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National STEM Day – Popsicle Sticks for Creative DIY STEM Projects

November 8, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you’re looking for DIY stem projects, you’ll love these ideas for National Stem Day.

What is so great about STEM?

A STEM activity is one that incorporates one or more of its components.

Science,
technology,
engineering, and math in a learning activity.

Stem is hands-on which is always a great method for learning.

National STEM Day - Popsicle Sticks for Creative DIY STEM Projects

It teaches children about science and technology, problem solving, critical thinking, curiosity, accepting failure, initiative, flexibility, creativity, innovation, and so much more.

It has its place in your homeschool whether you are an unschooler, Charlotte Mason, classical, or eclectic family.

Careers in STEM

There are many fascinating careers in STEM that your child might be interested in-

Computer Sciences
Software Developer
Web Developer
Mechanical Engineer
Statistician
Mathematician
Actuary
Accountant
Cartographer
Aeronautics-aviation, aerospace, and astronautics
Biology
Biotechnology
Chemistry
Civil Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Environmental Science

This isn’t even an exhaustive list just some that jumped out at me.

Popsicle sticks are an amazing homeschool tool.

And you have probably used them for art projects but have you ever considered their many uses as a STEM tool?

They open an amazing world of possibilities for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

In addition, they are inexpensive, very versatile and easy to get your hands on.

It’s a great idea to keep a bunch on hand in different sizes for all sorts of projects.

Jumbo ones are fun and oversized.

And Rainbow popsicle sticks add a little flair and color to your projects.

Too, standard popsicle sticks the backbone of most diy stem projects.

More STEM Resources

If you want to put together a STEM kit for your young scientists, mathematicians, or engineers to tinker with these are a few more great items you might want to add to your supplies.

First, look at these LED lights.

Next, add copper tape.

Too, rubber bands are important.

Binder clips, rulers, pipe cleaners and lithium batteries.

Finally, look at these STEM ideas.

13 Fantastic Popsicle Stick STEM Activities

Medieval Catapult. Try this Medieval catapult using the oversized jumbo craft sticks, catapults are a great lesson in force, mass, and acceleration.
100 Brilliant STEM Activities Using Everyday Items.
STEM: Build a Da Vinci Parachute Activity
Popsicle Stick Chain Reaction. Teach your child about potential energy turning into kinetic energy and chain reactions by giving them the tools they need to create an exploding chain reaction.
Popsicle Stick Gears. These are a great way to learn about mechanical concepts, simple machines, motion and force. This is a great basic project to use as a springboard for more advanced activities.
Craft Stick Crossbow. Not only is this tiny crossbow fun but it teaches physics lessons in force, energy, motion, trajectory and projectiles.
Rubber Band Powered Boat. Launch this lesson on potential energy on the water. Popsicle sticks and rubber bands are all you need.
STEM and Geography: How to Build an Ancient Viking Ship
Rubber Band Powered Car. Same concept but on firm ground rather than the water. Use the stored potential energy in the tightly round rubber band to launch a car
LED Flashlight. Explore circuits, positive and negative charges,
Newton’s Cradle. What a fun way to learn about kinetic energy with Newton’s Third Law of Motion. “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” Kids love that clickety clack perpetual motion
Truss Bridge With Craft Sticks, The STEM activity of building bridges gives your child a hands-on opportunity to learn about engineering through weight distribution, gravity, changing loads, and tension.
STEM Ferris Wheel. Enjoy a turn on a popsicle stick ferris wheel that introduces axles, problem solving, creating symmetrical sides, and engineering with a fun activity.

The Journey Through Time #2 Back In Time Ancient Rome Fun Mosaic

November 7, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

The Geronimo Stilton The Journey Through Time #2: Back In Time has your kids going back in time to Ancient Rome. If you love the Geronimo Stilton Books, you’ll love this craft which is making a fun mosaic.

Traveling with this wandering mouse we will be introduced to Romulus and Remus, the birth of Rome, the official language of Ancient Rome, fashions of the time, thermal baths, and chariot races.

The Journey Through Time #2 Back In Time Ancient Rome Fun Mosaic

There are even some puny Roman jokes.

I always learn so much myself from just a small section of Geronimo Stilton’s adventures and The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time (Geronimo Stilton Special Edition) is no different.

The series of books really weave so much about that time into an entertaining story with colorful inviting words, images, and a storyline that draws in the most reluctant readers.

About Ancient Mosaics

Today, we are going to be creating a Roman mosaic in honor of Geronimo’s visit to Ancient Rome.

We did a profile of a Roman soldier but you can choose anyone or anything you like to make.

This hands-on activity is great for learning about history through an ancient art form, working fine motor skills, and you can create a special piece to display.

A mosaic is just a picture or pattern that is made with small pieces of ceramic tile.

The Romans used to create very large and elaborate mosaic pieces, covering walls and sometimes the entire floor in their art.

Be sure you grab the SuperToob Ancient Rome to go along with your study.

What can you use these cute little figures for?

There are lots of ways to use them to compliment a unit and they come in so many themes.

Introduce a new unit with a fun set up.
Sensory Bins
Dioramas
Model for art projects
Shadow boxes
Cake/cupcake toppers

Then, add in more fun Ancient Rome activities.

Ancient Rome Activities

Here are a few more fun activities to include.

Homeschool Pop Ancient Rome For Kids video on YouTube.
Free printable Ancient Rome Definition Cards
Ancient Rome Hands on History, Paint a Jester.
Paper Dolls of Ancient History. Scroll down a bit for Rome.
Create an Edible Roman Road, use those Ancient Romans from the Toobs.
How to Make an Easy Roman Helmet & Shield & A Set of Printable Wings
Really jump into the study with this Ancient Civilization Lapbook.
As alternate or supplement to this project you could have your Minecraft loving kid create a mosaic art project in the game. The blocks are a perfect representation of the little mosaic squares.

Here are some ideas for additional mosaic tile art subjects you could choose from which keep with the Ancient Rome theme.

Colosseum
Columns
Soldier
Gladiator
Triumphal Arch
Pottery
Parthenon
Laurel Wreath
Roman gods and goddesses

Too, I recommend that you stick with a simple image for your first project, two to three colors max.

It is a lot of gluing and arranging.

Once your children get the hang of it, the sky is the limit.

Hands-on History Ancient Rome Mosaic

You could also try making a mosaic of your dog, a cup of coffee, a video game controller, or whatever interests you.

I used cardstock.

But you could also upcycle colorful magazine pages and sort the colors for your project, use construction paper, or paint sample cards would be great.

You will need:

Cardstock
Scissors or paper cutter
Glue stick

Choose what image you want to create.

Then lightly draw the most important outlines and features with a pencil.

You don’t need to be detailed just get the general shape down.

Grab cardstock in the colors you will need and cut them in about ½” strips with scissors or paper cutter.

Next, cut the strips down into ½” pieces.

I cut some slightly larger and smaller to help fill in different areas.

Add any details you want to put in your picture first, then work around them like the eyes and mouth.

Apply glue in small sections and work on one color at a time to fill in completely.

I found that it was easiest to do the outline of the particular section first and then fill in.

Continue gluing and pressing down squares until your piece is completely filled in.

Once the glue is completely dry, lay it under a heavy book for a few hours to flatten if you like.

Other Geronimo Stilton Chapter Book Activities

What do you think? Ready to try another fun Geronimo Stilton activity?

How to Easily Match the Homeschool Classical Approach With Learning Style

November 6, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I’m showing you how to easily match the homeschool classical approach with Homeschool Learning Styles.

And knowing that a classical approach is where families put emphasis on learning from ancient minds of the past allows you make the right choice for your family.

How to Easily Match the Homeschool Classical Approach With Learning Style

Further, here are some characteristics of the classical approach.

Look at four characteristic of the classical approach are

There is a heavy emphasis on learning ancient languages like Greek and Latin.
Language arts is a main subject.
History is learned chronologically.
Too, education focused on history of the Western Civilization.

What is a Classical Approach

I’ve read and used many definitions of what is a classical education through the years.

However, simple definitions are best.

And one simple definition of classical education is that it’s not image focused but language focused.

Much time is spent on communication of words, both oral and written.

In addition learning is patterned after the way a child’s mind matures and is divided into 3 stages.

The first stage is the elementary stage which is called the grammar stage. Kids this age love learning rules and lists.

And the second stage which is middle school is called the logic stage. At this age, children start to think more analytically.

Last, the third stage which is high school is called the rhetoric stage where children learn to write with originality.

Additionally, one of the best books I’ve read about classical education is The Well-Trained Mind.

How to Match Learning Style with the Classical Approach

As you can see, if you want your kids to have intensive language arts focus then you want to follow the classical approach.

However, matching learning styles to classical approach is not as easy.

As the parents we may have goals, but the way our child learns may be different.

For example, if you child learn better by images, then you may only be able to incorporate certain parts of the classical approach.

In addition, children who have a learning style of learning through hands-on may not do well with classical education.

The classical education approach does not tout a hands-on learning style approach.

For example, a child who is very book-ish will flourish with classical education.

Children who love words and language arts focus on writing and reading as subjects without being prompted.

However, it’s important to know what is your child’s learning style.

Why Your Child’s Learning Personality is Important

Because teaching styles are only part of choosing curriculum easily, I’ve included a link to my online course Identifying Your Homeschooled Child’s Learning Personality.

How to Determine the Best Learning Style Approach for Your Child? Determining the best learning style approach is much easier when you know about homeschool learning styles. A learning style is not something I thought about when I started homeschooling or even when my kids were struggling. However, had I taken time to learn what is the best learning style for each of my children, I would have saved myself unnecessary stress.

YOU WILL LEARN:

How to understand the way your child prefers to learn so that you can teach him in a way that he enjoys learning;
How to pinpoint your child’s learning personality;
A starting point in understanding (barring any special learning challenges or disabilities) and accepting your child’s preferred way of taking in information;
Understanding when the learning personality emerges; and
Teaching tips for each learning personality to stop the head-butting.

Other Homeschool Learning Style Resources

National Bison Day: Make Fun Oregon Trail Bison Jerky With Kids

November 5, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today is National Bison Day and to celebrate we made some Oregon Trail bison jerky. If you’re looking for a unit study on Westward expansion or Westward Ho Unit Study grab my ideas.

If you are studying pioneers and westward expansion you’ll have fun with your kids making my Oregon Trail bison jerky.

Cooking is a great way to learn about the times and work some practical life skills into your lessons.

National Bison Day: Make Fun Oregon Trail Bison Jerky With Kids

Westward expansion, wagon trains, pioneer life, wide open prairies, hopes of new and exciting lands full of game and promise- what a time it must have been.

It was also hard work, using what you could find, sicknesses on the trail, and eating whatever you could scare up.

I am still pretty sure I would happily don my bonnet and apron to load up in a wagon for that great adventure.

Oregon Trail Bison Jerky

One thing that was a staple for many on the Oregon Trail was bison.

A great way to preserve it was to turn it into jerky so it could be eaten longer.

Pioneers used the sun, wind, and smoke from carefully controlled fires to turn fresh meat into jerky.

The cooking method is very different today as well as the method of obtaining the bison.

However, it’s still fun to get as close as you can to what the pioneers on the Oregon Trail might have eaten.

What’s the Difference Between Buffalo and Bison

Aren’t they the same thing? They are not in fact.

Bison have large humps at the shoulders and bigger heads than buffalo do.

They also have beards and thick coats that they shed in warmer weather.

Cape and water buffalo are native to Africa and Asia. Bison can be found in North America and Europe.

Oregon Trail Hands-on Activities

Make a cute No Sew Pioneer Rag Doll like children might have taken with them on their journey.
Watch Sacagawea on Amazon prime for a different perspective on this time period.
10 Westward Expansion Hands-on History Activities
Paint some Pioneer Peg Dolls to recreate your family on the Oregon Trail.
7 Educational Movies for Kids About Westward Expansion
Free Westward Ho History Cards
Print out this Westward Expansion map lesson.
Explore the animals of the Wild West with a video that shares over two dozen of the animals that made up the westward area.

Grab these fun Westward Ho Coloring Pages to add to your fun Westward Expansion activities.

0. Westward Expansion History Fun 10 Coloring Pages
$1.75 Add to cart

Next, look at these books.

Westward Expansion Books and Resources

Add in a few books and one gameboard to your study.

10 Westward Expansion Resources

Add in a few books and resources to bring the study of the Oregon Trail to life during the United States expansion of the west.

Your Life as a Pioneer on the Oregon Trail (The Way It Was)

Your Life as a Pioneer on The Oregon Trail, has some funny illustrations and great information for this unit study.

Little House on the Prairie Series 7 Books Collection

Of course ALL the Little House Books are some of the best about pioneer life.

The Ingalls are the most famous pioneers and westward moving families.

Westward Expansion (A True Book: Westward Expansion)

A True Book: Westward Expansion takes readers on an amazing journey to a fascinating time in U.S. history when the country was experiencing dynamic change and expanding westward.

The Oregon Trail 4-Book Paperback Box Set Plus Poster Map

In this boxed set, choose your own trail and complete the journey to Oregon City with all four paperbacks in this exciting series! It's 1850 and your first goal is to get your family, covered wagon full of supplies, and oxen to Chimney Rock on time.

The Oregon Trail: Journey to Willamette Valley Boardgame

It's a race to Willamette Valley as you join the wagon train and seek your fortune in the West!

Apples to Oregon:

Apples, ho! When Papa decides to pull up roots and move from Iowa to Oregon, he can’t bear to leave his precious apple trees behind. Or his peaches, plums, grapes, cherries, and pears. Oh, and he takes his family along too.

Locomotive

It is the summer of 1869, and trains, crews, and family are traveling together, riding America’s brand-new transcontinental railroad. These pages come alive with the details of the trip and the sounds, speed, and strength of the mighty locomotives; the work that keeps them moving; and the thrill of travel from plains to mountain to
ocean

The California Gold Rush and the '49ers

Try your luck, and search for your fortune in California! Follow the joy and heartbreak of the '49ers during the California Gold Rush.

Daily Life in a Covered Wagon

In 1853, the Larkin family loaded up their wagons and headed west in search of a new life. But how did they do it? What did they eat? How did they survive sickness, and attacks from cattle thieves? Drawing on diaries and letters, and illustrated with photographs of actual object from the past, Daily Life in a Covered Wagon explored what life was really like on the wagon trail.

Covered Wagons, Bumpy Trails

Illustrations and simple rhyming text follow Mother, Father, and Baby John as they make the difficult journey by wagon to a new home across the Rocky Mountains in the fertile Sacramento Valley of California. By the creators of Gold Fever.

Additionally, here are a few tips about cooking with bison.

3 Tips on Cooking With Bison

Then a few final tips about bison before we begin.

I found ground bison at both Walmart and Target. But if you can’t find it or would just don’t care for it you can follow the same recipe with ground beef, choose the lowest fat beef you can find like 90/10.
If you think you will get more use out of it these jerky guns, it comes in handy for making your own out of all sorts of ground meat.
Ground beef jerky is much more brittle than that made from muscle. So you will need to take more care when storing or your pieces will end up as crumbs.

Finally, let’s make Oregon Trail jerky.

How to Make Oregon Trail Jerky

Here is what you need:

1 pound ground bison
½ teaspoon table salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
1 Tablespoon worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon onion flakes
⅛ teaspoon ground red pepper flakes

First, preheat your oven to 200℉.

Spray a large baking sheet well with nonstick cooking spray.

Place all the ingredients in a large bowl.

Mix well with your hands to completely combine.

If you have a jerky gun load the ingredients.

Follow the directions for making flat or tubular jerky, otherwise follow along with the rest of my steps/

Place the mixture between two large sheets of parchment paper or waxed paper and roll out to about ⅛” thickness.

Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut into 1”x 4” to 5” strips.

Transfer carefully to a large pan using a knife or spatula to lift each piece from the parchment paper.

Leave a little space between each so that the air circulates and they are able to dry evenly.

Bake for 2 hours, then flip each piece carefully and bake for another 2 hours or until completely dry.

Store in an airtight jar for up to a month.

I served ours up to try in little pockets I made from waxed paper.

Creative and DIY Free Homeschool Student Planner for Time Management

November 4, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

You’ll love tons of creative options with this free homeschool student planner. It’s just one of the many homeschool planners I have for you.

Today, I have the diy free homeschool student planner which you create.

Your child will love picking and choose from the forms to create a unique student planner.

Creative and DIY Free Homeschool Student Planner for Time Management

Besides, helping your student to track his lesson plans, a planner also encourages your child to be time conscious.

We know how important it is for our homeschooling day to be relaxed.

However, equally important is the art of time management. Managing time should not a stressful task.

It’s simply means allowing time to balance the day with what is meaningful to our family.

Children need to learn that too.

3 Ways a Homeschool Student Planner Encourages Time Management

Here are three ways a planner can encourage your child to manage his time.

1. It allows your child to choose which subject to cover first and in what order.

When your child orders the subjects or topics he wants to learn, he truly is learning how to self-educate.

For example, kids can be resistant to learning. I’ve learned through my 20+ years that choices matter – by your child.

They want some control to their day.

2. Failure is the BEST teacher.

For instance, if my child does not do what is required of him for the school day because he chose ;poorly how to manage the order in which the subjects are to be covered, it’s a valuable lesson.

Not only does he learn about managing his time for school subjects, but he is learning how to manage his time as an adult.

This is the foundation of how to start learning time management.

I don’t feel failure is a time of punishment but of education and experiment.

Of course it’s one thing for a child to be blowing off the day and another thing to learn how to manage.

You as the mom know if the child’s attitude was a lax one where discipline may be needed or if it truly was a failed attempt to manage his time.

As moms, we are constantly trying to find schedules and routines to suit us until we find something that is “doable”.

Your child should be allowed to do this while at home where he is learning independence and time management.

3. Decide if a timer is stress inducing or a time teacher.

Next, like all tools, they can have a negative or positive effect. A timer is no different.

Some kids respond well to a timer and others feel they’re in a race.

The goal in time management is to be learning to maximize the quality of time not focus on the passing of time.

Additionally, one of my lesson planning pages allows your child to track in 15 minute increments.

Some states require this type of tracking.

However, if your state does not, it still teaches your child the value of learning in short spurts.

Creative and DIY Free Homeschool Planner for Time Management

In addition, I have some high school planner covers.

Other Free Homeschool Student Planner Resources

Next, look at these other free resources:

How to Get the Free Planner Pages

Now, how to grab the free planner. 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) Sign up on my list.
2) Take your time downloading your freebie.
3) ) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!