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Claude Monet Facts For Kids And Free Water Lily Masterpiece

February 28, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some fun Claude Monet facts for kid and a free water lily printable cut and paste craft with template. Also, look at my page Free Art Units for more ideas.

Claude Monet was a French painter.

And he is best known for creating paintings of nature. He embraced painting in the moment meaning it was about the way he felt and not about painting only the way things were.

Claude Monet Facts For Kids And Free Water Lily Masterpiece

Also, he grew up near the water which inspired a lot of his art and started his art journey by drawing.

At the age of 5, he was drawing.

Too, Monet was one of the founders of the Impressionist movement. This style of art is all about showing the feeling of a moment.

BOOKS ABOUT CLAUDE MONET FOR KIDS

First, look at these books about Claude Monet.

5 Books About Claude Monet For Kids Who Love To Read And Be Read To

Add one or two of these fun books about the famous artist Claude Monet.

Claude Monet (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists)

Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists series combines a delightful mix of full-color historical reproductions, photos, and hilarious cartoon-style illustrations that bring to life the works of renowned artists, combining poignant anecdotes with important factual information for readers (Ages 8-9).This book provides an entertaining and humorous introduction to the famous artist, Claude Monet. Full-color reproductions of the actual paintings are enhanced by Venezia's clever illustrations and story line.

Linnea in Monet's Garden

Linnea has been in Paris. And she has visited the painter Claude Monet's garden! She even stood on the same little Japanese bridge that Monet painted so often in his pictures. In Paris, Linnea got to see many of the real paintings.

Now she can understand what it means to be called an Impressionist, and she knows a lot about Monet's life in the pink house where he lived with his eight children.

Twenty-five years after its original publication, this celebration of the wonder of art is available once again in an enlarged keepsake edition. The joy and inspiration Linnea discovers in Monet's garden will be eagerly embraced by a new generation of readers.

A Child's Introduction to Art: The World's Greatest Paintings and Sculptures

Introduce kids ages 9 through 12 to the artworld's most famous painters, styles, and periods, all brought to life through full-color photographs of 40 masterpieces, as well as charming original illustrations. This gorgeously illustrated reader highlights 40 painters and sculptors, including Leonardo da Vinci, Claude Monet, Diego Velasquez, Vincent van Gogh, Salvador Dali, Mary Cassatt, and Andy Warhol, providing information on their life, inspirations, influences, technique, and a full-color photo of one of their signature works of art. It also includes an overview of various styles and periods (Renaissance, Impressionism, Cubism, etc.), instruction on how to view and appreciate art, and information on the color wheel and other tools artists employ.

The Magical Garden of Claude Monet

Parents, teachers, and gift givers will find:

  • gorgeous illustrations and reproductions of works by the artists
  • a fun and educational story for home or the classroom
  • a great series to be used for home school materials
  • a whole series of books for children to learn about important artists!

Author and illustrator Laurence Anholt recalls memorable and sometimes amusing moments when the lives of the artists were touched by children. Anholt's fine illustrations appear on every page and include reproductions of works by the artists.

Meet Claude Monet (Meet the Artist)

Art is everywhere. Whether you are sitting in a library or walking around the city, you will find examples of art all over. But how do you know when something is art? How is one piece different from the next? In Meet Claude Monet, you will learn from one of the greatest artists of all time. Who better to show how wild strokes can make something beautiful? See what he can show you about Impressionism! Then, examine your favorite places and create art for yourself.Travel through time as you flip each page. Visit artwork from the greatest names in history.Meet the Artist is Read With You’s introduction to the world of art. This series weaves interesting facts with gorgeous art as the artists themselves engagingly introduce their masterpieces. On each colorful page, the artist points out significant details and personal touches in pieces that have captured the world with their beauty. Young readers will practice their reading skills and challenge themselves to examine art like an expert, while soaking up world-famous artwork. Parents and teachers will love the creative questions and activities that encourage readers to apply the concepts they’ve learned and test new techniques.

And look at more art and craft ideas about Claude Monet.

CLAUDE MONET ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

  • Claude Monet Art for Kids – Impressionist-Inspired Process Art
  • Monet Water Lilies Sensory Bin 
  • Monet-Inspired Water Lily Pond Art Project for Kids 
  • Monet’s Pond
  • Monet for little ones
  • Claude Monet Inspired Art for Kids

Too, look at these facts for kids.

CLAUDE MONET FACTS FOR KIDS

  • Claude Monet was one of the leaders of a special art movement called Impressionism.
  • Monet used short, quick brushstrokes to show the light and colors a scene.
  • Monet’s most famous paintings are of gardens, ponds, and flowers.
  • Additionally, one of his famous paintings was the Water Lily. Monet painted these beautiful flowers again and again.
  • Another famous painting is called Impression, Sunrise.It shows the harbor of a city in France.
  • He taught his kids Jean and Michel how to paint.
  • In addition, he was inspired by Japanese culture and art.
  • Too, he loved painting the same scene at different times.
Claude Monet Facts For Kids And Free Water Lily Masterpiece

Finally, look at how to get this free printable.

HOW TO GET THE FREE CLAUDE MONET WATER LILY CUT & PASTE CRAFT

Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.

2) Grab the freebie now

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: art, art crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschool art, Monet

Fun Ancient Greece Activities To Learn From The Great Minds

February 27, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have some ancient Greece activities to learn from the great minds of the past. Also, look at my page Fun Ancient Greece Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook and look at my second free Ancient Greece Lapbook for more ideas.

For example, we’re learning about the Greek philosophers Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Pythagoras, and Epicurus.

Besides there is a word for those all questions your children ask – the Socratic method.

But tapping into the minds of the past, help kids to learn how to ask questions and to learn to think critically.

Fun Ancient Greece Activities To Learn From The Great Minds

Many of the ideas we learned laid the foundation for ideas that continue to influence us.

Too, questions help children to develop reasoning skills, and you decide when to ask morality questions to weight against what the Greek philosophers felt.

And when children ponder meaningful questions instead getting the answers they develop curiosity and an open-mind.

They can also develop empathy and it’s an opportunity for you to model how you want your children to handle viewpoints different from their own.

ANCIENT GREECE BOOKS FOR KIDS

First, look at some of these books about Ancient Greece.

8 Living History Books about Ancient Greece

You'll love this roundup of living history books about Ancient Greece.

D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths

In print for over fifty years, D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths has introduced generations to Greek mythology—and continues to enthrall young readers. Here are the greats of ancient Greece—gods and goddesses, heroes and monsters—as freshly described in words and pictures as if they were alive today. No other volume of Greek mythology has inspired as many young readers as this timeless classic. Both adults and children alike will find this book a treasure for years to come. “For any child fortunate enough to have this generous book . . . the kings and heroes of ancient legend will remain forever matter-of-fact; the pictures interpret the text literally and are full of detail and witty observation.”—The Horn Book

Ancient Greece for Kids Through the Lives of its Philosophers, Lawmakers, and Heroes (History for Kids - Traditional, Story-Based Format)

The suggested reader age for this book is 8 to 14 years old. To write this book, I went back to Herodotus, Plutarch, Diogenes Laertius, and other ancient sources of biographical anecdotes, and extracted from them the stories that will be most memorable to a modern kid. I retold them without adding any fictional color. I have omitted some things, however. Anything gruesome or seriously cruel is not included. Anything off-color, or outside traditional-family-friendly morality is not included. I have included only accounts of the most major battles, and without much detail. Battles are important, but as a kid - maybe as a girl - I was falling asleep over the ancient battles. Politics: Again, I have included only major turns of events.

I wove the information about the social order and geography of Ancient Greece into the stories of the era's historical figures. So, no worries, the kid will learn about the Agora and Acropolis of Athens, the city-states of Corinth and Sparta, daily life in an Ancient Greek household, the major Greek temples, and the three orders of Ancient Greek architecture. This book is richly illustrated. I don't agree that if you are 13 or 16 you should be content with pages and pages of text and no pictures. Illustrations help both kids and grownups to visualize - and therefore to remember - events and descriptions. I have illustrated the book mostly with paintings portraying historical figures or everyday life in classical Greece. Whenever I could, I chose late 19th century and early 20th century art over the older neoclassical paintings for a more accurate representation of the Ancient Greek costume and environment.

The Iliad for Boys and Girls

The Iliad is typically described as one of the greatest war stories of all time. Set during the Trojan War, this timeless poem vividly conveys the horror and heroism of men and gods wrestling with towering emotions and battling amid devastation and destruction. Homer's tale is a compassionate view of human life lived under the shadow of suffering and death in the face of an often uncaring divinity.

Archimedes and the Door of Science (Living History Library)

Jeanne Bendick, through text and pictures, admirably succeeds in bringing to life the ancient Greek mathematician who enriched mathematics and all branches of science. Against the backdrop of Archimedes' life and culture, the author discusses the man's work, his discoveries and the knowledge later based upon it. The simple, often humorous, illustrations and diagrams greatly enhance the text.

The Great Philosophers: Socrates, Plato & Aristotle - Ancient Greece - 5th Grade Biography - Children's Biographies

You have probably heard about Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. When it comes to ancient minds who created foundations in philosophy, science, and math, these three names would automatically come up. But what exactly did they do to warrant immense respect and admiration? Well, your fifth grader will soon find out from this biography book.

Marathon Looks on the Sea

Illustrated by Erwin Schachner. The story of the Battle of Marathon and how it determined the future of Athens.

Life in Ancient Athens (Picture the Past)

What was it like to live in Ancient Athens? All the people who lived in ancient Greece spoke the same language and worshipped the same gods and goddesses. But they all lived in different city states a city and the land around it that it controlled. These city states were all run differently, and there were often fights between them. Despite their differences, there were things that united the city states. Find out more in this exciting title.

Growing Up In Ancient Greece (Growing Up In series)

Describes daily life in ancient Greece, discussing life in the city, life in the country, school, ceremonies and festivals, food, and other aspects

Next, look at some hands-on Ancient Greece activities.

ANCIENT GREECE ACTIVITIES

  • Hands-On Ancient Greece Study: Politics and Pottery
  • 9 EASY and Fun Hands-on Ancient Greece Kids Activities
  • Ancient Greece (Hands-on Science)
  • Free Ancient Greece Go Fish Game – Ancient Greece Unit Study
  • Ancient Greece Unit Study Play Stomachion Like Archimedes {Explore Geometry}
  • Hands-on Activity Ancient Greece Chariot
  • Ancient Greece Hands-on Activity Refraction
  • Beware of Greeks Bearing Gifts – Great Big List of Ancient Greece Freebies
  • 13 Living History Books about Ancient Greece
  • Cursive and Free Greece Copywork Poetry
  • Geronimo Stilton The Race Against Time Build a Fun Greek Water Clock
  • Easy Hands-on Fun Ancient Greek Games for Kids DIY Knucklebones
  • How to Make a Trojan Horse Craft | Fascinating Trojan Horse History
  • Geronimo Stilton Race Against Time And Make Pottery Like Ancient Greeks
  • Free Greek Mythology Unit Study and Greece Lapbook & Fun Hands on LEGO Zeus
  • How to Make a Cool Greek Mythology Triorama With Kids

Also, look at some facts about these 5 ancient Greek philosophers.

ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHER FACTS

Ancient Greece thinkers were called philosophers. We still ponder some of the same questions they ask in the past.

Look at a few of these famous Greek philosophers.

SOCRATES

  • Socrates (469–399 BC) was one of the most famous philosophers of all time.
  • He didn’t write anything down. His student Plato kept a record.
  • And he loved to walk around asking questions to people in the street in Athens.
  • His manner of questioning all is still referred to as the Socrates Method.

Also, look at these facts about Plato.

PLATO

  • After Socrates passed away, Plato kept his ideas alive.
  • His school the Academy was one of the first schools in western history.
  • He spent a lot of time thinking of fairness or justice.
  • And he believed math helped people thinking logically.
Fun Ancient Greece Activities To Learn From The Great Minds

Next, learn about Aristotle.

ARISTOTLE

  • He taught Alexander the Great.
  • And he is considered the Father of Logic.
  • Aristotle thought that reasoning (the ability to think clearly) was one of the most important things for people to learn.
  • He made contributions to science like studying about plants, animals, and stars.

Then, learn about Pythagoras.

PYTHAGORAS

  • He was a math genius.
  • Too, he is known for his amazing discovery about right triangles.
  • Pythagoras thought that numbers were the key to understanding everything in the world.
  • He believed that everything in the world was connected by numbers.

Finally, look at some information about Epicurus.

EPICURUS

  • He was a philosopher that liked happiness.
  • He believed in finding pleasure in a healthy way.
  • According to Epicurus, life is about enjoying the present.
  • Epicurus believed in living in harmony with others.

Also, look at what you get in this download and how to use it.

HOW TO USE THE ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHERS PRINTABLE.

There is one page on each of the 5 philosophers mentioned above.

Each page has an activity or two along with facts about the philosopher.

Use the pages to introduce philosophers in your unit study.

In addition, you can add these pages to your notebook or even to the two free Ancient Greece lapbooks I have.

Look here at my post at my post How to Turn Boring Worksheets into Fun Minibooks – From Boring to Interactive to fold a page into a minibook for your file folder or notebook.

Finally, look at how to get this free printable.

HOW TO GET THE FREE ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHERS PRINTABLE

Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.

2) Grab the freebie now

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: ancient civilizations, Ancient Greece, greek, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, history

Crafting with Nature: DIY Flying Squirrel Craft You’ll Love

February 26, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re making a fun diy flying squirrel craft. It is an amazing rodent with unique features so we’re creating it out of felt to highlight unique features.

The flying squirrel is a small rodent known for its ability to glide through the air.

They have a flap of skin, called a patagium.

It stretches from their wrists to their ankles, which they use to create lift as they jump from tree to tree.

They are adorable and make a perfect model for this felt craft project we are working on today.

Crafting with Nature: DIY Flying Squirrel Craft You’ll Love

This gives the kids a chance to work on fine motor skills while learning about a flying squirrels anatomy.

You can absolutely sew yours by hand or on a machine if you like.

But I love working with felt and hot glue because it is so forgiving, easy to trim and doesn’t leave a rough edge.

Also, it’s a lot quicker than pulling out the sewing machine and threading it.

SQUIRREL BOOKS FOR KIDS

First, look at these books about squirrels.

We prefer to read living books when I can find them.

16 Books & Resources For Kids Who Love Reading About Squirrels

If your child loves reading about all kinds of squirrels, they’ll love reading these books and add some of these fun resources to your unit study.

Arctic Ground Squirrel: Pictures and Fun Facts on Animals for Kids

The Arctic ground squirrel looks small, harmless and innocent. But this little creature survives some of the most challenging weather conditions that occur on the entire planet. It lives in the Arctic, which is literally on top of the world. In the winter it gets so cold that humans couldn't survive in the open!

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin (Peter Rabbit)

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin is an original classic by Beatrix Potter. Beatrix Potter's famous tale of a naughty squirrel who loses his tail is as popular today as it was when it was first published over 100 years ago. Join Nutkin, his brother Twinkleberry and all his cousins as they make their way over to Owl Island to gather nuts. See what happens when Old Brown, the terrifying owl guardian of the island decides he has had enough of silly Nutkin's cheekiness! Ouch!! Beatrix Potter is regarded as one of the world's best-loved children's authors of all time. From her first book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, published by Frederick Warne in 1902, she went on to create a series of stories based around animal characters including Mrs. Tiggy-winkle, Benjamin Bunny, Jemima Puddle-duck, Mr. Jeremy Fisher and Tom Kitten. Her humorous, lively tales and beautiful illustrations have become a natural part of childhood. With revenue from the sales of her books, Beatrix Potter bought a farm - Hill Top - in the English Lake District, where she later became a farmer and prize-winning sheep breeder. She launched the now vast merchandise programme by patenting the very first Peter Rabbit doll in 1903.

Perri (Bambi's Classic Animal Tales)

A young squirrel experiences the wonders of forest life and befriends a human toddler in this collectible edition of a classic animal story from the author of Bambi.Perri is a young squirrel living in Bambi’s forest. She grows up, learning about survival, friendship, and love as she observes and interacts with the complicated world around her. Most exciting of all, she meets a three-year-old human girl who can understand and talk to animals!

Gray Squirrels (Woodland Wildlife)

Gray squirrels leap from high heights to move from tree to tree. Discover these delightful rodents' life cycle and lifestyle in the woods.

8pcs,Miniature Animal Squirrel Figures

Fun Toys include 8pcs miniature squirrel figurines in different style. With bright color and cute designs. You’ll certainly be impressed by the amazing level of details of these squirrel character figurines

Life in the Neck Squirrel Trouble

Welcome to a new adventure in the Neck, a beautiful place where animals and humans live together in harmony--most of the time. In this book, a young boy named Eli builds a log fort with his dad, but it's not long before mischievous squirrels Chatter, Whistle, and Squeak move in and take over. As the nuts, acorns, and pinecones pile up inside, Eli realizes he's going to have to get creative to get them out. Will his plan work, or will the squirrels win?

The Adventures of Chatterer the Red Squirrel

Author and editor of numerous children's books, Thornton W. Burgess was also a noted conservationist. In writing for youngsters he combined a gift for storytelling with his love of the outdoors, creating an entertaining menagerie of animals whose adventures he skillfully recounted in a series of charming fables. In them, he taught young readers about nature and encouraged them to love the "lesser folk in fur and feathers."In this delightfully told tale, Burgess chronicles the escapades of Chatterer the Red Squirrel, who's known throughout the Green Forest as a mischief maker. Narrowly escaping the clutches of Shadow the Weasel and Redtail the Hawk, the bushy-tailed little fellow decides to leave the forest for a new home, only to learn that curiosity, carelessness, and mistrust can lead to a heap of troubles.

Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures

It begins, as the best superhero stories do, with a tragic accident that has unexpected consequences. The squirrel never saw the vacuum cleaner coming, but self-described cynic Flora Belle Buckman, who has read every issue of the comic book Terrible Things Can Happen to You!, is the just the right person to step in and save him. What neither can predict is that Ulysses (the squirrel) has been born anew, with powers of strength, flight, and misspelled poetry — and that Flora will be changed too, as she discovers the possibility of hope and the promise of a capacious heart.

Nuts to You

How far would you go for a friend? In Nuts to You, the funny and moving illustrated novel by Newbery Medalist Lynne Rae Perkins, two squirrels go very far indeed to save a friend who has been snatched up by a hawk. Nuts to You “begs to be read aloud . . . another completely original and exceptional package from Perkins,” said the Horn Book. Nuts to You features black-and-white art by the author on every page, as well as exclusive material original to this edition.

Jed, TsTs, and Chai are the very best of friends. So when Jed is snatched up by a hawk and carried away to another realm, TsTs and Chai resolve to go after him. Mysteriously, the hawk has dropped him. They saw it. Jed could be alive. New communities are discovered, new friends are made, huge danger is encountered (both man-made and of the fox and bobcat variety) and the mysteries of squirrel culture are revealed. Nuts to You is wholly original, funny, lively, and thought-provoking. Publishers Weekly said, “Readers . . . will relish the squirrels’ adventures, as well as Perkins’s laugh-aloud illustrations and equally witty footnotes.”

Squirrels

Portrays the physical characteristics, behavior, life cycle, and natural habitat of the small mammals.

Miss Suzy

Miss Suzy is a little gray squirrel who lives happily in her oak-tree home until she is chased away by some mean red squirrels. Poor Miss Suzy is very sad. But soon she finds a beautiful dollhouse and meets a band of brave toy soldiers.

How Miss Suzy and the soldiers help each other makes a gentle, old-fashioned tale that has captured the imaginations of girls and boys alike for more than fifty years. Arnold Lobel’s enchanting pictures are sure to make the kind squirrel and the gallant soldiers the everlasting friends of all who turn these pages.

The Chisel-Tooth Tribe

Here, in a comprehensive and extremely readable volume, the author-artist whose many nature books are favorites with children gives an absorbing account of little animals equipped with chisel-like teeth for gnawing including their habits, appearance, and activities. The world of this army of small mammals is one which most of us could observe for ourselves if we wished to. No one reading these lively chapters about the squirrels, beavers, rabbits, prairie dogs, etc., could ever again take them and their interesting ways for granted.

Gray Squirrel at Pacific Avenue (Smithsonian's Backyard)

Children will enjoy this exciting story as Gray Squirrel darts and dashes away from predators while trying to gather up a tasty meal of bird seed and acorns. Reviewed by the Smithsonian Institution for accuracy, Gray Squirrel at Pacific Avenue is a fun and informative story with beautifully detailed illustrations. Watch your children have a blast reading and learning about the animals that live in an American backyard!

Grey Squirrel 8" Plush

Silky plush and soft huggable bodies

Squirrel (Animal World)

Text and illustrations describe the physical characteristics, habits, and natural environment of the red squirrel.

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.

Next, look at some facts about squirrels.

FUN FACTS ABOUT FLYING SQUIRRELS

Flying squirrels are not actually squirrels, they are more closely related to mice and rats.

They are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night.

There is a flap of skin between their front and back legs that allows them to glide through the air, up to 150 feet in a single bound.

They are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plants and animals while they are preyed upon by owls, hawks, snakes, and martens.

Flying squirrels are found in North America, Europe, and Asia in tree cavities or nest boxes.

And they are able to rotate their ankles 180 degrees, which allows them to climb down trees headfirst.

Crafting with Nature: DIY Flying Squirrel Craft You’ll Love

Before we get to our felt flying squirrel here are some more squirrel craft ideas to compare and study different types (even though our flying squirrel is not really a squirrel).

MORE SQUIRREL CRAFTS AND RESOURCES

  • Free Arctic Ground Squirrel Lapbook & Unit Study Resources.
  • Who knew you could take some disposable plastic cutlery and create a Fork Painted Squirrel Tail Craft this adorable?
  • Learn about the Fascinating Life of Red Squirrels | Paper Plate Squirrel Craft
  • Make a Squirrel Puppet from dramatic play and storytelling with your little ones.

Finally, look at how to make this felt flying squirrel craft.

DIY FELT FLYING SQUIRREL CRAFT

You will need:

  • light, gray or tan felt
  • Dark, gray or tannish felt
  • Stuff for fill
  • Two goo eyes
  • Scissors
  • A hot glue gun and glue sticks
Crafting with Nature: DIY Flying Squirrel Craft You’ll Love

First, start by folding one 8 x 12 piece of felt in half and draw a rectangle with the edges curved inward.

This will help form the flaps of your flying squirrel. At the same time, you can draw a circle for the head.

Crafting with Nature: DIY Flying Squirrel Craft You’ll Love

Cut through both sides of the felt at the same time so both pieces match up.

Crafting with Nature: DIY Flying Squirrel Craft You’ll Love

On the other color of felt cut out a short, rounded tail.

And then cut some fur texture into it by cutting angle lines not quite all the way through, kind of like a feather at the same time.

You’ll also want to cut out 4 paws and small triangles for ears.

Crafting with Nature: DIY Flying Squirrel Craft You’ll Love

Layout one piece of your squirrel’s body outline and hot glue the paws to the end of each point and the tail to the edge of one side.

Crafting with Nature: DIY Flying Squirrel Craft You’ll Love

Run a line of hot glue along about 2 inches of the edge and press your second piece on top until it cools and hardens.

FLYING SQUIRREL CRAFT

Continue doing this a couple of inches at a time all the way around, leaving a few inches open for stuffing.

Crafting with Nature: DIY Flying Squirrel Craft You’ll Love

Once your glue has dried, you can press your cotton stuffing to fill it as much as you like.

We want ours to remain floppy.

If you want to be able to toss it like a beanbag you could also add some rice or beans to give it a little weight at this time.

Crafting with Nature: DIY Flying Squirrel Craft You’ll Love

Hot glue the two circles of the head together, leaving about an inch and use a pencil to stuff a little bit of stuffing in to give it a bit of shape.

Crafting with Nature: DIY Flying Squirrel Craft You’ll Love

Then, the edges that you do not like carefully trim into shape, even cutting right through the hot glue to fix it.

Crafting with Nature: DIY Flying Squirrel Craft You’ll Love

Once the head is ready, pinch the ears and add a little glue to the bottom, securing them to the top.

Glue the google eyes into place and create a small nose at the end with a little bit of permanent marker.

Crafting with Nature: DIY Flying Squirrel Craft You’ll Love

Glue the head to the body with hot glue.

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

10 Interesting Facts About Mesopotamia And Unit Study Outline

February 25, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have 10 interesting facts about Mesopotamia and a fun unit study outline if you want to dive deeper into learning about them. Also, look at my page Ancient Civilizations for more ideas.

Studying about Ancient Mesopotamia doesn’t have to be hard.

True, we call it the cradle of civilization.

Why? They created writing, formed governments and built huge cities.

10 Interesting Facts About Mesopotamia And Unit Study Outline

And I’m sharing more than just 10 interesting facts about Mesopotamia.

For example, studying about some of the fascinating cities like Ur, Babylon and Sumer and how they lived should be presented in hands-on lessons.

Besides, try cuneiform writing while you learn that it was one of the earliest forms of writing.

Using a wedge-shaped tool that was pressed into clay they recorded important dates.

And the story The Epic of Gilgamesh is a legend still told today and his quest to find the secret to immortality.

BOOKS ABOUT ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA FOR KIDS

First, look at these books about Ancient Mesopotamia.

6 Books to Read About Ancient Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia is a region situated within the Tigris–Euphrates River system, in the northern part of the Fertile Crescent. Today, Mesopotamia occupies modern Iraq.  In the broader sense, the historical region included present-day Iraq and parts of present-day Iran, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey.

Gilgamesh the King (The Gilgamesh Trilogy)

Gilgamesh, half-god and half-man, in his loneliness and isolation becomes a cruel tyrant over the citizens of Uruk. To impress them forever he orders a great wall to be built, driving his people to exhaustion and despair so that they cry to the Sun God for help.

The Golden Bull: A Mesopotamian Adventure

5,000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia during a terrible drought, Jomar and Zefa's father must send his children away to the city of Ur because he can no longer feed them. At fourteen, Jomar is old enough to apprentice with Sidah, a master goldsmith for the temple of the moongod, but there is no place for Zefa in Sidah's household. Zefa, a talented but untrained musician, is forced to play her music and sing for alms on the streets of Ur.

Science in Ancient Mesopotamia

Describes the enormous accomplishments of the Sumerians and Babylonians of ancient Mesopotamia in every scientific area, a heritage which affects our own everyday lives

Ancient Mesopotamia: The Sumerians, Babylonians, And Assyrians

Explores Sumerian, Babylonian, and Assyrian cultures, discussing social structure, lifestyles, and the military in these societies.

Lugalbanda: The Boy Who Got Caught Up in a War: An Epic Tale From Ancient Iraq

Lugalbanda woke with a jolt. He opened his eyes and what did he see but the terrible Anzu bird beating its wings in its nest high above. . . . Did he quake? Did he quail? No. Lugalbanda the Brave sat and stared, and into his head came a brilliant idea.

Mesopotamia (A True Book)

Presents the history of ancient Mesopotamia, describing the different groups of people who lived there, and their government, cities, everyday life, religion, and writing.

Next, look at some hands-on activities to go with the facts learned about Mesopotamia.

ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA ACTIVITIES

  • How to Make Unleavened Bread Ancient Mesopotamia Bread Recipe
  • Ancient Mesopotamian Ziggurat Activity
  • Hands-on Ancient Mesopotamia: Easy STEM Irrigation Activity
  • Ancient Mesopotamian Cuneiform Activity
  • Ancient Mesopotamia (Hands-on History): and Cook Sebetu Rolls
  • Epic of Gilgamesh for Kids
  • Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
10 Interesting Facts About Mesopotamia And Unit Study Outline

Also, look at these interesting facts about Mesopotamia.

10 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT MESOPOTAMIA

  1. Mesopotamians were excellent farmers, growing barley, wheat, and dates.
  2. The wheel was first used in Mesopotamia for making pottery.
  3. Ziggurats were huge pyramid-like structures built as temples to the gods.
  4. One of the earliest sets of written laws, called the Code of Hammurabi, came from Mesopotamia.
  5. Mesopotamia means “the land between two rivers.” It was located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
  6. Instead of one big kingdom, Mesopotamia had many small city-states.
  7. The Hanging Gardens is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
  8. Mesopotamians created a number system based on the number 60.
  9. Some more cool inventions by the Mesopotamians were the plow and sailboat.
  10. Rivers were important. For example, the Tigris and Euphrates rivers provided water for farming and helped with travel and trade.

Finally, look at this Mesopotamia Unit Study Outline.

ABOUT THE ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA UNIT STUDY OUTLINE

My Mesopotamia Unit Study Outline is a handy tool to help you teach or for child led learning.

There are many advantages to a unit study outline instead of a fully fleshed out study.

For example, look at these ways an outline guides your study.

  • Outlines give you a clear structure.
  • They help break down big tasks into manageable steps.
  • Extensive lessons plans can make some kids lose focus.
  • And outline keeps the main topics to be learned on topic.
  • In addition, you can go down rabbit trails IF you want to. However, for some kids it can be overwhelming. You have the option to go deep or stay on topic with an outline.
  • Looking at the outline at a glance is a super roadmap. Again, you can go straight to your destination or facts or stay longer on an objective.
  • By listing an objective it guides you as the teacher to add your own slant.

For example, look at the topics covered in this outline.

  1. Introduction
  2. Geography and Environment
  3. Ancient Mesopotamian Civilizations
  4. Agriculture and Irrigation
  5. Writing and Communication
  6. Religion and Beliefs
  7. Science and Technology
  8. Trade and Commerce
  9. Arts and Crafts
  10. Exploration and Legacy
  11. Culminating Activity

HOW TO USE THE OUTLINE

Each topic has two or three topics or objectives for the subject. You decide which ones to use.

And if you stay on 1 topic per week and cover all 9 topics it would equal a 9 week unit study.

Additionally, only use the objectives on the topic your child is interested in and move on to other unit studies. This would make a shorter unit study.

For example, cover the introduction and perhaps the Persian culture for younger children.

Then save the other topics for when your children are older.

You will like this unit study outline if:

  • you want the freedom to flesh out topics and not be tied to day to day lesson plans
  • you prefer to flesh out day to day lesson plans or do not prefer them at all and
  • you want a guide for topics to study so you have a sweeping overview of the unit.

You will not like this unit study outline if:

  • you want to day to day lesson plans guiding each day and worksheets and
  • you don’t want to teach all your kids together.

HOW TO GET THE MESOPOTAMIA UNIT STUDY OUTLINE

You can download the printable Mesopotamia Unit Study Outline now!

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10 Interesting Facts About Mesopotamia And Unit Study Outline
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Leave a CommentFiled Under: My Unit Studies {Free Printables & Hands-on Ideas} Tagged With: ancient civilizations, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, history, homeschool, mesopotamia, unit study outline

4 Weeks Free Spring Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

February 24, 2025 | Leave a Comment
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I have a free spring unit study today. Also, look at my page Best Homeschool Unit Studies.

Spring marks the end of winter and the beginning of warmer weather.

It’s a time when animals get out of hibernation, flowers are blooming, and the days are getting longer.

So, I’m doing a 4 week free study and hands-on ideas.

4 Weeks Free Spring Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

Too, it’s a time of the year when the weather can be very unpredictable.

And spring officially begins with the spring equinox. This normally happens around March 21.

The spring equinox is the day in spring when there are 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness.

As you can see there are many topics and subjects we can cover this spring unit study for multiple ages.

BOOKS ABOUT THE SPRING SEASON FOR KIDS

First, look at some of these books to use to learn about various spring topics.

10 Books About Spring for Multiple Ages

I’ve listed books for all ages in this list. Some you can read aloud and others be read anytime.

That's What Happens When It's Spring!

When is it spring?" a child wonders. "Come, I'll show you," Mommy answers. Out in the flower bed tiny green knobs are peeping out of the ground. "That will be a tulip and this a crocus!" Mommy says. That's what happens when it's spring! The signs, sounds, colors, and special feelings of spring come alive as they are experienced through the eyes of a youngster.

Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring

As days stretch longer, animals creep out from their warm dens, and green begins to grow again, everyone knows―spring is on its way!Join a boy and his dog as they explore nature and take a stroll through the countryside, greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of conversations with everything from the melting brook to chirping birds, they say goodbye to winter and welcome the lushness of spring.

The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady

This beautifully packaged facsimile of Edith Holden’s original diary is filled with a naturalist’s masterful paintings and delightful observations chronicling the English countryside throughout 1906. As one of the few true records of the time in print, the handwritten thoughts and paintings contained in The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady transport readers to a more refined, romantic, and simpler time. Capitalizing on the current Downton Abbey–inspired appetite for Edwardian-era ephemera, fashions, and society, this reproduction brings readers back to a time in which propriety, civility, and an appreciation for the natural world reigned. This souvenir of a bygone era serves not only as a calming touchstone, but a reminder that as long as we choose to see it, we are still surrounded by beauty and grace. Presented to retain the charm and beauty of the original volume filled with Holden’s hand-drawn illustrations of the English countryside’s flora and fauna through the changing seasons of the year, as well as handwritten notes, observations, and quotations, The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady makes a lovely addition to any home’s library or side table.

Benny's Animals and How He Put Them in Order

Two boys, with the help of a professor at the museum, learn to divide their animal pictures into the proper groups.

The Tune is in the Tree

Annie Jo was a little girl like any other little girl. She was just about as big, too, as any other little girl her age. She had pigtails and for best occasions a plaid silk dress. Her father was an aviator (so the birds had a special feeling for him), and when he was delayed one day, and her mother went to hunt for him, and Mrs. Bunch, the sitter, sprained her ankle, the birds took charge of Annie Jo.Miss Ruby, the hummingbird, who understood magic, made her two and a half inches high. She learned to fly and visited the Robins, the Warblers, and the Thrushes. The perfidious Mrs. Cowbird was causing trouble as usual, laying her eggs in other birds' nests. (Mrs. Cowbird is a notable villainness.) And Annie Jo lost her plaid silk dress in a very curious way. But she got another one in time for Mrs. Oriole's ball, which occurred on the day Annie Jo returned to her normal size and home.

Springtime with Geraldine Woolkins (The Geraldine Woolkins Series)

Geraldine Woolkins has at last become a middle mouse, but navigating the waters of middle-mouse life isn’t easy. Her younger brother irritates her, her sparrow friend Penelope neglects her, and an elder mouse friend is becoming forgetful, making the entire Woolkins family anxious.

Everything is changing. And when Geraldine discovers that the best treasures of spring—fragrant spring flowers, a pond created by spring rainstorms—will one day disappear, she is heartbroken. Does nothing last forever? Does everything good change or fade?

Ten more stories follow the Woolkins mouse family—Papa, Mama, Geraldine, and Button—from April, a time of blossoming, to June, the month of long days.

How plants grow...

A simple introduction to botany.

Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities

A tree that sheds poison daggers; a glistening red seed that stops the heart; a shrub that causes paralysis; a vine that strangles; and a leaf that triggered a war. In Wicked Plants, Stewart takes on over two hundred of Mother Nature’s most appalling creations. It’s an A to Z of plants that kill, maim, intoxicate, and otherwise offend. You’ll learn which plants to avoid (like exploding shrubs), which plants make themselves exceedingly unwelcome (like the vine that ate the South), and which ones have been killing for centuries (like the weed that killed Abraham Lincoln's mother). Menacing botanical illustrations and splendidly ghastly drawings create a fascinating portrait of the evildoers that may be lurking in your own backyard. Drawing on history, medicine, science, and legend, this compendium of bloodcurdling botany will entertain, alarm, and enlighten even the most intrepid gardeners and nature lovers.

Trees, Leaves, Flowers and Seeds: A Visual Encyclopedia of the Plant Kingdom (DK Our World in Pictures)

Have you ever wondered which plants eat insects? Or how cacti store water? How about which flowers look like bees? Or where is the tallest tree in the world? If you find yourself seeking the answers to these quirky questions and so many more, then Trees, Leaves, Flowers & Seeds may be the book for you! Explore the incredible world of plants, from the smallest seeds to the tallest trees, whilst you discover all about the weirdest, smelliest and deadliest flowers on our planet, with this engaging encyclopedia for children aged 9-12. 

Flower Fairies of the Spring

First published in the 1920s, Cicely Mary Barker’s original Flower Fairies books have been loved for generations. Like the pre-Raphaelite painters whom she so admired, Barker believed in re-creating the beauty of nature in art and drawing from life. Her Flower Fairies watercolors have a unique combination of naturalism and fantasy that no imitators have matched. Now newly rejacketed in the style of bestseller Fairyopolis, this new edition makes a perfect gift for a new generation of Flower Fairy fans. The book features poems and full-color illustrations of over 20 flowers and their guardian fairies.

Now, look at some various activities that fit with the various topics below.

Begin first with some history and geography.

HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY SPRING UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 1

You can study a variety of topics from spring migrations to learning what farming is done in the spring

In addition, studying about how ancient civilizations welcomed spring is another topic.

And some more ideas are learn how ancient Egyptians grew gardens with flowers, herbs, and vegetables to celebrate spring and in ancient Greece, the arrival of spring was connected to the beginning of the Olympic Game.

Also, look at more ideas.

  • John Muir Spring Unit Study (and Hands-on Geography Ideas)
  • Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests. Learn about the birds’ habitats
  • Learn About Indigenous Animal Geography Fun Activity for Preschool to Elementary
  • Free Toad and Frog Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
  • Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study. Learn about famous trees while learning about the place they call home in the world.

NATURE & SCIENCE SPRING UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 2

Then, there are a variety of ways to learn about the nature and science of spring.

  • Middle School Homeschool Science 50 Free Spring Activities
  • American Robin Free Printables, Resources and Crafts
  • California Landmarks With Naturalist John Muir | How To Make A Poppy Craft
  • Rainbow In A Jar Science Experiment
  • STEM for Kids: Egg Drop Project
  • How to Teach Kids About Germination!
  • How to Make a Fun Kids Root Viewer
  • Free Carnivorous Plants Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
  • Fascinating and Fun Honey Bees Unit Study and Lapbook for Kids
  • Fun DIY Felt Frog Dissection With Frog Insides Labeled Mess Free (Free Printables)
  • 4 Weeks Free Plant Unit Study And Best Hands-On Ideas
  • Homeschool Kindergarten Life Science – Hands-on Fun Nature Tree Study
  • Spring Science Activity for Kids: Chromatography Flowers
  • Coloring Carnations Science Experiment for Kids
  • 8 Peter Rabbit Garden Ideas | How To Make A Preschool Garden Box
  • How to Easily Make Fun Seed Tape With Kids
  • Free Printable Strawberries Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
  • 7 Easy Cloud Crafts For Preschoolers | Types of Clouds Activity

In addition, create a spring weather map. Some places are warm and others are chilly.

Spring begins with a special event called the spring equinox.

4 Weeks Free Spring Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

Experiment with shadows on the spring equinox.

MATH & LANGUAGE ARTS SPRING UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 3

Next, you’ll love the fun math and language art ideas.

And spring is an especially fun time to measure everything from shadows to the height of flowers. It’s a fun way to spend time outdoors learning.

Too, learn about geometry like hexagonal shapes of beehives and triangles of tree branches.

Challenge your kids to make patterns with pieces of nature bits.

Learn about grids through planting a garden.

  • The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study and Free Literary Terms Notebooking Pages and story die.
  • Spring File Folder Games (free)
  • Fun Mr Mcgregor’s Vegetable Garden Simple Frugal Math Activity
  • Flower Measurement Activities
  • Easy Spring Activities For Preschoolers Science And Fun Busy Book
  • Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning
  • Homemade Rain Gauge

Too, there are many ways to add language arts too. For example, write an acrostic poem using the word spring.

Also brainstorm and write a spring word bank. Then, have your kids use some of the words for a fun spring poem.

For your kids who love to journal, keep a spring journal and be sure to include sketches of all spring writing.

In addition, focus on idioms. For instance, “April showers bring May flowers.”

ARTS & CRAFTS SPRING UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 4

  • Fun Groundhog Facts For Kids and Free Printable Games
  • How to Easily Make a Simple and Fun Kids DIY Flower Press
  • How to Make Easy DIY Bird Feeders With Kids
  • Learn about spring through watercolor art.
  • Create a spring flower crown for your littles.
  • 10 Egg Carton Crafts For 2 Year Olds and Fun Nature Color Match Activity
  • Facts About Wildflowers And a Fun Felt Texas Bluebonnet Craft
  • Fun Kids Activity How to Make Wildflower Seed Bombs
  • How to Make an Easy Jumbo Stick Bird Feeder with Kids
  • Perfect time to learn about the colors of the rainbow. Alphabet Letter R is for Rainbow Craft for Preschool | Fun Rain Mobile
  • Make a spring sensory bin.
  • Are Daisies Wildflowers | How to Make a Wildflower Pounding Towel
  • Hands-On Mixed Media Flower Art Fun Nature Study

MORE SPRING UNIT STUDY RESOURCES

  • 10 More Spring Study Free Resources for Middle and High School Kids
  • Free Wildflowers Unit Study & Lapbook
  • The World of Plants: The Educational Value of a Plant Lapbook
  • Quick Groundhog Day Unit Study and Fun Cupcake Activity for Kids.

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

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