Hands-On Activities

How to Make an Edible Earth Project in a Cup With Kids

January 21, 2024 | Leave a Comment
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We’re making an edible earth project in a cup with kids with minimal fuss. Also, you’ll love this Free Earth Science Lapbook.

With just a few ingredients and you’ll have an earth science lesson with a big impact.

With preschool through elementary, you want to go as hands-on as you can to make the learning fun.

How to Make an Edible Earth Project in a Cup With Kids

In turn this helps your child understand and remember what they are learning better.

I have also found that the more senses that you can engage in the more fun and memorable an activity is.

With this simple activity, you don’t have to go out and buy many different ingredients.

We are using a couple of items, and you may already find some of them in your pantry to create the layers of the Earth in a cup.

You will also want to have a great reference book that shows a clear image of the layers of the earth.

Layers of The Earth

Of course, one of my favorite resources to use with any science and nature topic is Nature Anatomy by Julia Rothman and you can see a lovely illustration of the earth layers that we can use for reference.

Earth is made up of three layers: the crust, the mantle, and the core.

Each layer is made of different materials so let’s learn a little bit about each with fun facts as we put our edible earth project in a cup together.

I recommend reading off the facts as your child builds each layer.

Crust. This describes the outermost shell of the earth and is made of solid rocks and minerals. All known life in the universe makes its home here on and in the crust.

Mantle. The mantle makes up 84% of the earth’s volume and is mostly solid bulk.

The mantle lies between Earth’s dense, super-heated core and its thin outer layer, the crust. The rocks that make up the bulk of Earth’s mantle are silicates.

Outer Core. The outer core is the third layer of the Earth and is the layer that is responsible for Earth’s Magnetic Field. It is the only liquid layer and is made of iron, nickel, and a few other substances.

Inner Core. This layer is made of iron–nickel alloy with a few other elements. It is a spheroid, a solid shape that is not quite a perfect sphere.

The temperature is estimated at 9800 °F. It helps generate the Earth’s magnetic field through interactions with the outer core.

More Earth Layers and Earth Science Resources

Cookie Sheet Activities Make Earth Day Cookies & Fascinating Earth Facts
Make this Gorgeous Layers of the Earth DIY Soap Project and create a craft idea that is not only useful but teaches much about the various layers of the earth.
Easy Layers of the Earth’s Atmosphere Activity for Kids
Here is another fabulous hands-on project, the Layers of the Earth Playdough Mat *freebie* that even the youngest members of the family will be able to join in while older children can challenge themselves to add more detail.
Grab a bucket of LEGO blocks and create this fantastic LEGO Layers of the Earth Project to help your child understand the makeup from the inside out.
Watch The Geosphere-Layers of The Earth to learn facts about each fascinating layer of our earth with engaging animations.

Finally, look how to make an edible earth project in a cup.

How to Make an Edible Earth Project in a Cup

You will need:

Vanilla pudding cup
Food coloring
Blue and green candies
Clear cups

Start by separating your pudding cup into thirds.

I left 1/3 in the cup and placed the other two portions in a small bowl.

Add a little bit of orange food coloring to one bowl, mix well, and red to the other, mixing it completely.

Start by scooping the uncolored pudding into the bottom of the cup. This will represent your core.

Next, add a layer of orange, this is the outer core.

Now, make a layer of red pudding for the mantle, because this makes up the bulk of the earth.

You can make this a much thicker layer if you like.

Finally, you can top it with blue and green, M&Ms you sprinkle, colored, coconut, or whatever you have on hand to represent the Earth’s surface, the crust.

Since the crust is made up of both continental (land mass) and oceanic crust we wanted to represent the earth and water with blue and green.

How fun and simple are these easy layers to represent the layers of our earth?

How To Make A Rag Doll With Strips Of Fabric

January 20, 2024 | Leave a Comment
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I’m showing you how to make a rag doll with strips of fabric for an easy no sew primitive toy. Also, you’ll love more ideas on my post Little House on The Prairie Unit Study.

This is truly the original rag doll, one of the oldest toys.

And is made with no sewing.

Too, it can be put together with whatever scraps of fabric you have on hand.

Sweet little pioneer girls would have tucked their rag babies into bed, clutched them tight on wagon rides across the country, and had tea with them under the cool afternoon shade.

How To Make A Rag Doll With Strips Of Fabric

They were a treasured toy even though they were made from just scraps of discarded fabric.

If you are a Little House on the Prairie fan or any similar books you would have heard about calico quite a bit.

It was a staple fabric that was worn from the 1700’s on.

Once people began to move westward, they couldn’t go to the store and pick up bolts of fabric from the store so most often their clothing became homespun fabrics, buckskin, or sheep’s wool.

Calico was a fantastic choice for travel clothes.

The cloth was sturdy and held up to long, hard wear which was much needed for their arduous journey, building homes, hunting, and all the work they had to do on the open prairie.

So how did this seemingly simple fabric become such a staple? Let’s learn a bit about the history of calico.

The History of Calico

Calico was originally created in India.

It was named for Calcut, the English word for the state of Kozhikode, India.

Calico referred to the textile itself, not the delicate floral patterns.

It was imported to America in the 1700’s. The name calico came to refer to the tiny floral pattern more than the fabric.

Calico was an unbleached coarse cotton fabric and was very inexpensive and washable.

It was store bought. Cut and sewn at home into dresses.

Calico fabric ranged from fairly fine and sheer to the more coarse, stronger textures that would have been the best option for pioneers.

Even Lewis and Clark had forty-eight calico shirts packed in their bags for their 1804 expedition and it was quite common for men to wear sturdy calico shirts with delicate flower designs.

Early European calicoes were made from a cheap plain weave white cotton fabric, cream unbleached cotton. Then to add a print they were block dyed with single or multiple colors.

Because making clothing in early times was so labor intensive nothing was wasted.

Pieces from worn out clothing that couldn’t be mended would be braided into rugs, rags for cleaning, and dolls for the children.

Next, add some books to the craft how to make a rag doll with strips of fabric.

Little House on the Prairie Unit Study Resources

Add some of these fun resources to ignite a love for learning about the Little House on the Prairie.

The Little House (9 Volumes Set)

The nine books in the timeless Little House series tell the story of Laura’s real childhood as an American pioneer, and are cherished by readers of all generations. They offer a unique glimpse into life on the American frontier, and tell the heartwarming, unforgettable story of a loving family.

Pioneer Girl: The Story of Laura Ingalls Wilder

Readers around the world know and love Laura, the little girl born in the Big Woods of Wisconsin and raised in covered wagons and on wide open prairies. Now Little House fans can learn more about the remarkable story of the pioneer girl who would one day immortalize her adventures in the beloved Little House books in this, the first picture book biography book of Laura Ingalls Wilder.

A Little Prairie House (Little House Picture Book)

With the My First Little House picture book series, the youngest readers can share in the joy of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books in these illustrated adaptations of the beloved series!

Laura, Pa, Ma, Mary, and baby Carrie have traveled from the Big Woods to the prairie in their covered wagon, driving through tall grass until they found just the right spot for their new home. With the help of their kind neighbor, Mr. Edwards, Pa builds a snug little house for the family in the middle of the wide-open prairie.

Farmer Boy (Little House, 2)

The second book in the treasured Little House series, Farmer Boy is Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved story of how her husband, Almanzo, grew up as a farmer boy far from the little house where Laura lived. This edition features the classic black-and-white artwork from Garth Williams.

The nine Little House books have been cherished by generations of readers as both a unique glimpse into America’s frontier history and as heartwarming, unforgettable stories. The Little House series has captivated millions of readers with its depiction of life on the American frontier.

While Laura Ingalls grows up on the prairie, Almanzo Wilder is living on a big farm in New York State. Here Almanzo and his brother and sisters help with the summer planting and fall harvest. In winter there is wood to be chopped and great slabs of ice to be cut from the river and stored. Time for fun comes when the jolly tin peddler visits, or best of all, when the fair comes to town.

Almanzo wishes for just one thing—his very own horse—and he must prove that he is ready for such a big responsibility.

The Little House Cookbook

With this cookbook, you can learn how to make classic frontier dishes like corn dodgers, mincemeat pie, cracklings, and pulled molasses candy. The book also includes excerpts from the Little House books, fascinating and thoroughly researched historical context, and details about the cooking methods that pioneers like Ma Ingalls used, as well as illustrations by beloved artist Garth Williams.

Who Was Laura Ingalls Wilder?

Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books, based on her own childhood and later life, are still beloved classics almost a century after she began writing them. Now young readers will see just how similar Laura's true-life story was to her books. Born in 1867 in the "Big Woods" in Wisconsin, Laura experienced both the hardship and the adventure of living on the frontier. Her life and times are captured in engaging text and 80 black-and-white illustrations.

Laura Ingalls Dress Up

Three Piece Set: Kid girls colonial dress, attached apron and bonnet.

Little House Coloring Book: Coloring Book for Adults and Kids

A beautifully designed coloring book featuring classic artwork by Garth Williams and quotes from all nine original Little House books. Perfect for at-home creative time—return to the world of Little House with your kids...or enjoy on your own!

Join Laura Ingalls, her Ma and Pa, and her sisters, Mary, Carrie, and Grace, on their travels across the frontier as you color in your favorite pioneer characters and scenes and revisit this beloved series.

This 96-page coloring book offers hours of relaxing, stress-reducing pleasure.

Next, add more activities if you’re creating a unit study about frontier living or Little House on the Prairie.

More Resources for Learning about Frontier Living

Finally, look at how to make a rag doll with strips of fabric.

How To Make A Rag Doll With Strips Of Fabric

You will need:

White fabric
Colorful fabric
Cotton balls or pom poms
scissors

Look for fabric about 20 to 26 in long.

Fat quarters are the perfect length, if you don’t know what that is, it’s the little folded squares of ready to buy fabric at the craft stores.

They are 18”x 22. I bought most of this fabric at Dollar Tree and those little rolls are also an ideal length.

Cut or tear six strips of white or cream-colored fabric about an inch wide. I made a small starting cut for each one and then ripped the rest of the way down.

Then cut or rip 25-30 1-inch strips of whatever colorful fabric you have chosen for the dress. Cut at least 3 extra pieces to use elsewhere.

Cross 3 of the white strips like this.

Then start crisscrossing the colorful fabric over the top of the white until you have at least 25 more strips, the more you add the fuller your rag strip doll will be.

Once you are done layering fabric, place some pompoms or cotton balls in the very center.

This is the head.

Slip your hand carefully under the strips and flip it over as you squeeze your hand around the pom poms.

Tie it off right under them with another strip of fabric or twine to create the neck and head.

Now let’s make her arms, grab the three remaining strips of white fabric and tie off one end in a knot, trim the length if desired to shorten the arms.

Rag Doll With Strips Of Fabric

Braid them tightly all the way across and knot off the other end.

Slip the arms up through half of the rag strips up to the knot under the head and then tie a strip just below them to secure in place.

Finally, cut a square scrap of cloth 4”x4” and fold it into a triangle.

Place the triangle over the head and wrap it around, tie it in place with a final strip of fabric and now she has a bonnet.

How To Make A Mountain Volcano | Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro With Geronimo Stilton

January 18, 2024 | Leave a Comment
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Geronimo Stilton is trekking his way up mighty Mount Kilimanjaro in book #41 of his exciting globe-trotting series. Be sure to grab more Geronimo Stilton Books and Free Africa Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning | Free Continent & Country Reports ideas and crafts on my pages.

If I wasn’t so tickled by all the adventures this mouse has and the fun way he shares them with us I would be downright jealous of all the places he gets to go.

How To Make A Mountain Volcano | Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro With Geronimo Stilton

Here is the book Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro (Geronimo Stilton, No. 41).

He has even made his way through time and space.

Now, Geronimo Stilton is headed to Africa to climb to the top of Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro.

And we are going to join him as we learn about the 5 climate zones that make up this majestic mountain.

From the base where you find the civilization zone to the peak where the Arctic zone lies, we are going to explore the flora, fauna, and more of each layer.

Additionally, I’m showing you how to make an easy-torn paper Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro that you can label with the different zones.

Also, I’m giving you information on each zone to read as you create your mountain masterpiece, and some additional resources to turn a simple book into a thrilling learning adventure.

5 Layers of Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro

Civilization- At the base of Kilimanjaro, 6,000 ft and below you will find this zone. Here, where it was once scrubland and forest, you will find many small villages, livestock, and small farming areas that people have set up in the fertile volcanic soil at the base. Some of the main items grown here are coffee, avocados, mangos, and bananas.
Rainforest – At 6,000 feet to 9,000 feet there is the rainforest zone with mild temperatures and wet weather. This is the zone where you are most likely to see one of the many creatures that make their home here. Blue Monkeys (Diademed Monkey), Servals, Jackson’s Chameleon, Aardvark, White Necked Raven, and Bush Babies are just a few of these beautiful creatures in the rainforest of Kilimanjaro.

Moorland- This zone is found at 9,200 to 11,000 ft altitude, temperatures begin to drop rapidly and the forest gives way to scrubby shrubs and grasses, magnificent views but very little animal life.
Alpine Dessert- Keep going, we are almost there! At 13,200 to 16,500 feet you might find just small hardy plants, very few flowers, and sparse grasses but plenty of volcanic rock. You might spot the occasional eland (a large antelope) that happens to be the world’s largest antelope at this height, but animals do not typically venture to this zone with almost no rain.
Arctic Desert/Zone- WE have reached the top at 16,500 to 19,340 ft and temperatures average 10-40 F during the day and drop to -15-20 F at night. This high altitude gets about half the oxygen level that you would find at sea level. There is no plant or animal life here except for the odd lichen growing in the bitter cold and you will be able to spot glaciers at this level.

Geronimo Stilton Books 1-20

Geronimo Stilton Books 1 - 20

It is not necessary to go in order, each book is its own stand-alone story, and the main characters are properly reintroduced each time. So, you can choose the books based on your child's current interest, the season, or a unit study topic.

Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye

Who Is Geronimo Stilton? That's me! I run a newspaper, but my true passion is writing tales of adventure. Here on Mouse Island, my books are all best-sellers! What's that? You've never read one? Well, my books are full of fun. They are whisker-licking good stories, and that's a promise!Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye. It all started when my sister, Thea, discovered a mysterious map. It showed a secret treasure on a faraway island. And before I could let out a squeak of protest, Thea dragged me into her treasure hunt! In no time at all, we'd set sail for the island. It was an adventure I'd never forget....

The Curse of the Cheese Pyramid (Geronimo Stilton #2)

I'm off to Egypt! I climbed onboard a crabby old camel that would take me across the desert to the Great Cheese Pyramid. There, among mummies and hieroglyphics, I would learn the secret of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient Mouse World....

Cat and Mouse in a Haunted House (Geronimo Stilton, No. 3)

I was lost in a dark, spooky forest! Until I stumbled upon Curlypaw Cannycat's Castle.

I'm Too Fond of My Fur! (Geronimo Stilton #4)

Well, my books are full of fun. They are whisker-licking good stories, and that's a promise! I'm Too Fond of My Fur! I was on my way 'round the world to Mouse Everest! The trip was long and dangerous. I almost froze my tail off on the way. And then I was kidnapped by the Abominable Snowman! Yes, it was truly an amazing adventure....

Four Mice Deep in the Jungle (Geronimo Stilton Funny Tales)

Enter the world of Geronimo Stilton, where another funny adventure is always right around the corner. Each book is a fast-paced adventure with lively art and a unique format kids 7-10 will love.I have never been a brave mouse... but lately, my fears were taking over my life! Soon I was too afraid even to leave my mousehole. That's when Thea and Trap decided to cure me. They dragged me away on an airplane (I'm afraid of flying!) all the way to the jungle. There I was forced to eat bug soup, climb trees as high as skyscrapers, swim in raging rivers, and even wrangle snakes! How would a 'fraidy mouse like me ever survive?

Paws Off, Cheddarface! (Geronimo Stilton, No. 6)

Who Is Geronimo Stilton? That's me! I run a newspaper, but my true passion is writing tales of adventure. Here on Mouse Island, my books are all best-sellers! They are whisker-licking good tales, and that's a promise!__PAWS OFF, CHEDDARFACE!It was the strangest thing... all across New Mouse City, rodents kept telling me I'd done things I had no memory of! I soon discovered why... there was a Geronimo look-alike out there, pretending to be me. He'd even fooled my sister Thea! And worst of all, he was trying to take over my newspaper. I had to find a way to strike back -- but how??

Red Pizzas for a Blue Count

They are whisker-licking-good tales, and that's a promise! Red Pizzas for a Blue Count My troublemaker cousin was trapped in Transratania! And before I could even squeak, my sister, Thea, dragged me along on her rescue mission. Little did we know that Transratania is the land of vampire bats! Holey cheese, bats give me mouse bumps! Why? Well, there's nothing a bat likes more than sinking its teeth into a nice, juicy mouse....

Attack of the Bandit Cats (Geronimo Stilton, No. 8)

Oh, what a day! I had just published New Mouse City's first phone book -- and almost every single number was wrong! My customers were out for my fur. So when Thea, Trap, and Benjamin asked me to join their quest for a legendary island covered in silver, I agreed. But no sooner had we set out than we were attacked by a ship of pirate cats! They mousenapped us and threatened to make us their dinner. Would we escape with our lives... or find ourselves in the soup?

A Fabumouse Vacation for Geronimo (Geronimo Stilton, No. 9)

Sometimes a busy businessmouse like me needs a nice, relaxing vacation. But of all the rotten rats' luck -- every time I tried to get away, disaster struck. My aunt Dizzy Fur's mouse hole caught on fire, my office was flooded, and our printing press broke down! When I was finally ready to depart, all the good trips were booked up. I was stuck in a flea-ridden old hotel, sharing a room with a bunch of Gerbil Scouts! I couldn't wait to get back to my comfy home in New Mouse City....

All Because of a Cup of Coffee (Geronimo Stilton, No. 10)

I, Geronimo Stilton, was in love! I went out for a cup of coffee one morning and laid eyes on the most beautiful rodent I'd ever seen. Unfortunately, I immediately tripped over my paws and ended up with my tail in a toaster! I was one mortified mouse. But I was determined to prove that I wasn't a complete stumblemouse. So I decided to join my family on their most daring adventure yet -- a journey to the eighth wonder of the world! There I made a discovery so truly amazing, I knew I could win the heart of my darling ratlette....

The Phantom of the Subway (Geronimo Stilton, No. 13)

When my sister Thea told me a ghost was haunting New Mouse City's subway tunnels, I knew I had to get the scoop for The Rodents Gazette! So I set off with Thea, Trap, and my assistant editor Pinky Pick. We soon discovered that Sally Ratmousen, the editor of The Daily Rat, was also on the trail of the mysterious ghost. But we were all in for the fright of our wee mouse lives... because the ghost turned out to be a CAT!

The Temple of the Ruby of Fire (Geronimo Stilton, No. 14)

It was my most thrilling adventure yet! My old friend Professor von Volt had discovered the location of the famous Ruby of Fire. And before I could let out a squeak of protest, my sister Thea had dragged me into race to be the first to find the legendary gem. The jewel was protected by thousands of ancient booby-traps -- a 'fraidy mouse's worst nightmare? Would I make it through with my fur?

The Mona Mousa Code (Geronimo Stilton, No. 15)

Do you like art? I do! So when Thea heard that there was a secret map hidden beneath Mouse Island's most famous painting, the Monamouse, I knew we had to get the scoop! Together we began to investigate, and soon we discovered secret clues that led us to the most fabumouse secret. And it all lay beneath the streets of New Mouse City!

A Cheese-Colored Camper[GERONIMO STILTON #16 CHEESE-CO][Paperback]

My grandfather William Shortpaws -- also known as Cheap Mouse Willy -- was back at The Rodent's Gazette, and he was determined to torture me. He wanted to publish a guide book to Ratzikistan, the Siberia of Mouse Island. And he ordered *me* to go there to write it! But as you know, dear reader,

Watch Your Whiskers, Stilton! (Geronimo Stilton, No. 17)

Cheesecake! A mysterious one-eyed rat was trying to steal The Rodent's Gazette from under my snout! I had to stop him -- but how? My business manager, Shif T. Paws, came up with a plan. He arranged for me to appear on a TV quiz show. If I won, the Gazette was safe. But if I lost -- SQUEAK! -- I had to give up my tail!

Shipwreck on the Pirate Islands (Geronimo Stilton, No. 18)

My sister had come up with a new way to torment me. She'd combined my two least favorite things - travel and ghosts! Thea had heard rumors of a haunted pirate treasure buried on a desert island. And before I could say "avast ye scurvy rats," she'd dragged me into her treasure hunt!

My Name Is Stilton, Geronimo Stilton (Geronimo Stilton, No. 19)

Have you met my very young assistant editor, Pinky Pick? She is only thirteen years old, but she is one of the cleverest mice I've ever known. If you've ever wondered how Pinky came to work for me at The Rodent's Gazette, this is the book for you! It's a looooong story... and one that's full of adventure, laughs, and of course, like all of my books, lots of embarrassing moments for yours truly!

Surf's Up, Geronimo! (Geronimo Stilton, No. 20)

Ah, there's nothing like a relaxing vacation on the beach! I would spread out by the crystal-clear water with a good book. What more could a mouse want? At least, that was the plan. But somehow, my vacations never seem to go according to plan. Instead of a beautiful seaside resort, I found myself in a fleabag hotel that was falling down around my ears! Oh, would I ever be able to relax and enjoy my vacation

Geronimo Stilton Book List Activities

Also, look at these other crafts to go with the books.

Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro Resources

We used this graphic for inspiration to create the 5 layers for our mountain volcano project below.
This page in Geronimo Stilton is a great inspiration for talking about just what you would need to pack for such a high adventure. Compare Geronimo’s list with this Kilimanjaro Packing list from the climbing Kilimanjaro site, how did the mouse do? What about packing for a shorter hike in your area? What would you take? Encourage your child to use planning and critical thinking skills to create a list.

Watch Discovering Kilimanjaro Mountain: A Kid’s Adventure to the Top of Africa.
I also found this great partially animated video- Let’s Take a Hike: Crash Course Kids #30 that talks about how the geosphere affects biosphere for a wonderful science lesson.
Here is a printable that is both a coloring page and a maze depicting Mount Kilimanjaro and a few of the animals found nearby.

Lastly, look how to make this mighty Mount Kilimanjaro volcano.

How To Make A Mountain Volcano

You will need:

Patterned colorful scrapbook paper
A large piece of scrap cardboard
School glue
Foam brush

First, cut a large scrap of corrugated cardboard to the size you would like your project to be.

Choose 2-3 shades of blue paper for the sky, 4 different shades or patterns for the various layers, and a very white or light one for the top layer.

If you use scrapbook paper that has a white core it has a really neat effect when torn and creates more visual interest.

Tear the paper into small pieces, ripping it toward you will make the white core of the paper show and make really cool borders on some of the pieces.

Continue tearing and making piles of each color. Determine what patterns will represent each layer and separate them.

Next “paint” on a thick layer of glue to make your mountain volcano the size and shape you want it.

Begin adding pieces to your mountain, I started at the top.

Then we found it helpful to add a couple of pieces to one side for each of the layers to kind of define them, so we didn’t go over and there was room for each layer.

Continue adding the correct colors for each layer, adding more glue if needed.

Geronimo Stilton | Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro Craft

Once you have covered every layer, paint on another layer of glue over the paper to help press it down.

Paint the sky portion around it with a thick layer of glue and repeat adding torn paper in blues.

Once filled in, paint a layer of glue over the top again.

Let the glue dry, it will probably require an overnight drying period.

Now you can write or type and print the names of each of the layers and place them in the correct spot- civilization, rainforest, moorland alpine forest, and arctic zone.

Letter E Is For Eagle Easy Preschool Eagle Study

January 11, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

E is for eagle, and you can take this high-flying preschool letter E unit in several different directions. Also, I have more alphabet letter fun on my page How to Homeschool Preschool.

You can focus just on eagles, cover birds of prey, and talk about the eagle as a symbol of America, or birds in general.

These amazing birds deserve a special unit study, and they work out perfectly when you are focusing on the letter E.

Letter E Is For Eagle Easy Preschool Eagle Study

Whether you gather your books from a visit to the library or on Amazon I have some great suggestions for you as well as crafts and activities that don’t require very many specific supplies.

For the most part, you can do these lessons with what you likely already have on hand.

Adding a few videos and a couple of printouts makes it a very low stress but highly educational preschool study.

It’s worth investing in fantastic plastic figurines with this as they will find their use through the years in small-world play, sensory bins, and even dioramas as your child gets older.

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

Language Arts Focus Day 1

E-E- E is for Eagle, don’t forget to practice that sound throughout the day as you play in sensory bins, make crafts, and yummy snacks.

Letter/Sound Recognition – Create a sensory bin with any base you have on hand -beads, rice, or shredded paper. Place items in the bin that start with Ee including letter tiles as well.

Raid the toy box or print items from free images. Have your child roll the die and count out the number of items that start with e or the letter e that matches. This also helps with beginning math skills.

Book- Is a Bald Eagle Really Bald focuses on the Bald Eagle as the national symbol, its meaning on our Great seal, as well as facts about how eagles live in the wild.

Craft/Activity- Create this cute E is for Eagle Handprint Craft, I just love sweet little handprint keepsake crafts to remember how small they were.

Song/Fingerplay- This Powerful Bald Eagle song is not your typical catchy children’s song (it is catchy though).

But I think it’s fantastic that it focuses on teaching about the bald eagle from the colors to their unique characteristics.

Snack- These Bald Eagle Snacks are so cute and look like a lot of fun to make, they look complicated but it’s really just coating marshmallows in melted chocolate and adding a few items.

Science Focus Day 2

Zoology is one of the first sciences children learn.

Today focuses on what habitat eagles live in (around lakes and reservoirs with lots of fish and forests around).

And they learn what eagles eat (fish, rabbits, waterfowl, rodents, and other small creatures), and their life cycle.

You could also research and see what other types of eagles beyond the well-known bald eagle like the golden eagle, black eagle, and harpy eagle.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Go on a letter E hunt, finding objects that start with the letter E around the house or in books. Here is a list of 50 items to help give you ideas. Remember to make the sound each time you find something!

Book- Bailey the Bald Eagle and the Great Flight centers around fears and how to face and overcome them.

Reading stories like this helps to teach your child how to verbalize feelings, encourages empathy, and is healthy for social-emotional growth.

Craft/Activity- How about some Life Cycle of an Eagle Coloring Pages, while I prefer hands-on activities to worksheets they are great occasionally like this one that demonstrates the life cycle and coloring pages are great if your child enjoys them.

Song/Fingerplay- A funny little rap The Bald Eagle hip hops its way through facts about the eagle, sounds, and how they build their giant nests, and is perfect for a little dancing.

Snack- Create your mix of “eagle food”.

Toss together fish (Swedish fish candy or goldfish), snakes (gummy worms), and rabbits (Annie’s Organic grahams or fruit snacks) as you talk about the things that eagles eat.

Math Focus Day 3

Count eggs, count bald eagle toys, or any other small items you have on hand.

Use a tape measure to measure how large an eagle nest is (up to 9 feet wide) and their wingspan to introduce your child to using new math tools.

Count eggs, count bald eagle toys, or any other small items you have on hand.

Letter/Sound Recognition- As I said, I like hands-on activities for preschoolers, but worksheets can have their place from time to time. This Find the Letter E Worksheet can be circled, marked with a dot marker, or colored over.

It doesn’t require a lot of writing that little hands are not ready to do just yet, just a simple seek-and-find.

Book- A great science reference series is “The Big Book of’ Series”.

Look at this gorgeous large layout on Bald Eagles in The Big Book of Birds.

This volume will get lots of use even when class is not in session because the illustrations are bright and pretty, also there is so much to look at for littles.

Craft/Activity- Grab these free Eagle Number Puzzles print and laminate and let your child match the number, the number of eagles, and if they are ready for it the third part with the number written out as a word.

Song/Fingerplay- This Letter E Song by ABC Mouse lists many words that start with E and the images that go with them to help commit the words to memory in a fun melody.

Snack- Take your pick of either an Eagle Marshmallow Pop or Eagle Quesadilla for a fun on-theme treat to enjoy together.

History/Geography Focus Day 4

The bald eagle is the national symbol for the U.S. Help your child locate Washington DC on a map and where it is to wherever you are.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Most of us have a basket of those oversized LEGOs for preschoolers in the house already, print a few letters and let your child work on building the Letter E with a familiar toy.

Book- The Bald Eagle American Symbols is another good book to have at hand that focuses on the bald eagle as our national symbol through the eyes of Bill the bird keeper.

Craft/Activity- Make a Paper Plate Bald Eagle for your preschooler to fly around, see the directions below.

Song/Fingerplay- I love the idea of learning signs for words that begin with the Letter E E.

Not only is it great for building finger muscles as they form the words and learn sign language, but using a multi-sensory approach when learning is very successful.

Check out this Letter E Signing f or Babies (great for preschool).

Snack- You have to enjoy a deviled egg or whatever your preschooler’s favorite choice of egg is for a snack or breakfast.

Not only can you practice making the e-e-e-egg sound but you can talk about how eagles lay eggs like other birds.

Books about E is for Eagle

14 Fun Resources for Studying about Eagles

Add some of these fun activities, books and resources to learn about eagles.

1. Eagle and Birds of Prey: Discover the World of Birds of Prey―How They Grow, Fly, Live, and Hunt

Eyewitness: Eagles and Birds of Prey is a guide to birds of prey of all shapes and sizes. From majestic falcons to soaring vultures, you'll get a bird's eye view of their amazing world. Learn about their styles of flight and their hunting techniques. Explore the preying and feeding habits, from specialist feeders to scavengers.

2. Science Comics: Birds of Prey: Terrifying Talons

Every volume of Science Comics offers a complete introduction to a particular topic―dinosaurs, the solar system, volcanoes, bats, robots, and more. Whether you're a fourth grader doing a natural science unit at school or a thirty-year-old with a secret passion for airplanes, these graphic novels are for you!

3. Big Book of Birds (The Big Book Series)

Following up the hugely successful The Big Book of Bugs, The Big Book of Beasts, and The Big Book of the Blue, The Big Book of Birds is a fact-filled tour of the world’s most wonderful winged creatures. Yuval Zommer’s distinctive illustrations show off some of the most colorful, flamboyant, impressive, and wacky birds of the sky. Picture-book charm pairs with informative nonfiction to make a beautiful, large-format title for parents to share with young children and for older children to read by themselves.

4. EAGLE 300 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle

HIGH-QUALITY JIGSAW PUZZLE: The stunning, lifelike image is mounted on premium chipboard. Random cut pieces are thick and sturdy – they come fully separated with cleanly cut edges (dust-free!) that fit together snugly and hold up to repetitive use.

Makes amazing wall décor. Glue it, then mount the masterpiece!

5 PCS Birds of Prey Figurines

This set brings you some of the most amazing birds of prey from around the world!

5 Piece Set includes Bald Eagle, Falcon, Hawk, Owl, and Vulture.

6. Supertoob: USA,Figure Playsets

Use birds of prey figurines including a Bald Eagle to make a diorama or sensory bin, they are also great used for art inspiration. My eagle came from the USA Safari Toob.

7. Thunder Birds: Nature’s Flying Predators

Acclaimed naturalist and illustrator Jim Arnosky helps birds and imaginations take glorious flight in this breathtaking nonfiction picture book with six giant gatefolds.
Arnosky will draw out kids' inner explorer as he explains why there are no feathers on a vulture's head, which bird is the deep-diving champ, what makes an owls's wings perfectly silent in flight, and much more.
Readers can use this gorgeously illustrated book to bring the wilderness right into their rooms-or as a guide on their next expedition.

8. 100 Facts Birds of Prey- Hawks, Eagles, Ornithology, Educational Projects, Fun Activities, Quizzes and More!

Flip through 100 fascinating facts covering everything from hunting prey to patrolling airports, then test your knowledge with fun quizzes. Each page is packed with activities, projects and mind-blowing facts for a truly engaging experience. With stunning photographs and beautiful illustrations, this fun-filled book is sure to challenge young readers and prepare them for academic success.

Simulated Bald Eagle Figurines Plastic Eagle

Your child will love these to use in sensory bins or dioramas or just as a model to paint or play with.

Is a Bald Eagle Really Bald?

A bald eagle doesn't sound like an attractive bird. But it's pictured on the Great Seal of the United States and on the dollar bill. Why was this bird chosen as a national symbol?

Bailey the Bald Eagle and the Great Flight

Bailey is a bald eagle who comes from a long lineage of high flyers, with her grandfather even holding the world record for being the highest flyer. So, it comes as a bit of a surprise to her family when she is scared of heights. This fear keeps her down every day, literally, but it also helps her meet some amazing friends she never would have otherwise. This story is about how we are all afraid of something, but it's how we overcome those fears that matters most.

My Little Book of Bald Eagles

This is a delightful story about a new family of bald eagles. From newborn's first lessons in life to the first solo flight, this beautifully illustrated book is ideal for introducing young children to the wonders of nature.

Harpy Eagle (Apex Predators of the Amazon Rain Forest)

It's early morning in the Amazon rain forest. A large monkey is climbing through the branches of a tall tree. Suddenly, there's a flash of white and black feathers. An enormous harpy eagle swoops between the leafy branches and snatches the monkey from the tree. Then the giant predator carries its prey high into the treetops and begins to eat. Filled with information perfectly suited to the abilities and interests of its primary-grade audience, this colorful, fact-filled book gives readers a chance not only to learn all about harpy eagles and their Amazon rain forest home, but also to develop their powers of observation and critical thinking. Built-in activities, such as figuring out how the bird's body is adapted for hunting, and investigating how much weight the eagle can carry in its talons, give readers a chance to gain insights beyond the facts and figures.

Wild Life Realistic Harpy Eagle Figurine -

This Harpy Eagle Figurine would make an amazing addition to your dioramas, sensory bins, trays

Language Arts Focus Day 5

Letter/Sound Recognition- Place Post-it notes with lowercase and uppercase e’s all over the floor. Include a few others with different letters.

Have your child hop on all the E and make the sound as they do.

Book- My Little Book of Bald Eagles is a great book for 3-5-year-olds. It tells the story of a newborn eaglet through his very first solo flight.

Craft/Activity- Watch this short video All About Bald Eagles for Kids. They will learn all kinds of fascinating facts and see real videos of them in action.

Song/Fingerplay–This song heavily focuses on the letter sound. The repetitiveness will help it stick in your child’s mind- Letter E.

Snack- Sometimes you just need a quick and easy snack without a lot of prep. Make this Bacon and Egg Treat in the microwave quickly with just 3 items to reinforce e is for egg.

Finally, look how to make this adorable eagle craft.

Paper Plate Bald Eagle

You will need:

3 paper plates
Brown craft paint
Yellow craft paint
Scissors
Glue
Google Eye

First, cut one paper plate in half to create two wings.

Cut a thin bell shape with a flared-out tail at the end of the second one using the majority of the plate.

Also, the ruffled edge of the plate as the tail to give it a little extra fun texture.

Use the third plate to cut out a head with a beak.

Or if you prefer you can cut the beak out separately and have your child glue it on later.

Now to get the look of the bald eagle. Have your child paint just the ruffled part of the head brown.

And the same for the body with the tail.

It will be the reverse. Have them paint the smooth part of the plate brown and leave the ruffled part white. They will then paint the wing entirely brown except for just the tips.

Paint the beak yellow and glue on a googly eye.

Glue the wings together in the center and spread them out in any formation you like.

Glue the head to the body.

Now attach the two parts.

You may want to use hot glue for this final part so it will dry faster and stay together better. A glue stick may not hold all the weight together.

W Is For Winter Craft Easy Snowman Oobleck Activity

January 10, 2024 | Leave a Comment
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W is for winter and there is so much to learn about for this delightful season and the letter W. Also, I have more alphabet letter fun on my page How to Homeschool Preschool.

You can dive headfirst into snow, ice, snowmen, icicles, snowflakes, frost, and more with the theme as you learn all about W.

I have a great collection of ideas for you to make a full and wonderful study.

W Is For Winter Craft Easy Snowman Oobleck Activity

There is a fun melting snowman oobleck activity, books, songs, and even adorable winter-themed snack ideas.

I kept the oobleck simple, needing just a couple of simple supplies.

But I can promise this activity is going to keep them busy no matter what the weather is outside.

So, bundle up and let get chilly with these fun hands-on activities.

Oobleck is a wonderful sensory activity that preschoolers love, a non-Newtonian fluid because it has properties that are both liquid and solid.

If you hit it fast or keep it rolling in your hand it almost seems solid like a playdough but stops the movement and it quickly liquifies.

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

Language Arts Focus Day 1

W-w-w winter. Practice that sound a little each day as well as show it so they learn to recognize it. Because in life they will encounter it in many ways including environmental print.

I like to show letters in various fonts and settings. What other words start with W besides winter? Wet, wiggle, warm, white, wood, wool, and wind.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Grab a little snowflake punch to work on building muscles in little hands and let your child create this simple W is for Winter Craft.

Book- Over and Under The Snow is a precious story of what happens above and below a winter blanket of snow that has wonderful illustrations and simple text.

Craft/Activity-Learn How to Make an Adorable Toilet Roll Snowman for Winter Crafts for a fun wintery friend, maybe a whole gang of snowmen to decorate your home.

Song/Fingerplay- Learn the letter W with Jack Hartmann, a favorite.

Snack-easy and adorable try a cup of this Deconstructed Snowman Popcorn treat, you won’t even need any real snow to make this kind of snowman.

Science Focus Day 2

The science of winter is fascinating, from snowflakes to learning why some places don’t get snow. Break out a globe and show your child the equator.

This is a great time to explain that places closer to the equator are more consistently warm and don’t get snow like places that are farther away from it.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Name recognition and learning to spell it is one of the first literacy activities for preschoolers, help them put together this Name Snowman for some fun practice.

Book- The Snowy Day is a classic winter read about a boy waking up to find that it snowed during the night and his adventures in the snow.

Kids love the bright illustrations and the simple magic of a snowy day.

Craft/Activity- Raid your pantry for some aluminum foil and create this Stunning Sparkly Icicle Craft, it is fun, easy, and creates a lovely decoration for the house. Your preschooler can create one or a long strand.

Song/Fingerplay- I found not one, not two but three cute snowman fingerplays on this library website.

Snack- How cute and easy are these Baked Snowflake Tortillas, kids in Texas, Florida, and other places that don’t get snow will be tickled with this treat.

Math Focus Day 3

Count items, compare piles, ask which is less and which has more. Count the points on a snowflake. Work math naturally into your day.

Letter/Sound Recognition- This Snowy Letter Hunt activity can be practiced with all W’s or use all the letters your child is familiar with for review.

Book- Sneezy the Snowman.

Craft/Activity- Make Snowman Oobleck, and turn it into a math activity by counting buttons, eyes, “sticks”, and hats.

Cut the buttons out in different sizes and have them sorted and ordered by the size of each button, which one is the largest? Smallest?

Song/Fingerplay- Little Snowflake is easy to learn with simple lyrics that are displayed in the video so you can learn it with your little one quickly.

Snack- Aren’t these Marshmallow Snowman S’Mores just the cutest thing? It feels like a pretty simple snack that can be made.

History/Geography Focus Day 4

Point out places where it snows on a map like Antarctica, Canada, and Michigan. Look at my free lapbook and Arctic Unit Study.

Letter/Sound Recognition- These Hot Cocoa Letter mats are great for practicing letters with playdough, dry-erase markers, pipe cleaners, or marshmallows.

Book- Learn about Animals in Winter

Craft/Activity-Snowballs and Snow Plow Sensory Tray is a great segue into talking about city workers who clear the roads in the winter, an important community helper that happens to be a very important part of social studies for preschoolers.

Song/Fingerplay- Dance around to I’m a Little Snowman and use hand motions as they sing.

Snack-Make up a batch of Snowman Poop for a giggle, kids will love it.

W is For Winter Themed Books

W is for Winter Preschool Theme

Teach your child the sound of the Letter W and add in these fun books and resources about winter.

Over and Under the Snow

Part of the acclaimed nature book series that includes Over and Under the Pond, Over and Under the Rainforest, and Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, this volume takes readers on a cross country ski trip through the winter woods to discover the secret world of animals living under the snow. Over the snow, the world is hushed and white. But under the snow lies a secret world of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals making their winter home under the snow. This beloved nonfiction picture book reveals the tunnels and caves formed beneath the snow but over the ground, where many kinds of animals live through the winter, safe and warm, awake and busy, but hidden beneath the snow.

The Snowy Day

The magic and wonder of winter’s first snowfall is perfectly captured in Ezra Jack Keat’s Caldecott Medal - winning picture book. This celebrated classic has been shared by generations of readers and listeners, a must-have for every child’s bookshelf and a perfect gift for the holiday season.

Sneezy the Snowman

B-R-R-R-R! AH-CHOO! Sneezy the Snowman is cold, cold, cold. To warm up, he drinks cocoa, sits in a hot tub, stands near a warm fire–and melts! But the children know just what to do to build him up again–and make him feel “just right”. Hilarity chills the air with playful mixed-media illustrations by Stephen Gilpin as Sneezy attempts to warm himself with some silly results.

Animals in Winter (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science)

Have you ever seen a butterfly in the snow? Probably not. Butterflies can't survive cold weather, so when winter comes, many butterflies fly to warmer places. They migrate Woodchucks don't like cold weather either, but they don't migrate; they hibernate. Woodchucks sleep in their dens all winter long. How do these and other animals handle the cold and snow of winter?

There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow!

The old lady is swallowing everything from snow to a pipe, some coal, a hat, and more! With rollicking, rhyming text and funny illustrations, this lively version will appeal to young readers with every turn of the page. And this time, there's a surprise at the end no reader will be able to guess!

Language Arts Focus Day 5

Letter/Sound Recognition- Draw W’s and several other letters on a piece of paper and give your child some small objects.

I found these snowflakes at Dollar Tree sold as table scatter decor. Have your child locate and cover up each W with their object. You could also print out some small wintery images and cut them into squares for your child to use.

Book- Remember the There was an old lady who swallowed a fly?

There are dozens and dozens of new variations out there that kids adore for the ridiculous items she swallows, There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow, is perfect for this winter unit.

Craft/Activity- You can make these Fun Paper Cup Snowman Game Matching Upper and Lowercase Alphabet Letters in as many or as few letters as you want to practice.

Song/Fingerplay- Wonderful W is very fun and engaging.

Snack-You could make this Winter Wonderland Snack Mix with whatever white dry treats you have on hand.

Easy Snowman Oobleck Activity

You will need:

1 cup water
2 cups cornstarch
Craft foam
Scissors
Glitter-optional
Shallow container
Bowl
Spatula for mixing

First, in a large bowl mix water and cornstarch until combined.

You might want to get in there with your hands and mix it up well.

Grab some craft foam and cut out whatever items you like for your snowman like buttons, eyes, limbs for arms, hats, scarves, etc.

Make different items so your child has a choice of hats, arm positions, eyes, etc..

I couldn’t resist adding a little detail to the hat and carrots.

Now pour the mixture into a shallow container, these large ones at Dollar Tree are perfectly sized and come with a lid to cover it up when done playing.

Sprinkle on a little glitter if desired.

Set up the melting snowman items all around him as an invitation to play and let your preschooler’s imagination go crazy.

Hands-On Activities

Layers of The Earth

More Earth Layers and Earth Science Resources

How to Make an Edible Earth Project in a Cup

The History of Calico

More Resources for Learning about Frontier Living

How To Make A Rag Doll With Strips Of Fabric

Rag Doll With Strips Of Fabric

5 Layers of Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro

Geronimo Stilton Books 1-20

Geronimo Stilton Book List Activities

Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro Resources

How To Make A Mountain Volcano

Geronimo Stilton | Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro Craft

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

Language Arts Focus Day 1

Science Focus Day 2

Math Focus Day 3

History/Geography Focus Day 4

Books about E is for Eagle

Language Arts Focus Day 5

Paper Plate Bald Eagle

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

Language Arts Focus Day 1

Science Focus Day 2

Math Focus Day 3

History/Geography Focus Day 4

W is For Winter Themed Books

Language Arts Focus Day 5

Easy Snowman Oobleck Activity

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