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Hands-On Activities

Nature’s Rhythms: Get Your Free Phenology Wheel Nature Tracker

November 3, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

You’ll love my free printable phenology wheel nature tracker.

A phenology wheel is a visual study or journal of the cycles in nature.

It is a way to record your nature observations every day, week, month, or season. You can record plants, and animals, the weather, the moon phases, sunrise and moonrise times, significant days, etc.

Nature's Rhythms: Get Your Free Phenology Wheel Nature Tracker

All those changes are part of something called phenology which is the study of how living things change through the seasons.

Imagine a wheel divided into 12 slices — one for each month. Inside each slice, you draw or write down what you observe outdoors.

You can make your wheel about anything in nature. For example, you can do plants or trees, birds or insects and even weather patterns.

BOOKS ABOUT NATURE STUDY

Next, look at some of these books to use for your nature study.

6 Nature Study Books and Resources

Add one of these resources or books to your study about nature. They all give you a starting point or use one or two of them as a nature spine.

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

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

See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.

Image for Handbook of Nature Study

Handbook of Nature Study

The Handbook of Nature Study is a classic Charlotte Mason text. A big book full of information on pretty much every area of nature study from tools to birds, weather, and rocks.

Image for The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady

The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady

This beautifully packaged facsimile of Edith Holden’s original diary is filled with a naturalist’s masterful paintings and delightful observations chronicling the English countryside throughout 1906. As one of the few true records of the time in print, the handwritten thoughts and paintings contained in The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady transport readers to a more refined, romantic, and simpler time.

Image for Botanicum

Botanicum

Filled with both recognisable, and tropical flora, Botanicum is the ultimate companion guide to the variety of plants, and how they have evolved and grow.

Image for Curiositree: Natural World: A Visual Compendium of Wonders from Nature - Jacket unfolds into a huge wall poster!

Curiositree: Natural World: A Visual Compendium of Wonders from Nature - Jacket unfolds into a huge wall poster!

Discover the interconnectedness of the natural world and learn why living things look and behave the way they do in a series of visually compelling information charts, maps, and cutaways, all illustrated in a nostalgic, vintage style. Packed with incredible facts about the natural world and the animals that populate it, the whole family will enjoy the full-page spreads grouped into the categories of habitats, species, and adaptations.

Image for Nature Study & Outdoor Science Journal: The Thinking Tree Presents: A Creative Book of Observation, Drawing, Coloring, Writing & Discovery

Nature Study & Outdoor Science Journal: The Thinking Tree Presents: A Creative Book of Observation, Drawing, Coloring, Writing & Discovery

The Thinking Tree presents: A Creative Book of Observation, Drawing, Coloring, Writing & Discovery Through Nature, ideal for all ages (even adults!)

Creativity and discovery at its best, this journal is a bestseller among The Thinking Tree publications! Your nature-loving student will treasure this journal designed to ignite their wonder of the outdoors. With more than 180 lessons and beautiful illustrations, the Nature Study Journal invites the student to read, write, draw, color, explore and appreciate the outdoors while covering a variety of subjects such as science, poetry, observation instructions, and more.

Also, here are more nature hands-on ideas.

NATURE ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

  • Fun Nature Study Ideas and a Free Nature Tracker
  • 26 Fun Nature Unit Studies for Multiple Ages
  • Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study
  • How to Make an Easy Nature Paint Brush With Kids
  • 20 Nature-Inspired Kids’ Novels to Nurture Interest In the Outdoors
  • Kinder Gardening to Celebrate Nature and Science
  • 7 Super Easy Nature Lapbooks Guaranteed to Beat Boredom
  • Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, Hands-on Ideas, & Lapbook
  • Seashore Beach Watching Unit Study and Seashore Lapbook
  • Foraging and Feasting Nature Unit Study and Lapbook
  • Hands-On Nature Study: Bird Color Bar Graphing Activity
  • Free Wildflowers Unit Study & Lapbook
  • Hands-On Mixed Media Flower Art Fun Nature Study
  • Fun Homeschool Unit Study Egg to Sea Turtle Lesson Plans & Lapbook
  • Hands-On Literature Nature Study: Simple Tree Craft
  • Free Arctic Ground Squirrel Lapbook & Unit Study Resources
  • Hands-On Nature Study: Make a Fun Bird Nesting Bag
  • Easy and Fun Nature Study: Beautiful Birds
  • How to Make Easy DIY Bird Feeders With Kids
  • How Animals Cope With the Cold (Easy Nature Study)
  • Free Bird Journal – Hands-on Nature (Coloring & Identification Pages)
  • Homeschool Kindergarten Life Science – Hands-on Fun Nature Tree Study
  • Fun Ice For Kids Inexpensive & Easy Nature Sensory Activity
  • Art of Foraging | How to Make A Dandelion Kids Activity Soap

Finally, look below at how to grab the freebie.

Nature's Rhythms: Get Your Free Phenology Wheel Nature Tracker

Additionally, I have included 3 wheels so you can use them as you like.

I have the traditional wheel which includes the major 12 sections to divide by month with season.

And I have two blank circles for you to divide how you want because there are small sections within the main section. This allows you and child to journal what you observe.

HOW TO GET THE FREE PHENOLOGY WHEEL NATURE TRACKER

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

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

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

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

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

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, nature, nature journaling

Wonders Of Nature: How To Make A Shoebox Rainforest Diorama

November 1, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re creating an easy shoebox rainforest diorama to go with our Amazon Rainforest Unit Study. Also, look at my pages Rain Forest – Animals of the Amazon, and Rainforest Activities for Kids.

Making a rainforest diorama isn’t just a fun art project; it’s also a cool way to learn about ecosystems, animals, and plants that depend on each other to survive.

You can use this with all ages of your children, but your younger kids will especially love creating a habitat for the animals and plants of the rainforest.

Wonders Of Nature: How To Make A Shoebox Rainforest Diorama

Besides, kids learn best by doing. Your child will remember facts when he builds and designs on his own.

In addition, each child can decide which animals and plants to add to his diorama.

Add trees, vines, and layers of plants. Then draw or print pictures of rainforest animals. For example, choose parrots, snakes, monkeys, frogs, jaguars, or butterflies.

RAINFOREST BOOKS FOR KIDS

In addition, look at these books to use as a unit study spine or for fun reading.

I prefer living books when I can find them.

16 Rain Forest Animals For Kids Books & Resources

Add these rain forest animal books, games, and toys to round out your study of the animals of the rain forest.

Image for All the Way Down: Amazon Rainforest

All the Way Down: Amazon Rainforest

This book explores the rainforest layer by layer and the creatures that make their home in each part of the rainforest.

Image for Rainforest Animals (Who Am I?)

Rainforest Animals (Who Am I?)

Which rainforest animal is a frog that uses its eyes to help it swallow its food? Which rainforest animal is a bird with a big, colorful bill? Let's learn more about rainforest animals such as sloths, poison dart frogs, toucans, and more! Read With You's Who Am I? series encourages children to be more curious about the world around them as they learn fun facts about animals from across the globe.

Image for Over and Under the Rainforest

Over and Under the Rainforest

Part of the critically acclaimed Over and Under series that includes Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt and Over and Under the Snow!Under the canopy of the rainforest hundreds of animals make their homes, but up in the leaves hides another world. Turn the pages of this beautiful and educational book to discover in words and mesmerizing illustration:

Animals like the slender parrot snake and the blue morpho butterfly.

The canopies where toucans and pale-billed woodpeckers chatter and call.

Capuchin monkeys who swing from vines and slow-moving sloths who wait out daily thunderstorms.

Image for In the Rainforest (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

In the Rainforest (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

The rainforest is home to millions of plant and animal species. Some animals live high up in the trees, some crawl across the forest floor, and some tunnel underground, but they all depend on one another and the rain to survive. With colorful illustrations and fascinating diagrams from author-illustrator Kate Duke, In the Rainforest is a lively look at the most vibrant ecosystem on our planet. 

Image for Anacondas (Rain Forest Animals)

Anacondas (Rain Forest Animals)

This book introduces readers to the largest snake in the world: the anaconda. Readers learn about the life cycle, behavior, physical characteristics, and habitat of anacondas

Image for Learn to Draw Rainforest & Jungle Animals

Learn to Draw Rainforest & Jungle Animals

Expanding the popular collection of animal books in the Learn to Draw Series, Learn to Draw Rainforest & Jungle Animals will teach kids how easy it is to draw a variety of exciting and exotic creatures from around the world. Each project starts with a basic shape and progresses with simple-to-follow steps to a finished realistic final colored artwork. While they’re learning, kids will also discover fun facts about each featured animal.

Image for The Rainforest Grew All Around

The Rainforest Grew All Around

Imaginations will soar from the forest floor, up through the canopy and back down again, following the circle of life in this clever adaptation of the song “The Green Grass Grew All Around.” The jungle comes alive as children learn about a wide variety of the animals (jaguars, emerald tree boas, leafcutter ants, sloths, poison dart frogs, toucans, and bats) and plants (kapok trees, liana vines, and bromeliads) living in the lush Amazon rainforest. Delve even deeper into the jungle using sidebars and the three-page “For Creative Minds” educational section.

Image for Wildlife Anatomy: The Curious Lives & Features of Wild Animals around the World

Wildlife Anatomy: The Curious Lives & Features of Wild Animals around the World

While it covers more than just the rainforest this is a fabulous resource to have on your shelves. You will find plenty of great pictures and information on many animals that live there- crocodiles, harpy eagles, monkeys, tapir , sloths,Jaguarundi, and the food web.

Image for The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest

The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest

Tells a story of a man who came to cut down a kapok tree and encounters many of the beautiful and exotic native creatures who make their home in the Amazon Rainforest.

Image for Professor Noggin's Reptiles and Amphibians Trivia Card Game

Professor Noggin's Reptiles and Amphibians Trivia Card Game

FUN FACTS: How about Reptiles versus Amphibians?!  That's just one of the topic cards in this kids card game.  Find out more fun facts from Eggs to the Komodo Dragon!

Image for Hello, World! Rainforest Animals

Hello, World! Rainforest Animals

This bright and exciting Hello, World! board book teaches toddlers all about the amazing world of a rainforest—with easy-to-understand facts about the incredible animals who make their home there.

Image for Where Is the Amazon?

Where Is the Amazon?

Human beings have inhabited the banks of the Amazon River since 13,000 BC and yet they make up just a small percentage of the "population" of this geographic wonderland. The Amazon River basin teems with life—animal and plant alike.

Image for Canopy, Card Game, Features 25 Unique Species of Rainforest Animals and Plants

Canopy, Card Game, Features 25 Unique Species of Rainforest Animals and Plants

Compete to grow the most bountiful rainforest! Carefully select what grows in your forest, and give rise to a thriving ecosystem.

Image for Afternoon on the Amazon

Afternoon on the Amazon

Vampire bats and killer ants? That's what Jack and Annie are about to run into when the Magic Tree House whisks them away to the Amazon River. It's not long before they get hopelessly lost. Will they be able to find their way back to the tree house? Or are Jack and Annie stuck forever in the rain forest?

Image for Red-eyed Tree Frog (Scholastic Bookshelf)

Red-eyed Tree Frog (Scholastic Bookshelf)

NatureI n a tropical rain forest in Central America, a red-eyed tree frog spends the night looking for food while avoiding potential predators. Award-winning photographer Nic Bishop's larger-than-life, gorgeous images document the hunt, which ends happily with the frog settling down in the leaves to spend his daylight hours sleeping! Joy Cowley's simple, readable text makes the frog's story fun, interesting, and accessible to young readers.

Image for Protecting the Amazon Rainforest (Saving Earth's Biomes)

Protecting the Amazon Rainforest (Saving Earth's Biomes)

Explores the richness of the Amazon rainforest, how humans have damaged it, and efforts being taken to protect it. Clear text, vibrant photos, and helpful infographics make this book an accessible and engaging read.

Then, look at these rainforest activities for kids.

MORE RAINFOREST ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

  • Easy Jungle Crafts | Free Henri Rousseau Inspired Craft Kids Love
  • Amazon Toucan Study Guide for Kids Who Love Animals
  • 10 Fun Facts About Kapok Trees You’ll Love
  • The Wonders of Nature: Free Color by Number Sloth Rainforest Habitat Page
  • How To Make A Shoebox Toucan Habitat Diorama With Waterfall
  • 8 Fun Facts About Harpy Eagles | How to Make a Paper Bag Puppet
  • Alphabet Letter R is for Rainbow Craft for Preschool | Fun Rain Mobile
  • How To Make A Pipe Cleaner Monkey | Howler Monkey Fun Facts
  • Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles
  • How to Make DIY Hummingbird Nectar And Favorite Amazon Rainforest Hummingbirds Facts
  • Learn About Fruits Around the World Fun With Food Activities
  • 10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana
  • How to Make an Easy Rainforest Triorama With Kids
Wonders Of Nature: How To Make A Shoebox Rainforest Diorama

Finally, look at how to make a diorama of a rainforest.

HOW TO MAKE A SHOEBOX RAINFOREST DIORAMA

First, look at this easy list of supplies.

Supplies:

  • Cardboard box
  • Green tissue paper
  • Green construction paper
  • Toilet paper rolls
  • Blue tissue paper
  • Green yarn
  • Scissors
  • Glue or tape
  • Toy rainforest animals. I love the animals found in the TOOBS series.
Wonders Of Nature: How To Make A Shoebox Rainforest Diorama

Prepare the backdrop: Line the inside of a cardboard box with green tissue paper to create the lush rainforest background.

Wonders Of Nature: How To Make A Shoebox Rainforest Diorama

Make the trees: Cut strips of green construction paper. Glue the strips to the inside edge of a toilet paper roll to form tall rainforest trees with leafy tops.

Wonders Of Nature: How To Make A Shoebox Rainforest Diorama

Add vines: Drape green yarn from the top of the box to make hanging jungle vines. You can tape the ends of the yarn to the box to secure them.

Create water: Cut a strip of blue tissue paper and glue it to the box to represent a flowing river or pond.

Wonders Of Nature: How To Make A Shoebox Rainforest Diorama

Add grass: Glue extra green construction paper strips around the bottom to look like thick rainforest grass.

Place the animals: Add toy rainforest animals throughout the diorama, like on the grass, near the water, or peeking from behind trees.

Wonders Of Nature: How To Make A Shoebox Rainforest Diorama

Make a flying bird:

Wonders Of Nature: How To Make A Shoebox Rainforest Diorama

Tape a small toy bird to one of the yarn vines so it looks like it’s flying through the rainforest canopy.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: amazon rain forest, diorama, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, rainforest

Spoon And Stick Scarecrow Craft For Kids & Free Template

October 31, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re making an adorable spoon and stick scarecrow craft for kids they’ll love. Also, there is a free template. Too, look at my free unit study and lapbook Fall Unit Study {Pumpkins, Leaves, Corn, & More}.

Scarecrows have a long history in farming and gardening.

And they were once used to protect crops from hungry birds. Crafting a miniature scarecrow gives children a chance to learn about the seasons, farming, and how food grows.

Spoon And Stick Scarecrow Craft For Kids & Free Template

Too, with this spoon and stick scarecrow and a few ingredients, your children learn how to reuse materials. This is a fun craft to include both preschool and kindergarten kids.

The spoon and stick scarecrow once created is so adorable it can be used for storytelling.

Besides, cutting fabric, and gluing tiny details all help children practice fine motor control. Fine motor skills are essential to strengthen for learning to write.

BOOKS FOR KIDS WHO LOVE FALL

Additionally, I’ve rounded up some of our favorite fall books kids will love.

15 Fall Books For Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

With a chill in the air and leaves falling, grab one or two of these fun books for your home library.

Image for Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic

Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic

A compilation of Native American speeches affirming the desire to live in spiritual and ecological harmony includes the words of Geronimo, Sitting Bull, and Cochise, covering such topics as fishing rights, peace treaties, and the devastation of their land.

Image for Autumn Harvest

Autumn Harvest

"Mr. Tresselt writes quiet, factual prose about katydids, reapers and threshing, falling leaves, apple-gathering, and the first frost."--New York Herald Tribune.

Image for Autumn Leaves

Autumn Leaves

A concise text and crisp, close-up, color photographs of thirteen different leaves from North American trees teach very young children how to look at and compare the leaves of autumn, and are accompanied by an explanation of why they turn color.

Image for The Apple Pie That Papa Baked

The Apple Pie That Papa Baked

These are the apples, juicy and red,that went in the pie,warm and sweet,that Papa baked...for guess who!

Image for Sophie's Squash

Sophie's Squash

Kids will love this playful story of of a unique fall friendship between a girl . . . and her squash!On a trip to the farmers' market with her parents, Sophie chooses a squash, but instead of letting her mom cook it, she names it Bernice. From then on, Sophie brings Bernice everywhere, despite her parents' gentle warnings that Bernice will begin to rot. As winter nears, Sophie does start to notice changes.... What's a girl to do when the squash she loves is in trouble?

Image for Autumn Story: Introduce children to the seasons in the gorgeously illustrated classics of Brambly Hedge!

Autumn Story: Introduce children to the seasons in the gorgeously illustrated classics of Brambly Hedge!

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the miniature world of the mice of Brambly Hedge!

Bad weather is on the way and the autumn stores are still not gathered in!

Quickly, all the mice of Brambly Hedge set to work to finish the harvesting before the rain begins. Primrose, Lord Woodmouse's daughter, meant to help, but somehow she daydreamed her way over the cornfield and into the Chestnut Woods, and before she knew it, she was lost. The sun went down, the wind rose and it began to rain. Primrose was all alone in the dark and she was frightened.

Poor Primrose, would she find her way home again?

Image for Mr. Hermit Miser and the Neighborly Pumpkin: the green edition |

Mr. Hermit Miser and the Neighborly Pumpkin: the green edition |

Mr. Hermit Miser doesn’t like his neighbors, and they don’t like him. But when a pumpkin vine sprouts in Mr. Hermit Miser’s yard and makes its way into the neighbors’ yards, but he wants all those pumpkins for pies … well, what is he to do?

With adventures in pumpkin-snatching, failed attempts at baking pies, and pumpkin goo everywhere, this tale about being neighborly in a not-so-perfect way will be an endearing autumn story for all the readers in your circle.

This reprint of a 1949 classic adds some recipes, a poem, and a bit of pie-history as well.

Image for Dance Like a Leaf

Dance Like a Leaf

As her grandmother's health declines, a young girl begins to lovingly take the lead in their cozy shared autumn traditions. Poetic prose paired with evocative illustrations by Mexican illustrator Claudia Navarro make for a beautiful celebration of life and a gentle introduction to the death of a loved one.

Image for The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night

The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night

"[Spier's] finely detailed, action-packed New England autumn vistas are almost startlingly beautiful."—The New York Times  Over fifty years after he won a Caldecott Honor for The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night, legendary illustrator Peter Spier went back to this time-honored favorite in 2014 to paint the half of the book that was originally printed in black and white. In this glowing, restored vision of Spier’s beloved classic, follow the wily fox as he roams a sleepy New England town in search of a meal, with tones and textures so vivid you can almost hear the crackle of crisp fall leaves and the ripples of the river in the moonlight.

Image for Down Buttermilk Lane

Down Buttermilk Lane

An Amish family, traveling by buggy, spends a day doing errands in the village, visiting, and returning home in time for supper

Image for Fall Leaves

Fall Leaves

Autumn is in the air: days grow shorter and nights are long. Birds leave, flowers, too. Apples and temperatures fall—then snow!Part poem, part silent stage, this luminous picture book puts autumn on display and captures the spirit of change that stays with us long after fall leaves. Unlock the secrets of this busy and beautiful time of year as the natural world makes way for winter.

Image for Hooray for Fall!

Hooray for Fall!

Mama has a surprise for her three little squirrels: three bright red sweaters to keep them warm throughout the fall. Imagine the siblings’ surprise when they find that everything in the autumn woods—the leaves, the berries, even the setting sun—is red too, just like their sweaters.This celebration of a perfect fall day will have young and old alike looking for signs of autumn in their own neighborhoods. Kazuo Iwamura’s books celebrating the seasons (Hooray for Spring!, Hooray for Summer!, Hooray for Fall!, and Hooray for Snow!) are perennial favorites—introducing children to the beauty and joy of each season. Iwamura masterfully captures the small wonders of nature in his illustrations and his stories with their gentle humor warm the heart.

Image for Hopefully the Scarecrow

Hopefully the Scarecrow

The perfect Fall book for kids! A poignant picture book about a scarecrow who befriends the young girl who reads to him day after day until one day he's left wondering where she is.A scarecrow stood in the garden. Tall, proud, and smiling. Every day a girl brought her favorite books to the garden and she read to him. He heard tales of courage and of hope. And when she said, "The End," the scarecrow always felt a little bit taller and braver. Year after year, she came and she read to him.Until one spring, two different hands picked him up from the garden shed and placed him in the garden. He waited, but she didn't come to read to him.With poignant words from award-winning author Michelle Houts and lush illustrations by Pura Belpré Honor winner Sara Palacios, Hopefully the Scarecrow is a tender distillation of the enduring power of friendship and a heartwarming look at the ways stories connect us.

Image for Maple & Willow Apart

Maple & Willow Apart

Funny, relatable sibling dynamics make this story a wonderful way to address navigating big changes. Lori Nichols’s expressive artwork beautifully portrays Maple and Willow’s strong bond, and children will love the creative, kid-powered solution. Maple and Willow have always been inseparable. So what happens when Maple starts big-girl school and Willow stays behind? Well, of course, both girls have marvelous adventures of their own, but the truth is, they miss each other. And when they see that the missing is mutual, they find a unique way to feel connected even when they have to be apart.

Image for Now It's Fall (Lois Lenski Books)

Now It's Fall (Lois Lenski Books)

School bells and apples and big ripe pumpkins-all the pleasures of fall come alive in this newly reissued classic by award winner Lois Lenski. First published in 1948, Now It's Fall is a timeless celebration of autumn that will enchant a whole new generation of young readers with its gently recolored illustrations.

Also, look at these other scarecrow ideas.

MORE SCARECROW ACTIVITIES

  • Easy Fall Crafts To Make And Sell By Kids & Scarecrow Candy Jar
  • Paper Bag Scarecrow
  • How To Make An Adorable Scarecrow & Crafts To Keep Hands Busy
  • Paper Cup Hopping Scarecrow Craft
  • Paper Plate Scarecrow Craft
Spoon And Stick Scarecrow Craft For Kids & Free Template

Finally look at how to make a fun spoon and stick scarecrow.

HOW TO MAKE A SPOON AND STICK SCARECROW CRAFT

First, look at this easy list of supplies.

List of Supplies:

  • Felt fabric
  • Popsicle stick
  • Fiber spoon
  • Pencil
  • A pair of scissors
  • Craft glue
  • Sharpies
  • template (you can grab this at the bottom by adding your email and you get the template instantly)

Step 1:

Select felt fabrics for the scarecrow patterns.

Trace the template patterns on the selected felt fabrics and cut them out nicely.

Spoon And Stick Scarecrow Craft For Kids & Free Template

Step 2:

Attach the overall cutout to the shirt cutout.

Spoon And Stick Scarecrow Craft For Kids & Free Template

Step 3:

Attach the button cutouts to the overall pattern.

Spoon And Stick Scarecrow Craft For Kids & Free Template

Step 4:

Attach the hat band and the small square cutouts to the hat pattern.

Spoon And Stick Scarecrow Craft For Kids & Free Template

Step 5:

Take the fiber spoon and attach a popsicle stick horizontally to the spoon, right below the bowl part.

Spoon And Stick Scarecrow Craft For Kids & Free Template

Step 6:

Take the hat pattern and prepare some small strands of yellow yarns for the scarecrow’s hair.

Attach the yarn cutouts to the backside of the hat.

Spoon And Stick Scarecrow Craft For Kids & Free Template

Step 7:

Attach 2 small square cutouts to the overall pattern. Prepare more yarn strands for the open ends of the overall’s leg parts.

Spoon And Stick Scarecrow Craft For Kids & Free Template

Step 8:

Attach the yarn strands to the open ends of the overall’s leg parts.

Spoon And Stick Scarecrow Craft For Kids & Free Template

Step 9:

Attach the body base pattern of the scarecrow to the fiber spoon. Make sure that the popsicle stick is aligned with the sleeves.

Spoon And Stick Scarecrow Craft For Kids & Free Template

Step 10:

Cut a slit along the yellow marked line of the felt hat.

Spoon And Stick Scarecrow Craft For Kids & Free Template

Step 11:

Insert the top end of the spoon through the slit of the hat from the bottom side. Apply glue to secure the hat with the spoon.

Spoon And Stick Scarecrow Craft For Kids & Free Template

Step 12:

Use markers or sharpies to draw the face of the spoon scarecrow.

Spoon And Stick Scarecrow Craft For Kids & Free Template

HOW TO GRAB THE FREE TEMPLATE

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

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

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

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

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

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

How To Create A Botany High School Curriculum & Career Ideas

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

Are you researching how to create a botany high school curriculum & career ideas for science credit? Too, look at my page How to Choose the Right Homeschool High School Science for more fun teen ideas.

If your teens love plants, gardening, or just spending time outdoors, building a botany-focused high school course is the perfect way to nurture their curiosity.

Botany is the scientific study of plants, and it covers everything from how seeds sprout to how plants help maintain life on Earth.

How To Create A Botany High School Curriculum & Career Ideas

Creating your own homeschool botany curriculum gives you the freedom to tailor learning to your teen’s interests, mix in hands-on activities, and even explore future career options.

Your teen can gain a deep appreciation for the plant world—and maybe even find a calling rooted in green things.

MORE HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT HOMESCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE

  • How To Combine High School Homeschool Marine Biology Curriculum & Notebooking
  • Fun High School Science Games About Ocean Life
  • High School Marine Life Art Ideas & Easy Eagle Ray Art
  • Marine Science Experiments For High School Made Easy
  • High School Science Movies for Homeschoolers
  • An Easy Beginner’s Guide to Biology Lab Supplies High School
  • A Beginner’s Guide To 1st Year High School Science Subject
  • How To Build High School Environmental Science Homeschool Curriculum
  • Online High School Science Courses For Homeschoolers Who Love Choices
  • Fun Anatomy Activities For High School & How To Make An Easy Skin Layer Model
  • Fun and Easy High School DNA Model Project
  • How To Create A Botany High School Curriculum & Career Ideas
  • Biology Kits for High School & How to Do a Shark Dissection

HOW TO CREATE A BOTANY HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM

It can stand alone or be part of a broader biology credit, you can use a textbook as your base and blend in hands-on activities or put it completely together from scratch,

Just make sure you’re hitting enough hours and topics for it to count toward science requirements in your state.

STEP 1: DECIDE ON YOUR LEARNING GOALS

Before gathering resources, think about what you want your teen to learn by the end of the year.

Some ideas you might want to  include:

  • Conservation and sustainable agriculture
  • Plant anatomy and physiology
  • Photosynthesis and plant nutrition
  • Plant reproduction and life cycles
  • Classification and taxonomy
  • Plant ecology and environmental impact
  • Medicinal and economic uses of plants
How To Create A Botany High School Curriculum & Career Ideas

Next, look at these core resources.

STEP 2: CHOOSE YOUR CORE RESOURCES

Pick one or two main books to act as the spine of your curriculum.

Then supplement with reference books, videos, field guides, fieldwork, and experiments.

6 Botany High School Core Resources

Pick one or two main books to act as the spine,

Image for Botany in 8 Lessons

Botany in 8 Lessons

A short, engaging course that breaks plant science into digestible chunks. Great for a one-semester study or as a supplement to a broader biology curriculum. Includes diagrams, activities, and review questions.

Image for Exploring Creation with Botany, Textbook

Exploring Creation with Botany, Textbook

Although originally written for younger grades, it’s so thorough that it can be adapted for high school with additional research projects, labs, and deeper reading. Covers plant anatomy, classification, reproduction, and ecology with hands-on notebooking activities.

Image for Botany in a Day: The Patterns Method of Plant Identification

Botany in a Day: The Patterns Method of Plant Identification

Great for plant identification using patterns.

Image for Guest Hollow’s Botany Curriculum
Photo Credit: guesthollow.com

Guest Hollow’s Botany Curriculum

This course is for any student who has a love for nature and plants. Use it as a pre-biology course or post-biology. Students will learn the science behind plants and to appreciate the myriad contributions plants make to our lives.

Image for The Botany Coloring Book

The Botany Coloring Book

Combines art and science for memorization. Plant Identification Terminology by James G. Harris & Melinda Woolf Harris – Reference guide for fieldwork.

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

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

– More illustrated and approachable, great for visual learners.

Also, botany is best learned by getting your hands dirty…literally

STEP 3: ADD IN HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES

  • Plant Dissections – Examine flowers, seeds, roots, and leaves under a magnifying glass or microscope.
  • Seed Germination Lab – Compare germination rates of different seeds under varying conditions.
  • Herbarium Creation – Press and preserve plant specimens with proper labeling.
  • Soil Testing – Learn about pH, nutrients, and how soil health affects plants.
  • Grow Your Own Garden – Track growth rates, design layouts, and learn about companion planting.
  • DIY Plant Press – Build your own wooden plant press for preserving specimens. Incorporate them into daily journals/notebooking, or for the end of the year presentation.
  • Field Trips – Visit botanical gardens, nature preserves, or local farms to learn about techniques, pollination, cross-breeding, and more.

Additionally, include videos and online learning for enrichment.

STEP 4: INCLUDE VIDEO & ONLINE LEARNING

Videos can bring concepts to life and are perfect for visual learners to cover complex topics like photosynthesis.

  • Khan Academy Biology – Plant biology sections for free, in-depth lessons.
  • CrashCourse Biology: Plant Videos (YouTube) – Fun and fast-paced overviews.
  • “The Private Life of Plants” by David Attenborough – Stunning BBC series.
  • National Geographic’s Kingdom of Plants – 3D look at plant life.
  • “How Plants Communicate” – TED-Ed short videos on plant behavior.

STEP 5: EXPLORE CAREERS

Botany opens the door to a surprising number of careers. Even if your teen doesn’t want to be a botanist, plant science can lead to work in agriculture, conservation, education, and more.

Potential Careers in Botany:

  • Botanist or Plant Researcher
  • Horticulturist or Greenhouse Manager
  • Agricultural Scientist
  • Plant Geneticist
  • Ethnobotanist (studies plants and human culture)
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Botanical Illustrator or Photographer
  • Forestry Technician
  • Park Ranger or Conservationist

Invite guest speakers (local farmers, master gardeners, or university researchers) to talk about their work.

Job shadowing and internships can give teens a taste of real-world plant careers.

STEP 6: CREATE A PORTFOLIO OR FINAL PROJECT

Having a tangible record of your teen’s work not only makes grading easier but also builds a great homeschool transcript for later on.

Ideas for final projects:

  • Research paper on an endangered plant species
  • Illustrated plant field guide of local flora
  • Garden design portfolio
  • Short documentary video about plant life cycles
  • Science fair-style presentation on an experiment they designed

The final project is wide open, allowing for you and your teen to choose something that incorporates their learning style, time constraints, and state requirements.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: botany, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, high school, high school science, homeschool

High School Science Movies for Homeschoolers

October 20, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

High school science movies for homeschoolers are a great way to set the stage for a new science topic or to bring it to a close. And look at my page How to Choose the Right Homeschool High School Science for more fun teen ideas.

Science doesn’t have to be confined to a textbook or a worksheet.

Science movies can spark interest, provoke discussion, and offer real-world examples of scientific principles.

High School Science Movies for Homeschoolers

Below is a curated list of science-themed movies that cover biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, and more, as well as a quick explanation for what each science encompasses.

Some are documentaries, some just movies made for entertainment, but they open up the floor for wonderful discussions about possibilities, moral dilemmas and spark interest for deeper learning in various science topics.

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  • Biology Kits for High School & How to Do a Shark Dissection

WAYS TO MORE THAN JUST WATCH HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE MOVIES

Watch & Discuss-Use these movies to spark dialogue, write essays, or even create presentations. Ask questions like “Do you think that was ethical”, “How would you have done this differently?”, “Is there research to prove that?”, etc.…

Create a Movie Notebook- Have your child keep a notebook or journal of their reactions, ratings, summaries, and research follow-up questions.

Assign by Unit-Match movies with units like Space, Genetics, Climate, or Famous Scientists. Have them compare and contrast movies. While its not an exhaustive list I have several suggestions for each topic.

High School Science Movies for Homeschoolers

Also, look at my posts Free and Useful Editable Movie Report For Homeschool and Creative Free Editable Movie Lesson Plan Template for Homeschooling to use with the movies.

Also, look at more homeschool high school science.

MORE HOMESCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE

12 High School Science Movies

Grab some popcorn, a sweet treat, and enjoy the unique experience of homeschooling your high school teen in a new way.

Image for Lorenzo's Oil

Lorenzo's Oil

Genetics, rare diseases, neurology

Based on a true story of parents pioneering a treatment for their son’s genetic illness.

Image for Contagion

Contagion

Virology, epidemiology, pandemic science

Realistic portrayal of disease spread and public health systems.

Image for Extraordinary Measures

Extraordinary Measures

Medical research, rare diseases,pharmaceutical science

Demonstrates the intersection of business, science, and compassion.

Image for A Beautiful Mind

A Beautiful Mind

Psychology, mental health, mathematics

A biopic of John Nash, showcasing mental illness alongside genius.

Image for Radioactive

Radioactive

Chemistry, radiation, Nobel science

Explores the groundbreaking and dangerous discoveries of Marie Curie.

Image for The Martian

The Martian

Chemistry, botany, survival engineering

Engaging problem-solving involving chemical reactions, water creation, and growing food on Mars.

Image for October Sky

October Sky

Combustion, chemical engineering

Inspiring story of a teen building rockets based on science and grit.

Image for Hidden Figures

Hidden Figures

Newtonian physics, orbital mechanics

Highlights the vital contributions of African-American women at NASA.

Image for Einstein and Eddington

Einstein and Eddington

General relativity, astrophysics

Demonstrates collaboration and theory development during wartime.

Image for Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer

Atomic physics, ethics of science

Explores the complexities of building and using the atomic bomb.

Image for Apollo 13

Apollo 13

Physics, engineering

Shows problem-solving using physics to save lives.

Image for Infinity

Infinity

Particle physics, biography of Feynman

Focuses on the early career of one of the 20th century’s most famous physicists.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, high school, high school science, homeschool, movies, science

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