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The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine

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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

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

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

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

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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.

More Back to School Craft Ideas

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?

How to Make Easy Bath Bombs Back to School Craft

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Today your kids can learn how to make easy bath bombs back to school craft. Set your homeschool up for success by starting off with something fun. Also, look at my page The Dynamics of How to Homeschool Easily and Smarter for more tips and resources.

Enjoy a little science, art, math, and more while you make these homemade bath bombs with your kids for a little back to school routine fun.

They aren’t just for the kids though. Toss one in your next bath and ignore the banging at the door.

How to Make Easy Bath Bombs Back to School Craft

Bath bombs are easy to make.

And you definitely save a lot of money making them yourself at home, not to mention you can customize them for the season or occasion.

Back to School Craft for Kids

The back to school themed ones we’re making today, but you will want to tuck this tutorial away and revisit it to remake them anytime for gifts.

The kids will love making them and everyone appreciates homemade thoughtful gifts.

Besides being school themed, you can also match the scents to your needs. Need more calm in your day? Add lavender.

Want to focus? Peppermint and sweet orange will help.

Have headache that just won’t go away? Lavender, rosemary, and peppermint will help. Or, need a mood boost? Add lemongrass and sandalwood to your mix.

DIY Molds for Bath Bombs

In addition, you don’t have to make them in a special mold. Use whatever you have on hand like a cupcake pan or any silicone mold will do.

Just choose some of the oils I mentioned above for whatever you want to achieve relaxation, focus, calm, etc.

We are going to make fun paper themed ones.

Bath Bomb Ingredients

But first, look at these ingredients.

Throughout making these bath bombs ask lots of questions to draw out your child’s curiosity and practice some practical living skills.

For example, we only have a ¼ measuring cup clean, how can we get ½ cup of cornstarch? What happens when the water combines with the citric acid? What is that called?

Research what each ingredient adds to the bath bomb and what are the properties of each one? Which are acids, which are alkaline? We are learning everyday, craft time is no exception.

Begin by mixing together well the dry ingredients which are Epsom salt, baking soda, cornstarch, and citric acid.

How to Make Easy Bath Bombs Back to School Craft

Stir in coconut oil and make sure all dry ingredients are coated completely.

How to Make DIY Bath Bombs

Add your essential oils and stir. Then stir a little more to be sure its evenly disbursed.

How to Make Easy Bath Bombs Back to School Craft

Now spritz your mixture lightly with water. You want to go slowly here because water will set your reaction of the citric acid off before you are ready, spritz a bit, stir mixture, spritz, stir, repeat until it is just barely damp.

What you want here is for it to stick together when you squeeze it but not dripping wet.

If you don’t have a spray bottle on hand, you can add water with a teaspoon, dribbling a small amount at a time.

How to Make Easy Bath Bombs Back to School Craft

Press the mixture firmly into your mold. Because my rectangle molds are very large and meant for big bars of soap I only filled them halfway but made sure to press the mixture in well.

How to Make Easy Bath Bombs Back to School Craft

Allow to harden, overnight is best to be sure it is dry completely through

Once firm, remove carefully from mold and turn it over. With smooth side up, make blue horizontal lines and a single pink vertical line down the left side to emulate the look of notebook paper.

You could also write messages on the paper too if you want to take it a step further.

How to Make Easy Bath Bombs Back to School Craft

Store bath bombs in a cool dry place until ready to use.

How to Make Easy Bath Bombs Back to School Craft

Don’t stop with just making these bath bombs. Gift them to friends, fellow homeschoolers, co-op teachers, and you could even make them in a co-op session for a fun activity.

How to Make Easy Bath Bombs Back to School Craft

This is a great group activity for a large or small gathering. Bag them up individually for a really cute gift

Other Back to School Crafts:

60 Favorite Top Homeschooling Materials for Kindergarten

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Beginning to homeschool kindergarten can be daunting. So, having this list of homeschooling materials for kindergarten will start you on the right foot for kindergarten homeschool curriculum.

Beyond homeschool curriculum, you’ll want to set up your home for learning all over.

Too, if you have the right materials or supplies for homeschooling kindergarten, you can just about skip purchasing formal curriculum.

Plus, there are so many hands-on manipulatives, puzzles, books and supplies which can be used to teach in a play-based approach.

60 Favorite Top Homeschooling Materials for Kindergarten

Children this age learn best by play and not necessarily by formal curriculum.

I know it’s not the answer some moms want to hear, but hear my heart when I say there are so many formal years of homeschooling ahead.

Besides, it’s okay to have laid out curriculum because it can give you a birds eye view of how to teach.

Just don’t rush the learning stages at preschool or kindergarten and even into first grade by being overly formal.

So many of these learning materials can be used for years.

Especially if you have younger children or are expecting to grow a family, it’s worth investing in learning materials which will last years.

Get your money’s worth from them.

Kindergarten Homeschool Materials

And beyond what I have organized and listed below, you want to add these things to your collection.

  • Museum memberships
  • Some picture books like ones by Beatrix Potter, Curious George, and Five Little Monkeys to name a few.
  • And don’t forget a library card and
  • Think about buying secondhand cooking and baking items like measuring cups and bowls so they can be used for measuring or pretend play.
  • Don’t forget you already have your back yard for exploring or the local park.

Add audio books like The Very Eric Carle Treasury: The Very Busy Spider; The Very Quiet Cricket; The Very Clumsy Click Beetle; and The Very Lonely Firefly to your list.

Next, look at these items and materials to help with fine motor control.

Arts and Crafts for Homeschool Kindergarten

Arts and crafts supplies should make up a good part of your homeschooling materials.

Subscription Boxes for Kindergarten

Also, more and more subscription boxes have popped up over the last 10 years and they make teaching kindergarten absolutely fun and painless.

Instead of collecting all the supplies and materials, sometimes you just want to have things premade.

You’ll love some of these ideas below.

Subscription Boxes for Homeschool Kindergarten

If you choose the right subscription box it can bring learning to life with very little effort on your part. And it adds tons of fun.

Also, using manipulative and games for teaching helps learning to stick.

Children should not really tell the difference between playing and learning.

History, Geography, and Hands On Learning Ideas for Homeschool Kindergarten

Children this age love to learn about the world around them, but it doesn't have to be complicated.

Learning Games and Effective Curriculum for Language Arts and Math for Homeschool Kindergarten

Children this age learn best by games and there is hardly a subject that can't be learned though a game.

Kindergarten Games for Learning Skill Subjects

As I mentioned earlier there is more than enough time for formal learning.

At this age kids learn the skill subjects like language arts and math through games.

As their fine motor control is still developing, you want to strengthen their fine motor control through crafts.

I’ve rounded up things to help strengthen fine motor skills to prepare your child for lifelong writing.

Paper, Fine Motor Skills and Writing for Homeschool Kindergarten

Remember at the kindergarten level it's like writing with your big toe. This is the time to STRENGTHEN the fine motor skills through play, NOT learn how to write.

In addition, besides getting children outdoors, they need plenty of things to help them learn about the fascinating world around them.

Best Science Games, Hands-on Learning and Books For Homeschool Kindergarten

Science should be so fun at this age. Not only should kids get out of doors, but they should have plenty of opportunity to investigate with games and a variety of science materials.

Finally, puzzles train children to mind the details and to develop patience needed for learning.

Best Puzzles for Homeschool Kindergarten

60 Favorite Top Homeschooling Materials for Kindergarten

Other Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum Resources

Fun Upcycled T Shirt Library Tote Back to School Kids Craft

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This upcycled t shirt library tote back to school kids craft is so fun and sassy. And learning how to homeschool means we love visiting the library.

It is almost time for public school to ring back into session and for homeschoolers to come out of hiding.

If you are like most homeschooling moms, you make weekly runs to the library for chapter books ,reference books, read aloud books, audio books, and maybe even DVDS.

Fun Upcycled T Shirt Library Tote Back to School Kids Craft

 A good way to deal with that is to let everyone carry their own pile, but we aren’t going to run out and buy a bunch of tote bags are we?

Nope, not today. Today we are going to upcycle something you already have around the house.

Not only is this school craft idea inexpensive and easy but it’s cute and washable too.

When it gets dirty just toss it in the wash along with your next load and it’s ready to work again.

23 Favorite Read Aloud Books for Our Library Tote

From t-shirt to upcycled library tote makes a great co-op activity too.

Invite everyone to bring a favorite old t-shirt, supply some scissors, the directions, and everyone ends up with a great school craft idea to take home.

First, I’m sharing 23 favorite read aloud books for your newly created upcycled t-shirt turned library tote. I know you’ll find a favorite or two for your family.

23 Favorite Read Aloud Stories

You'll love adding some of these favorite read aloud stories to your homeschool day.

Read aloud books are such a fun way to bond as a family.

Fun Upcycled T Shirt Library Tote Back to School Kids Craft

Reading together improves comprehension and vocabulary in children.

Also, they can improve processing skills, increases their attention span, reduces stress, builds listening, communication skills and visualization.

How to Upcycle a T-Shirt

Now, let’s make this adorable library tote and you only need a few things to make this.

  • a t-shirt
  • fabric scissors
  • a bowl to use as a pattern for cutting
  • fabric chalk

Yes, just things that you already have in your house.

Grab your t-shirt and start by cutting off the sleeves, just inside the seam.

Fun Upcycled T Shirt Library Tote Back to School Kids Craft

And try to cut as evenly as you can but it’s handmade so if the edges are a bit rough it’s okay.

If younger children are helping or making their own, you will definitely have some uneven cuts and knots but that is the charm of their very own DIY project.

Fun Upcycled T Shirt Library Tote Back to School Kids Craft

Next, use a large bowl to draw a half circle around the neckline to make the opening larger.

You want the shoulder area to be somewhere between 3”-5” on each side to make it sturdy and comfortable handles.

The handles can be held with hands or looped over your shoulder.

Fun Upcycled T Shirt Library Tote Back to School Kids Craft

Cut this circle out of both sides of the shirt.

Too, you want to make sure you have a good pair of fabric scissors.

I like these, for most of our crafts because they work well, are comfortable, and are not too expensive.

Measure a line up about 3” from the bottom all the way across and mark it with chalk. The chalk line disappears with just a bit of wiping.

Now cut strips on both sides of the fabric up to this line all the way across the bottom of the shirt.

Make the strips about ¾” wide.

Fun Upcycled T Shirt Library Tote Back to School Kids Craft

Then, grab your first set of fringes and knot it, repeat with the second set of fringes. Continue all the way across the bottom.

Be sure to tie each knot tightly and securely to make sure that the bottom of your bag is sturdy enough to carry a pile of books.

Fun Upcycled T Shirt Library Tote Back to School Kids Craft

Other Back to School Craft Ideas

Alternatively, if you don’t want to have your knots showing you can turn the shirt inside out first and make your knots and then turn it inside right so they are hidden inside.

I like the fringe and didn’t want the bulk inside the bag taking up precious book space.

That’s it, your old t-shirt is ready to go live its best new life as a library tote.

Fun Upcycled T Shirt Library Tote Back to School Kids Craft

This bag is also great to tote whatever you need at a farmers markets, on nature walks, to the beach, co-op meetings, grocery shopping, or on road trips. 

Fun Upcycled T Shirt Library Tote Back to School Kids Craft

Finally, look at more fun activities.

More Back to School Craft Ideas