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earth science

Dive Into STEM Learning With An Exciting Jello Earthquake Experiment

December 6, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

The Jello earthquake experiment is a great way to learn about earthquakes and how they can affect structures. Also, look at my page Free Earth Science Lapbook & Unit Study Ideas.

It can be used to teach children about the different types of earthquakes.

And use it to teach the causes of earthquakes, and the effects of earthquakes on people and property as well as the importance of earthquake preparedness.

Dive Into STEM Learning With An Exciting Jello Earthquake Experiment

Earthquakes are a natural hazard that can cause widespread damage and loss of life.

They occur when there is a sudden release of energy below the Earth’s surface, which creates seismic waves.

These waves travel through the Earth’s crust and can cause the ground to shake violently.

Earthquakes can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

  • Tectonic plate movement: The Earth’s crust is made up of several tectonic plates that are constantly moving. When two plates collide, one plate may be forced beneath the other, causing an earthquake.
  • Volcanic activity: Earthquakes can also be caused by volcanic activity. When magma moves beneath the Earth’s surface, it can create pressure that builds up and eventually causes an earthquake.
  • Landslides: Landslides can also trigger earthquakes, especially if they occur in areas with unstable soil or rock.

Look at earthquakes from different viewpoints from measuring them with a seismometer to learning about engineering.

You can build structures that can withstand them with all the activities I have included as well as videos and books.

Of course, we have some cool facts to share while you put together the Jello earthquake experiment.

EARTH SCIENCE BOOKS FOR KIDS

Next, add some fun books to this activity.

When possible I prefer to add living books when I can find them.

9 Books for Kids Who Love to Read About Earth Science Topics

Add these books to your learning day to learn about various earth science topics.

The Story Book of Science (Yesterday's Classics)

The wonders of plant and animal life told with rare literary charm by Uncle Paul in conversations with three children. Besides such stories as the ants' subterranean city, the spider's suspension bridge, and the caterpillars' processing, he unlocks the mystery behind thunder and lightning, clouds and rain, the year and its seasons, and volcanoes and earthquakes. Suitable for ages 9 to 12.

Earthquakes (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

Some earthquakes are so small that you don’t even feel them, while others can make even big buildings shake. Learn why earthquakes happen, where they are most likely to occur, and what to do if one happens near you. 

Now with updated text and art, this classic picture book describes the causes and effects of earthquakes (including a tsunami). This book features rich vocabulary and fascinating cross-sections of mountains, volcanoes, and faults in the earth’s moving crust.

This is a clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. The text and art were vetted by Dr. Roland Burgmann, Professor of the Department of Earth and Planetary Science at the University of California, Berkeley.

The First Book of the Earth

A republication of the 1958 book by Irene Sevrey with illustrations by Mildred Waltrip, The First Book of the Earth is an elementary level natural history book that was written during a time when children's books held a student's interest and imagination because they were "living" rather than simply based on factoids and vivid pictures. It is a wonderful introduction to the subject of geology and covers the earth as a planet in the solar system and the physics of how it circles the sun, thereby defining our days and years. It then moves on to describing the earth's origin as scientists understand it and takes up the topics of the earth's composition, its structure, molecular makeup, rock families, minerals, volcanoes and earthquakes, mountains and their formation, and how glaciers and rivers affect the shaping of the earth's surface. The book ends by briefly discussing dinosaurs and the possible aging techniques used to date the earth's age in terms of epochs or periods.

Rocks, Gems and Minerals: A Fully Illustrated, Authoritative and Easy-to-Use Guide (A Golden Guide from St. Martin's Press)

This handy identification guide to the most common kinds of rocks and minerals offers concise and fascinating information on:- Physical and chemical properties- Origins and geologic significance- Gems and semiprecious stones- How to find and collect specimens

Earth: An Intimate History

Beginning with Mt. Vesuvius, whose eruption in Roman times helped spark the science of geology, and ending in a lab in the West of England where mathematical models and lab experiments replace direct observation, Richard Fortey tells us what the present says about ancient geologic processes. He shows how plate tectonics came to rule the geophysical landscape and how the evidence is written in the hills and in the stones. And in the process, he takes us on a wonderful journey around the globe to visit some of the most fascinating and intriguing spots on the planet.

The First Book of Caves

A book about caves with drawings for young readers with a vocabulary list and definition at the end.

Rocks and Minerals: A Guide of Familiar Minerals, Gems, Ores, and Rocks (A Golden Nature Guide)

A guide to familiar minerals, gems, ores, and rocks enhanced by 400 full color illustrations. Provides much geological knowledge in how to look for surface forms, rocks, minerals etc. Includes information for the searcher and an useful list of clubs and organizations. Excellent bibliography and index.

A Whale of the Wild (A Voice of the Wilderness Novel)

For Vega and her family, salmon is life. And Vega is learning to be a salmon finder, preparing for the day when she will be her family’s matriarch. But then she and her brother Deneb are separated from their pod when a devastating earthquake and tsunami render the seascape unrecognizable. Vega must use every skill she has to lead her brother back to their family. The young orcas face a shark attack, hunger, the deep ocean, and polluted waters on their journey. Will Vega become the leader she’s destined to be?

Rocks, Rivers, and the Changing Earth: A first book about geology

A living book on the living earth. Told in a conversational style, the book discusses the topics of geology and provides ideas for investigations and demonstrations of the scientific principles. Illustrated throughout, this book is a favorite as an introduction to geology for young readers. This edition includes updated science information on plate tectonics and the structure of the earth.

Also, look at some facts about earthquakes.

6 EARTH SHAKING FACTS ABOUT EARTHQUAKES

  1. The point where an earthquake starts is called the focus or hypocenter and the Earth’s surface directly above the focus is called the epicenter.
  2. Earthquakes are measured using the Richter scale, which ranges from 1 to 10. This logarithmic, meaning that each whole number increase represents a tenfold increase in the amplitude of the seismic waves.
  3. The largest earthquake ever recorded was a magnitude 9.5 earthquake in Chile in 1960.
  4. Earthquakes can cause tsunamis, landslides, and other geological hazards which cause buildings and other structures to collapse.
  5. The deadliest earthquake in history was the Tangshan earthquake in China in 1976, which killed an estimated 242,000 people.
  6. Earthquakes are most common in certain areas of the world, such as along plate boundaries.
Dive Into STEM Learning With An Exciting Jello Earthquake Experiment

Also, look at these fun hands-on activities.

EARTHQUAKE EXPERIMENT ACTIVITIES

  • If you live in an area affected by earthquakes, talk about your plan during an earthquake, just like you would for fires, etc. Put together an earthquake kit with your child to have one hand should you ever need it.
  • Try a tasty lesson in How to Make an Edible Kindergarten Earth Science Tectonic Plate Activity to teach younger children.
  • Scientific America has simple lesson plans for Earthquake-Proof Engineering for Skyscrapers using LEGO, a favorite tool and toy in one.
  • Don’t forget to add in some great books like All About Earthquakes and I Survived the Great Alaska Earthquake, 1964 for a rich and full learning experience.
  • To learn more about the effect in and around the epicenter check out this Earthquake Epicenter Experiment.
  • Watch Earthquakes for Kids STEM | Learn why earthquakes happen and how to measure them.
  • Not only can you make your own model of an earthquake measurement device but you will find 10 Hands On Earthquake Activities | How To Make A Model Seismometer.
  • Check out this simple earth Science experiment on Plate Movement, Earthquakes to simply demonstrate the effects of earthquakes.

Finally, look at this fun Jello earthquake experiment.

JELLO EARTHQUAKE EXPERIMENT

You will need:

  • 1 box of Jello
  • 1 clear container
  • small objects, such as toy cars, buildings, or trees
  • A spoon
  • Mini marshmallows
  • toothpicks
Dive Into STEM Learning With An Exciting Jello Earthquake Experiment

First, prepare the Jello according to the package directions.

The Jello represents the ground which moves during an earthquake.

Dive Into STEM Learning With An Exciting Jello Earthquake Experiment

Pour the Jello into the clear container and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

Dive Into STEM Learning With An Exciting Jello Earthquake Experiment

Once the Jello is set, place the small objects on top of it.

Dive Into STEM Learning With An Exciting Jello Earthquake Experiment

Use the spoon to gently shake the container.

Observe what happens to the Jello and the small objects.

As you shake the container, the Jello will begin to jiggle and wobble.

This is similar to what happens to the ground during an earthquake.

The small objects on top of the Jello will begin to move and may even fall over.

This is because the earthquake waves are causing the ground to shake.

Dive Into STEM Learning With An Exciting Jello Earthquake Experiment

Now, our goal is to build a structure from marshmallows and toothpicks that will hold up to that movement.

Have your learner design and construct buildings out of toothpicks and marshmallows, allow this to be an open ended activity so they can work out for themselves which holds up better- a shorter or taller structure? A square or a more tapered one? At which height is the structure no longer stable?

Dive Into STEM Learning With An Exciting Jello Earthquake Experiment

Offer different sized toothpicks and marshmallows to give your child more variety for building.

Dive Into STEM Learning With An Exciting Jello Earthquake Experiment

Be sure to have your child record their findings in their science notebook from the variables to the results of the jello earthquake experiment.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: earth science, earthquakes, earthscience, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, Jello, science

How to Turn a Pumpkin Lapbook into a Fun Unit Study

September 10, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a fun pumpkin lapbook today. Also, look at my other lapbooks on my page Homeschool Lapbooks – Powerful Tools For Mastery Learning. Too, look at my page Fall Season Fall Unit Study {Pumpkins, Leaves, Corn, & More}.

So today I am showing you how to easily turn a printable pumpkin lapbook into a unit study.

Remember a unit study means you cover one theme while covering as many academic subjects as you naturally can.

And with the many unit studies I have done, I’ve learned if a subject does not fit into a theme naturally then don’t force the fit.

In addition, you decide to add hands-on activities or not.

I used to not be such a firm believer of hands-on but after homeschooling for 20+ years I am now.

Hands-on means that all senses are involved, and it helps learning to stick.

The information sinks in when children learn to engage in hands-on activity.

Besides hands-on learning is more than just doing a craft.

Not all kids learn the same way, but all children should be motivated to learn outside of their comfort zone.

For example, I have a son who prefers to read books over doing until he does something he enjoys.

How to Turn a Pumpkin Lapbook into a Fun Unit Study

A lapbook can promote critical thinking skills.

When done alongside a unit study, you can easily cover many subjects in that one theme.

Besides, problem solving skills promote independent thinking.

And engaging or manipulating an activity hands-on can make concrete subjects real.

Your child can create a lapbook any way he prefers or use part of my printables and part printables you find which interests your child.

Also, before you begin read aloud or pick some of your favorite pumpkin books for reading.

Books About Pumpkins for Kids

I try to look for living books.

Then add reference books.

8 Pumpkin Books

Grab some of these fun books about pumpkins, fall and fall harvest.

Too Many Pumpkins

Rebecca Estelle has hated pumpkins ever since she was a girl when pumpkins were often the only food her family had. When an enormous pumpkin falls off a truck and smashes in her yard, she shovels dirt over the pieces and forgets about them. But those slimy pumpkin smithereens sprout up in autumn, and Rebecca Estelle finds a sea of pumpkins in her garden. A heartwarming classic for more than twenty years, this story shows what happens when one thrifty gardener figures out how to make other people happy with the squash she can't stomach.

Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie (Picture the Seasons)

Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie follows Apples for Everyone in the Picture the Seasons series. This beautifully photographed picture book about everybody’s favorite fall treat is sure to please kids both young and old. The glossy, festive images and lively text are sure to get your family in the mood to celebrate the season.Pumpkins! Who can resist the sight of big, round, orange pumpkins ripening in a field?

How Big Could Your Pumpkin Grow?

Every year, giant pumpkin contests take place at fairs across the country—the 2012 record-holder weighed over a ton! The latest craze is to carve the most enormous pumpkins into racing boats. But what’s next? Why not think really big? Award-winning artist Wendell Minor does just that as he imagines larger-than-life pumpkins decorating some of America’s favorite places—as immense as the Capitol dome, Mount Rushmore, the Brooklyn Bridge, even the Grand Canyon! This celebration of famous landmarks and landscapes plays with concepts of size and scale and is full of fun facts.

How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin?

How many seeds are in a pumpkin?" Mr. Tiffin asks his class as they gather around the big, medium, and small pumpkins on his desk. Robert, the biggest kid, guesses that the largest one has a million seeds; Elinor, sounding like she knows what she's talking about, guesses the medium one has 500 seeds; and Anna, who likes even numbers better than odd ones, guesses that the little one has 22. Charlie, the smallest boy in the class, doesn't have a guess.

Pumpkins (First Step Nonfiction ― Plant Life Cycles)

Plant Life Cycles

From Seed to Pumpkin: A Fall Book for Kids

This is a clear and appealing environmental science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. Plus it includes a find out more section with activities such as an experiment to show how plants use roots to drink water from the ground and a recipe for roasted pumpkin seeds.

Autumn Harvest

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

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

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

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

Pumpkin Facts

Pumpkins were an important part of the life of early Native Americans.

Besides eating them, they used just about every part of the pumpkin

For example, for food they would boil them in a stew and even dry some pieces.

The seeds were saved too and roasted later as a snack.

And after the pumpkin was eaten, the empty shell makes for a great bowl or container.

Pumpkins symbolized the end of the harvest season in a year and to enjoy the bounty of the harvest.

How to Turn a Pumpkin Lapbook into a Fun Unit Study

Additionally, look at some fun pumpkin activities.

They are not only a fun way to enjoy the change in the weather, but to add some fun learning.

MORE PUMPKIN ACTIVITIES

  • How To Make A Paper Popper Pumpkin Treat Bag
  • Easy Pumpkin Salt Painting: A Creative Fall Activity For All Ages

How to Add Subjects to a Pumpkin Unit Study

1. Do basic chemistry.

First, use a pumpkin to learn about volcanoes.

A foaming, oozing pumpkin volcano can be a great hands-on experiment to demonstrate volcanoes.

Look at my post Celebrate National Vinegar Day With A Hands-on Study of Volcanoes. This fun activity introduces kids to basic chemistry concepts.

2. Perform simple math activities.

Use the seeds for simple counting exercises. If you have older kids introduce estimation and have them estimate how many seeds a pumpkin has.

Older learners can measure and compare sizes on a chart. Introduce geometry when you explore the share and size.

Also, they can weigh pumpkins and compare heights. And fractions can be taught as you cut pieces of the pumpkin.

3. Explore seeds and science

Learn about seed germination. And even plant and water some of the seeds from you pumpkin. Watch them grow and chart the progress in a Science Journal.

4. Dive into botany and explore the life cycle of a pumpkin.

Besides learning about the different types of pumpkins, learn pumpkin anatomy.

For example, there are pumpkins harvested which are smaller and sweeter and good to use for delicious pies.

Examples of them are Sugar Pie, Baby Bear, and Cinderella pumpkins.

There are also pumpkins used more for decoration like blue pumpkins like the Jarradale, and miniature pumpkins like the Munchkin.

How to Turn a Pumpkin Lapbook into a Fun Unit Study

However, you can explore all the parts of any pumpkin and begin with the life cycle.

Look at my activity here How To Do An Easy Science Pumpkin Study By A Rotting Pumpkin Experiment.

Next, look at my post Pumpkin Anatomy | Kids Exploring the Parts of a Pumpkin And Printables to dive into a hands-on activity about the anatomy of a pumpkin.

5. Add language arts.

There are many fun ways to incorporate language arts.

Look above at the books about pumpkins and use a few of them for reading and copywork.

Too, look at my page here about the Fall Season for notebooking pages about autumn.

Then look at these pumpkin vocabulary words on my page How To Do An Easy Science Pumpkin Study By A Rotting Pumpkin Experiment to add to your notebook.

5. Do arts and crafts.

Add fun too like arts and crafts ideas with pumpkins.

  • 8 Easy Fall Wood Crafts For Kids And A Dollar Tree Pumpkin Patch
  • How to Make Pumpkin Spice Body Scrub & 7 Fall DIY Crafts For Teens
  • Easy Fall Crafts for Middle School: DIY String Pumpkin Art
  • Kids Fun Glue and Watercolor Fall Pumpkin Unit Study

And I have some art memorization cards on this post for my fall lapbook.

5. Life skills like cooking.

Then nothing says fall more than baking a delicious pumpkin pie.

When the kids were real little, we learned about the ingredients and made this Fall Y’all:Pumpkin Pie in a Bag. It’s great if you don’t want your little ones around the heat yet.

But also add this recipe for Two Yummy Pumpkin Seed Recipes and then this is a sweet potato pie recipe which is our favorite. My granny’s recipe for pumpkin pie is almost exactly like that one.

About the Pumpkin Lapbook & Notebooking Pages

Finally, I have a fun pumpkin lapbook to use with multiple ages. I geared it toward grades 2 to 4 but again grades are selective as we know.

Look at the printables included in the download.

  • One front outside cover in color. Mix and match the pieces for the outside flap.
  • One front outside flap cover for your child to color.
  • Pumpkin Life Cycle and labeled parts of pumpkin
  • 7 vocabulary words and definitions
  • Seed box pocket to store saved seeds
  • About pumpkin pocket with facts
  • Parts of pumpkin fact card
  • More Pumpkin Facts & Fun pocket to glue on back of file folder
  • Two Anatomy of a Pumpkin Notebooking Pages. One has facts filled in and one page is blank so that your child labels the part.
  • Three pages of pumpkin note cards to use to identify the parts of a pumpkin.
  • Two Life Cycle of a Pumpkin pages. One has facts filled in and one page is blank so that your child labels the cycle.
  • One About Pumpkin Notebooking page for your children to write what interests them.
  • Dynamic and Fun Pumpkin Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    Dynamic and Fun Pumpkin Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    $4.00
    Add to cart
How to Turn a Pumpkin Lapbook into a Fun Unit Study

How to Get the Pumpkin Lapbook

You can purchase the lapbook now!

  • Aimed at elementary.
  • This is a .pdf  instant downloadable product and not a physical product.
  • You are paying for the printables, the lapbook and notebooking pages.
  • My lapbooks are created for multiple ages.
  • Your digital product is delivered to the email you used for pay pal.
  • 19 page digital download.

You can use any reference materials, books, or online resources to complete the lapbook. However, I always provide activities and have a blog post with resources to go with each of my lapbooks.

I don’t provide links in the lapbooks for filling out the information. This keeps my prices low for my products, but I do try to provide free links on my site as I can.

MY GUARANTEE: To treat you like I want to be treated which means I know at times technical problems may cause glitches, so I will do everything possible to make your experience here pleasant. I value your business and value you as a follower. I stand behind my products because they are actual products I use and benefit from too. Though I cannot refund purchases after you have been given access to them, I will do what I can to be sure you are a pleased customer. Read carefully what you get on your digital download. If you have questions, email me FIRST at tina homeschools AT gmail DOT com.

  • Dynamic and Fun Pumpkin Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    Dynamic and Fun Pumpkin Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    $4.00
    Add to cart

Happy Fall!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: earth science, earthscience, elementary science, fall, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschoolscience, pumpkin, science

From Forest to Fun: Unique Crafts With Tree Bark

August 29, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Set up an open invitation to play and encourage your child to create crafts with tree bark and a few other nature items. Also, look at my page Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study for more ideas.

As you have wandered on nature walks you have likely brought home plenty of finds like pieces of tree bark, unique shaped stones, and other bits.

These natural items make a wonderful free craft resource.

From Forest to Fun: Unique Crafts With Tree Bark

Tree bark animals are a fun and easy way to get kids interested in nature.

All you need is a few pieces of tree bark and a little imagination.

You can either leave the pieces as loose parts to build and rebuild or add glue to your supplies.

And let your child attach everything together permanently.

I really wanted to challenge kids’ creativity by using all found nature items for this craft.

But we couldn’t resist adding google eyes to the tray to finish off the animals.

We also decided a few pom poms could help define our animals a bit more as well.

As they create, use the time to talk about the characteristics of the animals, their habitats, if they are herbivore or carnivore?

Of if they’re nocturnal or diurnal? Did you see any of these creatures on your walk today?

Books About Trees for Kids

Next, look at some of these beautiful books about trees to add to your home library.

I prefer living books when I can find them.

Then I add reference books to our reading list.

9 Tree Books & Resources for Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

You'll love using one of these books as a science reference or to use for art to inspire life science lessons.

Celebritrees: Historic & Famous Trees of the World

Some trees have lived many lifetimes, standing as silent witnesses to history. Some are remarkable for their age and stature; others for their usefulness. A bristlecone pine tree in California has outlived man by almost 4,000 years; a baobab tree in Australia served as a prison for Aboriginal prisoners at the turn of the twentieth century; and a major oak in England was used as a hiding place for Robin Hood and his men (or so the story goes…).

The fourteen trees in this book have earned the title "Celebritrees" for their global fame and significance. Both in fact and in legend, these fascinating trees remind us not only how much pleasure trees bring, but what they can tell us about history.

The Busy Tree

Spectacular illustrations rendered in oil paint, and a rhyming text that describes a tree’s activities from its roots to its branches, introduce young readers to the amazing activities that go on in a tree. Acorns nibbled by chipmunks, ants scurrying across a trunk, a spider spinning a web, leaves “breathing out air for all to breathe in”—everything adds up to a “busy tree” for all to “come and see.”

The Tree Book for Kids and Their Grown-Ups

This is a fantastic reference book to have on hand for tree studies.

It has great illustrations and covers everything from how a tree “eats and drinks” to types of trees, seeds, how they change in the seasons, why we need them and more

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

Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world.

Trees, Leaves & Bark (Take Along Guides)

An introduction to the world of insects, caterpillars, and butterflies including identification information, educational activities, and fun facts.Invites young naturalists to spot wildlife. 

Tree Full of Wonder: An educational, rhyming book about magic of trees for children

Tree Full of Wonder is a vibrant, rhyming, educational and unique picture book showing the unbreakable bond between people and trees. For children ages 3-8. Kids will fall in love with nature and will become Protectors of the Trees.

The Magic and Mystery of Trees (The Magic and Mystery of Nature)

From the highest branch and leaf down to the complex “wood wide web” of roots, it’s no wonder every part of a tree plays an important role in its own growth and the habitat of the whole forest or woodland. The Magic & Mystery of Trees is a nature book that takes children on a fascinating journey of exploration, showing them just how special these mighty organisms are.

Figurines of Pine, Elm, Juniper, Monkey Puzzle, Topiary, Petticoat, Aspen, Two Maples

Learn and Play: These figurines provide a fun and educational way to learn about different tree species, promoting environmental awareness and appreciation.

Fandex Family Field Guides: Trees

Bringing the world of TREES to your fingertips, FANDEX presents a foolproof field guide. Four visual keys--die-cut leaf, bark pattern, flower, nut or seed, and photo of the full tree--plus descriptions of habitat and more combine to give a complete picture of North America's forest and backyard trees.

In addition, TREES is a cultural history--of the mighty White Oak, California Redwood, Aillanthus, the tree that grows in Brooklyn, and the stately White Ash, as important for the bows of early Native Americans as for the baseball bats of today.

If that is not enough bark crafting for you I found 8 more awesome crafts.

I have tree bark ideas for kids from preschoolers to highschoolers so not a bit of it goes to waste.

8 Unique Crafts With Tree Bark

This creative way to use nature items like leaves and bark –How to Make a DIY Nature Crown for Kids is absolutely photo worthy.

Did you know that you could learn How To Turn Birch Bark Into Paper to write on, much more interesting than plain old notebook paper.

Get creative and make DIY Tree Bark Flower Vases to hold wildflowers or flowers from your garden that they bring you.

You’ll love this fun Hands-On Literature Nature Study: Simple Tree Craft.

Preschoolers will enjoy learning How to Make a Tree Bark Rubbing and noticing the different textures of the bark from different trees along the way.

I love the look of these DIY Tree Bark Lanterns with their natural unique appearance highlighting the gentle glow and they are pretty easy and inexpensive to create.

From Forest to Fun: Unique Crafts With Tree Bark

Make Simple Tree Bark Boats to get creative and learn about buoyancy and other simple STEM topics or just for the sake of creating from found objects.

Learn How to Make an Appalachian Berry Bucket from Tree Bark for the adventurous older child who enjoys working with their hands.

Along the lines of today’s bark crafts is this tutorial for How to Make Bark Owls.

Now onto my bark craft idea.

Essentially what you are going to create is a very open-ended invitation for your child to use their found objects.

You want your child to imagine woodland (or any type) of creatures from moss, rocks, sticks, and of course bark. 

Encourage them to create raccoons, owls, bears, rabbits, foxes, birds, turtles, frogs, hedgehogs, or even made-up fantastical animals.

 The greater variety of natural objects you have the more elaborate their creations can be.

I highly recommend pairing this activity with a good book like Nature Anatomy for them to use for reference.

From Forest to Fun: Unique Crafts With Tree Bark

It’s also a great way to give little bits of information as they create.

You will also find information on the bark as well.

Animal Crafts With Tree Bark

You will need:

  • Tree bark
  • Leaves, twigs, moss, etc.
  • Googly eyes
  • Large tray
  • Optional: glue

First, start by gathering different sizes and shapes of bark.

While you are at it fill your basket with small sticks, moss, green leaves, dried leaves, acorns, or any other interesting natural items you find on your nature walk.

From Forest to Fun: Unique Crafts With Tree Bark

Collect pieces of tree bark from the ground.

Make sure the bark is dry and free of bugs.

To sterilize the bark, you can put it on a cookie sheet and bake it at 350*F.

 The length of time will depend on how thick the wood is.

Lay all your nature finds out on a tray.

I keep a couple different types on hand for just such activities because it creates such an inviting area.

From Forest to Fun: Unique Crafts With Tree Bark

I added google eyes because I just knew that they would be fun and really add some personality to the woodland creatures.

From Forest to Fun: Unique Crafts With Tree Bark

Lay out bark pieces and try to determine what animal each piece might be.

A piece of felt makes a great background and helps keep everything from moving around.

From Forest to Fun: Unique Crafts With Tree Bark

Start building creatures using twigs for legs, leaves for wings, ears, tails, whatever your child’s imagination sees.

Talk about different animals and their characteristics as they create them.

From Forest to Fun: Unique Crafts With Tree Bark

See how the pom poms just helped this adorable bear come to life?

From Forest to Fun: Unique Crafts With Tree Bark

Leaves make wonderful wings.

From Forest to Fun: Unique Crafts With Tree Bark

Small sticks and twigs help define the antlers on this deer…or is it an elk?

From Forest to Fun: Unique Crafts With Tree Bark

Tree bark is like nature’s own art supply, and it’s perfect for all kinds of creative projects.

Crafting with tree bark is a fantastic way to connect with nature and let your creativity run wild.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: earth science, earthscience, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, life science, science, tree bark, trees

Amazing Volcano Facts For Kids & Awesome Lemon Volcano Experiment

August 25, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have amazing volcano facts for kids and a fun lemon volcano experiment. Also, look at my page Free Homeschool Volcano Unit Study for more ideas.

Whether they’re gently oozing lava or shooting ash into the sky, volcanoes are some of the most powerful and fascinating natural phenomena on Earth.

We’ll learn some cool facts.

And even do a fun experiment with lemons to create our very own mini volcano.

Amazing Volcano Facts For Kids & Awesome Lemon Volcano Experiment

A volcano is like a giant mountain with a hole on top.

Inside the Earth, there’s super-hot melted rock called magma.

When magma pushes through the surface, it erupts, and that’s when we see a volcano in action.

Volcano Books for Kids

Next, bring learning to life with some fun books.

When possible, I add living books to our library.

You’ll love some of these choices.

12 Volcano Books & Resources

Add one or two of these books to learn about volcanoes and add some hands-on ideas to learn about the types of volcanoes.

Volcanoes

Did you know there are four main types of volcanoes? Or that volcanoes are classified as active, dormant, or extinct? The Devil’s Tower in Wyoming is an extinct volcano. It’s about 40.5 million years old!

Birth Of an Island

Simple explanation of how an island is formed. B/ W sketch illustrations.

R&R Games The Table is Lava Family Game

As Dawn breaks, mount kahlualualuau is spewing its fiery lava down onto meepleville. The natives are frantically trying to escape the rivers of lava and remain on safe ground. Whoever’s tribe survives the eruption with the most Meeples shall be the winner!

Volcano: Eruption and Healing of Mt. St Helen's

In this extraordinary photographic essay, Patricia Lauber details the Mount St. Helens eruption and the years following in Volcano: Eruption and Healing of Mt. St. Helen's.Through this clear accurate account, readers of all ages will share the awe of the scientists who witnessed both the power of the volcano and the resiliency of life.

The Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia

Science is vital for every inhabitant of today’s world, and being scientifically informed and literate is a crucial part of any child’s education. Science can seem daunting –- especially as scientific knowledge advances so quickly –- and this volume is the perfect purchase for any family. It will bear repeated use by all the family from 10+ through the teenage years.

All About Volcanoes (A True Book: Natural Disasters) (A True Book (Relaunch))

Conditions on Earth are becoming more and more extreme and kids want to learn about it!

Is it true that, at any given time, about 20 volcanoes are erupting somewhere on Earth? Yes! Sometimes volcanoes erupt with a big, dangerous bang. Other times they spit out lava so slowly that you could walk faster than it flows.

How to Dig a Hole to the Other Side of the World

‘[An] irresistible account of a child’s imaginary 8,000-mile journey through the earth to discover what’s inside. Facts about the composition of the earth are conveyed painlessly and memorably.’ —SLJ. ‘An exciting adventure. . . . Illustrations [by Caldecott Medal winner Marc Simont] explode with color and action.’ —CS.

Volcanoes! (National Geographic Readers)

The cool story of volcanoes will intrigue kids and adults alike. Hot melted rock from the middle of our planet forces its way up through cracks in the Earth’s crusts, exploding violently and sometimes unexpectedly in volcanic fury that can terrorize populations for months, even years.

National Geographic Readers: Erupt! 100 Fun Facts About Volcanoes (L3)

Kids will burst with excitement as they learn all about the science and wonder of volcanoes in this new National Geographic Kids Reader.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Ultimate Volcano Kit – Erupting Volcano Science

UNFORGETTABLE SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS – This is a great hands-on experiment kit for any science fair; the updated mold and instructions make it easy to assemble a sturdy volcano form and realistic paint colors give the volcano a lifelike look.

Natural and Earth Science Educational Flash Card

This set of 48 cards features a colorful illustration on one side and informational facts on the other side.

The Magic School Bus: Blasting off with Erupting Volcanoes

MIX YOUR OWN LAVA: Use the included mixture to form your own “lava” and experiment with explosions by making your own volcano erupt!

. This eruption can be explosive or gentle.

However, this depends on how thick the magma is and how much gas it contains.

Also, look at some of these other volcano facts for kids.

3 Volcano Facts For Kids

1. About the Ring of Fire

  • The “Ring of Fire” is a major area in the Pacific Ocean where many of the world’s volcanoes are found.
  • It’s called this because of the frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that happen there. Countries like Japan, Indonesia, and the west coast of the USA are part of this fiery circle.

2. Supervolcanoes

  • Some volcanoes are so massive they’re called “supervolcanoes.”
  • These can have explosive eruptions that affect the entire planet.
  • One famous supervolcano is Yellowstone in the USA. If it ever erupts, it could change the climate for years!

3. Volcanic Lightning

  • During a big eruption, lightning can actually form within the volcanic ash cloud.
  • This happens because the ash particles rub against each other, creating static electricity. Volcanic lightning is pretty rare and spectacular.
Amazing Volcano Facts For Kids & Awesome Lemon Volcano Experiment

After a volcano erupts, it can spit out different types of rocks.

One cool type of volcanic rock is called pumice, which is so light it can float on water.

Next, look at these other volcano activities for kids.

More Volcano Activities

  • Mini Volcano Book and Label Layers of Earth Mini Book
  • Celebrate National Vinegar Day With A Hands-on Study of Volcanoes
  • Free Homeschool Volcano Unit Study and Fun Apple Volcano
  • How To Make A Mountain Volcano | Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro With Geronimo Stilton
  • How to Make A Letter V For Volcano Handprint Craft
Amazing Volcano Facts For Kids & Awesome Lemon Volcano Experiment

Finally, look at how to make a lemon volcano.

It doesn’t require vinegar. It’s fun and easy.

For example, if you have younger learners, I love this book by Gail Gibbons about Volcanoes.

Ready to create your own mini volcano? We’re going to use a lemon for this awesome experiment.

Lemon Volcano Experiment

It’s going to fizz and bubble just like a real volcano!

What You Need:

  • Lemons
  • Baking soda
  • Food dye
  • Spoon
  • Paper plates
Amazing Volcano Facts For Kids & Awesome Lemon Volcano Experiment

Cut the top and bottom off your lemon and then cut in half. Place on your plate.

Amazing Volcano Facts For Kids & Awesome Lemon Volcano Experiment

Add 3 to 5 drops of food dye on the top of the lemons.

Amazing Volcano Facts For Kids & Awesome Lemon Volcano Experiment

Sprinkle some baking soda on top of the lemons.

Amazing Volcano Facts For Kids & Awesome Lemon Volcano Experiment

As you push down on the lemon with a spoon, it should start erupting and fizzing!

Amazing Volcano Facts For Kids & Awesome Lemon Volcano Experiment

You can break up the lemon before putting the baking soda on so it will react without you using the spoon if you’d like.

Amazing Volcano Facts For Kids & Awesome Lemon Volcano Experiment

The more lemon juice, the better!

Too, add a few drops of dish soap to the baking soda. This will make the fizz and bubbles last longer.

Why Does This Explode

When you mix baking soda (a base) with lemon juice (an acid), they react with each other and create carbon dioxide gas.

This gas bubbles up and makes the fizzing effect you see in your lemon volcano.

Remember, science is all about having fun and learning new things

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: earth science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, lemon, science, volcano

How to Make A Letter V For Volcano Handprint Craft

August 16, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

You may have seen a flat handprint letter V for volcano. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more letter activities. And look at my page Volcano Unit Study and Fun Apple Volcano.

But have you ever seen a standing model one? I can’t wait to show you how to make your own today.

When teaching letters to younger children, incorporating fun hands-on activities goes a long way in helping them remember what they have learned.

This one is inexpensive and easier than you might think.

How to Make A Letter V For Volcano Handprint Craft

You can make a handprint volcano model to help your child identify the different parts of the volcano.

Also, use it as an art project and for a neat keepsake.

But don’t stop there with just one activity.

Check out my volcano facts and activity ideas to create a simple study for your child while they learn about V with a science theme.

There are volcanoes all over the world, and they come in all different shapes and sizes.

Some volcanoes are tall and pointy, while others are short and wide.

Some volcanoes are covered in snow and ice, while others are surrounded by lush forests.

Kids love to learn about the powerful volcanoes and there is so much to learn about them, no matter what they look like, volcanoes are amazing natural wonders. 

Books for Kids About Volcanoes

First, look at some of these volcano books.

12 Volcano Books & Resources

Add one or two of these books to learn about volcanoes and add some hands-on ideas to learn about the types of volcanoes.

Volcanoes

Did you know there are four main types of volcanoes? Or that volcanoes are classified as active, dormant, or extinct? The Devil’s Tower in Wyoming is an extinct volcano. It’s about 40.5 million years old!

Birth Of an Island

Simple explanation of how an island is formed. B/ W sketch illustrations.

R&R Games The Table is Lava Family Game

As Dawn breaks, mount kahlualualuau is spewing its fiery lava down onto meepleville. The natives are frantically trying to escape the rivers of lava and remain on safe ground. Whoever’s tribe survives the eruption with the most Meeples shall be the winner!

Volcano: Eruption and Healing of Mt. St Helen's

In this extraordinary photographic essay, Patricia Lauber details the Mount St. Helens eruption and the years following in Volcano: Eruption and Healing of Mt. St. Helen's.Through this clear accurate account, readers of all ages will share the awe of the scientists who witnessed both the power of the volcano and the resiliency of life.

The Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia

Science is vital for every inhabitant of today’s world, and being scientifically informed and literate is a crucial part of any child’s education. Science can seem daunting –- especially as scientific knowledge advances so quickly –- and this volume is the perfect purchase for any family. It will bear repeated use by all the family from 10+ through the teenage years.

All About Volcanoes (A True Book: Natural Disasters) (A True Book (Relaunch))

Conditions on Earth are becoming more and more extreme and kids want to learn about it!

Is it true that, at any given time, about 20 volcanoes are erupting somewhere on Earth? Yes! Sometimes volcanoes erupt with a big, dangerous bang. Other times they spit out lava so slowly that you could walk faster than it flows.

How to Dig a Hole to the Other Side of the World

‘[An] irresistible account of a child’s imaginary 8,000-mile journey through the earth to discover what’s inside. Facts about the composition of the earth are conveyed painlessly and memorably.’ —SLJ. ‘An exciting adventure. . . . Illustrations [by Caldecott Medal winner Marc Simont] explode with color and action.’ —CS.

Volcanoes! (National Geographic Readers)

The cool story of volcanoes will intrigue kids and adults alike. Hot melted rock from the middle of our planet forces its way up through cracks in the Earth’s crusts, exploding violently and sometimes unexpectedly in volcanic fury that can terrorize populations for months, even years.

National Geographic Readers: Erupt! 100 Fun Facts About Volcanoes (L3)

Kids will burst with excitement as they learn all about the science and wonder of volcanoes in this new National Geographic Kids Reader.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Ultimate Volcano Kit – Erupting Volcano Science

UNFORGETTABLE SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS – This is a great hands-on experiment kit for any science fair; the updated mold and instructions make it easy to assemble a sturdy volcano form and realistic paint colors give the volcano a lifelike look.

Natural and Earth Science Educational Flash Card

This set of 48 cards features a colorful illustration on one side and informational facts on the other side.

The Magic School Bus: Blasting off with Erupting Volcanoes

MIX YOUR OWN LAVA: Use the included mixture to form your own “lava” and experiment with explosions by making your own volcano erupt!

Volcano Facts

  • Volcanoes are like big mountains, but they’re special because they have a secret inside. Deep down, volcanoes are filled with hot, melted rock called magma.
  • Sometimes, the magma gets too hot and it has to find a way to escape. It bursts out of the top of the volcano and flows down the sides, just like when you squeeze toothpaste out of a tube and it has to come out and flow over.
  • When magma comes out of a volcano, it’s called lava. Lava is really hot, so it can be dangerous. It can burn things and even destroy houses. But volcanoes can also be beautiful. When lava flows out at night, it can look just like a river of fire.
  • Volcanoes can also make loud noises and sometimes they even shake the ground. That’s because when magma comes out of the volcano, it can create a lot of pressure. The pressure can cause the ground to shake and make a loud boom.
How to Make A Letter V For Volcano Handprint Craft

Volcanoes are a part of nature, and they’re not always dangerous.

In fact, they can even be helpful. The lava from volcanoes can make new land, and it also helps to fertilize the soil.

Letter V For Volcano Activities

  • Practice pre-writing skills by giving your child a couple of craft sticks and teaching them to form it into the letter ‘V’.
How to Make A Letter V For Volcano Handprint Craft

Of course reading a great science book about Volcanoes like Gail Gibbons’ books is a wonderful activity for developing language skills, listening skills, and learning science facts

Take some of the ideas from my Celebrate National Vinegar Day With A Hands-on Study of Volcanoes and create your own mini unit perfect for a younger child.

Recreate this Volcano Blow Art page at home for a unique project that turns out different every time you do it

Watch Volcanoes for Kids| How Volcanoes Work as an entertaining way to teach volcano facts.

Letter V For Volcano Handprint Craft

We are going to create a volcano handprint craft that is out of the ordinary and will really capture your child’s imagination.

 Once they make it, they can continue to enjoy it by using it alongside their dinosaur toys, as a display on the shelf, or use it to create a larger scene from craft foam.

You will need:

  • Craft foam in assorted colors
  • Craft paint- red, yellow, and/or orange
  • Hot glue gun/glue sticks
  • Little willing hands
How to Make A Letter V For Volcano Handprint Craft

First, twist brown craft foam into a funnel shape.

It needs to be narrow on one end and wide at the other, overlapping it about ¼”

Run hot glue down the inside seam and hold in place until it hardens.

Be sure you leave the opening at the top about 1 ½” in diameter so your ‘lava’ will fit inside.

How to Make A Letter V For Volcano Handprint Craft

Use scissors to trim the top and bottom off to make it straighter.

How to Make A Letter V For Volcano Handprint Craft

Trace a small hand onto at least two colors of craft foam, like red and orange.

How to Make A Letter V For Volcano Handprint Craft

Cut the handprints out.

How to Make A Letter V For Volcano Handprint Craft

Glue the bottom of the hands inside the volcano so it looks like lava spewing out the top.

How to Make A Letter V For Volcano Handprint Craft

Secure the base of the volcano on a square of green craft foam to help it stay up, use hot glue and hold it in place until set.

How to Make A Letter V For Volcano Handprint Craft

To really give it a flowing colorful effect and some texture you can also drip some paint down the volcano as well to create lava flow rather than just explosion.

How to Make A Letter V For Volcano Handprint Craft

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: alphabet, earth science, handprint, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, kindergarten, letter sounds, phonics, volcano

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