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Day 9: Carpe Diem: Homeschool Schedule by The Day, Month, & Year And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

August 27, 2022 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Homeschool schedule is our topic today. It’s day 9 Carpe Diem: Homeschool Schedule by The Day, Month, & Year of the 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers. 

It almost seems like an oxymoron to use carpe diem or to seize the moment and to plan ahead or schedule in the same sentence.

But that is exactly what learning at home becomes.

At first, your routine feels more like a taskmaster with very little room to seize the teachable moments.

That is normal because you are trying to find a schedule that fits your family.

Day 9: Carpe Diem: Homeschool Schedule by The Day, Month, & Year And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Sharing a tip or two on how to schedule your day, month and year will help you to learn to relax and know when to seize teaching moments.

Tips For Scheduling Your Homeschool Day

Early and first in the day is usually better for most young children.

 I will point out here that I did not say it was always good for the teacher, but  children learn better first in the day.

Tips for scheduling the day

In addition, each family has to decide what they consider “first” in the day for them.

For our family, we are up by about 6:30 a.m. or 7:00 a.m. so 9:00 is a good time to get started.

I know another homeschooler whose husband works until 9:00 p.m.

If they went to bed at 9:30 p.m., like my family, then her children would miss out on spending time with their dad.

Homeschool Schedule

She has adjusted her family “first time” in the day to 10:30 a.m. and that is when her school starts.

There are many times we have slept later and benefited, but in the long run, we get so much more done for the day when we get up earlier and maintain a good night time routine.

A quick but good breakfast allows everybody time to wake up and stay in a good mood for learning.

Pizza Party

Schedule lunch good for your family and it doesn’t have to be noon. Since we rise early and sometimes earlier than 6:30 am. we tend to eat lunch earlier. We prefer to eat around 11:15 to 11:30 a.m.

I will show you a schedules tomorrow that might work for you on how to balance home and school.

Tips For Scheduling For the Homeschool Month

No homeschool hermits allowed. I say this all the time — if it were left up to me, I would just decide to not leave the house for any planned activities during the month.

However, both the kids and yourself need a break.

Tips for scheduling the month.

(One of my earlier homeschool co-ops because we are still meeting in a home.)

A pace that has always been good for us through the years is to allow one field trip per month.

When the kids were younger, I went on more field trips because their academic requirements are less as they should be in the first few grades.

The older your children get the harder it gets at certain times to get away.

Plan ahead by looking at what events your local homeschool group have that are coming up.

Scheduling field trips

(The Mr. had off work that day, so I picked up my nieces so they could join us and we were out the door to NASA.)

In addition, we have planned many family outings when my husband had off work during the month. Try to plan for a least on opportunity to learn outside the four walls of your home each month.

Too, I’m going to switch gears here on you.

Who is Tina Robertson

But before you can appreciate how I can help you here are are a few things about me. Sure, this free new homeschooler boot camp is all about you.

However, you need to know that I’m not new to the homeschool world.  It has been several years since I wrote this series and I want to update you on my successes. And I’ve helped HUNDREDS get on the road to homeschooling.

Too, I have 3 homeschooled grads. So I’m well past having my oldest kid being 10 years old.

But the best part is that what I have for you works.

Also, look at a few other things about me.

  • I am the author of the book Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers: When You Don’t Know Where to Begin

And I have a detailed self-paced online homeschool Kickstarter course. It is a detailed comprehensive course for first time homeschoolers.

That is enough about me.

This new homeschoolers free boot camp is about you. I’ve not only been helping new homeschoolers in person, but here at my site for years.

Tips For Scheduling For the Homeschool Year

Many homeschoolers enjoy homeschooling year around.

When I first heard of year around homeschooling it made me exhausted to think about it, but that is only because I didn’t fully understand it.

I have several blog articles you can mull over too. Look here at:

  • What is Year Around Homeschooling? Part 1
  • What is Year Around Homeschooling? Part 2
  • Homeschooling Year Round – Chaos Or Calm?

You will find that you have many weeks left over when you can decide to take off during the year.

Look at the year and ACTUALLY Plan.

When you refer to a calendar and put in days you want to take off, holidays and days you want to school, you are more likely to stick to your schedule. 

For example, you have seen the calendars listed on public school websites where they have days in service, holidays and student days off. Well—that is exactly what you need to do the first few years as you learn the rhythm.

I have created a form that helps you to do this. Look at how I planned one year.

Day 9: Carpe Diem: Homeschool Schedule by The Day, Month, & Year And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

By the way, after I update it each year, I keep the updated version at Step 5a. Choose Unique Forms JUST for You.

Perhaps you may want to take off one day per week to catch up on housecleaning.

I have schooled many years with a 4 day week because I enjoyed having a day where I was caught up on laundry, groceries and bill paying.

Deciding a workable schedule now frees your time for seizing unplanned teaching moments.

Scheduling brings freedom and that is why I use the words carpe diem.

Plodding along getting things done that you want to accomplish this first year of school will allow you the freedom skip a day or two of school.

Don’t miss a wonderful opportunity to see a traveling exhibit at the museum that is only in for a week or miss an opportunity to socialize with your homeschool group by watching a play.

Moments like that are treasures and bring a yearning for learning that will carry you through your journey.

Day 9: Carpe Diem: Homeschool Schedule by The Day, Month, & Year And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Avoid being rigid and remember that living and learning will eventually become blurred.

No, you don’t have to give up your routine or schedule, just savor the moment.

Days 1 – 7 of the 31 Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers

  • 1 Learn The Lingo and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp (& free glossary)
  • 2: Homeschool Roots Matter and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp
  • 3 What is NOT Homeschooling and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp
  • 4: Confronting Relatives & Naysayers and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp
  • 5: The Wheels on the Bus Go ‘Round & ‘Round – So Get Off! And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp
  • 6: Homeschool Hangouts & Socialization Situations And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp
  • 7: Tied Up with Homeschool Testing? And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Day 9. Carpe Deiem Scheduling 31 Days of New Bee Homeschooler Blog Boot Camp
comprehensive key
Year Around Schedule Sample

2 CommentsFiled Under: 31 Day Blog Bootcamp for New Homeschoolers, Schedule/Balance Home & School Tagged With: new homeschooler

Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult STEM Challenge for Medieval Unit Study

August 23, 2022 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Your kids will love making this fun pumpkin catapult stem challenge where you’re doing a fall unit study or medieval unit study.

This pumpkin catapult stem challenge will incorporate science, technology, engineering, math, and history into one fun activity.

This is a cool activity that will definitely earn you a lot of cool mom points.

A medieval times unit study is the perfect time to try out this hands-on activity to teach weaponry that was used during the period as well as those STEM skills.

Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult Stem Challenge for Medieval Unit Study

You don’t have to make yours as large as this one, but I found this pack of huge craft sticks at Hobby Lobby.

So, I thought they would put a fun twist to it.

Instead of using little marshmallow pumpkins, we were able to launch larger decor pumpkins (they are just inexpensive stuffed ones from Dollar Tree).

Also, if your child enjoys history, consider adding the Kingfisher History Encyclopedia and Usborne Encyclopedia of World History.

They both contain wonderful illustrations and information that is easy for children to understand.

And they are a great addition to round out any unit study. 

Medieval Catapult Facts

Before, after, or during your activity give your child some of the research questions below to find in books or online.

  • What are the 4 Types of catapults? trebuchet, mangonel, onager, and ballista.
  • What were catapults used for in Medieval Times? Siege, vaulting things over castle walls
  • What time period is considered Medieval/Middle ages? 500 to 1400-1500 CE
  • What event marked the beginning of the Middle Ages?  The fall of Rome 476 AD
  • What is the hierarchy of feudal society during this time? Monarchs, Lords/Ladies (Nobles), Knights, and Peasants/Serfs

Vocabulary Words for Medieval Unit Study

Then, here are a few vocabulary words for this unit.

Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult Stem Challenge for Medieval Unit Study
  • Projectile
  • Force 
  • Fulcrum 
  • Lever
  • Peasant
  • Vassal
  • Furlong
  • Squire
  • Clergy
  • Plunder
  • Troubadour
  • Guild

Catapult Science

Next, learn about some of the science of the catapult.

When you draw back the craft/popsicle stick, potential(resting) energy is being built up.

After you release it, it becomes kinetic (moving) energy.

Finally, gravity pulls the launched object back down.

This stem activity shows Newton’s three laws of motion.

Newtons 3 Laws of Motion

  1. Newton’s law of inertia– An object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an external force.  
  2. Newton’s law of force and acceleration– When an external force acts on an object, it produces an acceleration (change in velocity) in the object in the direction of the force.
  3. Newton’s third law- The law of action and reaction states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

You can try using different objects with different sizes and weights.

Change the thickness of the fulcrum to achieve different results.

And add a measuring tape or yard stick to figure out the various distance. Then, record your information.  

Here is how to put together your own pumpkin catapult stem challenge. You will need:

  • Jumbo craft sticks
  • Rubber bands
  • A large metal or plastic lid 
  • E6000 or hot glue
  • Pumpkins
Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult Stem Challenge for Medieval Unit Study

If you want to add these fun knights and horses you can grab these Safari Toobs.

They are also great to use in diorama, sensory bins, as models for drawing, and in dramatic small world play.

How to Make a Medieval Catapult

You can paint or use markers to color your popsicle sticks if you like as your first step or keep them natural like this one.

Just be sure to let them dry thoroughly before putting it together.

Starting by making a stack of craft sticks.

I ended up using 14 of the jumbo sticks to create more leverage for the catapult, placing rubber bands securely on each end about 1 ½” from the end.

Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult Stem Challenge for Medieval Unit Study

Stack two jumbo craft sticks and place a rubber band only over one end, 1 – ½” away from the end.

Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult Stem Challenge for Medieval Unit Study

Open the two craft sticks that are banded at one end and slip the large stack of sticks through, pushing them about ¾ of the way up close to the rubber band.

Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult Stem Challenge for Medieval Unit Study

Next, take a larger rubber band and crisscross it over a few times where your two stacks of sticks intersect.

Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult Stem Challenge for Medieval Unit Study

Use hot glue or something like e6000 (which will take longer to set) to affix your lid to the end of the top craft stick. 

Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult Stem Challenge for Medieval Unit Study

Press it in place firmly and let it dry all the way. Be sure that you use plenty of glue so that it is very secure to the craft stick.

Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult Stem Challenge for Medieval Unit Study

To launch you just need to press down on the back and release, 

Let the launching fun begin!

Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult Stem Challenge for Medieval Unit Study

You are ready to lay siege and launch objects over castle walls ( or at least over the ottoman) in a battle for riches and power.

Add a few more items to your study to really give it some hands-on fun like this 3d Puzzle Castle or these knight decorations to kick off a new Medieval unit study.

Other Fall Unit Study Resources

  • Fall Homeschool Learning Resources For Middle School
  • Fall Y’all:Pumpkin Pie in a Bag (Easy Homeschool Co-op Idea)
  • Fall Unit Study (Includes Apples, Sir Isaac Newton, Art, and Appleseed)

1 CommentFiled Under: Teach Homeschool Science Tagged With: fall, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources, homeschool, medieval homeschool history, middle ages history, science

Day 7: Tied Up with Homeschool Testing? And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

August 22, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

What about standardized testing for homeschoolers? Today tied up with testing is day 7 of the free 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers. 

If there is one pointed question I get repeatedly in my workshops, it is how do I go about testing my children?

My knee jerk answer to this question would be WHY?

Thankfully, I have never responded that way.

However, there should be a purpose for everything you choose to do in homeschooling.

Day 7: Tied Up with Homeschool Testing? And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

You can’t decide if testing is right for your family unless you think about your goals and have some background information on testing.

Instead of focusing on explaining the myriads of tests and how to do it, I feel as a new homeschooler you need to have time to decide if you want to or not.

I will, however, put links at the bottom to explain some of the them, but again I encourage you to pause and focus on the fact if it would benefit your family or not at this time.

Determine Your Purpose for Testing

Some homeschool parents just assume that you have to test when you start to homeschool.

Until I started homeschooling, I did not think that testing could be used for any other reason than to measure one child against another.

From my public school experience as a student that is all I remember. There are many reasons to test and some of the more main streamed ones are:

  1. To diagnose areas of weakness or strengths in your children.
  2. To evaluate what is age-appropriate knowledge.
  3. To place for entrance into colleges or to determine scholarship money.

I have used testing for the reasons listed above.

But also for something not so mainstream and that is for memory retention purposes. I have used old tests put out by the state of Texas to test my children. The tests are free and I printed them and administer them in a test environment.

Seeing what was on the test help me to determine if I wanted to cover other concepts in math and other areas of history.

Though we left public school so that we do not have to stay in sync with it, there is nothing wrong with getting an expanded view of what other children who are the same ages as yours are learning.

I have created our unit studies based on a question we saw on a test because I realized we wanted to know more about that subject.

Other parents want their children familiar with the environment of a test no matter how much anxiety their children have.

Tips for When Testing is Appropriate

If you live in a state that requires accountability, then you will need to test.

However, you can ease testing anxiety by perhaps using another homeschool mom to test your child in a more homeschool friendly environment.

Tension can be eased somewhat because the child is familiar with the other homeschool children and teacher.

Up until high school, a lot of homeschool parents choose to test informally.

The Scholastic Assessment Test or SAT is just really a “readiness test” that tests logic and critical thinking skills.

Although it’s an important test if you want your child to go to college and get scholarship money, your high school teen can still prepare for it.

A SAT test can be important to prove mastery of material for college admissions.

Testing

Testing Can Be Harmful

Many times I have seen parents who plan to fail homeschool their first year.

Unintentionally, they have a “what if we go back to public school mentality” that they do not let go of when they start to homeschool.

On Day 3: What is NOT Homeschooling and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp I talked about what is not homeschooling.

Adding to that list of what is not homeschooling, I add that it does not mean to keep pace with the public school.

One of the greatest inhibitors to letting go of the way the public school does things is fear.

If you commit more time to making homeschooling work for you instead of thinking one day you will return to homeschool, you’ll have a more meaningful year.

I don’t say this lightly because I am one of “those” homeschoolers who thought that the public school would offer my sons something better than I could. At first, I did not plan with eternity in mind.

Testing your child constantly to keep up with his peers to prepare for the what if is living in fear.

My mind-set changed because I viewed my sons as gifts that were given to me.

I thought back to the day that I held my first born. Just because sleepless nights, constant rocking and probably over parenting followed, it never crossed my mind to give up or give him back. 

Too, I’m going to switch gears here on you.

Who is Tina Robertson

But before you can appreciate how I can help you here are are a few things about me. Sure, this free new homeschooler boot camp is all about you.

However, you need to know that I’m not new to the homeschool world. It has been several years since I wrote this series and I want to update you on my successes. And I’ve helped HUNDREDS get on the road to homeschooling.

Too, I have 3 homeschooled grads. So I’m well past having my oldest kid being 10 years old.

But the best part is that what I have for you works.

Also, look at a few other things about me.

  • I am the author of the book Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers: When You Don’t Know Where to Begin

And I have a detailed self-paced online homeschool Kickstarter course. It is a detailed comprehensive course for first time homeschoolers.

That is enough about me.

This new homeschoolers free boot camp is about you. I’ve not only been helping new homeschoolers in person, but here at my site for years.

Do you view your homeschool year as a trial period or for the duration? Your view of your lifestyle change affects how you will view testing.

Testing can be a valuable tool if you wield it to benefit your family or it can undermine a child’s self confidence. I do know that a test will never be able to measure all that we have learned along the way and it can never identify the uniqueness of each child.

Don’t be tied up with testing. Become familiar with the various types of testing, then determine if it will work for your family.

Homeschool Testing Resources

  • Homeschool Testing Service
  • Choosing Standardized Tests
  • Testing and Evaluation
  • Edinformatics
  • Released tests by Texas which can be used for any measuring you need.
  • BJU testing
Day 7: Tied Up with Homeschool Testing? And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Days 1 – 6 of the 31 Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers

  • 1 Learn The Lingo and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp (& free glossary)
  • 2: Homeschool Roots Matter and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp
  • 3 What is NOT Homeschooling and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp
  • 4: Confronting Relatives & Naysayers and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp
  • 5: The Wheels on the Bus Go ‘Round & ‘Round – So Get Off! And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp
  • 6: Homeschool Hangouts & Socialization Situations And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp
Day 7. Tied Up with Testing? 31 Days of New Bee Homeschooler Blog Boot Camp

Leave a CommentFiled Under: 31 Day Blog Bootcamp for New Homeschoolers, Begin Homeschooling Tagged With: new homeschooler

20 Free Homeschool Science Lapbooks to Teach Hands-on

August 21, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have 20 free homeschool science lapbooks to teach hands-on. Because homeschool lapbooks are perfect to pair with unit studies, most of the lapbooks include a unit study.

Too, science requires gathering quite of bit of data at times, but it also should be hands-on. It shouldn’t just be recording data or filling out lab journals.

So, while concentrating on one science topic, a hands-on learner can complete minibooks on each subtopic.

20 Free Homeschool Science Lapbooks to Teach Hands-on

Most lapbooks will contain anywhere from 7 to 15 minibooks. Science lapbooks are no different.

You can determine if all the minibooks will be about one science topic or about different subtopics on the main theme.

Homeschool science lapbooks can be so fun to create because of the huge amount of information that may interests your children.

Lapbook Ideas for Science

For example, if you’re wanting to do a lapbook on one topic, here are a few ideas.

  • Look at your reference book and assign one minibook per chapter. Your child now has a quick overview of the topic.
  • However, if you want to dive deeper into one topic, then use the 5Ws – Who, what, when, where and why. This will give you a framework of minibooks and then build from those topics.
  • And if the science topic is about a famous scientist, then divide the minibooks by his or her time periods in life. Then focus more minibooks on what the scientist is known for.

In addition, decide whether you want letter size or legal size file folders. They both have their pros and cons.

While a legal size folder holds more, it’s also harder to store legal size folders for the long term.

Free Printable Lapbooks

The best thing about these lapbooks is that most of them have minibooks which contain some information or facts.

Whether you want your child to do all the research or use some of the premade minibooks, you decide how much time you have to spend on the free printable lapbooks.

Lastly, most of the science lapbooks are in color. And you don’t need an expensive printer to print them.

I still use my small Canon mobile printer.

20 Free Homeschool Science Lapbooks to Teach Hands-on

Other Science Lapbooks

  • Why Bats Are Not Birds Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook
  • Colorful Winter Bird: Northern Cardinal Lapbook & Unit Study
  • Historic Trees Lapbook
  • Honey Bees Lapbook for Kids

Free Homeschool Science Lapbooks

Lapbooks make great hands-on tools and you’ll love these fun lapbook ideas for science

Free Wildflowers Unit Study & Lapbook

Sharing this wildflowers unit study and lapbook along with some hands-on ideas, I hope they’ll help your kids get excited about a fun wildflowers unit study.

Free Super Seashore Watching Unit Study and Beach Lapbook

 can smell the beach from here! Okay, maybe not where I live now, but I feel that way since I grew up with the beach a short 30 minute drive. And we never missed a chance to go to it.

We would cook crab or gumbo, spend hours on the shoreline and build a fire. Seashore watching was an activity I loved as a kid and I made sure my kids knew about it. I think you’ll love these ideas for a seashore watching unit study.

3 Free and Amazing Amazon Rainforest Lapbooks for Kids

These lapbook about the Amazon Rainforest covers so many subtopics that each of your children can spend time on whatever topics interest them. Besides you can make many or one from the different minibooks.

Take your time putting together this huge lapbook because it has about 35 minibooks.

Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, & Lapbook

Whether you study a pond in winter or summer, a pond unit study makes for a great hands-on science project. You can add in so many different nature topics.

There are just as many things that grow above a pond as there are that live below in a pond.

Foraging and Feasting Nature Unit Study and Lapbook

My kids have always loved ways of learning how to live off the land. This foraging and feasting nature unit study is not only a way to teach Tiny some basic survival skills, but a great way to sneak in tips about how to cook.

I don’t want to give you the wrong impression about our foraging efforts because we’re currently city dwellers although not by choice.

From Egg to Sea Turtle Nature Unit Study & Lapbook

We made a detour on finishing up high school for a quick nature read about sea turtles. I chose Our Sea Turtles as a spine and we weren’t disappointed. Today, in sharing from egg to sea turtle nature unit study and lapbook, I’ve rounded up some awesome links and ideas for you.

Free Earth Science Lapbook

I have the rest of the minibooks to go with the free earth science lapbook, which is Earth’s Structures. Too, I have a cover which can be used as a lapbook cover or for clip art to decorate notebooking pages.

Remember, for this lapbook, I am using the free middle science book that I shared with you earlier as a quick science spine.

North American Robin Unit Study

Note to the middle school student: This lapbook can easily be done on your own. It was created to give you an introduction to the Turdus Migratorius.

Strawberry Unit Study and Lapbook

The strawberry belongs to the genus Fragraria in the rose family, along with apples and plums. The name of the scientific classification was derived from the Old Latin word for fragrant.

Native Americans called the fragrant fruit “heart-seed berries” and pounded them into their traditional cornmeal bread. Discovering the great taste of the Native Americans bread, colonists decided to create their own version, “Strawberry Shortcake.”

Winter Season Unit Study. Free Lapbook & Hands-On Ideas.

When some people think of winter, they think of frozen slush, sleet, and freezing fingers and toes. Adults might think of driving on frozen roads and struggling with cars that won’t work in subzero temperatures. But when you ask any child about winter, most think of tumbling through snow and building a snowman. 

Arctic and Inuit Unit Study. Free Lapbook - Hands-On Ideas

The Arctic is literally the end of the world. It takes its name from the Greek word for bear, arktos, because the land is under the constellation of the Great Bear.

The Arctic region is located at the top of the Northern Hemisphere. The Arctic Ocean is about 5.5 million square miles of water, so the Arctic is really a giant sheet of sea ice that floats on top of the Arctic Ocean.

The Arctic is surrounded by land in Greenland, Canada, and Russia. Parts of these countries, along with a part of Alaska, are in the area called the Arctic Circle.

Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook

The oceans cover more than two-thirds of the earth’s surface. Though the waters on the earth are really one world ocean, they are referred to by many names: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, and Southern.

Here is where you place each of the minibooks and pockets within your lapbook. I put all of the downloads below so you can easily find them. Too, I’m including my Hands-On Activities so you will have a quick reference for where to find those.

Fall Unit Study (Includes Apples, Sir Isaac Newton, Art, and Appleseed)

Fall Unit 1 {Pumpkins, Leaves, Corn, & More}

We love this time of the year! Here in Texas as least we have some leaves that change colors not to mention how wonderful spices and sweet potato pie smell

Photo Credit: hessunacademy.com

Dandelion Unit Study Workbook Learning Activity

Are you looking for a fun and educational activity to do with your kids? This dandelion unit study workbook unit study is the perfect addition to your homeschool unit studies.

Amber - Freezing Gold Lapbook and Unit Study

In ancient times it was called the gold of the North. Amber has been called freezing gold, a window to the past, a time capsule, captured sunshine and a golden tear. It is all of these things.

Carnivorous Plants Lapbook

The term carnivorous plant may conjure up in your mind  a scene like this one where the unsuspecting victim in a swamp is being snatched up by a flesh-eating plant.  But carnivorous plants are a very interesting group of  plants that aren’t near as big as they are shown in this picture.

Coral Reef Unit Study and Lapbook

Coral reefs swarm with brilliant colored fish, starfish, giant clams and sea slugs. They are not only beautiful to look at; but they are home to thousands of other species. Coral reefs can be large or small and are some of the oldest ecosystems on the planet.

Peregrine Falcon Unit Study and Lapbook

The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), also known as the Peregrine, and historically as the “Duck Hawk” in North America, is a bird of prey in the family Falconidae.

Toads - Amphibians Lapbook

Your homeschooled kids will love this huge toads-amphibians unit study and lapbook.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Lapbook Tagged With: earthscience, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, lapbook, lapbooking, lapbookresources, lapbooks, life science, science, sciencecurriculum

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

August 20, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you want more Geronimo Stilton activities for the series of Geronimo Stilton books, you’ll love this edible spine hands-on history activity. Also I have this Human Body Crafts page for more fun ideas.

Jumping back in time with Geronimo Stilton, he is up to another fa-mouse-ly adventure in the book The Race Against Time (Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time #3).

The book is divided into three sections of adventure mixed with history; we focused on the second section of the book which is the Renaissance period.

And the ultimate renaissance man is Leonardo Da Vinci known for his time spent learning about science.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

First, you’ll love knowing more about the book The Race Against Time (Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time #3).

The Journey Through Time series of Geronimo Stilton books give so much information on a time period in such an engaging way.

The series has colorful illustrations and text, small snippets of information, and great adventure.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

Before the journey begins, we see renaissance fashions and what the time period was about.

And then go right into visiting important landmarks of the time period all through the eyes of a mouse.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

You will be introduced to Gutenberg and his printing press.

In addition, your child will read about and Leonardo Da Vinci. They’ll read about his flying machine, sculptures, and art- including the Mona Mousa. I mean Lisa.

Even though the book does not reference the medical span of Leonardo’s contributions it opens the door to talk and research the other things he worked on besides art and inventions.

It becomes a natural springboard to add some science to your book or unit study.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

Leonardo Da Vinci Activities

Leonardo da Vinci spent a lot of time measuring and drawing the human body and discovered that it has standard proportions.

He participated in many dissections to learn how the body worked and drew exact anatomical studies. He studied, measured, drew, and went hands-on in every aspect of his quest for knowledge.

This is a wonderful way to introduce younger children to his discoveries and contributions to the science world, particularly the anatomy of the human body.

If your child is interested in anatomy, include this hands-on activity alongside your Geronimo Stilton Unit.

The human body is wonderful. And it is so amazingly designed with the way each part fits together and works to move, protect, and shape our body.

The spine is a perfect example of that, and your science loving child is sure to enjoy making their own spine

Human Body Spine Facts

Look at some of these human body spine facts you can use in talking about Leonardo da Vinci or to add to your Geronimo Stilton activities.

  • The brain connects to the spine to control most basic functions of the body.
  • The spine has three jobs – protect your spinal cord, allow you to move and bend, and provide a foundation for your posture.
  • You have 25 bones making up your spine known as vertebrae
  • There are 7 vertebrae that make up your neck. Did you know that giraffes with their super long necks also only have 7?
  • Some snakes have more than 400 vertebrae.
  • The 5 bottom vertebrae between the ages of 18 and 30 become fused together to make your coccyx, or tailbone.
  • There are over 120 muscles and 220 ligaments that support the average spine.
The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

As you build your spine you can naturally work in the importance of each part that makes up your spine and spinal cord.

  • The spinal cord works with the brain to form the central nervous system.
  • The vertebrae themselves give structure and protect the spinal cord.
  • Intervertebral discs cushion and protect the nerves from wear and tear.
  • The nerve clusters communicate with the rest of our body, sending signals to our hands, legs, feet, arms, head, etc.

Search Google for images of da Vinci spine drawings for a model to help your child along.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

Also, you can add a tabletop skeleton model for your child to explore and learn with as well.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

More Human Body Crafts

  • Simple and Easy Circulatory System Hands-on Activity for Kids
  • How to Turn a Pizza Into a Fun Edible Human Cell Model
  • How To Make A Fun Bones Of The Hand Labeled X-Ray Craft
  • 7 Human Skull Facts and Cool Human Skull Anatomy Activity
  • How to Make a Fun Hands-on Playdough Brain Activity
  • Major Organs of The Human Body Labeled Fun Felt Anatomy Activity
  • Fun Resources and Books About The Human Body For Preschoolers
  • 8 Eye Facts & Human Body Activities Middle School & Fun Eye Model
  • 12 Human Body Games For Middle School & High School
  • Craft a Fun Hand Straw Model to Explore Human Anatomy Muscles & Tendons
  • How to Make a Human DIY Heart Model Easy Craft for Kids
  • 8 Facts About the Respiratory System & Fun Lung Craft for Kids
  • 7 Human Body Facts and Kids Human Body T-Shirt Project
  • Fun Edible Spine
  • Making Blood + What Are the Components of Blood
  • DIY Heart Pump
  • Kids Stethoscope Activity
  • Build An Edible DNA Model
  • Edible Skin
  • Rigid versus Flexible Bone Activity.
  • Pregnancy Belly Female Study of Human Anatomy Kids Fun Craft

How to Make an Edible Spine

Now on to making a delicious, hands-on spine model. You can make yours true to size or create a mini model.

Our model here does not have all the nerves and is not life sized, but we made sure to include 25 vertebrae. If you are doing a unit on anatomy that is one thing you want your children to remember.

Here is what you will need to create your own edible spine:

  • Yarn- Spinal Cord, nerves (ok, not edible, but you know)
  • Butter Cookies with a hole- vertebrae
  • Gummy Lifesavers- intervertebral disc
The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

String a long piece of yarn through a cookie and knot it several times until it is too large to fit through the hole. The yarn is our spinal cord.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

Cut yarn into two-inch pieces and twist two of them so that they are between each gummy lifesaver and cookie to create the nerve clusters.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

Add on a cookie to create a vertebrae.

Continue repeating gummy, nerve, cookie until you have made your spine as long as you want it to be then tie it off at the top.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

You can further the lesson by having your child label the parts of the spine as it is laid out.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

Other Geronimo Stilton Activities

  • Geronimo Stilton Adventure The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time (Mayan Craft)
  • Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy
  • Easy and Fun Who Is Geronimo Stilton Rodent Notebooking Page
  • 10 Fun Things You Can Teach Using Geronimo Stilton Books
  • STEM: Build a Da Vinci Parachute Activity

What do you think? Are you ready with this hands-on spine model when reading The Race Against Time (Geronimo Stilton Journey ? Or adding more Geronimo Stilton activities?

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities, Teach Homeschool Language Arts Tagged With: Geronimo Stilton, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, human body, renaissance

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