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The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study

April 9, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Along with The Tale of Peter Rabbit printables, I’m also sharing fun hands-on activities during my spring unit study with Mr. MunchKing. Also look at my page Best Homeschool Unit Studies.

He is such a sweet kid to mentor, and he had so much with this spring unit study. It is one of his favorites already.

Before I started blogging or had a website, I used parts of Five in a Row unit study curriculum with my three homeschooled grads. FIAR uses The Tale of Peter Rabbit as one of their literature studies.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study

Doing the same unit study years later allowed me to dig deeper, to make it fit another generation, and to use my own unique ideas.

I planned this unit study with my ideas and ideas from other educators. Why invent the wheel when so many good unit study printables and subtopics abound on the internet? A pinch of my own way of teaching and add in other wonderful ideas and it’s a fantastic fun study.

Tale of Peter Rabbit Unit Study

One more thing about Five in a Row is that many unit study providers have come along since I started 25 years ago, but Five in a Row remains one of my very favorite for elementary and middle school.

The way they use hands-on for all subjects is head and shoulders above many other so called unit study providers.

Keep in mind that this delightful book can be used all the way up to high school as well. Topics can be slanted to teach children like figurative language, drawing inferences, and an introduction to analysis.

Don’t think it’s just a young child’s tale; a picture book is one of the best tools for teaching beginning analysis in the middle grades.

Now, let’s dive into this fun spring unit study about The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

First, look below at my unit study planning page from my Ultimate DIY Unit Study Planner of how I adapted the tale to fit what I want Mr. MunchKing to learn at the PreK/K level.

My unit study planning page is just a guide, but is not everything you cover. Again, as a guide it gives you a framework of important points while following your child’s lead.

Unit Study Concept/Ideas for Peter Rabbit Tale

In addition, I start with unit study idea concepts which are usually like one or two words for me to glance at to use as a springboard for another teaching idea.

Look at some of the unit study idea concepts or word glances for The Tale of Peter Rabbit which fits the age of Mr. MunchKing.

England, country garden, farm animals
rabbits, berries, sparrows
types of robins, fir tree, obedience, and
various cultures.

Next, look at various activities and ideas for each homeschool subjects. Beginning with language arts, the best part is reading the book over and over again.

Watch and listen to this beautiful read aloud of Peter Rabbit on YouTube using an English accent.

I have included a few more videos to help the book come alive:

Peter Rabbit Unit Study Language Arts

Learning how to tell back a story builds fluency in reading and comprehension. It begins with excellent literature.

Further, I created this fun printable story telling cube which can be used in different ways. Reading should be hands-on to allow your child to listen while using his other senses.

This storytelling cube is a subscriber freebie.

I used this printable in several different ways:

ask questions about events in the story and have your learner find it on the cube
read a part in the book, ask who was talking in the story and have your child find it on the cube
tell your child to choose a character or event on the cube and retell what is the picture illustrating
have your child “roll” it and play guess what the picture is illustrating
let your child listen and follow along showing the correct illustration

Free The Tale of Peter Rabbit Book

And you’ll love having access to The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter for free here at Gutenberg.

More Tale of Peter Rabbit Resources

8 Peter Rabbit Garden Ideas | How To Make A Preschool Garden Box

Fun Mr Mcgregor’s Vegetable Garden Simple Frugal Math Activity

Free Literary Terms Notebooking Pages

Because I know how hard it is to find things for older learners, I’ve created 3 free literary terms notebooking pages based on the book.

Please hear my heart when I say that I don’t encourage any literary evaluation until a child is in middle school. Young child will struggle with understanding literary terms. Wait until they are older.

The first notebooking page is Fiction versus Nonfiction. Have your child write under the correct column which key words match the correct column.

For the second notebooking page, Elements of Fiction, have your child research the definition of each of the elements of fiction.

Literary terms is the third page. I have included a brief definition of a few terms on that page.

Help your older leaner to understand the definitions and then find examples of each one in the story. For example, to explain foreshadowing point out this part below to your child.

NOW, my dears,” said old Mrs. Rabbit one morning, “you may go into the fields or down the lane, but don’t go into Mr. McGregor’s garden: your Father had an accident there; he was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor.”

On the last part of the third notebooking page there is a part to add specific genres like mysteries, science fiction, historical fiction, realistic fiction and epic poems to name a few. I hope these brief explanations about each page will help you guide your child.

These notebooking pages are subscriber freebies.

HOW TO GET THE FREE STORYTELLING CUBE AND 3 PETER RABBIT NOTEBOOKING PAGES

Now, how to grab the free notebooking pages and the storytelling cube. They are subscriber freebies.

11) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.
2) Grab the freebie now.
3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

To further enhance language arts skills for Mr. MunchKing, we added dot printables and other fine motor skills craft fun.

Fine Motor Activities for The Tale of Peter Rabbit

The list below of fun printables is from Making Learning Fun which we loved to enhance language arts:

3 sisters Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail printable
Peter Rabbit emergent reader
ABC Dot to Dot
Emergent Reader
Pre Writing Tracer Cards
Baggie Rabbit Rhyme and Craft

Count by 2’s Dot to Dot
Feed the Rabbit Game
Rabbit Hopping Measurement Cards
Coat Button Activity
Measurement Worksheet
Peter’s Coat Pattern

Also, look at some of these fine motor skill activities we added.

How to Sew a Felt Carrot

First, Mr. MunchKing sewed an adorable little felt carrot. You don’t need much to do this and your little learner can make many of the vegetables in Mr. McGregor’s garden.

Begin by gathering felt, a plastic sewing needle, yarn, scissors, and some stuffing.

You can use cotton or whatever you have on hand for the stuffing. As some of our school supplies, we add to our craft supply and added a pack of felt. You’ll need two colors, orange and green.

There are a few easy steps:

First, our square had to be cut into a wide triangle.
Fold over the triangle to form the shape of a carrot.

Thread the needle with a long piece of orange yarn and have your child sew on the long side.
Don’t cut off your yarn yet. Leave enough room to stuff.
Next stuff the carrot and use a pencil to push it down to the bottom of the point.
Then, lay the carrot aside without sewing across the top yet either.

Take the green felt and stuff it inside the carrot with the stuffing.
Sew the sides and tie. Thread the needle again and sew across the top of the carrot
Lastly cut the green felt to make leaves.

How to Use The Vegetables in Mr. McGregor’s Garden for Playing to Learn

Too, we cut free hand from the rest of the felt the other vegetables in Mr. McGregor’s garden.

After cutting out the vegetables, Mr. MunchKing glued the small vegetables together.

Next glue them on popsicle sticks and now your can use the vegetable sticks in many ways.

your little learner picks up the correct vegetable when he hears that part in the story
try to count how many vegetables are in the garden
name the vegetables after they’re mentioned in the story
poke holes on a shoebox lid and put the sticks through and color the lid like dirt to make a pretend garden

Geography for The Tale of Peter Rabbit

Of course, some of the best subjects to include in this unit study are science, nature study, art and even geography.

Because the author Beatrix Potter was born and raised in England, many of the illustrations in her books are of the English countryside. If you want to know more about Beatrix Potter, the Victoria and Albert Museum has a huge collection of her drawings, letters, and work.

Comparing the English countryside to where your child lives gives your child a foundation of beginning geography. For beginning geography, some of the fun hands-on activities we included was making an edible peanut butter dough map of England and focusing on mapping Mr. McGregor’s garden.

How to make Make an Edible Peanut Butter Dough England Map

Start by making an edible map with peanut butter dough and form the country of England. You could also use cookie dough from the store, bake it and then add icing.

I’ve waffled between these two recipes during the years doing variations of each. So, mix and match until you have the taste your child loves.

1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons honey

1 cup of dried instant milk
1/2 cup of smooth peanut butter
1/3 cup of honey

Mix until you have a smooth consistency. We have peanut butter lovers here, so a little bit of licking and a little bit of learning is the way to learn about maps at this age.

Next, grab a printed outline of the country of England after you locate it on a globe or map and talk about the pictures in the book.

Tape a clear piece of parchment paper on top of the printable map, so your little learner can follow the lines with his fingers. As your child grows, he can pencil in the border of the countries and landmarks.

Locate the cottage garden in the book, explain about the English countryside and explain what is a country setting versus a city setting. Then let your little learner form the map with the peanut butter dough.

In addition, another easy hands-on geography idea is to map Mr. McGregor’s garden. I loved this idea over at Children’s Book and Reading.

Mapping Mr. McGregor’s Garden for Fun Geography

Drawing pictures of what your child is learning cements the story line and you know that your child is understanding. It has been my experience that many older readers who struggle with reading didn’t have enough time to visualize parts of the story.

When a young learner can draw, he visualizes key details. In addition, maps are great visual aids.

Having your child map his backyard is another fun way to begin mapping. Geography comes alive because your child is connecting the story to his life and surroundings. It’s fun to see what your child focuses on too.

Then we downloaded the sweet printable over at Children’s Book and Reading which contains empty vegetable patches. As you begin to read the story, have your child follow along on his map.

You can do geography of the garden other ways too. Using a white board, have your child use his fingerprints and thumbprints to draw pictures of where the vegetables are as he hears the story. We grabbed the washable paint colors orange, red, green, and brown.

This activity was a two-pher as I call it. Teach your child about geography while painting and using his fine motor skills. What fun we had.

On the printable, your child can map the vegetables, draw pictures of animals where they belong.

And use the printable to explain Peter Rabbit’s route.

Finally, there are many nature and science activities to plan from book.

Nature and Science from The Tale of Peter Rabbit

We had a hard time narrowing down what nature and science activities we wanted to do. The first science activity which was to compare soils best for growing plants came from Inspiration Laboratories.

Compare Types of Soil To Grow Plants In

Comparing the types of soil needed for plants to grow in is a fun segue to learn about gardening.

It’s also an easy activity because you need just a few materials most of which you have on hand at home.

Too, your child can begin with this hands-on science and observe the growing process each day to record in a journal if they are writers. If they are budding writers, a picture of the day-to-day growth works too. It encourages pre-writing skills.

Grow Seedlings Like Mr. McGregor’s Vegetables

Another fun idea for a spring garden is to grow seedlings. With a young learner, you don’t need to plant a whole garden unless you want to. Mr. MunchKing really loved this activity as he watched his babies grow each day.

If you do this with a young learner, try to get seeds which sprout fast, so you child has fun instantly. I don’t have a green thumb by any stretch, but I’ve always managed to introduce gardening to each child.

And in my experience fast growing seeds work best. We just used what we had on hand which was an empty egg carton, seed packets, and potting soil. Seeds like beans, radishes and peas can grow quickly.

This was a huge unit study for us; we did it for several weeks, stepped back, and then came back to it.

If you’re planning this unit study, do the garden projects first so children can observe while you do the language arts portion and other fun ideas.

Add these fun videos about vegetables to your day.

Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables

While we were working day to day on the fun activities, we found this beautiful lapbook at Homeschool Share.

The beauty of lapbooks is that your child can create them anyway they like to. We used some of the free printables from Homeschool Share and added Mr. MunchKing’s work he loved about Mr. McGregor’s garden.

Although lapbooks can take more planning and be more work, in the many my kids have created, they are also memory keepers.

Besides memory keepers, lapbooks are hands-on tools which aids recall.

While true that I don’t hail to be a crafty mom, I do know the value of mess and play learning.

Lapbooks fit into this category for me. Have you ever seen a child filled with excitement as he explains a worksheet? But turn that worksheet into a mini fun book folded into a creative way, and now you have an engaged learner.

Look at my video How to Lapbook EZ on my YouTube Channel.

So The Tale of Peter Rabbit lapbook is a fun way for a child to remember the information in a fun and natural way.

Peter Rabbit End of Unit Tea Celebration

Finally, always try to end your unit study with a memorable activity. I found this adorable tea set which has is a 15-Piece Woodland-Themed Tin Tea Set, Includes Teapot, 4 Plates, 4 Cups, 4 Saucers, Serving Tray and Carrying Case for our spring tea. And what better way to remember this unit study than to have a tea party. Plus we can use it for many more themed parties!

We served raspberry muffins and rabbit shaped cookies. Also, you could serve scones, but the muffins and cookies were great hits.

Mr. MunchKing dressed up in his Sunday finest and we pretended Peter Rabbit invited us over for tea. What a fun time he had!

Finally, here are a few more fun things I found to help make your The Tale of Peter Rabbit Unit Study memorable.

More The Tale of Peter Rabbit Free Printables and Activities

Download these precious and free I Spy printables to use while your child watches the movie and listens to you as you read aloud.
Fun pop up garden paper plater craft.
Lettuce wraps for kids.
Grab these printable ABC carrot patch.
And there are even more ideas here at The World of Peter Rabbit site. You won’t be short for ideas.

**Free Literature Printables for The Tale of Peter Rabbit for Older Learners**

As you can see we had an awesome time with this fun unit study using beautiful literature. Do you think you’ll try it?

You’ll also love these other hands-on posts about gardening, spring, and beautiful literature.

A Homeschool Beginner’s Guide to Figuring Grades and Saving Time

March 28, 2022 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

In this homeschool beginner’s guide to figuring grades, I’m sharing tips I didn’t know when I began. Also, look at my page The Dynamics of How to Homeschool Easily and Smarter.

Although I live in Texas where grade keeping is not required by state law, I started keeping grades before high school for two reasons.

One reason is that my teen wanted feedback.

The second reason is that I wanted to know how to figure grades sooner instead of tackling it on top of learning how to homeschool high school.

Having homeschooled twenty-five years now, I see how figuring grades has changed in the public-school world.

It’s not that we want to keep up with public-school changes, but eventually our kids may be graded by those same standards. It’s important to be somewhat familiar with how to figure grades.

Figuring Grades

In addition, understanding how the public-school world decides grading gives us reason to not follow them because we don’t have a classroom of 30 kids.

It’s a conundrum to somewhat follow a similar pattern of grading with widely acceptable ways of determining grades while meeting our unique circumstances at home.

Look at these tried-and-true tips and pointers.

First, I didn’t realize that public school teachers aren’t really taught how to grade. Sure, there are some exceptions to this. But several public-school teachers turned homeschool mom who took my workshops revealed that they didn’t really learn how to grade. It’s a skill they’re supposed to pick up while in training. You can do the same while homeschooling.
Second, grading needs to be purposeful. It’s one thing for me to show you various grading scales, but another for you to wield the tool of grading effectively.

A Homeschool Beginner’s Guide to Figuring Grades and Saving Time

Reasons to Grade

So, beyond your state requiring it, grades should give valuable feedback to your children.

Grades serve other reasons:

they communicate what your children have learned,
they give valuable feedback where your children are along the learning continuum, identify skills mastered and identify skills which need practice,
and motivates students to grow and advance in proficiency.

Besides, if the grading tool is not created and wielded correctly, it can also have the reverse effect.

Homeschool Grades for Elementary Children

Once I realized balance was needed, I moved forward with these distinctions.

In the elementary grades, a check system like satisfactory or unsatisfactory is perfectly acceptable.
Trying to not follow public school standards in the early grades is important. Kids at that age are building their foundation of knowledge. To constantly test, quiz, and drill can be harmful to their confidence.

However, you may need a guide at this age.

Below I will give you various grading scales to use for both elementary and middle and high school students.

Be sure you’re following me on my YouTube channel How to Homeschool EZ for awesome tips.

Look at my video How to Gauge Your Homeschooled Child’s Progress.

In addition, high school is the time when grades become important.

A lot of states have relaxed laws which means you create your own high school transcript and grading system.

It’s important to become familiar now with easy ways to grade. I have a free editable transcript and helps for high school too at the bottom of this post.

Homeschool Grades for Middle and High School Teens

Next look at these two different, but easy ways to figure grades.

ONE.

Whatever subject your child is covering, convert all grades and numbers to 100. That system is understood by us because a lot of us were graded on this system.

It’s also an easy way to quickly create grading standards. Letter grades are converted to numerical value or percentages.

This system is based on the thought that 100% means all answers are correct.

Afterwards, decide how to grade assignments based on a 100 percent.

Two Easy Ways to Figure Grades For Different Subjects

Look at these various examples of how categories of assignments are divided to see what I’m talking about:

daily work 50%, quizzes 20%, projects 10%, and final test 10% = 100
assessments 75%, practice 20%, and extra practice 5% = 100
project 25%, quizzes 25%, test 50% = 100

From this you can tell grading is very subjective.

You can apply equal percentages to types of assignments or different percentages like above.

Too, if you want a guide of what to teach your kid when, you’ll love my online self-paced course Teaching the Stages of Homeschool. From PreK to High School, Learn at a Bird’s-Eye View of What Subjects to Teach & When to Teach Them.

I am your coach as I take you though the ages and stages of homeschooling.

Furthermore, your grading form can list under each category the objectives or assignments.

Look at this sample below where I used Assessments, Practice, and Extra Practice breakdown from above.

Assessments – 75%	Practice – 20%	Extra Practice – 5%
daily assignments	daily handwriting	typing
essays	create a lapbook	spelling game
book reports	science experiment	watching videos

This is how I kept things easy. I decided what I wanted to grade (not grading everything) and which type of assignments or activities were more important to the subject we’re studying at the time.

It can feel a bit complicated in the beginning.

While some subjects are easier to grade than others, once you have the hang of it, just repeat the same percentages.

6 Easy Steps to Calculate Grades on Numbered Assignments

Also, look at my video How to Successfully Begin Homeschooling Middle & High School.

Additionally, some assignments are more straightforward to grade. Math is one type of subject which is easier to grade.

TWO.

Look below at these 6 easy steps to determine grades on numbered assignments like math. One of the best tips is to have a calculator handy or your phone calculator.

Here is how to easily grade an assignment like math which normally has a set number of problems like 20 or 30 problems.

Correct any wrong answers on your child’s assignment.
Look at the total number of problems on the assignment.
Calculate the total number of problems correct.
Divide the total number of correct answers by the total number of problems in the assignment.
When you get that answer, multiply it by 100.
Consult your grading scale to determine a letter grade if you want one. (I’ve shared grading scales below.)

Look at this real-life example from our math. The math assignment had 30 problems. My son missed 5 of the problems; he got 25 correct.

I divided 25 correct answers by 30 total number of problems which equals .83.

Next, multiply .83 x 100 or 83%. Finally, look for the percentage grading scale and find the corresponding letter grade if you’re keeping letter grades. Too, you’ll love this free EZ grader tool online tool.

As I mentioned, grading scales are subjective, but these are the two most common I’ve used in my homeschool. These grading scales can easily work for any grade level.

Easy Grading Scales For Homeschool

90–100% = A	93–100% = A
80–89% = B	86–92% = B
70–79% = C	78–85% = C
60–69% = D	70–77% = D
below 59% = F	below 69% = F

Noting the easy 6 steps above and based on my example about math, you can see that my student can make two different letter grades, namely a B or a C, depending on which grading scale I choose.

Now, let’s switch back to understanding the basics of percentages or the first method I mentioned.

In addition, look at my video How to Choose the BEST Middle School Literature for Your Homeschooled Child.

It’s important to understand how to categorize assignments using the 100 based system because some subjects or assignments especially like writing have very different objectives.

Grading essays is an art and is subjective.

In addition to the different genres of writing, there are many skills to learn as your student demonstrates writing.

Art is another subject that can be tough to grade.

Those types of assignments do not have a set number of problems.

Because you have specific goals for your children to meet, the best method to grade those types of subjects are percentage based.

Tina’s Time -Tested EASY Grade Figuring Tips

You can literally get overwhelmed with all this information and I’m going to keep it easy for you.

I have used these three easy grading tips and recommend them to you.

choose one grading scale and stick to it
use third percentages (more on this in a minute) on writing and other subjects which are hard to grade like art, writing, hands-on projects, and life skills.
use both grading systems to keep grading uncomplicated.

My own opinion is that the grading scale of 90 to 100%= A is more reflective of a wider range of skills and it’s the one I’ve used more often.

Also, when grading essays, writing, or any other type of subjective assignment I keep my percentages divided by thirds only.

Having only 3 broad categories with assigned percentages kept grading easier for me.

Under each of those broad categories I created objectives.

Of course, you can use any combination of 100 to create your unique goals based on the needs of your children.

Back to mentioning thirds.

I understand that 100 can be divided different ways and it has great flexibility. Again, I prefer easy segmenting and having objectives within those sections.

For example, with the free form below for descriptive writing, I have 3 segments. One section is Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics 30%, Content and Style 35%, and Organization 35%.

However, you will notice I have objectives within each of those 3 categories.

Look below at my sample of the free form Middle School Descriptive Writing Grade Record which I created for you.

The grading record is for middle school, and it is to be used for a descriptive essay. Thank you to Kimberley, my follower, for allowing me to create it for her and for you.

Free Middle School Descriptive Writing Grade Record

The Middle School Descriptive Writing Grade Record is a subscriber only freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get access to my Exclusive Subscriber’s Only Library which has this form in the library.

This is how you get access to this form quickly.
1) Sign up on my list.
2) Download the freebie.
3) Happy to have you following me by email. Look for my future emails in your inbox.

Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages

Rubric Versus Grading Scales

Another term which can make grading hard is understanding what is a rubric. A grading scale is a way to convert checkmarks to letter grades or to a number grade.

Although in the educational world now that has somewhat changed to a 1-to-4 point system. However, that still would have to convert to a letter grade for purposes of a report card. Don’t let me lose you.

A rubric is a term used more in the educational world and not as much in the homeschool world. A simpler term to understand is checklist.

Some homeschool evaluators with a teacher background prefer the term rubric. Whatever term you use checklist or rubric, it can be used different ways.

A rubric is a tool used by a student as a guide to view assignment expectations and objectives set by the teacher. It is a way to encourage students to self-check and can be used as a grading tool. Many rubrics exist on the internet and a lot of them are based on a 1-to-4 point system. Rubrics can be complex or simple.

Four is the highest and can mean achieve, accomplished, or even mastery. Three can be interpreted to mean proficient or practiced. Two can mean developing and one can signify incomplete.

Right away you see that a rubric or self-checking list may be more beneficial to a student of any age. We homeschool for mastery, not just a letter grade.

In addition, a checklist or rubric can encourage children to be challenged and show what they know instead of always measuring what they don’t know.

I think it’s important that if you use a rubric with young kids to assign positive terms to each number one through 4.

You’re encouraging growth at every age, but it’s especially important in the early grades that your children value practice and progress.

More Homeschool High School Teen Elective Resources

How to Calculate Homeschool Grades Using Rubrics

Here are a few more terms to describe each 1-to-4 point level; they can be mixed and matched based on the ages of your learners, subject type or project.

Needs Improvement, Satisfactory, Good and Well Done
Just Beginning, Getting There, Right On and Wow
Poor Effort, OK, Great, and Exceptional
Novice, Intermediate, Proficient and Distinguished
Beginning, Developing, Experienced and Exceptional
Beginning, Developing, Accomplished and Exemplary
Novice, Approaching, Proficient and Advanced Understanding
Not So Much, I Tried a Bit, I Did a Good Job and I Did My Best Ever is a cute one for art by Art Projects for Kids.

One thing I did when my children were teens was to show them my grading record, objectives, and goals. Can you see from that morphs a checklist or rubric?

Whether you use a checklist or orally convey your expectations to your children, I hope this information about figuring grades helps to simplify the process for you.

Look at these other helps.

10 Favorite Science Movies and Documentaries for Homeschooled Kids

January 4, 2022 | 4 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Whether you add a science movie to your current plans, or want a fun change, I know you’ll find one or two of your favorite science movies and documentaries in this list. Also, look at my page homeschool middle school for more fun tips.

10 Favorite Science Movies and Documentaries for Homeschooled Kids

First, look at a few ways to use science movies in your homeschool:

How to use Science Movies in Your Homeschool

Compare science movies to the book – compare and contrast skills lead to higher thinking skills
Testing the concepts mentioned in a movie is a great way to engage a kid’s science mind – science is about testing theories
Encourage your kids to be aware of the greater issues facing man and science – we homeschool because we don’t want our kids learning only within 4 walls or in a bubble, but to engage with issues facing the world now
Reduce burnout in a student, a schedule, or learn in a relaxed way through a tough transition and to revive the love of learning – learning takes many approaches
Use science movies as a spine to an in-depth or surface level unit study

Then, add in some hands-on ideas or science subscription boxes and you have stand alone curriculum created from great science movies.

Look at my post 18 Amazing Kids Subscription Boxes to Try Right Now to get some ideas. It’s easier than you think to use an engaging science movie or documentary in your homeschool.

Heads up: I haven’t watched all the movies, so I’m not sure of the worldview. I respect the homeschool parent’s position to teach to your worldview to your children.

Look at this list of 10 Favorite Science Movies and Documentaries for Homeschooled Kids.

1. Kiss the Ground.

Activists, scientists, farmers, and politicians turn to regenerative agriculture to save the planet’s topsoil, and combat climate change.

You can go here to Kiss the Ground to get a free link to view it.

And like I mentioned before science is about adding in hands-on fun; here are some ideas from one of my favorite science providers Home Science Tools.

One kit is a climate and weather kit and the other one is weather projects for young scientists.

2. Hidden Figures.

We loved this movie and it’s one of the best science movies we’ve seen in a long time.

Three brilliant African American women at NASA – Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson – serve as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation’s confidence, turned around the Space Race and galvanized the world.

Look at my unit study Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages and here is a trailer to Hidden Figures.

Look at my astronomy lapbook to round out your movie viewing.

Dynamic Astronomy Lapbook for Multiple Ages
$4.00 Add to cart

3. Uranium — Twisting the Dragon’s Tail.

Physicist Dr. Derek Muller travels across the globe to unlock the mysteries of uranium. Filmed on five continents, the program takes viewers through the element’s past, present and future and explains its many uses, from weaponry to medicine. It’s part science and part history.

Here is a trailer to Uranium–Twisting the Dragon’s Tail from YouTube.

4. The Lorax.

Twelve-year-old Ted lives in a place virtually devoid of nature; no flowers or trees grow in the town of Thneedville. Ted would very much like to win the heart of Audrey, the girl of his dreams, but to do this, he must find that which she most desires: a Truffula tree.

Here is the The Lorax (Classic Seuss) which is such a fun way to introduce nature and care for the earth.

Also, I have some lesson planning helps which go with the science movie.

I found this movie on Netflix.

Free Lesson Planning Ideas

Here is a teacher’s guide from Penguin Random House.

Then, here are some printables and lesson plan ideas from A to Z Teacher Stuff.

In addition, add in some fun hands-on nature ideas.

Look at my posts:

5. David Attenborough’s Natural Curiosities.

There are many episodes on various nature topics presented by David Attenborough of the UK. I know we haven’t watched all of them, but it looks like Wikipedia has a super roundup of the movies.

All of his topics are fascinating because they explore the unordinary and unexplained curious things about nature.

Science Movies for Homeschooled Kids

6. Lorenzo’s Oil.

True-life drama of a father and mother who battled against the odds to save their son’s life. Augusto and Michaela Odone are dealt a cruel blow by fate: five-year-old Lorenzo is diagnosed with a rare and incurable disease, but the Odones’ persistence and faith leads to the cure which saves their boy and re-writes medical history.

Then, add in this cool kit from Home Science Tools about phlebotomy. Want to learn the medical art of phlebotomy? You’ll be able to practice all facets of venipuncture with this kit! Excellent for current and aspiring medical professionals alike.

Also, look below at a bacteria growing kit.

7. Osmosis Jones.

Mixing live action and animation, the film follows the misadventures of a zoo worker with an unknown malady he contracted after eating an egg contaminated with simian saliva. The responsibility of eradicating this lethal virus falls to a white blood cell cop and a fussy cold-cure pill.

You’ll love my human body lapbook and human body hands-on activities.

Dynamic and Fun Human Body Lapbook for Multiple Ages
$5.00 Add to cart

8. The Poisoner’s Handbook.

Documentary. From PBS. In the early 20th century, the average American medicine cabinet was a would-be poisoner’s treasure chest, with radioactive radium, thallium, and morphine in everyday products.

You can also watch a trailer here on PBS.

9. October Sky.

John Hickam is a West Virginia coal miner who loves his job and expects his sons, and Homer, to follow in his footsteps. But Jim gets a football scholarship, and Homer becomes interested in rocket science after seeing Sputnik 1 crossing the sky. John disapproves of his son’s new mania, but Homer begins building rockets with the help of friends and a sympathetic teacher. Rocketry, he hopes, will prove his ticket to a better life.

Also here is the book, Homer H. Hickam: Rocket Boys: A Memoir.

The movie, October Sky is based on and then another book, Rocket Science is for middle school kids which would go great this movie.

Additionally, look at these lesson planning helps and free guides below.

It’s just rocket science .pdf guide.
Another huge teacher guide which is helpful.

A massive 133 page .pdf educator’s guide from Nasa.

Here is a trailer of October Sky on YouTube.

10. Chasing Coral.

Too, here are some free lesson plans about rocket science you can add to your science movie.

Next, from the site Chasing Coral it says: “A team of divers, photographers and scientists set out on a thrilling ocean adventure to discover why corals are vanishing at an unprecedented rate.“

Also, there is a free download of curriculum for grades 6 to 12 on the site.

You’ll also love my free Coral lapbook.

Lastly look at some of these other posts you’ll like:

Science movies are great for visual learners and bring spice to your day. What other science movies do you like in your homeschool day?

Colorful and Beautiful 2022-2023 One Page Printable Calendar

December 30, 2021 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I’m rolling out the 2022-2023 one page printable calendar which you can use in the 7 Step DIY Homeschool Planner. I have two color choices available for this one page printable calendar.

One Page Printable Calendar

Also, I have 3 types of calendar pages which I prepare each year AND each one has an academic year AND a physical year.

Homeschool Planners

The 2022-2023 one page printable calendar is used for reference purposes.

The second type of printable one page calendars are the homeschool planning calendars which are to be used for tracking your homeschool days and weeks.

The third type of printable calendars are the the 2 page per month appointment keepers which have bigger boxes for writing appointments.

Printable Calendar One Page

You’ll need a set of EACH type in your 7 Step DIY Homeschool Planner each year.

Because the reference calendar today is used for everything in your planner like planning and referencing you’ll want to print a couple of these for your planner.

I print one or more in the front of my homeschool planner and I print another one or two toward the back. I can easily put my hand on the calendar.

Next, look here at the free two color choices.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Plus, look at these other pretty forms I have to make your DIY 7 Step Homeschool Planner unique!

7 Easy Steps DIY Homeschool Planner – “Tons of Options & Pretty Color” Begin building your planner

Step 1. Choose a Pretty Front/Back Cover

Step. 2. Choose Calendars/Appointment Keepers

Step 3. Choose Goals/Objectives

Step 4. Choose Lesson Planning Pages Right For You!

Step 5a. Choose Unique forms JUST for You! Not a kazillion other people

Step 5b. Choose MORE Unique Forms JUST for You!

Step 5c. Choose MORE MORE Unique Forms Just for You!

Step 6. Personalize It

Step 7. Bind it! Love it!

Beautiful and Colorful 2022 to 2023 Two Pages Per Month Calendars

December 28, 2021 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have the printable 2022 to 2023 two pages per month calendars. I also call these two pages per month calendars Two Page Appointment Keepers on my site. There are two color choices.

Two Pages Per Month Calendars

First, I always keep the Appointment Keepers here at Step. 2. Choose Calendars/Appointment Keepers.

Curriculum Pages for Planner

Also, I want to remind you that I have FREE calendars that are made for a quick glance that I share on the same step, Step. 2. Choose Calendars/Appointment Keepers and planning calendars are also different because they are for planning and tracking school weeks.

Beautiful and Colorful 2022 to 2023 Two Pages Per Month Calendars

The homeschool planning calendars are kept at Step 5a. Choose Unique forms JUST for You!.

Academic Printable Calendar

In addition, the two page spread I share today is for keeping appointments for any of your family’s needs whether it’s personal or homeschool.

Also, this two page spread can be used in a home management binder, blogging planner, financial planner, or fitness planner.

The two pages per month calendar color choices are App and Jewel. Grab one or both.
You get a full 12 months and the calendars begin July, 2022 and go through June, 2023.
My copyright allows you to print it as many times as you need it for your needs.

Hope you love these color choices and you can get them now! Yay!

TOS

Important: READ THIS FIRST.
Before you email me asking where your download link is or tell me that it is not working, read this to ensure that you get your pretties timely and that you don’t pay for something and not get it.

• All my products are digital. You will not receive a physical product for anything in my store. A digital physical year calendar does not mean a physical product or calendar.• Downloads are INSTANT. When you pay, you will receive an email with a download link INSTANTLY. Depending on your internet connection, the email could be just 30 seconds or so, or a bit longer. The point is it will be soon, not a week later,etc.
• The email with the download link will go to the email you used for paypal. If you used your husband’s paypal, your downloads will go to that email. Please check that email and your spam before emailing me telling me you can’t find it.
• Please put my email tina @ tinasdynamichomeschoolplus dot com (of course substitute the right symbol for dot) in your address/contact list so that your product does not go to spam.

MY GUARANTEE: To treat you like I want to be treated which means I know at times technical problems may cause glitches, so I will do everything possible to make your experience here pleasant.

Printable Calendar for Homeschool Planner

Besides, I value your business and value you as a follower.

I stand behind my products because they are actual products I use and benefit from too. Though I cannot refund purchases after you have been given access to them, I will do what I can to be sure you are a pleased customer.

Look at these other homeschool products that I know you’ll love!

Lastly, below are the 7 Steps to help you prepare your free DIY unique 7 Step Homeschool Planner. I know you’ll love adding the two pages per month calendars to your planner.

7 Step DIY Homeschool Planner