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Wright Brothers And Amazing Airplanes And Other Things That Fly

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Today is Wright Brothers Day. And we’re learning about amazing airplanes.

On December 17, 1903, almost 120 years ago the Wright brothers were able to make their first successful flight.

It was completed in the 1903 Wright Flyer in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina with Orville Wright manning the controls.

Wright Brothers And Amazing Airplanes And Other Things That Fly

What an amazing thing it must have been to see that sight!

Flying objects are things we take for granted because it is so commonplace now.

Wright Brothers Airplane

Their plane was a Canard biplane with a 12-horsepower Wright horizontal four-cylinder engine driving two pusher propellers via a sprocket-and-chain transmission.

And there were no wheels, linear skids acted as landing gear.

Also, it was a natural fabric finish – no sealant or paint of any kind.

With a wingspan of 40 ft 4 in, a length of 21 ft. 1 in. and it weighed 605 lbs. without a pilot.

We are going to paint and put together a simple old fashioned plane similar to the 1903 Wright Flyer.

Using some hot glue and wooden craft sticks (popsicle sticks) that you can customize by creating it in different sizes as well as colors.

MORE ACTIVITIES ABOUT FLIGHT AND THE WRIGHT BROTHERS

First, look at some of these books to add to your study.

8 Resources About Flight and Flying

Use one of these books to study about airplanes or things that fly.

Also, hands-on learning makes a subject come to life.

Hands-on Activities for Flying Things

Learning about the Wright Brothers and their Wright Flyer is a great springboard for learning about other things that fly, including:

Have children research via books or the internet who invented each and when. If you like, have them choose one and research it deeper.

Call your local airport and see if they offer tours for groups and schedule a field trip for your co-op or group of friends. You may have even better luck at smaller private airports.

Wright Brothers And Amazing Airplanes And Other Things That Fly

Especially for younger children, the figures in Safari Ltd. In The Sky Toob are perfect for hands-on activities.

For instance, look at these ways to use the sky figures.

  • create an up in the air sensory bin,
  • a flying things diorama,
  • you can add them to the block center
  • use as a model for pencil drawings or
  • include them in a themed basket for things that fly.
Wright Brothers And Amazing Airplanes And Other Things That Fly

Another way you can use them is to have your child place them in order of when each was invented.

Further, make paper airplanes and see who can fly them the farthest, measure the distances to include some simple math naturally into your day.

You can even add on an airplane launcher to really get them moving.

Last, make an egg carton helicopter that littles will love.

How to Make an Amazing Wooden Airplane

Now, let’s make this fun wooden airplane.

Wright Brothers And Amazing Airplanes And Other Things That Fly

Short list of supplies

  • 2 sizes wooden craft sticks (popsicle sticks)
  • wooden spools
  • Craft paint
  • paintbrushes/foam brush
  • Hot glue gun/sticks
Wright Brothers And Amazing Airplanes And Other Things That Fly

Directions:

Paint 2 large wooden craft sticks and 2 small ones the same color, or you can leave them unfinished in the natural color like the Wright Brothers plane was.

Wright Brothers And Amazing Airplanes And Other Things That Fly

Paint a third small craft stick another color for the propeller.

Stack 5 or 6 craft sticks together and secure between each with hot glue. Once the glue hardens and dries, paint the stack the color you chose for the body.

Wright Brothers And Amazing Airplanes And Other Things That Fly

Allow paint to dry completely before moving onto the next step.

Once everything is dry, you are ready to assemble.

Place your stacked pieces vertically in front of you.

Then attach one large stick to the top and underside of the front of the stack centered about 1” down to create a nose for the plane.

Wright Brothers And Amazing Airplanes And Other Things That Fly

At the opposite end of the stack glue a smaller wood craft stick on top and underneath.

Wright Brothers And Amazing Airplanes And Other Things That Fly

Finally, hot glue your propeller in place on the nose.

At this point, you may want to trim your craft stick down a bit to make a smaller propeller using loppers or strong scissors to make it smaller.

As an extra step if you like you can glue two small beads or wooden objects under the wings to tip it upwards to allow it to sit and a slant, making it better for display.

Wright Brothers And Amazing Airplanes And Other Things That Fly

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

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The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Seventh Journey Time Warp is our next book for adventure. And we’re doing a fun Lost City of Atlantis craft. Be sure to grab more Geronimo Stilton Books ideas and crafts on my page.

This time we are going to visit mythical Atlantis with our favorite globetrotting mouse in Geronimo Stilton Time Warp The Seventh Journey Through Time.

We are going to do it with a magical diorama that lets your child create their own version of the magical city to go along with the reading.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

Geronimo finds himself underwater this time in The Time Tentacle 2000 in the lost city of Atlantis.

He speculates about their clothing guessing that it was similar to ancient Greek tunics.

And he shares about the 10 kings of Atlantis who descended from Poseidon, visits the ornate gold palace, and enjoys a banquet with royalty.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

Benefits of Introducing Myths, Legends and Fairytales

Also, I know I usually stick to history and reality but there is much to be said about the benefits of imagination, fairy tales, legends and myths.

For example, legends, folktales, and myths:

  • can teach children about emotional resilience by helping them to connect fictional stories to real life people and circumstances.
  • help children to deal with adversity by learning to believe in themselves to overcome obstacles and challenges. 
  • help children confront real-life fears and anxieties in a wonderful fantastical setting that makes it easier to deal with.
  • develop a child’s imagination.
  • are full of rich insights into humanity and history.
  • cultivate an appreciation and understanding  of other cultures.
  • open the door to learning about why people came to believe them.

:

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

In addition, mythology whether it comes from the Roman Empire, the Greek or the Egyptian region is a part of teaching within language arts.

Stories and myths and names of characters helps to promote vocabulary skills and heightens a child’s interest in following story lines.

About the Lost City of Atlantis

The Lost City of Atlantis is a myth which may have started in Egypt, survived in classical Greek writings, and then emerged in medieval traditions by Arabian geographers

Supposedly, Atlantis disappeared into the sea as a result of earthquakes and floods.

Some historians think suggest that this myth had its roots in the volcanic explosion of Santorini.

And your child will love reading about the Lost City of Atlantis.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

Other Geronimo Stilton Chapter Book Activities

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

Now, dioramas are meant to be free form and totally creatively led by your child,.

Use what supplies you have with maybe a couple of special items added.

However, I will give you some loose directions to help get you going.

If you don’t have them on hand already you can get most of the supplies at Dollar Tree.

I grabbed even my cardboard box here, the castle cut out in the unfinished wood craft and the sand.

Too, they carry seashells in the floral aisle as well as paint, and glitter.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

Finally, look below at how to make your own diorama.

How to Make A Mythical Lost City of Atlantis Diorama

You will need:

  • A cardboard box
  • A castle cut out (Dollar Tree) or you can draw a simple one on cardstock or cardboard and cut it out.
  • Paint and glitter
  • Sand
  • Assorted seashells
  • Plastic ocean animals
  • Hot glue gun/glue sticks
  • Safari LTD Mythical Realms Toob

These mats are fantastic for craft projects, they are easy to clean, safe and are a good way to keep your kitchen table free from paint, hot glue, and other craft messes.

Directions:

The first thing to do is to tape up or hot glue the bottom of the box.

I folded it so there was more coverage rather than like you would for support if shipping something and glued it well.

Next, cut off the flaps on one end except for one, and the larger side of the box to create a 3 walled structure with a floor base.

This gives your child plenty of open space for creativity.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

Paint the inside or cover it in blue tissue paper or construction paper to give it a water like look.

You don’t have to paint the bottom unless your child wants to. We will cover it up with sand in a bit. Allow your paint to dry completely.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

Next, paint a thick coat of glue on the base and sprinkle generously with sand.

Additionally, you could also use table salt to get the same look.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

While you are waiting for the glue to dry paint your castle gold and add glitter if you like.

We added a little more texture to the castle with some hot glue and pressed more glitter into it while the glue is still wet.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

Create some depth to your diorama by not just gluing your castle flat to the back but popping it out instead.

How to Make a Cardboard Castle

Too, you can hot glue anything thick to the back to separate it from the back of the box.

I cut several squares of cardboard roughly the same size and glued them together and then to the back.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

Now the really fun part for us was creating coral and other undersea items from hot glue.

This is a good introduction to the glue gun for kids because there is really no need for their fingers to get near the glue until it is completely cooled.

All you do is squeeze out the glue and make underwater shapes on your silicone mat or waxed paper.

Make sure that each piece is connected and thick enough that it can support itself upright.

Create grassy shapes and twisting coral and let them cool for a few minutes until hard.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

If you want to add glitter, sprinkle some on the glue immediately before it sets.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

Or you can paint the hot glue shapes once hardened.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

Peel your shapes off and make a small puddle of hot glue to create a base.

Immediately put your shapes on the base and hold until hardened or use whatever objects you can to hold them in place upright until ready.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

Place your Mythical Toob figures, ocean animals, and shells around to fill up your Atlantis diorama.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

Homeschool Literature The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Raft Craft

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

Today in 1884 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was published and was banned quickly. And because reading should be fun, I have a fun stem raft craft to go along with The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn homeschool literature.

Although the book is on the banned books lists by libraries, it is a book that many homeschoolers read.

If you had to read it in junior high or high school, like me you have preconceived ideas.

Homeschool Literature The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Raft Craft

The book, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was written by Mark Twain at a time of racism and slavery. It was written pre-Civil War.

And although the folksy language, intentional misspellings and faulty grammar can be hard for a young reader, it can make for great discussions.

But I always encourage parents to read sites like Common Sense Media to get a quick review of books.

Ultimately, you are the one deciding if it’s appropriate for your family or not.

3 Questions for Literature Curriculum For Middle School

In addition, books can make it easier to explain to your children about sensitive subjects.

It gives them a safe environment to discuss their feelings.

Look at these questions which help to further the discussion

For example because Mark Twain uses language which is not appropriate for today what does this teach us about stereotyping.

Also, Jim and Huck have both ran away because of freedom. What is freedom and how are their journeys different?

Third, Huck flees from those who would civilize him. What is social acceptance? Is that a negative or positive thing?

These types of questions allow introductory literary analysis for homeschool literature at an age when your child is ready.

In addition, when you use lower grade level books for middle school, literary elements are easier to highlight.

However, when you add a hands-on element to any literature it makes the reading memorable.

Hands-on Literature Activities

Keep learning about and enjoying the treasure of Mark Twain’s legacy by adding one or more of these activities to the reading of the book:

  • After reading the book, watch The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn on Amazon or you can also catch it on Disney+.
  • Have your child locate Missouri on a map where Huck Finn takes place.
  • Encourage your child to draw a rough map of Missouri and use a blue marker to show where the Mississippi River runs through it.
  • Mighty Mississippi minibook & Sediment Activity
  • Build a stem raft (instructions below) and see how much weight it can hold.
  • Create a book club in your co-op to share thoughts, themed snacks, and read a louds with.

“What’s the use of learning to do right when it’s troublesome to do right and ain’t no trouble to do wrong, and the wages is just the same?”

Besides doing a hands-on activity, you can focus on an author study or do it simultaneously with reading the story.

Mark Twain Facts

  • Samuel Langhorne Clemens was born on November 30, 1835, in Florida, Missouri.
  • Huckleberry Finn was based on a real person, an older boy that Twain knew while he was growing up.
  • Mark Twain, besides being a famous writer, had a career as a riverboat captain.
  • Twain has no direct living descendants even though he had 4 children. One of his children died as a toddler, two more died in their twenties. And the grandchildren from the fourth child passed away without children.
  • He quit school after 5th grade to become a printer’s apprentice but continued to love learning throughout his life in the library and through life experiences. He was a big critic of the school system of his time.
  • It took Twain 7 years to complete The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

“I don’t want no better book than what your face is.”

More Homeschool Literature Resources

Back when I read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn I imagined Huck floating down the river, free as a bird on a raft.

I think about this part “One night we catched a little section of a lumber raft—nice pine planks. It was twelve foot wide and about fifteen or sixteen foot long, and the top stood above the water six or seven inches.”

We could assume that their raft was made of small logs lashed together.

But it was actually a lumber raft made of boards.

In spite of that, I think making a rustic raft would be fun.

Too, I really enjoy these Classic Starts versions of the books for younger readers.

Additionally, if a child is struggling with reading a longer version they are perfect since they’re shorter.

Homeschool Literature The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Raft Craft

Moreover, they have a few black and white illustrations which keeps it interesting.

Further, here are some more literature resources.

Homeschool Literature The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Raft Craft

Finally, look below at this fun raft stem craft.

How to Make a Huck Finn Raft

You will need:

  • Small sticks or popsicle sticks
  • Twine
  • Bucket or tub
  • loppers/pruners/trimmers
  • Water
  • Rocks or something with weight

First, to create a raft from sticks you first want to gather a bunch together of roughly the same diameter. 

Homeschool Literature The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Raft Craft

Next, decide how wide you want your raft to be. And then cut two of the twigs down to that length, these will be the brace pieces underneath

Homeschool Literature The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Raft Craft

Third, choose your length and cut enough sticks with the shrub trimmers to go across the width of your brace pieces.

Homeschool Literature The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Raft Craft

Grab one brace and one of your longer sticks and start wrapping it around both like this.

Add another stick and continue in the same way until you have reached the end. Be sure to move each stick as close together as possible.

Homeschool Literature The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Raft Craft

Lay your second brace piece underneath the opposite end and lash each cross piece to it.

Homeschool Literature The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Raft Craft

Tie your ends off tightly and cut off excess.

If you choose to do this activity with popsicle sticks you can build it in pretty much in the same fashion with the two cross pieces underneath but use hot glue to hold it together in place of string.

When your raft is done, float it in a small bucket or tub. Then add a rock or something else with a little heft to it, does it still float? If not this is a great learning opportunity to figure out why.

Homeschool Literature The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Raft Craft

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

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Growing a seed activity for kindergarten science is one of the easiest and delight science experiments with kids. Also, grab my other tips, ideas, and crafts for kindergarten on my page Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum.

A seed activity for kindergarten is a great way to introduce your child to life science.

For this science experiment, I wanted to keep it simple while also letting the kids fully see the seed as it sprouts.

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

Too, by not being hampered by soil or being tucked inside a paper towel your kids will be amazed at the growing stages.

For this seed experiment we are going to investigate if seeds need darkness to sprout.

Begin by explaining that seeds need the proper temperature, moisture, air, and light conditions to germinate.

But they do not require being covered in soil.

Let’s investigate if the light or dark makes a difference. 

You can keep activities simple and still learn so much by investigating life around you with your child.

A Seed is Sleepy Activity

In addition, I based this experiment off the book A Seed is Sleepy.

Aa beautiful picture book that is a great science reference book for preschoolers to middle elementary students.

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

The illustrations are rich and the snippets of information it provides give a lot of great information for young learners.

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

Also, below you will see a list of some other books you can use as well

Books About Seeds for Kids Science

Even picture books can be used with older learners.

5 Fun Books About Seeds

Children of all ages love activities about seeds. Add a few of these books to your learning day or use as a unit study.

Then, look at more seed activities here or choose several and make it a great seed unit study.

Hands-on Seed Activities

You can also use the book to investigate other types of seeds besides fruit and vegetables.

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

Go on a nature walk and collect pinecones, acorns, seed pods, and flowers to investigate.

More Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum

Look at these other resources.

Then, look below at how to do this easy science activity.

Before you begin the experiment, have your child make a hypothesis as to what they think will happen?

Will both sprout? Which will sprout faster? 

If they can, write down their answers so they have the opportunity to see their words in print.

Let your child do as much of this as possible so they have ownership in the experiment.

Help your child create a small booklet by stapling together half sheets of paper.

For example, staple down one side to bind to record the different steps in the experiment with words or just their drawings.

Explain that you want to try and keep everything the same in the experiment except for the one thing which is light and dark so that your results are accurate.

Easy Grow a Seed Activity

You will need:

  • Seeds (radishes are a quick sprouting seed)
  • 2 containers
  • Black paper
  • Paper towels
  • Water

Directions:

Grab two of the same containers, whatever you have laying around will work, cleaned out yogurt containers, paper cups, etc.

Then, fold a paper towel so that it is small enough to fit in the bottom.

Soak the paper towel and place a few seeds on each damp paper towel in your cup. 

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

Cover one cup completely with black construction paper.

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

Next, place both in a sunny window. Explain that you want to keep everything the same except for one.

Check both every 24 hours.

Usually at this time they are completely or almost dried out so you will need to rewet the paper towels. Take care not to disturb the seeds.

Here is what our experiment looked like at the start.

After 24 hours, there was really no difference yet in either cup.

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

At 48 hours we could see a tiny sprout bursting out of the seeds which were covered with the dark paper but nothing on the one exposed to light.

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

After 72 hours there is an obvious sprout from several seeds in the dark cup.

Also, at this point we noticed that one of the seeds in the cup which was covered finally started to germinate but just a tiny bit.

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

Look how much has happened with the covered seeds after just 3 days.

It’s clear that seeds need the darkness to sprout.

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

After the experiment is done you can transplant your seedlings to soil for planting in the garden once they are large enough.

Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest – Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts

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Today is Wildlife Conversation Day. And we’re learning about wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest. Be sure you grab my Amazon Rainforest unit study and free lapbooks.

Two of the most easily identifiable birds are the parrot and the toucan.

Both birds are bright with distinctive colors.

Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest - Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts

This easy paper plate craft is a great early elementary activity to go along with your rainforest unit study.

Also, I really enjoy including beautiful quality books.

Add in activities not only during a specific science study or project but pull them out during an art project to reference.

Science doesn’t only have to be taught during science.

Fun Bird Resources

A wonderfully illustrated book like The Big Book of Birds can be brought out to investigate.

In this case, look at the colors of the birds, the shape of their beaks and talk about their habitat and habits.

 Naturally, your child will pick up so much information as you read the little snippets aloud as they look at the pictures.

Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest - Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts

These Exotic Bird Toobs from Safari LTD are also a fantastic addition to your rainforest study.

Too, you get a great variety of birds including a toucan and a blue and gold macaw.

 If you want a little more variety instead of just birds they also have a rainforest one with different animals

Rainforest Activities

Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest - Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts

This cutie is a Sun Conure which is a small parrot.

Fun Facts About Birds of the Rainforest

  • All macaws are parrots, but not all parrots are macaws.
  • Of the 3,800 species found in the rainforest, 1,300 of them are bird species.
  • Birds of the Amazon Rainforest eat a variety of foods including leaves, fruits, nuts and insects.
  • Of the 18 species of Macaws in the Amazon Rainforest, several are currently on the endangered list and some species may already be extinct.
  • A toucan’s bill has been adapted to crush and saw the food that it eats such as fruits and nuts.
  • The parrot uses its beak as an additional hand to assist in climbing up trees so it can locate harder to reach food.
  • Out of the four layers of the Amazon Rainforest, the majority of birds live in the canopy layer.
  • Rainforest birds range from tiny hummingbirds to large macaws.
  • Screaming and loud vocalization is the way wild parrots and other birds communicate with one other.
  • The loudest bird in the Amazon Rainforest is the male white bellbird.

Other Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest Resources

Then, add some more activities below.

Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest - Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts

Finally, look below to make a macaw and toucan bird.

How to Make a Red Macaw Parrot and Toucan Craft

You will need:

  • 3 paper plates
  • Craft paint
  • Craft feathers
  • Google eyes
  • Paintbrushes
  • Glue
  • Scissors

First, for the red macaw parrot, cut 2 paper plates in half.

Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest - Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts

Paint 3 of the halves entirely red, and for the final half it will be half red and half yellow.

Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest - Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts

Allow the paint to dry completely.

Cut one of the red halves in half again to create wings.

Glue the red and yellow plate (which is the head and beak) perpendicular to the solid red half that makes up the body.

Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest - Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts

Add the wings to the sides with glue as well.

Glue some craft feathers together to form a long colorful tail.

Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest - Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts

Also, attach the tail at the back of the plate to the base with glue.

Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest - Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts

Finally add a google eye.

For the toucan, it is much the same but with different colors. Cut 1 plate in half and paint it all black.

Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest - Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts

Cut a beak out of the second plate.

Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest - Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts

Use a piece of scrap leftover from the beak to make his tail, cutting it into a little wedge and painting it black as well.

We left his “wings” tucked in but you can create flapping wings like on the parrot if you want to add that step.

Paint beak beautiful bright colors and let your child look at them online or in a book for reference.

Let the paint dry and then add a little bright yellow to the throat area.

Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest - Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts

Once all the pieces are dry, glue the beak to the body across the top and glue the tail piece to the bottom.

Add a google eye to finish him up.

Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest - Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts