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Tina Robertson

How To Build A Water Habitat Triorama With Kids

January 8, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

You can build any kind of habitat triorama to display what you have learned. Also, look at my page Trioramas: How To Create Engaging Visual Narratives For Kids for more ideas.

Today, I’m focusing on a water habitat triorama, specifically an ocean one.

The ocean is a vast and mysterious place.

How To Build A Water Habitat Triorama With Kids

It is home to a wide variety of plants and animals.

There are many different habitats within the ocean, each with its own unique features.

It covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface and is home to a diverse range of marine life.

Ocean habitats can be classified into two main types: pelagic and benthic.

OCEAN BOOKS FOR KIDS

Next, look at these fun ocean books for kids I’ve rounded up.

When possible we prefer to read living books.

16 Ocean Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Choose a few of these ocean themed books to go along with your study of the Oceans. Whether you're looking for a spine for a unit study or literature, you'll love this roundup.

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children in color

Join Danny Meadow Mouse, Jimmy Skunk, and Reddy Fox as they explore the seashore and take a closer look at the habits and habitats of the creatures they find. Discover the Seahorse, Shrimp, Crab, Anemone, Gull, and so many more.

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children is a wonderful way to introduce young ones to the fascinating world beneath us and is a perfect compliment to earlier books in this series, the Bird, Animal, and Flower books.

This edition is complete and unabridged with all of the beautiful illustrations by W.H. Southwick and George Sutton

Seaside Naturalist: Seaside Naturalist

Seaside Naturalist is an illustrated guide to marine plants and animals includes the characteristics of protozoa, arthropods, sponges, mollusks, reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals.

The Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series)

The book opens by explaining how different types of animals are able to breathe and survive underwater, and the different families to which they belong. Subsequent pages are dedicated to specific creatures, including sea turtles, whales, sharks, stingrays, and seahorses, and show varied life in specific habitats, such as a coral reef or deep sea bed. The Big Book of the Blue also explores the underwater world thematically, looking at animals in danger, learning how to spot creatures at the beach, and discovering how to do our part to save sea life. Beautiful and filled with fascinating facts, young, curious readers won’t be able to tear their eyes away from the page.

Scott O'Dell Set: Island of the Blue Dolphins + Zia

Island of the Blue Dolphins begins with a young girl named Karana who is living on the Island of the Blue Dolphins (fancy name, right?) with her younger brother, Ramo, and sister, Ulape. One day, a group of Russian hunters (Aleutians) land on the island to hunt for otter. This is when the trouble really begins.

Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau (Underwater Picture Book for Kids)

Once upon a time in France, a baby was born under the summer sun. His parents named him Jacques. As he grew, Jacques fell in love with the sea. He dreamed of breathing beneath the waves and swimming as gracefully as a fish. In fact, he longed to become a manfish. Jacques Cousteau grew up to become a champion of the seas and one of the best-known oceanographers in the world. In this lovely biography, now in paperback, poetic text and gorgeous paintings come together to create a portrait of Cousteau that is as magical as it is inspiring.

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (Illustrated 1875 Edition):

A beautiful edition with 110 images from the 1875 English edition. Use Amazon's Look inside feature to compare this edition with others. You'll be impressed by the differences. Don't be fooled by other versions that have no illustrations or contain very small print. Reading our edition will make you feel that you are traveling the seas with Captain Nemo himself.

Swiss Family Robinson (Illustrated Classic): 200th Anniversary Collection

More than 100 original illustrations by Louis Rhead. You want to read this book with illustrations.

An introduction by W. D. Howells.

Nicely formatted text in an easy-to-read font.

A beautiful cover from the 1891 edition.

Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia

Embark on a captivating tour of the waters that cover 70 percent of our planet! See our oceans come to life in mind-blowing detail. This is the ultimate children’s visual encyclopedia about the awe-inspiring blue planet! 

Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist

How did a nineteenth-century dressmaker revolutionize science? Jeanne Power was creative: she wanted to learn about the creatures that swim beneath the ocean waves, so she built glass tanks and changed the way we study underwater life forever. Jeanne Power was groundbreaking: she solved mysteries of sea animals and published her findings at a time when few of women’s contributions to science were acknowledged. Jeanne Power was persistent: when records of her research were lost, she set to work repeating her studies. And when men tried to take credit for her achievements, she stood firm and insisted on the recognition due to her.

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

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. 

The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids: 500 Incredible Facts!

Do you know a kid who’s captivated by what goes on beneath the ocean’s surface? This amazing entry into ocean books for kids is packed with hundreds of incredible facts for hours of underwater exploration. Pages of full-color pictures feature life in and around the sea including fish, dolphins, and shipwrecks!

All About Bioluminescence: Deep Sea Animals

Dive into the mesmerizing world of bioluminescence with "All About Bioluminescence." In this captivating book, readers embark on a journey through the depths of the ocean to discover the extraordinary glow-in-the-dark creatures that inhabit its mysterious realm. From the enchanting sea angel to the infamous anglerfish, each page is filled with stunning illustrations and fascinating facts about these luminous beings.With a focus on deep-sea dwellers, readers will uncover the secrets behind bioluminescence and learn how these creatures use light to communicate, camouflage, and lure prey. But the adventure doesn't stop there! "All About Bioluminescence" also includes hands-on activities like a glow stick experiment, allowing readers to experience the magic of bioluminescence firsthand.

Treasure Island (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

One of the most enduringly popular adventure tales, Treasure Island began in 1881 as a serialized adventure entitled "The Sea-Cook"in the periodical Young Folks. Completed during a stay at Davos, Switzerland, where Stevenson had gone for his health, it was published in 1883 in the form we know today.Set in the eighteenth century, Treasure Island spins a heady tale of piracy, a mysterious treasure map, and a host of sinister characters charged with diabolical intentions. Seen through the eyes of Jim Hawkins, the cabin boy of the Hispaniola, the action-packed adventure tells of a perilous sea journey across the Spanish Main, a mutiny led by the infamous Long John Silver, and a lethal scramble for buried treasure on an exotic isle.

Oceans and Seas!: With 25 Science Projects for Kids

In Oceans and Seas! With 25 Science Projects for Kids readers ages 7 though 10 dive into the underwater world of some of the most amazing landscapes on Earth. On this amazing underwater adventure, kids experience the ocean’s tropical reefs and spot crabs, sea sponges, and thousands of kinds of fish darting in its crags and folds. They’ll meet a giant squid with eyes the size of dinner plates and an mbrella-like bioluminescent jellyfish.

Discover the Oceans: The World's Largest Ecosystem (Discover Your World)

From both a historical and scientific point of view, above and below the surface, this engaging guide brings the world’s oceans to life through fun facts, illustrations, and in-depth information. Interactive activities appear throughout, ranging from making solar stills and simple fishing spears to experimenting with a homemade diving bell and figuring out how much water it really takes to survive. With the oceans being the least explored environment on Earth, this reference illuminates some of the most incredible and surprising plants and animals as well as how to survive and navigate these vast expanses.

Pagoo

An intricate study of tide pool life is presented in text and pictures through the story of Pagoo, a her-mit crab.

Then, have your child choose one of either the broad habitats below or the smaller more specific ones and recreate it with a simple triorama.

WATER HABITAT TRIORAMA – OCEAN HABITATS 

Pelagic Habitats

Pelagic habitats are the open waters of the ocean, away from the coast and the seafloor. They can be further divided into two zones: the epipelagic zone and the mesopelagic zone.

  • Epipelagic Zone: The epipelagic zone is the sunlit surface layer of the ocean, extending from the surface to a depth of about 650 feet. This zone is home to a wide variety of marine life, including phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish, and seabirds.
  • Mesopelagic Zone: The mesopelagic zone is the twilight zone of the ocean, extending from a depth of 200 meters to about 280 feet. This zone is home to a variety of marine life, including jellyfish, squid, and deep-sea fish.

Benthic Habitats

Benthic habitats are the habitats found on the ocean floor. They can be divided into two zones: the continental shelf and the deep sea.

  • Continental Shelf: The continental shelf is the gently sloping area of the ocean floor that extends from the coastline to a depth of about 650 feet. This zone is home to a variety of marine life, including coral reefs, kelp forests, and seagrass beds.

Deep Sea: The deep sea is the vast, dark region of the ocean floor that extends from a depth of about 1,000 meters to the deepest part of the ocean, the Mariana Trench, which is over 36,000 feet deep.

This zone is home to a variety of marine life, including hydrothermal vents, anglerfish,giant squid,  and deep-sea fish.

Ocean Anatomy was a wonderful resource to use while putting together the triorama, there was even a nice layout about Kelp forests.

How To Build A Water Habitat Triorama With Kids

MORE TRIORAMA IDEAS

  • How to Make an Easy Rainforest Triorama With Kids
  • How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama
  • How to Make an Amazing Shakespeare Triorama Book Report
  • How to Make a Cool Greek Mythology Triorama With Kids
  • How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture
  • How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica
  • Amazing Geography Landforms: An Engaging Triorama Tutorial for Kids
  • How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies
  • How To Build A Water Habitat Triorama With Kids
  • How to Craft a Stunning Wolf Animal Triorama
  • How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska’s Amazing Features
  • How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions
  • How to Make A Pyramid Diorama For States Of Matter
  • The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama

Now read a little more in depth on some of the habitats in the ocean.

4 OCEAN HABITATS

1. Coral Reefs

Coral reefs are one of the most diverse and beautiful habitats in the ocean. They are made up of colonies of tiny animals called coral polyps.

Coral polyps build hard skeletons made of calcium carbonate, which form the structure of the reef. Coral reefs are home to a variety of fish, invertebrates, and algae.

2. Kelp Forests

Kelp forests are underwater forests made up of giant kelp seaweed. They can grow up to 100 feet tall and forms dense underwater canopies.

Kelp forests are home to a variety of fish, invertebrates, and mammals.

3. Seagrass Meadows

Seagrass meadows are underwater meadows made up of seagrass plants.

And seagrass is a type of flowering plant that grows in shallow coastal waters. Seagrass meadows are home to a variety of fish, invertebrates, and sea turtles.

4. Open Ocean

The open ocean is the vast, deep part of the ocean that is away from the coast. The open ocean is home to a variety of fish, whales, dolphins, and sharks.

How To Build A Water Habitat Triorama With Kids

Additionally, look at more ocean hands-on activities.

OCEAN HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

  • Crafty Ocean Adventures: How to Make a Paper Plate Stingray
  • How To Mix Glow In The Dark Slime Ingredients To Make Awesome Ocean Slime
  • Exploring The Ocean With Ice Experiments: Simple Sea Animal Rescue
  • Free Under the Sea Worksheets : Dive into the Ocean’s Wonders
  • Making Ocean Layers Soap
  • Beware of Ocean Pollution: Fun Science Activity for Kids
  • How to Make a Fun Paper Plate Fish | F is for Fish
  • Under the Sea Science Activities With Amazing Disappearing Octopus Ink
  • How do Fish Breathe Underwater Fun Activity & Animal Science Homeschool Curriculum

HOW TO BUILD A WATER HABITAT TRIORAMA WITH KIDS – KELP FOREST

You will need:

  • 12×12 cardstock-blue
  • Green pipe cleaners
  • Green tape
  • Hot glue
  • Sand
  • Craft glue/paintbrush
  • Plastic fish/creatures
How To Build A Water Habitat Triorama With Kids

First, take your 12×12 sheet of paper and fold it to form a triangle by folding diagonal corners.

Run either your finger or something hard like a craft stick along the crease to make it sharp.

Unfold it and repeat in the opposite direction.

How To Build A Water Habitat Triorama With Kids

Cut just from one corner to the center like this.

How To Build A Water Habitat Triorama With Kids

Fold one cut side under the other and secure with glue. I like to put something heavy on top of it for a few minutes until the glue really grabs hold.

 This blue will serve as a background for your ocean kelp forest.

 But the next thing we need to do is create the ocean floor. To do that you’re going to paint on a thick layer of school glue to the bottom triangle and sprinkle it with sand.

How To Build A Water Habitat Triorama With Kids

To create the kelp, we wanted to use something that would stand up on its own but still give that flexible wavy appearance, pipe cleaners were perfect for this.

Create kelp leaves by tearing off strips of green tape and attaching it and twisting onto the pipe cleaners to give it more definition and interest you can use several different shades of green.

How To Build A Water Habitat Triorama With Kids

Attach the kelp stalks to the walls and several to the center by hot gluing them to small flat rocks you can gather in your yard.

Kelp attaches itself to the rocky bottom of the ocean so this worked out well as an anchor for our purposes as well.

How To Build A Water Habitat Triorama With Kids

Create a thick and beautiful kelp forest by adding lots of kelp into your triorama.

How To Build A Water Habitat Triorama With Kids

 Now add your creatures like otters, fish crabs and other animals that you would find there.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, science, triorama, trioramas

How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies

January 7, 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 triorama using Dollar Tree supplies to teach your little one primary colors. Also, look at my page Trioramas: How To Create Engaging Visual Narratives For Kids for more ideas.

Introducing primary colors—red, yellow, and blue—to preschoolers lays a strong foundation for their artistic and cognitive development.

How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies

And there are so many fun ways to do it.

Once they have mastered primary colors (red, yellow, blue) you can move on to secondary colors (orange, purple, green) through color mixing.

Our activity today introduces children to the idea of color mixing primary colors to create new colors in a simple hands-on way.

Too, I have a rainbow of colorful ideas to help you teach them in the most fun ways.

Incorporating engaging activities is an effective way to teach primary colors to preschoolers, fostering their color recognition, artistic skills, and overall cognitive development.

BOOKS ABOUT COLORS FOR PRESCHOOL

Next, add some books that teach color concepts.

8 Books About Color

Add these books about color to your home library.

The Days The Crayons Quit

Beige is tired of playing second fiddle to Brown. Blue needs a break from coloring all that water, while Pink just wants to be used. Green has no complaints, but Black wants to be used for more than just outlining. And Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking—each believes he is the true color of the sun.What can Duncan possibly do to appease all of the crayons and get them back to doing what they do best?

Mix It Up!: Board Book Edition

Follow the artist's simple instructions, and suddenly colors appear . . . mix . . . splatter . . . and vanish in a vivid world powered only by the reader's imagination. The result is not only enchantment and giggles, but a real and deeper understanding of colors brought by a true master of his craft.

Mouse Paint

One day three white mice discover three jars of paint--red, blue, and yellow. But what happens when they splash in the colors, mixing the
red and blue? Or dance in the blue and yellow? This playful introduction
to colors will appeal to any budding artist or curious preschooler.

Green

Die cut pages bring surprise after surprise in this magical new book from the "Queen of the concept book"―an intricate and satisfying homage to green, the color of all creation.How many kinds of green are there? There's the lush green of a forest on a late spring day, the fresh, juicy green of a just-cut lime, the incandescent green of a firefly, and the vivid aquamarine of a tropical sea. In her newest book, Caldecott and Geisel Honor Book author Laura Vaccaro Seeger fashions an homage to a single color and, in doing so, creates a book that will delight and, quite possibly astonish you.

White Rabbit's Colors

White Rabbit finds three pots of paint―and discovers the magic of color!Young children will enjoy following Alan Baker's inquisitive LITTLE RABBITS as they make new discoveries. Simple storylines and playful artwork offer a fresh approach to learning early concepts.

Ruby, Violet, Lime: Looking for Color

Ruby flowers, violet quilts, lime frosting ― colors are all around us. How many colors can you find in the pages of this book?

Edible Colors: See, Learn, Eat

With a combination of unusual foods and a kaleidoscope of colors, this concept book shows that not all foods have to look the same way. A banana can be red, broccoli can be purple, and cherries can be yellow and still taste just as delicious.

Colors

A red fire truck races, orange pumpkins glow, and purple flowers bloom.Vivid pictures of familiar scenes, animals, and objects introduce future readers to color words and inspire them to look carefully at the world around them. Full of striking close-ups on fruits, flowers, and animals, as well as striking portraits of kids from diverse backgrounds, Colors is a bright, brilliant concept book from the creator of the award-winning Shades of People.

Before we get to our tutorial on how to make a triorama for young learners which teaches primary colors, here are some other great ideas with you.

TEACHING PRIMARY COLORS WITH HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES

Color Conversations –  Regularly point out and name primary colors in everyday objects like toys, clothing, food, and nature. “Look at the blue sky!” or “Your banana is yellow!”

Color Themed Days- Dedicate specific days to each primary color, encouraging children to wear that color or bring in objects of that color.

Color Sorting- Provide a basket of objects in various colors and have children sort them into primary color groups.

I Spy with Colors-  “I spy something red!” Children search for an object matching the called-out color.

Color Matching- Create cards with primary color blocks and matching pictures of objects (red apple, yellow sun, blue bird). Children match the colors and objects.

Color Scavenger Hunt- Give children a list of primary colors and have them find objects of those colors.

Finger Painting-  Provide red, yellow, and blue paint and let children explore mixing the colors with their fingers.

Color Mixing with Watercolors-  Demonstrate how mixing primary colors creates secondary colors (red + yellow = orange, yellow + blue = green, blue + red = purple).

Rainbow Art- Encourage children to create rainbows using various materials like crayons, paint, or colored paper.

Primary Color Collages-  Provide red, yellow, and blue paper and have children tear and glue them to create collages.

HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES TO TEACH COLORS

Colored Rice or Pasta-  Dye rice or pasta red, yellow, and blue and let children explore the textures and colors.

Color Mixing with Playdough–  Provide red, yellow, and blue playdough and encourage children to mix the colors.

Water Play with Food Coloring- Add red, yellow, and blue food coloring to water and let children experiment with color mixing.

Color Songs– Sing songs about primary colors, incorporating actions and movements related to each color.

Color Dance-Play music and call out primary colors, having children dance or move in a way that represents each color.

Color-Themed Books- Read books that focus on primary colors or incorporate color-related themes.

Color Word Recognition-  Create flashcards with primary color words and matching pictures, have your child match the words and pictures.

How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies

Look at more triorama activities.

MORE TRIORAMA IDEAS

  • How to Make an Easy Rainforest Triorama With Kids
  • How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama
  • How to Make an Amazing Shakespeare Triorama Book Report
  • How to Make a Cool Greek Mythology Triorama With Kids
  • How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture
  • How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica
  • Amazing Geography Landforms: An Engaging Triorama Tutorial for Kids
  • How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies
  • How To Build A Water Habitat Triorama With Kids
  • How to Craft a Stunning Wolf Animal Triorama
  • How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska’s Amazing Features
  • How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions
  • How to Make A Pyramid Diorama For States Of Matter
  • The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama

Finally, look at how to make a triorama teaching the primary colors.

HOW TO MAKE A TRIORAMA TEACHING THE PRIMARY COLORS WITH DOLLAR TREE SUPPLIES

We are going to use a cardboard box for this to make it a bit sturdier when it’s soaked in paint and so that it holds up to a toddler or preschooler playing with it.

You will need:

  • Cardboard box
  • Red craft paint
  • Blue craft paint
  • Yellow craft paint
  • Paintbrushes
  • Black permanent marker
  • Scissors
How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies

If you don’t already have a cardboard box laying around like an old Amazon box you can pick up a shipping box at Dollar Tree for $1.25.

But after wandering around I realized they had a big stack of broken down boxes and grabbed one for free.

Use a ruler to cut out a square of whatever size you would like from one side of your cardboard box.

How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies

 Draw a line from corner to corner to create an X using the ruler to help you stay on a straight line.

TRIORAMA TEACHING THE PRIMARY COLORS

Now you are going to use either a box cutter or the point of your scissors to just score the lines you’ve drawn.

You just want to cut through the first layer of cardboard to make it bend a little easier, do not go all the way through.

How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies

Use your scissors to cut from one corner to the center point on just one corner.

How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies

Add one of each of the primary colors to every triangle but one, this one will be folded underneath.

How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies

Have your child paint the color all over that section, trying to stay within the triangle at first.

How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies

Now you can have them draw a little paint from both sides to combine it and create a new color wherever the colors touch.

 For the two that are separated by a blank triangle just use the paintbrush to transfer from side to side.

Allow it to dry completely and then use a marker to write in each of the colors.

Fold along the scored lines you made and fold the cut pieces on under another and glue into place to make the pyramid shape.

How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies

You can use the triorama as an activity to have your child gather items from around the house in each of the colors, or just put it on display as is.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: colors, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschool preschool, preschool, preschool skills, trioramas

Amazing Geography Landforms: An Engaging Triorama Tutorial for Kids

January 6, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Here is an engaging triorama tutorial for kids giving them a simple way to demonstrate what they have learned about various landforms. Also, look at my page Trioramas: How To Create Engaging Visual Narratives For Kids for more ideas.

First, all we need is a piece of cardstock and a pair of scissors.

Too, whatever type of coloring supply your child would like to use-markers, crayons, colored pencils, or even watercolors to create a fun triorama.

Amazing Geography Landforms: An Engaging Triorama Tutorial for Kids

You can pick any 3 landforms to recreate on the three triangles of the triorama.

Plus, this is a neat activity that is geography, science, and art all rolled into one.

But before we get onto the triorama tutorial let’s learn more about some common geography landforms and their characteristics.

For example, landforms are the different shapes and features of the Earth’s surface.

They can be big, like mountains and valleys, or small, like hills and lakes.

HOMESCHOOL GEOGRAPHY RESOURCES FOR KIDS

22 Homeschool Geography Go To Resources & Gift Ideas

Add some of these fun books and resources to your learning day if you're wanting to study geography with multiple ages. Maybe you want to hook your child on geography with a gift or two.

Photo Credit: www.bfbooks.com

Around the World with Picture Books Part II

Each country visited features a selection of animals indigenous to those regions. These beautiful drawings will familiarize students with some remarkable creatures, their habitat and habits, cultivating respect and wonder for the natural world. Part Two covers Europe and South America. In Europe we cover France, Spain, Italy, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, and Great Britain! In South America we cover Ecuador, Chile, Peru, and Brazil!

Scratch Off World Map & US Map

This contains both the US and world maps and while they are targeted at those who travel I think they would also be an amazing way to document as you learn about each new state or country.

Geographic World ScrunchMap, Portable, Easy-to-Store Map of the World, Water and Tear-Resistant Map

For preschoolers through late elementary I would recommend this versatile scrunch map that comes in a world or US version. It is amazing for lessons on  the go or just an impromptu geography lesson on the living room floor.

Around the World in 180 Days: A Multigrade Guide for the Study of World History, Geography, and Cultures

Around the World in 180 Days: A Multigrade Guide for the Study of World History, Geography, and Cultures (Student Workbook) by Sherrie Payne

Rand McNally Junior Classroom Atlas of the World

Our colorful, engaging atlas is ideal for studentsin second through fourth grades and was developed from our award-winning Classroom Atlas, just simplified for younger students.Completely redesigned with a new layout,eye-catching pictures, informative graphics,and fully updated map content.Teaches map and globe skills to younger students.Features photos, graphs, interesting facts, andthought-provoking questions that reinforce map concepts.Includes 15 physical, political, and thematic maps.

National Geographic Visual Atlas of the World: More Than 1,000 Stunning Maps, Illustrations, and Photographs

Representing an exciting new approach in our renowned line of atlases, this large-format reference blends two National Geographic "bests" to create a refreshingly vivid world portrait. Incorporated in the many up-to-the moment regional maps that portray each continent are hundreds of brilliant photographs—each depicting unique natural and cultural treasures that have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites. From the vast plains of the Serengeti to the Kasbah of Algiers, from prehistoric rock art to the statue of Liberty, these incomparable locales are under UN protection for future generations to know and enjoy.

Rand McNally Historical Atlas of the World | Grades 5-12+

The Historical Atlas of the World presents important periods and turning points in 5,000 years of world history in over 100 pages of thematic maps. Atlas features: • Presents major periods of world history through more than 100 bold, colorful maps. • Thematic maps include literacy, languages, religions, and more. • Includes a section on benefits of using the atlas. • 112 pages, paperback, 8" x 10".

Professor Noggin's Geography of The United States 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: Geography of the United States card game isn't just a point and locate on the map kind of kids card game.  Topic cards include fun facts about Earthquakes, Islands, and the mysterious, 'What city is nicknamed...' making this a fun kids card game for home or the classroom!
  • Encyclopedia of World Geography with Complete World Atlas: Internet Linked

    Encyclopedia of World Geography with Complete World Atlas: Internet Linked

    A Child's Introduction to the World: Geography, Cultures, and People--From the Grand Canyon to the Great Wall of China

    Get ready for an incredible journey, one in which you’ll visit far-off places, meet interesting people, and learn all about continents, countries, climates, and more. This book is also full of fun facts about animals, sports, foods, inventions, and holidays from all over the world.

    National Geographic World Atlas for Young Explorers, Third Edition

    The latest edition of the award-winning National Geographic World Atlas for Young Explorers features all new photographs, maps, and graphics.And now, for the first time ever, the National Geographic World Atlas for Young Explorers goes interactive! The 3rd edition is chockfull of bright, bold icons that, thanks to a specially designed National Geographic web site, will allow kids to go beyond the printed page and experience firsthand the sights, sounds, and movements of the world's people, places, and animals. They'll watch brown bears fish for salmon in Alaska, listen to the latest singing sensation from Haiti, experience the power of a volcanic eruption, explore a rain forest, hang out at a local market in India, and much more.

    Geography Through Art

    Geography Through Art Intenational Art Projects for Kids Completely Revised and Updated! Use this book as an exciting way to supplement any study of geography, history, or social studies. "Geography Through Art" is sure to make a lasting addition to your home or school library. You'll find yourself reaching for this indispensable guide again and again to delight and engage students in leanring about geography through the culture and art of peoples around the world.

    Geography: An Illustrated A-Z Glossary: An Introduction To Earth's Geographical Features For Kids (Kids Geography Books)

    Welcome to Geography: An Illustrated A-Z Glossary by B.C. Lester Books! This book takes you across the world's main landforms and biomes, each with a colorful illustration accompanied with a child-friendly definition.

    Geography: A Visual Encyclopedia

    Created in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution, Geography: A Visual Encyclopedia explores every aspect of our world, from the North to the South Pole, and from the outer atmosphere to the fiery core and from natural processes to human impact.

    Discover terrifying earthquakes, priceless gemstones, and storms that can destroy buildings. Understand how weather works, what causes the seasons, and the power of water to shape the landscape. Explore life on Earth, and countries and cultures from all around the world. Packed with facts, maps, explanations, illustrations, and photographs, Geography: A Visual Encyclopedia is the ultimate guide to our planet.

    Maps and Globes (Reading Rainbow Book)

    Children's Illustrated Atlas

    A picture atlas that takes young readers on a visual journey around the world, from Spain and Portugal to China and Mongolia.Continents and countries are brought to life through stunning photography and
    eye-catching illustrations. Uncover incredible geographical features, wildlife, culture, history, and landmarks in unprecedented detail.

    Mark Twain Geography Workbook, Geography for Kids Grade 7-8

    Geography for kids ages 12+

    Explore the eastern hemisphere with your middle school child with the activity-packed Mark Twain Geography Workbook.

    7th Grade Geography workbooks are a great way for 7th grade and eighth grade students to have a thorough understanding of eastern hemisphere geography through focused lessons and practice.

    The World Game - Geography Card Game

    Kids, teens, and adults will enjoy this geography game that can also double as flashcards for practice.

    Continent Race - Geography Learning Educational Game for Kids

    A collaborative game for ages 7 and up That has varying levels of difficulty so that multiple ages can be included and challenged. Geography games like this are a great way to take your children on global adventures from the coziness of the kitchen table.

    The 50 States: Explore the U.S.A. with 50 fact-filled maps!

    This is a beautifully illustrated children's atlas that is full of interesting facts and figures from landmarks to famous residents, key facts and dates for each state.

    Mango Wood Globe with Wood Base

    Chances are if someone's a geography lover they already have a globe, but it's also a pretty good chance that they love and collect them so go for a unique one, different sizes, and colors.

    State Quarter Map (US State Quarter Series)

    This gift just keeps on giving as they not only get a great map gift but also the fun of the hunt collecting each of the 50 quarters that fit inside.

    Next, there are many different types of landforms, each with its own unique characteristics.

    In addition, here are just a handful of some common landforms, but there are even more to learn about.

    AMAZING GEOGRAPHY LANDFORMS

    Mountains-tall, rocky landforms that rise high above the surrounding area. They are often formed by the movement of tectonic plates.

    Hills-smaller, rounded landforms that are not as high as mountains.

    Plateaus-large, flat areas of land that are higher than the surrounding area.

    Plains-large, flat areas of land that are not as high as plateaus.

    Valleys- low areas of land that are surrounded by mountains or hills.

    Canyons- deep, narrow valleys with steep sides.

    Peninsulas- pieces of land that are surrounded by water on three sides.

    Bays-bodies of water that are partially enclosed by land.

    Deserts- dry, barren areas of land that receive very little rainfall.

    Volcanoes-The size of a mountain, they are typically conical and have a crater and vent through where lava, hot gases, steam and rock fragments are or have erupted through the crust of the Earth.

    Islands- a piece of land surrounded by water. Islands can be found in oceans, lakes, and rivers. They can be small or large.

    Basins-low lying areas of land that are surrounded by higher land. They can be formed by a variety of processes including erosion, glaciers, and volcanoes.

    Amazing Geography Landforms: An Engaging Triorama Tutorial for Kids

    Also, look at more triorama themes.

    MORE TRIORAMA IDEAS

    • How to Make an Easy Rainforest Triorama With Kids
    • How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama
    • How to Make an Amazing Shakespeare Triorama Book Report
    • How to Make a Cool Greek Mythology Triorama With Kids
    • How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture
    • How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica
    • Amazing Geography Landforms: An Engaging Triorama Tutorial for Kids
    • How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies
    • How To Build A Water Habitat Triorama With Kids
    • How to Craft a Stunning Wolf Animal Triorama
    • How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska’s Amazing Features
    • How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions
    • How to Make A Pyramid Diorama For States Of Matter
    • The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama

    Next, look at some hands-on geography ideas.

    GEOGRAPHY ACTIVITIES TO PAIR WITH TRIORAMA TUTORIAL

    • Free My Little Book Of Landforms Images With Names
    • Free 4-Week Kid’s Paddle To The Sea Unit Study
    • The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft
    • 5 Ways to Raise a Natural Geography Lover Easily
    • Discovering Geography Through a Field Trip to Incan Ruins
    • 10 Geography Childrens Books | Easy Me On The Map Project
    • 11 AWESOME Ways to Learn Geography (Other Than Labeling a Map)
    • How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map | Easy Swiss Geography
    • 22 Homeschool Geography Go To Resources
    • How to Make An Edible Geography Model of Tidal Zones
    • 18+ Fun and Interactive Ways to Learn Geography With Kids
    • Navigating the Perfect Present: 22 Gifts for Geography Lovers

    Finally, look at how to make an amazing geography landforms triorama tutorial.

    AMAZING GEOGRAPHY LANDFORMS TRIORAMA TUTORIAL

    You will need:

    • Cardstock
    • Colored pencils, crayons,etc…
    • Scissors
    • Glue stick
    Amazing Geography Landforms: An Engaging Triorama Tutorial for Kids

    First, if your cardstock already happens to be a square you are ready to go.

    If not you can turn your rectangle into a square easily by bringing one corner down even with the bottom of the page.

    Press the crease in firmly with the edge of the scissors or a craft stick.

    Amazing Geography Landforms: An Engaging Triorama Tutorial for Kids

    Cut excess off along the edge and you have a square.

    Amazing Geography Landforms: An Engaging Triorama Tutorial for Kids

    Fold the opposite corners together and press in the crease to form an x with the folds.

    Open the paper and cut from one corner up to the center.

    Mark one of the triangles with an x, this one will be the base and will not be drawn on, this helps your child to know which one will be hidden.

    Amazing Geography Landforms: An Engaging Triorama Tutorial for Kids

    Have your child choose 3 different landforms and draw an example of each of the 3 remaining triangles.

    Also, it is much easier to draw and color on the flat paper rather than try to do it on the 4D triorama.

    Amazing Geography Landforms: An Engaging Triorama Tutorial for Kids

    Then add titles.

    Amazing Geography Landforms: An Engaging Triorama Tutorial for Kids

    Fold the x underneath the base of the opposite triangle and secure with glue.

    Amazing Geography Landforms: An Engaging Triorama Tutorial for Kids

    You can use this quick and easy method to highlight more landforms or use it for a variety of other science, history, and literature topics.

    Finally, be sure to check out the other triorama ideas on my site.

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

    How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica

    January 5, 2025 | Leave a Comment
    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    A desert triorama is a fun and exciting way to produce information on what your child has learned and give them an opportunity to dig deeper into a topic. Also, look at my page Trioramas: How To Create Engaging Visual Narratives For Kids for more ideas.

    A triorama is simply a 3 sided display similar to a diorama.

    It can be just one piece of square paper folded into a triangle or it can be a larger triangle made of 3 or 4 of these smaller trioramas attached back to back.

    How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica

    I am also giving you some great videos on deserts, book suggestions, and of course more hands-on learning activities.

    And we’re making a desert triorama about the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica.

    This will give us a visual way to compare the deserts.

    BOOKS ABOUT DESERTS FOR KIDS

    First, look at some fun books about deserts.

    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.

    TRIORAMA IDEAS

    • How to Make an Easy Rainforest Triorama With Kids
    • How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama
    • How to Make an Amazing Shakespeare Triorama Book Report
    • How to Make a Cool Greek Mythology Triorama With Kids
    • How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture
    • How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica
    • Amazing Geography Landforms: An Engaging Triorama Tutorial for Kids
    • How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies
    • How To Build A Water Habitat Triorama With Kids
    • How to Craft a Stunning Wolf Animal Triorama
    • How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska’s Amazing Features
    • How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions
    • How to Make A Pyramid Diorama For States Of Matter
    • The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama

    But first let’s break down a few facts to compare and contrast each of these unique and amazing deserts.

    COMPARING THE GOBI, SAHARA, AND ANTARCTIC DESERTS

    Gobi Desert-Tan

    • Located in Asia
    • Coldest desert in the world
    • Average temperature: 25°F
    • Annual rainfall: 3-7 inches
    • Largest desert in Asia
    • Known for its sand dunes, mountains, and oases.
    • Home to a variety of animals, including camels, wolves, and gazelles

    Sahara Desert-Yellow

    • Located in Africa
    • Largest hot desert in the world
    • Average temperature: 86°F
    • Annual rainfall: less than 1 inch
    • Home to sand dunes, mountains, and salt flats.
    • Home to a variety of animals, including camels, snakes, and lizards

    Antarctica Desert-White

    • Home to a variety of animals, including penguins, seals, and whales.
    • Located in Antarctica
    • Coldest, driest, and highest desert in the world
    • Average temperature: -57°F
    • Annual rainfall: less than 2 inches
    • Largest desert in the world
    • Home to ice sheets, glaciers, and mountains.

    Then add more hands-on ideas to pair with the desert triorama.

    HANDS-ON DESERT IDEAS TO PAIR WITH THE DESERT TRIORAMA

    now the text that fits the keyword in the header above –

    • 7 Desert Crafts For Kids: How To Make A Clay Cactus Jewelry Holder
    • 8 Desert Craft Ideas | How To Make Egg Carton Cactus
    • Use colored sand to recreate the gorgeous colors of desert landscapes with Desert Sand Art: Hands-on Learning (Colors of the Desert).
    How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica

    Finally, look at how to make this desert triorama.

    HOW MAKE A DESERT TRIORAMA

    You will need:

    • White sand
    • 3 sheets white cardstock
    • Colored chalk
    • School glue
    • Watercolor paint
    • Plastic animals for each desert area
    • You could also use these desert plants for dioramas to create your scene
    How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica

    You could also use these desert plants for dioramas to create your scene.

    Start with a sheet of 8×8 cardstock and fold it in half from corner to corner, pressing down the crease.

    A craft stick works great for pressing in the crease.

    Unfold and then fold it in the opposite direction, pressing down on the crease.

    How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica

    Cut from one corner all the way up the crease to the very center.

    How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica

    Bend the two pieces on either side of the cut inward, laying one over the other and secure with glue, hold in place with something heavy or  pinch with a clothespin until dry.

    Repeat 3 times to create 3 different triorama pieces.

    DESERT TRIORAMA ABOUT THE GOBI, SAHARA, & ANTARCTICA

    Now we are going to paint our skies in each one.

    Looking at images of these desserts we found a wide variety of skies from sunrise to sunset. So you can paint each as you see fit.

    How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica

    Allow watercolor to dry and then fold one cut corner over the other and glue into place.

    How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica

    To keep it really simple we are going to use colored chalk, mica powder, or you can even grind up a cheap eyeshadow from the dollar store to turn white craft sand into a variety of hues to fit each dessert.

    Place a few teaspoons of white sand into 2 different bowls, add a little powdered chalk or other colorant in a tan( Gobi)  and then a lighter yellow color (sahara). We will keep some white uncolored for antarctica.

    How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica

    ‘Paint’ a thick layer of school glue onto the base of each of the 3 trioramas and add the colored sand to each, pressing into the glue so that it sticks.

    How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica

    Create dunes, ripples, and mountains by adding more layers of glue and sand to build it up.

    Since the Gobi is surrounded by mountain ranges we created sandy mountains in the background of that desert scene.

    How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica

    Gather a small animal to represent each desert or you can use magazine cutouts or  print images to glue in place.

    Dab a bit of sparse vegetation onto your deserts using watercolor paint right onto the dried sand.

    Set your animals and anything else you would like to add into place in each dessert.

    How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica

    Create a label for each and add in front of the displays.

    Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: desert, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, life science, science, triorama

    How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

    January 4, 2025 | Leave a Comment
    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    We’re putting together a triorama project all about the Cherokee Culture, using peg dolls, clay and paint to create their environment. Also, look at my pages Trioramas: How To Create Engaging Visual Narratives For Kids for more ideas and free Native American Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning.

    Cherokee culture has a long and proud history.

    The Cherokee people are one of the largest Native American tribes in the United States, with a population of over 300,000.

    How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

    Originally from the Southeastern Woodlands, they lived in what is now the southeastern United States.

    This area includes parts of present-day Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.

    In the 1830s, the Cherokee were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands in the Southeast in a process known as the Trail of Tears.

    This forced removal resulted in the deaths of thousands of Cherokee people as well as the Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole people.

    Despite all that they endured, the Cherokee people have maintained their culture and traditions.

    And the Cherokee Nation is a federally recognized tribe with over 300,000 citizens and their own government, schools, and healthcare system.

    There is so much to learn about the Cherokee.

    BOOKS ABOUT THE CHEROKEE FOR KIDS

    First, look at these books for kids.

    When possible, I add living books to our reading list.

    8 Cherokee Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

    Grab some of these books about the Cherokee to add to your reading list or to a unit study.

    Cherokee, Indians of the Mountains

    Tells of everyday life in the Cherokee Nation and how it changed with the coming of the white man

    Talking Leaves

    A work of historical fiction about Sequoyah and the creation of the Cherokee alphabet, from the acclaimed author of Code Talker Thirteen-year-old Uwohali has not seen his father, Sequoyah, for many years. So when Sequoyah returns to the village, Uwohali is eager to reconnect. But Sequoyah’s new obsession with making strange markings causes friends and neighbors in their tribe to wonder whether he is crazy, or worse—practicing witchcraft. What they don’t know, and what Uwohali discovers, is that Sequoyah is a genius and his strange markings are actually an alphabet representing the sounds of the Cherokee language. 

    Sequoyah and the Cherokee Alphabet

    The story of one of the great leaders of the Cherokee nation... as well as the fascinating and disturbing story of cultural transformation and subsequent oppressive injustice that ended in The Trail of Tears.

    The Apple Tree -- A Modern Day Cherokee Story Told in English & Cherokee (English and Cherokee Edition)

    A Cherokee boy plants an apple seed, already seeing the apple tree it is meant to be. But the little apple tree is not so sure. Young and impatient, it begins to doubt its calling after apples fail to appear that first fall. How can the boy convince the tree to give the seasons the time to work their magic? The story is told in English with Cherokee translation, and includes a Cherokee syllabary.

    Itse Selu: Cherokee Harvest Festival

    Step back in time for a captivating glimpse of Cherokee life in pre-Columbian North America. Join Little Wolf and his family as they prepare to celebrate Itse Selu, the harvest festival. As night approaches the village, the magic of anticipation fills the air. The luscious feast, Grandfather's storytelling, and the sacred corn dance weave a magical tapestry of tradition.

    The First Strawberries (Picture Puffins)

    From an award-winning Native American storyteller comes this captivating re-telling of a Cherokee legend, which explains how strawberries came to be. Long ago, the first man and woman quarrelled. The woman left in anger, but the Sun sent tempting berries to Earth to slow the wife's retreat.

    Grandmother Spider Brings the Sun: A Cherokee Story

    After Possum and Buzzard fail in their attempts to steal a piece of the sun, Grandmother Spider succeeds in bringing light to the animals on her side of the world.

    Only the Names Remain: The Cherokees and The Trail of Tears

    From 1837 to 1838, thousands of Cherokee Indians were marched from their homelands in Georgia to exile in Arkansas by the same white men they has once befriended. The Cherokees journeyed through bitter cold and blazing heat, with little food or water. One out of every four died --- and with them died a culture that had existed for hundreds of years, a civilization that had existed for hundred of years, a civilization that had embraced the white man's ways only to perish through his betrayal. Today, only the names remain of this once great nation.

    Here are some facts and a handful of great activities and resources to make this a fun and education packed study for you.

    Then we will dive into a giant triorama project.

    FACTS ABOUT CHEROKEE CULTURE

    Here are some facts and a handful of great activities and resources to make this a fun and education packed study for you.

    Then we will dive into a giant triorama project.

    Language: The Cherokee language is an Iroquoian language spoken by over 30,000 people. It is one of the most widely spoken Native American languages in the United States.

    Religion: The Cherokee people have a complex religious system that includes a belief in a creator god, a pantheon of lesser gods, and a belief in the power of spirits.

    Art: Cherokee art is known for its intricate designs and vibrant colors. Cherokee artists use a variety of materials, including wood, stone, clay, and beads.

    Music: Cherokee music is a strong and vibrant tradition. Cherokee songs are often used for storytelling, religious ceremonies, and social gatherings.

    Dance: Cherokee dance is a powerful form of expression. It is used to tell stories, celebrate special occasions, and connect with the spirit world.

    People: The most famous Cherokee Indian is widely considered to be Sequoya. He was known for inventing the Cherokee syllabary, a writing system for the Cherokee language that helped their people assimilate with American Society.

    How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

    Also, look at more Cherokee hands-on activity.

    CHEROKEE RESOURCES AND ACTIVITIES

    • Take a look at my lapbook The Trail of Tears 1820 – 1845 Unit Study & Lapbook.
    • Make Cherokee Stickball Sticks, a game that is and was an important cultural tradition.
    • Explore Native American Culture: How to Make a Cherokee Rattle Craft
    • Cherokee Tribe History is a video just over 20 minutes long that paints a picture of the where, when, and how of their history.
    •  Native American Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning.
    • If you want to focus on the most well known of the Cherokee tribe is Sequoyah, Creator of the Cherokee Syllabary, Lesson Plans.

    Then look at more triorama ideas.

    TRIORAMA IDEAS

    • How to Make an Easy Rainforest Triorama With Kids
    • How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama
    • How to Make an Amazing Shakespeare Triorama Book Report
    • How to Make a Cool Greek Mythology Triorama With Kids
    • How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture
    • How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica
    • Amazing Geography Landforms: An Engaging Triorama Tutorial for Kids
    • How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies
    • How To Build A Water Habitat Triorama With Kids
    • How to Craft a Stunning Wolf Animal Triorama
    • How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska’s Amazing Features
    • How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions
    • How to Make A Pyramid Diorama For States Of Matter
    • The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama
    How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

    Finally, look at how to make this giant triorama project about Cherokee culture.

    HOW TO MAKE A GIANT TRIORAMA PROJECT ABOUT CHEROKEE CULTURE

    You will need:

    • A poster board
    • Wood peg dolls
    • Craft felt
    • Air dry clay
    • Craft paint
    How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

    First, cut your poster board into a square.

     I have one that is 22×28. I simply cut 6” off one side.

    How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

    Fold the poster board from corner to corner at an angle like this.

    How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

    Open and fold the opposite corner, be sure to press clean creases into each.

    How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

    Cut one of the center creases from the outside edge right up to the center point, the sides on either side of the cut will form your base.

    How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

    Draw or paint a scene on the triangles above the cut portion.

    You can paint and design the background while it’s flat.

    Or paint it after it’s glued together

    Use a very thin layer of paint so that it dries quickly and doesn’t warp the paper.

    Bend the bottom cut portion in and glue one side over top of the other, paint the exposed portion of the bottom to blend into your background.

    How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

    Paint peg dolls to look like Cherokee people.

    Before the influence of Europeans, Cherokee people wore buckskin clothing which included leggings that went past the knee, breechcloths, and moccasins.

    The women wore wraparound skirts.

    Men decorated their bodies and faces with tribal tattoos and war paint.

    How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

    Use fine point paint pens or markers to add details. Set aside to dry.

    While your paint is drying, use any kind of air-dry clay you like to create the details of your village like fire, homes, etc…

    How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

     I prefer the model magic because it is super light and very easy to work with.

    How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

    Allow clay to dry overnight and paint.

    How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

    Use markers or paint pens to add details like design to your small pots.

    Set up your scene and step back to admire your amazing giant triorama.

    Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: Cherokee, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, Native Americans, triorama

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