ancient civilizations

Geronimo Stilton Out Of Time Fun Sir Francis Drake Ship Craft

November 22, 2022 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Geronimo Stilton Out of Time The 8th Journey Through Time we make a visit to Sir Francis Drake. You’ll love the other Geronimo Stilton Books and crafts on my page.

I am so enamored with this little mouse and his wild adventures through time to meet famous figures.

At least we get to have a peek through his stories, right?

In this book, Geronimo visits Alexander the Great, Queen Cleopatra, Mozart, and our focus today Sir Francis Drake.

Geronimo Stilton Out Of Time Fun Sir Francis Drake Ship Craft

If you are not familiar with Francis Drake, he was an English explorer.

But he was also a sea captain, privateer, slave trader, naval officer, and politician.

His biggest claims to fame are having a major role in England’s defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588.

He was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the world and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth.

About the Geronimo Stilton Series

Geronimo Stilton is full of fun facts presented in a colorful and interesting way for even the child that is reluctant to read.

The series is a younger version of a graphic novel and a great way to introduce history to your child.

This book has jokes, a seek and count page, maps, and lots of fun pirate terms to learn.

Too, colorful words in different fonts and sizes keep kids interested in the story while learning new vocabulary and placing emphasis on what is important.

Activities for Learning About Sir Francis Drake

Besides the wonderful activities in the book, look at some other ideas for learning about Sir Francis Drake.

Horrible Histories YouTube I’ve Got a Brand New Land to Find.
Learn some Pirate Words and Phrases.
Walk the plank by creating one on the floor with painters tape.
YouTube Bedtime History Podcast.
How to Draw a Pirate Ship.
Make your own spyglass with an empty paper towel roll.
Learn How to Make a Compass.
Create your own treasure map by drawing out your backyard and creating a fun treasure to find.
Visit a pet store and look at a real parrot.
Trace Sir Francis Drakes famous route on your home map or atlas.
Learn more about pirates with my Pirates Unit Study and Lapbook.

Then, add some information about the differences between a pirate and a privateer.

What is the difference between a pirate and a privateer?

A pirate attacks and robs ships at sea for their own gain.

Privateers are pirates that were hired by the government to do the same thing.

However, they keep part of what they steal for themselves.

Other Geronimo Stilton Chapter Book Activities

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

Finally, look at how to make a Sir Francis Drake ship craft.

How to Make a Sir Francis Drake Ship

Here is a list of supplies.

White Paper plate
Brown craft paint
Black, white, and brown construction paper/cardstock
Two wooden skewers
Red marker
Hot glue gun/glue sticks

First, cut a paper plate in half, hot glue the two sides together.

You can do this with regular glue instead of hot glue if you’d like it to be an entirely child lead craft but it does take a lot longer for the glue to dry.

So, you may choose to just hot glue it so they can get on with the craft quicker.

This is what it should look like at this point.

Let your child paint both sides of the boat as well as the inside if they like and allow it to dry completely.

While you’re waiting for the boat to dry cut out three small circles of brown construction paper.

And cut three slightly smaller circles out of black construction paper.

Then layer them to create the little portholes on the ship.

Next, take white card stock and cut two smaller trapezoids.

Also, cut two larger trapezoids for the sales as well as a small rectangle for the flag and you can see what that will look like below.

Help your child to poke the top and bottom of the trapezoid through the skewer.

Bend it out a little bit to look like it has a little wind and it sails of course with a larger trapezoid on bottom and the smaller trapezoid on top.

Attach the flag to the top of one with glue.

Glue portholes to the side of the ship.

Slip the skewered flags inside the ship and attach with hot glue, this will make certain it is secure and allow it to be ready faster.

Once the glue is cooled your ship is ready to set sail for adventure.

What do you think? Ready to try another fun Geronimo Stilton activity?

Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

November 20, 2022 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Games in the past can be a unit study or add to your history lessons. You’ll love the other history games I have too.

Do you ever wonder about people of the past spent their days?

Backgammon is one of the oldest games known right up there with chess.

It is thought to be about 5,000 years old or more and believed to have developed in Mesopotamia which is now known as Iraq.

Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

If you are going to study a period of history, one great way to do that is to study the way they lived, how they passed their days, and interacted with one another.

Also, you can do that through playing games.

It’s even better if you create your own version.

Today, I’m showing you how to make your own easy to create and store version of the game backgammon.

Games of the Past Ancient Mesopotamia

Nobody quite knows where the name actually came from.

However, historians believe that it came from Middle English: baec – back and gamen-game.

It possibly evolved from the Royal Game of Ur and is known as the game of kings.

There is a lot of historical literature and art that portrays people playing backgammon.

The boards that are very similar to today’s versions which we have developed and still play.

Next, add some historical facts.

And hands-on ideas to make studying about games in the past fun.

Facts about Ancient Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia is the ancient Greek name for the region that is the modern day area that is now Iraq and parts of Iran.
It was considered part of the cradle of civilization because so much .
Mesopotamia means 0the land between two rivers( Tigris and Euphrates).
Many theologies and political systems developed out of Mesopotamia.
Here the earliest writing system, cuneiform, was created.
The Sumerians from this area are credited with inventing the wheel.
The first law codes like the code of Hammurabi and the Code of Urukagina were created here.
Mesopotamia is located in the area that archaeologists call The Fertile Crescent, called so because of the rich soil beds from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
There is very little of ancient Mesopotamia that still stands because they made their buildings out of sun-dried bricks that didn’t last as long.
A lot of what we do know today is found out from clay tablets that were found in the library in the city of Nineveh.

Too, I’ll list some hands-on ideas below.

In addition, you’ll love these other history game resources on my site.

Other Fun History Games Resources

Look at them below.

And look below here for hands-on activities.

DIY Backgammon Game

Here is what you will need:

Finally, look below at how to make this DIY backgammon.

File folder
2 colors or patterns of cardstock
Ruler
30 small items- blocks, buttons, coins, flat beads, etc…
2- six sided dice
Glue stick

To create the long narrow wedges (points) you want to first create a template so you only have to do the measurements once.

Then, cut cardstock down to a rectangle with the height being 5”.

This is a good length for your points on a file folder.

After measure 1” across the bottom from the left and make a small pencil mark to create your 1” width.

Next, on the top left corner mark ½” over and make a mark to create the point.

Use a ruler to draw the line from each mark at the bottom to the point at the top for the elongated triangle.

Cut your template out and use it to trace and cut 12 of each of your chosen color or patterned cardstock.

Open the file folder and glue down alternating color wedges.

Put 6 on either side of the fold. Repeat on the other side of the folder.

Allow the glue to dry completely before closing the folder.

You can use anything you have on hand for your checkers if two different colors or other identification for each player.

For example, buttons, small erasers, coins, tiny figures, checkers from another game, etc..

I found these tiny little unfinished squares and painted half (15) gold and left half unfinished.

Store them in a ziploc bag with your dice and tape to the back of your file folder if you like.

Grab several file folders and challenge your child to invent their own file folder game for today’s civilization.

15 World History Board Games Guaranteed to Make Learning Fun

November 13, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I’ve rounded up some fun world history board games. Also, you’ll love grabbing more ideas for history games on my page.

If you are digging deep into a study on Ancient Egypt, The Fall of Rome, or The Middle Ages the best ways to learn and have fun at the same time is with a great board game.

While not all may actually teach specifics of history they are a great way to get a taste and understanding of life back then.

15 World History Board Games Guaranteed to Make Learning Fun

Of course you don’t have to be studying a specific history topic.

All of these games are great for any history lover in general and have a lot to offer for fun and game schooling.

Learn about history through strategy, trivia, combat, role playing games and more.

Start by exploring three main periods of history

The three main time periods I’ve covered in these games are

The Ancient World
Middle Ages,
and Modern History of the world.

Cool History Games

After all, those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it according to George Santayana.

Besides the facts these games can help teach a period of history game play is just amazing for family bonding.

Too, family board games help your children learn other things like cooperation, strategy, memorization, and reading comprehension.

Besides being a diversion from the normal routine of your homeschool day, cool history games can motivate your kids if they find history boring.

I’ve divided up board games by time periods so that you can easily match to your unit studies.

15 World History Board Games Guaranteed to Make Learning Fun. I've rounded up some fun world history board games. Also, you’ll love grabbing more ideas for history games on my page. If you are digging deep into a study on Ancient Egypt, The Fall of Rome, or The Middle Ages the best ways to learn and have fun at the same time is with a great board game. While not all may actually teach specifics of history they are a great way to get a taste and understanding of life then. #worldhistoryboardgames

More Fun History Games

I know you’ll find something you’ll love in one of these time periods.

Ancient World History Board Games

This period covers the oldest records of human history from 3000 BCE – 500 CE. It ends with the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the Han Dynasty in China, and the Gupta Empire in India. It teaches us about origins, cultures, traditions, and beginning civilizations. Here is where we
learn of Egyptian Kings and Queens, the Trojan War, and Genghis Khan. It begins rising out of Mesopotamia and Egypt and ends with the fall of the Roman Empire

Imhotep Builder of Egypt | Family Board Game

Imhotep is the legendary architect of the Egyptian monuments like the Step Pyramid, in this game you play as him working to build in five different construction sites. This game is a great way to introduce or refresh some Egyptian vocabulary as well as just enjoy the theme.

Ancient Egypt Press Go Fish Cards

There is always a time and a place for a fun game of Go Fish, but these cards can be used for more than that.

Pandemic Fall of Rome Board Game

There are several versions of this game but in this one you travel back in time and try to stop the fall of Rome. This is a cooperative game for 1-5 players and is a great family game.

Age of Civilization Strategy Card Game

Get ready for war in this card game that can be played in as little as 30 minutes. Wage war, build civilizations with this set in ancient times, build wonders like the Hanging Gardens, Machu Pichu,
Great Pyramids, and Stonehenge. This is such a fun way to learn about ancient history.

Middle Ages World History Board Games

The Middle Ages refers to that time in European history that started with the collapse of Roman civilization in the 5th century CE to the Renaissance. It is full of conquerors, explorers, scholars, brave knights and Vikings.

Carcassonne Board Game

This strategy game lets you develop your medieval city and can be played with as few as 2 players and up to 5, or more with expansion packs! If you are into the Middle Ages this is your game.

Battle Line: Medieval

If you want a Medieval card game with quick play this is one to grab. Win battlefields with your strong card formations, recommended for 14 and up. You can also get this in other versions as well-
WWII or Ancient Greek.

Raiders of The North Sea

Do you wish to set sail with the adventurous Vikings? This game takes a little over an hour on average and puts you right in the action assembling a crew, battling, and on journeys.

(Dungeons & Dragons Intro Adventure Set)

While it is a fantasy game, Dungeons & Dragons develops strategy, risk assessment, communication, math, science, history, culture, ethics, critical reading, and introduces lots of Medieval vocabulary.

CATAN Cities & Knights Board Game

Defend against attack and build up the land of Catan of the Middle Ages in this expansion pack with knights, barbarians, merchants, and more. You will need the base Catan to play this version as it is an add on.

Modern Age World History Board Games

Explore card and strategy games that take place from the end of the Middle Ages to the middle of the 20th Century. Test your knowledge on things like the Industrial Revolution, Cold War, and the Wright Brothers first flight.

CHRONOLOGY - The Game Where You Make History

This timeline board game has you racing to be the first to place 10 timeline cards in the correct order. Do you know if the first bikini was introduced before the first man landed on the moon? This is a great family game for learning and reinforcing what you know about Modern History.

Anno 1800 - | A Civilization Game

Explore and build a city during the Industrial Revolution in the old world. Plot trade routes and gather resources to grow. This game is great for teaching about exploration and trade routes, the importance of gathering resources, and civilization growth and development

Axis & Allies Pacific 1940 Second Edition WWII Strategy Board Game

This strategy game is a great way to learn about the cold war playing as either President John F. Kennedy or the USSR Premier Nikita Khrushchev with the goal to avoid nuclear war.

World History Board Games Covering Multiple Time Periods

These games cover ancient to modern history for those that want a broader scope of time. Test your knowledge of everything from Ancient Egypt to Adolph Hitler and see who will hold the title of Hero of History.

Trekking Through History

Pack your bags and prepare to travel through 108 of some of the most famous achievements
in history with this beautifully designed game. From the board to the cards this one is a beautiful gift to give to yourself or someone else.

World History Card Game

Brain Box Games are amazing for younger kids but are fun to play for their grown ups as well. Simple and quick play make these games a great choice for entertainment and learning.

History of the World

Forge your empire in one of 5 epochs of history covering important periods from the ancient 3000 B.C. Sumerians to pre-WW1 Germany.

Geronimo Stilton The Fourth Journey Through Time Fun Cleopatra Collar

October 17, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Geronimo Stilton Back The Fourth Journey Through Time has several sections in it. If you love the Geronimo Stilton Books, you’ll love this book and book craft.

The section and craft we focused on is about Cleopatra.

This book of the Geronimo Stilton series takes us through Cleopatra’s Time, Genghis Khan and Queen Elizabeth.

Geronimo Stilton The Fourth Journey Through Time Fun Cleopatra Collar

And today we are going to hang out in Ancient Egypt with the Queen of the Nile and have fun reading Geronimo Stilton Back The Fourth Journey Through Time.

About The Geronimo Stilton Books

Geronimo shares accessories to become perfect Ancient Egyptians.

And fashions during Cleopatra’s Time which gives a perfect base for today’s hands-on activity.

These books really can’t be beat for introducing historical topics, vocabulary, and fun illustrations.

Here is a peek into the elaborate and beautiful library of Alexandria.

Then, you can also add a few facts about Ancient Egypt.

Add this The Geronimo Stilton Book Fourth Journey Fun Egypt Game.

Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt Fun Facts

Ancient Egyptians loved board games.
Egypt has the only remaining ancient wonder in the world.
While she was known for her beauty, she was also very intelligent.
Cleopatra spoke around 9 different languages.
Both female and male ancient Egyptians wore eye makeup.
Cleopatra was the last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty.
Cleopatra’s favorite perfume was Mendesian perfume named for the city Mendes.
She had 4 children- 3 with Mark Antony- Ptolemy Philadelphus and twins Cleopatra ‘Selene’ and Alexander ‘Helios’. And one with Julius Caesar who she named Caesarion “Little Caesar”.
Ancient Egyptians called their home Kemet rather than Egypt.

If you want to add a few books to your mini unit study then, Everything Ancient Egypt.

And 1,000 Facts About Ancient Egypt are a couple great companion reference books.

Also, look at this great video on Cleopatra Queen of Egypt or Ancient Egypt For Kids from Homeschool Pop while you create your jewelry.

Cleopatra Project Ideas

Finally, let’s make a fun Cleopatra collar and craft jewelry.

You will need:

smooth sturdy cardboard
empty toilet paper rolls
hot glue gun/sticks or school glue
craft paints
dinner plate and a bowl

First, trace a large dinner plate onto your cardboard.

I used the back cover from a 12” x12” cardstock pack. You could also use poster board, but it will crumple a bit easier.

Corrugated cardboard will work but may be too thick.

Next, trace a bowl up near the top of the larger circle. You want to leave more room at the bottom for your necklace design.

Cut out both circles.

Cut all the way up one side of the empty toilet paper rolls.

These next few steps are fun and are what make this project turn out amazing.

Start by creating designs on your cuffs and collar with hot glue.

This is a good introduction to a hot glue gun if you feel your child is ready because it doesn’t really require touching the glue or pressing things together.

Now, use the hot glue gun to create a bunch of different jewel shapes on aluminum foil or a silicone mat.

I did find with the foil that it stuck to the hot glue. I just peeled off around it because it doesn’t affect it if left on the backing.

You can also help tidy up the edges and shapes with scissors. Dried hot glue cuts very well.

These silicone mats are great for protecting your table or desk while painting, gluing, etc.

Too, another tip is that you can use regular white school glue if you like to make your design.

But hot glue dries much faster. Let the hot glue harden and dry completely, pull off any glue strings that may be left behind. Then paint them in using pretty jeweled colors.

While your jewels are drying give your cardboard collar and cuffs a coat or two of gold, going right over the hot glue lines

Once your gold and jewels are dry you can attach them to the cuffs and collar with a bit more hot glue.

Your beautiful Cleopatra inspired cuffs and collar are ready to wear and show off your royalty!

Digging into ancient history can be so much fun and educational at the same time.

Homeschooling offers us a wonderful opportunity to introduce the world in a more relaxed way and make memories at the same time.

Other Geronimo Stilton Books Resources

Fun Pharaohs and Queens Ancient Egypt Lapbook and Activities

October 9, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Add this famous pharaohs and queens ancient Egypt lapbook to your history homeschool lapbooks for hands-on fun history.

If you’re studying about ancient Egypt, this ancient Egypt lapbook about famous pharaohs and queens makes a great addition.

Learning about pharaohs and queens helps kids to keep straight the different time periods in ancient Egypt.

Fun Pharaohs and Queens Ancient Egypt Lapbook and Activities

Use my other ancient civilization lapbooks to enhance your curriculum or use them stand alone.

About Ancient Egypt Pharaohs

The minibooks in this ancient Egypt lapbook contains some of these facts.

About King Menes

Menes was Pharaoh from 3100 b.c. – 3098 b.c. It’s the name of the Egyptian king credited with founding the First dynasty, sometime around 3100 BC.

Menes was seen as a founding figure for much of the history of Ancient Egypt.

Also, ancient Egypt was divided into Upper and Lower Egypt. Each kingdom has its own king. Menes was the king of Upper Egypt.

Egyptian legend credits a pharaoh by this name with uniting Upper and Lower Egypt into a single, centralized monarchy.

Menes was the first to wear the double crown.

About King Ramses II

Ramses II also known as Ramses the Great was the third Egyptian pharaoh of the nineteenth dynasty.

He is Egypt’s greatest pharaoh.

The early part of his reign he focused on building cities, temples and monuments.

When he died, he was buried in a tomb in the Valley of the Kings.

Then, his body was moved to a royal cache. And is now on display in the Cairo Museum.

About Tutankhamen

Tutankhamen was an Egyptian pharaoh of the 18th dynasty during the period of Egyptian history known as the New Kingdom. Tutankhamen was nine years old when he became pharaoh and reigned for approximately ten years.

As Tutankhamen began his reign at such an early age, his vizier and eventual successor Ay, his uncle, was probably making most of the important political decisions during Tutankhamen’s reign.

In 1922 Howard Carter discovered Tutankhamen’s intact tomb. Tutankhamen’s burial mask remains the most popular art of Ancient Egypt.

Look at this book Cleopatra: Queen of Egypt (Historical Notebooks).

About Ancient Egypt Queens

Next, learn about the queens of Egypt.

Nefertiti

First, Nefertiti was the Great Royal Wife of the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten.

In addition, Nefertiti and her husband were known for changing Egypt’s religion from a polytheistic religion to a monotheistic religion.

Nefertiti was made famous by a limestone bust of her, now in Berlin’s Neues Museum. The bust is one of the most copied works of ancient Egypt. It was attributed to the sculptor Thutmose, and it was found in his workshop.

Cleopatra VII

Cleopatra VII was the last ruler to rule Egypt and is the most famous of all Egyptian Queens.

After she died Egypt became a Roman province. She formed a liaison with Gaius Julius Caesar that solidified her grip on the throne that she shared with her brother.

Too, she later elevated her son with Caesar, Caesarion, to co-ruler. After Caesar’s assassination in 44 BC, she aligned with Mark Antony in opposition to Caesar’s legal heir Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian (later known as Augustus).

Then after losing the Battle of Actium to Octavian’s forces, Antony committed suicide. Cleopatra soon followed suit, according to tradition killing herself by means of an asp bite on August 12, 30 BC.

Hatshepsut

Finally, Hatshepsut meaning Foremost of Noble Ladies was the fifth pharaoh of the eighteenth dynasty of Ancient Egypt.

She is generally regarded by Egyptologists as one of the most successful pharaohs, reigning longer than any other woman of an indigenous Egyptian dynasty.

In comparison with other female pharaohs, Hatshepsut’s reign was long and prosperous. She was successful in warfare early in her reign, but generally is considered to be a pharaoh who inaugurated a long peaceful era.

Nobody knows for sure how she died. After her reign, her name and image were removed from every monument.

Look below at the minibooks and pages this download includes.

Minibooks about Ancient Egypt

Here are the minibooks.

Cover
Cleopatra coloring page
Cuneiform-Hieroglyph
Coloring-
Pharaohs
Queens
Gods
Egyptian-Life
Map
A Second Front Cover Page
Symbol of Power
Hatshepsut-Fact-Card-lines
King-Tut-book
Mummies
Old-Middle-New-Egypt
Pyramids-of-Egypt
scarabs

Ancient Egypt Crafts for Kids

Add these fun ancient Egypt crafts and you’ll have a fun unit study.

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Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages