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Survival to Inspiration The Swiss Family Robinson Book | Brick Book

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The Swiss Family Robinson Book is a classic tale of a family lost at sea and the adventure that is born from survival. Also, you’ll love more ideas on my post Swiss Family Robinson Unit Study.

Having read The Swiss Family Robinson Book as a child and then again in my own homeschool I can attest to it being a wonderful piece of literature that should not be missed!

I have a fun craft that can be used to show off your love of books whether you have a garden, walkway, or just a small plot of book bricks.

Survival to Inspiration The Swiss Family Robinson Book | Brick Book

They are a lovely way to brighten up an area and trust me while I may be creative, I am no artist and if I can do it I know that you can too.

This craft can be done by any age, especially with help but I think you will find that middle and high school is the sweet spot for this one.

I also have a handful of questions to go along with the story to help everyone remember what was read.

More Resources for Learning About Swiss Family Robinson & Survival Activities

Books for Learning About The Swiss Family Robinson

Also, you’ll love reading these books to go with your study of Swiss Family Robinson.

8 Books & Resources for Learning About The Swiss Family Robinson

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

Book Questions

  1. Who is the author of the Swiss Family book? Johann Wyss
  2. What are the names of the Robinson children? Franz, Fritz, Ernest, Jack
  3. Who narrates the Swiss Family Robinson Book? Father
  4. Where are the Robinsons traveling from? Switzerland
  5. Where are the the Robinsons traveling to? New Guinea
  6. What day of the journey did the storm hit the boat? The 6th day
  7. Name 3 animals that the Robinson’s brought from the boat. Dogs, chickens, cows, sheep, pigs, ducks, geese.
  8.  How did the family reach the island? They tied tubs together to make a boat.
Survival to Inspiration The Swiss Family Robinson Book | Brick Book

You can pick up 8×4 pavers at your local home and garden store for around .50 a piece so it’s affordable to do an entire library around your garden if you wanted.

How fun would it be to make one for every read aloud you do together as a family?

How to Make a Brick Book The Swiss Family Robinson Book

First, decide if you want to try to copy your book closely or if you just want to create your own interpretation inspired by the book cover.

I did a little of both here, not going for an exact replica.

One thing I have found that makes simple paintings look better is to use 2 or 3 colors for most things rather than everything being a flat color- sky, wood, greenery, etc.. all look better with different shades of the same color.

You will need:

Survival to Inspiration The Swiss Family Robinson Book | Brick Book

The first thing you want to do is give your brick a good dry scrub to remove any dust and dirt to prepare the surface for painting.

If you use water to scrub your brick, that’s absolutely fine, but you won’t need to give it a few days out in the sun to dry thoroughly.

If desired, you could first paint the entire brick with a spray primer.

I don’t usually do this and I have pretty good success as long as I clean it to begin with and seal it afterwards.

Paint three edges of the brick white, over lap a bit onto the wider surfaces to be sure its covered edge to edge. Allow it to dry and give it another coat.

These will be the exposed pages of your book.

Survival to Inspiration The Swiss Family Robinson Book | Brick Book

Now paint your main color, covering the “front” and “back” of the book as well as the spine”.

If you keep a damp cloth handy you can use it for any paint mistakes. I did a sky to sand combination. Allow this to dry completely.

Survival to Inspiration The Swiss Family Robinson Book | Brick Book

Grab an assortment of the paint colors you need for your version and a variety of paintbrushes, as well as paint pens.

I find for writing and small details these are easier to use than tiny paint brushes.

The Swiss Family Robinson Brick Book

Begin creating the largest piece of your cover by painting it on, for me that was the tree and the treehouse front and center, I layered 2 colors of green to make it more interesting and create depth.

Survival to Inspiration The Swiss Family Robinson Book | Brick Book

Layer on more elements like the treehouse.

Because it was important to show the family of 5 but difficult to get tiny details with the texture of the brick I chose to make them faceless with enough detail to make it obvious.

 I used the thicker end of a paint pen to make a dot for each face.

Survival to Inspiration The Swiss Family Robinson Book | Brick Book

And then went back with colored paint pens to draw on hair, clothing, etc…layering details as  I went.

If you make a mistake it is very easy to cover with paint, dry, and redo it.

Allow to dry before moving on.

Depending on the background colors you may need to write your book title in black or white, to make mine pop I wrote it with a white paint pen and then outlined it in black.

Survival to Inspiration The Swiss Family Robinson Book | Brick Book

Don’t forget to add the title of the book down the spine as well.

The final artistic step is to draw lines along the edges of your book to resemble pages.

Survival to Inspiration The Swiss Family Robinson Book | Brick Book

Give your finished book brick 2 coats of a matte sealer to protect it.

It’s ready. Place it in your garden or walkway.

You can create as many book bricks as you like to brighten up any area of your yard.

Survival to Inspiration The Swiss Family Robinson Book | Brick Book

7 Fun Sacagawea Facts For Kids | How To Make Lewis & Clark & Sacagawea Peg Dolls

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have 7 Sacagawea facts for kids. Also, you’ll love the ideas on my page Lewis and Clark Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook.

Too, I have a neat tutorial for how to make Lewis & Clark and Sacagawea peg dolls to add to your lessons, and a few more ideas to boot to make it full and fun.

Sacagawea was one of the most important influential women in the early development of America.

7 Fun Sacagawea Facts For Kids | How To Make Lewis & Clark & Sacagawea Peg Dolls

She led the Corp of Discovery for Meriwether Lewis and William Clark as they explored the new land purchase.

Thomas Jefferson put together the Corp of Discovery to learn about the flora, fauna, and peoples of the area acquired in the Louisiana Purchase.

And he needed a guide to help with identifying these things as well as acting as an interpreter.

An amazing and strong woman, Sacagawea, traveled so far from home as the only female in the party, and with a newborn baby too!

She makes a great study topic for boys and girls alike, such an inspiration.

Kids Books About Sacagawea | Lewis and Clark

14 Lewis and Clark | Sacagawea Exploration Unit Study Resources

Lewis and Clark is one of the most significant periods in American history and you can spend weeks exploring the lands and people west of the Mississippi with these fun books and resources.

Moreover look at these facts about Sacagawea.

7 Fun Sacagawea Facts For Kids

  1. Sacagawea was born to a Shoshone Indian chief in what is now known as Idaho. 
  2. She was just 16 years old when she led the Lewis & Clark expedition as an interpreter and guide for the 8,000-mile journey.          
  3. The young Shoshone woman carried a newborn, her first child, on the journey in a cradleboard.          
  4. Sacagawea identified edible plants for the explorers, helped set the tone for peaceful meetings with various tribes, guided the group through unfamiliar terrain, interpreted, and was able to make moccasins and other clothing as well.
  5. Lewis & Clark considered her so important to their journey that they gave her an equal vote in the expedition’s decision to camp near present-day Astoria, Oregon, for the winter of 1805.
  6. A famous quote of Sacagawea is “Everything I do is for my people.” maintaining a positive relationship with the Hidatsa and Shoshone tribes   was important to her.
  7. At the end of the year-long journey her husband Charbonneau received 320 acres of land and $500.33 for his service to the corp. Sacagawea herself received no compensation.                                                                                                                                                                      
7 Fun Sacagawea Facts For Kids | How To Make Lewis & Clark & Sacagawea Peg Dolls

Before we get to today’s tutorial, I found a few more wonderful crafts and activities to highlight Sacagawea and Lewis & Clarks place in history.

Lewis & Clark and Sacagawea Crafts and Activities

7 Fun Sacagawea Facts For Kids | How To Make Lewis & Clark & Sacagawea Peg Dolls

Also, look at my Lewis and Clark Lapbook with coloring pages.

Finally, look how to make these adorable Sacagawea peg dolls.

“Amazing the things you find when you bother to search for them.”— Sacagawea

How To Make Lewis & Clark & Sacagawea Peg Dolls

These simple peg dolls are a wonderful art project and can be used in dioramas, block centers, storytelling baskets, and more as you learn about Sacagawea and the Corp of Discovery.

You will need:

  • Wood peg dolls
  • Small scrap of felt
  • Craft paint
  • Paint pens
  • Hot glue gun/stick
  • Craft stick
  • Small paint brushes
  • Clear spray sealer
7 Fun Sacagawea Facts For Kids | How To Make Lewis & Clark & Sacagawea Peg Dolls

First, here are the simplest steps I have found to paint several peg dolls at once.

Cut a ½” piece of a craft stick off one end.

7 Fun Sacagawea Facts For Kids | How To Make Lewis & Clark & Sacagawea Peg Dolls

Paint a small unfinished wooden peg doll tan at the head and a lighter cream/tan from the shoulders down.

Give it a little black hair on top and tiny dots for the eyes.

Lewis & Clark & Sacagawea Crafts

Set aside to dry.

Paint the heads and halfway down the body a rich warm tan for Sacagawea and lighter shade for Lewis & Clark, the large peg dolls, allow it to dry to the touch.

7 Fun Sacagawea Facts For Kids | How To Make Lewis & Clark & Sacagawea Peg Dolls

Use a darker tan for buckskin clothing on all 3 figures, a dress for her and brown “suits: for the men with white shirts beneath.

Paint on hair, add a long black braid to Sacagawea and use either the handle tip to dot on eyes or a fine tipped paint pen.

7 Fun Sacagawea Facts For Kids | How To Make Lewis & Clark & Sacagawea Peg Dolls

Use the smallest brush you have to add details like fringe and decoration to her dress, a bag and book for the guys, buttons, etc.

Set aside to dry. Keep it simple, add a few small details that help highlight the time period.

I looked up images and Lewis had more gray hair and Clark had reddish hair.

7 Fun Sacagawea Facts For Kids | How To Make Lewis & Clark & Sacagawea Peg Dolls

Hot glue the baby (tiny peg doll) to the small piece of craft stick.

Wrap a bit of brown felt around it and hot glue it in place to create a cradleboard.

7 Fun Sacagawea Facts For Kids | How To Make Lewis & Clark & Sacagawea Peg Dolls

Now hot glue the cradleboard to Sacagawea’s back, how cute is this little guy?

Once all the paint is dry take them outside and cover them in 2 coats of matte sealer to keep the paint more durable and likely to chip off.

7 Fun Sacagawea Facts For Kids | How To Make Lewis & Clark & Sacagawea Peg Dolls

Free Titanic Activity | Unlocking The Mystery Of Iceberg Science

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some fantastic free Titanic activity ideas. Also, look at my page RMS Titanic Unit Study and Free Lapbook.

We are unlocking the mystery of iceberg science by making a mini iceberg model.

The Titanic was sunk because it collided with an iceberg on the 14th of April 1912 in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Free Titanic Activity | Unlocking The Mystery Of Iceberg Science

This supposedly unsinkable ship was taken out by a piece of ice floating above the water, or was it?

We will dig a little deeper into icebergs and how one managed to do the impossible.

The truth is that only about 10% of an iceberg is visible above the surface of the water, with the rest being below the waterline.

Here is where the phrase ”the tip of the iceberg” came from.

The Titanic took most of its damage in the lower decks which was a result of the massive portion of the iceberg below the water surface.

First, look at some of these books and resources about the Titanic.

Books for Kids About the Titanic

10 Resources and Books to Learn About the Titanic

Add a few of these unit study resources to bring your unit study to life about the Titanic.

About Icebergs

We will dig a little deeper into icebergs and how one managed to do the impossible.

The truth is that only about 10% of an iceberg is visible above the surface of the water, with the rest being below the waterline.

Here is where the phrase” The tip of the iceberg” came from.

The Titanic took most of its damage in the lower decks which was a result of the massive portion of the iceberg below the water surface.

If an iceberg is formed in salt water (the Titanic was in freshwater) the seawater is more dense than fresh and this means that the ice floats a little higher.

Icebergs are chunks of freshwater ice that are larger than 16 feet across that form on land and float in an ocean or lake.

They come in all sizes and shapes, as small as an ice cube to massive ones that are the size of a small country.

Currently the world’s largest iceberg is named A23a and it is roughly three times the size of New York at 1,312 feet thick, and almost 1,544 square miles in area.

Wow that is an impressive piece of ice floating near Antarctica.

You can learn more about the difference between icebergs and glaciers in Julia Rothmans Ocean Anatomy.

Free Titanic Activity | Unlocking The Mystery Of Iceberg Science

This is the kind of reference book that will last throughout years of your homeschooling journey and be a fantastic resource for lots of ocean themed topics.

Moreover, add these fun Titanic activities to our unit study.

5 Free Titanic Activity Ideas

  1. Grab my Free Titanic Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas to dive deep into a Titanic unit that won’t be forgotten.
  2. How fun does this Titanic Diorama Project with Lego Cast & Crew look? What a great way to extend the learning about this event.
  3. Learn How to Draw The RMS Titanic with a few simple step by step instructions in this video.
  4. I love when you can incorporate multiple subjects in a topic like with this TITANIC MATH GAME: COOPERATIVE BOARD GAME FOR CHILDREN 4-12.
  5. Watch Titanic For Kids: Bedtime History is less than 10 minutes long and full of information, photographs and more.
Free Titanic Activity | Unlocking The Mystery Of Iceberg Science

Finally, look at this iceberg science activity.

Unlocking The Mystery Of Iceberg Science

Supplies:

  • Gallon freezer bag
  • Water
  • Clear glass bowl or container
  • ruler
  • LEGO

First, fill the bag ½ to ¾ of the way full with water.

Free Titanic Activity | Unlocking The Mystery Of Iceberg Science

Place in the freezer, rather than laying mine flat I built it up into an unusual shape by propping it on and around frozen vegetables etc.

You will need to freeze it overnight or longer to make sure it is solid all the way through.

Free Titanic Activity | Unlocking The Mystery Of Iceberg Science

While you are waiting for your ice block to freeze your child can build a replica Titanic using LEGO or any other items you like to add to your experiment.

Free Titanic Activity | Unlocking The Mystery Of Iceberg Science

Use a large deep glass bowl or container that allows you ice block to float.

Fill ¾ full with cold water.

Lower the ice block in.

Free Titanic Activity | Unlocking The Mystery Of Iceberg Science

Notice that a portion of the ice is above the water and the majority beneath.

To extend the learning a bit:

  • Let your child use a ruler to measure just how much is on either side.
  • If there is space add your LEGO created titanic.
  • Research the makeup of icebergs, the largest, smallest, and oldest.
Free Titanic Activity | Unlocking The Mystery Of Iceberg Science

10 Ancient History Card Games for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If your child thrives on hands-on learning here are some ancient history card games that they will love. Also, look at my page Kids History Games for more fun history game ideas.

These 10 games cover different areas of ancient history in a fun way that gets kids excited about learning.

And truth be told they really just think they are enjoying a game night (or afternoon) with the family.

10 Ancient History Card Games for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning

Some are ready to go games to purchase and a few are free to print and simple to set up options from around the internet.

Card games are great because they are easy to take wherever you go to your co-op, waiting in restaurants, or even on a picnic to the park. 

They are also great for teaching strategy, problem solving, concentration, attention, critical thinking, and encouraging socialization.

Ancient history spans all continents inhabited by humans from 3000 BC – AD 500.

There were 10 major civilizations of ancient history during this period, each making contributions to art, science, government, and culture.

They were spread from the Fertile crescent to the Americas and here is a breakdown of each for you to use as you move through teaching about ancient history.

Ancient History Timeline

Mesopotamia

  •  Sumerian Civilization-4th millennium BCE – 2nd millennium BCE
  •  Akkadian Empire- 24th century BCE – 22nd century BCE
  •  Babylonian Empire-18th century BCE – 6th century BCE
  • Assyrian Empire-25th century BCE – 7th century BCE

Egypt           

  • Early Dynastic Period-31st century BCE – 27th century BCE
  • Old Kingdom-27th century BCE – 22nd century BCE
  • Middle Kingdom- 21st century BCE – 17th century BCE
  • New Kingdom- 16th century BCE – 11th century BCE

Indus Valley Civilization      

  • Mature Indus Valley Civ.-26th century BCE – 19th century BCE

China           

  •  Xia Dynasty-21st century BCE – 17th century BCE
  • Shang Dynasty-17th century BCE – 11th century BCE
  • Zhou Dynasty- 11th BCE – 3rd century BCE
  • Qin Dynasty- 3rd century BCE – 2nd century BCE
  • Han Dynasty- 3rd century BCE – 3rd century CE

Greece        

  • Mycenaean Civilization-17th century BCE – 11th century BCE
  • Archaic Period-8th century BCE – 6th century BCE
  • Classical Period-5th century BCE – 4th century BCE
  • Hellenistic Period-4th century BCE – 1st century BCE

Ancient Rome          

  • Roman Kingdom-8th century BCE – 5th century BCE
  •  Roman Republic-5th century BCE – 1st century BCE
  • Roman Empire-1st century BCE – 5th century CE

Persian Empire        

  • Achaemenid Empire-6th century BCE – 4th century BCE
  • Parthian Empire-3rd century BCE – 3rd century CE
  •  Sasanian Empire-3rd century CE – 7th century CE
10 Ancient History Card Games for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning

Maya Civilization      

  •  Preclassic Period-2000 BCE – 250 CE
  • Classic Period -250 CE – 900 CE

Aztec Empire

  • 14th century CE –16th century CE

Inca Empire  

  • 15th century CE –16th century CE

Also, to add more fun to your history card games, look at the links below.

Fun Ancient History Card Games

Next, look at these ancient history card games to add fun to your unit study.

10 Ancient History Card Games for Kids

Hands-on history makes learning stick and adding these cards to your history homeschool days will help kids make a connection.

Free Ancient Greece Go Fish Game – Ancient Greece Unit Study

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have a free Ancient Greece Go Fish Game. There’s not a better way to start back to our Ancient Greece unit study than playing a game. Also, look at my second free Ancient Greece Lapbook and you’ll love my page History Games for more fun ideas. This is my first Ancient Greece lapbook and unit study.

Because there is so much to cover about Ancient Greece, I have now created Ancient Greece Lapbook 2 and this game is part of that free download.

Free Ancient Greece Go Fish Game - Ancient Greece Unit Study

So, today I am sharing my free Ancient Greece go fish game.

I have created some history cards to play Go Fish! Want to play?

But first, look at some of these books about Ancient Greece.

A book and a game and you’re set for the day.

Kids Books about Ancient Greece

Besides when you add living books it can make history come to life.

8 Living History Books about Ancient Greece

You'll love this roundup of living history books about Ancient Greece.

Ancient Greece Go Fish Game

You know how I feel about hands-on history. If there is a way to learn history that way, I’ll teach it that way.

The cards have more facts about Ancient Greece that I want Tiny to know.

Games are so much more engaging than a worksheet (uggg).

Don’t get me wrong, I believe worksheets have a place, but a game makes facts fun and easy to remember.

Too, though Mr. Awesome 2015 never minds playing with Tiny, he won’t always be around.

Free Ancient Greece Go Fish Game - Ancient Greece Unit Study

Hands on History

So in adapting this and upcoming games for an only child, this game can be played like memory match up, simple memorization or I can even play with Tiny.

Besides, these game cards can be added to our lapbook.

Also if you love hands-on learning don’t forget that Home School In the Woods have some beautiful units.

I’ll probably end up making a pocket for the cards. Do you want one to store them in? I am thinking yes.

Don’t forget too that this is my third time around studying Ancient Greece, so grab my first lapbook here and Ancient Civilization here .(Minoan and Mycenaean civilization)

Hope you luv this hands-on fun and printable game.

Free Ancient Greece Go Fish Game - Ancient Greece Unit Study. Download this FREE Go Fish Printable Card game to teach your kids about Ancient Greece. It’s a fun hands-on history printable game. When finished playing, add to their Ancient Greece Lapbook. Gab the Ancient Greece Lapbook too. CLICK HERE to download it!

More Ancient Greece Hands-on Activities

How to Get the Free Ancient Greece Lapbook 2 & Go Fish Ancient Greece

Now, how to grab the free lapbook and Go Fish Ancient Greece Game. It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) Sign up on my email list.

2) Grab the freebie.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Free Ancient Greece Go Fish Game - Ancient Greece Unit Study. Download this FREE Go Fish Printable Card game to teach your kids about Ancient Greece. It’s a fun hands-on history printable game. When finished playing, add to their Ancient Greece Lapbook. Gab the Ancient Greece Lapbook too. CLICK HERE to download it!

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Free Ancient Greece Go Fish game

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