hands-on

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

December 8, 2022 | 1 Comment
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Growing a seed activity for kindergarten science is one of the easiest and delight science experiments with kids. Also, grab my other tips, ideas, and crafts for kindergarten on my page Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum.

A seed activity for kindergarten is a great way to introduce your child to life science.

For this science experiment, I wanted to keep it simple while also letting the kids fully see the seed as it sprouts.

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

Too, by not being hampered by soil or being tucked inside a paper towel your kids will be amazed at the growing stages.

For this seed experiment we are going to investigate if seeds need darkness to sprout.

Begin by explaining that seeds need the proper temperature, moisture, air, and light conditions to germinate.

But they do not require being covered in soil.

Let’s investigate if the light or dark makes a difference.

You can keep activities simple and still learn so much by investigating life around you with your child.

A Seed is Sleepy Activity

In addition, I based this experiment off the book A Seed is Sleepy.

Aa beautiful picture book that is a great science reference book for preschoolers to middle elementary students.

The illustrations are rich and the snippets of information it provides give a lot of great information for young learners.

Also, below you will see a list of some other books you can use as well

Books About Seeds for Kids Science

Even picture books can be used with older learners.

5 Fun Books About Seeds

Children of all ages love activities about seeds. Add a few of these books to your learning day or use as a unit study.

A Seed Is Sleepy: (Nature Books for Kids)

This gorgeous book from award winning artist Sylvia Long and author Dianna Hutts Aston offers children a beautiful and informative look at the intricate, complex, and often surprising world of seeds. Poetic in voice and elegant in design, the book introduces children to a fascinating array of seed and plant facts, making it perfect reading material at home or in the classroom.

Seeds Move!

Every seed, big or small, needs sunlight, water, and an uncrowded place to put down roots. But how do seeds get to the perfect place to grow?

A Seed is the Start

Meet seeds that pop, hop, creep, and explode in this vividly illustrated introduction to the simplest concepts of botany.

From Seed to Plant

With simple language and bright illustrations, non-fiction master Gail Gibbons introduces young readers to the processes of pollination, seed formation, and germination.

Go Seed, Grow!

Through wind, drought, fire, and water, a seed can be one of the most tenacious miracles on the planet. A seed is life, and life always finds a way. Follow how a seed magically beats the odds time and time again, to transform the world.

Then, look at more seed activities here or choose several and make it a great seed unit study.

Hands-on Seed Activities

Make Wildflower Seed Bombs to plant.
Plant a small container with one or two seeds and track the plant’s growth once it bursts out of the soil.
Learn How to Easily Make Fun Seed Tape With Kids.
Check out this tutorial on How to Make a Fun Kids Root Viewer.
Have a Green Bean Investigation.
Figure out How to Easily Garden Plan With Kids Using LEGO to plot it out.
Look at Easy Seed and Gardening Unit Study for Kids to get some more ideas.
Buy several packages of inexpensive seeds and let your child sort, compare, and investigate them. Research the types by looking in books or online to find out what each seed will become.
Another similar experiment to this one is testing what temperature seeds like best to grow in is found at What Temperature Do Seeds Like Best and
Try out the Do Seeds Need Their Coat Experiment.

You can also use the book to investigate other types of seeds besides fruit and vegetables.

Go on a nature walk and collect pinecones, acorns, seed pods, and flowers to investigate.

More Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum

Look at these other resources.

Then, look below at how to do this easy science activity.

Before you begin the experiment, have your child make a hypothesis as to what they think will happen?

Will both sprout? Which will sprout faster?

If they can, write down their answers so they have the opportunity to see their words in print.

Let your child do as much of this as possible so they have ownership in the experiment.

Help your child create a small booklet by stapling together half sheets of paper.

For example, staple down one side to bind to record the different steps in the experiment with words or just their drawings.

Explain that you want to try and keep everything the same in the experiment except for the one thing which is light and dark so that your results are accurate.

Easy Grow a Seed Activity

You will need:

Seeds (radishes are a quick sprouting seed)
2 containers
Black paper
Paper towels
Water

Directions:

Grab two of the same containers, whatever you have laying around will work, cleaned out yogurt containers, paper cups, etc.

Then, fold a paper towel so that it is small enough to fit in the bottom.

Soak the paper towel and place a few seeds on each damp paper towel in your cup.

Cover one cup completely with black construction paper.

Next, place both in a sunny window. Explain that you want to keep everything the same except for one.

Check both every 24 hours.

Usually at this time they are completely or almost dried out so you will need to rewet the paper towels. Take care not to disturb the seeds.

Here is what our experiment looked like at the start.

After 24 hours, there was really no difference yet in either cup.

At 48 hours we could see a tiny sprout bursting out of the seeds which were covered with the dark paper but nothing on the one exposed to light.

After 72 hours there is an obvious sprout from several seeds in the dark cup.

Also, at this point we noticed that one of the seeds in the cup which was covered finally started to germinate but just a tiny bit.

Look how much has happened with the covered seeds after just 3 days.

It’s clear that seeds need the darkness to sprout.

After the experiment is done you can transplant your seedlings to soil for planting in the garden once they are large enough.

About Astronomy and Space Science Fun Quick Unit Study

December 7, 2022 | 3 Comments
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Learning about astronomy and space science is a fun quick study. Sometimes you want to study about science without having to dig too deep. Add it to my Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for a fun study and look at m page Best Homeschool Unit Studies.

When learning about astronomy and space in general there is a vast amount to cover.

About Astronomy and Space Science Fun Quick Unit Study

Everything from stars to space dust, the mapping out of the milky way to UV rays.

I have gathered up some resources to help you build a unit study on astronomy and space science for all ages.

5 Questions and Answers for Kids about Astronomy and Space

First, let’s break it down a bit by answering some questions that may help your student better understand what and why of space sciences.

1. Is there a difference between space science and astronomy?

Yes. Space science boundaries include everything which happens from our outer part of the atmosphere to the edge of the solar system (our heliosphere).

But astronomy or astrophysics does not have boundaries. It is past the atmosphere and into the entire universe.

2. What exactly does astronomy entail?

We know it’s all about space but what exactly does that include?

Astronomy is the study of everything in the universe beyond Earth’s atmosphere. This covers objects we can see with our naked eyes.

For example, objects like the sun, the planets, comets and the stars.

It also means objects we can only see with telescopes or other instruments, things like galaxies far away.

3. Why are astronomy and space so important to us here on earth?

Because astronomy is used to measure time, mark the seasons, and help us to navigate the oceans.

Also, it helps us to know where we came from and to understand space sciences on different atmospheres.

4. Where did the name astronomy come from?

Astronomy was originally called astrology.

Both astrology and astronomy have Greek roots, the prefix astro-means “star.” The suffix -ology means “knowledge” or “science”

5. How many sub-fields is astronomy broken into?

There are 4 sub-field and they are:

Astrophysics: Applying the laws of physics into space.
Astronomy: The mapping of celestial bodies.
Astrology: Examining rocks, terrain, and space materials.
Astrobiology: The search for life outside of Earth.

This isn’t an exhaustive list just some that jumped out at me.

Additionally, these subfields are then broken into 17 different branches:

Astrophysics
Astrobiology
Astrogeology
Astrometry
Physical cosmology
Solar Physics
Observational Astronomy
Radio Astronomy
Optical Astronomy
Ultraviolet Astronomy
X-ray Astronomy
Gamma-ray Astronomy
Cosmic Astronomy
Planetary Astronomy
Solar Astronomy
Stellar Astronomy
Galactic Astronomy

About and Astronomy and Space Books

Next, books are always my favorite place to start when putting together must have resources for a unit study.

This collection begins with a biography on Neil Armstrong.

11 Astronomy Resources & Books

Add one or two books to your unit study or use one as a spine for studying about space.

The Planets

From the burning surface of Venus to the freezing darkness of Neptune, Gail Gibbons takes children on a tour of our planetary neighbors—which are very different from each other in size, shape, orbit, and even weather.

The Planets

With her bestsellers Longitude and Galileo's Daughter, Dava Sobel introduced readers to her rare gift for weaving complex scientific concepts into a compelling narrative. Now Sobel brings her full talents to bear on what is perhaps her most ambitious topic to date-the planets of our solar system. Sobel explores the origins and oddities of the planets through the lens of popular culture, from astrology, mythology, and science fiction to art, music, poetry, biography, and history. Written in her characteristically graceful prose, The Planets is a stunningly original celebration of our solar system and offers a distinctive view of our place in the universe.

Who Was Neil Armstrong?

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon and, to an audience of over 450 million people, proclaimed his step a "giant leap for mankind."

Find the Constellations

Containing star charts, a guide to the constellations, and details about seasons and the movement of the objects we see in the sky, this classic book makes H. A. Rey’s passion for astronomy evident on every page.

New updates concentrate on the planetary and solar system information in the latter part of the book. Facts and figures for each planet have been revised, and new scientific information has been added, such as Pluto’s reclassification as a dwarf planet.

Where Is Our Solar System?

Our solar system consists of eight planets, as well as numerous moons, comets, asteroids, and meteoroids. For thousands of years, humans believed that Earth was at the center of the Universe, but all of that changed in the 17th century. Astronomers like Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, Johannes Kepler, and Isaac Newton proposed the unthinkable theory that Earth and the other planets actually revolved around the Sun.

Signs and Seasons Understanding the Elements of Classical Astronomy

Gorgeous. Worth every penny! Signs & Seasons is an introduction to “Classical Astronomy,” the traditional, historical approach to the sky, as had been practiced from ancient times. The biblical basis for astronomy

The Mysteries of the Universe: Discover the best-kept secrets

Space is so much bigger than young minds can fathom and there is always more to learn. The Mysteries of the Universe is a stunning space encyclopedia for young readers to explore, with reference pages packed with fascinating information, little learners will be captivated as they journey through the vastness of the Universe.

Basher Science: Astronomy: Out of this World!

Like a Facebook for the universe, Astronomy gives every important celestial body and concept its own page, where readers can learn its behaviors, likes, and dislikes up close and personal. From the flashy stars to the shadowy and strange objects that hang out like loners at the edges of the universe, no player goes unnoticed.

Stargazer's Guide to the Night Sky, The

The Stargazers Guide to the Night Sky offers everything you need to explore the remarkable beauty of the stars, moon, and planets. Dr. Jason Lisle, a research scientist with a masters and Ph.D. in astrophysics provides a very thorough, practical and easy to read resource to fuel the curiosity of amateur astronomers ages 10 to 100.

Solar System Puzzle Wooden Space Toys for Kids

【Planet Toys for Kids】Our wooden solar system puzzle is the PERFECT CHOICE for you and your kids as it is made from natural wood, vivid planet patten with well designed. This preschool learning activities is suitable for 3+ years kids and represents the perfect activity to learn through play!

Solar System Planetarium - DIY Glow In The Dark Astronomy Planet Model

The Solar System Planetarium set teaches children about the wonders of the solar system. Just assemble, paint and learn.

This set includes planets, stencils, squeeze glow paint pen, rods, string, a fact filled wall chart and 10 sets of Kidz Quiz questions.

Furthermore, here are some videos your kids will love.

Videos are a great addition to unit studies to give kids independent learning time and they can be used for all age levels.

In addition, don’t forget to include a few fun nonfiction and fiction movies for enjoyment.

Drawing comparisons between real and imagine is a fun teaching tip.

Get to Know Your Galaxy SciShow Kids
What’s Up In Space The Solar System Kids Series
Explore the Solar System SciShow Kids
The Martian Prime Video
Secrets of The Universe
Planets of our Solar System Homeschool Pop
Hidden Figures Prime Video

In addition, games are a fun way to spice up your learning day.

Games and Additional Resources

Games can create a warm family bond while you use them to teach a certain subject but also strategy, improve memory, focus, sometimes math, reading skills, and critical thinking.

Games and Resources for Astronomy

Games can bring to your boring learning day.

Space Memory Game for Boys & Girls

What you get – space memory game comes with 48 tiles and instructions.

Fun play experience - you can play a game in 5 minutes, and it's perfect for 2 - 8 players ages 3 and up, Which makes this a perfect children's gift and other special occasions.

Easy to understand instructions – space memory comes with a clearly written instruction manual that's easy to understand - you can start playing right away!

Late for the Sky Space-opoly

For 2-6 players

Traditional play or one-hour version

Great family fun

10 Out Of-This-World Toy Figurines, Including 2 Astronauts, 1 Space Chimp, 6 Space Craft

I like to use Safari Ltd Toobs, they are my weakness. I encourage kids to use them in their dioramas but I can also put them in a basket to introduce a new study or include them as part of a sensory bin. They can even be put on top of a treat like a cupcake used to decorate a cake as part of your lessons.

Another important part of learning are hands-on activities.

Hands-on Astronomy and Space Activities

Look at these hands-on activities.

Get out and explore the night sky in your own backyard, take a blanket into the backyard, turn off whatever lights you can and enjoy the beauty of the night sky.

This image of the moon is one I was lucky enough to capture with a tripod and long-range lens.

Make an Easy Straw Rocket and get everybody outside for some fresh air to launch them again and again.

Make Astronaut Ice Cream to enjoy together while you talk about the different food astronauts have to eat in space.

Younger Children will enjoy creating a Puffy Paint Moon but you can challenge older kids to do it as well and see how realistic an image they can come up with.

Make marshmallow constellations and enjoy a tasty snack while you teach and grab my free astronomy pages for older kids.

Recreate the phases of the moon using oreos, paint, paper, or whatever medium you choose depending on your child’s level. Don’t assume your older children don’t want to do it, sometimes they long for simpler activities.

Finally, here is another huge list in my Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages.

Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest – Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts

December 4, 2022 | 1 Comment
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Today is Wildlife Conversation Day. And we’re learning about wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest. Be sure you grab my Amazon Rainforest unit study and free lapbooks.

Two of the most easily identifiable birds are the parrot and the toucan.

Both birds are bright with distinctive colors.

Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest - Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts

This easy paper plate craft is a great early elementary activity to go along with your rainforest unit study.

Also, I really enjoy including beautiful quality books.

Add in activities not only during a specific science study or project but pull them out during an art project to reference.

Science doesn’t only have to be taught during science.

Fun Bird Resources

A wonderfully illustrated book like The Big Book of Birds can be brought out to investigate.

In this case, look at the colors of the birds, the shape of their beaks and talk about their habitat and habits.

Naturally, your child will pick up so much information as you read the little snippets aloud as they look at the pictures.

These Exotic Bird Toobs from Safari LTD are also a fantastic addition to your rainforest study.

Too, you get a great variety of birds including a toucan and a blue and gold macaw.

If you want a little more variety instead of just birds they also have a rainforest one with different animals

Rainforest Activities

Check out my 3 free Rainforest Lapbooks.
Try Amazon Rainforest Theme Gross Motor With Afternoon in the Amazon.
Make a rainforest diorama.
Create a fun pineapple candle.
Study resources like –Chocolate Grows in The Rainforest.
Enjoy some fun sensory play with Jungle Slime.
Learn about the resources we get from the rainforest like chocolate, bananas, medicines, and more.
Visit a pet store and see a parrot in person.

This cutie is a Sun Conure which is a small parrot.

Fun Facts About Birds of the Rainforest

All macaws are parrots, but not all parrots are macaws.
Of the 3,800 species found in the rainforest, 1,300 of them are bird species.
Birds of the Amazon Rainforest eat a variety of foods including leaves, fruits, nuts and insects.
Of the 18 species of Macaws in the Amazon Rainforest, several are currently on the endangered list and some species may already be extinct.
A toucan’s bill has been adapted to crush and saw the food that it eats such as fruits and nuts.
The parrot uses its beak as an additional hand to assist in climbing up trees so it can locate harder to reach food.
Out of the four layers of the Amazon Rainforest, the majority of birds live in the canopy layer.
Rainforest birds range from tiny hummingbirds to large macaws.
Screaming and loud vocalization is the way wild parrots and other birds communicate with one other.
The loudest bird in the Amazon Rainforest is the male white bellbird.

Other Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest Resources

Then, add some more activities below.

Finally, look below to make a macaw and toucan bird.

How to Make a Red Macaw Parrot and Toucan Craft

You will need:

3 paper plates
Craft paint
Craft feathers
Google eyes
Paintbrushes
Glue
Scissors

First, for the red macaw parrot, cut 2 paper plates in half.

Paint 3 of the halves entirely red, and for the final half it will be half red and half yellow.

Allow the paint to dry completely.

Cut one of the red halves in half again to create wings.

Glue the red and yellow plate (which is the head and beak) perpendicular to the solid red half that makes up the body.

Add the wings to the sides with glue as well.

Glue some craft feathers together to form a long colorful tail.

Also, attach the tail at the back of the plate to the base with glue.

Finally add a google eye.

For the toucan, it is much the same but with different colors. Cut 1 plate in half and paint it all black.

Cut a beak out of the second plate.

Use a piece of scrap leftover from the beak to make his tail, cutting it into a little wedge and painting it black as well.

We left his “wings” tucked in but you can create flapping wings like on the parrot if you want to add that step.

Paint beak beautiful bright colors and let your child look at them online or in a book for reference.

Let the paint dry and then add a little bright yellow to the throat area.

Once all the pieces are dry, glue the beak to the body across the top and glue the tail piece to the bottom.

Add a google eye to finish him up.

Kids Art History Board Game Ideas

December 3, 2022 | 1 Comment
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If you’re looking for fun kids art history board game ideas. you’ll love Professor Noggins. Also, look at the other History Games on my page.

Too, sometimes instead of an art history board game, you can substitute a card game and that is what we did.

I love the Professor Noggin games because they contain a wealth of information in an easy to play format and cover a huge variety of topics.

In addition, the games cover nature, science, animals, birds, reptiles, history, and geography.

Today we are going to look closer at Professor Noggin’s History of Art.

Games teach children, critical thinking, curiosity, accepting failure, creativity, innovation, and more.

9 Things to Love About Art History

However, look at these nine things I love about Professor Noggin’s History of Art.

Teach on a specific subject in a fun way.
Are easy to learn and play.
Build observation and memory skills.
Have a quick play time.
Are portable for road trips and waiting at doctors offices/restaurants.
Have a great price point- around $10- $15
Cover an excellent variety of topics- currently 39 titles on their website.
Have two levels of play for players of different skill levels.
Games have a variety of trivia, true or false, and multiple-choice questions.

The only drawback is that they are small games with limited questions.

I like to get as much value out of things as I can so I started thinking of other ways we could use the games beyond their intended use.

First, look at some of these other fun history games.

Fun History Games Resources

Look at them below.

Moreover, Professor Noggin’s History of Art is an easy way to introduce artists and their masterpieces to kids of any age and ability.

Even if you do not know a lot about art, you can learn art history through a game.

Too, when you use this game, you teach so much more than just a particular artist or style of art.

Through art history you learn geography, get a better understanding of various time periods throughout history, improve reading and research skills, and more.

About Professor Noggin’s History of Art Game

However, look first at a few facts about how the game is intended to be played.

Professor Noggin History of Art comes with 30 cards.

The cards contain a famous artwork on one side and 6 questions on the other.

In addition, there are three questions for the younger or newer student and three for older children or more knowledgeable players.

Also, it’s recommended for ages 8 and up.

From this game you will learn about.

Famous artists
Major art periods
Works of Art
Art techniques
World architecture

Next, look at these there creative and fun ways you can use the game to turn into a learning day.

8 Ways to Use a Art History Game

I have come up with 8 fun and educational additional activities to do with this art history game to extend the basic game,

1. Get Artsy Fartsy

If you are not using a formal art curriculum, games like this are a great choice.

First, you can choose cards and have your child attempt to recreate the art piece including using the same medium.

These little tubes of acrylic paints really help you feel like an artist.

Next, do an artist study.

However, I also want you to know about this wonderful Art History for Kids curriculum.

2. Do an Artist Study

Randomly choose a card and study that artist for the week.

Focus on their art, techniques, life story, what period or style they were.

Add in this fun book The Story of Paintings.

3. Focus on Art Period Definitions

Additionally, there are plenty of great vocabulary and spelling words to choose from in this game.

Flip through cards to list all the great art periods and list them. Have your child define each one.

4. Guess the Story

Further, have your child write a poem or a story about an art piece before they learn anything about it.

Then check out the real story or at least the name behind it and see how close they were.

5. Reverse Pictionary

Another one is to pull a random card or one of your choosing and describe the photo for your child and have them draw it from your description.

This can end up being funny and entertaining.

6. Teach Geography or World Culture

Also, pull a random card and locate the country on the map where the artist is from as well as the museum where their artwork is displayed.

This scrunch map gets a lot of use as a favorite resource for just about any theme we choose.

7. Place the Cards in Timeline Order

Give your child a stack of 5 random cards and have them lay them out in timeline order.

They either from memory if they can or allow them to research the time periods in a book or online.

8. Host a Fun Share and Tell

Finally, host a share and tell.

Go through the stack of cards with your child.

Each of you choose your favorite artwork, share it and tell why. And you can include extended family members.

Encourage your child to use descriptive words to help strengthen their vocabulary.

What do you think? Ready to turn a game into a fun and full day of learning?

Free Awesome Ancient Greece Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Activities

December 1, 2022 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

You’ll love my first free Ancient Greece Lapbook. I have many more on my Homeschool Lapbooks page.

But why study Ancient Greece?

Greece has often been called the birthplace of Western civilization.

Many of their thoughts about science, man, and politics are studied today and respected.

Free Awesome Ancient Greece Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Activities

About 2,400 years ago ancient buildings in Greece were shining marble temples dedicated to the gods of Mount Olympus.

And myths were part of the every day of Greeks.

We know about these stories because they have been passed down to us.

Objectives for Ancient Greece Unit Study

Look at some of these ideas for objectives if you’re preparing a unit study.

Compare and contrast features of the Greek city states.
Analyze the Spartan way of life.
Summarize how democracy worked in ancient Athens.
Evaluate cultural ties the Greek people had with one another.

The highest point of this civilization was during the fourth and fifth centuries B.C.E.

It was during this time that the Greeks really flourished.

And they had many great ideas which make it easy to see why they are so important to history.

Many words in the English language today come from the Greeks.

Besides language, many other discoveries and ideas came from the Greeks including: democracy,
earth science, music, math, sports, and poetry.

More Hands-on History Lapbooks

Also, you’ll love these other history homeschool lapbooks.

And you can your next history homeschool lapbook with my free ones.

Finally, look below at the minibooks included in the 46 page download.

More Hands-on Greece Activities for Kids

How to Make a Trojan Horse Craft | Fascinating Trojan Horse History

Ancient Greece Unit Study Play Stomachion Like Archimedes {Explore Geometry}

Ancient Greece Lapbook Minibooks

Also, look at these minibooks and notebooking pages which come in the free download.

Severn Wonder of the Ancient World 2 notebooking pages
Minibook for Seven Wonders of the World
Three beautiful Ancient Greece covers for the outside of your file folder
Two Ancient Greece Notebooking Pages
Daily Life minibook
Geography of Greece
Thinkers
Vocabulary words
Latitude and Longitude
Parthenon
Tortoise and Hare Notebooking Page
Vase Painting
20 page PreK Unit Study about Greece to keep your littles ones learning alongside your big kids.

How to Get the Free Lapbook 46 page download

Finally, how to grab the free page lapbook and notebooking pages. It’s a subscriber freebie.

1) Sign up on my list.
2) Grab the freebie now.
3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!