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hands-on activities

Geronimo Stilton Adventures The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time (Colosseum Craft)

August 25, 2022 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Geronimo Stilton adventures abound. And your kids will love the Geronimo Stilton book, The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time for the next time travel adventure.

Too, I have a hands-on history Ancient Rome Colosseum craft idea for this book.

Not only is this activity a great way to use up some of those Amazon boxes, but it is a great hands-on way to study one of the most famous historical landmarks and Ancient Rome.

Geronimo Stilton Adventures The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time (Colosseum Craft)

Your child can learn about the advanced building techniques, the events, the people, their homes, clothes, and more through eyes of that fun loving mouse, Geronimo Stilton.

As you peek into ancient Rome through the eyes of Geronimo Stilton in The Second Journey Through Time, he travels to Ancient Rome in the year 45 BCE.

Hands-on History Activity

While the Colosseum wasn’t built until later than is depicted in this Geronimo Stilton story, you can hardly talk about the incredible architecture of Ancient Rome without mentioning the Colosseum.

This gives you the perfect opportunity to talk about when each building was created and perhaps even make a timeline to help make it more concrete. See how naturally a unit study grows from a topic of interest?

Geronimo Stilton gives a colorful and interesting view into the Circus Maximus, Roman mythology, a great visual of Roman attire and a Roman House.

Geronimo Stilton Adventures The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time (Colosseum Craft)

These would all make great unit study topics taken from The Second Journey Through Time.

The books are thorough on the topics they cover and pull kids in with pictures and words. This is just part 1 of 3 parts of the book.

Also, Safari Toobs are a great addition to hands on homeschool activities.

They can be added to simple or complex sensory bins, used in dioramas, or as art inspiration.

And the toobs set can be a visual for people and landmarks of those times or even to make our cardboard Roman Colosseum come alive.

Ancient Roman Colosseum Facts

Next, look at some Ancient Roman Colosseum facts to share while you’re teaching this hands-on cardboard history craft.

  • The Colosseum was originally called the Flavian Amphitheater
  • It was completed in the year 80 AD
  • In medieval times the colosseum was used as a church
  • The Colosseum is made of travertine stone and thousands of iron clamps.
  • It’s oval not round as it tends to look in photos.
  • Beneath the Colosseum is the Hypogeum, a complex network of tunnels that animals, gladiators, and prisoners were kept prior to events.
  • The last record of gladiator battles in the Colosseum are from the year 435.

These books also make fantastic supplements to an Ancient Rome Unit Study and round it out nicely

Geronimo Stilton Adventures The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time (Colosseum Craft)

Look at these other books.

Easy Books about Ancient Rome

Where is the Colosseum?  Perfect for read aloud or independent reading time.

Tools of The Ancient Romans – This has some fantastic information as well as hands on activities for the time period.

Again, they make great add-ons for this unit study and to compliment the Geronimo Stilton adventures.

How to Make An Ancient Rome Cardboard Colosseum

Finally, here is what you will need to build your own Cardboard Roman Colosseum:

  • Corrugated cardboard boxes
  • Packaging tape
  • craft paints
  • Straight edge cutter
  • Baking soda
  • paint brushes, sponge brush

You will need a larger box or several to join together to create the largest piece

First, slice your cardboard into a large strip.

Because mine had flaps already on it, I just left one that I trimmed down rather than cutting it off and reattaching it to create the taller portion of the Colosseum.

Geronimo Stilton Adventures The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time (Colosseum Craft)

I found that if you cut the bottom flaps off the box from the inside so that your hand/knife rests on the bottom it is much easier to cut a straight line.

Peel off as much of your tape and labels as you can.

If some doesn’t come off its okay, the textured paint will help cover these up.

Score from the top to the bottom down the inside the long piece about every 4-6”.

Geronimo Stilton Adventures The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time (Colosseum Craft)

Make sure you just go through the first layer of cardboard as this will make it easier to create the curved shape of the exterior.

Geronimo Stilton Adventures The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time (Colosseum Craft)

Paint a basecoat of white all over the box template.

Allow to dry on one side and then repeat on the other. Allow to dry partially before moving on to the next step.

Create a mixture of 3 parts paint to 1 part baking soda. This combo gives a great texture like limestone or plaster to make it a little more realistic.

Ancient Rome Project

I added a little bit of brown to mine to dull the brightness of the white as well. 

Paint this on thickly, tap with brush and do some areas thinner and thicker to create an aged effect.

You only need to paint this on the outside of your structure but you can do both if you like. Allow to dry completely.

Geronimo Stilton Adventures The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time (Colosseum Craft)

Draw on the many windows with a pencil and then paint them in.

This technique is easiest and the best choice for younger children. You could make it even easier by using a paint pen or just a black sharpie to color in the windows.

For older children you may choose to pencil in the windows and have them cut them out with a sharp blade.

Geronimo Stilton Adventures The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time (Colosseum Craft)

Another option is to cut out a bunch of hte rounded windows and let your child glue them into place.

Curve your cardboard template into a circle shape and tape the back seam, you can use clear packing tape or box tape on the inside.

Geronimo Stilton Adventures The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time (Colosseum Craft)

Other Geronimo Stilton Adventures:

  • The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine
  • Geronimo Stilton Adventure The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time (Mayan Craft)
  • Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy
  • Easy and Fun Who Is Geronimo Stilton Rodent Notebooking Page
  • 10 Fun Things You Can Teach Using Geronimo Stilton Books

1 CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: book lists, books, Geronimo Stilton, hands on history, hands-on activities, history, history resources

Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult STEM Challenge for Medieval Unit Study

August 23, 2022 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Your kids will love making this fun pumpkin catapult stem challenge where you’re doing a fall unit study or medieval unit study.

This pumpkin catapult stem challenge will incorporate science, technology, engineering, math, and history into one fun activity.

This is a cool activity that will definitely earn you a lot of cool mom points.

A medieval times unit study is the perfect time to try out this hands-on activity to teach weaponry that was used during the period as well as those STEM skills.

Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult Stem Challenge for Medieval Unit Study

You don’t have to make yours as large as this one, but I found this pack of huge craft sticks at Hobby Lobby.

So, I thought they would put a fun twist to it.

Instead of using little marshmallow pumpkins, we were able to launch larger decor pumpkins (they are just inexpensive stuffed ones from Dollar Tree).

Also, if your child enjoys history, consider adding the Kingfisher History Encyclopedia and Usborne Encyclopedia of World History.

They both contain wonderful illustrations and information that is easy for children to understand.

And they are a great addition to round out any unit study. 

Medieval Catapult Facts

Before, after, or during your activity give your child some of the research questions below to find in books or online.

  • What are the 4 Types of catapults? trebuchet, mangonel, onager, and ballista.
  • What were catapults used for in Medieval Times? Siege, vaulting things over castle walls
  • What time period is considered Medieval/Middle ages? 500 to 1400-1500 CE
  • What event marked the beginning of the Middle Ages?  The fall of Rome 476 AD
  • What is the hierarchy of feudal society during this time? Monarchs, Lords/Ladies (Nobles), Knights, and Peasants/Serfs

Vocabulary Words for Medieval Unit Study

Then, here are a few vocabulary words for this unit.

Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult Stem Challenge for Medieval Unit Study
  • Projectile
  • Force 
  • Fulcrum 
  • Lever
  • Peasant
  • Vassal
  • Furlong
  • Squire
  • Clergy
  • Plunder
  • Troubadour
  • Guild

Catapult Science

Next, learn about some of the science of the catapult.

When you draw back the craft/popsicle stick, potential(resting) energy is being built up.

After you release it, it becomes kinetic (moving) energy.

Finally, gravity pulls the launched object back down.

This stem activity shows Newton’s three laws of motion.

Newtons 3 Laws of Motion

  1. Newton’s law of inertia– An object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an external force.  
  2. Newton’s law of force and acceleration– When an external force acts on an object, it produces an acceleration (change in velocity) in the object in the direction of the force.
  3. Newton’s third law- The law of action and reaction states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

You can try using different objects with different sizes and weights.

Change the thickness of the fulcrum to achieve different results.

And add a measuring tape or yard stick to figure out the various distance. Then, record your information.  

Here is how to put together your own pumpkin catapult stem challenge. You will need:

  • Jumbo craft sticks
  • Rubber bands
  • A large metal or plastic lid 
  • E6000 or hot glue
  • Pumpkins
Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult Stem Challenge for Medieval Unit Study

If you want to add these fun knights and horses you can grab these Safari Toobs.

They are also great to use in diorama, sensory bins, as models for drawing, and in dramatic small world play.

How to Make a Medieval Catapult

You can paint or use markers to color your popsicle sticks if you like as your first step or keep them natural like this one.

Just be sure to let them dry thoroughly before putting it together.

Starting by making a stack of craft sticks.

I ended up using 14 of the jumbo sticks to create more leverage for the catapult, placing rubber bands securely on each end about 1 ½” from the end.

Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult Stem Challenge for Medieval Unit Study

Stack two jumbo craft sticks and place a rubber band only over one end, 1 – ½” away from the end.

Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult Stem Challenge for Medieval Unit Study

Open the two craft sticks that are banded at one end and slip the large stack of sticks through, pushing them about ¾ of the way up close to the rubber band.

Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult Stem Challenge for Medieval Unit Study

Next, take a larger rubber band and crisscross it over a few times where your two stacks of sticks intersect.

Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult Stem Challenge for Medieval Unit Study

Use hot glue or something like e6000 (which will take longer to set) to affix your lid to the end of the top craft stick. 

Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult Stem Challenge for Medieval Unit Study

Press it in place firmly and let it dry all the way. Be sure that you use plenty of glue so that it is very secure to the craft stick.

Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult Stem Challenge for Medieval Unit Study

To launch you just need to press down on the back and release, 

Let the launching fun begin!

Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult Stem Challenge for Medieval Unit Study

You are ready to lay siege and launch objects over castle walls ( or at least over the ottoman) in a battle for riches and power.

Add a few more items to your study to really give it some hands-on fun like this 3d Puzzle Castle or these knight decorations to kick off a new Medieval unit study.

Other Fall Unit Study Resources

  • Fall Homeschool Learning Resources For Middle School
  • Fall Y’all:Pumpkin Pie in a Bag (Easy Homeschool Co-op Idea)
  • Fall Unit Study (Includes Apples, Sir Isaac Newton, Art, and Appleseed)

1 CommentFiled Under: Teach Homeschool Science Tagged With: fall, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources, homeschool, medieval homeschool history, middle ages history, science

20 Free Homeschool Science Lapbooks to Teach Hands-on

August 21, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have 20 free homeschool science lapbooks to teach hands-on. Because homeschool lapbooks are perfect to pair with unit studies, most of the lapbooks include a unit study.

Too, science requires gathering quite of bit of data at times, but it also should be hands-on. It shouldn’t just be recording data or filling out lab journals.

So, while concentrating on one science topic, a hands-on learner can complete minibooks on each subtopic.

20 Free Homeschool Science Lapbooks to Teach Hands-on

Most lapbooks will contain anywhere from 7 to 15 minibooks. Science lapbooks are no different.

You can determine if all the minibooks will be about one science topic or about different subtopics on the main theme.

Homeschool science lapbooks can be so fun to create because of the huge amount of information that may interests your children.

Lapbook Ideas for Science

For example, if you’re wanting to do a lapbook on one topic, here are a few ideas.

  • Look at your reference book and assign one minibook per chapter. Your child now has a quick overview of the topic.
  • However, if you want to dive deeper into one topic, then use the 5Ws – Who, what, when, where and why. This will give you a framework of minibooks and then build from those topics.
  • And if the science topic is about a famous scientist, then divide the minibooks by his or her time periods in life. Then focus more minibooks on what the scientist is known for.

In addition, decide whether you want letter size or legal size file folders. They both have their pros and cons.

While a legal size folder holds more, it’s also harder to store legal size folders for the long term.

Free Printable Lapbooks

The best thing about these lapbooks is that most of them have minibooks which contain some information or facts.

Whether you want your child to do all the research or use some of the premade minibooks, you decide how much time you have to spend on the free printable lapbooks.

Lastly, most of the science lapbooks are in color. And you don’t need an expensive printer to print them.

I still use my small Canon mobile printer.

20 Free Homeschool Science Lapbooks to Teach Hands-on

Other Science Lapbooks

  • Why Bats Are Not Birds Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook
  • Colorful Winter Bird: Northern Cardinal Lapbook & Unit Study
  • Historic Trees Lapbook
  • Honey Bees Lapbook for Kids

Free Homeschool Science Lapbooks

Lapbooks make great hands-on tools and you’ll love these fun lapbook ideas for science

Free Wildflowers Unit Study & Lapbook

Sharing this wildflowers unit study and lapbook along with some hands-on ideas, I hope they’ll help your kids get excited about a fun wildflowers unit study.

Free Super Seashore Watching Unit Study and Beach Lapbook

 can smell the beach from here! Okay, maybe not where I live now, but I feel that way since I grew up with the beach a short 30 minute drive. And we never missed a chance to go to it.

We would cook crab or gumbo, spend hours on the shoreline and build a fire. Seashore watching was an activity I loved as a kid and I made sure my kids knew about it. I think you’ll love these ideas for a seashore watching unit study.

3 Free and Amazing Amazon Rainforest Lapbooks for Kids

These lapbook about the Amazon Rainforest covers so many subtopics that each of your children can spend time on whatever topics interest them. Besides you can make many or one from the different minibooks.

Take your time putting together this huge lapbook because it has about 35 minibooks.

Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, & Lapbook

Whether you study a pond in winter or summer, a pond unit study makes for a great hands-on science project. You can add in so many different nature topics.

There are just as many things that grow above a pond as there are that live below in a pond.

Foraging and Feasting Nature Unit Study and Lapbook

My kids have always loved ways of learning how to live off the land. This foraging and feasting nature unit study is not only a way to teach Tiny some basic survival skills, but a great way to sneak in tips about how to cook.

I don’t want to give you the wrong impression about our foraging efforts because we’re currently city dwellers although not by choice.

From Egg to Sea Turtle Nature Unit Study & Lapbook

We made a detour on finishing up high school for a quick nature read about sea turtles. I chose Our Sea Turtles as a spine and we weren’t disappointed. Today, in sharing from egg to sea turtle nature unit study and lapbook, I’ve rounded up some awesome links and ideas for you.

Free Earth Science Lapbook

I have the rest of the minibooks to go with the free earth science lapbook, which is Earth’s Structures. Too, I have a cover which can be used as a lapbook cover or for clip art to decorate notebooking pages.

Remember, for this lapbook, I am using the free middle science book that I shared with you earlier as a quick science spine.

North American Robin Unit Study

Note to the middle school student: This lapbook can easily be done on your own. It was created to give you an introduction to the Turdus Migratorius.

Strawberry Unit Study and Lapbook

The strawberry belongs to the genus Fragraria in the rose family, along with apples and plums. The name of the scientific classification was derived from the Old Latin word for fragrant.

Native Americans called the fragrant fruit “heart-seed berries” and pounded them into their traditional cornmeal bread. Discovering the great taste of the Native Americans bread, colonists decided to create their own version, “Strawberry Shortcake.”

Winter Season Unit Study. Free Lapbook & Hands-On Ideas.

When some people think of winter, they think of frozen slush, sleet, and freezing fingers and toes. Adults might think of driving on frozen roads and struggling with cars that won’t work in subzero temperatures. But when you ask any child about winter, most think of tumbling through snow and building a snowman. 

Arctic and Inuit Unit Study. Free Lapbook - Hands-On Ideas

The Arctic is literally the end of the world. It takes its name from the Greek word for bear, arktos, because the land is under the constellation of the Great Bear.

The Arctic region is located at the top of the Northern Hemisphere. The Arctic Ocean is about 5.5 million square miles of water, so the Arctic is really a giant sheet of sea ice that floats on top of the Arctic Ocean.

The Arctic is surrounded by land in Greenland, Canada, and Russia. Parts of these countries, along with a part of Alaska, are in the area called the Arctic Circle.

Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook

The oceans cover more than two-thirds of the earth’s surface. Though the waters on the earth are really one world ocean, they are referred to by many names: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, and Southern.

Here is where you place each of the minibooks and pockets within your lapbook. I put all of the downloads below so you can easily find them. Too, I’m including my Hands-On Activities so you will have a quick reference for where to find those.

Fall Unit Study (Includes Apples, Sir Isaac Newton, Art, and Appleseed)

Fall Unit 1 {Pumpkins, Leaves, Corn, & More}

We love this time of the year! Here in Texas as least we have some leaves that change colors not to mention how wonderful spices and sweet potato pie smell

Photo Credit: hessunacademy.com

Dandelion Unit Study Workbook Learning Activity

Are you looking for a fun and educational activity to do with your kids? This dandelion unit study workbook unit study is the perfect addition to your homeschool unit studies.

Amber - Freezing Gold Lapbook and Unit Study

In ancient times it was called the gold of the North. Amber has been called freezing gold, a window to the past, a time capsule, captured sunshine and a golden tear. It is all of these things.

Carnivorous Plants Lapbook

The term carnivorous plant may conjure up in your mind  a scene like this one where the unsuspecting victim in a swamp is being snatched up by a flesh-eating plant.  But carnivorous plants are a very interesting group of  plants that aren’t near as big as they are shown in this picture.

Coral Reef Unit Study and Lapbook

Coral reefs swarm with brilliant colored fish, starfish, giant clams and sea slugs. They are not only beautiful to look at; but they are home to thousands of other species. Coral reefs can be large or small and are some of the oldest ecosystems on the planet.

Peregrine Falcon Unit Study and Lapbook

The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), also known as the Peregrine, and historically as the “Duck Hawk” in North America, is a bird of prey in the family Falconidae.

Toads - Amphibians Lapbook

Your homeschooled kids will love this huge toads-amphibians unit study and lapbook.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Lapbook Tagged With: earthscience, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, lapbook, lapbooking, lapbookresources, lapbooks, life science, science, sciencecurriculum

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

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

If you want more Geronimo Stilton activities for the series of Geronimo Stilton books, you’ll love this edible spine hands-on history activity. Also I have this Human Body Crafts page for more fun ideas.

Jumping back in time with Geronimo Stilton, he is up to another fa-mouse-ly adventure in the book The Race Against Time (Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time #3).

The book is divided into three sections of adventure mixed with history; we focused on the second section of the book which is the Renaissance period.

And the ultimate renaissance man is Leonardo Da Vinci known for his time spent learning about science.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

First, you’ll love knowing more about the book The Race Against Time (Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time #3).

The Journey Through Time series of Geronimo Stilton books give so much information on a time period in such an engaging way.

The series has colorful illustrations and text, small snippets of information, and great adventure.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

Before the journey begins, we see renaissance fashions and what the time period was about.

And then go right into visiting important landmarks of the time period all through the eyes of a mouse.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

You will be introduced to Gutenberg and his printing press.

In addition, your child will read about and Leonardo Da Vinci. They’ll read about his flying machine, sculptures, and art- including the Mona Mousa. I mean Lisa.

Even though the book does not reference the medical span of Leonardo’s contributions it opens the door to talk and research the other things he worked on besides art and inventions.

It becomes a natural springboard to add some science to your book or unit study.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

Leonardo Da Vinci Activities

Leonardo da Vinci spent a lot of time measuring and drawing the human body and discovered that it has standard proportions.

He participated in many dissections to learn how the body worked and drew exact anatomical studies. He studied, measured, drew, and went hands-on in every aspect of his quest for knowledge.

This is a wonderful way to introduce younger children to his discoveries and contributions to the science world, particularly the anatomy of the human body.

If your child is interested in anatomy, include this hands-on activity alongside your Geronimo Stilton Unit.

The human body is wonderful. And it is so amazingly designed with the way each part fits together and works to move, protect, and shape our body.

The spine is a perfect example of that, and your science loving child is sure to enjoy making their own spine

Human Body Spine Facts

Look at some of these human body spine facts you can use in talking about Leonardo da Vinci or to add to your Geronimo Stilton activities.

  • The brain connects to the spine to control most basic functions of the body.
  • The spine has three jobs – protect your spinal cord, allow you to move and bend, and provide a foundation for your posture.
  • You have 25 bones making up your spine known as vertebrae
  • There are 7 vertebrae that make up your neck. Did you know that giraffes with their super long necks also only have 7?
  • Some snakes have more than 400 vertebrae.
  • The 5 bottom vertebrae between the ages of 18 and 30 become fused together to make your coccyx, or tailbone.
  • There are over 120 muscles and 220 ligaments that support the average spine.
The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

As you build your spine you can naturally work in the importance of each part that makes up your spine and spinal cord.

  • The spinal cord works with the brain to form the central nervous system.
  • The vertebrae themselves give structure and protect the spinal cord.
  • Intervertebral discs cushion and protect the nerves from wear and tear.
  • The nerve clusters communicate with the rest of our body, sending signals to our hands, legs, feet, arms, head, etc.

Search Google for images of da Vinci spine drawings for a model to help your child along.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

Also, you can add a tabletop skeleton model for your child to explore and learn with as well.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

More Human Body Crafts

  • Simple and Easy Circulatory System Hands-on Activity for Kids
  • How to Turn a Pizza Into a Fun Edible Human Cell Model
  • How To Make A Fun Bones Of The Hand Labeled X-Ray Craft
  • 7 Human Skull Facts and Cool Human Skull Anatomy Activity
  • How to Make a Fun Hands-on Playdough Brain Activity
  • Major Organs of The Human Body Labeled Fun Felt Anatomy Activity
  • Fun Resources and Books About The Human Body For Preschoolers
  • 8 Eye Facts & Human Body Activities Middle School & Fun Eye Model
  • 12 Human Body Games For Middle School & High School
  • Craft a Fun Hand Straw Model to Explore Human Anatomy Muscles & Tendons
  • How to Make a Human DIY Heart Model Easy Craft for Kids
  • 8 Facts About the Respiratory System & Fun Lung Craft for Kids
  • 7 Human Body Facts and Kids Human Body T-Shirt Project
  • Fun Edible Spine
  • Making Blood + What Are the Components of Blood
  • DIY Heart Pump
  • Kids Stethoscope Activity
  • Build An Edible DNA Model
  • Edible Skin
  • Rigid versus Flexible Bone Activity.
  • Pregnancy Belly Female Study of Human Anatomy Kids Fun Craft

How to Make an Edible Spine

Now on to making a delicious, hands-on spine model. You can make yours true to size or create a mini model.

Our model here does not have all the nerves and is not life sized, but we made sure to include 25 vertebrae. If you are doing a unit on anatomy that is one thing you want your children to remember.

Here is what you will need to create your own edible spine:

  • Yarn- Spinal Cord, nerves (ok, not edible, but you know)
  • Butter Cookies with a hole- vertebrae
  • Gummy Lifesavers- intervertebral disc
The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

String a long piece of yarn through a cookie and knot it several times until it is too large to fit through the hole. The yarn is our spinal cord.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

Cut yarn into two-inch pieces and twist two of them so that they are between each gummy lifesaver and cookie to create the nerve clusters.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

Add on a cookie to create a vertebrae.

Continue repeating gummy, nerve, cookie until you have made your spine as long as you want it to be then tie it off at the top.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

You can further the lesson by having your child label the parts of the spine as it is laid out.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

Other Geronimo Stilton Activities

  • Geronimo Stilton Adventure The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time (Mayan Craft)
  • Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy
  • Easy and Fun Who Is Geronimo Stilton Rodent Notebooking Page
  • 10 Fun Things You Can Teach Using Geronimo Stilton Books
  • STEM: Build a Da Vinci Parachute Activity

What do you think? Are you ready with this hands-on spine model when reading The Race Against Time (Geronimo Stilton Journey ? Or adding more Geronimo Stilton activities?

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities, Teach Homeschool Language Arts Tagged With: Geronimo Stilton, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, human body, renaissance

How to Create Easy Back to School Basket Ideas for Middle School (Anatomy)

August 19, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Easy back to school basket ideas for middle school is not only a great craft idea, but it gets your students excited about the new homeschool year. And check out more tips on my page homeschool middle school.

Do you use learning baskets in your homeschool?

Homeschoolers have been using baskets for a while now but unlike a morning basket, these themed back to school baskets can be used throughout the entire day, week, or even month.

How to Create Easy Back to School Basket Ideas for Middle School (Anatomy)

A learning basket is a basket full of fun educational material all based on one topic of interest.

It’s a unit study in a basket.

If you are a relaxed homeschool family, unit study family or even follow the unschooling approach, baskets can be prepared ahead and left for your child to explore at his own pace.

Back to School Craft

Too, back to school baskets fosters independence.

While gaining independence in their homeschool choices children can still benefit from direction and guidance,

Also, baskets full of materials of one themed topic are a fantastic way to inspire, encourage, and develop a love of learning by inviting children to explore a topic.

Whether you teach traditionally, are a unit study family, or are an unschooler these baskets will work and add to your homeschool.

They are like putting a fun unit study in a basket and letting your child drive.

Look at these ideas below for putting together an anatomy themed basket for a middle school child.

Anatomy Back to School Basket Idea for Middle School

Do you have a child that is looking to be a nurse or has an interest in anatomy or the medical field?

Then start with a core curriculum, spine, or living book based on his or her interest.

How to Create Easy Back to School Basket Ideas for Middle School (Anatomy)

If you are doing a core curriculum include the student book for your students to work through at their own pace.

How to Create Easy Back to School Basket Ideas for Middle School (Anatomy)

We are using Campfire Curriculums Through the Eyes of: ER LIFE.

I have a review coming soon, but these pictures will give you a glimpse now of what is going in the basket.

How to Create Easy Back to School Basket Ideas for Middle School (Anatomy)

This Anatomicum book makes a perfect addition to our study.

It is such a beautiful book, with gorgeous illustrations., makes for great reference, and inspiration.

How to Create Easy Back to School Basket Ideas for Middle School (Anatomy)

And here we are using it for tracing the photos as well. Needless to say, it will be added to our library.

How to Create Easy Back to School Basket Ideas for Middle School (Anatomy)

Be sure to include a pack of tracing paper with it.

Human Body Unit Study Resources

I also included my lapbook Dynamic and Fun Human Body Lapbook for Multiple Ages for some hands on learning.

It is easy to customize, picking and choosing which parts you want them to focus on.

Or let them choose on their own. It is a great supplement to any kind of anatomy study.

How to Create Easy Back to School Basket Ideas for Middle School (Anatomy)

Next, include some support books like Basher Human Body.

I love the silly photos in these books, even for middle schoolers.

How to Create Easy Back to School Basket Ideas for Middle School (Anatomy)

They help take a complicated topic and turn it into easy little snippets of information.

Basher has quite a few books to cover different topics. Again, the images are cute.

However, they relay the information in an easy to understand way.

And that appeals to a variety of ages probably early elementary to middle school is best.

How to Create Easy Back to School Basket Ideas for Middle School (Anatomy)

I found this copy of Gray’s Anatomy at the Goodwill for just over $1 and had to include it in the basket.

While it usually used by doctors and medical students, I thought it would make a great reference book.

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Hands-On Human Anatomy Resources

After you have a few great books picked out, include a game or two.

Cytosis is great for gameschooling and a great way for kids to learn about cell biology.

How to Create Easy Back to School Basket Ideas for Middle School (Anatomy)

A couple of other games that would fit this topic perfectly for this age range are:

  • Anatomy Fluxx. This is a card game that is action filled and teaches about everything from bones to blood vessels.
  • Pandemic. Great for learning about viruses, how they spread, and how they are eradicated.

Also, the Bones Book and Skeleton makes a great little table top skeleton for learning how the body itself is put together.

How to Create Easy Back to School Basket Ideas for Middle School (Anatomy)

Additionally, it can be used for labeling bones later on.

Next is Gross Anatomy create your own squishy human body.

I think that making it multi sensory and hands on really creates that connection that will help them retain what they are learning about.

Another is Know Your Blood Type so they can test themselves or a family member to find out blood types.

How to Create Easy Back to School Basket Ideas for Middle School (Anatomy)

Finally, Safari Toobs Organs can be used as a model for drawing or painting.

They help your children to visualize the shape of organs and you can put them with flashcards to match up and learn the names of the basic organs.

How to Create Easy Back to School Basket Ideas for Middle School (Anatomy)

Include some play dough as well ( or modeling clay) for them to recreate their own copies of organs from the model.

What do you think? Are you going to give this a try? What are your themed learning basket ideas?

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities, Middle School Homeschool Tagged With: back to school crafts, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling

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