hands-on activities

Free Swiss Family Robinson Unit Study And Easy DIY Water Filter

June 13, 2023 | Leave a Comment
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Today, I have a free Swiss Family Robinson unit study and diy water filter activity. Also, grab more ideas on my best homeschool unit studies page.

When I think of how I can create a Swiss Family Robinson unit study that is more than just a literature study the first thing that comes to mind is survival.

Hopefully, your children are never in a situation where they must rely solely on their own instincts and knowledge to survive the land around them.

Free Swiss Family Robinson Unit Study And Easy DIY Water Filter

But wouldn’t it be nice if they could do a few simple things which could be applied to camping, a self-sufficient homesteading lifestyle, or even just life in general?

Teaching your child a few skills and maybe learning them at the same time yourself is a fantastic way to build up confidence and basic life skills at the same time.

If you haven’t read the classic Swiss Family Robinson here is quick summary.

A family is on an uninhabited island and salvaged items from their shipwrecked ship.

They build a house, cultivate crops, and live off the land while exploring a nearby island.

It’s just the kind of adventure to bring a family together by being resourceful, brave, skillful, and nurturing a love of nature.

Facts About Johann David Wyss

First, look at a few facts about the author.

Johann David Wyss (1743–1818) was a priest in Switzerland.
Wyss and his two sons were great admirers of Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, which is a story of shipwreck and survival.
He created The Swiss Family Robinson to entertain his children and Wyss wanted to write a story from which his own children would learn.
The story was completed and edited by Wyss’s son, Johann Rudolph, and published in 1813.

In addition, grab a copy of the book.

And there are many topics or themes you can investigate while reading the story.

For example, what is the best way to make a shelter.

Unit Study Theme Ideas

The family begins with a house in a tree and then moves to a cave.

Then ask what type of shelter would work in different areas and how would seasons affect a shelter.

In addition, look at more ideas.

Is it safe to keep wild animals as pets?
What type of animals would you encounter on an island?
What is the geography of an island?
How would seasons affect shelter, fire, and food you could get or grow?
What would be your top 3 priorities on a deserted island to survive?
And what are basic human needs? For example, talk about water, food, warmth and safety.

Brief Look at the Characters

Also, look at the characters in the story. There is father who is resourceful and mother who is hard working.

Father takes the lead in decision making on the island and mother is nurturing.

How does father’s skill set ranging from plant identification to carpentry help the family?

Next, how does mother’s knowledge of caring for the crops and animals help the family not just survive but flourish on the deserted island?

The oldest son is Fritz, then Ernest, Jack and Franz is the youngest child.

Additionally, Fritz matures from a young boy into a mature adult. And Ernest develops a knowledge of plants and animals like his mother.

Jack is thoughtless but is also creative and resourceful.

Lastly, Franz is 6 years when the family is shipwrecked. He spends a good amount of time helping mother and doing chores. Then matures and can help on hunts. What skills would he have to learn to hunt?

Swiss Family Robinson Unit Study Hands-On Activities

Moreover, add some of these hands-on activities to your unit study.

Try this cork raft challenge to learn about buoyancy, engineering, and more just as the Robinsons built their own in the book.

Do you have a tech-loving kid?

You don’t have to eliminate the tech for learning time, incorporate it instead.

Have your child build a treehouse with other elements they would need for survival like a garden, animals, and pens to keep them contained in Minecraft.

I am pretty sure this is an assignment they will love.

Teach your child how to find North. Use a compass, physical and on your phone. Too try by orienting themselves by finding the direction from the sun.

Survival Theme Ideas

Learn some basic skills that also transfer to emergency situations like learning how to tie knots.

You can make it fun by making it a game with Knot So Fast.

Another fun thing to learn that can come in handy all the time is how to forage for food in your area.

Even your own backyard has items like dandelions, henbit, and purslane that have edible and medicinal benefits.

Grab a simple book like this to get started, it has great images to help you be sure of what it is. Then head outside and see what you can find and identify.

Even edible berries like this mulberry bush can be a great source.

Show your child some skills like how to open and close a pocketknife properly as well as how to hold it and use it.

Learn how to safely open and enjoy a coconut here.

You can find a fantastic group of flashcards for each chapter of Swiss Family Robinson to work on vocabulary and spelling as well as quizzes on the book at Quizlet.

Add a few survival books to your library to learn some basic skill.

Survive & Thrive is a small pocket guide with some basic skills like how to build a shelter, how not to get lost, use a compass, and even comes with some cards to help identify various dangerous plants and animals.

Watch some survival shows together like Bear Grylls: Survival School together and talk about what you learn, and what things you can try at home.

Too, look at some of these books and resources.

8 Books & Resources for Learning About The Swiss Family Robinson

Add some of these books to your unit study of The Swiss Family Robinson and their adventures on a deserted island.

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

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

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

See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world.
Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.

Tracks, Scats and Signs (Take Along Guides)

Become a nature detective with this illustrative, engaging and fun Take-Along-Guide. You may not know where to look, or what to look for, but animal signs are everywhere and this guide will help you learn how to read them. You'll learn how to spot and identify common clues that 17 wildlife species leave behind in the woods, in the fields and along ponds.

Swiss Family Robinson Movie

The heroic tale of the courageous exploits of the Robinson family after they are shipwrecked on a deserted island. Using teamwork and ingenuity, they overcome the obstacles of nature and transform their new home into a "civilized" community.

Willy Whitefeather's Outdoor Survival Handbook for Kids

From treating a bee sting to building an overnight shelter, kids will gain the knowledge and confidence they need to survive outdoors.

Bear Grylls The Complete Adventures Collection 12 Books Set

Bear Grylls The Complete Adventures Collection 12 Books Set: Titles In This Set: The Blizzard Challenge The Desert Challenge The Jungle Challenge The Sea Challenge The River Challenge The Earthquake Challenge The Volcano Challenge The Safari Challenge The Cave Challenge The Mountain Challenge The Arctic Challenge The Sailing Challenge

Knot Tying Kit | Pro-Knot Best Rope Knot Cards, two practice cords and a carabiner

By Pro-Knot, the number one trusted name in Knots with over 7,000 5 Star reviews! This complete knot tying KIT includes everything you need to learn and practice how to tie 23 essential rope knots. The six card/twelve page waterproof plastic card set contains 23 best all purpose rope knots
clearly illustrated and described, bound together with a no-rust brass grommet in the corner!

Foraging Wild Edible Plants of North America: More than 150 Delicious Recipes Using Nature's Edibles

Edible wild plants are nature’s natural food source, growing along roadsides, sprouting in backyards, and blooming in country fields. North America’s diverse geography overflows with edible plant species.

More Best Homeschool Unit Studies

Finally, look how to make this DIY water filter.

Swiss Family Robinson Unit Study – DIY Water Filter

This simple water filter uses different layers to filter out various particles.

The larger pieces at the top help to filter larger debris like dirt, leaves, sticks, etc.

The smaller pieces like the fine sand filter even smaller pieces that make it through the first few layers.

Finally, the activated charcoal can filter even further, removing some of the toxins without taking out salt and other important minerals.

You will need:

Coarse sand
Fine sand
Activated Charcoal
Small pebbles
Rubber band
Coffee filter
Cotton Balls
Old t-shirt

Before you begin rinse all your filter supplies well-charcoal, sand, and pebbles.

Grab some water in a cup, and add a few leaves, a little dirt, and a twig or two to better visually demonstrate how the filter works.

Cut the bottom 1” off a plastic water bottle.

Remove the cap and poke several holes in it.

Stuff the other end with cotton balls, gauze, or even a scrap of an old t-shirt. Replace cap.

Pour in 1” of activated charcoal.

Add 1” fine sand.

Layer in 1”-2” coarse sand.

Top with 1” of small gravel or pebbles.

Cover the larger opening with gauze, coffee, filter, or t-shirt secured with a rubber band.

Place the water bottle in a glass where you can see all the action.

Carefully pour dirty water into the homemade filter and watch it drain through.

While there may be a few small pieces that get through and the water may be the tiniest bit cloudy you will be amazed at how clean the water looks.

Check out the before and after.

You can run the water through several times to see how clean you can get it.

Fun Hands-on Coral Reef Activities and Play Dough Invitation to Play

June 11, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some fun coral reef activities and play dough invitation to play. Also, grab more ideas on my Coral Reef page and Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook.

June 9th is all about celebrating Coral Triangle Day.

It’s a day to promote ocean conservation and protection, especially in the Coral Triangle.

To mark it, I have fun coral reef activities and a play dough invitation to play.

Additionally, the Coral Triangle includes the waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and the Solomon Islands.

Fun Hands-on Coral Reef Activities and Play Dough Invitation to Play

While coral reefs everywhere are important, the coral triangle gains a lot of attention for its diversity within its waters.

Let’s dive into an ocean of learning about the beauty and diversity of coral reefs and the Coral Triangle.

I have books, hands-on activities, facts, and more.

Summer is the perfect time to learn more about the oceans that surround us and the unique coral reefs in them.

Coral Reef Activities Facts

The Coral Triangle is also known as the Amazon of the Seas.
Here, in the triangle, live 6 out of the world’s 7 species of marine turtles.
It is one of the eight major coral reef zones throughout the world, and it is recognized as a very important place of marine biodiversity and a major priority for conservation.
Over 600 different species of reef-building coral make their home in the triangle.
76% of all the world’s coral species are found in the Coral Triangle. The area boasts the highest coral diversity in the world.
Researchers believe that the Coral Triangle may be where all Coral Reefs once began.
The most endangered species in the area are Yellowfin, Tuna Skipjack, and Bigeye Tuna.

Also, look at some of these fun coral reef books and resources.

Coral Reef Unit Study Resources

Add some of these coral reef unit study resources to your unit study.

National Geographic Readers: Coral Reefs

In this level 2 reader, young readers explore the amazing underwater world of coral reefs. Beautiful photos and carefully leveled text make this book perfect for reading aloud and for independent reading.

Coral Reefs (New & Updated Edition)

What is life like in a coral reef? What do corals eat? Why are corals more colorful at nighttime? Learn about some of the most beautiful locations in the natural worldMarine biologists believe coral reefs existed 400 million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Today this active environment is home to about 20,000 kinds of brilliantly colored corals, plants, and animals--more sea creatures than are found anywhere else in the world. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is so large that astronauts can see it from outer space! Children in early elementary grades will enjoy Gibbon's informative text and clear, detailed illustrations on this journey into the unique lives of coral reefs.

Coral Reefs: A Whole New World Under The Sea -

The world is keen to protect the coral reefs. Why? The coral reefs provide shelter to all kinds of sea creatures. If they die, life below the sea will become very difficult. It is important to educate the young about the whole new world under the sea. This beautiful nature encyclopedia will be just the right tool to use!

Ocean Sea Animal, 52 Pack Assorted Under The Sea Life

Sea animal toy, approximately 2 inch, creature including Octopus,hippocampus, seahorse, jellyfish, turtle,clown fish, crab,shark Otter and etc

7 Pack Artificial Coral

Use for a diorama or for play fun.

Ecosystem: Coral Reef - A Family Card Game About Ocean Animals, Habitats, and The Food Chain - Board Game for Kids

MARINE BIOLOGY GAME - Learn about underwater creatures and their habitats in this nature card game! Players use aquatic animals such as sea turtles, sharks, and clownfish in a grid formation in this ecosystem building game. Earn points by aligning ocean life with the habitats and food sources where they most flourish.

Coral Reef

Hardy adventurers ages 6 - 9 dive into a silent watery world where tiny coral animals grow together to form rock gardens of white, pink, and red-orange. In this action-packed undersea circus, jaws snap, tentacles sting, ink gets squirted, and fish suddenly glow while animals that look like plants sway gently and bashful clams hide the lively secrets inside their shells. Surprisingly dry and armed with a few pieces of equipment and their boundless imaginations, children explore this magical realm one small square at a time

Life in a Coral Reef (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

Coral reefs are some of the largest natural structures in the world, and they are created by tiny coral polyps no bigger than a grain of rice. This Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science book introduces readers to the amazing world of the coral reefs and the many marine animals who lived there.

WILD ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Create an Underwater Coral Reef - Science Kit

CREATE AN UNDERWATER WORLD -- Use chemical reactions to create colorful underwater scenes. Mix solutions, build an artificial coral reef and grow instant chemical coral with this coral reef kit.

Coral Reef Tin Box Magnetic Travel Game

Travel-Friendly Educational Toys: Coral Reef features 48 challenges, from easy to expert. Thanks to its compact size and new tin box portable travel case, you can put this puzzle at the top of your family's travel games list.

Also, look at these hands on ideas to study about the ocean and coral reef.

More Coral Reef Activities and Resources

Build your own underwater coral reef while you learn about chemical reactions, gravity, osmosis, marine biology, and coral bleaching.
How to draw a coral reef.
Free Coral Reef Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas
Edible Geography – Sea Levels
Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef
Try this coral reef themed magnetic logic puzzle with your study
Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity
.Small hands will love this coral reef sponge painting activity.
How Do Sharks Float STEM Activity Free Shark Unit Study & Notebooking Pages
Hands-on Egg Carton Sea Turtle Life Cycle Activity
Egg to Sea Turtle Lesson Plans & Lapbook
Quick Unit Study & Easy Salt water Density Ocean Science Experiments
Fun Making Ocean Layers Soap
I love this collage style of coral reef watercolor art.

Moreover, look at my huge Ocean Unit Study and Sea Turtle Unit Study.

Coral Reef Activities Play Dough Invitation

You will need:

1 cup Flour
½ cup table salt
1 cup of Water
1 Tbsp. Coconut Oil (or vegetable oil)
1 tsp. Cream of tartar
Food coloring
Optional-essential oils

Also, you will need:

Small bowls, cups, or a divided tray
Shells
Plastic ocean creatures
Beads
Toothpicks
Aquarium pebbles
Chenille stems

First, combine flour, salt, water, coconut oil, and cream of tartar in a medium pot over medium-high heat.

Stir constantly until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the pan and is no longer sticky.

Quickly remove from heat and put the dough onto a smooth surface.

When it cools enough to touch, knead it for a few minutes and add food coloring and essential oil mixing well.

This is the perfect time to mix in a fun beachy scented essential oil like coconut or pineapple.

Now that your playdough is ready to go you can begin building your coral reef Hands-on invitation to play.

Grab some small clear cups or use a divided tray to place all your items out in an inviting way.

Cut colorful pipe cleaners down into different lengths.

Put playdough in one bowl, beads and toothpicks in another, chenille stems, toys, shells, and any other little items you have each in their own bowl.

Encourage your child to build an ocean base with the playdough, press chenille stems into it, poke in toothpicks and stack pony beads on them, Add fish and other ocean toys.

Your child can build and rebuild unique coral reefs as they learn about their beauty and importance.

Free Peregrine Falcon Lapbook And Fun Unit Study Ideas

June 9, 2023 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a free Peregrine Falcon lapbook. Too, look at my Peregrine Falcons Unit Study and my lapbook ideas,

The Peregrine Falcon was almost extinct in the 1960s.

The Peregrine Falcon is an endangered species but can dwell in cities.

Additionally, the falcon is a common bird of prey which also includes eagles and hawks.

Free Peregrine Falcon Lapbook And Fun Unit Study Ideas

A bird of prey is a hunting bird.

And the Peregrine Falcon is the most common falcon.

However, there are more species of falcons.

There are the:

American Krestel
Merlin
Prairie Falcon
Collared Forest Falcon

Too, look at some of these facts about falcons.

More Peregrine Falcons Facts

The adults have blue-gray wings with dark brown backs.
And they are 16 to 19 inches long,
Their name comes from the Latin word peregrinus, which means “one from abroad” or “to wander.”
Females are slightly larger than the males.
Beaks are slate blue.
Flight speed can be more than 60 mph.
They have long pointed wings.
Juveniles are marked with vertical streaks instead of horizontal bars on the breast.
When falcons catch birds in a fast dive in the air it’s called a stoop.
Besides dwelling in cities, they can nest and perch on cliffs and other tall structures.

Next, add some of these vocabulary words to your unit study.

Vocabulary Words – Peregrine Falcon

endangered species – an animal or plant at risk of becoming extinct
raptor – a bird of prey; a bird that obtains food through the use of force
prey – an animal hunted by another for food
talon – the claw of a bird of prey
scientific name – Falco peregrinus
eyrie (pronounced I Ree) – the nest of a bird of prey usually on a high cliff or other tower
ornithologist – a biologist who studies birds
tiercel – the name for the male
clutch – set of eggs
Anatum – Latin for “eater or killer of ducks”. The common name in North America for the Peregrine Falcon used to be Duck Hawk.
ecosystem – all living and nonliving things in an area that interacts
raptor – From a Latin origin meaning “to grasp or seize”.
falconry – An ancient sport of using a trained raptor to hunt.
thermal – An ascending current of air caused by heat.

Also, look at some of the history of falconry.

History of Falconry

The use of falcons for hunting was developed around 2,000 B.C. in central Asia.

And by the twelfth century A.D., falconry was widely practiced throughout Europe.

Pictorial records and wall hangings show falconers with birds on their wrists in Arabia and Persia.

Falconry is an art.

It requires long hours, constant devotion, finesse, subtlety and skill. The falconer must train a bird of prey to fly free, hunt for a human being and then accept a return to captivity.

More Bird Resources and Activities

Also, study birds with these other activities and resources.

And you’ll love these books.

Bird Of Prey and Peregrine Falcon Resources

Add these books and resources to your unit study about bird of prey or peregrine falcons.

My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George

Great book for any boy or girl who wants to live outdoor and experience nature.

The Hawk of the Castle: A Story of Medieval Falconry

Join a young girl and her father, the falconer at a medieval castle, as they experience the joys of taking a goshawk out for a training flight

Peregrine Spring: A Master Falconer's Extraordinary Life with Birds of Prey

Peregrine Spring, Nancy Cowan’s memoir of her thirty years living intimately with raptors, gives us a new perspective on the relationship between humans and the natural world. Cowan shares her experiences running a world-famous falconry school, and the lessons she's learned from her birds.

Call of the Osprey (Scientists in the Field)

This meticulously researched and photographed account follows three University of Montana scientists and their interdisciplinary work with osprey: fish-catching birds with gigantic nests and a family that functions with teamwork and cooperation.

Talons: North American Birds of Prey (Pocket Nature Guides)

Talons: North American Birds of Prey by M. Miller & C. Nelson, present color illustrations along with names, size, range, & description of these predators.

Thunder Birds: Nature’s Flying Predators

Acclaimed naturalist and illustrator Jim Arnosky helps birds and imaginations take glorious flight in this breathtaking nonfiction picture book with six giant gatefolds.Arnosky will draw out kids'
inner explorer as he explains why there are no feathers on a vulture's head, which bird is the deep-diving champ, what makes an owls's wings perfectly silent in flight, and much more.

100 Facts Birds of Prey

Great book for beginners.

More Best Homeschool Unit Studies

Peregrine Falcons Free Minibooks

Moreover, here are the minibooks included in the download. I find that they are jumping off points for subtopics I covered in the unit study.

2 Birds of Prey Cover pages for the outside of the lapbook
Hawks and Falcons Birds of Prey
Did You Know . .
Anatomy of Peregrine Falcon
Falconry – An Ancient Sport
Mating and Nesting
Prey of Falcon
Types of Falcon
Natures Finest Flying Machine
Vocabulary Words Pocket/Illustration
Where Do Falcons Live

How to Get the Free Peregrine Falcon 20 Page Lapbook

Now, how to grab the free lapbook. This is a subscriber freebie.

1) Sign up on my list.
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Fun Kids Dandelion Flower Unit Study and Easy Tea Recipe & Notebooking Pages

June 8, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Dandelions are a wonderful choice for a flower unit study. Also, grab more ideas on my best homeschool unit studies pages and Free Wildflowers Unit Study & Lapbook.

They have an obvious and easy to follow life cycle.

And you can usually observe all of them at the same time if you find a sizable patch.

Fun Kids Dandelion Flower Unit Study and Easy Tea Recipe & Notebooking Pages

There are so many activities, art projects, and even recipes that you can try to fill out your study.

Books, facts, and activities are already gathered for you to make your work easier.

I also have some ideas for investigating dandelions, their life cycles, and a yummy recipe for dandelion tea that will delight both you and your child with its light unique flavor.

Dandelion Flower Unit Study Facts

Dandelion seeds can float, thanks to the wind, up to 5 miles away from their start point.
The word dandelion comes from the French- “dent de lion,” which is “lion’s tooth.”
Dandelion flowers open in the morning and close in the evening.
They are wildflowers.
Though many think so, dandelions are not weeds, they are a member of the sunflower family.
Every part of the dandelion is edible from the roots to the bright yellow flowers.
Dandelions are from the Taraxacum genus, and there are about 250 different species of dandelions.
A dandelion is a perennial plant.
You can find dandelions in meadows, in cracks of sidewalks, and along roadsides.
The leaves of dandelions are long and deeply toothed.
In some places of the United States, they are considered a pesky weed and in other places they are welcomed in the garden.

All over the world, wherever dandelions grow, children love to blow the fluffy white, airborne seeds into the air to predict the number of one’s future children by counting the seeds.

In addition, add some of these books.

Dandelion Flower Unit Study Resources

Picture books are a great way to learn and this nature study idea is no different.

The Dandelion Seed: A Life Cycle Nature Book for Kids (Plants For Children

Follow the journey of a tiny dandelion seed who was afraid to let go. With a poignant, simple storytelling and gorgeous artwork, this best-selling picture book introduces plant life cycles while reminding us to let go and embrace change. A great graduation gift.

One tiny dandelion seed wants to hold onto its dandelion home, until the winter wind carries it away. The seed worries it won't be able to find its place in such a vast and frightening world. But everything is much more beautiful than it ever thought, and perhaps finding a new home isn't such a bad thing after all.

A Seed Is Sleepy: (Nature Books for Kids

Part of the incredible six-book Nature Books series from artist Sylvia Long and author Dianna Hutts Aston, A Seed is Sleepy introduces children to a fascinating array of seed and plant facts.

Why Dandelions Grow

A rhyming story about the connection between dandelions, love, children, and God; explaining why God created dandelions to be bright, colorful, tenacious, full of love, and fun.

Little Dandelion Seeds the World

Did you know dandelions thrive on all seven continents? The cheery blooms are among the most resilient and adaptable in the world. In this lyrical book, learn how the crafty plant travels on the wind and hitches rides in all manner of ways in order to spread far and wide. Includes a map and backmatter on dandelions.

Dandelions (First Step Nonfiction ― Plant Life Cycles)

Get a close-up view of the life of a dandelion.

Also, look at some of these fun activities.

Dandelion Flower Unit Study Hands-On Activities

Head out and gather as many Dandelions as you can find to observe and study.
Paint a dandelion with watercolors.

Make Dandelion Playdough, then use the playdough to spell out vocabulary words, roll into balls to use as math manipulatives, or just enjoy the natural play dough.
Try the Dipping Dandelion STEM Challenge.
Make a Dandelion Crown to wear while you learn all about them.
Preserve Dandelion Seeds forever with Everlasting Dandelion Clocks.
Plant your own Dandelion Seeds to make teas, tinctures, slaves, and more.
Hang a Dandelion Botanical Print as you enjoy your study for art inspiration.
Work on fine motor skills with Dandelion Threading.
Paint with dandelions for a fresh new art project.
These Felt Dandelions will never blow away.
Create a Dandelion card to bring some sunshine to a friend.

Moreover, make and sip on dandelion tea while you read aloud from one of the dandelion stories suggested above.

More Flower Unit Study Activities

Additionally, look at some of these other flower unit ideas.

Flower Vocabulary

Add some of these vocabulary words to your study.

pollen – A fine powdery substance, typically yellow, consisting of microscopic grains discharged from the male part of a flower or from a male cone.
anther – The part of the stamen where pollen is produced.
stigma – The part of the pistil where pollen germinates.
ovary – The enlarged portion of the pistil where ovules are produced.
flower head – A compact mass of flowers at the top of a stem,
stamen – The male fertilizing organ of a flower, typically consisting of a pollen-containing anther and a filament.
pistil – The female organs of a flower, comprising the stigma, style, and ovary.
style – This is the name for the stalk of the pistil.

Then here are more homeschool unit studies.

More Best Homeschool Unit Studies

Too, do a flower unit investigation.

Flower Unit Study Investigation

Carefully pull up an entire dandelion plant from the root up, you may want to take a trowel with you to be sure that you are able to get everything.

Try to get a plant that includes a flower, buds, and a seed head.

Wash away the dirt and pat dry.

Lay the plant on a piece of paper. If you are missing sections of the plant like buds or seed heads you can add them to the bunch now.

Write out each part of the plant you want your child to identify (or they can do that part as well)

For younger children you may just choose to do flowers, seeds, roots, leaves, stem.

Older children may label every part of the plant including the various stages of the life cycle.

Fun Kids Dandelion Flower Unit Study and Easy Tea Recipe & Noteboooking Pages

Have your child place the labels next to the flowers.

Next take different Dandelions in different stages and have your child place them in the order of the life cycle.

Now add a magnifying glass and tweezers and encourage them to take apart the flowers, look at them closer, and investigate it well from leaves to flowers.

Explore the seeds and talk about how they are dispersed by the wind to restart the cycle all over.

In addition, you’ll love these free dandelion notebooking pages.

I’ve created 3 notebooking pages. However, I included two sets of each one.

One set is blank so that your student can add his own ideas about the topics.

And the second set has a few facts added. Sometimes you need a reference for younger children, or some children are reluctant writers.

Moreover, you decide which set each student gets.

Lastly, the topics on each page are:

List other names of dandelions.
Describe a dandelion.
Which parts of the dandelion are useful?
Eating a dandelion.
Name and learn the 5 life cycle stages of a dandelion.

How to Make Dandelion Tea

Finally, look how to make dandelion teas.

The most important part of this recipe is that you collect flowers from an area that you know has not been sprayed with any kind of chemicals.

You will need:

Dandelions
Water
Honey or another sweetener

Gather a bunch of dandelion flower heads.

Rinse them all well.

Pull the yellow petals off, while the green won’t hurt you it can make your tea bitter.

Boil 1 cup of water.

Add 2-3 tablespoons of dandelion flowers and allow it to steep for 10 minutes.

Strain out flower petals.

Stir in honey or other sweetener to desired sweetness.

Enjoy!

How to Get the Free Dandelion Notebooking Pages

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I like to keep up to date with what is valuable to you so I can give you more, some freebies you must sign up again on the form below even if you are already a follower.

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Daniel Boone Explorer Facts And Make a Fun Birchbark Canoe Craft

June 7, 2023 | 3 Comments
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Today, I have some Daniel Boone explorer facts and how to make a Shawnee birchbark canoe craft. Look at more ideas on my page Daniel Boone – North American Explorer.

Boone Day is celebrated on June 7th to highlight the life and contributions of the famous frontiersman Daniel Boone.

Many know him as the man who blazed a trail westward through the Cumberland Gap but there were many adventures throughout his life.

Daniel Boone Explorer Facts And Make a Fun Birchbark Canoe Craft

Too, America was still a young growing country which was heavily populated by Native American Tribes that were being pushed westward.

Boone explorer had many dealings with them.

First in Pennsylvania as a child he interacted with the Delaware tribe.

Before Europeans settled, Pennsylvania had many native tribes, including the Erie, Honniasont, Huron, Iroquois, Leni Lenape, Munsee, Shawnee, and Susquehannock, as well as others.

Daniel Boone Explorer Facts

Then as a teen, he befriended and was taught hunting, tracking, trapping, and survival by the Delaware, Cherokee, and Shawnee tribes when his family moved to North Carolina.

He became a legend at a young age in his area for his prowess as a hunter.

Later, while traveling in Kentucky along the Licking River he was captured by a group of Shawnees.

They took him to their village in Ohio and he was adopted by the Shawnee Chief Blackfish to take the place of one of his own sons who had been killed.

Boone was given the name Sheltowee, or Big Turtle, and was treated relatively well during his 4-month captivity before he returned home to his family.

Afterward, he helped to successfully defend Boonesborough against a 10-day siege led by Blackfish.

To learn a little more about Boone and the Native Americans he encountered, you can also have your child do a little research to help them retain what they learn better than just hearing it read to them, and research is such an important life skill.

Also, look at these books about the life of Daniel Boone.

10 Resources for A Daniel Boone Unit Study

Whether you want to add a hands-on unit study or are looking for a few resources, you'll love one of these.

1. Daniel Boone: The Life and Legend of an American Pioneer

Struggle against the Shawnee defenders of Kentucky. Drawing from popular narrative, public record, documentation from Boone's own hand, and recollection gathered by 19th-century antiquarians, the author employs the methods of the new social history to produce a portrait that defines Daniel Boone and the times he helped shape.

2. Who Was Daniel Boone? (Who Was?)

Called the "Great Pathfinder", Daniel Boone is most famous for opening up the West to settlers through Kentucky. A symbol of America's pioneering spirit Boone was a skilled outdoorsman and an avid reader although he never attended school. Sydelle Kramer skillfully recounts Boone's many adventures such as the day he rescued his own daughter from kidnappers.

3. The Dangerous Book for Boys

The bestselling book—more than 1.5 million copies sold—for every boy from eight to eighty, covering essential boyhood skills such as building tree houses, learning how to fish, finding true north, and even answering the age old question of what the big deal with girls is—now a Prime Original Series created by Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) and Greg Mottola (Superbad).

In this digital age, there is still a place for knots, skimming stones and stories of incredible courage. This book recaptures Sunday afternoons, stimulates curiosity, and makes for great father-son activities. The brothers Conn and Hal have put together a wonderful collection of all things that make being young or young at heart fun—building go-carts and electromagnets, identifying insects and spiders, and flying the world's best paper airplanes.

4. Willy Whitefeather's Outdoor Survival Handbook for Kids

From treating a bee sting to building an overnight shelter, kids will gain the knowledge and confidence they need to survive outdoors.All ages

5. Daniel Boone: Frontiersman (Heroes of History)

Written for readers age 10 and up -- enjoyed by adults!In search of open spaces and land to call his own, Daniel Boone fearlessly led a band of brave settlers into the bountiful Kentucky wilderness. Daniel's expert hunting ability, incredible outdoor survival skills, and courage under fire helped his companions stay alive in a dangerous and unknown land despite threatening encounters with soldiers, Indians, and even other settlers.

6. History Pockets: Explorers of North America, Grades 4-6+

The book includes the following pockets:

Introduction to Explorers of North America
Christopher Columbus
John Cabot
Hernando Cortes
Jacques Cartier
Sir Francis Drake
Henry Hudson
Daniel Boone
James Cook
Lewis and Clark
John Wesley Powell

7. Daniel Boone: Trailblazer

Born in Pennsylvania in 1734, Daniel Boone cut a path west, carving his name into trees. Although he endured repeated property losses, he became a household name and was greatly admired for his surveying skills and the many claims he laid, opening the west for further settlement.

8. Survive & Thrive: A Pocket Guide To Wilderness Safety Skills, Plus 16 Quick-Check Skill Cards

Gear up for outdoor adventure, learn to stay alive, and help yourself thrive – feeling confident that you can handle whatever comes your way!

Accidents happen and nature can be unpredictable, which is why this ultra-portable survival kit is a must-have for casual nature explorers and slightly more adventurous campers in need of essential outdoor guidance that they can carry along with them.

9. Bear Grylls The Complete Adventures Collection 12 Books Set

Titles In This Set:The Blizzard ChallengeThe Desert ChallengeThe Jungle ChallengeThe Sea ChallengeThe River ChallengeThe Earthquake ChallengeThe Volcano ChallengeThe Safari ChallengeThe Cave ChallengeThe Mountain ChallengeThe Arctic ChallengeThe Sailing Challenge

10. Daniel Boone: Young Hunter and Tracker (Childhood of Famous Americans)

A general account of the life of the prominent American frontiersman who is especially remembered for helping to settle Kentucky

Then, add some of these ideas for learning about the Native Americans Daniel Boone interacted with.

5 Activities to Learn More about Boone’s Life

Locate Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio, and Ohio River Valley on a map.
Research what language the Shawnee spoke (Algonquian).
List 10 Tribes that would have been in the Northeast.
Find out what the primary crop of Native Americans was. (Corn)
Discover what Daniel Boone wore as a woodsman. (hint: it was not a coonskin cap)
Name the most famous Shawnee leader. (Tecumseh)

Then, here are a few more ideas for learning about the native Americans during the time Daniel Boone lived.

Native American Activities

Make DIY Cornmeal like the Native Americans.
Try carving arrowheads from soap.
Read the Algonquin legend- Rough Faced Girl.
Make corn husk dolls as the colonists learned from the Native Americans.
Here is a whole list of Eastern Woodland crafts like a dreamcatcher, moccasins, beading, and a medicine bag to recreate.

Facts About Native Americans

Native Americans primarily used bull-boats, rafts, kayaks, and American Indian canoes for fishing and as their water transportation for short and long distances.
Shawnee comes from the Algonquian word-shawum which means southerner.
In the early 1600s, Shawnees were spread throughout southern Ohio, West Virginia, and western Pennsylvania.
The Shawnees didn’t live in tepees, rather they lived in small round dwellings called wicks, or wigwams.
Native Americans cultivated many of the world’s most important crops like corn, beans, squash, potatoes, and tomatoes.
Native Americans were forcibly displaced from their homelands by the Indian Relocation Act in 1830.

Native Americans spoke more than 300 languages and maybe upwards of 500 but many have died out from years of assimilation.

More Daniel Boone Explorer Activities

Next, look at these Daniel Boone explorer resources.

Finally, look at how to make this fun Shawnee birchbark canoe craft.

How to Make a Shawnee Birchbark Canoe Craft

While Native Americans used several boats for water travel and fishing the birchbark canoe is often the one most shown.

Also, it’s not only a great activity to keep hands busy while you watch a video or read a book about Daniel Boone or the Native Americans, but it is also a great activity for building fine motor skills and learning a new life skill with a simple stitch.

You will need:

Craft foam
Large-Eye Blunt Needles
Embroidery Floss
Scissors
Markers
Blow dryer

Fold craft foam in half and crease.

Draw a rough canoe shape on the folded half and cut it out.

Thread a length of embroidery thread through the blunt needle and make sure it is enough for at least one side of your canoe.

Sew up each end using the blunt needle using a whipstitch.

This is the stitch that goes over the edge of the fabric instead of parallel along the edge like seen here.

Use markers to make short lines to recreate the birchbark look and draw your own unique symbol much like Native Americans may have decorated their boats to show what tribe they belonged to if you like.

To make the bottom of your canoe a little flatter you can heat up the bottom with a blow dryer for a minute or two then use your hands to press it flat until it cools.

You might have to do this a couple of times to get it molded just as you like. Fun!

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