hands-on activities

Fun Mosaic Art Lesson Plans Elementary | How To Make A Tray

July 7, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you want a unique art project, these mosaic art lesson plans elementary kids will love can be done with glass, paper, beans, and so many other mediums, even edible ones. Also, look at my page How To Homeschool Elementary Students Like A Pro.

For a beginner project this little mosaic tray is a good size and not too difficult while they are learning about the history of mosaics and how to use the materials.

You can create your tray in any size but I found this small one at Dollar Tree, just the perfect size for a first tile mosaic project.

Fun Mosaic Art Lesson Plans Elementary | How To Make A Tray

Mosaic art is an enriching activity that involves creating designs or pictures by assembling small pieces of colored materials onto a surface.

These materials can range from traditional tiles and stones to more accessible options like paper, buttons, or even pasta.

This hands-on art form not only sparks creativity and imagination but also fosters the development of essential skills such as fine motor coordination, hand-eye coordination, patience, and problem-solving.

Finally, through mosaic art, children can explore various concepts like color theory, patterns, and spatial relationships.

They learn to plan and execute their designs, carefully selecting and arranging the pieces to achieve their desired visual effect.

The process of creating a mosaic can be both therapeutic and rewarding, providing a sense of accomplishment and boosting self-esteem.

Next, look at more how to homeschool elementary students tips.

HOW TO HOMESCHOOL ELEMENTARY STUDENTS TIPS

Before we dive into our modern mosaic art lesson plans let’s take a look at the rich history of mosaics.

HISTORY OF MOSAICS

Mosaic art boasts a rich and fascinating history that spans thousands of years, with its roots tracing back to ancient civilizations.

Ancient Mesopotamia (c. 3500 BCE): The earliest known examples of mosaics hail from Mesopotamia, where artisans crafted intricate designs using stones, shells, and ivory. These mosaics often adorned temples and palaces, showcasing the wealth and power of the ruling elite.
Ancient Greece (c. 800 BCE): The Greeks further refined mosaic techniques, utilizing pebbles to create elaborate floor decorations known as “pebble mosaics.” These mosaics depicted scenes from mythology, everyday life, and historical events, adding a touch of artistry and storytelling to public and private spaces.
Roman Empire (c. 200 BCE – 476 CE): The Romans embraced mosaic art with great enthusiasm, employing it extensively to adorn the floors, walls, and ceilings of their villas, baths, and public buildings. They developed advanced techniques and utilized a wider range of materials, including colored glass and marble, to create stunningly detailed and realistic mosaics. Roman mosaics often showcased intricate geometric patterns, scenes from nature, and portraits of emperors and gods.
Byzantine Empire (c. 330 CE – 1453 CE): Byzantine artists elevated mosaic art to new heights, incorporating shimmering gold leaf and vibrant glass tesserae (small cubes) into their creations. Byzantine mosaics predominantly depicted religious themes, adorning the walls and ceilings of churches and cathedrals with awe-inspiring scenes from the Bible and the lives of saints.

In modern times mosaic art is still used to create beautiful works of art from trays to tables to walls and floors.

HOW TO MAKE A TRAY

You will need:

A wooden tray
Mosaic pieces
Adhesive
Grout
Trowel
damp sponge and cloth

If your tray is unfinished like mine you will want to first paint or stain it.

Plan out your design by loosely placing your tiles onto the surface you wish to cover.

Start with a simple design and work your way outward from the main design.Can you tell what the design is? A little goldfish swimming with a few bubbles coming out, hovering over the grasses underwater.

Fill in around the main design, leaving just a little bit of gap between the pieces for your grout.

Add a generous dollop of glue to each piece mosaic as you replace it back where you want it to go.

Allow the glue to dry.

Mix up your grout according to the package directions, you can use white or black grout but I love the drama of the colors next to the black grout.

Use a small trowel or scraper to add a thick layer of grout all over the design.

Let it sit for 10-15 minutes or whatever the package calls for.

Then use a damp sponge or towel to remove excess grout and clean up the tiles.

Wipe until the glass mosaic pieces are clean and fully showing.

Allow the grout to sit overnight to fully harden.

We decided our little tray made a pretty and functional holder for some of our paint supplies.

Next, look at these mosaic art lesson plans elementary.

MOSAIC ART LESSON PLANS ELEMENTARY

8 Mosaic Art Lesson Plans Elementary

The world of mosaics is a fun and creative way to make pictures using little bits of paper, glass, or tiles.

The Journey Through Time #2 Back In Time Ancient Rome Fun Mosaic

The Geronimo Stilton The Journey Through Time #2: Back In Time has your kids going back in time to Ancient Rome. If you love the Geronimo Stilton Books, you’ll love this craft which is making a fun mosaic.

Photo Credit: backyardsummercamp.com

Bean Mosaic Art Kids Craft Ideas

Make a bean mosaic using dyed beans for a fun and easy kids’ art project that’s sure to spark some creativity.

Fun Turkey Facts & How to Make A Mosaic Fall Craft

Learn how to make a mosaic fall craft turkey with your child. Also, look at my page Fall Season Free Unit Study and Lapbook.

Instead of the typical turkey handprint this year for a neat keepsake and decoration, your child will love this.

Photo Credit: www.kenarry.com

Mosaic Flower Pots: How To Make Broken China Mosaics

Learn how to make broken china mosaics using old plates.This step-by-step tutorial shows how to create mosaic flower pots for
succulents.

10 Kindergarten Fall Crafts and Craft Fun Bean Mosaics

Kindergarten fall crafts can be a fun way to introduce your child to a new art medium as well as fall themes. Also, you’ll love my pages Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum and Fall Season Unit Study {Pumpkins, Leaves, Corn, & More}.

Photo Credit: resincraftsblog.com

DVD Mosaic High Gloss Resin Tray

Isn’t this mosaic tray incredible? It’s so shiny and sparkly! Best part is that it’s a recycled craft! Do you have some old DVD’s laying around…like the ones that you burn yourself?

Persian Mosaic Craft Marco Polo Unit Study

Today we did a Persian mosaic craft for our Marco Polo Unit Study. This unit study really lends itself to a lot of hands-on and we are not going to skimp on any of it or until Tiny has had his fill. It is going to be a big unit study so we are slowing down
for this one.

Photo Credit: meaningfulmama.com

Froot Loop Mosaic Cookies

They are edible, and they taste good.” That’s when the idea came to make Mosaic looking Froot Loop cookies.

Best Homeschool History Curriculum Elementary: A Focus on Albert Nobel

July 6, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

The best homeschool history curriculum elementary is one that fits your child’s learning style. Also, look at my page How To Homeschool Elementary Students Like A Pro.

And while I can tell you what worked for us it may not be the same for you.

So instead, I am going to give you a general overview for different amazing and popular curricula with different, costs, periods in history, and approaches for you to decide what is best for you and your family.

Best Homeschool History Curriculum Elementary: A Focus on Albert Nobel

First, I wanted to also give you a fun and easy idea for studying an important invention and inventor from the industrial period of history- Albert Nobel. Then I have rounded up the best history curriculum elementary kids love toward the end of the post.

Yes, THE Albert Nobel of Nobel Prize fame that also contributed great things to the Industrial Revolution with his inventions of dynamite and blasting caps.

These works revolutionized construction, mining, and other industries, and contributed to the Second Industrial Revolution.

But it also came with a price that led to its use in weaponry.

Next, look at more how to homeschool elementary students tips.

HOW TO HOMESCHOOL ELEMENTARY STUDENTS TIPS

5 AMAZING ALBERT NOBEL FACTS

Next, look at these amazing facts about Albert Nobel.

Inventor of Dynamite- Alfred Nobel invented dynamite in 1867 as a safer and more manageable explosive than nitroglycerin. This invention made him very wealthy and one of the things he is most known for.
Established The Nobel Prize- The Nobel Prizes were created in Alfred Nobel’s last will in 1895, when he dedicated most of his fortune to fund the awards to honor those who had “conferred the greatest benefit to humankind” in five fields: Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, and Peace. The first was awarded in 1901.
Held Over 350 Patents-Nobel was a busy inventor with 355 patents to his name, covering explosives, synthetic materials, and more.
Born in Sweden, but he lived in many countries- He was born in Stockholm, Sweden in 1833 but spent much of his life in other countries, including Russia, France, and Italy.
Multilingual and Educated- In addition to being a world traveler he was fluent in Swedish, Russian, French, English, and German, and he was highly educated-particularly in chemistry and languages.

Then look at this dynamite craft.

DYNAMITE CRAFT: ALFRED NOBEL

You will need:

Empty paper rolls
Red tissue paper
Yellow or orange tissue paper
Black cord, string, or yarn
Black electrical tape
Craft glue

First, since toilet paper rolls are just in greater abundance than the longer paper towel rolls I am using those by taping two of them end to end.

I repeated this three times to make a bundle.

Cover the outside in glue, I tried a glue stick but found that using a paintbrush to coat the outside in school glue worked much better.

Wrap the glue-coated roll in red tissue paper leaving about 2 inches of overlap on each end.

Tape a piece of black string a few inches long on the inside of the paper roll.

Now add a bit of glue inside of both ends and tuck the paper end, be sure to pull out the black string.

Tear off a small piece of yellow or orange tissue paper, add a dab of glue.

Pinch it to the end of the string if you want your dynamite to be lit.

Bundle the three together and wrap with black electrical tape at the top and bottom.

Allow the glue to dry completely. Add living books to the curriculum.

Finally, look at this history curriculum for your elementary kids.

BEST HOMESCHOOL HISTORY CURRICULUM ELEMENTARY

Now here are a variety of history curriculum that are time tested and homeschool mom approved for every type of learner.

5 Best Homeschool History Curriculum Elementary

Look at some of these history curriculum for your kids. Add living books, hands-on activities, and games.

The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child: Volume 1: Ancient Times: From the Earliest Nomads to the Last Roman Emperor, Revised Edition

What terrible secret was buried in Shi Huangdi's tomb? Did nomads like lizard stew? What happened to Anansi the Spider in the Village of the Plantains? And how did a six year old become the last emperor of Rome?Told in a straightforward, engaging style that has become Susan Wise Bauer's trademark, The Story of the World series covers the sweep of human history from ancient times until the present. Africa, China, Europe, the Americas―find out what happened all around the world in long ago times. This first revised volume begins with the earliest nomads and ends with the last Roman emperor. Newly revised and updated, The Story of the World, Volume 1 includes maps, a new timeline, more illustrations, and additional parental aids. This read aloud series is designed for parents to share with elementary school children. Enjoy it together and introduce your child to the marvelous story of the world's civilizations.

A History of US: Ten-Volume Set (A ^AHistory of US)

Whether it's standing on the podium in Seneca Falls with the Suffragettes or riding on the first subway car beneath New York City in 1907, the books in Joy Hakim's A History of US series weave together exciting stories that bring American history to life. Readers may want to start with War, Terrible War, the tragic and bloody account of the Civil War that has been hailed by critics as magnificent. Or All the People, brought fully up-to-date in this new edition with a thoughtful and engaging examination of our world after September 11th. No matter which book they read, young people will never think of American history as boring again. Joy Hakim's single, clear voice offers continuity and narrative drama as she shares with a young audience her love of and fascination with the people of the past. This series is also available in an 11-volume set containing the same revisions and updates to all ten main volumes plus the Sourcebook and Index volume.

Photo Credit: store.homeschoolinthewoods.com

Project Passport World History Studies

Approach: Hands-on, unit study, lapbook & project-based

Strengths: Highly interactive with timelines, maps, crafts, cooking, audio tours, and lapbooks

Why It’s Great: Turns world history into an imaginative journey through time. Kids “travel” through ancient and medieval civilizations with engaging activities that suit kinesthetic and creative earners
Grades: 3–8

Notgrass Our Star-Spangled Story Curriculum Package Elementary Grade 1-4 History

Our Star-Spangled Story is the newest curriculum from Notgrass History! Designed for children in grades 1-4, this is a one year U.S. history course. It features simple lessons with easy-to-follow instructions, full-color photographs and illustrations, and engaging supplemental activities. Our Star-Spangled Story has a total of 90 lessons for use over one school year (30 units of 3 lessons each). All of the instructions for how to use the material are included in Part 1 and Part 2 so you do not need a separate Teacher's Manual. The daily instructions are very easy to follow. Each weekly unit has three lessons. Students can read the lessons on their own, or you can read the lessons aloud. Each lesson is filled with full-color photographs, illustrations, and artwork. Reading one lesson will take 10-15 minutes. At the end of each lesson is a list of suggested activities. These include singing a song or learning a dance in Rhythms and Rhymes, looking at the Timeline book, completing a Student Workbook page, reading from one of the recommended literature titles, answering review questions, or doing a hands-on activity. You can pick the activities that work best for your family.

Photo Credit: bfbooks.com

Early American History (K-3)

Approach: Charlotte Mason-inspired,
literature-based
Strengths: High-quality picture
books, gentle approach, notebooking
Why It’s Great: Uses real books to
teach history through inspiring stories; excellent for creative and
reading-loving kids.
Grades: K–6 (with different packs
for different levels)

3 Dinosaur Stem Activities Elementary Kids Will Love

July 5, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have 3 dinosaur stem activities elementary kids will love. Also, look at my page How To Homeschool Elementary Students Like A Pro.

Also, look at my post Awesome Preschool Dinosaur Unit Study With Kids Who Love Dinosaurs.

Engage young learners with the fascinating world of dinosaurs through these three hands-on STEM activities.

They are designed to encourage scientific inquiry, technological design, engineering skills, and mathematical thinking.

3 Dinosaur Stem Activities Elementary Kids Will Love

Too, dinosaurs are fascinating to learn about. And learning about dinosaurs is the perfect way to learn about STEM.

And when kids get hands-on learning the results are powerful.

For instance, hands-on activities like building a model fossil or digging up a DIY excavation site make abstract ideas tangible.

Next, look at more how to homeschool elementary students tips.

HOW TO HOMESCHOOL ELEMENTARY STUDENTS TIPS

DINOSAUR BOOKS FOR KIDS

Next add some of these books to dinosaur stem activities elementary kids will love.

15 Books for Kids Crazy About Fossils and Dinosaurs

Your dinosaur loving kids will love some of these books and resources for a fun dinosaur unit study.

Fossils Tell of Long Ago

What is a fossil? Sometimes it's the imprint of an ancient leaf in a rock. Or it could be the skeleton of a dinosaur that has turned to stone. With clear prose and beautifully detailed illustrations, award-winning author and illustrator Aliki describes the different ways fossils are formed and what they tell us about life on Earth long ago.

This is a clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. It includes a find out more section with a glossary and activity guide so kids can create their own fossils for someone to find a million years from now.

Dinosaurs! (New & Updated)

Gail Gibbons presents the most recent and up-to-date theories about the history of dinosaurs and dinosaur discoveries. She discusses the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods and the non-bird dinosaurs that lived during each time. Each dinosaur is explored in just the right amount of detail for young paleontologists, as this book brings these magnificent creatures to life again

Digging Up Dinosaurs (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

How did those enormous dinosaur skeletons get inside the museum? Beloved author-illustrator Aliki’s simple, engaging text and colorful artwork bring the long-extinct creatures to life for young dinosaur enthusiasts.

Long ago, dinosaurs ruled the Earth. Then, suddenly, they died out. For thousands of years, no one knew these giant creatures had ever existed. Then people began finding fossils—bones and teeth and footprints that had turned to stone. Today, teams of experts work together to dig dinosaur fossils out of the ground, bone by fragile bone

How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?

A playful peek into the homes of dinosaur babies and their parents at bedtime!How do dinosaurs say good night?Brimming with humor and familiar good-night antics, here is a playful peek into the homes of dinosaur children and their parents at bedtime. Perfect for sharing and reading aloud, this is one nighttime book your own little dinosaur will want to read again and again.

Dinosaur Roar!

A celebratory edition of this much loved classic picture book, now twenty-five years old. This rollicking rhyming text is a joy to read aloud, and the charming and colourful pictures will appeal to the very youngest dinosaur fans. Originally published in 1994, Dinosaur Roar! by Henrietta and Paul Stickland is now seen as a modern classic, a book that every preschool child should have.In the back of the book is a wonderful pull-out poster showing the dinosaur characters.The book carries the endorsement of the Earth Sciences Department at the Natural History Museum.

Dinosaur Bones

With a lively rhyming text and vibrant paper collage illustrations, author-artist Bob Barner shakes the dust off the dinosaur bones found in museums and reminds us that they once belonged to living, breathing creatures. Filled with fun dinosaur facts (a T. Rex skull can weigh up to 750 pounds!) and an informational "Dinometer," Dinosaur Bones is sure to make young dinosaur enthusiasts roar with delight.

Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs

A long time ago there were dinosaurs. Big dinosaurs and small dinosaurs. Dinosaurs with horns on their heads or spikes down their backs. Dinosaurs with long, long necks and long, long tails. Imaginatively and with a masterful use of color, shape and composition, Bryon Barton brings to life a unique and endearing vision of what the world may have looked like once upon a time.

A long time ago there was dinosaurs. Big dinosaurs and small dinosaurs. Dinosaurs with horns on their heads or spikes down their backs. Dinosaurs with long, long necks and long, long tails.Imaginatively and with a masterful use of color, shape and composition, Byron Barton brings to life unique and endearing vision of what the world may have looked like once up ona time.

Here We Go Digging for Dinosaur Bones

This STEM-friendly musical fossil dig will have dinosaur lovers singing along as they learn the science behind paleontology.

I Dreamt I Was a Dinosaur

If you could be a dinosaur, which would you be? Would you roar like the ferocious T-Rex? Or soar overhead like the pterodactyl? In this playful early-learning book, Stella Blackstone s lyrical, rhyming text takes readers on an unforgettable Jurassic journey, while fabric artist Clare Beaton recreates the prehistoric world of dinosaurs using a colorful array of felt, sequins, beads and buttons.

T Is for Terrible: A Picture Book

I am Tyrannosaurus Rex.

I am a dinosaur,

otherwise known as

a terrible lizard.

Tyrannosaurus rex is a terrible dinosaur; of this, everyone is certain. But is this dinosaur really so terrible? He IS very big and very hungry. True, he might even eat his neighbors for lunch. But from his point of view, he can't help it. After all, he's not a vegetarian . . .

The Shy Stegosaurus of Cricket Creek

Meet George. He's strong, as a giant dinosaur should be, strong enough to wreck a plane! (Of course he thinks it's his old enemy, the flying Pteranodon.) He's loyal. He'll do anything to help Joan and Joey save their mother's ranch at Cricket Creek, even chase a bank robber. He's shy. He's so shy he gets Joan and Joey into hilarious, dinosaur sized trouble!

The Magic School Bus in the Time of Dinosaurs

The classroom is decorated as Dinosaur Land, but Ms. Frizzle-inspired by an archeological dig-craves a more authentic experience. The Magic School Bus turns into a time machine and transports the class back millions of years to an adventure where they learn about dinosaurs, their habitats and diets, and even a Maiasaura nesting ground.

Fossils (A True Book: Earth Science)

Fossils are one of the most important tools we have for learning about long-extinct wildlife.

A True Book: Earth Science series presents fascinating facts and fun activities that will engage the budding earth scientist, while exploring the fields of geology, meteorology, ecology, and more. This series includes an age appropriate (grades 3-5) introduction to curriculum-relevant subjects and a robust resource section that encourages independent study. In the 4.6 billion years since Earth was formed, many plant and animal species have come and gone. Readers will discover how fossils are formed, how paleontologists search for them, and what kinds of information they can provide.

Paleontological Fossils Sample- Paleontology Trilobite Fossil, Scientific Amber Specimen

A box of ten fossils: A box of this paleontological fossil sample contains ten of fossils, including sea clam fossils, trilobites, ichthyodonts, porphyrites, copal amber, graptolites, nematodes, phylloceras, corals, and spirals. Fossil specimen of algae.

Ancient Fossils TOOB - Figurines: Dino Footprint, Giant Crab, Ammonite, Raptor Claw, T-Rex Tooth, Frog Skeleton, Sea Scorpion & More

Step into Prehistory: This Toob contains 10 expertly hand-painted mini figurines of ancient fossils, including a Dinosaur Footprint, Giant Crab, Ammonite, Raptor Claw, Fossilized Frog, Trilobite, T-Rex Tooth, Fossilized Fish, Dinosaur Skin, and a Sea Scorpion.

Kids learn best when they can touch, build, and experiment. Hands-on STEM activities allow them to see cause and effect in real time.

DINOSAUR STEM ACTIVITIES ELEMENTARY KIDS WILL LOVE

Now, look at these stem activities for elementary kids.

1. DINOSAUR FOSSIL DIG: UNEARTHING THE PAST

This activity introduces the basics of paleontology and the process of fossil discovery.

You will need:

Large container or designated area filled with sand or soil
Small plastic dinosaur skeletons or individual dinosaur bones
Brushes of different sizes (soft paint brushes, small cleaning brushes)
Magnifying glass
Small shovels or spoons
Small containers or trays for sorting discovered fossils
Optional: Small informational (flashcards) for different types of dinosaurs

Begin by discussing what fossils are and how paleontologists discover them. Show pictures or videos of real fossil digs to generate excitement.

Fill the sensory bin with material to create different layers of soil with sand, potting soil, small pebbles, etc.

Bury the plastic dinosaur fossils in the sand or soil, ensuring they are hidden at various depths.

Provide your child with brushes, magnifying glasses, and optional small digging tools. Instruct them to carefully excavate the “fossils” as if they were real archaeological finds.

Emphasize the importance of gentle brushing to avoid damaging the specimens.

Once a fossil is unearthed, encourage the children to examine it closely using their magnifying glasses.

Have them describe its shape, size, and any other notable features. If using informational cards, guide them in trying to identify the type of dinosaur the fossil might belong to.

For older children, provide notebooks or paper for the children to draw their discoveries and record any observations, such as the location where the fossil was found (if you created layers), its size, and any initial thoughts about what type of dinosaur it might be.

Discussion Questions:

Where did you find your fossils? Were some deeper than others?
What tools were most helpful for the excavation? Why?
What different types of dinosaurs (or bones) did we find?
What can we learn about dinosaurs from their fossils?
How is this activity similar to what real paleontologists do?

STEM Connections:

Science: Paleontology, fossils, adaptation, extinction, Earth’s history.
Technology: Tools used in excavation (real and simulated).
Engineering: Planning the excavation strategy, designing tools (if extended).
Mathematics: Measurement (size of fossils), counting the number of different fossils found.

Extension Activities:

Discuss the timeline of dinosaurs and different geological periods.
Research different types of fossils and how they are formed.
Create a display of the “discovered” fossils with labels.

2. DINOSAUR FOOTPRINT MEASUREMENT: TRACKS THROUGH TIME

This activity focuses on measurement, comparison, and drawing inferences from evidence, similar to how scientists study trace fossils like footprints.

Objective: To develop measurement skills, compare sizes, and understand how footprints can provide information about the size and movement of dinosaurs.

You will need:

Construction paper
Markers or paint to draw dinosaur footprints of various sizes and shapes (consider different types of dinosaurs like a large sauropod, a three-toed theropod, etc.)
Rulers
Non-standard measuring tools (e.g., blocks, toy dinosaurs)
Notebooks or paper and pencils for recording measurements
Optional: Pictures or diagrams of real dinosaur footprints

First, create a variety of dinosaur footprints on paper or cardboard. Ensure there are differences in size and shape to encourage comparison.

Cut out footprints.

Discuss how scientists study dinosaur footprints (trace fossils) to learn about how dinosaurs moved, their size, and even their behavior. Show pictures of real dinosaur tracks.

Provide rulers, measuring tapes, and non-standard measuring tools. Instruct them to measure the length and width of each footprint. Encourage them to use both standard and non-standard units.

You can also have your child order them from largest to smallest.

Have the child record their measurements in their notebooks or on the provided paper, noting which footprint they are measuring. Encourage them to label the footprints (e.g., Footprint A, Footprint B) or guess which dinosaur might have made it.