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Welcome

7 Science Garden Ideas and Make a Pizza Container Garden

April 22, 2023 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I’m sharing some fun science garden ideas and a fun pizza container garden. You’ll love more ideas on my page Easy Seeds and Gardening Unit Study for Kids (Middle – Upper Elementary)

Turn a simple interest in gardening into a fun lesson with a great hands-on activity by picking up a couple of fresh herb plants, some soil, and whatever planter you have on hand.

This is a fun garden idea for preschoolers through high schoolers to get involved in, making it the perfect activity for the whole family.

7 Science Garden Ideas and Make a Pizza Container Garden

I have more science garden ideas for homeschooling that you can choose from.

Most families love pizza, so making a from-scratch pizza together, and adding fresh herbs that you grew with your hands makes it that much better.

Besides putting together a fabulous small herb garden you can also let the kids get creative juices flowing by creating their own plant labels to add to the garden as well.

Use this simply as a fun family activity or turn it into a unit study with books, additional gardening activities, cooking, and more.

In Farm Anatomy I found a treasure trove of information like how to grow tomatoes in various ways, tomato varieties, and even how to can tomatoes.

There are plenty of tips like bugs that are good vs. bad bugs for your garden.

And great herb illustrations as well as recipes.

More Science Garden Ideas

Next, look at more ideas to bring gardening, cooking, and science together.

  • How to Make Easy Herb and Olive Oil Garden Bread With Kids
  • How to Plan And Start an Easy Gardening Unit Study for Kids
  • George Washington Carver Fun Peanut Quick Unit Study & Notebooking Pages
  • Gardening Projects For Homeschool Easy Composting With the Amazing Dr. George Carver (Free Printable About Compost)
  • LEGO is good for everything. Check out How to Easily Garden Plan With Kids Using LEGO.
  • This simple activity is great for younger learners- Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity.
  • Kinder Gardening to Celebrate Nature and Science
  • Keep birds out of your garden with Painted Garden Rocks.
  • Cherokee Garden Pan Bread
  • This dinosaur garden is a fun activity reminiscent of fairy gardens, perfect for little hands.

Additionally, here are some fun books about gardening and ideas.

11 Gardening With Kids Books & Fun Resources

As a true bibliophile no unit study would be complete without a strong list of books to support a topic. Here is a great list for everyone in the family.

Image for Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of Country Life

Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of Country Life

Learn the difference between a farrow and a barrow, and what distinguishes a weanling from a yearling. Country and city mice alike will delight in Julia Rothman’s charming illustrated guide to the curious parts and pieces of rural living. Dissecting everything from the shapes of squash varieties to how a barn is constructed and what makes up a beehive to crop rotation patterns, Rothman gives a richly entertaining tour of the quirky details of country life. 

Image for The Garden Classroom: Hands-On Activities in Math, Science, Literacy, and Art

The Garden Classroom: Hands-On Activities in Math, Science, Literacy, and Art

Packed with garden-based activities that promote science, math, reading, writing, imaginative play, and arts and crafts, The Garden Classroom offers a whole year of outdoor play and learning ideas—however big or small your garden.

Image for Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt:

Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt:

Explore the secret realm beneath the dirt that brings the world of nature to life: Follow a young girl and her grandmother on a journey through the year planning, planting, and harvesting their garden—and learn about what's happening in the dirt to help make it all happen.Up in the garden, the world is full of green—leaves and sprouts, growing vegetables, ripening fruit. But down in the dirt exists a busy world—earthworms dig, snakes hunt, skunks burrow—populated by all the creatures that make a garden their home

Image for Gardening Lab for Kids: 52 Fun Experiments to Learn, Grow, Harvest, Make, Play, and Enjoy Your Garden

Gardening Lab for Kids: 52 Fun Experiments to Learn, Grow, Harvest, Make, Play, and Enjoy Your Garden

A refreshing source of ideas to help your children learn to grow their own patch of earth, Gardening Lab for Kids encourages children to get outside and enjoy nature. This fun and creative book features 52 plant-related activities set into weekly lessons, beginning with learning to read maps to find your heat zone, moving through seeds, soil, composting, and then creating garden art and appreciating your natural surroundings.

Image for The Ultimate Guide to Gardening: Grow Your Own Indoor, Vegetable, Fairy, and Other Great Gardens

The Ultimate Guide to Gardening: Grow Your Own Indoor, Vegetable, Fairy, and Other Great Gardens

Whether inside or outside, decorative or edible, this book is full of gardening projects large and small. Easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions are accompanied by photographs that guide the aspiring gardening through planting all kinds of gardens.

Image for Kids Gardening Set

Kids Gardening Set

MONTESSORI FOR TODDLERS: Our gardening tool set encourages kids to play outside & learn about plants, nature & sustainability. Perfect for the yard and sand box.

OUTDOOR LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Our Kids Garden Set is great for Occupational Therapy & Developing Fine Motor Skills. Suitable for Boys and girls.

Image for Do-It-Yourself Garden Research Handbook - The Thinking Tree: How to Design, Plant, & Care for Your Own Garden! Homeschooling Science, Nature & Home Economics

Do-It-Yourself Garden Research Handbook - The Thinking Tree: How to Design, Plant, & Care for Your Own Garden! Homeschooling Science, Nature & Home Economics

A Gardening Research Workbook & Planning Guide for Teens, Kids and Families! Perfect for Homeschooling Science, Nature Study, Botany and Home Economics!

Designed for teens, but perfect for Ages 9+ (Younger students will need some extra help).

Image for Raised Garden Bed Wood Planter Boxes Outdoor for Kids with Legs

Raised Garden Bed Wood Planter Boxes Outdoor for Kids with Legs

{Raised Garden Bed for Kids} We designed the children raised garden bed carefully, so that your children can feel the happiness of plant growth and the magic of natural life. Our raised garden bed deep enough to provide your plants and vegetables with ample room to breathe and grow healthy.

Image for From Seed to Plant

From Seed to Plant

Flowers, trees, fruits—plants are all around us, but where do they come from?  With simple language and bright illustrations, non-fiction master Gail Gibbons introduces young readers to the processes of pollination, seed formation, and germination.  Important vocabulary is reinforced with accessible explanation and colorful, clear diagrams showing the parts of plants, the wide variety of seeds, and how they grow.  The book includes instructions for a seed-growing project, and a page of interesting facts about plants, seeds, and flowers.   A nonfiction classic, and a perfect companion for early science lessons and curious young gardeners.

Image for National Geographic Readers: Seed to Plant

National Geographic Readers: Seed to Plant

Kids see plants, flowers, and trees around them every day. In this lively and educational reader, they'll learn how those plants grow. Kids will take this magical journey from seed pollination to plant growth, learning about what plants need to thrive and grow with the same careful text, brilliant photographs, and the fun approach National Geographic Readers are known for.

Image for Oh Say Can You Seed? All About Flowering Plants

Oh Say Can You Seed? All About Flowering Plants

An easy and fun introduction to plant biology! With the able assistance of Thing 1 and Thing 2 - the Cat in the Hat explores the world of plants. Kids will learn about the various parts of plants, seeds, and flowers; basic photosynthesis and pollination; and seed dispersal.

Next, look at this fun gardening idea of doing a pizza container garden.

7 Science Garden Ideas and Make a Pizza Container Garden

Now, you can absolutely start your herb and vegetable garden from seeds but for new gardeners, I highly suggest that you start with plants.

How to Make Pizza Herb Garden

This helps keep the kids excited about the project as it speeds up the time from planting to harvest quite a bit.

You will need the following:

  • Basil Plant
  • Oregano Plant
  • Pepper Plant
  • Tomato Plant
  • Potting Soil
  • Large or multiple containers for planting
  • Wood craft sticks
  • Sharpie markers

Directions:

Start with a good-sized container with drainage holes.

Fill the container ¾ of the way with potting soil.

Press the tomato cage down into the soil so that it is secure.

Since I used a container that wouldn’t allow enough of the supports to go in, I bent the ends up about 5” and pressed it in the soil nearly to the bottom.

7 Science Garden Ideas and Make a Pizza Container Garden

Carefully remove each plant from the pot and spread it out around your container.

You don’t want to overcrowd your pot. They may be small now, but plants will grow quickly with proper care.

For the tomato plant, you want to put it inside the cage, laying on its side up to the first set of leaves.

7 Science Garden Ideas and Make a Pizza Container Garden

Add your other herbs, spacing them as far apart as you can.

7 Science Garden Ideas and Make a Pizza Container Garden

Looking good already, right?

7 Science Garden Ideas and Make a Pizza Container Garden

Water until the soil is soaked.

7 Science Garden Ideas and Make a Pizza Container Garden

Paint each craft stick a fun color to help them last a little longer outdoors, allowing them to dry completely.

Write out the names of your plants onto the craft stick with permanent markers or paint pens, let them get creative, and draw pictures or simple doodles on them if they want.

Add your labels to the plants in the pots to keep track.

For the first week or two you will want to make sure that your water well every day.

After that several times a week, keep an eye out for weeds.

Even in a container, weeds will make their way through draining holes or some spread seeds by floating.

7 Science Garden Ideas and Make a Pizza Container Garden

1 CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: earthscience, garden, gardening, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, life science, science

A Homeschooler’s Quick and Painless Introduction To Learning Styles

April 21, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a quick introduction to learning styles. And grab my other tips I have on my page homeschool learning styles.

Also, it’s not necessary to be concerned about educationalese so learning about homeschool learning styles should be painless.

It’s not necessary to understand all the jargon of learning styles like I tried to do.

A Homeschooler’s Quick and Painless Introduction To Learning Styles

Too, I want you to know why it’s important to understand this brief introduction to homeschool learning styles prior to choosing curriculum.

Additionally, I want you to understand these 3 things.

  • you need to understand your child’s weaknesses and strengths.
  • that you should tailor curriculum to meet your child’s learning personality and
  • the more you educate yourself and your child the better you’re equipped to meet his needs.

Introduction to Learning Styles

First, it’s important to success as homeschool educators to understand our children and ourselves.

For example, as parents we know from the time our children are born, they have a definite personality.

In addition, we have pre-set ideas of how to raise them.

However, their personality and our ideas of how to homeschool can collide.

So, you need to understand your child’s weakness and strengths so you can best know how to homeschool him.

Better yet you want your child to excel in life as well.

What is a Learning Style

Although some scientific studies want to complicate the simple, here is my simple definition.

A learning style is the way a person prefers to learn. It goes beyond visual, kinesthetic, and auditory. It involves the way a person feels, senses, and thinks about certain topics. Also, it is a preferred way to interact with new information and it involves their personality. And to accept the differences in people and understand there is no reason to change a person because differences are a good thing.

The reason so many educators can be overwhelmed is that they try to make it science to understand how the brain works.

While it’s true that studying the brain is vital and it is science, it’s equally important to know that we will never know all that affects our brain, emotions, and personality.

Key to moving forward in teaching children is accepting their personality and understanding that they we should not try to change them.

We only see what children can do and how they interact and will never be able to know everything about the brain.

True, we want to nurture them and pass on what we know.

However, that is much different than changing something about somebody that we have no control over. If a child is born with black hair, then it’s black.

As absurd as it is, we don’t insist we have a child who is blonde headed even if he or she dyed their hair.

We’re born with certain traits which can’t be changed no matter how much we may hide them.

Why should we tailor our curriculum to meet our child’s needs?

Next, another point to know is that tailor curriculum to a child’s learning style is not coddling them.

Just as you have a preferred teaching style your child has a preferred way to learn.

Each of your children began to walk and talk at different times, not the exact same day.

So, when our curriculum is varied it means we accept and recognize differences.

And you recognize that just because one math program works for one child it doesn’t mean it will for the next child.

Again, this is because there are differences in our learning personality that need to be recognized.

When a child loses self-confidence or thinks he is weird because he doesn’t comprehend our teaching method then the curriculum is counterproductive.

We simply cannot expect each of our children to be the same and this is because they each have different learning personalities.

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 Childs 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.

Moreover, look at the resources to help you understanding learning styles.

Homeschool Learning Style and Personality Book Helps and How to of Homeschooling

Arming yourself with more information as to how children learn and how to teach them best should be part of every homeschool library.

Our goal in homeschooling is to be the best teacher and learn how OUR kids learn best and not every child or grade level.

Image for 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers: When You Don't Know Where to Begin

31 Day Boot Camp 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! 

Image for How to Get Your Child Off the Refrigerator and On to Learning

How to Get Your Child Off the Refrigerator and On to Learning

Carol Barnier knew that her son -- more likely to be sitting on the table (or the refrigerator) than in his chair -- was worthy of high expectations. She also knew that he could easily miss achieving them if she didn't find the right key to unlock his capacity to learn. Carol found volumes of information on how to recognize the challenges in ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) children, how to manage them, how to discipline them, and how to accept them. But no one told her how to teach her son math tomorrow. In her search for solutions, she developed techniques that are not only fun for all children, but highly successful with any child who struggles with focus.

Image for The Big What Now Book of Learning Styles: A Fresh and Demystifying Approach

The Big What Now Book of Learning Styles: A Fresh and Demystifying Approach

All children want to learn, but so often we give students a key to unlock their understanding of a new concept only to discover that it was the wrong key. The question then becomes, WHAT NOW? Carol Barnier delivers a fresh and demystifying approach to learning styles. You'll find answers and so much more. You, the newly energized "Keeper of the Keys," will now have access to the following ideas that will help you find the right key to unlock a love of learning in your K-12th grade child:

More Homeschool Learning Style Resources

  • A Easy Introduction for Homeschool Parents to the List Of Learning Styles
  • 8 Best Classical Style History Curriculum for a Classical Learning Style
  • What Are The 5 Learning Styles to Know to Form a Powerful Homeschool Foundation
  • How to Easily Match the Homeschool Classical Approach With Learning Style
  • How to Fuse Personality and Learning Styles to Choose the BEST Homeschool Curriculum
  • Mega List of Workbook Style Homeschool Curriculum For K to 12 Kids
  • 3 Veteran’s Superb Tips to Understand Homeschool Learning Style Differences
  • 6 Easy Ways to Identify the Charlotte Mason Homeschool Style
  • How to Determine the Best Learning Style Approach for Your Child?
  • What Are the Homeschool Top Main 5 Learning Styles
  • Practical Tips for Learning Styles 
  • Discovering Learning Styles
  • How Understanding Homeschool Teaching Styles Makes You Successful
  • 35+ Best Homeschool Curriculum By Learning Style (free printable)
  • How Homeschool Learning Styles Helps You to Accept Each Childs Differences
  • What Are the Top 5 Homeschool Styles
A Homeschooler’s Quick and Painless Introduction To Learning Styles

Your children are so much more capable of learning than we sometimes give them credit for. Understanding their learning personality unlocks the power of learning.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Determine Learning Styles, Tips for Learning Styles Tagged With: learning, learning styles, learningstyles

Free Homeschool Grading and Schedule Forms For Your Homeschool Planner

April 20, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have free editable homeschool grading, editable teacher and student schedule forms, field trip tracking forms, general weekly planning forms and more for your homeschool planner.

Also, remember to look at my page for the 7 Step DIY Curriculum Planner where I take your step by step to create your own free planner.

Besides when you’re creating a planner you need many different types of planning forms throughout the years.

Free Homeschool Grading and Schedule Forms For Your Homeschool Planner

Today I not only have homeschool grading forms but I have forms to help you plan your schedule.

Schedules can get a bad reputation because you may think they bring stress.

However, it’s not the schedule which brings stress, but it’s the lack of a framework for the day.

Moreover, schedules are a guide to your day not a dictator.

Too, if you want more explanation on each of these forms, look at my page 7 Step Curriculum Planner Step 5b. Choose MORE Unique Forms JUST for You

Editable Homeschool Grading Forms and More

Also, look at these 16 free forms which come in the download.

  • 3 Student Grading Sheet (Editable) – if you want to keep all your students on one page use this form.
  • 1 Student Grading Sheet (Editable) – if you have an older child you need to track for high school use this form and the one above.
  • Grade Keeper w/ Subjects (Editable)
  • Teacher Schedule (Editable) – This homeschool teacher editable teacher schedule helped me to balance my time between my children.
  • Student Monthly Progress Report
  • Multiplication Chart- I have 2 of these forms so that your child can place in his student planner or add it to a math notebook.
  • Field Trip Tracking Guide – You’ll love tracking your field trips with this useful form.
  • Student Schedule (Editable)
  • Field Trip Planner
  • Kindergarten Evaluation – Also use this form to evaluate your child for kindergarten readiness.
  • Preschool Progress Report – Addtionally use this form to evaluate your preschool child.
  • General Weekly Planning Form
  • Multiplication Chart (Color)

Additionally, here are some pretty things I love having in my planner.

15 Gorgeous Homeschool Planner Supplies

Whether you add a bit of eye candy or consider it essential supplies, you'll love some of these ideas.

Image for Poppin Zip Folios, Aqua

Poppin Zip Folios, Aqua

Set of 3 slide-tab reusable plastic envelopes

Image for Poppin Page Markers, Set of 8

Poppin Page Markers, Set of 8

Poppin Page Markers, Set of 8
Image for Retractable Gel Luxe Pens

Retractable Gel Luxe Pens

Love how these write.

Image for Bubble Shape Sticky Notes

Bubble Shape Sticky Notes

8 Bright Colors: Including blue, light blue, green, yellow, orange, rose red, pink and purple; colorful memo pads that look good and are hard to ignore.

Image for Light Soft Color Erasable Highlighter Pen

Light Soft Color Erasable Highlighter Pen

Highlighter Pen, 6 Color Set 
Image for 6-in-1 Multicolor Ballpoint Pen

6-in-1 Multicolor Ballpoint Pen

I love these because every color you need is available in one pen.

Image for Plastic Binder Dividers with Pockets

Plastic Binder Dividers with Pockets

You can add dividers to your planner by cutting off just a bit of it and it still can be coil bound, but let the office personnel where you take your planner to be bound to trim it for you.

Image for Eco-friendly Wood & Plastic Free Rainbow  Pencils

Eco-friendly Wood & Plastic Free Rainbow Pencils

RAINBOW PAPER PENCIL:The inner body of pencils is made of rainbow -like recycled papers.Premium #2 HB grade lead for smooth writing and drawing.

Image for Highlighter, Pastel Colors Chisel Tip Marker Pen

Highlighter, Pastel Colors Chisel Tip Marker Pen

USA Brand ZEYAR, AP Certified. BRIGHT COLORS: the assortment of Great bright Fluorescent or Macaron inks protect and emphasize your handwritten texts, No shadow on the next
page

Image for Bible Highlighters and Pens No Bleed

Bible Highlighters and Pens No Bleed

These work beautiful on your planners. Bible Safe Dry Highlighters: These no bleed highlighters are great for journaling and memorizing verses

Image for Glitter Washi

Glitter Washi

Package Include: you will receive 30 rolls of glitter washi tapes in 30 colors, each measuring about 2 meters/ 2.2 yards in length and 1 cm/ 0.4 inch in width, abundant in quantity, enough to satisfy your daily decorating and crafting needs

Image for BOSOBO Mouse Pad

BOSOBO Mouse Pad

► PERSONALIZED MOUSE PAD: Measure 7.9 x 7.9 x 0.1inch ( 200mm x 200mm x 3mm), small size but perfect size for work and game. Elegant geometric shape and exquisite illustration add personality to your office, perfect for all style desktop, office, home, computer, keyboard and mice.

Image for Canon PIXMA TR150 Wireless Mobile Printer

Canon PIXMA TR150 Wireless Mobile Printer

You don't need an expensive printer to print your homeschool planner. I've used this mobile printer for years.

Image for Eco Highlighter Pencils

Eco Highlighter Pencils

Eco Highlighter Pencils - Set of 5 Colors - Will Not Bleed or Dry Out - Includes Wooden Sharpener
Image for Semikolon Sticky Page Tab Markers

Semikolon Sticky Page Tab Markers

I've used these for years and love them.

More Free Homeschool Planner Forms

Look at the free forms for each STEP. Be sure to go to each link to get the free printables offered at each step.

  • STEP 1. Choose a Pretty Front & Back Cover.
  • STEP 2. Choose Calendars & Appointment Keepers
  • STEP 3.  Choose Goals & Objectives
  • STEP 4. Choose Lesson Planning Pages Right For YOU!
  • Step 5a. Choose Unique forms JUST for You!
  • 2023-2024 One Page Printable Calendar
  • 2023 to 2024 Two Page Monthly Calendar
  • School Year 2023-2024 Homeschool Planning Schedules
  • 31 Popular and Free Homeschool Planner Printables
  • 32 Free Beautiful Homeschool Planner Cover Pages
  • Homeschool Planner Supplies – Organizational Eye Candy
  • 4 Colorful and Editable Homeschool Lesson Plan Templates
  • Homeschool Planner Stickers
  • 3 Free High School Planner Cover Designs
  • 5 Beautiful and Detailed Planners for Homeschool Moms
  • Reasons a Paper Planner Is Better Than a Homeschool Online Planner
  • The Ultimate and Beautiful DIY Homeschool Unit Study Planner
  • Gorgeous 7 Step Free Homeschool Planner You Build
  • 6 Ways a Homeschool Daily Planner Beats a Weekly Planner
  • A Unique Flexible and Beautiful Preschool Homeschool Planner
Free Homeschool Grading and Schedule Forms For Your Homeschool Planner

Finally, look at how to grab the other free homeschool planning forms in my 7 Step Free Curriculum Planner.

How to Get the Free Homeschool Grading Form and Other Forms

Now, how to grab the free homeschool grading, editable teacher and student schedule forms, field trip tracking form, general weekly planning forms and more. This is a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get emails and this freebie instantly.

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: 2. My FREE Organizing Printables {Any topic} Tagged With: curriculum planner, curriculum planner. homeschool., homeschool curriculum planner, homeschool planner, homeschool planning, homeschoolplanner, homeschoolplanning, lesson planner, lessonplanning, planner, planning

Learn About African Art For Children And Make Fun Djembe Drums

April 19, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you’re learning about African art for children, you’ll love learning about djembe drums. Also, look at my pages Free Africa Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning | Free Continent & Country Reports and How to Make a Kids’ Fun Ceremonial African Tribal Mask for more ideas.

African Art, whether modern or historical, covers a wide range of items from elaborate masks to colorful jewelry, to bronze structure and instruments like the djembe drums.

The art of Africa tells powerful stories of culture, people, customs, animals, clothing, and history.

Learn About African Art For Children And Make Fun Djembe Drums

The djembe pronounced (GEM-bay) is one of West Africa’s most well-known instruments.

 It is a goblet-shaped drum and carved from a single piece of African hardwood.

A piece of dried animal skin functions as the drumhead.

The carvings and decorations on the djembe drums depict African designs, ceremonial tribal art, and imagery that tell stories and fables handed down through the ages.

Facts About African Art for Children

  • Masks were an important part of African art. Besides the art of designing mask, they were used with dance to create a type of performance art.
  • African masks are estimated to be over 20,000 years old.
  • Ancient African civilizations often made their jewelry from gold, gems, shells, and other materials.
  • African art is created in three dimensions.
  • Rock art is the earliest form of African art.
  • African art was made for more than just beauty. The art was used in everyday life like clothing, masks, jewelry, baskets, and dishes.

Also, here are more facts about Senegal and Gambia where djembe drums are more common.

Facts about Senegal and Gambia

To make a djembe drum often used in Senegalese and Gambian music, a hollow frame is carved out of a tree trunk.

Then, metal rings were used to stretch the animal skin over the top of the drum.

The sound and tone of the drums is made by twisting strings attached to the metal rings.

Drums have played an important part in West Africa societies.

Music is part of a larger ceremony which normally includes dance and storytelling.

Songs mark important stages in life.

  • Gambia is named after the Gambia River. The river’s banks are covered with mangrove swamps.
  • The main religion of the Gambia is Islam.
  • Since Britain once ruled Gambia, the main language is English.
  • Dakar is the capital city of Senegal and about 80% of the people are Muslim as well.
  • Only 40% of the people of Senegal can read and write. There are no government programs to help the poor.
  • Listen to the beautiful African drum music.

More Facts about the Geography of West Africa

  • West Africa has 19 countries and has the largest number of nations in Africa.
  • Some of the countries border the Atlantic Ocean and the countries between the Sahara Desert and coastal countries.
  • Some of the landscape consists of the desert, rain forest and coastal plains.
  • West Africa is famous for music and the arts.

Resources to Learn About Egypt in Northeast Africa

Additionally, you’ll love these other resources to learn about Egypt.

  • 7 Fun Ways to Play Go Fish Egyptian Games for Kids
  • Ancient Egypt DIY Simple and Fun Mummification Process Game
  • Egypt Crafts For Kindergarten Create a Fun Kid Sized Mummy
  • Fun Pharaohs and Queens Ancient Egypt Lapbook and Activities
  • Hands-On Ancient Egypt Craft: Create Canopic Jars
  • 11 Easy Hands-On Ancient Egypt Projects for Middle School.
  • Hands-on Ancient Egypt: Israelite Mud Bricks for Kids
  • Free Ancient Egypt Mehen Printable Board Game (Hands-on History)

Next, look at some of these books to add to your curriculum.

13 Resources for Children Studying About Africa

Add one or two of these books to your study about the art of Africa.

Image for Africa For Kids: People, Places and Cultures - Children Explore The World Books

Africa For Kids: People, Places and Cultures - Children Explore The World Books

Africa For Kids: People, Places, Culture gives children not only a peek into the land and its people but the artwork of even simple everyday items like weaving and serving plates.

Image for Africa Coloring Book For Kids!

Africa Coloring Book For Kids!

Here is a coloring book filled with African souvenirs to color that is soothing and a great springboard for discussion.

Image for African Patterns Scrapbook Paper

African Patterns Scrapbook Paper

I found this beautiful book of African Patterned Scrapbook paper that can be used for many craft projects.

Image for Africa, Amazing Africa: Country by Country

Africa, Amazing Africa: Country by Country

Atinuke’s first non-fiction title is a major publishing event: a celebration of all 55 countries on the African continent! Her beautifully-written text captures Africa’s unique mix of the modern and the traditional, as she explores its geography, its peoples, its animals, its history, its resources and its cultural diversity. The book divides Africa into five sections: South, East, West, Central and North, each with its own introduction. This is followed by a page per country, containing a delightful mix of friendly, informative text and colourful illustrations.

Image for Africa Is Not a Country

Africa Is Not a Country

Enter into the daily life of children in the many countries of modern Africa. Countering stereotypes, Africa Is Not a Country celebrates the extraordinary diversity of this vibrant continent as experienced by children at home, at school, at work, and at play.

Image for The Water Princess

The Water Princess

With its wide sky and warm earth, Princess Gie Gie’s kingdom is a beautiful land. But clean drinking water is scarce in her small African village. And try as she might, Gie Gie cannot bring the water closer; she cannot make it run clearer. Every morning, she rises before the sun to make the long journey to the well. Instead of a crown, she wears a heavy pot on her head to collect the water. After the voyage home, after boiling the water to drink and clean with, Gie Gie thinks of the trip that tomorrow will bring. And she dreams. She dreams of a day when her village will have cool, crystal-clear water of its own.

Image for Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions (Picture Puffin Books)

Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions (Picture Puffin Books)

Artists Leo and Diane Dillon won their second consecutive Caldecott Medal for this stunning ABC of African culture. "Another virtuoso performance. . . . Such an astute blend of aesthetics and information is admirable, the child's eye will be rewarded many times over."

Image for When Stars Are Scattered

When Stars Are Scattered

Omar and his brother Hassan, two Somali boys, have spent a long time in the Dadaab refugee camp. Separated from their mother, they are looked after by a friendly stranger. Life in the camp isn't always easy. The hunger is constant . . . but there's football to look forward to, and now there's a chance Omar will get to go to school . . .With a heart-wrenching fairytale ending, this incredible true story is brought to life by Victoria's stunning illustrations. This book perfectly depicts life in a refugee camp for 8-12 year olds.

Image for The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Young Reader's Edition

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Young Reader's Edition

When a terrible drought struck William Kamkwamba's tiny village in Malawi, his family lost all of the season's crops, leaving them with nothing to eat and nothing to sell. William began to explore science books in his village library, looking for a solution. There, he came up with the idea that would change his family's life forever: he could build a windmill. Made out of scrap metal and old bicycle parts, William's windmill brought electricity to his home and helped his family pump the water they needed to farm the land. Retold for a younger audience, this exciting memoir shows how, even in a desperate situation, one boy's brilliant idea can light up the world. Complete with photographs, illustrations, and an epilogue that will bring readers up to date on William's story, this is the perfect edition to read and share with the whole family.

Image for Things Fall Apart

Things Fall Apart

Things Fall Apart is the first of three novels in Chinua Achebe's critically acclaimed African Trilogy. It is a classic narrative about Africa's cataclysmic encounter with Europe as it establishes a colonial presence on the continent. Told through the fictional experiences of Okonkwo, a wealthy and fearless Igbo warrior of Umuofia in the late 1800s, Things Fall Apart explores one man's futile resistance to the devaluing of his Igbo traditions by British political andreligious forces and his despair as his community capitulates to the powerful new order. With more than 20 million copies sold and translated into fifty-seven languages, Things Fall Apart provides one of the most illuminating and permanent monuments to African experience. Achebe does not only capture life in a pre-colonial African village, he conveys the tragedy of the loss of that world while broadening our understanding of our contemporary realities.

Image for Wildlife of East Africa (Princeton Pocket Guides, 3)

Wildlife of East Africa (Princeton Pocket Guides, 3)

Those looking for a concise yet informative, visually breathtaking yet affordable East African safari need look no further than this spectacular field guide. Featuring full-color photos of 475 common species of bird, mammal, snake, lizard, insect, tree, and flower, Wildlife of East Africa takes us on an exquisite one-volume tour through the living splendor of the main national parks and game reserves of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Many of the species included--from pelicans to plovers, ostriches to elephants, from the daintiest of antelopes to cattlelike giants, from leopards to lions, baboons to gorillas, chameleons to crocodiles, acacias to aloes--also inhabit neighboring countries. The selection was based on the personal experiences of the authors, wildlife experts who have been leading safaris in the region for more than twenty years.

Image for Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna

Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna

Heads up: this is a great book but there is a rite of passage and has a part about circumcision.

Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton gives American kids a firsthand look at growing up in Kenya as a member of a tribe of nomads whose livelihood centers on the raising and grazing of cattle. Readers share Lekuton's first encounter with a lion, the epitome of bravery in the warrior tradition. They follow his mischievous antics as a young Maasai cattle herder, coming-of-age initiation, boarding school escapades, soccer success, and journey to America for college. Lekuton's riveting text combines exotic details of nomadic life with the universal experience and emotions of a growing boy.

Image for The Bitter Side of Sweet

The Bitter Side of Sweet

Fifteen-year-old Amadou counts the things that matter. For two years what has mattered are the number of cacao pods he and his younger brother, Seydou, can chop down in a day. The higher the number the safer they are. The higher the number the closer they are to paying off their debt and returning home. Maybe. The problem is Amadou doesn’t know how much he and Seydou owe, and the bosses won’t tell him. The boys only wanted to make money to help their impoverished family, instead they were tricked into forced labor on a plantation in the Ivory Coast. With no hope of escape, all they can do is try their best to stay alive—until Khadija comes into their lives. She’s the first girl who’s ever come to camp, and she’s a wild thing. She fights bravely every day, attempting escape again and again, reminding Amadou what it means to be free. But finally, the bosses break her, and what happens next to the brother he has always tried to protect almost breaks Amadou. The three band together as family and try just once more to escape.

Moreover, add some of these hands-on activities to learn about Africa.

Hands-on Activities to Learn about Africa

Start by having your child identify West Africa on a map, where the Djembe drums are from.

Use the map or globe to identify different areas where various art comes from.

  • Make a salt dough map of Africa to learn to identify the continent and its countries.
  • Create a beautifully Painted African House  craft.
  • Make a Kente cloth with simple paper weaving.
  • How to Make a Kids’ Fun Ceremonial African Tribal Mask
  • This African Sunset Art is a nice addition to your learning about Africa.
  • Make and then play your own Mancala game that is native to Africa.
  • Here you can build your own African Thumb piano to make native music.
  • A Clay African Basket is a great activity for all ages.
Learn About African Art For Children And Make Fun Djembe Drums

Finally, let’s make some fun African art for children.

How to Make Djembe Drums With Kids

You will need:

  • 2 plastic cups
  • Tan tissue paper
  • Twine
  • School glue
  • Markers or paint
  • Hot glue gun/sticks

Directions:

Hot glue two cups bottom to bottom with a generous amount of glue.

Be careful not to touch the metal nozzle of your glue gun to the plastic cup or it will melt them and high temp glue guns can as well.

Hold in place until the glue cools and it is secure.

Also, let younger children tape them with masking tape. You want to involve them in the project from start to finish.

Learn About African Art For Children And Make Fun Djembe Drums

Mix 1 part water to 2 parts school glue to make mod podge.

Paint glue mixture onto the top couple inches of one of the cups and wrap a piece of tissue paper over it to cover.

Learn About African Art For Children And Make Fun Djembe Drums

Brush the glue mixture over the top of the tissue to form the drumskin. Be careful not to poke through. It will strengthen after it is dry.

Repeat the layering of tissue paper glue over just the top 2 more times.

Cover the remainder of the drum with tissue paper.

First, brush the glue mixture over the surface then pressing in tissue,and finally coat all over the top of the tissue with glue again.

Two to three coats are plenty.

Learn About African Art For Children And Make Fun Djembe Drums

Allow the glue to dry well all over the entire surface before going on to the next step.

Afterwards, once the glue is dry it is time to add the beautiful colors and patterns using either permanent markers, paint, paintbrush, or paint markers.  

Markers work very well and dry quickly.

Learn About African Art For Children And Make Fun Djembe Drums

Once done, wrap twine around the top edge, center, and bottom.

Next, hold it into place with hot glue.

Learn About African Art For Children And Make Fun Djembe Drums

Your drum is ready to use.

The hardened glue makes it stronger.

Finally, it will hold up to gentle drumming. But it is meant for display.

Learn About African Art For Children And Make Fun Djembe Drums

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: Africa, art, crafts, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources, homeschoolhistory

Simple and Fun Homeschool Geography Ideas for High School

April 18, 2023 | 5 Comments
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If you’re looking for some simple and fun homeschool geography ideas for high school, I have a few resources.Too, I have more tips How to Homeschool High School. Also, look at my page Homeschool Geography for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.

My summer or these past few months anyway reminds me of a quote: ” Life’s up and downs provide windows of opportunity to determine your values and goals. . ..”

Simple and Fun Homeschool Geography Ideas for High School

Well, I have had all kinds of windows over here and more than I would like during any one time.

Too, Mr. Awesome is a different type of learner than Mr. Senior 2013. He is okay with geography but doesn’t want anything over the top exhaustive.

And nothing gets me more excited than to get into a geography groove.

I have been mulling over several options this year.

One book that we been using has been a life saver for us over the last few weeks.

Fun Homeschool Geography

You know I’m not a huge text book fan, but when I find a good one and it is geared toward an older child, I like to share.

Simple and Fun Homeschool Geography Ideas for High School

It is by McDougal Littell and it is called World Cultures and Geography.

I like it because it has a hodgepodge of things in it. Some of the features are analyzing primary sources, fun facts and a history makers section.

Of course like most text books, it has only bits and pieces of those things and it is not real expansive, but that is all we want. So it serves as a nice reference book for us. I am hoping to share some pictures of the inside too.

Mr. Awesome has been using it for a history makers unit we have be doing. I will share that next week.

Runkle Geography Simple and Fun Homeschool Geography Ideas for High School

Then of course you know how much I love Runkle Geography and it will be a mainstay for our journey in geography through all the years

Simple Homeschool Geography

Updated: We ended up using Runkle Geography and absolutely loved it. 

In addition, we used North Star Geography as another fun and simple geography resource.

I would like to add one more hands-on or interactive resource so I have been eyeballing Geography Challenge.

Simple and Fun Homeschool Geography Ideas for High School

Mr. Awesome, unlike Mr. Senior 2013 has a low tolerance for bookish work.

Sure, the kid is obedient but I am not trying to run an obedience school. I want a kid that loves it and I save bookish work for his essays.

Homeschool High School Geography Resources and Books

Geography for high school should still be fun and hands-on. It can take years to find the right resources. However, I’ve gathered up some of my favorite books and resources.

Image for North Star Geography

North Star Geography

North Star Geography covers basic geography skills (maps, navigation) as well as physical geography (topography, biosphere, structure of the earth) and human geography (environmental stewardship, agriculture, culture, heritage & more)—all from a Christian perspective. Each lesson in the Reader is approximately 10-15 pages and geared toward junior high-high school students, though it may be adapted for younger students; the text features full-color maps, illustrations, and interesting sidebars. Accompanying each lesson on the Companion Guide, hands-on project options, as well as an “atlas building” section where students label outline maps, are provided. Note-taking pages feature ten questions taken from the text that can be used for review or comprehension questions, as well as for a study guide for the exam

Image for Welcome to the Wonderful World of Geography

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Geography

Brenda Runkle’s World Physical Geography makes an often-boring topic come to life!

With our world seeming to shrink with each passing week, knowing about virtually all peoples and nations is more important than ever.

Image for World Physical Geography

World Physical Geography

It focuses on physical geography, providing the basis for learning the fundamentals of geography. 

Image for Geography Challenge

Geography Challenge

Challenges students to remember important facts and encourages them to enjoy themselves in the process.Deals with facts and principles related to the study of life science, physical science, and earth and space science.

Image for Around the World in 180 Days, 2nd Edition (two-volume set)

Around the World in 180 Days, 2nd Edition (two-volume set)

Around the World in 180 Days is a geography and history program covering the history, geography, and culture of each continent. And yet this is not a textbook. It is a series of questions that the student must research in order to answer. Plenty of resources are suggested to help students conduct their research, and the teacher's edition provides all the answers. This revised and updated curriculum is written with a multilevel approach with study questions for students of all grade levels, making this a curriculum your whole family can do together! This two-volume set includes an illustrated teacher's edition and a student workbook.

Image for Eat Your Way Around the World

Eat Your Way Around the World

Get out the sombrero for your Mexican fiesta! Chinese egg rolls! Corn pancakes from Venezuela! Fried plantains form Nigeria! All this and more is yours when you take your family on a whirlwind tour of over thirty countries in this unique international cookbook. Jam-packed with delicious dinners, divine drinks, and delectable desserts, this book is sure to please. 

Image for Lifepac History & Geography & Geography 11th Grade

Lifepac History & Geography & Geography 11th Grade

Student worktexts include daily instruction and review as well as ample opportunity for assessment of student performance using self tests and unit tests. To encourage individualized instruction, we have included a teacher's guide designed to help you guide your student's learning experience according to his specific interests and needs. This essential teaching resource includes teaching notes for each unit, a complete answer key, and information about additional resources and learning activities.

Image for Trail Guide To World Geography *OP

Trail Guide To World Geography *OP

If you would like a geography course that includes mapping activities, atlas usage, research, notebooking and culture with very little teacher preparation, look no further. The Trail Guide to World Geography is a week one, day one kind of teacher s manual with daily geography drills (answers included) and numerous weekly assignment choices. <P> Multi-level geography course for 36 week school year for elementary through high school. <P> Assign as much or as little as YOU decide.

And, because I have always been determined to feed him through his mode of hands on and creative,  learning geography through a game may make a good fit this year. 

Of course, this means I would be the one having to play it with him. But I do see that this could benefit Tiny too as he could have access to the questions which are the answers.

Simple and Fun Homeschool Geography Ideas for High School

More Geography Resources

  • Homeschool Geography Go To Resources
  • Homemade Compass. Simple Geography Projects Equals Huge Wow Factors
  • Homeschool High School World Geography Program
  • First Grade Homeschool Curriculum for History and Geography
  • 35 Hands-on Geography Activities to do in 15 Minutes or Less
  • DIY Atlas – North Star Highschool Geography
  • 5 Steps to Choosing Geography Living Books Your Children Will Love
  • How to Find A Well Laid Out Homeschool High School Geography Curriculum
  • Homeschool Geography Go To Resources
  • Mega List of Workbook Style Homeschool Curriculum For K to 12 Kids
  • DIY Atlas – North Star Highschool Geography is Here!
  • Simple and Fun Homeschool Geography Ideas for High School

Here is the review on Amazon about it:

The format of Geography Challenge! is similar to that of a popular game show. A student is given the answer and is asked to provide the question. Games are organized by geographic region of the world. Five levels of difficulty answer key included. Grade Level: 9th – 12th Author:

I like Around the World in 180 days too but it uses more of a notebook and research format, but I don’t think I am looking for that this year.

180 days Simple and Fun Homeschool Geography Ideas for High School

Did you pull the trigger on something already or are you like me taking your time on finding a geography resource this year?

5 CommentsFiled Under: Geography Tagged With: geography, high school, highschoolgeography, homeschool geography, homeschoolgeography

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