hands-on activities

How to Make a Homemade Electrical Switch

December 10, 2024 | Leave a Comment
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We are learning how to make a homemade electrical switch to get a better idea of how electricity works on a small scale. Also, look at my post 4 Weeks Free Physical Science Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas.

This activity is incredibly easy.

We’re creating a simple electric circuit and label each part using a kit that includes everything you need but first let’s learn about electricity.

How to Make a Homemade Electrical Switch

Electricity is like a river of energy that flows through wires, and it brings light, warmth, air conditioning, music, and power in general to our homes.

It’s the invisible force that makes our computers hum, our lights shine, and our refrigerators keep our food cold.

But have you ever wondered where this amazing energy comes from, how it works, and why it’s so important to be safe around it?

Let’s explore the fascinating world of electricity.

Electricity is a form of energy that comes from the movement of tiny particles called electrons.

These electrons are like super-fast race cars zooming around inside atoms, the building blocks of everything around us.

When these electrons get excited and start moving in the same direction, they create an electric current, like a river of energy flowing through a wire.

This current can then be used to power all sorts of things, from tiny light bulbs to giant machines.

WAYS TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY

Electricity can be generated in many ways, using a variety of energy sources. Some of the most common ways are:

Power Plants: These are like giant factories that use different sources of energy, like coal, natural gas, or nuclear power, to create steam.

This steam spins huge turbines, which are connected to generators that produce electricity.

Renewable Energy Sources: These are sources of energy that are naturally replenished, like the sun, wind, and water.

Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, wind turbines use the wind to spin generators, and hydroelectric dams use the force of flowing water to generate electricity.

Batteries: These are like portable power plants that store chemical energy that can be converted into electricity. Batteries are used in all sorts of devices, from flashlights to electric cars.

Once electricity is generated, it travels through a vast network of wires called the power grid. This grid is like a giant highway system for electricity, carrying it from power plants to homes, schools, and businesses.

The electricity travels at incredibly high speeds, reaching our homes almost instantly when we flip a switch.

When electricity reaches our homes, it flows through wires in the walls and ceilings to outlets and switches.

When we plug in a device or flip a switch, we complete a circuit, allowing the electricity to flow through the device and power it.

BOOKS FOR KIDS ABOUT ELECTRICITY

Next, look at these books about electricity.

I prefer to read living books when we can find them.

5 Electricity Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Learning about electricity is a fascinating subject for kids to learn about. Add one or two of these books to your home library.

Electronics for Kids: Play with Simple Circuits and Experiment with Electricity!

Why do the lights in a house turn on when you flip a switch? How does a remote-controlled car move? And what makes lights on TVs and microwaves blink? The technology around you may seem like magic, but most of it wouldn’t run without electricity. Electronics for Kids demystifies electricity with a collection of awesome hands-on projects.
In Part 1, you’ll learn how current, voltage, and circuits work by making a battery out of a lemon, turning a metal bolt into an electromagnet, and transforming a paper cup and some magnets into a spinning motor. In Part 2, you’ll make even more cool stuff as you:–Solder a blinking LED circuit with resistors, capacitors, and relays–Turn a circuit into a touch sensor using your finger as a resistor–Build an alarm clock triggered by the sunrise.

Switch On, Switch Off (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

Read and find out about electricity in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book.

It seems like magic! It's not—it's electricity. But how does a light actually work? In this clear and simple book learn all about electricity, how it's produced, and how it can be used.

At the end you'll learn how to conduct safe, fun experiments that will let you generate electricity yourself!

Electrical Circuit Experiment Kit White

Size: Battery case: ( L X W X H): 57 x 30 x 13 / 2.24 x 1.18 x 0.51inch.
Material: The mini bulb is a kind of tungsten wire bulb, made of glass, metal, insulation materials.
Application: Used for electrical experiments in primary and middle schools/home DIY circuit test.

Oscar and the Bird: A Book about Electricity (Start with Science)

Start with Science books introduce kids to core science concepts through engaging stories, fresh illustrations, and supplemental activities. When Oscar the kitten finds a tractor in a field and accidentally turns on the windshield wipers, he is full of questions about electricity. Luckily, Bird knows the answers! With the help of his friend, Oscar finds out how electricity is made and stored, which machines need electricity to work, and why we always need to be careful around wires, batteries, plugs, and sockets. Back matter includes an index and supplemental activities.

Nikola Tesla, Electrical Genius

Electrical engineer and inventor Nikola Tesla (1856–1943) was indeed an electrical genius. In language suitable for both young and old, author Arthur J. Beckhard describes all aspects of Tesla’s personal and professional life, including Tesla’s childhood and his education at primary school, at the Higher Real Gymnasium, and at the Polytechnic Institute; his years working for the telegraphic engineering department of Austria, then as an engineer in Paris, and then as an employee of Thomas Edison in America; his substitution of alternating current for direct current—a simpler and more economical method of converting electrical into mechanical energy; his rotary magnetic field, which was used in transmitting the power of Niagara Falls to nearby cities; his independent research at his own electrical laboratories in New Your City; and much more. Originally published in 1959 as part of Messner Publications' "Men of Science" series.

Also, look at these facts about electricity.

5 FUN FACTS ABOUT ELECTRICITY

The first person to coin the word “electricity” was William Gilbert in 1600.
Lightning is a natural form of electricity, and a single bolt of lightning can carry up to one billion volts of electricity.
The human body is a good conductor of electricity.
The electric eel can generate up to 600 volts of electricity.
The average American uses about 10,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year.

And look at more activities to go with our how to make a homemade electrical switch.

ELECTRICAL EXPERIMENTS TO EXPAND HOW TO MAKE A HOMEMADE ELECTRICAL SWITCH

Another fun way to explore electricity, currents, switches, and more is with a Snap Circuits kit.

A simple circuit needs at least 3 things- a circuit pathway (wires), a power source (battery) and load (lightbulb), a switch is also helpful to turn it on and off.

HOW TO MAKE A HOMEMADE ELECTRICAL SWITCH

You will need:

Electrical Circuit Experiment Kit
Hot glue gun/glue sticks
Cardboard or scrap board-optional

First, starting with a kit like this makes it easy but still gives kids a ground up learning experience.

Plus, as they learn to connect each piece and problem solve if something isn’t working right.

To begin with you want to make sure that the end of each wire is exposed, use wire strippers or carefully remove the coating with a knife.

Wrap the end of the exposed wire coming from the battery pack onto one contact point on the switch.

Attach the other wire on the battery pack by wrapping it around a contact point on the lamp holder.

Take a loose piece of wire and run it from the other contact point on the lamp holder to the other open contact on the switch.

Add batteries to the battery pack and flip the switch.

Now if you want you can mount the setup onto a piece of cardboard or wood by attaching the battery pack with a bit of hot glue on one end.

Tack the switch to the side.

Now to add a new layer of learning you can create labels on cardstock.

Have your child place them in the correct spot for each part of the simple circuit.

Explore Native American Culture: How to Make a Cherokee Rattle Craft

December 9, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Turn your everyday paper plates into a beautiful Cherokee rattle craft. Also, you’ll love my free Native American Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning.

Your child will enjoy it while you learn all about Cherokee customs, history, and who they were and are as a people.

I am a big fan of simple crafts using basic items that most of us keep on hand in our craft supplies (or at least in the kitchen).

Explore Native American Culture: How to Make a Cherokee Rattle Craft

A real Cherokee rattle is typically made from a gourd or turtle shell.

It was adorned with beads, feathers, and other decorations.

They are used in traditional Cherokee ceremonies and healing rituals, creating a sound that is both rhythmic and soothing.

It is often used in conjunction with singing and drumming.

And its sound is said to help create a connection between the physical and spiritual realms.

The Cherokee are a Native American tribe who have lived in the southeastern United States for thousands of years.

They are one of the largest Native American tribes in the United States, with over 300,000 enrolled members mostly in northeastern Oklahoma.

The Cherokee have a rich culture and history. They were once a powerful tribe, with a large empire that stretched across the Appalachian Mountains.

The Cherokee were known for their advanced farming techniques.

Also, they are known for their written language, which was one of the first Native American languages to be written down.

In the 1800s, the Cherokee were forced to leave their land in Georgia and Alabama and move to Oklahoma.

This forced removal, known as the Trail of Tears, was a terrible journey that resulted in the deaths of thousands of Cherokee people.

Despite the hardships they faced, the Cherokee survived and thrived.

Today, they have a strong presence in Oklahoma and other states across the country.

BOOKS ABOUT THE CHEROKEE FOR KIDS

The Cherokee are proud of their culture and heritage, and they continue to work to preserve their traditions and language.

Our rattle pays homage to their history and traditions but here are some other wonderful ideas to make your unit rich and full with hands-on activities, crafts, books, videos, and more.

Next, look at some books about the Cherokee.

When possible I prefer living books.

8 Cherokee Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Grab some of these books about the Cherokee to add to your reading list or to a unit study.

Cherokee, Indians of the Mountains

Tells of everyday life in the Cherokee Nation and how it changed with the coming of the white man

Talking Leaves

A work of historical fiction about Sequoyah and the creation of the Cherokee alphabet, from the acclaimed author of Code Talker Thirteen-year-old Uwohali has not seen his father, Sequoyah, for many years. So when Sequoyah returns to the village, Uwohali is eager to reconnect. But Sequoyah’s new obsession with making strange markings causes friends and neighbors in their tribe to wonder whether he is crazy, or worse—practicing witchcraft. What they don’t know, and what Uwohali discovers, is that Sequoyah is a genius and his strange markings are actually an alphabet representing the sounds of the Cherokee language.

Sequoyah and the Cherokee Alphabet

The story of one of the great leaders of the Cherokee nation... as well as the fascinating and disturbing story of cultural transformation and subsequent oppressive injustice that ended in The Trail of Tears.

The Apple Tree -- A Modern Day Cherokee Story Told in English & Cherokee (English and Cherokee Edition)

A Cherokee boy plants an apple seed, already seeing the apple tree it is meant to be. But the little apple tree is not so sure. Young and impatient, it begins to doubt its calling after apples fail to appear that first fall. How can the boy convince the tree to give the seasons the time to work their magic? The story is told in English with Cherokee translation, and includes a Cherokee syllabary.

Itse Selu: Cherokee Harvest Festival

Step back in time for a captivating glimpse of Cherokee life in pre-Columbian North America. Join Little Wolf and his family as they prepare to celebrate Itse Selu, the harvest festival. As night approaches the village, the magic of anticipation fills the air. The luscious feast, Grandfather's storytelling, and the sacred corn dance weave a magical tapestry of tradition.

The First Strawberries (Picture Puffins)

From an award-winning Native American storyteller comes this captivating re-telling of a Cherokee legend, which explains how strawberries came to be. Long ago, the first man and woman quarrelled. The woman left in anger, but the Sun sent tempting berries to Earth to slow the wife's retreat.

Grandmother Spider Brings the Sun: A Cherokee Story

After Possum and Buzzard fail in their attempts to steal a piece of the sun, Grandmother Spider succeeds in bringing light to the animals on her side of the world.

Only the Names Remain: The Cherokees and The Trail of Tears

From 1837 to 1838, thousands of Cherokee Indians were marched from their homelands in Georgia to exile in Arkansas by the same white men they has once befriended. The Cherokees journeyed through bitter cold and blazing heat, with little food or water. One out of every four died --- and with them died a culture that had existed for hundreds of years, a civilization that had existed for hundred of years, a civilization that had embraced the white man's ways only to perish through his betrayal. Today, only the names remain of this once great nation.

Then, look at more activities to go with the Cherokee rattle craft.

CHEROKEE ACTIVITIES, CRAFTS, AND RESOURCES

There is so much information and rich history in my Free The Trail Of Tears For Kids Fun Unit Study Ideas And Lapbook.
Make Corn Husk Dolls at home like Cherokee children would have played with long ago.
Get the Cherokee Rose coloring sheet with label. This flower was named for the people who were responsible for distributing the plant.
Learn the Cherokee language through free videos available on YouTube in multiple lessons.
Watch a short 5 minute video about the Cherokee with information on where they began as well as their life now.
Dive into other tribes like the Navajo by creating a pinch pot and compare various tribes’ ways of life.
Learn how to make a Wattle and Daub house perfect for housing plastic figures

Also, add some fun Cherokee facts to your learning day.

CHEROKEE FACTS TO KNOW

The Cherokee word for “hello” is “osiyo.” but there is no word for “goodbye” instead they say “donadagohvi,” which means “Until we meet again!”. I just love that.

Cherokee comes from a Muskogean word that means “speakers of another language”.

The Cherokee lived in wattle and daub homes.

Wattle and daub homes were framed with tree logs and then covered with mud and grass to fill in the walls.

They called themselves the Ani-Yunwiya, meaning “principal people”.

The Cherokee were the first Native American tribe to develop a written language, it was developed by Sequoyah one of the most famous members of the Cherokee tribe.

Finally, look at how to make a Cherokee rattle craft.

HOW TO MAKE A CHEROKEE RATTLE CRAFT

You will need:

Two paper plates
Beads
Craft feathers
Jumbo craft stick
string/yarn
markers
Hot glue gun/glue

First, on the convex side of the paper plates draw a design with Cherokee symbols or whatever you like, you could also draw the design to resemble a turtle’s shell.

Too, you could use paper bowls to get a different sized drum with a different sound instead of plates.

On the concave side hot glue a 6” string to either side.

Add a handful of beads or use beans to the plate to create the rattling noise.

Hot glue the jumbo craft stick to the bottom of the plate on one side.

Add beads to the string and feathers to embellish it.

If you add a bit of hot glue to the feather tips and push them into the bead it acts as a stopper for the end of the string. Trim off any excess string.

Quickly add hot glue all the way around the lip of the first plate and press the second one into place

The hand drum is ready.

Free 4 Week Minn of the Mississippi Unit Study

December 8, 2024 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a free 4-week Minn of the Mississippi unit study for kids. Look at these other Best Homeschool Unit Studies for more ideas and topics for hands-on learning.

I can’t wait to share this free 4-week Minn of the Mississippi unit study with you.

It is full of wonderful geography, science, language arts and more.

This children’s book by Holling C. Holling follows the journey of a snapping turtle named Minn as she makes her way down the Mississippi River.

First, Minn’s journey starts at the headwaters of the Mississippi River in Lake Itasca, Minnesota.

Then, her travels continue onto the Gulf of Mexico and she is eventually set free in Bayou Barataria near New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Mississippi River has the third largest drainage basin in the world, exceeded in size only by the watersheds of the Amazon and Congo Rivers.

It drains 41 percent of the 48 contiguous states of the United States.

Another point is that it allows for a great unit study that covers geography like map work and science topics such as animal study, environments like the river basin, ecology, and of course plenty of opportunity for language arts activities.

Too, you can easily use it as inspiration for art lessons as well.

Also, the book is recommended for ages 8-12 but I think it is very adaptable for a little younger or a little older with a few adjustments.

Living books are still a fantastic resource for your middle school kid, don’t exclude that age just yet.

First, you’ll need to grab your own copy.

Minn of the Mississippi

The book teaches geography, history, and earth sciences through an engaging story.

Minn of the Mississippi

The history of the Mississippi River Valley is told in text and pictures through the adventures of Minn, a snapping turtle, as she travels downstream.

Then, look at these math and language arts activities.

MATH & LANGUAGE ARTS MINN OF THE MISSISSIPPI UNIT STUDY WEEK 1

Next, this language arts activity is naturally built into the unit, it is simply to read aloud or have your child read the book independently.

Let’s work on print or cursive writing, wherever your child is and practice writing lines from the book.

Additionally, let your child choose a few sentences and use it as copywork.

In addition, review those vocabulary words!

It takes approximately 25 years for the story of Minn from the headwaters to the bayou in a Louisiana swamp.

For younger children, talk about seasons, how many days in a week, month, year? Weeks in a year, etc…

Have your child look up the definition and copy it down for each of the following vocabulary words below.

Suspense
Rapids
Shimmering
Shallow
Deserted

Have students use the scale on a map to measure distances between key locations along the river. For example, calculate the distance between cities like Minneapolis and New Orleans.
For your young learners, have them keep a tally sheet of animals found along Minn’s journey.

Learn about speed, rate and time. Look at this activity Exploring a Stream’s Flow Rate. Discuss how rivers can have different flow speeds.
Here is an easy activity for learning about water volume.
31-Page Free Lakes & Rivers Vocabulary Copywork

SCIENCE MINN OF THE MISSISSIPPI UNIT STUDY WEEK 2

Play Professor Noggins Reptiles and Amphibians, this game is amazing for families to play together as each card offers questions of varying difficulties.

Learn more about the Mississippi River by building a river model that includes characteristics unique to the mighty Mississippi.

This activity can be done over the course of a day or the whole week.

Have your child choose a river creature, like one mentioned in the book and research it. They can show you what they have learned via paper, or a diorama like this one about the Everglades.

Create a reusable felt food pyramid that can be pulled out and used to demonstrate the food chain in any habitat. For this one we will focus on river creatures. See below for the full instructions.

Food chain pyramids are five levels, known as trophic levels.

SCIENCE WEEK 2

Producers: First level, at the bottom which includes pond plants and trees that drop their leaves that break down into the water. For example, trees, lily pads, and underwater plants.
Primary consumers:Second level from the bottom is made up of herbivores that eat mainly plants. River primary consumers are freshwater crabs, snails, and insects.
Secondary consumers: The third level from the bottom is carnivores that eat herbivores, in our case frogs, fish, snakes, turtles.
Tertiary consumers: The fourth level up, made up of carnivores that eat other carnivores-raccoons and river otters.
Quaternary consumers: The fifth and final level at the top is made up of apex predators with no natural predators. For example this includes large predatory fish, alligators, and large birds like Herons.

Lewis & Clark – Mighty Mississippi book & Sediment Activity
Explore a snapping turtles diet
Understand how locks works. Watch this cool time lapse video.

Watch Snapping Turtles: Everything You Need to Know to see a real snapping turtle up close and learn more about them including the dangers they face.
20 Fish Species in the Mississippi River

HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY MINN OF THE MISSISSIPPI UNIT STUDY WEEK 3

Have your child locate and trace the Mississippi River on a map with their finger or a marker. This map of the river with town names gives a great overview of the path.

Or you can trace it along a scrunch map, these come in handy for a simple portable geography resource.

Then Build a River Model with the help of this video that demonstrates how water moves along the river system
In the story Minn is picked up and looked after by a Chipewa (Ojibwe) child, learn more about them with this book and recreate a wigwam, the style of homes that they lived in.

Label the Mississippi River states free worksheet
Research the Native American tribes that lived along the Mississippi River, such as the Ojibwe, Sioux, and Choctaw.

The headwaters of the Mississippi River start at Lake Itasca in Itasca State Park in Minnesota.

Find Minnesota on the map and have your child research some basic geographical facts about it using books or Google.

Abbreviation:MN
Capital:St. Paul
Biggest City: Minneapolis
Nickname:The North Star State
State Bird: Common Loon

Learn about what a river is and the parts of a river. A river is a body of water that flows across the land, usually starting from a high point, such as a mountain, and ending at a lower point, such as a lake or the ocean.

HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY STUDY WEEK 3

Riverbanks-Riverbanks are the sides of a river. Riverbanks can be made of different materials, such as sand, gravel, or rock.
Source-The source of a river is the place where it begins. This could be a spring, a glacier, or a lake. The source is often located at a high point, such as a mountain.
Tributaries-Tributaries are smaller rivers or streams that flow into a larger river. Tributaries help to increase the flow of water in the river and can also bring in sediment and nutrients.
Main Channel-The main channel of a river is the deepest and widest part of the river. This is where the water flows the fastest.
Floodplain-The floodplain is the area of land that is next to a river. The floodplain is often flooded during heavy rains or when the river overflows its banks.
Meanders-Meanders are bends in a river. Meanders are formed when the water in a river flows around obstacles, such as rocks or trees.
Oxbow Lakes-Oxbow lakes are crescent-shaped lakes that are formed when a meander is cut off from the main channel of a river.
Delta-A delta is a fan-shaped area of land that is formed at the mouth of a river. Deltas are formed when the sediment that is carried by the river is deposited in the ocean.
Estuary-An estuary is a wide, often funnel-shaped, mouth of a river where the seawater mixes with the freshwater from the river.

ARTS & CRAFTS MINN OF THE MISSISSIPPI UNIT STUDY WEEK 4

Draw or paint a model of a river system with watercolor, markers, or crayons.

A great art and geography as well as science lesson all rolled into one.

Younger children will enjoy Building a PlayDough River Habitat that will keep them busy for a long time as you read aloud.
I think kids of all ages would love this Fun Preschool Beaver Craft: Simple Projects for Little Hands.

River Painting Process Art for Preschoolers
While this is a life skill as well I am going to say this counts as a super cute art project as well, make Beaver Dam Cookies
Mississippi Crafts for Kids

OTHER BEST UNIT STUDIES

Felt River Food Pyramid

You will need:

5 sheets of felt-various colors
Plastic river animals
Scissors
Glue gun/sticks
Ruler

First, for the main piece that will serve as a base I recommend using a larger piece of felt , like the 12×18 sheets.

Measure a triangle 12 in across by 16 to 18 in tall using a ruler and pencil.

Cut out the triangle.

To create the different levels of the pyramid layer smaller pieces of felt behind it line them up where you would like them to be in Trace with a pencil.

Cut each level out leaving them slightly wider than the base piece.

Hot glue each strip down into its proper position.

Flip the entire thing over and trim everything up nicely and evenly with your scissors.

Now have your child layer each of the river animals where they fall on the food pyramid using whatever plastic animals you have on hand or you can print animals off the internet, cut out magazines, or use flashcards.

Unleashing Creativity: How to Make Your Own Eskimo Peg Doll

December 7, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Let’s create a single or an entire village of Eskimo peg doll people with just a little paint, felt, and pipe cleaners. Also, look at my Arctic and Inuit Unit Study Free Lapbook & Hands-On Ideas.

Also, I will include an array of books, videos, and more hands-on activities to create a fun and educational unit.

But first let’s learn more about the arctic people more commonly known as Eskimos and their way of life.

Unleashing Creativity: How to Make Your Own Eskimo Peg Doll

Eskimos, also known as Inuit, are a group of indigenous people who live in the Arctic regions of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Siberia.

They have adapted to the cold, snowy climate and have a rich culture and traditions.

They traditionally live in igloos, which are dome-shaped houses made from blocks of ice or snow.

Igloos keep Eskimos warm and protected from the wind and cold.

Eskimos wear thick, warm clothing made from animal skins.

For example, animal skins are caribou or seal. They also wear fur boots called mukluks to keep their feet warm.

And they eat a diet that is high in protein and fat, which helps them stay warm.

They eat a lot of fish, meat, and blubber (which is the fatty layer under the skin of whales and seals).

Their main method of transportation is dogsleds to travel across the snow and ice.

They also use kayaks, which are small boats made from animal skins, to travel on the water.

Eskimos have a rich culture and traditions.

They are known for their storytelling, music, and dance. They also have many festivals and celebrations throughout the year.

Many Eskimos still live a traditional lifestyle, but others have moved to towns and cities. They continue to face many struggles, such as climate change and the loss of their traditional lands.

But they are resilient people and work to preserve their culture and traditions in the midst of these modern times.

BOOKS ABOUT THE INUIT

Next, look at these books about the Eskimo.

We try to read living books when we can find them.

12 Arctic Books about People & Animals of the Arctic

Studying about the region of the Arctic is a fascinating topic. Grab some of these books about life in the Arctic and animals of the Arctic.

The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder

How do snow crystals form? What shapes can they take? Are no two snow crystals alike? These questions and more are answered inside this exploration of the science of snow, featuring photos of real snow crystals in all their beautiful diversity. Perfect for reading on winter days, this book by a nature photographer and a snow scientist will inspire wonder and curiosity about the marvels of snow. Snowflake-catching instructions are also included for aspiring young snow scientists!

In Arctic Waters

This arctic adaptation of “This is the House that Jack Built” follows polar bears, walruses, seals, narwhals and beluga whales as they chase each other around “the ice that floats in the Arctic waters.” Not only is the rhythmic, cumulative prose good for early readers; it is a pure delight to read aloud. The “For Creative Minds” section helps children learn how these animals live in the cold, icy arctic region.

Arctic Fox: Fascinating Animal Facts for Kids (This Incredible Planet)

Fascinating Animal Facts Arctic Fox Learn all about the amazing and adaptable Arctic fox. This small yet hardy creature survives in the harshest of environments!

This Incredible Planet series provides young readers with interesting information about the Earth’s most fascinating creatures.

Beautiful color photography makes each animal come to life. Learn about the Arctic fox’s habitat, diet, breeding, lifespan, behavior, threats, and so much more!

Over and Under the Snow

A wonderful winter book for kids from the author and illustrator of the beloved Over and Under series, now in paperback! Part of the acclaimed nature book series that includes Over and Under the Pond, Over and Under the Rainforest, and Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, this volume takes readers on a cross country ski trip through the winter woods to discover the secret world of animals living under the snow.

Animals in Winter (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science)

Read and find out about how animals cope with winter in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book.

This is a clear and appealing book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. Introduce kids to basic science ideas as part of discussions about the seasons and animals.

Have you ever seen a butterfly in the snow? Probably not. Butterflies can't survive cold weather, so when winter comes, many butterflies fly to warmer places. They migrate. Woodchucks don't like cold weather either, but they don't migrate; they hibernate. Woodchucks sleep in their dens all winter long. How do these and other animals handle the cold and snow of winter?

Read and find out in the proven winner Animals in Winter!

This is a Level 1 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores introductory concepts perfect for children in the primary grades.

The Inuit Thought of It: Amazing Arctic Innovations (We Thought of It)

Today’s Arctic communities have all the comforts of modern living. Yet the Inuit survived in this harsh landscape for hundreds of years with nothing but the land and their own ingenuity. Join authors Alootook Ipellie and David MacDonald as they explore the amazing innovations of traditional Inuit and how their ideas continue to echo around the world. Some inventions are still familiar to us: the one-person watercraft known as a kayak still retains its Inuit name. Other innovations have been replaced by modern technology: slitted snow goggles protected Inuit eyes long before sunglasses arrived on the scene. Andother ideas were surprisingly inspired: using human-shaped stone stacks (Inunnguat) to trick and trap caribou. Many more Inuit innovations are explored here, including: • Dog sleds • Shelter • Clothing • Kids’ stuff • Food preservation • Medicine. In all, more than 40 Inuit items and ideas are showcased through dramatic photos and captivating language. From how these objects were made, to their impact on contemporary culture, The Inuit Thought of It is a remarkable catalogue of Inuit invention.

Image for Mini Arctic Animals Figurines Set, Polar Animals Toy for Kids Plastic Arctic Reindeer,Walrus,White Whale,Polar Bear,Arctic Fox,Wolf Figures,

Mini Arctic Animals Figurines Set, Polar Animals Toy for Kids Plastic Arctic Reindeer,Walrus,White Whale,Polar Bear,Arctic Fox,Wolf Figures,

Tiny Animals Figures Party: 18 PCS Package include orca, walrus, white owl, reindeer, husky, 2pcs seal, 2pcs beluga whale, 2pcs arctic wolf, 2pcs arctic fox, 2pcs arctic rabbit, 2pcs polar bear figurines and igloo model.

Who are the Eskimos? Arctic People's Traditional Way of Life

Who Are The Eskimos is perfect for early to middle elementary students and makes a great addition to your library.

North: The Amazing Story of Arctic Migration

“A treat for middle-graders of an ecological bent.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review) At the top of our world is a huge wild place called the Arctic. In the winter, it is a cold and barren land, where few animals can survive. But when spring comes, it attracts animals from every corner of the earth. This lushly illustrated picture book celebrates the resilient wildlife and barren, beautiful landscapes of the Arctic Circle, tracing the awe-inspiring spring migration of millions of creatures to the Arctic and reminding the reader of the hardships and harmony of life in the wild.Back matter includes additional information about the arctic, a glossary, and an index.

Arctic White

When you live in the Arctic in winter, everything is a shade of white. A young girl looks around her home in the Arctic and sees only white, white, white...but one day her grandfather takes her on a journey through the tundra. And at the end of their cold walk across the ice, they find something special that brings color into their world.

Farthest North: The Incredible Three-Year Voyage to the Frozen Latitudes of the North (Modern Library Exploration)

In 1893, Fridjtof Nansen set sail in the Fram, a ship specially designed and built to be frozen into the polar ice cap, withstand its crushing pressures, and travel with the sea’s drift closer to the North Pole than anyone had ever gone before. Experts said such a ship couldn't be built and that the voyage was tantamount to suicide. This brilliant first-person account, originally published in 1897, marks the beginning of the modern age of exploration. Nansen vividly describes the dangerous voyage and his 15-month-long dash to the North Pole by sledge. Farthest North is an unforgettable tale and a must-read for any armchair explorer.

This Place Is Cold: An Imagine Living Here book

Can you imaging living in a place where it's so cold your breath turns instantly into tiny ice crystals that glitter in the sun? Where temperatures can drop fifty degrees below zero and even lower and the sun only comes out for a few hours per day? In This Place Is Cold readers will learn how people and animals survive in Alaska's ferocious cold, and how because of global warming this region is now in trouble. Vicki Cobb and Barbara Lavallee travelled the world together to research this groundbreaking geography series, that is now updated and redesigned to appeal to today's readers.

Next, look at some other crafts and activities to go with the Eskimo peg doll.

OTHER INUIT CRAFTS TO GO WITH THE ESKIMO PEG DOLL

Check out my Inuit of the Arctic: How Animals Survive Harsh Winters Fun Blubber Activity to go deeper into how arctic animals can withstand the cold.

If you are going to focus more on the animals or at least include Winter Craft Ideas for Kids Animals in Winter Fun Snow Slime

Watch Arctic Native Americans to learn more about the people, land, customs, and more.

If you want to study more about Inuit, the classic Julie of the Wolves Free Hands-on Arctic Unit Study is a great way to immerse yourself in the life of a girl living alone in the wilderness in the traditional way.

Who knew a basic wooden spoon could make such a cute DIY Wooden Spoon Eskimo Craft and Igloo Craft?

7 Easy Arctic Animals Crafts And A Narwhal Printable Packet

Arctic Winter Animal Craft Ideas: Make Your Own Felt Puppets

Make this Sugar Cube Igloo to go along with today’s Eskimo Peg Doll tutorial for a super cute playset sure to keep them busy.

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map + Free Map Flag Printable

Keep it simple but adorable with an Eskimo Craft With Paper Plate idea, what a sweet little face peering out of the fur.

How to Make Wooden Peg Easy Arctic Animal Crafts

Finally, look at how to make an Eskimo peg doll.

HOW TO MAKE ESKIMO PEG DOLLS

You will need:

Unfinished wood peg dolls
Paint/paint pens
Craft felt
Pipe cleaners
Scissors
Hot glue gun/sticks

First, paint the head and torso of your wooden peg dolls a darker shade of tan. Set aside to dry.

While you are waiting for the paint to dry you can begin making the warm clothing.

Cut a small half circle out of felt, measure it by wrapping around the head, this will become their hood.

Next cut a small rectangle of felt for the coat, measure it with the same tool, simply wrap it around the body and trim it to fit so it overlaps just a bit.

Hot glue pipe cleaner all around the edge for fur.

If you want a younger child to be able to create this on their own you can also use a strong tacky glue as well, it will just take longer to dry but no worries about burns.

Once your paint is dry on the peg doll you can use paint markers to add on features.

Allow this to dry thoroughly.

Add a little glue to the back of the head and press the hood into it, wrap it around, using the wire in the pipe cleaner to form and shape it.

Secure the sides with additional glue.

Overlap the hood with the rectangle you cut and secure to the body with glue, overlapping the front of the coat.

Repeat the process as many times as you like to create a couple, a whole family, or an entire village of Eskimo peg doll people.

Add a piece of white felt for snow and some plastic arctic animals and they are ready for eager imaginations.

Dive Into STEM Learning With An Exciting Jello Earthquake Experiment

December 6, 2024 | Leave a Comment
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The Jello earthquake experiment is a great way to learn about earthquakes and how they can affect structures. Also, look at my page Free Earth Science Lapbook & Unit Study Ideas.

It can be used to teach children about the different types of earthquakes.

And use it to teach the causes of earthquakes, and the effects of earthquakes on people and property as well as the importance of earthquake preparedness.

Dive Into STEM Learning With An Exciting Jello Earthquake Experiment

Earthquakes are a natural hazard that can cause widespread damage and loss of life.

They occur when there is a sudden release of energy below the Earth’s surface, which creates seismic waves.

These waves travel through the Earth’s crust and can cause the ground to shake violently.

Earthquakes can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

Tectonic plate movement: The Earth’s crust is made up of several tectonic plates that are constantly moving. When two plates collide, one plate may be forced beneath the other, causing an earthquake.
Volcanic activity: Earthquakes can also be caused by volcanic activity. When magma moves beneath the Earth’s surface, it can create pressure that builds up and eventually causes an earthquake.
Landslides: Landslides can also trigger earthquakes, especially if they occur in areas with unstable soil or rock.

Look at earthquakes from different viewpoints from measuring them with a seismometer to learning about engineering.

You can build structures that can withstand them with all the activities I have included as well as videos and books.

Of course, we have some cool facts to share while you put together the Jello earthquake experiment.

EARTH SCIENCE BOOKS FOR KIDS

Next, add some fun books to this activity.

When possible I prefer to add living books when I can find them.

9 Books for Kids Who Love to Read About Earth Science Topics

Add these books to your learning day to learn about various earth science topics.

The Story Book of Science (Yesterday's Classics)

The wonders of plant and animal life told with rare literary charm by Uncle Paul in conversations with three children. Besides such stories as the ants' subterranean city, the spider's suspension bridge, and the caterpillars' processing, he unlocks the mystery behind thunder and lightning, clouds and rain, the year and its seasons, and volcanoes and earthquakes. Suitable for ages 9 to 12.

Earthquakes (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

Some earthquakes are so small that you don’t even feel them, while others can make even big buildings shake. Learn why earthquakes happen, where they are most likely to occur, and what to do if one happens near you.

Now with updated text and art, this classic picture book describes the causes and effects of earthquakes (including a tsunami). This book features rich vocabulary and fascinating cross-sections of mountains, volcanoes, and faults in the earth’s moving crust.

This is a clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. The text and art were vetted by Dr. Roland Burgmann, Professor of the Department of Earth and Planetary Science at the University of California, Berkeley.

The First Book of the Earth

A republication of the 1958 book by Irene Sevrey with illustrations by Mildred Waltrip, The First Book of the Earth is an elementary level natural history book that was written during a time when children's books held a student's interest and imagination because they were "living" rather than simply based on factoids and vivid pictures. It is a wonderful introduction to the subject of geology and covers the earth as a planet in the solar system and the physics of how it circles the sun, thereby defining our days and years. It then moves on to describing the earth's origin as scientists understand it and takes up the topics of the earth's composition, its structure, molecular makeup, rock families, minerals, volcanoes and earthquakes, mountains and their formation, and how glaciers and rivers affect the shaping of the earth's surface. The book ends by briefly discussing dinosaurs and the possible aging techniques used to date the earth's age in terms of epochs or periods.

Rocks, Gems and Minerals: A Fully Illustrated, Authoritative and Easy-to-Use Guide (A Golden Guide from St. Martin's Press)

This handy identification guide to the most common kinds of rocks and minerals offers concise and fascinating information on:- Physical and chemical properties- Origins and geologic significance- Gems and semiprecious stones- How to find and collect specimens

Earth: An Intimate History

Beginning with Mt. Vesuvius, whose eruption in Roman times helped spark the science of geology, and ending in a lab in the West of England where mathematical models and lab experiments replace direct observation, Richard Fortey tells us what the present says about ancient geologic processes. He shows how plate tectonics came to rule the geophysical landscape and how the evidence is written in the hills and in the stones. And in the process, he takes us on a wonderful journey around the globe to visit some of the most fascinating and intriguing spots on the planet.

The First Book of Caves

A book about caves with drawings for young readers with a vocabulary list and definition at the end.

Rocks and Minerals: A Guide of Familiar Minerals, Gems, Ores, and Rocks (A Golden Nature Guide)

A guide to familiar minerals, gems, ores, and rocks enhanced by 400 full color illustrations. Provides much geological knowledge in how to look for surface forms, rocks, minerals etc. Includes information for the searcher and an useful list of clubs and organizations. Excellent bibliography and index.

A Whale of the Wild (A Voice of the Wilderness Novel)

For Vega and her family, salmon is life. And Vega is learning to be a salmon finder, preparing for the day when she will be her family’s matriarch. But then she and her brother Deneb are separated from their pod when a devastating earthquake and tsunami render the seascape unrecognizable. Vega must use every skill she has to lead her brother back to their family. The young orcas face a shark attack, hunger, the deep ocean, and polluted waters on their journey. Will Vega become the leader she’s destined to be?

Rocks, Rivers, and the Changing Earth: A first book about geology

A living book on the living earth. Told in a conversational style, the book discusses the topics of geology and provides ideas for investigations and demonstrations of the scientific principles. Illustrated throughout, this book is a favorite as an introduction to geology for young readers. This edition includes updated science information on plate tectonics and the structure of the earth.

Also, look at some facts about earthquakes.

6 EARTH SHAKING FACTS ABOUT EARTHQUAKES

The point where an earthquake starts is called the focus or hypocenter and the Earth’s surface directly above the focus is called the epicenter.
Earthquakes are measured using the Richter scale, which ranges from 1 to 10. This logarithmic, meaning that each whole number increase represents a tenfold increase in the amplitude of the seismic waves.
The largest earthquake ever recorded was a magnitude 9.5 earthquake in Chile in 1960.
Earthquakes can cause tsunamis, landslides, and other geological hazards which cause buildings and other structures to collapse.
The deadliest earthquake in history was the Tangshan earthquake in China in 1976, which killed an estimated 242,000 people.
Earthquakes are most common in certain areas of the world, such as along plate boundaries.

Also, look at these fun hands-on activities.

EARTHQUAKE EXPERIMENT ACTIVITIES

If you live in an area affected by earthquakes, talk about your plan during an earthquake, just like you would for fires, etc. Put together an earthquake kit with your child to have one hand should you ever need it.
Try a tasty lesson in How to Make an Edible Kindergarten Earth Science Tectonic Plate Activity to teach younger children.
Scientific America has simple lesson plans for Earthquake-Proof Engineering for Skyscrapers using LEGO, a favorite tool and toy in one.
Don’t forget to add in some great books like All About Earthquakes and I Survived the Great Alaska Earthquake, 1964 for a rich and full learning experience.
To learn more about the effect in and around the epicenter check out this Earthquake Epicenter Experiment.
Watch Earthquakes for Kids STEM | Learn why earthquakes happen and how to measure them.
Not only can you make your own model of an earthquake measurement device but you will find 10 Hands On Earthquake Activities | How To Make A Model Seismometer.
Check out this simple earth Science experiment on Plate Movement, Earthquakes to simply demonstrate the effects of earthquakes.

Finally, look at this fun Jello earthquake experiment.

JELLO EARTHQUAKE EXPERIMENT

You will need:

1 box of Jello
1 clear container
small objects, such as toy cars, buildings, or trees
A spoon
Mini marshmallows
toothpicks

First, prepare the Jello according to the package directions.

The Jello represents the ground which moves during an earthquake.

Pour the Jello into the clear container and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

Once the Jello is set, place the small objects on top of it.

Use the spoon to gently shake the container.

Observe what happens to the Jello and the small objects.

As you shake the container, the Jello will begin to jiggle and wobble.

This is similar to what happens to the ground during an earthquake.

The small objects on top of the Jello will begin to move and may even fall over.

This is because the earthquake waves are causing the ground to shake.

Now, our goal is to build a structure from marshmallows and toothpicks that will hold up to that movement.

Have your learner design and construct buildings out of toothpicks and marshmallows, allow this to be an open ended activity so they can work out for themselves which holds up better- a shorter or taller structure? A square or a more tapered one? At which height is the structure no longer stable?

Offer different sized toothpicks and marshmallows to give your child more variety for building.

Be sure to have your child record their findings in their science notebook from the variables to the results of the jello earthquake experiment.

hands-on activities

WAYS TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY

BOOKS FOR KIDS ABOUT ELECTRICITY

5 FUN FACTS ABOUT ELECTRICITY

ELECTRICAL EXPERIMENTS TO EXPAND HOW TO MAKE A HOMEMADE ELECTRICAL SWITCH

HOW TO MAKE A HOMEMADE ELECTRICAL SWITCH

BOOKS ABOUT THE CHEROKEE FOR KIDS

CHEROKEE ACTIVITIES, CRAFTS, AND RESOURCES

CHEROKEE FACTS TO KNOW

HOW TO MAKE A CHEROKEE RATTLE CRAFT

MATH & LANGUAGE ARTS MINN OF THE MISSISSIPPI UNIT STUDY WEEK 1

SCIENCE MINN OF THE MISSISSIPPI UNIT STUDY WEEK 2

SCIENCE WEEK 2

HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY MINN OF THE MISSISSIPPI UNIT STUDY WEEK 3

HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY STUDY WEEK 3

ARTS & CRAFTS MINN OF THE MISSISSIPPI UNIT STUDY WEEK 4

OTHER BEST UNIT STUDIES

Felt River Food Pyramid

BOOKS ABOUT THE INUIT

OTHER INUIT CRAFTS TO GO WITH THE ESKIMO PEG DOLL

HOW TO MAKE ESKIMO PEG DOLLS

EARTH SCIENCE BOOKS FOR KIDS

6 EARTH SHAKING FACTS ABOUT EARTHQUAKES

EARTHQUAKE EXPERIMENT ACTIVITIES

JELLO EARTHQUAKE EXPERIMENT

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