling series.By the time the United States joined the Second World War in 1941, the fight against Nazi and Axis powers had already been under way for two years. In order to win the war and protect its soldiers, the US Marines recruited twenty-nine Navajo men to create a secret code that could be used to send military messages quickly and safely across battlefields. In this new book within the #1 New York Times bestelling series, author James Buckley Jr. explains how these brave and intelligent men developed their amazing code, recounts some of their riskiest missions, and discusses how the country treated them before, during, and after the war.

Tales of the Mighty Code Talkers

Written and illustrated by Native Americans from various tribal nations, these graphic novels detail the deep emotions of leaving one's homeland to fight in a war far away, the comfort and benefit in finding those who speak our native language, and the pride in knowing you served your country while honoring your people. A high percentage of Native Americans serve in the U.S. military and bring special talents that have aided their fighting units during wartime, including the famed code talkers of World War I.

World War II Inspiring Stories for Kids: A Collection of Unbelievable True Tales About Goodness, Friendship, Courage, and Rescue

Note: This book does not give any content about torture & distortion stories, kidnapping, burn, or any negative events that had a relationship with killing,

This book is a collection of stories based on real-life events during World War II. A selection of 10 inspiring stories, introduces us to unique characters with different characteristics.

Great Battles for Boys: WW2 Europe

Now you can, with these exciting tales of World War II written especially for reluctant readers.

In his highly acclaimed middle-school class “Great Battles for Boys," author Joe Giorello has ignited a love of military history in hundreds of boys. Now with this engaging non-fiction book written specifically for boys ages 8-14, your son can experience that same thrilling adventure in learning.

Additionally, look at these other fun WWII activities.

Activities for Kids to Learn About World War II

  • Free World War II Unit Study Ideas and Fun Lapbook
  • Free Navajo Code Talkers Worksheet and How to Make Dog Tags Activity
  • 8 World War II Historical Fiction Books for Middle School
  • World War II Homeschool History: Minibooks Causes & Great Depression
  • World War II Hands-On History – Make Ration Cakes
  • World War II Hands-On History – Make a Secret Message Deck
  • World War II Free Resources For a Middle School Unit Study
  • Watch this YouTube video Why Were Air Raids Used In the Second World War?
  • Look at Military Clothespin Airplanes

How to Make an Easy Anderson Shelter World War II Activity Craft

Finally, look at how to make an Anderson shelter World War II craft.

How to Make World War II Shelter Craft

To create your Anderson shelter look on Google or in your favorite reference books to get a little more idea on what details you might want to add,

Also, look at the furnishings and what the rest of the interior might have looked like.

To create your Anderson shelter, look on Google or in your favorite reference books to get a little more ideas on what details you might want to add and what the furnishings and the rest of the interior might have looked like.

You will need:

  • A cardboard box
  • Silver spray paint
  • Scissors or straight-edge razor
  • Colored construction paper
  • Hot glue gun/sticks
How to Make an Easy Anderson Shelter World War II Activity Craft

Some additional things you might set out for your child to create furniture and other interior pieces are:

  • Popsicle sticks
  • Toothpicks
  • Button
  • Colored paper
  • Fabric scraps
  • Small wood pieces

First, find a good size box and cut it into a rectangle, just slightly larger than you want your shelter to be, this is the main body of the shelter.

How to Make an Easy Anderson Shelter World War II Activity Craft

Cut a second piece of cardboard several inches larger than this all the way around, glue brown paper to your base, and add green wherever you would like grass, we ripped ours for a little texture.

How to Make an Easy Anderson Shelter World War II Activity Craft

You will also need smaller rectangles that are slightly larger than the opening of the shelter size you are making, this will serve as the ends of the shelter.

Flip over the larger rectangle and cut slits from one side to the other every ½ -1” apart all the way across, just cutting through the top layer of cardboard, this will give your cardboard a nice flexibility, so it bends well to create our cylinder half shape.

How to Make an Easy Anderson Shelter World War II Activity Craft

Arch your shelter’s main piece and test it out for size on the base, once you get it where you want it trace around it. This will let your child know the boundaries for what will fit inside.

How to Make an Easy Anderson Shelter World War II Activity Craft

Take the shelter body and two smaller rectangles outside and paint both sides with silver craft paint or silver spray paint.

How to Make an Easy Anderson Shelter World War II Activity Craft

Now it is time to put together some simple furniture, this is a good time to lay out your extra craft supplies for making things like beds, tables, and crates of supplies. Remind your child that they need to stay within the outline of the shelter.

You will also need to be mindful of how tall you make your bunk to be sure it fits well underneath, we had to cut ours down quite a bit after the first draft.

We made bunk beds by hot-gluing small pieces of cardboard between 4 cut-down wood coffee stir sticks. Adding “pillows and blankets” made from construction paper.

How to Make an Easy Anderson Shelter World War II Activity Craft

A similarly made table was added as well as a ration crate.

How to Make an Easy Anderson Shelter World War II Activity Craft

Once your paint is dry you can bring your shelter pieces back in. Fold one end inward right on one of the cuts you made, and hot glue it to your base. Now you can arch it over and position it how you want it but don’t glue the other side yet. This will give a good idea of if your furniture will work height-wise.

How to Make an Easy Anderson Shelter World War II Activity Craft

Make any adjustments needed to the furniture then hot glue furniture pieces into place.

Roll the top over, fold the other side end in just on a crease, and hot glue it in place.

How to Make an Easy Anderson Shelter World War II Activity Craft

Trim your end pieces on the top corners to give them a little more of a squared-off arch shape, then cut a door in one.

How to Make an Easy Anderson Shelter World War II Activity Craft

Glue into place on the front and back of your structure, this will give your main piece more stability as well.

How to Make an Easy Anderson Shelter World War II Activity Craft

To create a sandbag effect, make flattened-out ovals in staggered rows on yellow or tan paper, cut them out, and glue them to the back.

How to Make an Easy Anderson Shelter World War II Activity Craft

For the front, you can do the same on either side or create little pillows by stuffing scrap paper into folded-over pieces for dimensions, and glue in place.

How to Make an Easy Anderson Shelter World War II Activity Craft

1 CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: american history, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources, homeschoolhistory, world history, world war II

7 John Muir Environmentalist Facts and Fun Teaching Ideas

August 18, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have 7 John Muir environmentalist facts and some fun teaching ideas. You’ll also love the John Muir Spring Unit Study (and Hands-on Geography Ideas).

The national park system’s development is largely due to John Muir environmentalist, naturalist, author, mountaineer, and political activist.

It is widely agreed that he is the “Founding Father of National Parks”.

And his contributions are celebrated through many landmarks named after him like hiking trails, glaciers, highways, and monuments.

7 John Muir Environmentalist Facts and Fun Teaching Ideas

National Park Service Founders Day is August 25th and I can’t think of a better way to learn about the National Parks than through the man who helped found and educate people about them.

John Muir helped create several of our national parks like Sequoia National Park in California, Mount Rainier in Washington, and The Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.

John Muir Environmentalist Books, Resources, and Teaching Ideas

Too, these are some of the books we’ve used and love to help teach about him or create your own unit study.

11 John Muir Resources

The mountains are calling, and I must go -John Muir

In observance of National Park Service Founders Day and the care and work John Muir put into helping it become a reality, put together a unit study with a book or two, a video, a game, and a few hands-on activities like visiting the closest national park to you. There is plenty to choose from below.

John Muir Wilderness Box Set

A collection of John Muir’s best-selling writings and essays collected in 1 set.

Part of John Muir's appeal to modern readers is that he not only explored the American West and wrote about its beauties but also fought for their preservation. His successes dot the landscape and are evident in all the natural features that bear his name: forests, lakes, trails, and glaciers. Collected here in 1 set are some of Muir's finest wilderness essays, national park observations, travels throughout Alaska, and writings about working in the Yosemite Valley. 

A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf

John Muir, one of America’s great environmentalists, has inspired nature lovers for generations with his writings.

A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf by John Muir is the adventure that started it all.

Walk with John from Indiana through Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. A story that is sure to inspire your own adventures and love for nature and the off beaten path.

John Muir: Candlewick Biographies: America's First Environmentalist

John Muir loved the land. Born in 1838, he was a writer, a scholar, an inventor, a shepherd, a farmer, and an explorer. But above all, he was a naturalist. John Muir was particularly devoted to the high cliffs, waterfalls, and ancient giant sequoia trees that, through his careful influence, were set aside as Yosemite, one of the first national parks in America. Here is the life story of the man who, moved by a commitment to wilderness everywhere, founded the Sierra Club in 1892, a conservation group that carries on his crucial work to this day. Back matter includes an epilogue, a bibliography, and information about the Sierra Club.

A Passion for Nature: The Life of John Muir

"I am hopelessly and forever a mountaineer," John Muir wrote. "Civilization and fever and all the morbidness that has been hooted at me has not dimmed my glacial eye, and I care to live only to entice people to look at Nature's loveliness. My own special self is nothing."In Donald Worster's magisterial biography, John Muir's "special self" is fully explored as is his extraordinary ability, then and now, to get others to see the sacred beauty of the natural world. A Passion for Nature is the most complete account of the great conservationist and founder of the Sierra Club ever written. It is the first to be based on Muir's full private correspondence and to meet modern scholarly standards. Yet it is also full of rich detail and personal anecdote, uncovering the complex inner life behind the legend of the solitary mountain man. It traces Muir from his boyhood in Scotland and frontier Wisconsin to his adult life in California right after the Civil War up to his death on the eve of World War I. It explores his marriage and family life, his relationship with his abusive father, his many friendships with the humble and famous (including Theodore Roosevelt and Ralph Waldo Emerson), and his role in founding the modern American conservation movement.

National Geographic Complete National Parks of the United States, 400+ Parks, Monuments, Battlefields, Historic Sites, Scenic Trails, Recreation Areas, and Seashores

National Geographic’s wide-ranging travel guide to recreation areas, trails, historic sites, nature hikes, seashores, camping, and campgrounds is geared to everyone who loves outdoor recreation. This 544-page reference is the ultimate travel planner for all things national parks, filled with full-color photos, detailed maps, historical background, and practical facts on the location of the park system properties, as well as the best times to visit and top-rated activities.

Our National Parks

ohn Muir (1838–1914) ranks among America's most important and influential environmentalists and nature writers. Devoted to the preservation of wilderness areas, Muir founded the Sierra Club and was active in the establishment of Yosemite National Park. Our National Parks, originally published in 1901, includes ten articles that previously appeared in The Atlantic Monthly. Muir wrote them in hopes of exciting interest in the parks, certain that visitors would fall in love with the scenic grandeur as he had—and that their enthusiasm would ensure the parks' preservation.

National Parks Scratch Off Map of United States Poster, ALL 63 Parks

UNIQUE DESIGN…ARROWHEAD SHAPES: Scratch off each beautifully designed US National Park as you visit them, like Acadia, Zion, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Olympic, Grand Canyon, Arches and others!

National Parks Trivia: A Card Game: 400 Questions

Get to know America's 63 national parks with 390 wide-ranging trivia questions that cover their iconic geography, ecology, geology, history, wildlife, and botany—from the authors of Scenic Science of the National Parks.

Professor Noggin's Wildlife of North America 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: Journey through the Wildlife of North America discovering facts about our continent’s most interesting animals. From Polar Bears to Pronghorns, from Alligators to Bald Eagles, this game is perfect for young nature lovers.

Our National Treasures Matching Game USA National Parks Memory Game for Kids. Yosemite, Yellowstone, Arches, Denali and More

What you get – Our National Treasures Matching Card Game comes with 52 tiles (26 pairs) and instructions

Clear instructions – Easy to learn memory card game. Learn to play in less than five minutes!

Develops critical skills – card games for kids help preschoolers practice their focus, memory, & matching skills.

Trekking The National Parks -The Perfect Board Game for National Park Lovers

Wildly Popular National Parks Game - Winner Of The Mensa And Parent's Choice Award

Created By National Parks Enthusiasts - This couple traveled to every single national park and then worked with their son to make the game.

Fun + Educational - It’s the perfect recipe for a family game night! Appeals to a wide range of people: outdoor lovers, board game players, and gift givers. A great board games for kids!

Next, look at some facts about the life of John Muir.

7 John Muir Environmentalist Facts

  1. John Muir traveled to every continent except Antarctica.
  2. John founded the Sierra Club, an acclaimed American conservation organization.
  3. Muir temporarily lost his sight due to an accident at 29 due to a factory incident that pushed him to make a  change and be a wilderness explorer.
  4. A 211-mile-long hiking trail in the Sierra Nevada was named John Muir Trail in his honor. 
  5. In September of 1867, John walked 1000 miles from Indiana to Florida, this journey is retold in his book- A Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf. 
  6. Throughout his life, John Muir wrote 300 essays and 12 books.
  7. Because of Muir’s vision and work, you can now visit almost 400 National Park Service sites. What a legacy he left behind for so many generations to appreciate and enjoy.
7 John Muir Environmentalist Facts and Fun Teaching Ideas

Also, look at some videos..

Videos about John Muir

  • John Muir- Father of National Parks
  •  For a quick birds eye view of 25 Best National Parks at once check out this YouTube video.
  • Biography of John Muir   
  • John Muir Father of The National Parks- 1 Minute History
  • How The National Park Service Got Started

More John Muir Activity Ideas

Finally, here are some more fun ideas when learning about the life of John Muir.

  • Learn what an environmentalist is. An environmentalist is defined as one who is concerned with or advocates for the protection of the environment.
  • Grab ideas from John Muir Spring Unit Study (and Hands-on Geography Ideas).
  • Try using the John Muir Laws How to Teach Nature Journaling to improve sketching and watercolor skills combined with your nature walk. While this is not the same John Muir nor is he related to him, his appreciation for nature and its beauty reflects the same mindset. His mother was a lawyer for the Sierra Club, which the original John Muir was the founder of, and she insisted her sons middle name be Muir. Use the beautiful pictures for ideas for water coloring or nature journaling.
7 John Muir Environmentalist Facts and Fun Teaching Ideas
  • Learn the 7 principles of Leave No Trace, especially if you enjoy camping and hiking. Writing them down would make for an excellent copy work assignment.
  • Find ways that you can volunteer in your area to help the environment, beach clean-ups, park clean-up days, recycling, ways to reduce and reuse items, conserve water, etc.
  • Play nature-themed games to focus on the flora and fauna that he studied.
7 John Muir Environmentalist Facts and Fun Teaching Ideas

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Science, Teach Homeschool Science Tagged With: homeschoolscience, life science, nature, nature journaling, nature study, science

5 Simple Wind Energy Activities For Kids & Fun DIY Anemometer

August 17, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Your kids will love these simple wind energy activities and this DIY anemometer. Also, look at Middle School Hands-on Science : Extreme Winds + Free Minibook and Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning.

Simple wind energy experiments are super STEM projects for kids of all ages to learn about engineering, problem-solving, alternative forms of power, and so much more.

I have a diy anemometer tutorial for you using simple items you are likely to have around your house already.

Too, I have suggestions for other activities, books, and other resources to help make it a full and wonderfully educational study.

Before you begin you may want to start with a simple explanation of what is wind.

5 Simple Wind Energy Activities For Kids & Fun DIY Anemometer

What is wind? Wind is the movement of air that is caused by the uneven heating of the earth by the sun. You can see it or grasp it but you can’t feel it.

Sometimes the wind is violent ripping trees from the ground, sometimes it is gentle as it blows gentle breezes across your face on a hot summer day.  

Wind is the largest source of renewable energy in the United States.

We use its energy to sail boats, fly kites, and dry our clothes outside.

Also, we can capture its power and use it as a clean and renewable energy source for many things.

5 Simple Wind Energy Experiments

  • The Weather Science: Build a Wind Turbine experiment looks like loads of fun and will really help simplify understanding how wind can be captured and used.
  • Preschoolers will love this Wind Tunnel Stem Project and I like that it utilizes everyday objects so there is nothing special to buy.
  • Wind Energy STEM Activity: Building your own model Windmill
  • DIY Wind Car: Science Lesson & Fine Motor Fun
  • This Mass Producing LED Powering Wind Turbines in a Kid’s Workshop is a little more involved than the others and requires more supplies. It is perfect for the older child who needs more challenges.
5 Simple Wind Energy Activities For Kids & Fun DIY Anemometer

Also, you’ll want to include some fun resources and books.

Books about Wind Energy

Simple Wind Energy Experiments Books

Your children will learn about the power of wind and possible ways to harness it for work.

Wind (Weather)

This title provides a basic overview of wind and how it forms. Easy-to-read text, labeled photos, and a photo glossary make this title perfect for beginning readers.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Young Reader's Edition

Now a Netflix film starring and directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, this is a gripping memoir of survival and perseverance about the heroic young inventor who brought electricity to his Malawian village.When a terrible drought struck William Kamkwamba's tiny village in Malawi, his family lost all of the season's crops, leaving them with nothing to eat and nothing to sell. William began to explore science books in his village library, looking for a solution. There, he came up with the idea that would change his family's life forever: he could build a windmill. Made out of scrap metal and old bicycle parts, William's windmill brought electricity to his home and helped his family pump the water they needed to farm the land.Retold for a younger audience, this exciting memoir shows how, even in a desperate situation, one boy's brilliant idea can light up the world. Complete with photographs, illustrations, and an epilogue that will bring readers up to date on William's story, this is the perfect edition to read and share with the whole family.

Wind: Discover Pictures and Facts About Wind For Kids! A Children's Weather Book

Wind Energy is an inexhaustible and clean source of energy which comes from the wind itself. It constantly replenishes itself and is perfectly usable as a natural source of power. It does not involve any water during its production and produces minimal pollution at the same time. Even after the installation of wind turbines, operating costs are very minimal. The fact that the wind blows all the time without stopping is another plus point of wind energy. Also, since it is naturally renewable, wind energy is eco-friendly.

Finding Out about Wind Energy (Searchlight Books ™ ― What Are Energy Sources?)

Did you know that the same wind that messes up your hair can be used to create energy? How exactly do you harness the wind? And what is the effect on the environment? Read this book to find out all about wind energy.

More Hands-on Activities to Learn About the Wind

Next, here are a few more wind activities.

  • Middle School Hands-on Science : Extreme Winds + Free Minibook
  • Meteors, Meteorites, Comets and Meteoroids Today And Make a Fun Windsock
  • How to Make a Simple Wind Vane | Fun Wind Activities Middle School
5 Simple Wind Energy Activities For Kids & Fun DIY Anemometer

Also, you’ll love this middle school language arts unit The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.

As your child reads, he will

  • go on rabbit trails of discovery into history, culture, geography, science, and more;
  • find ways to learn by experiencing parts of the book through hands-on activities;
  • end with a party school to celebrate the ingenuity of the one young boy!

Finally, look at this DIY anemometer so you can measure wind speed.

How to Make a Anemometer

You will need:

  • 6 small paper cups
  • 2 paper straws
  • 1 unsharpened pencil
  • Hole punch
  • Stick Pin
  • Hot glue gun/sticks
  • Small rocks, beans, or playdough (weights)
  • Fan
5 Simple Wind Energy Activities For Kids & Fun DIY Anemometer

First, punch 4 holes in your cup, 1 on each side.

And line them up as closely as you can with pairs across from each other.

We will run straws through them later.

5 Simple Wind Energy Activities For Kids & Fun DIY Anemometer

Depending on the size of your hole punch and straws used you need to make the hole larger by overlapping an extra punch or two.

Slip your straws through each direction and center them in the cup.

5 Simple Wind Energy Activities For Kids & Fun DIY Anemometer

Use a sharpened pencil or other pointed object to poke a hole in the bottom of the cup large enough for a pencil to fit in.

5 Simple Wind Energy Activities For Kids & Fun DIY Anemometer

Slip your pencil, eraser first, through the hole in the bottom of the cup.

Let it rest beneath the intersected straws.

Push your pin through both straws and into the eraser as far as you can.

5 Simple Wind Energy Activities For Kids & Fun DIY Anemometer

Now, you want to attach 4 cups to the 4 straw ends.

Be sure to place them all in the same direction.

Add a little hot glue to one side of the cup near the lip, hold it in place until the glue is set, and move on to the next one.

5 Simple Wind Energy Activities For Kids & Fun DIY Anemometer

Now put it in the base.

Hot glue the unsharpened end of your pencil into the bottom of the cup and hold until set.

Then add a weight like rocks, beans, or playdough to hold your anemometer down.

5 Simple Wind Energy Activities For Kids & Fun DIY Anemometer

You can take your anemometer outside and measure the wind’s speed by counting how many times it goes around in one minute.

If there is no wind, you can set it in front of a little fan indoors and count the rotations.

You can see in this video here that we experimented with different wind speeds by changing the fan speed.

As the cups catch the wind it makes your anemometer rotate.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: earth science, earthscience, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, science, wind

Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout

August 16, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Your little ones will be so excited to get their hands on this corn life cycle preschool printable and sensory bin. Also, you’ll love my page Fall Season Unit Study {Pumpkins, Leaves, Corn, & More}.

The sensory bin and foldout are both great ways to learn about corn, its life cycle, the different parts, terminology, and even the different ways we can enjoy or use corn.

My printable shows your preschooler how corn grows in all its stages from planting to harvest in a simple and fun fold-out that they can color.

Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout

Then the perfect hands-on activity to go along with your corn life cycle preschool printable is a fun corn-themed sensory bin that they can dig into.

Items We Get From Corn

We get a lot of products that we use every day from corn.

This is a great time to talk about that with your child while they color in their fold-out or dig into the sensory bin.

Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout

To get you started here is a list of some of the things that corn makes:

  • Corn on the Cob
  • Canned Corn
  • Corn meal
  • Grits
  • Corn Syrup
  • Corn Chips Cornstarch
  • Crayons
  • Toothpaste
  • Popcorn

Also, look at more preschool corn activities.

More Corn Life Cycle Preschool Activities

I grabbed one of my favorite resources and both Farm and Food Anatomy had a page on corn, including the parts of the corn plant, varieties, and fun facts.

These are great to have out while your child explores the sensory bin.

  • Food Anatomy is even great for preschoolers with its pretty illustrations and small snippets of information that will keep them interested
Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout
  • And Farm Anatomy is always a great reference for farm and food-related topics.
Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout
  • Make popcorn to enjoy together for a healthy and delicious snack that ties right into the lesson.
  • To incorporate some early math skills you can also add a die to the corn sensory bin to have your child roll a number and count out the coordinating amount of corn kernels.
  • Add 2 for older children and they can practice addition and subtraction using the kernels as a manipulative.
Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout
  • Explore different corn products with your child, placing some items from the list above for your child to look at and investigate.
Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout
  • Teach your preschooler how to shuck corn, not only is it a great idea for dinner but it helps develop your child’s fine motor skills.

Follow the directions to print and cut out the corn life cycle printable, let your child color their corn images before cutting them out.

  • This Dancing Corn Experiment is a fun science activity that requires very little prep or setup and will fascinate your child.
  • Incorporate math skills like number recognition and fine motor skills with the Preschool Corn Counting Activity.

Corn Activities to Include Older Children

In addition, here are a few activities to include about corn for older your children.

  • Popcorn Science Mini Unit Study Which Brand Pops the Best
  • Geronimo Stilton Field Trip to Niagara Falls Summary And Fun Corn Craft
  • Free Lapbook on Fall Season Unit Study {Pumpkins, Leaves, Corn, & More}.
Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout

Finally, look at some ideas for corn preschool sensory bin.

Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin

For the sensory bin you will need:

  • A shallow container, preferably with a lid
  • Whole feed corn
  • Spoons and scoops
  • Small containers
  • Corn toys

Start by pouring corn into your shallow container a couple of inches deep,

 I found this perfect-sized container at my dollar tree. You can even use a baking pan or sheet to hold your sensory bin materials.

You can find whole-feed corn at your local feed store (Tractor Supply, Rural King, and even Walmart).

If you can’t find it you can use popcorn or cracked corn that is sold for feeding birds in its place.

Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout

Add a few scoops and spoons, as well as a container or two for filling and pouring for fine motor development and hand-eye coordination-important prewriting skills.

Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout

If you have a preschooler chances are that you have some pretend food in their toys, chances are also good that there is some corn in the mix.

Grab it and add it to the sensory bin, you can also get real corn shucked and unshucked but if you have a child who is very sensory and likes to taste everything you might want to skip using real corn.

We had several plastic corns on the cobs as well as a pretend can of corn and a corn from this Safari Fruits and Vegetables Toob .

Add flashcards or small photos of corn, I did a quick watercolor to put in our sensory bin.

Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout

You can also add letters to spell out corn using Scrabble tiles or letter beads to help your child with word and beginning letter recognition.

Finally, pop in your corn life cycle printable.

Set your bin up, you may want to put a sheet or shower curtain liner underneath to catch the mess for an easy cleanup.

Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout

Finally, look below to see how to download the corn life cycle foldout.

Free Corn Life Cycle Printable Foldout

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Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: corn, fall, foldout, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool preschool, preschool, preschool skills, sensory bin

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