• Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Activity, Change, Progress

  • HOME
  • How to
    • Preschool
    • Kindergarten
    • Elementary
      • Geronimo Stilton Books
    • Middle School
    • High School
      • Science 
  • Planner
  • Lapbooks
    • Trioramas
    • History Games
    • LEGO
  • Shop
  • GET STARTED NOW!
    • Learning Styles
  • 7 Step Planner
    • Free Student Planner
    • Free Home Binder
  • Unit Studies
    • Creation to Ancients
      • Mesopotamia
    • Middle Ages to Reform
    • Exploring to Revolution
    • World Wars to Today
    • Science
  • Curriculum
    • More Unit Studies
    • Geography
    • Writing PreK to 12th
    • Free Art Curriculum
  • BootCamp
    • Resources
      • Ultimate Unit Study Planner

hands-on activities

Fun Hands-On History: Ancient Egyptian Collar Craft

July 20, 2024 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re making an Ancient Egyptian collar craft. Also, there are more Ancient Civilization hands-on ideas on my page.

Ancient Egypt was one of the first civilizations to experience genuine prosperity.

Because the people lived near a reliable water source, food was abundant for farming.

And that left them plenty of time to indulge in a few luxuries, including elaborate hairstyles, culture, and jewelry.

Fun Hands-On History: Ancient Egyptian Collar Craft

One of the most famous forms of jewelry worn by the ancient Egyptians was the Usekh collar.

Rich Egyptians often wore these broad necklaces on a daily basis.

Even though Egyptian men often went shirtless, they still liked to wear the Usekh. That’s how commonly it was worn.

So – for a fun, hands-on history activity, we decided to make our own Ancient Egyptian collar craft! See how we designed ours!

Hands-On History: Ancient Egyptian Collar Craft

To design our Egyptian collar, we studied some examples of actual Usekh collars that have been found by archaeologists.

This one was found on the mummified body of Pharaoh Amenemhat III’s daughter, Neferuptah.

Neferuptah’s Necklace 2012

Naturally, a collar worn by a member of the royal family would be gorgeous and this one is.

Look at all those individual beads that were hand-strung! It must have taken quite a while to make.

Archaeologists have even found images of collars inscribed in relief inside burial tombs.

More Ancient Egypt Crafts

  • Ancient Egypt Narmer Crown Dough Activity
  • Free Ancient Egypt Mehen Printable Board Game
  • How to Make Smokin’ Hot Egyptian Pillars Out of Cardboard
  • Ancient Egypt DIY Simple and Fun Mummification Process Game
  • Egypt Crafts For Kindergarten Create a Fun Kid Sized Mummy
  • Fun Pharaohs and Queens Ancient Egypt Lapbook and Activities
  • The Geronimo Stilton Book Fourth Journey Fun Egypt Game
  • Fun and Easy Hands-On Ancient Egypt Craft: Create Canopic Jars

Also, look at these books about Egypt.

17 Ancient Egypt Books & Resources for Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

Add some of these books to your home library and use them for a day of learning or for unit studies.

Image for The Egypt Game

The Egypt Game

The first time Melanie Ross meets April Hall, she’s not sure they have anything in common. But she soon discovers that they both love anything to do with ancient Egypt. When they stumble upon a deserted storage yard, Melanie and April decide it’s the perfect spot for the Egypt Game. Before long there are six Egyptians, and they all meet to wear costumes, hold ceremonies, and work on their secret code. Everyone thinks it’s just a game until strange things start happening. Has the Egypt Game gone too far?

Image for Tales of Ancient Egypt (Puffin Classics)

Tales of Ancient Egypt (Puffin Classics)

These stories include the great myths - of Amen-Ra, who created all the creatures in the world; of Isis, seaching the waters for her dead husband Osiris; of the Bennu Bird and the Book of Thoth. But there are also tales told for pleasure about magic, treasure and adventure - even the first ever Cinderella story.

Image for The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt (Landmark Books)

The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt (Landmark Books)

For more than 3,000 years, Egypt was a great civilization that thrived along the banks of the Nile River. But when its cities crumbled to dust, Egypt’s culture and the secrets of its hieroglyphic writings were also lost. The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt explains how archaeologists have pieced together their discoveries to slowly reveal the history of Egypt’s people, its pharaohs, and its golden days.

Image for The Buildings of Ancient Egypt

The Buildings of Ancient Egypt

Uses archeological evidence to describe the construction, decoration, and furnishings of ancient Egyptian tombs, pyramids, and homes

Image for Science in Ancient Egypt (Science of the Past)

Science in Ancient Egypt (Science of the Past)

Discusses the achievements of the ancient Egyptians in science, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, agriculture, and technology.

Image for Great Ancient Egypt Projects: You Can Build Yourself

Great Ancient Egypt Projects: You Can Build Yourself

From reed boats, papyrus, and amulets, to pyramids, pharaohs, and mummies, Great Ancient Egypt Projects You Can Build Yourself explores the fascinating lives of ancient Egyptians through more than25 hands-on building projects and activities. Great Ancient Egypt Projects You Can Build Yourself gives readers today a chance to experience how the ancient Egyptians lived, cooked, worked, worshipped, entertained themselves, and interacted with their neighbors through building projects that use common household supplies.Detailed step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and templates for creating each project are combined with historical facts and anecdotes, biographies, and trivia for the real-life models of each project. Together they give kids a first-hand look at daily life in ancient Egypt.

Image for The Cat of Bubastes: A Tale of Ancient Egypt (Dover Children's Classics)

The Cat of Bubastes: A Tale of Ancient Egypt (Dover Children's Classics)

Chebron, the young son of an Egyptian high priest, and Amuba, a young slave in the boy's household, are close friends; but their lives are greatly altered when Chebron accidentally kills a cat, an animal held sacred by the ancient Egyptians. Forced to flee for their safety, the boys and their companions begin a long and dangerous journey. A thrilling adventure story, this is also a tale packed with historical facts. Among other fascinating details, young readers learn about the Egyptian religion and geography, how the Nile was used for irrigation, and how the Egyptians made war and were prepared for burial. A captivating book that accurately describes life in a once magnificent civilization, this volume will especially appeal to youngsters fascinated by the life and customs of ancient Egypt.

Image for A History of Ancient Egypt: From the First Farmers to the Great Pyramid (A History of Ancient Egypt, 1)

A History of Ancient Egypt: From the First Farmers to the Great Pyramid (A History of Ancient Egypt, 1)

The ancient world comes to life in the first volume in a two book series on the history of Egypt, spanning the first farmers to the construction of the pyramids. Famed archaeologist John Romer draws on a lifetime of research to tell one history's greatest stories; how, over more than a thousand years, a society of farmers created a rich, vivid world where one of the most astounding of all human-made landmarks, the Great Pyramid, was built. Immersing the reader in the Egypt of the past, Romer examines and challenges the long-held theories about what archaeological finds mean and what stories they tell about how the Egyptians lived. More than just an account of one of the most fascinating periods of history, this engrossing book asks readers to take a step back and question what they've learned about Egypt in the past. Fans of Stacy Schiff's Cleopatra and history buffs will be captivated by this re-telling of Egyptian history, written by one of the top Egyptologists in the world.

Image for Boy of the Pyramids

Boy of the Pyramids

The pictured wall of an Egyptian tomb supplied the inspiration for this unusual story, which takes place during the building of the Great Pyramid of Khufu more than 4,000 years ago. Kaffe and Sari, an Egyptian noble's son and a slave girl from the nomadic Sand People of the Sinai region, help solve a troublesome mystery and trap its culprit. All told against a colorfully detailed backdrop of ancient Egypt.

Image for The Golden Goblet

The Golden Goblet

Ranofer wants only one thing in the world: to be a master goldsmith like his beloved father was. But how can he when he is all but imprisoned by his evil half brother, Gebu? Ranofer knows the only way he can escape Gebu's abuse is by changing his destiny. But can a poor boy with no skills survive on the cutthroat streets of ancient Thebes? Then Ranofer finds a priceless golden goblet in Gebu's room and he knows his luck−and his destiny−are about to change.

Image for Seeker of Knowledge: The Man Who Deciphered Egyptian Hieroglyphs

Seeker of Knowledge: The Man Who Deciphered Egyptian Hieroglyphs

In 1802, Jean-Francois Champollion was eleven years old. That year, he vowed to be the first person to read Egypt’s ancient hieroglyphs. Champollion’s dream was to sail up the Nile in Egypt and uncover the secrets of the past, and he dedicated the next twenty years to the challenge.James Rumford introduces the remarkable man who deciphered the ancient Egyptian script and fulfilled a lifelong dream in the process. Stunning watercolors bring Champollion’s adventure to life in a story that challenges the mind and touches the heart.

Image for The Egyptian Cinderella

The Egyptian Cinderella

This Egyptian spin on the classic Cinderella tale was initially recorded in the first century by a Roman historian and is retold here by folklorist Shirley Climo.

Poor Rhodopis! She has nothing—no mother or father, and no friends. She is a slave, from the far-off country of Greece. Only the beautiful rose-red slippers her master gives her can make Rhodopis smile.

So when a falcon swoops down and snatches one of the slippers away, Rhodopis is heartbroken. For how is she to know that the slipper will land in the lap of the great Pharaoh himself? And who would ever guess that the Pharaoh has promised to find the slipper’s owner and make her queen of all Egypt?

Image for Augustus Caesar's World

Augustus Caesar's World

In her unique approach, Foster weaves a story of the world around her central character; rather than focusing exclusively on geo-political events, as most textbooks do, she includes stories of scientific discovery and invention, music, literature, art, and religion. Her keen intuition for stories will especially delight and amuse youthful readers. In Augustus Caesar's World, Foster traces the seven major civilizations of Rome, Greece, Israel, Egypt, China, India, and Persia from 4500 B.C. to the time of Augustus Caesar in 44 B.C. and culminating in 14 A.D. Within this timeframe readers will learn not only the stories of Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, and Marc Antony, but also the historian Livy and how Virgil came to write the Aeneid. Foster will then take her readers all over the world to learn what was happening at this same time in China, Persia, India and so on. Foster's detailed pen and ink drawings are fresh and appealing, and her illustrated timelines give a clear sense of chronology, enriching the engaging text.

Image for The Lost Queen of Egypt: The Tomb of Nefertiti

The Lost Queen of Egypt: The Tomb of Nefertiti

For professor of Egyptology Henry Markham, this would be the crowning glory of his career: an intact tomb of Nefertiti, the great royal wife of Akhenaten and the heretic pharaoh of eighteenth dynasty Egypt, whose bust of exquisite beauty resides in the Berlin Museum, which he had searched for the last ten years. He had an unspoken passion for her only excelled by his young assistant, Steven Sinclair, whose visions and dreams of her haunted him, much to the annoyance of Helen Carter, the freelance journalist on-site who, with her business partner Mike Mitcham, the digs photographer, saw Nefertiti as a rival for his affections. Thanks to a gambling debt, Mike finds himself the proud owner of a large luxury mobile home that four Mossad agents are interested in, along with Emil Brogini, who did a drug deal with two Mossad rogue agents since deceased. The arrival of Henry's estranged sister, Millicent, with her friend Jane Evesham, a gifted clairvoyant, does nothing to improve his temper, especially when Jane tells him they are in great danger. Can the danger come from four renegade Mossad agents or Emil Bratislav Brogini, Mr. Big in Cairo, into every racket going? Jane discovers that Helen has a latent gift of clairvoyance which, with their combined powers in a séance, sends them back to the eighteenth dynasty with Nefertiti, Akhenaten, and danger around every corner as they try to discover who is trying to kill them all using a large band of Libyan bandits. They survive ambushes, assassin's knives, and chariot chases, finally getting back to their own time with Nefertiti.

Image for Pyramid

Pyramid

Pyramid is a strong resource for readers looking to expand their knowledge of ancient Egyptian civilization, history, and architecture.

Award-winning author-illustrator David Macaulay explores the philosophy of life and death in ancient Egypt through richly detailed black-and-white illustrations and clear, concise text.

Though created with middle grade readers in mind, all with interest in the topic will enjoy this impressive look at what many consider to be one of the most awesome of humankind's creations.

Image for Pharaoh's Boat

Pharaoh's Boat

With poetic language and striking illustrations, Weitzman tells the story of how one of the greatest boats of ancient Egypt came to be built and built again.In the shadow of the Great Pyramid at Giza, the most skilled shipwrights in all of Egypt are building an enormous vessel that will transport Cheops, the mighty pharaoh, across the winding waterway and into a new world. Pharaoh's boat will be a wonder to behold, and well prepared for the voyage ahead. But no one, not even the Egyptian king himself, could have imagined just where the journey of Pharaoh's boat would ultimately lead.

Image for The Winged Cat

The Winged Cat

Merit is a servant girl in the temple of cat goddesses. In a rage, Waha, the High Priest, kills a sacred car, and Merit sees him do it.But when Merit reports the evil deed to Pharaoh, Waha denies that he is guilty.

Ours isn’t quite that ornate.

But it was a lot of fun to craft!

Egyptian Collar Craft

We used the following supplies to make our Ancient Egyptian collar craft:

  • A rectangular piece of posterboard (about 12 inches by 18 inches)
  • Yarn
  • A ruler
  • A pencil
  • Hole punch
  • Assorted color markers
  • Scissors
Tracing a Paper Egyptian Collar

Start by tracing the shape of your collar onto the posterboard.

I used a saucer and laid half of it on the posterboard edge to form the neckline.

Making a Paper Ancient Egypt Collar

Then I laid a dinner plate near the other end of the posterboard to form the outer edge of the collar.

Drawing a Paper Egyptian Collar

Trace both edges like so and you have the shape of your collar.

Designing an Ancient Egypt Collar

Then we cut the collar out and used the hole punch to put a hole in each of the top edges.

That’s where you will string the yarn later.

Making an Ancient Egyptian Collar Craft

Easy Hands-on Homeschool History

Use the ruler to draw several horizontal pencil lines across the collar with a pencil.

Our lines were about an inch and a half apart, but you can use whatever measurement you like.

Fun Hands-On History: Ancient Egyptian Collar Craft

The goal is to create a different design on each line.

That gives the collar the “look” of an elaborate design.

Drawing Designs for an Ancient Egyptian Collar

Then start using your colored markers to add color and shapes as you work down the collar.

After adding your colors, go back and use a black marker to outline the different designs you made.

It makes them stand out more.

Making an Egyptian Collar Craft

See? Adding the black outline really defines the individual designs.

Continue working down the collar, alternating designs as you think of them.

The kids will love to come up with their own ideas for collar decorations!

Colorful Ancient Egyptian Collar Craft

All done!

We went with bright colors, but if you have metallic markers, you can make a collar that actually looks like it’s made out of precious metals – just like the Egyptians would have made.

Finished Ancient Egyptian Collar Craft

Cut about a three-foot length of yarn and string it through the holes at the top of the collar.

Tie it to your child’s neck and let them feel like a rich Egyptian for a day!

This was such a fun activity.

It took us about 45 minutes to make our collar, so it was an eye-opening experience to see how much more time and effort the Egyptians put into making theirs.

It’s no wonder these necklaces were reserved for the elite!

You’ll also love how we used Home School in the Woods to learn about Ancient Egypt. We love their hands-on Ancient Egypt lapbooks.

Be sure to read even more hands-on history ideas for studying Ancient Egypt!

  • Ancient Egypt Narmer Crown Dough Activity
  • Free Ancient Egypt Mehen Printable Board Game
  • How to Make Smokin’ Hot Egyptian Pillars Out of Cardboard

Written by Selena of Look! We’re Learning!

Ancient Egypt was one of the first civilizations to experience genuine prosperity. Because the people lived near a reliable water source, food was abundant for farming. And that left them plenty of time to indulge in a few luxuries, including elaborate hairstyles, culture, and jewelry. Click here to make this fun collar craft!

2 CommentsFiled Under: Ancient Civilizations, Hands-On Activities Tagged With: ancient civilizations, ancient egypt, ancientegypt, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, homeschool

8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers | How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

July 19, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

There are so many fun back to school crafts for middle schoolers to get them excited about a new year of incredible learning. Also, look at my page The Dynamics of How to Homeschool Easily and Smarter for more fun ideas and tips. And my page How to Successfully Homeschool Middle School.

An avid reader will love recreating the pages of their favorite book onto a pair of slip-on shoes for the cutest literature themed shoes.

I chose Anne of Green Gables.

8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers | How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

But your child can opt for any book they choose.

For example, Little Women, The Secret Garden, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, The Hobbit, or any other novel.

You just need white canvas shoes.

 I found a pair at Hobby Lobby for just $7.

Also, you’ll need a variety of sharpie markers or fabric paints and some inspiration found in a treasured book.

We have kind of become addicted.

And will probably be creating several fun pairs of these shoes to highlight our favorite books and characters.

If that is not enough back to school fun, I have 8 more intriguing back to school crafts for middle schoolers.

From notebooks to organization ideas, grab one or more ideas create a memorable first day or week of the new school year.

8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers | How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers

  1. Isn’t this the COOLEST COLOR CHANGING NOTEBOOK | DIY NOTEBOOK COVER | SCHOOL SUPPLIES_CRAFTS? What a unique craft for keeping your daily journaling or copywork
  2. Check out this Clever DIY Dollar Tree Desk Organizer Back to School Craft that is inexpensive and can help tidy up your desk quickly and easily.
  3. Never lose your place with cute and easy Washi Tape Bookmarks to mark your spot.
  4. Make an DIY Easy Duct Tape Pencil Pouch Back to School Kids Craft that can also be used to store journaling supplies, makeup, or even jewelry.
  5. Create a Fidget Spinner DIY to keep hands busy while they listen to an educational podcast, read aloud, or watch a history video.
  6. Keep appointments, field trips, and more organized on this dry erase Paint Sample Calendar.
  7. Your middle schooler can say goodbye to boring #2 pencils when they DIY School Supplies into their favorite colors.
  8. This no sew Kindle Cover video creates a great place to store your small tablet for books and web surfing using the box that it came in.
  9. Cute Clay Pencil Earrings for Back to School Crafts For Kids

Now let’s move onto creating these fun themed shoes that will make a splash at the grocery store, co-op, or on your next visit to the library.

How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

You will need:

  • Slip on white canvas sneakers
  • Sharpie Markers
  • Pigma Micron 1.0 or larger
  • Pencil
  • Optional- Water Proofing Spray
8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers | How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

To begin, I recommend sketching out your designs with a pencil on copy paper until you get them just the way you like.

Choose characters, scenes and items that stand out to you and will easily identify your theme.

8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers | How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

Now take your pencil and lightly draw the designs onto your shoes all the way around.

Do this carefully as the pencil erases somewhat but not completely.

Make sure to cover all pencil with outline or marker fill in.

8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers | How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

Once you have your designs all sketched out on the shoe and you like it, trace the outline of each with the Micron pen.

This does not bleed like a Sharpie does.

8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers | How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

Carefully color in each of your designs.

Stay slightly inside the black outlines as it will spread slightly.

You can always go back and add more color where needed.

8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers | How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

Of course, Green Gables and Anne had to feature front and center.

To tidy up your drawings you can go back over the lines where the sharpie has bled onto them.

Place shoes in a pillowcase and tie a knot in it.

Throw in the dryer with towels or something else and run on high heat for 20 minutes to set color.

You can also run a hot iron or a blow dryer over each part to help set the ink.

If desired to protect your design more you can spray with a water based waterproof spray.

Sharpie is not waterproof and will likely smear if you get these shoes wet.

Here is a peek at the other 3 sides to the shoes.

Let’s see if you are a big fan of Green Gables and how much you recognize from the story.

The book itself, and of course cherry cordial

8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers | How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

The broken satchel Anne came with and a cup for tea time.

8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers | How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

A bundle of her beloved schoolbooks and a bouquet of the flowers she cherished so much.

8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers | How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

More Back to School Craft Ideas

  • Fun Upcycled T Shirt Library Tote Back to School Kids Craft
  • Clever DIY Dollar Tree Desk Organizer Back to School Craft
  • DIY Easy Duct Tape Pencil Pouch Back to School Kids Craft
  • How to Make a Boys Duct Tape Wallet Back to School Craft
  • Cute Clay Pencil Earrings for Back to School Crafts For Kids
  • 15 Easy Back to School Crafts And Make A Yarn Wrapped Pencil
  • Back To Homeschool Student Notebook Covers
  • How to Create Easy Back to School Basket Ideas for Middle School (Anatomy)
  • Apple Themed Back to School Crafts & Fun Calming Apple Jar Craft
  • 8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers | How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: back to school crafts, fall crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, literature

7 Awesome Renaissance Events & Easy Goblet Craft

July 15, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Huzzah!!! There are over 200 renaissance events across the United States every year, magical festivals for those who love the Middle Ages. Also, look at my Renaissance Lapbook and Unit Study.

I’m sharing the top events and a fun craft for your Medieval and Renaissance Times fans who just can’t get enough of the period.

The Renaissance Period began in Italy.

And the period was kicked off by events like The Crusades, Black Death, rediscovering Greek and Roman art, increased cultural interaction.

7 Awesome Renaissance Events & Easy Goblet Craft

Channels like the Silk Road, and excess wealth introduced into Italy via trade helped it to spread.

Many are fascinated by it due to the incredible art and craftsmanship.

Then there are the castles, the regalness of kings and queens, chivalry of knights, and all the amazing inventions during this time.

The events I have listed for you today are some of the largest and most popular around the country.

They are perfect for history buffs, cosplay enthusiasts, or those seeking adventure and make an already interesting unit even better.

These outings are wonderfully on theme and include fun activities.

For example, there are jousting tournaments, period foods, lively music by minstrels and troubadours.

Also, handmade goods and many dressed in renaissance garb.

Artisans are on hand to demonstrate their skills, such as blacksmithing, woodworking, and leather working.

Books About the Renaissance Times for Kids

First, look at some of these living books I rounded up.

We have so many favorites but this list gives you a starting point.

17 Renaissance Period Books for Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

This was such a huge time period with so many events and people you can't cover them all but you'll love to add some of them.

Image for The Life of Christopher Columbus: From His Own Letters and Journals

The Life of Christopher Columbus: From His Own Letters and Journals

A fascinating look at the life of Christopher Columbus, from his own letters and journals.

Image for A Child's History of the World: Original Illustrated Edition

A Child's History of the World: Original Illustrated Edition

From the awe-inspiring pyramids of Egypt to the majestic castles of medieval Europe, this book will whisk you away to far-off lands and bygone eras, sparking your imagination and curiosity. Join the ranks of legendary explorers, brave knights, and ingenious inventors, all while uncovering the secrets of our shared human heritage.

Perfect for young readers eager to discover the world's past, this beautifully crafted paperback edition is not just a book—it's a ticket to a time machine, a passport to historical marvels, and a treasure trove of knowledge.

Whether you're a history enthusiast, a curious student, or a parent seeking an engaging educational experience for your child, "A Child's History of the World" is a must-have addition to your library. Let the pages of this book transport you to extraordinary realms, leaving you inspired and hungry for more.

Image for Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc

Against the fascinating tapestry of Frances history during the Hundred Years' War, Diane Stanley unfolds the story of the simple thirteen-year-old village girl who in Just a few years would lead France to independence from English rule, and thus become a symbol of France's national pride. It is a story of vision and bravery, fierce determination, and tragic martyrdom. 

Diane Stanley's extraordinary gift to present historical information in an accessible and child-friendly format has never been more impressive, nor her skillful, beautifully realized illustrations (here imitating medieval illuminated manuscripts) more exquisite.

Image for Ink on His Fingers (Louise A. Vernon Religious Heritage)

Ink on His Fingers (Louise A. Vernon Religious Heritage)

Johann Gutenberg is working on printing the first Bible with type. Twelve-year-old Hans Dunne works in Gutenberg's shop as an apprentice printer. Soon, Hans finds himself in the middle of a type-stealing mystery. Will Hans, and the other pressmen be able to keep Herr Fust from getting the type? Will they be able to finish the Bible so many people will be able to read and learn from it? For 9-to-14-year-olds.

Image for Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci

Diane Stanley blends wonderful storytelling with gorgeous illustrations to convey the stunning scope of Leonardo da Vinci's genius in a book that has won many awards and earned two starred reviews. This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 6 to 8. It’s a fun way to learn to read and as a supplement for activity books for children.

Image for Galileo

Galileo

Chronicles the life of a brilliant Italian mathematician, physicist, and astronomer, who was forced to renounce his inventions and discoveries because they challenged the authority of the Church.

Image for The Voyage of the Armada: The Spanish Story

The Voyage of the Armada: The Spanish Story

Mr Howarth is a brilliant writer, full of grace and wit and solid common sense' - The New Yorker A reprint of a marvellous retelling of the Armada story. Until this book was published, the Battle of the Armada had been told primarily from the English viewpoint, the English victory puffed up into a national heroic tale which was far from the truth. There is another side to this story, however, and, basing his narrative on previously unexplored Spanish sources, David Howarth, brilliantly redressed the balance.

Image for Knights of Art: Stories of the Italian Painters

Knights of Art: Stories of the Italian Painters

Originally written for younger readers as an introduction to the world of the Italian Renaissance, this classic work takes the reader on an exciting personal tour of some of the greatest artists of that time period.Much more than just a dry history of who painted what, Steedman’s book portrays each artist in personal terms, providing details of their lives, loves, highlights and low points.The period of ItalianRenaissance painting started around the late thirteenth century and flourished until the sixteenth, covering the periods scholars now call the Proto-Renaissance (1300–1400), the Early Renaissance (1400–1475), the High Renaissance (1475–1525), and Mannerism (1525–1600). Drawing much of her material from the classic Lives of the Painters, by Giorgio Vasari, Steedman gives readers young and old a concise and enthralling overview of Italian Renaissance painters and discusses their impact upon society and their enduring cultural legacy

Image for Elizabeth I: Red Rose of the House of Tudor, England, 1544 (The Royal Diaries)

Elizabeth I: Red Rose of the House of Tudor, England, 1544 (The Royal Diaries)

As a new edition to The Royal Diaries series, this factual tale offers young readers an insight to the life and times of this famous royal prior to her days on the throne as the Queen of England.

Image for Made in the Renaissance: Arts and Crafts of the Age of Exploration

Made in the Renaissance: Arts and Crafts of the Age of Exploration

Arts and Crafts
Image for Bard of Avon: The story of William Shakespeare (We the people)

Bard of Avon: The story of William Shakespeare (We the people)

How did a man from an unremarkable family create a legacy of plays that are performed almost every day in every part of the world? There will always be unsolved mysteries about William Shakespeare, but what we do know of his life, his times, and his theater makes a dramatic and exciting story.

Image for The Hawk That Dare Not Hunt by Day

The Hawk That Dare Not Hunt by Day

The Hawk That Dare Not Hunt by Day by award-winning author Scott O'Dell is historical fiction set in Europe during the 1500s. In this Christian fiction book Tom Barton and his uncle Jack are smugglers who are used to breaking the law. With quick wits and secret cargo holds, they have managed to make a comfortable living. And then William Tyndale asks them to carry English Bibles along with their usual cargo. As enemy after enemy rises to oppose Tyndale's Bible translation, Tom is confronted with a choice between what he wants and what he knows to be true.

Image for Martin Luther: What should I do? (Little Lights)

Martin Luther: What should I do? (Little Lights)

The true story of Martin Luther and the Reformation. At the boarding school in Eisenach, Martin and his friends had to sing for their supper. Martin spent a lot of time thinking about how to get to heaven – he thought that he had to pray for hours on end, eat very little, work very hard and study a great many good books, in order to have his sins forgiven

Image for A Murder for Her Majesty

A Murder for Her Majesty

Horrified at having witnessed her father's murder and fearing that the killers are agents of Queen Elizabeth I, eleven-year-old Alice Tuckfield hides in the Yorkshire cathedral by disguising herself as one of the choirboys.

Image for Antonio's Apprenticeship: Painting a Fresco in Renaissance Italy

Antonio's Apprenticeship: Painting a Fresco in Renaissance Italy

Dreaming of becoming a great artist but frustrated by his early tasks, Antonio lands an exciting assignment helping his uncle Charbone prepare a series of frescoes on the life of Christ, a task that helps him to develop his skills as a painter.

Image for Da Vinci's Cat

Da Vinci's Cat

Two unlikely friends—Federico, in sixteenth-century Rome, and Bee, in present-day New Jersey—are linked through an amiable cat, Leonardo Da Vinci’s mysterious wardrobe, and an eerily perfect sketch of Bee. Newbery Honor author Catherine Gilbert Murdock’s Da Vinci’s Cat is a thrilling, time-slip fantasy about rewriting history to save the present. This inventive novel will engross anyone who loved When You Reach Me and A Wrinkle in Time.

Image for Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture

Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture

On August 19, 1418, a competition concerning Florence's magnificent new cathedral, Santa Maria del Fiore was announced: "Whoever desires to make any model or design for the vaulting of the main Dome....shall do so before the end of the month of September." The proposed dome was regarded far and wide as all but impossible to build: not only would it be enormous, but its original and sacrosanct design shunned the flying buttresses that supported cathedrals all over Europe. The dome would literally need to be erected over thin air.

Next, look at these fun renaissance events.

7 Awesome Renaissance Events

  1. Medieval Times– These fun dinner and show venues are located across the United States in 10 different locations- Georgia, Florida, California, Maryland, Illinois, Texas, South Carolina, New Jersey, Arizona and Ontario. If you are near one I highly recommend booking
  2. Texas Renaissance Festival– (Todd Mission, Texas) The Texas Renaissance Festival is the largest Renaissance fair in the United States. It is held every year from late September to late November and features over 100 stages of entertainment, including jousting tournaments, live music, and comedy shows.
  3. Robin Hood’s Medieval Faire–  (Harwinton, Connecticut)  Boasts awe-inspiring performances, 5 stages, scrumptious delicacies, and a huge selection of artisan goods.
  4. Carolina Renaissance Festival (Huntersville, North Carolina) The Carolina Renaissance Festival is one of the largest Renaissance fairs in the Southeast. It is held every year from late March to late November and features over 100 artisans and performers.
  5. Maryland Renaissance Festival (Crownsville, Maryland)- One of the most popular Renaissance fairs in the Mid-Atlantic region. It is held every year from late August to late October and features over 140 artisans and performers.
  6. Florida Renaissance Festival (Deerfield, Florida) Besides the usual Ren Faire events you will find Ax Throwing, Archery, Test of Strength, Jacob’s Ladder, The Hang Bar, Fencing, Water Wars Balloons,Knight’s Flight Zipline, and so much more.
  7. Uhuburg Castle Tours & Accommodations– (Helen, Georgia) Tour a renaissance styled castle in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Uhuburg, the Eagle Owl Castle, is a one of a kind place in both mission and structure with twelve towers, one turret, three gatehouses, an eight story lookout tower, Great Hall, cloistered walls with rampart and lower walkways, ten guest chambers, two apartments, a master chamber, tropical atrium, grotto, and two acres of courtyard gardens.
7 Awesome Renaissance Events & Easy Goblet Craft

For a full list of Renaissance Fairs check out this month by month guide.

Next, look at these other renaissance hands-on history activities.

More Renaissance Period Hands-on History

  • The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft
  • Renaissance Inventors: How To Make A Fascinating Da Vinci Submarine Craft
  • More Unit Study Ideas & Lapbook
  • Free Glass Blowing Lapbook on The History Of Glass Blowing
  • Dragon Unit Study Ideas and Salt Dough Dragon Craft
  • Come see How To Make A Kids Easy Medieval Stained Glass Window to create a big focal point for your renaissance study.

Finally, look at this fun renaissance goblet craft for kids.

Easy Goblet Craft

You will need:

  • Glass or plastic wine glass
  • Flat backed craft gems
  • Air Dry Clay
  • Gold Spray Paint
  • Super glue
7 Awesome Renaissance Events & Easy Goblet Craft

First, clean the entire surface of your glass with vinegar or glass cleaner and allow it to dry.

If you desire to add some texture to your goblet, use air dry clay to create raised areas and frames for your jewels.

As you create make sure your gems fit inside before it dries.

7 Awesome Renaissance Events & Easy Goblet Craft

Once you decide where your clay is going to be sure that it adheres to the glass, dab a bit of super glue on the glass.

And then press the clay into place.

7 Awesome Renaissance Events & Easy Goblet Craft

Allow the clay to dry out completely for a few days on the glass.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to wait that long, you can “draw” on your designs and texture with a glue gun and let it cool until it hardens (about 5 minutes).

Take your goblet outside and place it on cardboard or something similar to protect your surface.

Then spray with 2-3 coats of gold spray paint. Dry completely

7 Awesome Renaissance Events & Easy Goblet Craft

Use superglue to attach the jewels as you like.

7 Awesome Renaissance Events & Easy Goblet Craft

This goblet is not food safe.

It is a great display piece and can be used to hold pens and pencils or other similar objects.

7 Awesome Renaissance Events & Easy Goblet Craft

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, renaissance

Quick And Inexpensive Letter C Handprint Craft – Crafty Crab Fun

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

If you need an adorable letter c handprint craft to teach your child in a fun and creative way, I have some crafty crab fun for you made with their own two little precious hands. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more ideas.

This makes for a wonderful summer learning project for preschoolers as you discover all the amazing animals in and around the ocean.

This sounds like a great reason for multiple field trips to the beach don’t you think?

Quick And Inexpensive Letter C Handprint Craft - Crafty Crab Fun

Crabs are fascinating creatures as they make their home in all oceans as well as fresh water.

Some crabs live on land, some live several miles from water. Some species, such as the fiddler crab live in burrows in the sand or mud.

Crabs all have a hard exoskeleton to protect and support their more delicate insides yet some, like the hermit crab, choose to also hide inside of shells for additional protection.

Most crabs have a total of 10 appendages, two pincers/claws at the front, 6 walking legs, and 2 swimming legs in the very back.

They can vary in size from just ¾ “, the Pea Crab, to an up to 13’ leg span of the Japanese Spider Crab.

That is a pretty big size spread for one creature!

Let’s fiddle around and see what fun activities we can do with our littles to learn all about these crustaceans.

First, look at these beautiful books about the ocean.

Ocean Books

I love living books when we study.

Then I love to add in reference books when we’re learning.

16 Ocean Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Choose a few of these ocean themed books to go along with your study of the Oceans. Whether you're looking for a spine for a unit study or literature, you'll love this roundup.

Image for The Burgess Seashore Book for Children in color

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children in color

Join Danny Meadow Mouse, Jimmy Skunk, and Reddy Fox as they explore the seashore and take a closer look at the habits and habitats of the creatures they find. Discover the Seahorse, Shrimp, Crab, Anemone, Gull, and so many more.

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children is a wonderful way to introduce young ones to the fascinating world beneath us and is a perfect compliment to earlier books in this series, the Bird, Animal, and Flower books.

This edition is complete and unabridged with all of the beautiful illustrations by W.H. Southwick and George Sutton

Image for Seaside Naturalist: Seaside Naturalist

Seaside Naturalist: Seaside Naturalist

Seaside Naturalist is an illustrated guide to marine plants and animals includes the characteristics of protozoa, arthropods, sponges, mollusks, reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals.

Image for The Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series)

The Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series)

The book opens by explaining how different types of animals are able to breathe and survive underwater, and the different families to which they belong. Subsequent pages are dedicated to specific creatures, including sea turtles, whales, sharks, stingrays, and seahorses, and show varied life in specific habitats, such as a coral reef or deep sea bed. The Big Book of the Blue also explores the underwater world thematically, looking at animals in danger, learning how to spot creatures at the beach, and discovering how to do our part to save sea life. Beautiful and filled with fascinating facts, young, curious readers won’t be able to tear their eyes away from the page.

Image for Scott O'Dell Set: Island of the Blue Dolphins + Zia

Scott O'Dell Set: Island of the Blue Dolphins + Zia

Island of the Blue Dolphins begins with a young girl named Karana who is living on the Island of the Blue Dolphins (fancy name, right?) with her younger brother, Ramo, and sister, Ulape. One day, a group of Russian hunters (Aleutians) land on the island to hunt for otter. This is when the trouble really begins.

Image for Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau (Underwater Picture Book for Kids)

Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau (Underwater Picture Book for Kids)

Once upon a time in France, a baby was born under the summer sun. His parents named him Jacques. As he grew, Jacques fell in love with the sea. He dreamed of breathing beneath the waves and swimming as gracefully as a fish. In fact, he longed to become a manfish. Jacques Cousteau grew up to become a champion of the seas and one of the best-known oceanographers in the world. In this lovely biography, now in paperback, poetic text and gorgeous paintings come together to create a portrait of Cousteau that is as magical as it is inspiring.

Image for Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (Illustrated 1875 Edition):

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (Illustrated 1875 Edition):

A beautiful edition with 110 images from the 1875 English edition. Use Amazon's Look inside feature to compare this edition with others. You'll be impressed by the differences. Don't be fooled by other versions that have no illustrations or contain very small print. Reading our edition will make you feel that you are traveling the seas with Captain Nemo himself.

Image for Swiss Family Robinson (Illustrated Classic): 200th Anniversary Collection

Swiss Family Robinson (Illustrated Classic): 200th Anniversary Collection

More than 100 original illustrations by Louis Rhead. You want to read this book with illustrations.

An introduction by W. D. Howells.

Nicely formatted text in an easy-to-read font.

A beautiful cover from the 1891 edition.

Image for Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia

Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia

Embark on a captivating tour of the waters that cover 70 percent of our planet! See our oceans come to life in mind-blowing detail. This is the ultimate children’s visual encyclopedia about the awe-inspiring blue planet! 

Image for Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist

Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist

How did a nineteenth-century dressmaker revolutionize science? Jeanne Power was creative: she wanted to learn about the creatures that swim beneath the ocean waves, so she built glass tanks and changed the way we study underwater life forever. Jeanne Power was groundbreaking: she solved mysteries of sea animals and published her findings at a time when few of women’s contributions to science were acknowledged. Jeanne Power was persistent: when records of her research were lost, she set to work repeating her studies. And when men tried to take credit for her achievements, she stood firm and insisted on the recognition due to her.

Image for Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

Follow Rothman’s inquisitive mind and perceptive eye along shorelines, across the open ocean, and below the waves for an artistic exploration of the watery universe. Through her drawings, discover how the world’s oceans formed, why the sea is salty, and the forces behind oceanic phenomena such as rogue waves. Colorful anatomical profiles of sea creatures from crustacean to cetacean, surveys of seafaring vessels and lighthouses, and the impact of plastic and warming water temperatures are just part of this compendium of curiosities that will entertain and educate readers of all ages. 

Image for The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids: 500 Incredible Facts!

The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids: 500 Incredible Facts!

Do you know a kid who’s captivated by what goes on beneath the ocean’s surface? This amazing entry into ocean books for kids is packed with hundreds of incredible facts for hours of underwater exploration. Pages of full-color pictures feature life in and around the sea including fish, dolphins, and shipwrecks!

Image for All About Bioluminescence: Deep Sea Animals

All About Bioluminescence: Deep Sea Animals

Dive into the mesmerizing world of bioluminescence with "All About Bioluminescence." In this captivating book, readers embark on a journey through the depths of the ocean to discover the extraordinary glow-in-the-dark creatures that inhabit its mysterious realm. From the enchanting sea angel to the infamous anglerfish, each page is filled with stunning illustrations and fascinating facts about these luminous beings.With a focus on deep-sea dwellers, readers will uncover the secrets behind bioluminescence and learn how these creatures use light to communicate, camouflage, and lure prey. But the adventure doesn't stop there! "All About Bioluminescence" also includes hands-on activities like a glow stick experiment, allowing readers to experience the magic of bioluminescence firsthand.

Image for Treasure Island (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

Treasure Island (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

One of the most enduringly popular adventure tales, Treasure Island began in 1881 as a serialized adventure entitled "The Sea-Cook"in the periodical Young Folks. Completed during a stay at Davos, Switzerland, where Stevenson had gone for his health, it was published in 1883 in the form we know today.Set in the eighteenth century, Treasure Island spins a heady tale of piracy, a mysterious treasure map, and a host of sinister characters charged with diabolical intentions. Seen through the eyes of Jim Hawkins, the cabin boy of the Hispaniola, the action-packed adventure tells of a perilous sea journey across the Spanish Main, a mutiny led by the infamous Long John Silver, and a lethal scramble for buried treasure on an exotic isle.

Image for Oceans and Seas!: With 25 Science Projects for Kids

Oceans and Seas!: With 25 Science Projects for Kids

In Oceans and Seas! With 25 Science Projects for Kids readers ages 7 though 10 dive into the underwater world of some of the most amazing landscapes on Earth. On this amazing underwater adventure, kids experience the ocean’s tropical reefs and spot crabs, sea sponges, and thousands of kinds of fish darting in its crags and folds. They’ll meet a giant squid with eyes the size of dinner plates and an mbrella-like bioluminescent jellyfish.

Image for Discover the Oceans: The World's Largest Ecosystem (Discover Your World)

Discover the Oceans: The World's Largest Ecosystem (Discover Your World)

From both a historical and scientific point of view, above and below the surface, this engaging guide brings the world’s oceans to life through fun facts, illustrations, and in-depth information. Interactive activities appear throughout, ranging from making solar stills and simple fishing spears to experimenting with a homemade diving bell and figuring out how much water it really takes to survive. With the oceans being the least explored environment on Earth, this reference illuminates some of the most incredible and surprising plants and animals as well as how to survive and navigate these vast expanses.

Image for Pagoo

Pagoo

An intricate study of tide pool life is presented in text and pictures through the story of Pagoo, a her-mit crab.

More Letter C Handprint Craft Ideas

  • Another C handprint craft is this cute crawling Caterpillar Handprint Craft and it would go along wonderfully with The Very Hungry Caterpillar book.
  • You could also go a farm route and create C is For Carrot handprint art.
  • This Handprint Art- C is For Car is ideal for a transportation unit with preschoolers who love things that go.
  • Dig into the desert with C is for Camel handprint craft as well as some other fabulous ideas for the theme.
  • Make a quick and easy Cactus Handprint without messy paint to clean up.

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

  • How to Make a Fun Paper Plate Fish | F is for Fish
  • P Is For Pineapple Craft | How To Make A Fun Handprint Pineapple
  • Alphabet Letter A is for Apple Craft for Preschool | Fun Apple Study
  • Letter O is for Owl Preschool Craft | Fun Great Horned Owl Study
  • Alphabet Letter H Handprint Craft For Fun Preschool Horse Study
  • How To Make An Alphabet Teeth Cleaning Activity | 5 Preschool Letter T Crafts
  • Alphabet Letter R is for Rainbow Craft for Preschool | Fun Rain Mobile
  • Alphabet Letter M is for Monkey Handprint Preschool Fun Monkey Study
  • Alphabet Letter G is for Gorilla Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask
  • W Is For Winter Craft Easy Snowman Oobleck Activity
  • Letter E Is For Eagle Easy Preschool Eagle Study
  • Alphabet Letter N Is For Nest Handprint & Fun Nests Preschool Craft
  • B is for Bird Craft | Free Preschool Bluebird Study
  • X is for X Ray Craft | Unique Crayon Resist Skeleton
Quick And Inexpensive Letter C Handprint Craft - Crafty Crab Fun

Ocean Crab Vocabulary Words

If you are going to create a crab handprint with your little you may as well turn it into a learning session as you do. Here are a few basic vocabulary words to teach the various anatomy of a crab.

  • Crustaceans- They live mostly in water, have a hard shell, a segmented body, and jointed appendages.
  • Exoskeleton- An outside skeleton that helps protect and support a crabs softer body.
  • Cheliped-The front arm of a crab that supports the claw, also known as a pincer.
  • Crawling Legs- These are the 8 other smaller legs on either side of a crab used to move around.
  • Antennae- In general crabs have two pairs, they are also known as feelers. Crabs use them to eat, navigate, smell, and for movement.

Quick And Inexpensive Letter C Handprint Craft

You will need:

  • Blue cardstock paper
  • Tan cardstock paper
  • Red paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Google eyes
  • Glue stick
Quick And Inexpensive Letter C Handprint Craft - Crafty Crab Fun

First, start with a blue background to look like the sky/water so that your crab is not just floating in white.

Tear a few strips of tan cardstock and use a glue stick to attach it along the bottom of the paper for sand layers.

Quick And Inexpensive Letter C Handprint Craft - Crafty Crab Fun

Now you want to coat those little hands in a good thick layer of red and stamp them one at a time so the palms just touch at the wrist area.

Be sure to press the palm and each finger down so the paint transfers well. Thumbs pointing upwards make great antennae.

Quick And Inexpensive Letter C Handprint Craft - Crafty Crab Fun

Allow the paint to dry completely then have them glue on googly eyes.

Whenever working on a project with preschool and younger children I like to write the letter on the paper as well or even ‘C is for Crab’ to help them make the connection that letters and words have meaning.

Quick And Inexpensive Letter C Handprint Craft - Crafty Crab Fun

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: crab, earth science, hands-on, hands-on activities, ocean, preschool, science, sciencecurriculum, sea life

Ocean Unit Study Ocean Layers Hands-on Fun Activity

June 20, 2024 | 16 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re doing an ocean unit study ocean layers today. Also, look at my page Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook.

Since Tiny was reading about the ocean layers in our atlas, we decided to keep it fun and make dessert before supper and learn at the same time while our furniture was being loaded up and hauled away. 

Ocean Unit Study Ocean Layers Hands-on Fun Activity

Besides, most all of these ingredients we had at the house and I needed something Tiny could do while we were dealing with people in our home.

First, add some of these books to your ocean unit study.

We love to add living books when we can find them. Then we add reference books.

Ocean Books for Kids

16 Ocean Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Choose a few of these ocean themed books to go along with your study of the Oceans. Whether you're looking for a spine for a unit study or literature, you'll love this roundup.

Image for The Burgess Seashore Book for Children in color

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children in color

Join Danny Meadow Mouse, Jimmy Skunk, and Reddy Fox as they explore the seashore and take a closer look at the habits and habitats of the creatures they find. Discover the Seahorse, Shrimp, Crab, Anemone, Gull, and so many more.

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children is a wonderful way to introduce young ones to the fascinating world beneath us and is a perfect compliment to earlier books in this series, the Bird, Animal, and Flower books.

This edition is complete and unabridged with all of the beautiful illustrations by W.H. Southwick and George Sutton

Image for Seaside Naturalist: Seaside Naturalist

Seaside Naturalist: Seaside Naturalist

Seaside Naturalist is an illustrated guide to marine plants and animals includes the characteristics of protozoa, arthropods, sponges, mollusks, reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals.

Image for The Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series)

The Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series)

The book opens by explaining how different types of animals are able to breathe and survive underwater, and the different families to which they belong. Subsequent pages are dedicated to specific creatures, including sea turtles, whales, sharks, stingrays, and seahorses, and show varied life in specific habitats, such as a coral reef or deep sea bed. The Big Book of the Blue also explores the underwater world thematically, looking at animals in danger, learning how to spot creatures at the beach, and discovering how to do our part to save sea life. Beautiful and filled with fascinating facts, young, curious readers won’t be able to tear their eyes away from the page.

Image for Scott O'Dell Set: Island of the Blue Dolphins + Zia

Scott O'Dell Set: Island of the Blue Dolphins + Zia

Island of the Blue Dolphins begins with a young girl named Karana who is living on the Island of the Blue Dolphins (fancy name, right?) with her younger brother, Ramo, and sister, Ulape. One day, a group of Russian hunters (Aleutians) land on the island to hunt for otter. This is when the trouble really begins.

Image for Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau (Underwater Picture Book for Kids)

Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau (Underwater Picture Book for Kids)

Once upon a time in France, a baby was born under the summer sun. His parents named him Jacques. As he grew, Jacques fell in love with the sea. He dreamed of breathing beneath the waves and swimming as gracefully as a fish. In fact, he longed to become a manfish. Jacques Cousteau grew up to become a champion of the seas and one of the best-known oceanographers in the world. In this lovely biography, now in paperback, poetic text and gorgeous paintings come together to create a portrait of Cousteau that is as magical as it is inspiring.

Image for Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (Illustrated 1875 Edition):

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (Illustrated 1875 Edition):

A beautiful edition with 110 images from the 1875 English edition. Use Amazon's Look inside feature to compare this edition with others. You'll be impressed by the differences. Don't be fooled by other versions that have no illustrations or contain very small print. Reading our edition will make you feel that you are traveling the seas with Captain Nemo himself.

Image for Swiss Family Robinson (Illustrated Classic): 200th Anniversary Collection

Swiss Family Robinson (Illustrated Classic): 200th Anniversary Collection

More than 100 original illustrations by Louis Rhead. You want to read this book with illustrations.

An introduction by W. D. Howells.

Nicely formatted text in an easy-to-read font.

A beautiful cover from the 1891 edition.

Image for Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia

Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia

Embark on a captivating tour of the waters that cover 70 percent of our planet! See our oceans come to life in mind-blowing detail. This is the ultimate children’s visual encyclopedia about the awe-inspiring blue planet! 

Image for Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist

Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist

How did a nineteenth-century dressmaker revolutionize science? Jeanne Power was creative: she wanted to learn about the creatures that swim beneath the ocean waves, so she built glass tanks and changed the way we study underwater life forever. Jeanne Power was groundbreaking: she solved mysteries of sea animals and published her findings at a time when few of women’s contributions to science were acknowledged. Jeanne Power was persistent: when records of her research were lost, she set to work repeating her studies. And when men tried to take credit for her achievements, she stood firm and insisted on the recognition due to her.

Image for Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

Follow Rothman’s inquisitive mind and perceptive eye along shorelines, across the open ocean, and below the waves for an artistic exploration of the watery universe. Through her drawings, discover how the world’s oceans formed, why the sea is salty, and the forces behind oceanic phenomena such as rogue waves. Colorful anatomical profiles of sea creatures from crustacean to cetacean, surveys of seafaring vessels and lighthouses, and the impact of plastic and warming water temperatures are just part of this compendium of curiosities that will entertain and educate readers of all ages. 

Image for The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids: 500 Incredible Facts!

The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids: 500 Incredible Facts!

Do you know a kid who’s captivated by what goes on beneath the ocean’s surface? This amazing entry into ocean books for kids is packed with hundreds of incredible facts for hours of underwater exploration. Pages of full-color pictures feature life in and around the sea including fish, dolphins, and shipwrecks!

Image for All About Bioluminescence: Deep Sea Animals

All About Bioluminescence: Deep Sea Animals

Dive into the mesmerizing world of bioluminescence with "All About Bioluminescence." In this captivating book, readers embark on a journey through the depths of the ocean to discover the extraordinary glow-in-the-dark creatures that inhabit its mysterious realm. From the enchanting sea angel to the infamous anglerfish, each page is filled with stunning illustrations and fascinating facts about these luminous beings.With a focus on deep-sea dwellers, readers will uncover the secrets behind bioluminescence and learn how these creatures use light to communicate, camouflage, and lure prey. But the adventure doesn't stop there! "All About Bioluminescence" also includes hands-on activities like a glow stick experiment, allowing readers to experience the magic of bioluminescence firsthand.

Image for Treasure Island (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

Treasure Island (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

One of the most enduringly popular adventure tales, Treasure Island began in 1881 as a serialized adventure entitled "The Sea-Cook"in the periodical Young Folks. Completed during a stay at Davos, Switzerland, where Stevenson had gone for his health, it was published in 1883 in the form we know today.Set in the eighteenth century, Treasure Island spins a heady tale of piracy, a mysterious treasure map, and a host of sinister characters charged with diabolical intentions. Seen through the eyes of Jim Hawkins, the cabin boy of the Hispaniola, the action-packed adventure tells of a perilous sea journey across the Spanish Main, a mutiny led by the infamous Long John Silver, and a lethal scramble for buried treasure on an exotic isle.

Image for Oceans and Seas!: With 25 Science Projects for Kids

Oceans and Seas!: With 25 Science Projects for Kids

In Oceans and Seas! With 25 Science Projects for Kids readers ages 7 though 10 dive into the underwater world of some of the most amazing landscapes on Earth. On this amazing underwater adventure, kids experience the ocean’s tropical reefs and spot crabs, sea sponges, and thousands of kinds of fish darting in its crags and folds. They’ll meet a giant squid with eyes the size of dinner plates and an mbrella-like bioluminescent jellyfish.

Image for Discover the Oceans: The World's Largest Ecosystem (Discover Your World)

Discover the Oceans: The World's Largest Ecosystem (Discover Your World)

From both a historical and scientific point of view, above and below the surface, this engaging guide brings the world’s oceans to life through fun facts, illustrations, and in-depth information. Interactive activities appear throughout, ranging from making solar stills and simple fishing spears to experimenting with a homemade diving bell and figuring out how much water it really takes to survive. With the oceans being the least explored environment on Earth, this reference illuminates some of the most incredible and surprising plants and animals as well as how to survive and navigate these vast expanses.

Image for Pagoo

Pagoo

An intricate study of tide pool life is presented in text and pictures through the story of Pagoo, a her-mit crab.

Here is the short list of ingredients. We normally are not big eaters for packaged cookies because we prefer homemade, but we make an exception for Oreo cookies anytime.

Ocean Layers
  • Oreo cookies
  • Chocolate pudding
  • Banana cream pudding
  • cool whip
  • blue dye
Ocean Layers 1Ocean Layers 2

To show the darkest part of the ocean or the trench, he put crumbled Oreo cookies at the very bottom of a large glass. 

Then, because we had chocolate pudding, he used that for the next layer which is the abyss layer.

Both of those ocean zones are dark and forbidding so I think his choices for yummy layers to help him remember those layers will stick!

I wished though we had a lighter shade of chocolate to show the separation a bit more clear, but I try to use things we have in the house already.

Ocean Layers 3Ocean Layers 4

A little bit of blue dye with some whip cream was  perfect for the midnight ocean layer. 

Though it’s still dark at this layer, a large amount of animals live there and produce their own light. 

In his mind, the blue color equates to finding more ocean life at this layer.  I thought that was a good connection.

Next, we had banana cream for the twilight layer. 

It was a great color choice for this ocean zone because though the light gets here, it is still light or faint.

Ocean Unit Study Ocean Layers Hands-on Fun Activity

Of course the pudding has a heavier weight than the whip cream, so his ocean layers began to sink a bit.

More Learning About the Ocean Hands-on Activities

  • Quick Unit Study & Easy Salt water Density Ocean Science Experiments For Kindergarten
  • How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe
  • The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft
  • Beware of Ocean Pollution: Fun Science Activity for Kids
  • How to Make a Fun Paper Plate Fish | F is for Fish

But—uhmmm—it never bothered him!

Ocean Unit Study Ocean Layers Hands-on Fun Activity

Then, one more delicious layer for the bright white light or whip cream called sunlight and he got out of labeling a worksheet he can already name the ocean layers.

Ocean Unit Study Ocean Layers Hands-on Fun Activity

Ocean Unit Study – Ocean Layers

I think with all the mayhem we had in the house with our furniture leaving, this was a fun and easy way to learn the names of the ocean layers. 

Finding the right combinations of sweet treats that tasted good together just kind of fell into place on this activity.  That sometimes is not so easy to do with edible activities.

What is the Ocean Minibook
Message In a Bottle Language Arts
Ocean Unit Study: Vocabulary Words & Wave Pocket
Hands-On Edible Geography Sea Levels
InLinkz.com

16 CommentsFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: geography, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, middleschool, ocean, oceanlayers

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 105
  • Page 106
  • Page 107
  • Page 108
  • Page 109
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 241
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Footer

Privacy Policy | About Me | Reviews | Contact | Advertise

Categories

Archives

Tina Robertson is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2026 · 5 TNT LLC · Log in · Privacy Policy