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Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

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

The Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series has so many topics in one book. If your child is loving the Geronimo Stilton books, your child will love making a fun Eiffel Tower.

In Geronimo Stilton No Time To Lose The Fifth Journey Through Time Geronimo jumps from Napoleon’s Time to the Vikings’ Time and finally to King Solomon’s time in the Whisker Wafter time machine.

We are going to ride with him to France to Napoleon’s Court for his coronation ceremony to crown him as emperor of France.

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

And then we will work on a hands-on activity which combines several areas of stem.

  • technology
  • engineering
  • math
  • art and
  • some history, and geography as we learn about a famous French landmark.

Geronimo Stilton Hands-on Literature

As usual these great Geronimo Stilton adventures take you through the clothing of the time periods in the books.

No Time To Lose (Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time #5) is no exception.

You get to meet interesting historical figures like Napoleon and Josephine, and your kids learn so much about history through an entertaining little chapter.

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

Was the Eiffel Tower part of the landscape when Napoleon charged through?

No, but it was built to celebrate the centennial of the French Revolution at the World’s Fair.

While it is not a part of the story it is unarguably one of the most famously identifiable landmarks in the world.

Too, this is a great way to introduce a timeline to learn about events before, during, and after the French Revolution.

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

Also, you’ll love my French Revolution Unit Study and Lapbook to go with this craft.

6 Hands-on Activities for Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series

Then, look at these 6 ways to enhance the book and timer period about the French Empire.

  1. Pull up a world map online, check out the map on your wall, or use an atlas to help your child identify France.
  2. Give them a hands- activity like this Edible Eiffel Tower to make.
  3. Learn a few words in French – Bonjour-Hello, Au Revoir- Goodbye, Merci- Thank You, Oui- Yes and Non- No
  4. Check out a few French artists through their paintings online or in a book.
  5. Free Storming the Bastille Game
  6. Learn About the Geography of France by Creating A Solar Oven

French Empire Hands-on Activity

First, before I get to the directions I want to say you should definitely let your kids learn through trial and error in making this edible Eiffel Tower.

This is a great learning experience but I do want to give you a few tips that we learned along the process that will make it a little bit easier for you. 

We originally set out to make our Eiffel Tower with just the cookies and the frosting which was not a strong enough glue. 

Definitely, include toothpicks as well as anything else you think might be helpful for the building process and then let your child experiment with what works and what doesn’t. 

Second, I found the sugar wafers cut very nicely with a butter knife but they make a huge mess from the minute they leave the package.

I’m talking worse than those little green packages of granola bars that leave crumbs everywhere.

I highly recommend you do this somewhere that is easily swept up or possibly even outside.

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

Will it be perfect? No it won’t, but remember momma, that’s okay the goal here is for them to learn and most importantly have fun while figuring it out.

Add these Safari Ltd Around the World figurines to your collection.

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

They can be used as art inspiration like for the Eiffel Tower, in sensory bins and dioramas, and so much more.

Build a Fun Edible Eiffel Tower

You will need:

  • Vanilla sugar wafers
  • Frosting
  • Plastic or metal butter knife
  • Toothpicks, skewers, etc…
  • Plate, cookie sheet or other base
Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

Next, the directions to make this fun craft Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series

This is an activity where you want your kid to be in the lead.

Let them solve with as little support as possible.

Try to keep your help as open ended as possible by forming it into a question.

  • I see your tower is leaning, what do you think you could do to help that?
  • You did a great job on the base, what is your next step going to be?

That being said I will give you a few tips and things that worked for us to share with your child to help them get started.

Dip both ends of your cookies in the frosting to help hold it into the base and each other as you secure it. 

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

Start by making the base with 4 cookies in each corner.

Using another cookie in between is a good way to measure equal distances between the corners.

I found the easiest way to do this was to carefully press a toothpick through two, slide them apart to the ends and bend them slightly to get an angle. Two made a stronger connection.

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

Then build your “platform”.

This is easily done by piercing two wafers through the sides at each end like this.

Place it on top of the angled corners and secure.

You can then “wrap” cookies all around the side or just leave the platform depending on your little one’s level.

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

Repeat the same steps and cut your cookies slightly smaller for each level to create the tall tapering look. Use lots of toothpicks.

This is what happened before we started using lots of toothpicks to secure everything- a great lesson in why the strength of the foundation and each subsequent level to support your structure is so important.

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

Continue building all the way up as high as your child wants to go.

They will find after a certain point it will not hold well. Another great lesson they can learn on their own by doing.

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

Here is what your final structure may look like.

Finally, look at these other Geronimo Stilton books.

Other Geronimo Stilton Chapter Book Activities

For younger children or those who may become too frustrated due to coordination or learning challenges you may just choose to let them copy the Eiffel Tower on a flat surface.

You can still talk about the structure, the shape, what makes the Eiffel tower strong, etc.

Julie of the Wolves Free Hands-on Arctic Unit Study

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If you’re looking for a literature-based unit to do for an Arctic unit study, you’ll love Julie of the Wolves. Be sure to grab more ideas on my page Arctic and Inuit Unit Study Free Lapbook – Hands-On Ideas and also on my page Best Homeschool Unit Studies.

Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George is a wonderful book for reading aloud or it can be an exciting adventure as an independent reading chapter book.

Julie of the Wolves Free Hands-on Arctic Unit Study

It makes the perfect addition to a winter or Arctic unit study.

Too, I’ve pulled together some of my favorite resources to go along with the Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George to help you put together your own unit study.

And I have rounded up vocabulary words, videos, additional books, and of course plenty of great hands-on activities.

About Julie of the Wolves Book

First, Julie goes by two names Miyax to her Eskimo village and as Julie to English speaking friends.

The story tells of the adventures of Julie after she runs away from a forced marriage to live in the wild Arctic fighting for survival, following the way of her people.

But will she choose to continue this way or return to civilization?

There are 3 books in the series, but we are going to focus on the original for this.

In addition, this story is a great base for a unit study as it covers Eskimo life, snow/winter, animal habits and habitats, and the emotions of growing up.

You can go in the direction of studying the book from a literary angle, diving into Inuit life and culture, studying the animals and habitats mentioned in the book, or a combination of all.

Hands-on Ideas for Learning About the Arctic

Always include some fun hands-on ideas in your unit studies to keep the kids interested and make the points really hit home.

Too, many birds are mentioned in the book which live in the Artic. For instance, look at this list of ones to learn about.

  • lapland longspurs
  • puffins
  • snowy owl
  • siskin
  • sandpipers

Next, add in some other reference books.

Other Arctic Books and Resources

In addition, Nature Anatomy is a go to spine for anything nature related.

Julie of the Wolves Free Hands-on Arctic Unit Study

In this book I found a couple pages on snowflakes, animal life like caribou, seals, fish, snowy owls, and other birds of prey that are found in Arctic regions.

Another book in the series Ocean Anatomy covers polar bears, penguins, seals, Narwhal, and whales.

But also sea ice, life under the ice, glaciers, and Icebergs.

And Safari LTD Animals may be considered for young children, older kids love them too.

Older kids can use them in dioramas, as inspiration for an art project or to create an inviting display.

Additionally, YouTube has wonderful videos.

Videos about Arctic Life

Too, you’ll love this list of vocabulary words.

Julie of the Wolves Vocabulary Words

Last, here are 12 vocabulary words for each of the three sections of the book to get you started.

Julie of the Wolves Free Hands-on Arctic Unit Study

First, this list is for Part I.

  • Bleak- unpleasantly cold and damp.
  • Lichen-A slow growing plant that produces leaflike branching growth on trees and rocks.
  • Semaphore- a system of sending messages using arms or two flag poles.
  • Undulate-Increase of decrease of volume or pitch.
  • Carrion- Rotting flesh of dead animals.
  • Ravenous- Extremely hungry.
  • Wean- Gradually accustomed to living on something other than mothers milk.
  • Deference– Tendency to yield to another.
  • Viscera-Internal organs in the main cavities, especially abdomen.
  • Apogee-The farthest point at which the moon or a satellite is from the earth.
  • Forage- To look for and collect, as in food. Further, grab my Foraging and Feasting Unit Study and Lapbook.
  • Permafrost- Permanently frozen ground.

Second, this list is for Part II.

  • Shaman-A person who acts as intermediary between the natural and supernatural worlds.
  • Blubber-The insulating layer of fat underneath the skin of some animals.
  • Prance-Spring forward from the hind legs.
  • Tundra-A treeless plain where the subsoil is permanently frozen.
  • Derisive-Showing contempt or ridicule.
  • Scarce- Insufficient for the demand, food in this case.
  • Mythical-Based or described in stories rather than history.
  • Drone- A monotonous low dull sound.
  • Descent- Downward movement.
  • Foyer- Large entrance waiting area.
  • Piteous- Deserving or evoking sympathy and sorrow.
  • Seize-To grab or take hold of.

Further, here is Part III.

  • Brandish-  Move or swing objects back and forth.
  • Abeyance- State of temporary suspension or disuse.
  • Saunter –Leisurely walk with no evident aim.
  • Deviate- Change or turn away from planned course.
  • Bravado-Bold show of courage to impress or intimidate.
  • Cumbersome-Hard to manage due to size or weight.
  • Desolate- Bleak, depressing, empty, bare.
  • Larder- A storeroom for storing food goods.
  • Plaintive- Showing sorrow.
  • Totem- A person or thing considered to be a symbol of something.
  • Temperate- Mild temperatures, without extremes.
  • Resonant- Evoking powerful memories or emotions

Pond Life for Kindergarten Activity Build a Fun Beaver Dam

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If you’re studying pond life for kindergarten you’ll love this activity for your kindergartener to build a beaver dam. Grab my other craft ideas for kindergarten homeschool curriculum.

As the largest rodents in North America and the second largest rodent in the world, beavers are a fun subject to cover.

They go along perfectly with a pond life unit study. They are a vital part of life in rivers, ponds, and lakes.

Pond Life for Kindergarten Activity Build a Fun Beaver Dam

I have a fun and inexpensive hands- on activity to share that your little one will love.

It’s a simple invitation to create and learn using items gathered from the yard and few items from the house.

Your child will probably spend the day playing in their little “pond” learning and growing their imagination.

Beaver Facts for Kids

  • Beavers don’t actually live in the dams they build; they make them to create a deep pond of water for protection from predators. They live in similar structures called beaver lodges.
  • Beavers build their dams out of trees, limbs, mud, moss, plants, grass, and rocks.
  • When they feel threatened, beavers will slap the water with their tail making a loud noise to warn all creatures in the area.
  • A long time ago beaver fur was commonly used to make hats and clothing. Some people still trap beavers for their fur today.
  • Beaver dams don’t just benefit them, they also help with carbon storage, flood management and drought prevention. They are also helpful in keeping streams cool.
  • Also they create wetlands that house many frogs, fish and invertebrates, and in turn these animals provide food for birds and bats.
  • Beavers can swim underwater for 15 minutes.
  • Some adult beavers can reach up to 55 pounds.
  • Beavers eat the inner bark of trees and woody plants, but they also enjoy soft vegetation like apples, grasses, clover, water lilies, giant ragweed, and cattails.

Pond Life Activities

Before you begin your activity, read about beavers and ponds and choose a video or two to watch together.

If possible visit a local pond or lake that has beavers to observe them in the wild.

This will help give your child a good point of reference for beavers and how and why they build dams.

Also, grab letter tiles you have on hand,

Scrabble tiles are great because you can pick the games up inexpensively at yard sales and thrift stores.

Use them to practice beginning letter sounds or spell out words related to your theme.

For this one you could use:

  • Pond
  • Beaver
  • Fish
  • Turtle
  • Dam
  • Water
  • Frog

Allow your child to build silly words and see if he can pronounce them as well.

Pond Life for Kindergarten Activity Build a Fun Beaver Dam

Too, you’ll love adding some of these books to your activity.

Books About Pond Life

This is one in a little series of picture books that are gems with beautiful illustrations and they teach children about the ecology of the pond. Over and Under the Pond goes perfectly with this activity.

Pond Life for Kindergarten Activity Build a Fun Beaver Dam

Nature Anatomy is another one. If you don’t know by now I just love this series, they are perfect to add to any nature study that you do.

Pond Life for Kindergarten Activity Build a Fun Beaver Dam

This next resources if Natural and Earth Science Educational Flash Cards.

If you enjoy doing earth science with your child this is a great addition. Little cards with everything from beavers to minerals.

Safari LTD North American Wildlife toobs are a great resource for small world play like this, to give children a model to see for art or learning.

Also they can be used in dioramas, or to create an inviting setup for a new unit study.

Pond Life for Kindergarten Activity Build a Fun Beaver Dam

Beaver Videos

Finally, here are a few videos that are interesting and will give you and your child a little more understanding of beavers and ponds.

How to Build a Beaver Dam Activity

Gather:

  • Sticks and small branches
  • Grasses
  • Leaves
  • Small rocks and pebbles
  • Mud or clay
  • Moss

First, go on a nature walk into your own backyard to gather the above items.

Set out your invitation to play and learn in an inviting way by placing the items neatly on a tray (or cooking sheet like I did).

This makes it more eye appealing than just throwing everything you gathered in a heap.

Pond Life for Kindergarten Activity Build a Fun Beaver Dam

Add water to a shallow dish or pan to create a pond.

Encourage your child to create a beaver dam in the pond using all the same items that a beaver would use in the wild.

Pond Life for Kindergarten Activity Build a Fun Beaver Dam

Twist sticks together to make it sturdy. Add moss and clay to the openings between sticks, etc.

Continue building until it is heaped up both above and below the water.

Pond Life for Kindergarten Activity Build a Fun Beaver Dam

Once they have built their dam in the water, add in a fun little plastic beaver as well as other pond animals.

Now they can have fun exploring inside and outside the dam.

Pond Life for Kindergarten Activity Build a Fun Beaver Dam

How cute is this little beaver peeking out from the dam he just built?

Finally, you’ll love these other resources for teaching kindergarten.

Pond Life for Kindergarten Activity Build a Fun Beaver Dam

Other Tips and Crafts for Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum

Pond Life for Kindergarten Activity Build a Fun Beaver Dam

Easy and Fun Pine Cone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten

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

This fun snowy owl winter craft for kindergarten can be used for a winter unit study. Grab more craft ideas on my kindergarten homeschool curriculum page.

Whoooo doesn’t love owls? Sorry, corny pun. If you are working on an owls unit study or talking about winter I have the perfect hands-on winter craft to add

You probably won’t even need a trip to the store to put together this snowy owl winter craft for kindergarten.

Easy and Fun Pine Cone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten

Whether you are learning about winter, owls, or even just looking for an O or W craft for your letter of the week this simple activity is fun and cute to include.

You can find pinecones on your nature walk.

But if not, you can also find them at craft stores in the seasonal section.

Add a few books and additional activities like videos and you have a quick mini snowy owl unit study ready to go.

Snowy Owl Facts

  • Female owls remain with the babies while the male owl brings food back.
  • A baby owl is called an owlet.
  • They have feathers all over their legs and feet to keep them warm.
  • They are quite large. Their wingspan can reach 4’-5’ wide.
  • Snowy owls are diurnal, unlike most other owls. Instead of hunting at night they hunt during the day.
  • Male owls are pretty much solid white. Females have brown markings on their white plumage.
  • Snowy owl pairs mate for their whole life.
  • Lemmings make up most of the snowy owls diet.
  • By the time they are just 6 weeks old, snowy owls can fly well.

Snowy Owl Books

Nature Anatomy is the perfect companion spine for little learners, even if they are not reading yet.

The illustrations are fantastic and the little pieces of info they give are just enough for you to read and keep their attention.

I found a two page spread on owls to go along with the craft.

Easy and Fun Pine Cone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten

Gail Gibbons books are also a fantastic choice if you love the idea of Charlotte Mason style living books.

Owls are perfect to go along with this activity too.

The classic Owl Babies would also be a wonderful addition to your book collection.

Look below for more ideas.

Winter Unit Study Ideas

Try these other activities along with your winter craft

Finally, measure out 5’ with painters tape on the floor to demonstrate to your child how large the snowy owl wingspan can be.

Next, let’s make a pine cone snowy owl craft.

Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten

You will need:

  • A large pine cone
  • Craft glue
  • White and yellow craft felt
  • White feathers, cotton balls, or cotton batting.
  • Tan or yellow pipe cleaner
  • Googly eyes
Easy and Fun Pine Cone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten

First, prepare small pieces of cotton batting, cotton balls, or white feathers.

Cut wing shapes from white felt. Cut them a little bigger than you think you need.

Try on your pinecone and trim as needed.

Easy and Fun Pine Cone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten

Draw w’s with a paint marker or sharpie to create feather definition on the wings.

Easy and Fun Pine Cone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten

Cut a small beak and two circles slightly larger than your google eyes from the yellow felt..

Easy and Fun Pine Cone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten

Squeeze a generous amount of school glue into the openings between the scales of the pinecone.

Stuff in your cotton pieces to make it fluffy.

Easy and Fun Pine Cone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten

I had originally intended on using fiber fill on the owl because I had it on hand but took a run to Hobby Lobby and found this cute little fluffy boa on sale for $1.50.

It looked so soft we couldn’t resist.

I cut it into little pieces to make stuffing all over easier. Encourage your child to fill it in and create a sweet little fluff ball baby owl.

When the pinecone is stuffed and fluffy to their liking, glue the wings, beak, and eyes in place with a generous amount of glue.

We found that laying it on its back to dry helped keep the pieces from sliding off.

Easy and Fun Pine Cone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten

Finish off by gluing small v shaped pieces of pipe cleaner/chenille stems to the bottom for his feet.

Easy and Fun Pine Cone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten

Other Winter Craft Ideas for Kindergarten

Also, look at a few more craft ideas.

Easy and Fun Pine Cone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten

Amazing and Free American Revolution Lapbook for Multiple Ages

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

This free American Revolution lapbook and hands-on unit study for multiple ages is fun to use as spine. Be sure you grab my other lapbooks for hands-on history.

The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America.

Amazing and Free American Revolution Lapbook for Multiple Ages

And using a history lapbook to contain all the subtopics which interests your children is a fun way to not only learn, but memorize important parts.

American Revolution Facts for Kids

Here is some information about the colonies which will help you to start your lapbook and unit study.

New England Colonies

Connecticut
New Hampshire
Massachusetts
Rhode Island

Middle Colonies

Delaware
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania

Southern Colonies

Maryland
Georgia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Virginia

Also, look at this book The American Revolution for Kids: A History with 21 Activities.

There are many ways you can arrange the lapbook and it’s necessary to use all my minibooks.

Amazing and Free American Revolution Lapbook for Multiple Ages

Mix and match my lapbook with other topics that interest your children.

Minibooks for an American Revolution Unit Study

Also, look at the minibooks included in this free lapbook.

  • There are 6 cover pages
  • Battles of the American Revolution
  • Boston Massacre
  • Boston Tea Party and the Sugar Act
  • Can You Answer
  • Causes of the War
  • England’s Reason for Taxing the Colonist
  • Join or Die political cartoon
  • Map of the 13 colonies
  • Patriots
  • Road to Liberty timeline
  • The Stamp Act
  • Paul Revere
  • Taxation Without Representation
  • Who was King George and Who Were the Colonist

Too, you’ll love these ideas for a fun co-op or just to do at home.

Amazing and Free American Revolution Lapbook for Multiple Ages

Besides, it’s the hands-on fun which make history come alive.

American Revolution Hands-on Ideas

First, we made a trip to Goodwill and picked up teacups (mismatched is perfect), some fall foliage from Hobby Lobby. and we picked up a lot of clothes.

As you can see in the picture above, our table decorations for the Early American co-op rocked.

We had different tables or stations set up for the following activities.

  • Because silhouette photos were popular, we had a station for pictures. Bring a lamp, and a chair, and tape paper to the wall for your little artist to trace their sibling or friend.
  • Of course we had to try different flavored teas.
Amazing and Free American Revolution Lapbook for Multiple Ages

In addition, we had other activities.

  • One table we had corn husk doll making and another table the kids made bead decorating or flint corn.
  • Additionally, we had a guest speak from the Daughters of the American Revolution who was “George Washington’s” mom and told us stories about him.
  • We learned George Washington’s favorite dance, the Minuet. He was supposed to be quite the dancer.
Amazing and Free American Revolution Lapbook for Multiple Ages

Also, one of the activities the kids loved the most was the Minute Man race.

Our co-op bought tons of oversized clothes and just like the Minute Man, the kids had a minute to change into them.

Remember to buy the clothes oversized so the kids can leave their clothes on. (lol). Then have them race for their teams.

Amazing and Free American Revolution Lapbook for Multiple Ages

How to Get the American Revolution Lapbook

Finally, how to Grab the Free 33 page lapbook. It’s a subscriber freebie.

 1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE

2) Grab the freebie now.

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

Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages