Tina Robertson

Survival to Inspiration The Swiss Family Robinson Book | Brick Book

April 2, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

The Swiss Family Robinson Book is a classic tale of a family lost at sea and the adventure that is born from survival. Also, you’ll love more ideas on my post Swiss Family Robinson Unit Study.

Having read The Swiss Family Robinson Book as a child and then again in my own homeschool I can attest to it being a wonderful piece of literature that should not be missed!

I have a fun craft that can be used to show off your love of books whether you have a garden, walkway, or just a small plot of book bricks.

Survival to Inspiration The Swiss Family Robinson Book | Brick Book

They are a lovely way to brighten up an area and trust me while I may be creative, I am no artist and if I can do it I know that you can too.

This craft can be done by any age, especially with help but I think you will find that middle and high school is the sweet spot for this one.

I also have a handful of questions to go along with the story to help everyone remember what was read.

More Resources for Learning About Swiss Family Robinson & Survival Activities

Books for Learning About The Swiss Family Robinson

Also, you’ll love reading these books to go with your study of Swiss Family Robinson.

8 Books & Resources for Learning About The Swiss Family Robinson

Add some of these books to your unit study of The Swiss Family Robinson and their adventures on a deserted island.

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

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

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

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

Tracks, Scats and Signs (Take Along Guides)

Become a nature detective with this illustrative, engaging and fun Take-Along-Guide. You may not know where to look, or what to look for, but animal signs are everywhere and this guide will help you learn how to read them. You'll learn how to spot and identify common clues that 17 wildlife species leave behind in the woods, in the fields and along ponds.

Swiss Family Robinson Movie

The heroic tale of the courageous exploits of the Robinson family after they are shipwrecked on a deserted island. Using teamwork and ingenuity, they overcome the obstacles of nature and transform their new home into a "civilized" community.

Willy Whitefeather's Outdoor Survival Handbook for Kids

From treating a bee sting to building an overnight shelter, kids will gain the knowledge and confidence they need to survive outdoors.

Bear Grylls The Complete Adventures Collection 12 Books Set

Bear Grylls The Complete Adventures Collection 12 Books Set: Titles In This Set: The Blizzard Challenge The Desert Challenge The Jungle Challenge The Sea Challenge The River Challenge The Earthquake Challenge The Volcano Challenge The Safari Challenge The Cave Challenge The Mountain Challenge The Arctic Challenge The Sailing Challenge

Knot Tying Kit | Pro-Knot Best Rope Knot Cards, two practice cords and a carabiner

By Pro-Knot, the number one trusted name in Knots with over 7,000 5 Star reviews! This complete knot tying KIT includes everything you need to learn and practice how to tie 23 essential rope knots. The six card/twelve page waterproof plastic card set contains 23 best all purpose rope knots
clearly illustrated and described, bound together with a no-rust brass grommet in the corner!

Foraging Wild Edible Plants of North America: More than 150 Delicious Recipes Using Nature's Edibles

Edible wild plants are nature’s natural food source, growing along roadsides, sprouting in backyards, and blooming in country fields. North America’s diverse geography overflows with edible plant species.

Book Questions

Who is the author of the Swiss Family book? Johann Wyss
What are the names of the Robinson children? Franz, Fritz, Ernest, Jack
Who narrates the Swiss Family Robinson Book? Father
Where are the Robinsons traveling from? Switzerland
Where are the the Robinsons traveling to? New Guinea
What day of the journey did the storm hit the boat? The 6th day
Name 3 animals that the Robinson’s brought from the boat. Dogs, chickens, cows, sheep, pigs, ducks, geese.
How did the family reach the island? They tied tubs together to make a boat.

You can pick up 8×4 pavers at your local home and garden store for around .50 a piece so it’s affordable to do an entire library around your garden if you wanted.

How fun would it be to make one for every read aloud you do together as a family?

How to Make a Brick Book The Swiss Family Robinson Book

First, decide if you want to try to copy your book closely or if you just want to create your own interpretation inspired by the book cover.

I did a little of both here, not going for an exact replica.

One thing I have found that makes simple paintings look better is to use 2 or 3 colors for most things rather than everything being a flat color- sky, wood, greenery, etc.. all look better with different shades of the same color.

You will need:

Garden brick
Craft paints
Paint pens
Paintbrushes
Matte sealer spray
Your book for inspiration

The first thing you want to do is give your brick a good dry scrub to remove any dust and dirt to prepare the surface for painting.

If you use water to scrub your brick, that’s absolutely fine, but you won’t need to give it a few days out in the sun to dry thoroughly.

If desired, you could first paint the entire brick with a spray primer.

I don’t usually do this and I have pretty good success as long as I clean it to begin with and seal it afterwards.

Paint three edges of the brick white, over lap a bit onto the wider surfaces to be sure its covered edge to edge. Allow it to dry and give it another coat.

These will be the exposed pages of your book.

Now paint your main color, covering the “front” and “back” of the book as well as the spine”.

If you keep a damp cloth handy you can use it for any paint mistakes. I did a sky to sand combination. Allow this to dry completely.

Grab an assortment of the paint colors you need for your version and a variety of paintbrushes, as well as paint pens.

I find for writing and small details these are easier to use than tiny paint brushes.

The Swiss Family Robinson Brick Book

Begin creating the largest piece of your cover by painting it on, for me that was the tree and the treehouse front and center, I layered 2 colors of green to make it more interesting and create depth.

Layer on more elements like the treehouse.

Because it was important to show the family of 5 but difficult to get tiny details with the texture of the brick I chose to make them faceless with enough detail to make it obvious.

I used the thicker end of a paint pen to make a dot for each face.

And then went back with colored paint pens to draw on hair, clothing, etc…layering details as I went.

If you make a mistake it is very easy to cover with paint, dry, and redo it.

Allow to dry before moving on.

Depending on the background colors you may need to write your book title in black or white, to make mine pop I wrote it with a white paint pen and then outlined it in black.

Don’t forget to add the title of the book down the spine as well.

The final artistic step is to draw lines along the edges of your book to resemble pages.

Give your finished book brick 2 coats of a matte sealer to protect it.

It’s ready. Place it in your garden or walkway.

You can create as many book bricks as you like to brighten up any area of your yard.

How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map | Easy Swiss Geography

April 1, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Reading The Swiss Family Robinson is the perfect excuse to learn some Swiss geography as well as other geographical terms and phrases. Also, you’ll love more ideas on my post Free Swiss Family Robinson Unit Study. Too, look at my page Homeschool Geography for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.

We are creating a fantasy map with real geographical features to learn about them in a new and fun way.

The Robinsons ended up on their island as they were heading to a New Guinea colony to escape the Napoleonic Wars.

Their ship was abandoned by the crew in the midst of a wild storm and the family and a handful of animals managed to survive and end up in what is believed to be the East Indies.

How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map | Easy Swiss Geography

Their island was filled with creatures, flora and fauna that was unknown to them.

And they had to band together to not only survive but thrive on their island.

It is an incredible story of survival, family, ingenuity, love, and adventure.

If you haven’t read it yet I cannot recommend enough making it a family read aloud experience.

The beauty of this is that as a read aloud it is a wonderful unit for a wide variety of ages and activities, like our map, can be adjusted for everyone to do at the same time.

The Swiss Family Robinson Book

8 Books & Resources for Learning About The Swiss Family Robinson

Add some of these books to your unit study of The Swiss Family Robinson and their adventures on a deserted island.

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

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

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

Tracks, Scats and Signs (Take Along Guides)

Swiss Family Robinson Movie

Willy Whitefeather's Outdoor Survival Handbook for Kids

From treating a bee sting to building an overnight shelter, kids will gain the knowledge and confidence they need to survive outdoors.

Bear Grylls The Complete Adventures Collection 12 Books Set

Knot Tying Kit | Pro-Knot Best Rope Knot Cards, two practice cords and a carabiner

Foraging Wild Edible Plants of North America: More than 150 Delicious Recipes Using Nature's Edibles

Swiss Geography Study Ideas

There are many ways to learn about Swiss geography through hands-on activities.

There is never a need to pick up a pen to do it, and I have a lot of ideas here for you to turn this literature study into a geography lesson as well.

Choose one or multiples to add a unique dimension to your unit.

Find Switzerland on a world map.

Scrunch maps are a great easy item to keep on hand for locating countries.

Locate the capital of Switzerland (Bern).
Check out this entire Switzerland Homeschool Geography Unit Study (and Lapbook) with loads of great ideas for Swiss geography.
Switzerland is made up of 3 geographic regions, The Alps making up about 58% of the country, the Central Plateau making up around 31, and the Jura ( mountain range) at 11%. Have your child identify each of these regions on a map, atlas, or even an online map.
Research the largest body of water in Switzerland (Lake Geneva).
Take a virtual tour of land locked Switzerland in Switzerland for Kids.

Create your own imaginary island with my fantasy map tutorial below, including topographical features like mountains, rivers, patches of trees, and bodies of water.

More The Swiss Family Robinson Activities

Finally, look how to make a Swiss Family Robinson map.

How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map

Even younger children can complete this activity by simplifying some of the steps.

It can be used as an opportunity to explain the difference in islands, peninsulas, archipelago and other land formations.

You will need:

Watercolor paper
Watercolor paints
Fine line pen
Dry uncooked rice

First, on a sheet of watercolor paper pour handfuls of rice around the page, adding as little or as much as you like.

It creates more visual interest if you make larger and smaller piles.

Next, take a fine line pen and trace around the majority of the rice to create various-sized pieces of land.

How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map

You can trace around single pieces of loose rice or larger groupings.

I like to use these fine-line Sharpie permanent markers you don’t want to use regular markers because the water makes the marker bleed and blurs your edges.

How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map

Pour the rice off the page into a container to save for another project.

Give the pen a few minutes to dry and decide what colors you would like to use on your Island, I went for shades of tan and green.

Fill in the center of your land areas with your various colors using different opaqueness of watercolor paint to create interest and dimension.

Allow the paint to dry and then watercolor whatever shades of blue you would like around the outside of the land for water.

Go back and add more layers of color to the land if you would like to further define the areas for trees, mountains, sand and any other areas you want to create.

This will keep your mat from looking so flat.

Let the water and the rest of the page dry completely, this really doesn’t take long.

Once dry, retrace the outline of your map to make it a nice and dark outline.

Draw a small compass rose in the corner of your map.

I would say, “Now, here’s the fun part”, but to me every step of this process was really fun!

Begin by creating areas of mountains, trees, and other details on your map.

Upside down V’s make mountains.

Create little bushes like blobs for trees or make evergreens for forest patches.

We even sketched out a little hut and farmland.

To create a plot of farmland, make a square with 3 small lines in one direction and then another square with 3 small lines in the other direction, repeating until it is the size you want.

7 Fun Sacagawea Facts For Kids | How To Make Lewis & Clark & Sacagawea Peg Dolls

March 30, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have 7 Sacagawea facts for kids. Also, you’ll love the ideas on my page Lewis and Clark Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook.

Too, I have a neat tutorial for how to make Lewis & Clark and Sacagawea peg dolls to add to your lessons, and a few more ideas to boot to make it full and fun.

Sacagawea was one of the most important influential women in the early development of America.

7 Fun Sacagawea Facts For Kids | How To Make Lewis & Clark & Sacagawea Peg Dolls

She led the Corp of Discovery for Meriwether Lewis and William Clark as they explored the new land purchase.

Thomas Jefferson put together the Corp of Discovery to learn about the flora, fauna, and peoples of the area acquired in the Louisiana Purchase.

And he needed a guide to help with identifying these things as well as acting as an interpreter.

An amazing and strong woman, Sacagawea, traveled so far from home as the only female in the party, and with a newborn baby too!

She makes a great study topic for boys and girls alike, such an inspiration.

Kids Books About Sacagawea | Lewis and Clark

15 Lewis and Clark | Sacagawea Exploration Unit Study Resources

Lewis and Clark is one of the most significant periods in American history and you can spend weeks exploring the lands and people west of the Mississippi with these fun books and resources.

How We Crossed The West: The Adventures Of Lewis And Clark

Appealing art and descriptive text bring Lewis and Clark alive for young adventurers. Carefully chosen text from Lewis and Clark's actual journals opens a fascinating window into this country's exciting history.

National Geographic Readers: Sacagawea

Explore one of the most recognized figures in American history with this biography of Sacagawea. Kids will learn about her crucial role in the Lewis and Clark expedition and her influential legacy. The level 3 text provides accessible, yet wide-ranging, information for independent readers.

Of Courage Undaunted: Across the Continent with Lewis & Clark

Commissioned in 1803 by President Thomas Jefferson to explore and open up this vast territory, Lewis and Clark felt it was the realization of a lifelong dream. Against the hardships of the wilderness, possible attack by hostile Indians, sudden blizzards and terrifying natural obstacles, these two men led the Corps of Discovery ably and nobly to complete their mission. Their Corps included American Indians from the Sioux, Mandan, Shoshone, Clatsop and Chopunnish tribes. Sacajawea, the only woman on the trip, was a Shoshone woman who contributed invaluable service as interpreter and guide. Daugherty's evocative sepia and black ink illustrations depict individuals of humor, vitality, passion, and strength.

Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West

From the New York Times bestselling author the definitive book on Lewis and Clark’s exploration of the Louisiana Purchase, the most momentous expedition in American history and one of the great adventure stories of all time.

The Truth About Sacajawea (Lewis & Clark Expedition)

The only book ever written that tells the eyewitness truth about this famous teenage Indian mother who was indispensable to the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

The Journals of Lewis and Clark: 1805: Volume II

On May 14, 1804, the Corps of Discovery set out from Camp Dubois, Illinois, heading westward under the command of Captain Meriwether Lewis and his Second Lieutenant, William Clark. While Lewis led the group in terms of rank, the two men became de facto equals, giving their names jointly to a journey that would shape the future of the fledgling United States — the Lewis and Clark Expedition. This book presents journal entries taken directly from the expedition.

Sacagawea: American Pathfinder

Describes how Sacagawea found adventure guiding Lewis and Clark to the Oregon coast.

Along the Trail with Lewis and Clark (Third Edition): A Guide to the Trail Today

Take Your Own Journey through History on the Lewis & Clark Trail! Follow the journey of the Corps of Discovery from Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello through the Midwest and the Rockies, to the Pacific Ocean and back with this detailed chronicle of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. This third edition of the classic guidebook features accessible text that combines the historical sites and color maps that merge the past and present in a user-friendly and entertaining way.

What Was the Lewis and Clark Expedition?

When Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and the "Corp of Discovery" left St. Louis, Missouri, on May 1, 1804, their mission was to explore the vast, unknown territory acquired a year earlier in the Louisiana Purchase. The travelers hoped to find a waterway that crossed the western half of the United States. They didn't. However, young readers will love this true-life adventure tale of the two-year journey that finally brought the explorers to the Pacific Ocean.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition (Graphic History)

In this epic graphic novel, follow the dramatic story of the Lewis and Clark expedition. In 1804, these two explorers, along with their "Corps of Discovery," traversed the unmapped American West, leading to scientific discoveries, interactions with Native nations, and route to the Pacific Ocean. Dramatic illustrations and fast-paced text provide a "you-are-there" experience. With extensive back matter, including a bibliography, extended reading list, glossary, and further Internet sources, young readers will gobble up this action-packed comic book about one of history's most compelling moments.

The Oregon Trail: The Journey Across the Country From Lewis and Clark to the Transcontinental Railroad With 25 Projects

In The Oregon Trail: The Journey Across the Country from Lewis and Clark to the Transcontinental Railroad, readers ages 9 to 12 can delve into the explorations of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and other explorers. They can learn about the more than half a million people who followed during the nineteenth century. What challenges did these pioneers face on the 2,170-mile journey? How were Native American tribes and nations affected by this mass migration? Primary sources allow readers to feel like a part of the Oregon Trail experience while biographical sidebars will introduce the compelling people who were part of this time in U.S. history. Investigative, hands-on projects and critical thinking activities such as writing a treaty and researching artistic impressions of the Oregon Trail invite readers to further their understanding of life on the trail, early towns and forts, and the Transcontinental Railroad that followed the wagons into new lands and territories that would eventually become states.

Seaman's Journal

A trade paperback edition of the award-winning tale of the journey of Lewis and Clark. When Seaman, a Newfoundland dog, met his new master in August of 1803, he didn't know that he would spend the next three years on an adventure of more than 8,000 miles to the Pacific Ocean and back. Seaman's Journal is based on actual entries in Meriwether Lewis s journal describing Seaman, and it presents an account of the Lewis and Clark expedition as seen from the viewpoint of Lewis s dog. Join Seaman before the trip as preparations take place. Meet the Native American guides and friends they encountered along the way. And read of Seaman s love for Sacajawea, the Shoshone woman whose husband acted as interpreter and guide. Ages 5-8.

The Lewis & Clark Expedition: Join the Corps of Discovery to Explore Uncharted Territory

Describes the expedition led by Lewis and Clark to explore the unknown western regions of America at the beginning of the nineteenth century.

Lewis and Clark for Kids: Their Journey of Discovery with 21 Activities

Following Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s Corps of Discovery as they navigate the muddy Missouri River and begin a great adventure, this activity book is set against the background of the vast North American continent. It takes children from President Jefferson’s vision of an exploratory mission across a continent full of unique plants and animals through their dangerous and challenging journey into the unknown to the expedition’s triumphant return to the frontier town of St. Louis. Twenty-one activities bring to life the Native American tribes they encountered, the plants and animals they discovered, and the camping and navigating techniques they used. A glossary of terms and listings of Lewis and Clark sites, museums, and related websites round out this comprehensive activity book.

It's Her Story Sacajawea A Graphic Novel

Sacajawea was a brilliant, multilingual Shoshone girl who was torn from her home at a young age. In 1804, she set out with the Lewis and Clark Expedition, acting as an interpreter and guide across hundreds of miles of unmapped land to reach the Pacific Ocean. Almost 200 years later, she became the first Indigenous woman to appear on a US coin. This is her story.

Moreover look at these facts about Sacagawea.

7 Fun Sacagawea Facts For Kids

Sacagawea was born to a Shoshone Indian chief in what is now known as Idaho.
She was just 16 years old when she led the Lewis & Clark expedition as an interpreter and guide for the 8,000-mile journey.
The young Shoshone woman carried a newborn, her first child, on the journey in a cradleboard.
Sacagawea identified edible plants for the explorers, helped set the tone for peaceful meetings with various tribes, guided the group through unfamiliar terrain, interpreted, and was able to make moccasins and other clothing as well.
Lewis & Clark considered her so important to their journey that they gave her an equal vote in the expedition’s decision to camp near present-day Astoria, Oregon, for the winter of 1805.
A famous quote of Sacagawea is “Everything I do is for my people.” maintaining a positive relationship with the Hidatsa and Shoshone tribes was important to her.
At the end of the year-long journey her husband Charbonneau received 320 acres of land and $500.33 for his service to the corp. Sacagawea herself received no compensation.

Before we get to today’s tutorial, I found a few more wonderful crafts and activities to highlight Sacagawea and Lewis & Clarks place in history.

Lewis & Clark and Sacagawea Crafts and Activities

Learn What Plants And Animals Did Lewis And Clark Discover on their Famous Trek & Bitterroot Craft for a fun art activity that includes science, history, and geography.
Watch Sacagawea Bedtime History on YouTube and learn about the brave Shoshone girl and her adventures along the journey.
Make a Sacagawea Tipi Project and learn more about dwellings of the Native Americans.
Create a cradleboard for dolls like Sacagawea wore on her journey using the Native American Activities For Kindergarten Create A Fun Cradleboard Craft tutorial.
22 Free Lewis & Clark Activity Posters (You Don’t Want to Miss These)
Lewis & Clark – Mighty Mississippi book & Sediment Activity
Lewis and Clark:Cooking on the Trail

Dynamic Lewis and Clark Lapbook for Multiple Ages
$4.00 Add to cart

Also, look at my Lewis and Clark Lapbook with coloring pages.

Finally, look how to make these adorable Sacagawea peg dolls.

“Amazing the things you find when you bother to search for them.”— Sacagawea

How To Make Lewis & Clark & Sacagawea Peg Dolls

These simple peg dolls are a wonderful art project and can be used in dioramas, block centers, storytelling baskets, and more as you learn about Sacagawea and the Corp of Discovery.

You will need:

Wood peg dolls
Small scrap of felt
Craft paint
Paint pens
Hot glue gun/stick
Craft stick
Small paint brushes
Clear spray sealer

First, here are the simplest steps I have found to paint several peg dolls at once.

Cut a ½” piece of a craft stick off one end.

Paint a small unfinished wooden peg doll tan at the head and a lighter cream/tan from the shoulders down.

Give it a little black hair on top and tiny dots for the eyes.

Lewis & Clark & Sacagawea Crafts

Set aside to dry.

Paint the heads and halfway down the body a rich warm tan for Sacagawea and lighter shade for Lewis & Clark, the large peg dolls, allow it to dry to the touch.

Use a darker tan for buckskin clothing on all 3 figures, a dress for her and brown “suits: for the men with white shirts beneath.

Paint on hair, add a long black braid to Sacagawea and use either the handle tip to dot on eyes or a fine tipped paint pen.

Use the smallest brush you have to add details like fringe and decoration to her dress, a bag and book for the guys, buttons, etc.

Set aside to dry. Keep it simple, add a few small details that help highlight the time period.

I looked up images and Lewis had more gray hair and Clark had reddish hair.

Hot glue the baby (tiny peg doll) to the small piece of craft stick.

Wrap a bit of brown felt around it and hot glue it in place to create a cradleboard.

Now hot glue the cradleboard to Sacagawea’s back, how cute is this little guy?

Once all the paint is dry take them outside and cover them in 2 coats of matte sealer to keep the paint more durable and likely to chip off.

8 Engaging Pond Books for Preschoolers Who Love Pond Animals

March 28, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you are looking for engaging pond books for preschoolers who love pond animals, you have landed in the right place. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more tips and ideas! And my page Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, Hands-on Ideas, & Lapbook.

From fish to dragonflies there is so much to observe and learn about.

Preschoolers need a lot of fresh air, movement, and their attention span is about 6-12 minutes.

So, you want to make sure that every one of those minutes is filled with fun learning experiences.

8 Engaging Pond Books for Preschoolers Who Love Pond Animals

Getting out and seeing everything firsthand, looking at it closely and then reinforcing what they are seeing with engaging books is the best lesson you can give your preschooler.

You know me and you know that besides 8 great books I also have a few ideas for how to dive right into a pond study using real life experiences and fun items to explore the pond habitat.

Exploring The Pond With Preschoolers

I cannot recommend enough if you are doing a pond study that you find a local pond.

Go explore it, pack up a few books, some tools, and take a picnic lunch or snack along to make a day of it.

You probably do most of these activities with your child when you’re near a pond anyway but here are some learning ideas.

Feed the ducks and try to identify a few species.
Catch and release minnows and tadpoles.
Observe turtles sunning themselves on the bank.
Look for telltale signs of fish life in the ripples.
Identify bugs with a colorful book or app.
Use binoculars to watch birds in the trees and flying above.
Bring pond water home and observe microorganisms in it with a microscope.
Listen for the croak of bullfrogs and try to spot one.
Watch dragonflies darting in and around the pond.
Compare the difference in the soil at the edge of the pond and that which is further away.

Preschool Pond Tools

If you are headed to the pond to observe with a preschooler here are a few tools that will make the experience richer and more fun.

Kids just love bug catching kits and they are a wonderful way to hold and observe insects you find around the pond for a bit.
A magnifying glass is handy for closer observation of bugs, grasses, minnows, and even soil at the pond’s edge.
You don’t need a top of the line expensive pair but I would skip the kids binoculars and invest in a decent one for nature walks, backyard birding and of course pond study.

Pond Animals to Study on Your Visit To The Pond

Depending on where you are there is a multitude of birds, fish, insects, reptiles, and mammals in and around the pond to learn about.

Ducks- And look at Make Way For Ducklings Fun Duck Pond Playdough Invitation to Play.
Fish- Make a Paint Splat Fishing Pond for art while you read about what makes the characteristics that make a fish a fish.
Salamanders
Dragonflies- Learn 8 Insect Fun Facts About Texas For Kids | Easy Dragonfly Craft
Frogs- Pretend to be frogs and teach your child to identify numbers with a Frog Lily Pad Hop.
Turtles

Pond Skaters
Herons
Alligators-Make Alligator Pie: Book and Recipe, cooking is always wonderful to include for preschoolers on up in any study.
Kingfishers
Snakes
Beavers- Once you return from your pond visit you can put together this cute little Pond Life for Kindergarten Activity Build a Fun Beaver Dam.

8 Engaging Pond Books for Preschoolers

Here are some wonderful living books for reading aloud and for preschoolers to pore over at home and while at the pond.

8 Pond Books for Preschoolers

Here are some wonderful living books for reading aloud and for preschoolers to pore over at home and while at the pond.

Over and Under the Pond:

In Over and Under the Pond, readers will discover the plants and animals that make up the rich, interconnected ecosystem of a mountain pond. Over the pond, the water is a mirror, reflecting the sky. But under the water is a hidden world of creatures—minnows darting, beavers diving, and tadpoles growing. These secrets and many others are waiting to be discovered over and under the pond in this sweet children’s book from Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal, the latest in their beloved series that offers kids a peek into hidden ecosystems.

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

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

At the Pond

When the soft pink of the dawn sun starts peeking over the pond, a new day has begun for all the animals who live in it and around its watery edges. The friendly duck family, the mysterious water striders, and the busy beaver are a few of the many fascinating and familiar animals included in this glowing poetic tribute to the lively ecosystem of the pond.

Turtle Pond

What is it about turtles that fascinates us? Is it how they hide inside their patterned shells, their wizened faces, their slow determination?

In Turtle Pond, a child and his parents visit their local public garden throughout the year, observing the turtles as they play, dive, feed, bask, climb, hide and doze. James Gladstone’s lively prose poem reveals the pleasure and curiosity that come from spending time with the turtles. Karen Reczuch’s stunningly beautiful illustrations accurately portray these extraordinary creatures, both in and out of the water, surrounded by lush plants and the changing seasons beyond the greenhouse windows.

Have You Seen My Duckling?

In this classic and bestselling Caldecott Honor winner, a mother duck loses her duckling—and finds it, with the help of sharp-eyed young readers.

Ducks in the Pond

The pond, normally filled with ducks, appears to be empty--and an empty pond opens the door for many questions. Where did all the ducks go? When ducks are not in the pond, what can they possibly be doing? Do they like to do the same activities that people like to do? Can they really be sleeping, shopping, or even eating pizza? Maybe they just flew away for the day.

So what happens when another animal is spotted swimming where the ducks used to swim? Can it really mean the ducks have left the pond forever? Will the ducks eventually make their way back?

In the Small, Small Pond

A child explores the wonders of the natural world in this rhyming, beautiful bright colored picture storybook about the lives of small animals and insects living around a freshwater pond.

What's in the Pond? (Hidden Life)

A fascinating picture book brings to life the creatures that live in and around a pond, from a water strider and a tadpole to a painted turtle and a red-winged blackbird and features informative text on each animal's characteristics and habits.

22 Homeschool Geography Go To Resources

March 27, 2024 | 7 Comments
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I have some fun homeschool geography resources today. Too, look at my page Homeschool Geography for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.

We’ve used many homeschool geography resources through the years because geography is not about coloring boring maps.

I needed to round up our homeschool geography resources that we already had on hand and in the upper grades I needed something more laid out.

For example, in the upper grades we used geography curriculum that we got from Bright Ideas Press.

I did manage to round up these atlases and books that I have had to show you some of what I use.

Homeschool Geography Resources

Too, I have taken some screen shots to show you our brand new WonderMaps because I will be using WonderMaps with North Star Geography.

Today, I wanted to show you my growing geography resources that I know we will be using with North Star Geography.

I am sure you can study geography on probably a lot less than we have, but we can’t.

Our geography habit needs to be fed each year, so we have added resources slowly.

Too, as the boys got older they have wanted their own books and resources. As the budget allowed, I added them in regularly.

So below I have listed resources that I think are must-haves or basic.

Again, it doesn’t mean you need all of them, but helping to know which ones are more useful or helpful makes it easier to decide.

The other resources pictured above but not listed below, I add in as enrichment and I just wanted you to see them.

Homeschool Geogrpahy Go To Resources Linked Up

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

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.

Resources For Kids Learning Geography

1. The inexpensive geography mats we actually picked up at Wal-mart a few years back. One side has a world map and the other mat has the U.S. and then the flip side on both mats is blank. We did and still do quick geography quizzes with them. We will study a region, then quickly flip on the back side and try to fill in with a dry erase markers as many rivers, boundaries and countries that we could get. Me too, I was included in the race to see how many I could label in a short time.

2 National Geographic Visual Atlas of the World You know anything by National Geographic is top notch. I always said I would never buy anything this big because of the problem of storing it. That didn’t last long because once you take a look at how breath taking the solar system looks in it and how they compare geography facts like comparing two continents, it looks so much better in a large book. Too, it is easier as the kids get bigger to gather around a bigger book. (Tip: Always check to see that you are buy the most current edition.)

3. DK is another favorite publisher. Complete Atlas of the World, 2nd Edition I actually got this one because it had some facts like population growth, global climate and border conflicts that I want my boys aware of. The physical world maps are more in depth though not as vivid as the National Geographic.

Geography Resources For Kids

4. National Geographic Family Reference Atlas of the World, Third Edition is another beauty by National Geographic. I purchased this one because of key information like tables, charts, biodiversity, education. It truly is a family reference. I guess if you had to make a choice for your middle to high school kids, this would be in the top running.

5. Junior Classroom Atlas This is one of our first ones because it is suited for elementary aged children and we still refer to it when the other atlases are teeming with overwhelming information. Sometimes you can have too much information and it helps to break it down to the general sweeping facts.

6. CLASSROOM ATLAS-REVISED 2012 This is geared toward about middle school and can be used for elementary ages too. It has been updated and it is one I will probably be adding soon. Even though stats change, I feel some atlases are timeless. Not so much changes (physical earth wise) that you can’t use an older atlas. Sure, stats will change, but if your kids are young, they are not interested in that kind of stuff right now anyway.

Geography Books Kids

7. Historical Atlas of the World 1st (first) edition Text Only An historical map is one that you will need when studying ancient history because it shows the boundaries or empires as they were then. It really helps your kids to get a foot hold on ancient history. You can see this one is out date, but then again it’s ancient history and how much updating can you possibly do. So I don’t always fall for having to have the most up to date.

8. Historical Atlas of the World Now what I do fall for is when another kid needs their own copy. So I have purchased the updated copy of the historical atlas simply because I had two older middle school kids and we needed more than one. I won’t go into the fights over having their own copies.

9. Free geography vocabulary words I made and put them on a O ring. These are good for your kids to study later too.

10. National Geographic World Atlas for Young Explorers, Third Edition
I got this one because it we could read about things like the animals for the website links they gave us and each continent had basic facts. Like it says more about the exploring aspect of geography and we love this one. It is especially good for a child that is geography phobic so they can see geography is about so much more than finding the prime meridian. It is about exploring and going to far away places.

11. A Child’s Introduction to the World: Geography, Cultures, and People – From the Grand Canyon to the Great Wall of China This is a really sweet book. It includes a pop-up paper globe and stickers. I like it because though its geared toward younger learners, it can still stand up for older kids too because of the information in it. It is another keeper for multiple ages of children.

Homeschool Geography For Kids

12. The Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia of World Geography With Complete World Atlas (Geography Encyclopedias) Again, another one of my very first purchases. I always made sure I didn’t just buy curriculum but had enough back in my budget for references that would stand the test of time. A great reference book that we just love.

13. What is geography without games? And, Professor Noggin’s History & Geography Card Games: Set of 6 is one of our favorite series. We have a lot of them.

More Geography Go To Resources

Also, I’ve update our geography go to resources.

The other two we have that didn’t make the picture because Mr. Senior had them someplace are Geography: A Visual Encyclopedia which is absolutely stunning which is why I can’t find it right now and has a lot of different things like gemstones, earthquakes and weather.

And the other one is Atlas of World Geography which is a highschool level book that gets lost around here frequently too. It is the one I will be using on North Star Geography, well at least for Mr. Awesome.

Then of course my newest tool that makes studying geography absolutely a breeze is WonderMaps. You can print black or white maps or color maps.

Take off boundaries or leave them on ALL with a click of your mouse. It truly is going to make studying geography so much more than finding boundaries or locating countries.

Though we love all of our resources and we add to them as we plod along during the years, those above are keepers and I feel are basic to any library.

Do you have any geography go to resources that your family luvs?

Tina Robertson

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