Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Activity, Change, Progress

My Unit Studies {Free Printables & Hands-on Ideas}

4 Week Free China Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

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

I have a free 4-week China unit study for kids. Look at these other Best Homeschool Unit Studies for more ideas and topics for hands-on learning.

China is one of the world’s oldest civilizations.

So, this unit study for multiple ages is geared toward Ancient China.

4 Week Free China Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

In addition, we are focusing on China’s rich history, culture, food, animals, inventions, and landmarks.

However, because this is a multiple age study topics like the Opium Wars and the philosophical views of Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism I feel are for older students.

Too, I will list famous people in history which will give your children a feel for the period.

ANCIENT CHINA BOOKS FOR KIDS

First, living books and picture books bring this period to life.

When possible, I try to always include reading of living books. Then I add reference books to our list.

12 Ancient China Books & Resources For Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

Add some of these books to your home library about Ancient China. Also, use them for a homeschool unit study.

Let’s dive into some of the history and geography.

HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY CHINA UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 1

First, here are a few of the major dynasties:

  • Xia Dynasty
  • Shang Dynasty
  • Zhou Dynasty
  • Qin Dynasty
  • Han Dynasty

Besides the many fascinating dynasties that have existed in China, there are many beautiful geographical landmarks.

  • The History Unboxed -Ancient China Unboxed is affordable and includes some really neat information as well as hands on activities like -Coloring the Great Wall, excavate your own ancient Chinese replica artifact, taste an ancient preparation of tea, decorate and fly an ancient style of kite, and making a magnetic compass.
  • Also, for younger kids look at this fun printable All About China book. Scroll to the bottom for the free pdf link.

GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES OF CHINA

  • Yellow River (Huang He). The second-longest river in China.
  • Yangtze River. The longest river in China and Asia.
  • Great Wall of China. It wasn’t just a wall but a fortification to protect them from invasions.
  • Himalayas. The highest mountain range in the world.
  • Gobi Desert. A large desert in northern China and southern Mongolia.

And here are some historical people to research.

Confucius, Qin Shi Huang, Laozi, Zheng He and although not really ancient, Qiu Jin is celebrated as a heroine.

Marco Polo traveled along the Silk Road in the 13th century and wrote about his adventures in China. We did a whole unit study about him.

NATURE & SCIENCE CHINA UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 2

Another fun topic to discuss about their contributions to inventions.

For example, there is paper, a compass, gunpowder, and silk.

Also, learn about some of the animals and plants and trees in China.

MATH & LANGUAGE ARTS CHINA UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 3

Also, look at these hands-on math and language arts ideas.

  • Build the Wall of China. We did ours with paper. Look at my post How To Make The Great Wall Of China Out Of Paper. But measure the length and width and calculate how long it will need to stretch across your dining room table.
  • Investigate Ancient Chinese currency like the bronze coin and cowry shells.
  • Research about the Chinese calendar which is a lunar calendar and compare with the Gregorian calendar.
  • Read ancient Chinese folktales like The Monkey King and The Legend of Mulan. Look at this Paper Doll Mulan Craft for Kids.
  • Comparing Ancient Chinese and Western Literary works.
4 Week Free China Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

ARTS & CRAFTS CHINA UNIT STUDY WEEK 4

Finally, look at some of these fun arts and crafts to do along your unit study.

A lot of Ancient China then like now is rural.

However, China was home to some of the most advanced cities on earth.

Not only did they excel in architect like the monasteries but their people learned poetry, how to play a musical instrument and performed beautiful dances.

What part of Ancient China are you focusing on?

15 Best Children’s Books About The Trail Of Tears

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

I have the 15 best children’s books about the Trail of Tears. Also, look at my Free The Trail Of Tears For Kids Fun Unit Study Ideas And Lapbook for more hands-on ideas.

I have listed some for young elementary, but I feel a middle school student would enjoy them too.

You know that is one reason why I am so passionate about unit studies because you can include all ages.

15 Best Children's Books About The Trail Of Tears

It was hard to find books that hit about middle school for Tiny, but I found a few he liked.

First, the Trail of Tears is a very sad time in American history.

And it’s one best seen through the eyes of those that walked the trail.

Living books bring to life the topic you’re studying.

It certainly is such a sad topic to teach about, but our children need to see the sad and ugly side of history too, which is why I am trying to keep this unit study for upper elementary grades and higher.

TRAIL OF TEARS UNIT STUDY

Also, a couple of the books listed below I am using for information in the lapbook because they have good reference material.

Look at my list and here is my original list, then I added a few more later.

Some are repeats when we studied it again, but added a few more. Besides some books are just worth reading it again ad again.

  • The Trail of Tears (Step into Reading) This is a great book to include your younger kids. I love the fact that at this age, it should not give the ugly side yet of the way the U.S. treated Native Americans.  It should introduce them to a love of the culture.  All three of my boys read this book when they were younger.
  • The Trail of Tears (American Moments) This is one of the books Tiny read, which I feel could be for a middle school kid. The age level says 9 years old, but again, there is so much background information  that enriches this subject that it would be meaty enough for a middle school child. It has a  helpful timeline in the back and lots of pictures.
  • The Trail of Tears: A History Just for Kids  This is another one we have and though it doesn’t give the age, it is jam packed full of information that a middle school child would find interesting.I like how it presents a question for thought, then proceeds to give background information and explain it.
  • Soft Rain: A Story of the Cherokee Trail of Tears A book about a 9 year old little girl that has to move and leave her home. So sad.

BOOKS ABOUT THE TRAIL OF TEARS

15 TRAIL OF TEARS BOOKS FOR KIDS WHO LOVE TO READ AND BE READ TO

Add one or two of these books to your home library or for your unit study about the Trail of Tears.

More Trail of Tears Activities

15 Best Children's Books About The Trail Of Tears
15 Best Children's Books About The Trail Of Tears
15 Best Children's Books About The Trail Of Tears
15 Best Children's Books About The Trail Of Tears
15 Best Children's Books About The Trail Of Tears
15 Best Children's Books About The Trail Of Tears
15 Best Children's Books About The Trail Of Tears
15 Best Children's Books About The Trail Of Tears

HOW TO GET THE FREE TRAIL OF TEARS LAPBOOK

Now, how to grab the free lapbook. This is a subscriber freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.
2) Grab the freebie now.
3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

4 Week Free Alaska Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

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

I have a free 4-week hands-on Alaska unit study. Also, grab more ideas on my Best Homeschool Unit Studies page. Too, look at my Arctic Region and Arctic and Inuit Unit Study Free Lapbook & Hands-On Ideas.

Alaska is the largest state in the United States and is a land of breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.

Furthermore, from the towering mountains and sparkling glaciers to the vast forests and abundant wildlife, Alaska offers a wide range of opportunities for exploration and learning.

4 Week Free Alaska Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

We will explore the state’s diverse ecosystems, learn about its indigenous peoples, and discover its unique place in American history.

Too, I prepared this 4-week unit study with multiple ages in mind.

Further, this study will foster a deep appreciation for Alaska’s unique culture, history, and environment.

We’ll include geography, science, history, art and a bit of math.

BOOKS ABOUT ALASKA FOR KIDS

First, look at these books about Alaska.

When I can find them, I include living books.

Then I add reference books.

13 Alaska Books for Kids Who Love to Be Read to and Love to Read

Add some of these books about the beautiful state of Alaska to your learning day or to your unit study about Alaska.

Then, here are some amazing facts you can use to introduce Alaska.

8 AMAZING FACTS ABOUT ALASKA

  1. Dog mushing is the official state sport of Alaska and has roots in the state reaching all the way back to sled dog use which dates back to 1000 AD.
  2. Alaska is the largest state in the US, it is double the size of Texas at almost 600,000 square miles.
  3. The state flag was designed by a 13-year-old boy as part of a contest held in 1926 and was voted on unanimously by the panel of judges. His design of eight stars to represent the Big Dipper, placed on a blue background to represent the sky, and the forget-me-not flower (Alaska state flower).
  4.  More than half of the glaciers in the world are located in Alaska. These glaciers cover 10 times more Alaskan land than people do.
  5. The name Alaska comes from the Aleut, an Indigenous people of Alaska, and means “the great land”.
  6. Alaska is the only US state that has coastlines on the Arctic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and Bering Sea.
  7. There are over 130 volcanoes, including 90 that have been active in the last 10,000 years located in Alaska.
  8. Alaska has over 12,000 rivers, streams, and creeks, including seven of the 20 largest rivers located in the US with the Yukon River being the largest.

Keep in mind that not all school subjects may fit naturally into a unit study. Don’t force a fit with a subject.

However, it is a chance to tie concepts in and fit as many ideas as you can in a fun way.

MATH & LANGUAGE ARTS ALASKA UNIT STUDY WEEK 1

Many math themes can tie in naturally which will force math concepts.

For instance, look at this list of ideas

  • If you’re working on measurement then measure the distances between cities. Use a ruler and string.
  • Talk about the time zones in Alaska and understand what are time zones. Use a chart to show times in the different time zones in cities
  • Create a bar graph to show animals found in the ocean, tundra and forests
  • Plan a sled dog race and calculate speeds and times of travel based on various speeds
  • Research fish populations and graph the ones you learned about

4 Week Free Alaska Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

In addition, If you are looking for a read aloud that the entire family will love Sweet Home Alaska is the sweetest story.

For example, it is Little House on the Prairie meets American Girl and is about a family who makes their way from their home in Wisconsin to Alaska as part of Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal.

Besides, that deal gave a couple hundred destitute Midwestern farm families a chance to start over in Alaska, which was then just a U.S. territory.

SCIENCE ALASKA UNIT STUDY WEEK 2

Next, look at some of these ideas to learn about science.

4 Week Free Alaska Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

Too, compare sled dogs to house dogs and learn about the differences.

Of course, the study of Alaska makes for a great geography unit study and include history.

HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY ALASKA UNIT STUDY WEEK 3

The geography is unique with towering mountains, glaciers and coastlines.

Too, Alaska is located in the far northwest of North America. And it’s bordered by Canada to the east and the Arctic and Pacific Oceans to the north and south.

  • In Northern Alaska there is a tundra. It is a unique ecosystem. Learn about the low growing plants there and the caribou and arctic fox who make the tundra their home. How to Make an Easy 3D Tundra Biome Poster Project
  • The Yukon River is one of the largest rivers in the United States. Learn how the river is important to wildlife and life in Alaska.
  • Then gold was discovered in Alaska in the 1890s. The Klondike Gold Rush attracted thousands hoping to strike it rich.
  • Investigate Denali. It is the highest peak in North America.
  • Then the southern part of Alaska includes lush forests including the boreal forest. It is filled with spruce, evergreen and fir trees.
  • Native groups like Inupiat, Yupik, Tlingit, and Athabascan have lived in Alaska for many years.
  • Russian explorers arrived in Alaska for the fur trade in the 1700s.
  • Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables
4 Week Free Alaska Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

Also, for a phenomenal reference book that you can use for more than one theme grab the beautiful and fact filled The 50 States: Explore the U.S.A.

4 Week Free Alaska Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

ARTS & CRAFTS ALASKA UNIT STUDY WEEK 4

Finally, study and learn about the beautiful arts, crafts and culture of Alaska.

These activities will foster your children’s love of Alaska while tying in important concepts.

What other ideas have you done?

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

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

We did a fun Arctic Region Salt Dough Map to learn about the Arctic region. Also, look at my pages Arctic Region and Arctic and Inuit Unit Study Free Lapbook & Hands-On Ideas for more fun.

The Arctic Ocean is about 5.5 million square miles of water and sea ice floats on top of the ocean.

Sea ice or the polar ice cap covers most of the ocean and some of the ice is perennial meaning it is frozen year around.

The Arctic is surrounded by land in Greenland, Canada, Russia and parts of these countries as well as part of Alaska is in the Arctic Circle.

So, I thought making a salt dough map would be the perfect way to show the geography of the land and polar ice cap.

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

Salt dough maps are not only appealing to all ages, but they are just plain fun to do.

We had a bit of controversy in our house before we started this because the Arctic region covers land and the polar ice cap.

According to my boys the polar ice cap is like “frozen land” that is moving. So they wanted to be sure it showed up that way on the map.

They decided to give it “texture and form” by using the dough to show that portion.

BOOKS ABOUT THE ARCTIC FOR KIDS

First, look at some of these books about the Arctic.

I prefer living books when I can find them.

12 Arctic Books about People & Animals of the Arctic

Studying about the region of the Arctic is a fascinating topic. Grab some of these books about life in the Arctic and animals of the Arctic.

This is unique for us because unless we study the Antarctic, it probably will be our only salt dough map that looks like this meaning a portion is white.

So many other parts of the world have defined land, water and land forms masses that are blue for water, green for land and brown for mountains.

Having the white portion on the map representing the polar cap is unique.

Dye is optional if you don’t want to paint but we chose to paint ours this time.

Tiny grabbed some blue glitter thinking that it might work good on the blue or water part of the map.

EASY SALT DOUGH RECIPE

  • 4 cups flour
  • 2 cups salt
  • 2 Tablespoon cream of tartar
  • 1 piece of cardboard.. For example, lid from a used box or pizza box lid (clean as possible)
  • acrylic paint
  • pencil and black sharpie
  • tape to hold your map down
  • Optional blue sprinkles, dye
  • The map we used as a template is here by Atlas on the Arctic.

I don’t have pictured the acrylic paint we decided to use later instead of the dye.

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

I printed the map on 3 pages because we used a pizza size cardboard lid and too, we didn’t want our map too big.

If we were focusing on one country, we probably would have made it a bit bigger.

Since this is the top of the world, we wanted it to keep it with an aerial view.

Tape the map lightly to your box to hold it in place.

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

Trace over the map outline with a pencil to make a faint outline.

You’re just trying to get a pattern to follow.

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

Too, color the entire back side of your map which is a nifty tip and then the faint outline is more noticeable.

Also, if your template is big enough, at times, I have just glued the template straight onto the box.

If it is a simple outline you can just try free hand.  In my earlier days, I used traced paper too. But this way is easy enough and we like it.

Then come back with a black marker to trace over your pencil outline.

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

We went ahead and made our dough because Tiny couldn’t wait a minute longer to get his hands into it. 

I do like to add in the cream of tartar because I think it makes the salt dough smoother, soft and creamier.

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

It also kept and didn’t get dry while we painted.

So we painted the water and it doesn’t take too long for it to dry.

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

Also, on these kinds of maps you can lightly spray paint. As long you spray pay lightly you can still see your outline.

Slowly, they formed the land and the frozen polar ice cap.

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

Then what is it about making this salt dough map that makes every kid bring out all the tools they have from their play-doh making days?

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

We let our map dry for a day or two. I have read where you can put in the oven also to get it hard but you have to watch it. And bake it on low.

We weren’t in a hurry, so we just let it dry for a while after they painted it.

Important: Don’t forget to put holes in the dough where you want to put your map flags or animal tooth picks before it dries completely.

It is hard to place them after it dries completely.

We added one more country after it dried and you can use an ice pick and tap LIGHTLY so it doesn’t crack.

Kind of twist it and tap lightly and we got it in without breaking the land.

The boys wanted to make their own flag for the North Pole so they added that before it dried.

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

I created some flags so that we could locate these countries and areas.

Next, we placed all the flags after we read about the area again.

Ta da, all done and tons of fun.

There is no better way to study geography. Okay, I can think of a few more ways but they all have to be fun.

I have a little something for you too. I have made these flags on the Arctic.

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

Also, I have flags that just have animals on it for the younger sweeties.

You know most young kids equate countries or lands with where an animal lives.

Land of the polar bear and land of the seals equals the Arctic.

As they grow older, they know the countries, etc. So I created a set of map flags.

One page has the countries or regions, one is blank if you want to write them in yourself and one page has flags with the animals, igloo and the Saami, etc

Use the page with flag markers that are blank to write in your own animals or points of interests.

HOW TO GET THE FREE ARCTIC PRINTABLE MAP FLAGS

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

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

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

1) Sign up on my email list.

2) Grab the freebie now.

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

Ancient Egyptian Mathematics: Build a LEGO Math Calculator

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

We’re making a diy lego math calculator. Also, look at my Ancient Civilizations page about Ancient Egypt for more ideas!

Ancient Egypt was an advanced society.

We know that from the structures and texts left behind.

Ancient Egyptian Mathematics: Build a LEGO Math Calculator

The Great Pyramids are one of many structures that are considered marvels in engineering and mathematics for the time.

Math isn’t always a subject kids are excited about.

How did something that has history to the beginnings of society get such a bad rap? That’s a good question.

One of the issues with any academic subject is a desire to keep common people from understanding.

Hieroglyphics themselves were designed as a language of the gods and not meant for common people.

Common people are smart and developed a less complex form of writing called demotic.

Creating barriers to learning has created mistrust in academics from the earliest time in history.

Ancient Egyptian Geometry

The other issue is human nature. People like what they understand and can do easily.

Complex mathematics systems quickly became more time consuming than many hard working people had time to pursue.

Basic mathematics became an integral part of life just as it is today.

Ancient Egyptian Mathematics: How to Build a DIY LEGO Calculator

Ancient Egyptians used addition and subtraction much like we do today, with one glaring exception… they were missing a zero.

Two other civilizations later developed zero (independently of each other -Indian and Mayan civilizations).

The lack of zero made large numbers very tedious to write and read.

Division and Fractions

Ancient Egyptians didn’t use a common denominator and relied on unit fractions.

Unit fractions have a 1 as the numerator.

Fractions would be written mostly as ¼ + 1/5 + 1/8 + 1/10. Splitting loaves of bread would become a complex task of dividing.

In modern mathematics, that would be simplified by a common denominator of 40.

10/40 + 8/40 + 5/40 + 4/40= 27/40

Many fractions were written using parts of an important symbol, the eye of Horus.

Eye of Horus Fractions

Since fractions are actually division problems. Division became a difficult task using multiple fractions to arrive at an answer.

Multiplication in Ancient Egypt – Rudimentary Calculators

Ancient Egyptian multiplication was a system of duplication that was arduous, but similar to skip counting that we use today.

Let’s work through some examples of Ancient Egyptian multiplication. . I think you might have a deeper appreciation for modern mathematics after these examples.

Multiply 5×8

Simple Mutiplication Table

The answer is 40. This is accomplished by doubling (multiplying by a factor of 2)

What if you are looking for a number other than multiplying by 2,4 or 8?

5×6

Using a Multiplication Table

2+4=6

Look at those corresponding numbers on the 5s side and add:

10+20=30

What about 5×5?

Using a Multiplication Table with Kids

1+4=5

Corresponding numbers on the 5s side and add:

5+20=25

How to Create A LEGO Math Calculator

You can create your own Ancient Egyptian Calculator using Lego bricks.

I used a basic building board and some odds and ends blocks we had laying around.

Ancient Egyptian Mathematics: Build a LEGO Math Calculator. Ancient Egypt was an advanced society. We know that from the structures and texts left behind. The Great Pyramids are one of many structures that are considered marvels in engineering and mathematics for the time. Your kids will love this fun hands-on math activity. You can create your own Ancient Egyptian Calculator using Lego bricks. Click here to see how!

This calculator is for multiples of 4.

The yellow blocks are the 1s and the green blocks are the multiples of 4 (4s).

DIY Lego Calculator

To figure out 6 X 4, combine those quantities:

How to Build a LEGO Math Calculator

8+16=24 / 6 X 4=24

You could have kids make these for numbers 2-9.

This would be a great way to instill logic into the tedious task of memorizing math facts.

MORE ANCIENT EGYPT ACTIVITIES

Ancient Egyptian Mathematics: Build a LEGO Math Calculator. Ancient Egypt was an advanced society. We know that from the structures and texts left behind. The Great Pyramids are one of many structures that are considered marvels in engineering and mathematics for the time. Your kids will love this fun hands-on math activity. You can create your own Ancient Egyptian Calculator using Lego bricks. Click here to see how!

Written by Kim at The Learning Hypothesis.

Looking for more hands-on math fun?