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Welcome

100 BEST Ideas to Organize Your Homeschool Area – Storage, Spaces, and Learning Places

August 14, 2023 | 3 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have 100 ideas to organize homeschool area. Also, look at my page The Dynamics of How to Homeschool Easily and Smarter.

Whether you have a large or small learning space, you want to maximize your space and organize your homeschool area. Thinking outside the box is key.

For example instead of looking only at bookshelves designed for an office, look at more inexpensive options that are designed for a dining room area.

Instead of pots for plants, think of them as pots for organizing supplies.

And instead of an over the door shoe organizer for your shores, think of using to organize your supplies.

100 BEST Ideas to Organize Your Homeschool Area – Storage, Spaces, and Learning Places. If you're looking for an out of the box idea, scoot by and grab one or two of these AWESOME ideas!

Too whether you have a dedicated homeschool area, a dedicated close, or homeschool in the open, you’ll love grabbing several of these tips to implement in your learning space.

Homeschool Organization

  • Using a closet for a school room.
  • How to use crates.
  • How to use the back of the laundry room door.
  • Supplies, books, and filing system.

  • A cover to disguise a whiteboard in the living area.
  • How to organize books.
  • Charging station and repurposed changing table.
  • Organize Your Bookshelves.
  • Command center and record keeping.
  • How to organize a homeschool command center.
  • Great Homeschool Organization and Storage Ideas.
  • LEGO Organization and Storage Considerations.
  • How to organize notebooks if you’re a hopeless mess.
  • Organizing craft supplies.

Organizing Tools for Your Homeschool

  • Homeschool Organization – Why You’re Still Drowning in Clutter.
  • Why Too Much Clutter is Hurting Your Homeschool.
  • 5 Ways to Get Organized with Alarms and Timers.

  • Our Ikea and Chalkboard Homeschool Room.
  • Organizing Homeschool Supplies.
  • 9 Night Before Back to School Organization Tips.

  • Homeschool Organization Beyond Stacks
  • My School Area + Learning Area.
  • Homeschool Organization Motivation – 11 Gadgets To Get You Going.
  • Practical Ways To Organize Your Homeschool Space.
  • Inexpensive Bookshelves.

  • Organized Chaos: Our Homeschool Library.

  • Homeschool Room Organizing + Organizing Tools.

5 BEST How to Homeschool Books

I've rounded up some of the best books to help you get started homeschooling.

Homeschooling for New Homeschoolers: When You Don't Know Where to Begin

Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers is a real eye-opener on homeschooling. It will alleviate a lot of the anxieties about getting started homeschooling. Reading each chapter’s highlights will give you encouragement, knowledge, guidance, and peace of mind to homeschool with confidence. The best part is that you’ll be educating the person who loves your kids the most in this world--YOU! Armed with the knowledge to make better choices in curriculum will empower you to continue the path of home education. Unlike many books based on one family’s experience, Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers is also based on Tina’s many years of mentoring hundreds and hundreds of new homeschoolers at live workshops. When you don’t know where to begin Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers equips you to successfully homeschool your children.

The Unhurried Homeschooler

Homeschooling is a wonderful, worthwhile pursuit, but many homeschool parents struggle with feelings of burnout and frustration. If you have ever felt this way, you’re not alone! Most of us need to be reminded of the “why” of homeschooling from time to time—but "The Unhurried homeschooler" takes parents a step further and lifts the unnecessary burdens that many parents place on themselves.

Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler's Guide to Unshakable Peace

Those who have made the decision to homeschool their children have done so out of great love for their children and a desire to provide them an excellent education in the context of a warm, enriching home.

The Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning, and Life

Parents who are deeply invested in their children's education can be hard on themselves and their kids. When exhausted parents are living the day-to-day grind, it can seem impossible to muster enough energy to make learning fun or interesting. How do parents nurture a love of learning amid childhood chaos, parental self-doubt, the flu, and state academic standards?

Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom

Education has become synonymous with schooling, but it doesn’t have to be. As schooling becomes increasingly standardized and test driven, occupying more of childhood than ever before, parents and educators are questioning the role of schooling in society. Many are now exploring and creating alternatives.

  • 5 Steps To Organizing Your Home Library.
  • Organizing Homeschool in Small Spaces.
  • Even though it’s a craft area, the double desks are a smart idea.
  • Flip Down Wall Art Desk.
  • School Supply Caddy.
  • Small Space Homeschooling.
  • How to Set Up a Reading Nook Kids Love.

  • Organize a shoe storage hanger.
  • School desk makeover.
  • How to Control the Clutter While Homeschooling.
  • DIY Portable Homework Station.

  • How to reduce sentimental homeschool clutter.
  • Re-Organizing Our Homeschool with Daily Worksheet Folders.
  • Make an organized divider for a homeschool space.
  • Organize puzzle pieces in zipper pouches.
  • Store supplies in jars.
  • Kids Homework Station.
  • Homeschooling in the dining room.

Homeschool Organization Ideas

Additionally here are some ideas which work for your books and supplies.

  • Tricks to Organize your Homeschool in Your Dining Room.
  • Color coded library would work great for homeschool.
  • How to organize your small homeschool space.
  • 17 Creative Book Storage Ideas When You Homeschool.
  • An Organized Space for an Unorganized Homeschooler.
  • Use kitchen canisters for crafting supplies.

Homeschool Organization Hacks

  • Construction paper organization.
  • Control flash card clutter.
  • DIY storage ottoman.
  • DIY rotating craft caddy.
  • From guestroom to homeschool room.
  • Using canning jars for organization.
  • How to set up a kids art craft.
  • Each child uses their own magazine holder.
  • Using apple crates for your library.

MORE HOMESCHOOL ORGANIZATION RESOURCES

  • Homeschool Room Organizing + Organizing Tools
  • 100 BEST Ideas to Organize Your Homeschool Area – Storage, Spaces, and Learning Places
  • Best Tools To Organize Homeschool Easily and Stress-Free
  • Free & Easy DIY Home Management Binder
  • Homeschool Organization Motivation – 11 Gadgets To Get You Going

Finally, look at more tips to organize your homeschool area below.

More Organize Homeschool Area Tips

  • Clever DIY Dollar Tree Desk Organizer Back to School Craft
  • Homeschool Organization – 12 Unconventional Ideas for Storage
  • Homeschool Room Organizing + Organizing Tool
  • DIY Homeschool Organizing With Duct Tape
  • Homeschool Organization Where Do You Easily Begin?
  • Must-Haves for the Organized Homeschooler: What to Keep & What to Skip
  • Homeschool Organization Motivation – 11 Gadgets To Get You Going

This blog hop is organized by iHomeschool Network, a collaboration of outstanding homeschool bloggers who connect with each other and with family-friendly companies in mutual beneficial projects.

3 CommentsFiled Under: Homeschool Space, Organization Tagged With: home organization, homeschoolorganization, organization

25+ Texas History Books For Middle School For a Fun Unit Study

August 13, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have a short list of 25 plus Texas history books for middle school. Also, look at my Free Texas Homeschool Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas page.

When studying Texas history, I’ve used many resources but none of them beat a Texas living history book or picture book.

So, although these are only a few of the books we love, they’re enough to round out your study of Texas.

25+ Texas History Books For Middle School For a Fun Unit Study

In addition, I added some books of different levels.

Not all middle school kids are on the same reading level.

Besides, picture books still appeal to even adults.

And they have a way of putting topics in a nutshell especially if you’re building a foundation to begin your study.

Texas History Topics

Next, when you’re preparing a study about Texas, you can use many ways to break down the topics.

For example, here is one of the formats I follow.

  • Early Texas & Native Texans
  • Texas Revolution
  • Republic of Texas
  • Statehood
  • American Civil War & Reconstruction
  • Cowboys, Cattle and Cattle Drives
  • Hurricanes, Oil, and Modern Texas

Begin a study by looking for books about these topics.

25+ Texas History Books For Middle School For a Fun Unit Study

Also, look at these hands-on ideas to add when studying Texas.

More Texas History Crafts & Activities

  • Free Texas Homeschool Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
  • Facts About Wildflowers And a Fun Felt Texas Bluebonnet Craft
  • How Texas Cattle Drives Shaped Its History and Longhorn Craft
  • History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail
  • Texas Native American History Quick Unit Study (Middle School)
  • How to Build the Alamo: Hands-on Learning (Free Texas Unit Study)
  • Free Copywork Cattle A Texas Poem For a Fun Unit Study
  • 22 Famous Texans Notebooking Pages (editable) For a Fun History Study
25+ Texas History Books For Middle School For a Fun Unit Study

Look at these editable notebooking pages to include in your Texas history unit study.

  • 0. Westward Expansion History Fun 10 Coloring Pages

    0. Westward Expansion History Fun 10 Coloring Pages

    $1.75
    Add to cart

Furthermore, if you’re learning about the history of cattle, or Texas cattle drives and cowboys you may love my lapbook.

25+ Texas History Books For Middle School For a Fun Unit Study
  • Dynamic History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    Dynamic History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    $4.00
    Add to cart

Additionally, I have this free Texas lapbook for followers.

25+ Texas History Books For Middle School For a Fun Unit Study

How to Get the Free Texas Lapbook

Now, how to grab the free lapbook. It’s a subscriber freebie. And I have a list of links for this unit study included in the download.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get access to my subscribers library and this freebie.

However, not all my freebies are in the library (wink).

I like to keep up to date with what is valuable to you so I can give you more, some freebies you must sign up again on the form below even if you are already a follower.

It’s the only way I have of freely delivering them to you. Just follow the steps below.

► 1) Sign up on my list.
► 2) Go to your inbox and confirm your email from the automatic reply I sent you.
►3) Last, look for my reply AFTER you confirm your email.

Lastly, look at these books for the history of Texas.

27 Books For Kids Who Love Reading And Being Read to About Texas

 Forget a boring textbook and add some of these books about Texas to your unit study or add to your learning day.

Susanna of the Alamo: A True Story

Relates the experiences of the Texas woman who, along with her baby, survived the 1836 massacre at the Alamo.

The Boy in the Alamo

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

Plains Warrior: Chief Quanah Parker and the Comanches

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

A Paradise Called Texas

Searching for a better life, Mina, Papa, and Mama left their German fatherland aboard the brig Margaretha ,bound for Texas. They had been told it was the paradise of North America, but when Mina steps onto the desolate beach at Indian Point on a cold December day in 1845, she wants to go back to Germany and Opa's cozy house in the village of Wehrestedt. But go on they must. In spite of mama's tragic death, Mina and Papa push inland with the Kaufmann family to the Texas Hill Country. There Mina encounters an Indian chief and his young daughter, Amaya, whose help she needs when Papa falls ill. Based on her ancestors' immigration to Texas, Janice Shefelman tells of a journey into the wilderness that is filled with hardship, tragedy and adventure.

The Texans! Tejas to Today

Lessons Taught In Story Form.

Alamo All-Stars (Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales #6): A Texas Tale (Volume 6)

“Remember the Alamo!” That rallying cry has gone down in Texas history. But what, exactly, should we remember? Who were the ragtag group of adventurers behind the famous slogan, and how did they end up barricaded in a fort against a Mexican army Who survived, who died, and how. In the early 1800s, Native Americans, the Mexican government, and settlers from other areas of the United States were fighting over the territory that would become the Lone Star state. Here, vivid illustrations—rendered in black, white, and shades of gray, with tinges of yellow—and witty text tell the story, from Texas’s near wilderness beginnings to the Battle of the Alamo and General Sam Houston’s ultimate victory over General Antonio López de Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto.

Indians Who Lived in Texas

Briefly describes the environment, daily life, and customs of four Indian groups that lived in Texas--the farmers, the fishermen, the plant gatherers, and the hunters.

Make Way for Sam Houston (Unforgettable Americans)

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

Wilderness Pioneer, Stephen F. Austin of Texas

I wanted to tell Austin's story so that boys and girls all over the United States would come to know him not as a stuffy figure in a history book but as a man who had a great dream for the welfare of his fellowmen, and in working to make that dream come true met adventure and danger, heartache and happiness.

Caleb's Choice (Puffin Novel)

In 1858 Texas, people are violently divided over a law that makes it a crime to help runaway slaves. Caleb isn't sure how he feels. When an escaped slave saves his life, Caleb knows he has a debt to repay. But should he break the law and risk his life to help two slaves escape?

A Gentle Tour Through Texas History

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

Johnny Texas

In the early days of Texas history, ten-year-old Johann comes from Germany with his family to settle in this vast land and soon grows to love his new home.

Remember the Alamo! (Landmark books)

I love this series of books and this one tends to be fairly accurate.

A Time to Stand: The Epic of the Alamo

The #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Miracle of Dunkirk tells the story of the Texans who fought Santa Anna’s troops at the Battle of the Alamo. Looking out over the walls of the whitewashed Alamo, sweltering in the intense sun of a February heat wave, Colonel William Travis knew his small garrison had little chance of holding back the Mexican army. Even after a call for reinforcements brought dozens of Texans determined to fight for their fledgling republic, the cause remained hopeless. Gunpowder was scarce, food was running out, and the compound was too large to easily defend with less than two hundred soldiers. Still, given the choice, only one man opted to surrender. The rest resolved to fight and die. After thirteen days, the Mexicans charged, and the Texans were slaughtered. In exquisite detail, Walter Lord recreates the fight to uphold the Texan flag. He sheds light not just on frontier celebrities like Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett, but on the ordinary soldiers who died alongside them. Though the fight ended two centuries ago, the men of the Alamo will never be forgotten.

I Survived the Galveston Hurricane, 1900

More than a century later, the Galveston Hurricane of 1900 is still America's deadliest disaster. Lauren Tarshis's story of one child surviving the horrible event churns with page-turning action and bold hope.

The city of Galveston, Texas, was booming. Perched on an island off the southern coast of Texas, Galveston had been founded in the 1830s. By 1900, it was Texas's richest and most important city. Boats loaded up with American cotton and wheat steamed from Galveston to countries around the world. Arriving ships were crowded with immigrants. The streets, paved with crushed oyster shells, sparkled like they'd been sprinkled with diamonds.

Galveston's Summer of the Storm (Chaparral Books)

When fourteen-year-old Abby Kate boards the train in Austin to spend three weeks with her grandmother in Galveston, she’s full of excitement—about the train ride and the prospect of days on the beach, exploring Galveston with her cousin Jane, family picnics, and her grandmother’s good food. But things go wrong even before she gets to her grandmother’s house. Abby Kate gets off the train briefly in Houston—and the train leaves without her. Stranded in the railroad station, she is befriended by a man traveling with his two sons and eventually reaches Galveston safely.

Texas Rangers: Legendary Lawmen

In the 1820s, the Texas frontier was a rugged, lawless place that needed defending. The men that banded together to protect the citizens of Texas from the threats of bandits and raiding native tribes were known as the Texas Rangers. Since bravery was never in short demand, any unmarried man with a good horse and a sharp shot could be selected to join the ranks. As they roamed the Texas frontier maintaining peace and order, the Rangers were present for many of the most famous moments in Texas's exciting history-they defended the Alamo alongside Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, spied on the Mexican army during the war for independence, and chased down outlaws in the booming oil towns of the Wild West.

Texas Tomboy

The entire ranch is thirsty—will the rains ever come?

Remember Goliad: Their Silent Tents

Palm Sunday, March 27, 1836, turned out to be the blackest day in the war of independence between Texas and Mexico. Colonel James Walker Fannin Jr. and his men were ruthlessly slaughtered at the Presidio La Bahia near Goliad. The order was given directly by General Santa Anna. The author describes the background leading up to the start of hostilities in October 1835 and the two Mexican armies which threatened to overrun the Texans, with the massacre at the Alamo on March 2 and then the attack on the Presidio La Bahia, which Fannin called Fort Defiance. A description of garrison life and the men under Fannin's command precedes the battle of Coleto Plains, where Fannin's Texans, without an adequate water supply and defenses, were surrounded by General Urrea's army and forced to surrender. One of the more traumatic aspects of the battle and executions involved a group of young soldiers from Alabama, mainly from the same area, whose leader, Dr. Shackleford, was spared to minister to the sick and injured and was forced to witness the deaths of his protégées.

Jane Long Mother of Texas

A biography of the brave wife of General James Long who was the first woman of English descent to enter Texas and bear a child there.

Camel express; A story of the Jeff Davis experiment (Winston adventure books)

Story of a little known chapter in American military history; extensive illustrations throughout book by Joseph C. Camana.

Texas Yankee: The Story of Gail Borden

Famous as a newspaperman and surveyor in Texas, Gail Borden was the discoverer of how to condense milk. 

Tex's Tales

Picked up by a tornado and swept away from his family in nineteenth-century Texas, a dog has some exciting adventures in the frontier wilderness before making his way home again.

Miriam “Ma” Ferguson: First Woman Governor of Texas (Volume 3) (Stars of Texas Series)

Miriam Ferguson was a quiet, private person who preferred to stay home in her big house in Temple, Texas, and take care of her husband, raise her two daughters, and tend to her flower garden. But in 1924 she was elected governor of Texas, the first woman governor elected in the United States.

Texas History for Kids: Lone Star Lives and Legends, with 21 Activities

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

Make Way for Sam Houston

Colorful Sam Houston leaps to life in the pages of this fresh and funny biography, set against the story of Texas's fight for independence from Mexico. Lively, readable, and solidly researched, this is the kind of biography every child needs. Booklist, starred review Jean Fritz has done it again. Her writing turns this larger-than-life character into a very real person.School Library Journal, starred review ?Young readers will find the book fast-paced and fact-packed. The New York Times Book Review Jean Fritz lives in Dobbs Ferry, New York.

Trail Fever: The Life of a Texas Cowboy

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

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Reading Lists Tagged With: history, history resources, historyspine, homeschoolhistory, homeschoolreading, middle school, middleschool, read aloud, reading, Texas, Texas history, texasunit

Fun Renaissance Unit Study Ideas for Kids and Lapbook Renaissance

August 12, 2023 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some fun renaissance unit study ideas and a lapbook renaissance. Also, you’ll love my page Renaissance 1300 to 1600 unit study and look at the co-op pictures of the Renaissance too for more ideas.

The Renaissance period was a cultural movement that began in Italy and swept through Europe.

Many important and exciting changes were taking place in 16th century England.

Fun Renaissance Unit Study Ideas for Kid and Lapbook Renaissance

There were great advances in the arts and sciences.

The lower classes were becoming more educated, and the entire world was beginning to see England as a real power.

Next, look at these other facts about life during the Renaissance.

Facts about Life During the Renaissance

Traveling. Each knight or justice of the peace was responsible for keeping the roads in good order.
However, it was a very difficult job. The roads were not good, and people traveled only when necessary.

Life as a child. Children were sent to work at an early age. They had a lot of games to play and toys to play with, but illness claimed one in every three or four before the age of 10.

Shopping. There were four ways to shop: markets, fairs, in-town shops, and at home (from traveling peddlers). Members of the upper classes had private tutors, while children in villages and towns were taught at the new grammar schools being started all over the country.

Crafs of the Renaissance. Glass is a material that has been known to humankind for over 5,000 years.

The art of working glass is believed to have begun around 3500 BC in Iran or Iraq.

For example, during the reign of the Egyptian pharaohs, glass was the most precious of all materials. The blowpipe, a Roman invention of around 400 BC, made glass more available and affordable.

Moreover, the hand-blown techniques we use today were developed between 400 BC and the birth of Christ. Glassblowing has never been a “lost art.”

Its history is rich and consistent with centers in Persia, the Islamic countries, Italy, Northern Europe, and France.

Fun Renaissance Unit Study Ideas for Kid and Lapbook Renaissance

Then, the main English contribution was of a truly clear glass during the English Renaissance.

With the recent advent of the “studio art glass movement,” the United States has become a true center of contemporary glass. You’ll love my free Glass Blowing lapbook and unit study.

16th Century Language. Renaissance language was very specific. Elizabethans loved the language. It was both their entertainment and their weapon.

A quick wit was highly prized. Elizabethans would never say in two words what could be said in six or seven. There were different greetings depending on the time of day. Also, etiquette might call for one to ask permission before leaving.

Renaissance Insults and Compliments for Your Lapbook Renaissance

Further, here are some expressions that your children may find funny, and they make for fun copywork.

1.You’re thick-skulled.

2. You’re a coward.

3. You do not ever want to see this person again.

4. You look pretty today.

5. Your voice is beautiful.

6. You are dazzlingly beautiful.

1.Thou knotty-pated fool

2. Thou art lily-livered.

3. Direct thy feet where thou and I henceforth may never meet.

4. Thou art most beauteous this day.

5. Thy voice is sweeter than that of an angel.

6. Thy beauty eclipses the sun.

Also, look at some expressions or words used if you want to have a renaissance feast or co-op.

Fun Renaissance Unit Study Ideas for Kid and Lapbook Renaissance

Have your children practice them

1.Amazing

2.Perhaps

3.Please

4. Come here

5.Where are you going?

6.Where are you from?

7.What is your name?

1.Wonderous

2.Perchance

3.Prithee

4. Corne thee hither

5. Wither geest thou?

6.From whence hail ye?

7.What be thy name?

Music and Clothing of the Renaissance

Of all English Renaissance tunes, Greensleeves which may have been written by King Henry VIII of England
is the most familiar.

However, it was a wildly popular tune in its own day, and was arranged in endless different ways.

Give this one version of Greensleeves a listen – it’s beautiful.

Additionally, clothing made a huge part of life.

Elizabethan women wanted their clothing’ to look much like the men’s with broad shoulders, wide hips, and slim waists.

Women’s dresses were not made all in one piece as they usually are today. Instead, women wore two or more garments as one “dress.”

In Elizabeth’s time men’s clothing was as colorful as the ladies’, but men wanted to look manly, so they wore clothing in the shape of armor, with broad shoulders, broad hips, and narrow waists.

More Ideas For the Lapbook Renaissance

Fun Renaissance Unit Study Ideas for Kid and Lapbook Renaissance

(Our children singing Greensleeves)

Add more of my printables and activities below.

  • Look at our Renaissance Unit Study
  • Kids Free Glass Blowing Lapbook on The History Of Glass Blowing
  • STEM: Build a Da Vinci Parachute Activity
  • Fun Dragon Unit Study Ideas and Salt Dough Dragon Craft
  • The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activity Craft Fun Dragon Eggs
  • The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft
  • Geronimo Stilton Time Travel How to Make a Medieval Stained Glass Craft

Finally, my Renaissance lapbook is HUGE. It is a 49 page download and the minibooks cover many topics from the Renaissance to some on the Reformation.

For instance, look at the topics of the minibooks so you can include them in your unit study.

Topics of the Minibooks for the Lapbook Renaissance

Last, look at the minibooks included in this download.

  1. About Shakespeare. Two minibooks of the same. One for younger children to trace and one for older kids to write facts.
  2. Mona Lisa coloring
  3. King Henry VIII Six Wives trifold book
  4. Leonardo Da Vinci Renaissance Man
  5. Two Pages to Decorate the Outside of Your Lapbook
  6. Important Events of the Renaissance and Reformation
  7. What is the Renaissance layered book – 1 page
  8. Sign triple fold for wheel wright, boot and shoe maker, and nail maker.
  9. What happened to the Castles
  10. Who am I? Major Literary Figures
  11. Leonardo’s Art & Pocket for each piece of art
  12. 4 minibooks of Leonardo’s Invention & Designs
  13. Life of Leonardo Da Vinci Flip Open Book & Timeline
  14. Leonardo Da Vinci and Invention & Designs Text Art Titles
  15. Mirror Writing trifold book
  16. Renaissance King and Queen Flipbook – Add information about your favorite one.
  17. 1 Not Labeled and 1 Labeled Map of Renaissance Europe
  18. Renaissance clip art to decorate outside flaps of lapbook
  19. Blank scroll mini pages to add to any minbook.
  20. Quotes by Shakespeare – blank pages so your child can research and find ones to add
  21. Shakespeare Plays – Blank pages so you child can research and add ones under the correct categories of Comedies, Tragedies, and Histories.
  22. Thy Words – vocabulary words

How to Get the Renaissance Lapbook

Fun Renaissance Unit Study Ideas for Kid and Lapbook Renaissance
  • Dynamic Renaissance Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    Dynamic Renaissance Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    $4.00
    Add to cart

2 CommentsFiled Under: Lapbooks Tagged With: hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources, homeschoolhistory, lapbook, lapbooking, lapbookresources, lapbooks, renaissance

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

August 11, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you’re looking for fun medieval times crafts, you’ll love this knight Templar helmet. Also, look at my page 4 Week Free Middle Ages Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas and How To Upcycle A Monopoly Game History to A Medieval Theme & Free Printables.

Do you have a kid that loves the Middle Ages and medieval times crafts? They are going to absolutely love this one.

We are building a medieval knight helmet.

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

This style is a crusader helmet/bucket helmet but can be adjusted and you can add more detail as you become comfortable with using cardboard for costumes.

This activity takes any Middle Ages lesson to the next level through research, building creativity, and problem-solving, then ends with a fantastic craft project.

Before you enter into battle with your knight Templar helmet here are 5 mind-blowing facts about knights and their armor to share.

5 Facts about Knights and their Armor

  1. There were two main kinds of armor: chain mail, made up of thousands of little metal rings, and plate armor which was sheets of metal worked together.
  2. The Knights Templar was an order of military monks that provided protection for pilgrims traveling in the Holy Land during the Crusades.
  3. Chivalry was a code of conduct that all knights swore and adhered to.
  4. The boys who trained to be knights were generally the sons of knights or lords.
  5. Some two-handed swords that knights carried were over 5 feet long.
How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

Also, look at some of these resources.

9 Medieval History Books & Resources For Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

Add a few of these books to your Middle Ages or Medieval unit study.

King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table (Puffin Classics)

King Arthur is one of the greatest legends of all time. From the magical moment when Arthur releases the sword in the stone to the quest for the Holy Grail and the final tragedy of the Last Battle, Roger Lancelyn Green brings the enchanting world of King Arthur stunningly to life. One of the greatest legends of all time, with an inspiring introduction by David Almond, award-winning author of Clay, Skellig, Kit's Wilderness and The Fire-Eaters.

A Castle with Many Rooms: The Story of the Middle Ages

This covers people and events and covers a larger period of time.

Days of Knights and Damsels: An Activity Guide

Kids can re-create a long-ago world of kings, castles, jousts, jesters, damsels, magic fairies, and Robin Hood—all they need are their imaginations, materials they can find at home, and the activities in this book. Dressing up in a coat of armor made from plastic milk jugs, whipping up a batch of curds and whey, writing secret messages in invisible ink, and telling time with a sand glass made from soda bottles are just some of the fun projects. Every activity is illustrated, and sidebars highlight colorful facts about life hundreds of years ago.

The Usborne Encyclopedia of World History

This newly updated book will introduce you to world history, from prehistoric times to the start of the 21st century. Find out about dinosaurs, the first humans, Ancient Egypt, the Aztec Empire, Medieval Europe, the First World War and many more fascinating subjects.

The Door in the Wall

Set in the fourteenth century, the classic story of one boy's personal heroism when he loses the use of his legs.

The Kitchen Knight: A Tale of King Arthur

The Knights of the Round Table were in their glory. When an unknown stranger visits the castle and asks Kin Arthur's favor, he is allowed to serve in the kitchen for his meat and bread. Little does anyone suspect that he is of noble blood and will soon be knighted by the famous Sir Lancelot. Lush illustrations bring the reader into the book, as Sir Gareth meets adventures and battles to free a princess from the fearsome Red Knight of the Plain.

Castle: A Caldecott Honor Award Winner

In this 1978 Caldecott Honor Book, award-winning author and illustrator David Macaulay explores the history and construction of castles in a richly illustrated resource for curious young readers. The word itself conjures up mystery, romance, intrigue, and grandeur. What could be more perfect for an author/illustrator who has continually stripped away the mystique of architectural structures that have long fascinated modern man? With typical zest and wry sense of humor punctuating his drawings, David Macaulay traces the step-by-step planning and construction of both castle and town.

The Middle Ages: An Interactive History Adventure

I like to incorporate a wonderful and informational book to support our topic while making it fun and engaging. The Middle Ages, choose your own adventure style book is fantastic for middle elementary.

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood (First Edition): Illustrated Classics

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood was written and illustrated by Howard Pyle and published in 1883. It is the best known version of the story of Robin Hood which had been popular throughout the previous century. Pyle popularized Robin Hood, his adventures, and his band of merry men in a way that influenced most later depictions in writing, drawing, and film. The book consists of a series of episodes pitting the outlaw Robin Hood, Little John, Friar Tuck and the rest of his band against corrupt authorities epitomized by the evil Sheriff of Nottingham.

The Middle Ages were dark and often violent but there were many amazing inventions that came out of them, gallant knights, and beautiful architecture.

It is a beautiful and fascinating time to study deeper.

More Medieval Times Crafts

Next, look at more Medieval times crafts.

  • Try this Stick Weaving Tutorial to make a cute and useful medieval bag.
  • For sweet girly royalty you can follow this Medieval Princess Hat tutorial.
  • Medieval History for Homeschool Middle School
  • Free Glass Blowing Lapbook on The History Of Glass Blowing
  • Make an Easy Shield Craft before you send them into battle.
  • Build a Cardboard Medieval Castle for epic adventures.
  • Make a Coat of Arms Activity (Middle Ages History)
  • How To Upcycle A Monopoly Game History to A Medieval Theme & Free Printables
  • How to Make a Medieval Stained Glass Craft
  • Medieval Chemistry and Homeschool History – Fun Hands-On Activity
  • Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft
  • Middle Ages Hands-on History: Make a Codex Activity
How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

Finally, look at this fun knight Templar helmet.

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet Craft for Kids

If you are anything like me, you have boxes coming to your house filled with goodies on a regular basis.  So, grab the next large one you get for this really fun project.

You will need:

  • Large cardboard box
  • Silver spray paint
  • Scissors or box cutter blade
  • Hot glue gun/ glue sticks
  • Marker

First, cut your box so that it is one long straight rectangle.

Trim it down to about 8”-10” tall and around 32” long.

Turn the better side of the cardboard down. This is going to be the inside of the helmet; you want the cleaner side to be outside.

Take a straight edge or an open scissor blade and score through the top layer of cardboard only, not all the way through.

Do this from the top to the bottom about ½” apart all the way across.

The purpose of this is to allow your cardboard to bend wonderfully into any shape without creasing it.

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

The next thing you want to do is decide where the eyeholes should be.

To do that I just rolled the cardboard around the head and made a mark on the inside where the eyes were. Shape and color in your eyes so you know where to cut.

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

Cut out each eye hole and make adjustments as needed. You could also cut a slit all the way across if you prefer.

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

Here is where I am going to tell you to learn from my mistake.

We did not cut our mouth area out until after it was all glued together.

 It would have been much easier and much cleaner to cut it out at this point while it is flat.

 So, we are just going to pretend that is what I did okay? Depending on the style you have chosen to make there are different shapes and directions for them.

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

Now to create the top of the helmet you are going to try the helmet on the noble knight by rolling it into a cylinder, cutting off anything more than 1” excess and tape it to the size you want.

Then trace a second piece of cardboard around your circle.

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

Start in the center and run a bead of hot glue right at the edge of your helmet several inches long, put the round in place on the hot glue and hold for a minute or two until the hot glue sets.

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

You can then continue around adding hot glue and rolling it around the circle you cut out until it is done. At the very end overlap your pieces slightly and secure with hot glue from top to bottom.

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

If you want to be sure it is secure add another bead of hot glue all the way around the top.

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

Make what looks like welding dots along the edges of your helmet wherever you would like by making little puddles of hot glue, allowing it to harden before you turn it to work on the next section.

These are little rivets that were used to join pieces of metal together.

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

Trim any rough edges and put on any other design you like with hot glue before the next step.

Finally, take your helmet outside with lots of ventilation and give it a light coat of silver spray paint.

Allow it to dry for 15 minutes and give it another coat.

Let the paint dry completely before using it, here is what we used, it’s hammered silver and we loved the final look.

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources, homeschoolhistory, knight, medieval homeschool history, middle ages history

10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

August 10, 2023 | Leave a Comment
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There are more than 100 different Amazon Rainforest lizards. Too, you’ll love my Rain Forest – Animals of the Amazon page.

Today we are focusing on 10 of the more well-known ones.

There are fierce hunters, those with beautiful changing skin, swimmers, stalkers, night creepers, and fascinating.

10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

One thing you know about the Amazon rainforest is that it is going to have the most beautiful and amazing creatures in its lush greenery.

We are doing a super fun craft as well, taking a few discarded items and turning them into a cute replica of the beautiful and fascinating green iguana found in the Amazon Rainforest.

I highly suggest taking a field trip to a larger pet store and seeing just how many of the Amazon lizards below you can spot. 

5 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts

  1. Green Iguana – Iguana can grow as large as 6 feet long and weigh almost 18 pounds, with an average of around 9-12 pounds. They are the largest of all the lizards in the Amazon. They can be brownish, orange, gray, lighter or dark green, or even black.
  2. Amazon Bark Anole  – Ambush predators that feed on insects found on the trunks and large limbs of large trees like ants, wasps, beetles, and roaches. Their skin closely resembles the markings of tree bark and can change color on top to help blend in more, this is their main defense mechanism.
  3. Crocodile Tegu- A semi aquatic lizard that has a flattened, paddle-like tail and is found in the Amazon Basin. This lizard feeds on arthropods, amphibians, reptiles, and fish.
  4. Bridled Forest Gecko- Scurry around the base of trees and in the tree litter. They can be diurnal if they have artificial lighting at night.
  5. Collared Tree Runner- AKA Plica umbra, AKA Jewel of the Amazon is a beautiful species of lizard that looks very chameleon-like, with its array of green, tan, and brown scales. Males have a bright yellow throat, and they are found on branches and tree trunks.

5 More Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts

  1. Basilisk Lizard-These amazing Amazon dwellers can run at speeds of up to 15 mph and can run on the surface of the water without sinking.
  2. Chameleons- These famous reptiles are known for their ability to change their skin color. They have prehensile tails and feet that split at nearly a 180-degree angle which allows them to have a superior grip on the branches where they live.  
  3. Caiman Lizard- Can grow to2 to 4 feet and up to 10 pounds. They are a semiaquatic species and spend part of their time in the water, an interesting adaptation is a third, clear eyelid that acts like a goggle when submerged.
  4. Banded Tree Anole- These lizards are found at the tops of the tallest Amazon trees and are strictly arboreal and have excellent skin camouflage.
  5. Turnip Tailed Gecko- At not quite 5 inches these lizards are one of only 2 nocturnal lizards. It has flaps of skin that act as a parachute when they jump from trees.
10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

Then, look at some of these resources for a fun study about lizards.

Amazon Rainforest Lizards Resources

Grab a reference book like Lizards of the World to find out more about Amazon Rainforest Lizards and others.

Lizards of the World: A Guide to Every Family (A Guide to Every Family, 1)

A lavishly illustrated overview of the world’s lizards. Lizards are one of nature’s great success stories: survivors from the time of the dinosaurs, they have taken advantage of almost every habitat on earth, from tropical rainforest to Arctic tundra and even our homes. From chameleons and skinks to geckos and iguanas, there are close to 7,000 species of lizards around the world. This expert guide explores their extraordinary diversity and adaptations.Lizards of the World features an in-depth introduction covering the evolution, anatomy, and lifestyle of lizards, followed by profiles of species from every family, accompanied by stunning color photographs. This invaluable guide highlights the enormous range of habitats, appearance, and activity among lizards. Many thrive in extreme conditions, and have adapted to keep cool, warm, or hydrated. Some can protect themselves by changing color to blend in with their surroundings, while others have fringed toes enabling them to run across sand, or can parachute out of a predator’s reach. Covering diet and reproduction as well as defense strategies and conservation, Lizards of the World showcases the unique natural history and beauty of these remarkable creatures.

Iguana M Reptile Collection

Check out this gorgeous Iguana statue for the garden.

Plastic Lizard Toys

MULTIPLE SHAPES: These wild reptile lizard toys come in 12 styles and colors and measure 3.1-5.2 inches.

GET TO KNOW NATURE: Each toy lizard toy has a detailed texture and unique pattern, the lifelike shape can well let children feel the magic and beauty of nature.

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

Nature Anatomy and Wildlife Anatomy are wonderful resources for many nature topics, I did find lovely illustrations with chameleons and anoles included as well as a bit on the rainforest itself.

Amazon Rainforest Animal Activities

Also, look at more Amazon Rainforest animal activities.

  • How to Make A Fun Origami Frog Amazon Rainforest Craft
  • Fun Easy Amazon Rainforest Crafts and Make a Bubble Wrap Pattern Anaconda
  • Learn About Mammals In The Amazon Rainforest & Make an Adorable Sloth Craft
  • Blue Morpho Butterfly Adaptations In The Tropical Rainforest and Fun Symmetry Craft
  • Amazon Rainforest Predators and Make a Fun Pasta Emerald Tree Boa
  • Beautiful And Colorful Amazonian Rainforest Animals Lapbook For Kids
  • Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest – Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts
10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

Finally, look at this fun Amazon Rainforest lizards iguana craft.

How to Make an Iguana Lizard Craft

We are making an iguana with some beautiful orange and green coloring, but you can opt for any of the iguana colors that you wish for your craft.

You will need:

  • One paper towel roll.
  • Two toilet paper rolls.
  • Orange craft foam
  • Green paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Scissors
  • 2 craft sticks
10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

Cut up the center of one end of the paper towel roll about five or 6 inches and wrap it around itself to create a tapered end.  Use hot glue to secure the taper in place.

10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

Hot glue the tail by inserting the intact end of your paper towel roll inside the first toilet paper roll. Repeat, adding the second toilet paper roll.

Squeeze together the end of the toilet paper roll and glue it to create a mouth. 

10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

Cut two popsicle sticks into three equal pieces. Hot glue, the rounded ends onto the sides of your iguana for legs.

Paint the entire thing green and set it aside to dry.

10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

While you’re waiting for your paint to dry, cut an orange fringe the length of the paper towel roll (dorsal crests) out of orange craft foam, four orange feet, and the dewlap hanging under its neck.

10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

Once the paint has dried you can hot glue the fringe on the back.

10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

Glue the dewlap under the neck portion into place.

10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

Add the orange feet that you cut onto the bottom of the green craft stick legs and glue.

10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

Use a black marker or paint to add more details like eyes, nostrils, stripes, etc.

You can take your iguana on adventures outdoors or display him in the house as you learn about Amazon Rainforest lizards.

10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: amazon rain forest, animals, crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, life science, lizards, rainforest, science

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