Today, I have a free Swiss Family Robinson unit study and diy water filter activity. Also, grab more ideas on my best homeschool unit studies page.
When I think of how I can create a Swiss Family Robinson unit study that is more than just a literature study the first thing that comes to mind is survival.
Hopefully, your children are never in a situation where they must rely solely on their own instincts and knowledge to survive the land around them.
But wouldn’t it be nice if they could do a few simple things which could be applied to camping, a self-sufficient homesteading lifestyle, or even just life in general?
Teaching your child a few skills and maybe learning them at the same time yourself is a fantastic way to build up confidence and basic life skills at the same time.
If you haven’t read the classic Swiss Family Robinson here is quick summary.
A family is on an uninhabited island and salvaged items from their shipwrecked ship.
They build a house, cultivate crops, and live off the land while exploring a nearby island.
It’s just the kind of adventure to bring a family together by being resourceful, brave, skillful, and nurturing a love of nature.
Facts About Johann David Wyss
First, look at a few facts about the author.
- Johann David Wyss (1743–1818) was a priest in Switzerland.
- Wyss and his two sons were great admirers of Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, which is a story of shipwreck and survival.
- He created The Swiss Family Robinson to entertain his children and Wyss wanted to write a story from which his own children would learn.
- The story was completed and edited by Wyss’s son, Johann Rudolph, and published in 1813.
In addition, grab a copy of the book.
And there are many topics or themes you can investigate while reading the story.
For example, what is the best way to make a shelter.
Unit Study Theme Ideas
The family begins with a house in a tree and then moves to a cave.
Then ask what type of shelter would work in different areas and how would seasons affect a shelter.
In addition, look at more ideas.
- Is it safe to keep wild animals as pets?
- What type of animals would you encounter on an island?
- What is the geography of an island?
- How would seasons affect shelter, fire, and food you could get or grow?
- What would be your top 3 priorities on a deserted island to survive?
- And what are basic human needs? For example, talk about water, food, warmth and safety.
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Brief Look at the Characters
Also, look at the characters in the story. There is father who is resourceful and mother who is hard working.
Father takes the lead in decision making on the island and mother is nurturing.
How does father’s skill set ranging from plant identification to carpentry help the family?
Next, how does mother’s knowledge of caring for the crops and animals help the family not just survive but flourish on the deserted island?
The oldest son is Fritz, then Ernest, Jack and Franz is the youngest child.
Additionally, Fritz matures from a young boy into a mature adult. And Ernest develops a knowledge of plants and animals like his mother.
Jack is thoughtless but is also creative and resourceful.
Lastly, Franz is 6 years when the family is shipwrecked. He spends a good amount of time helping mother and doing chores. Then matures and can help on hunts. What skills would he have to learn to hunt?
Swiss Family Robinson Unit Study Hands-On Activities
Moreover, add some of these hands-on activities to your unit study.
- Try this cork raft challenge to learn about buoyancy, engineering, and more just as the Robinsons built their own in the book.
Do you have a tech-loving kid?
You don’t have to eliminate the tech for learning time, incorporate it instead.
- Have your child build a treehouse with other elements they would need for survival like a garden, animals, and pens to keep them contained in Minecraft.
I am pretty sure this is an assignment they will love.
- Teach your child how to find North. Use a compass, physical and on your phone. Too try by orienting themselves by finding the direction from the sun.
Survival Theme Ideas
- Learn some basic skills that also transfer to emergency situations like learning how to tie knots.
You can make it fun by making it a game with Knot So Fast.
- Another fun thing to learn that can come in handy all the time is how to forage for food in your area.
Even your own backyard has items like dandelions, henbit, and purslane that have edible and medicinal benefits.
Grab a simple book like this to get started, it has great images to help you be sure of what it is. Then head outside and see what you can find and identify.
Even edible berries like this mulberry bush can be a great source.
- Show your child some skills like how to open and close a pocketknife properly as well as how to hold it and use it.
- Learn how to safely open and enjoy a coconut here.
You can find a fantastic group of flashcards for each chapter of Swiss Family Robinson to work on vocabulary and spelling as well as quizzes on the book at Quizlet.
Add a few survival books to your library to learn some basic skill.
Survive & Thrive is a small pocket guide with some basic skills like how to build a shelter, how not to get lost, use a compass, and even comes with some cards to help identify various dangerous plants and animals.
Watch some survival shows together like Bear Grylls: Survival School together and talk about what you learn, and what things you can try at home.
Too, look at some of these books and resources.
8 Books & Resources for Learning About The Swiss Family Robinson
Add some of these books to your unit study of The Swiss Family Robinson and their adventures on a deserted island.
More than 100 original illustrations by Louis Rhead. You want to read this book with illustrations.
See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world.
Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.
Become a nature detective with this illustrative, engaging and fun Take-Along-Guide. You may not know where to look, or what to look for, but animal signs are everywhere and this guide will help you learn how to read them. You'll learn how to spot and identify common clues that 17 wildlife species leave behind in the woods, in the fields and along ponds.
The heroic tale of the courageous exploits of the Robinson family after they are shipwrecked on a deserted island. Using teamwork and ingenuity, they overcome the obstacles of nature and transform their new home into a "civilized" community.
From treating a bee sting to building an overnight shelter, kids will gain the knowledge and confidence they need to survive outdoors.
Bear Grylls The Complete Adventures Collection 12 Books Set: Titles In This Set: The Blizzard Challenge The Desert Challenge The Jungle Challenge The Sea Challenge The River Challenge The Earthquake Challenge The Volcano Challenge The Safari Challenge The Cave Challenge The Mountain Challenge The Arctic Challenge The Sailing Challenge
By Pro-Knot, the number one trusted name in Knots with over 7,000 5 Star reviews! This complete knot tying KIT includes everything you need to learn and practice how to tie 23 essential rope knots. The six card/twelve page waterproof plastic card set contains 23 best all purpose rope knots
clearly illustrated and described, bound together with a no-rust brass grommet in the corner!
Edible wild plants are nature’s natural food source, growing along roadsides, sprouting in backyards, and blooming in country fields. North America’s diverse geography overflows with edible plant species.
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Finally, look how to make this DIY water filter.
Swiss Family Robinson Unit Study – DIY Water Filter
This simple water filter uses different layers to filter out various particles.
The larger pieces at the top help to filter larger debris like dirt, leaves, sticks, etc.
The smaller pieces like the fine sand filter even smaller pieces that make it through the first few layers.
Finally, the activated charcoal can filter even further, removing some of the toxins without taking out salt and other important minerals.
You will need:
- Coarse sand
- Fine sand
- Activated Charcoal
- Small pebbles
- Rubber band
- Coffee filter
- Cotton Balls
- Old t-shirt
Before you begin rinse all your filter supplies well-charcoal, sand, and pebbles.
Grab some water in a cup, and add a few leaves, a little dirt, and a twig or two to better visually demonstrate how the filter works.
Cut the bottom 1” off a plastic water bottle.
Remove the cap and poke several holes in it.
Stuff the other end with cotton balls, gauze, or even a scrap of an old t-shirt. Replace cap.
Pour in 1” of activated charcoal.
Add 1” fine sand.
Layer in 1”-2” coarse sand.
Top with 1” of small gravel or pebbles.
Cover the larger opening with gauze, coffee, filter, or t-shirt secured with a rubber band.
Place the water bottle in a glass where you can see all the action.
Carefully pour dirty water into the homemade filter and watch it drain through.
While there may be a few small pieces that get through and the water may be the tiniest bit cloudy you will be amazed at how clean the water looks.
Check out the before and after.
You can run the water through several times to see how clean you can get it.
