hands-on

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Craft a Fun England Tower Guard

September 21, 2022 | Leave a Comment
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Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time book #4 has many topics but one is the Elizabethan period. If your child is loving the Geronimo Stilton books, your child will love making a fun England Tower Guard craft.

We’ll travel back to Elizabethan Times, specifically 1595, with the third story in Geronimo Stilton Lost in Time The Fourth Journey.

It begins with a visit with Queen Elizabeth I.

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Craft a Fun England Tower Guard

As usual Geronimo gives us a great look at the time period through maps, images of fashion, buildings, vocabulary, and famous people such as Sir Francis Drake and Queen Elizabeth.

Take a look at the rich clothing from the time period.

There were ruffles, lace, ribbons, fancy cuffs, and collars.

I love that this fun series of Geronimo Stilton books because they always include important historical details to make it real to kids.

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Craft

The Queen’s Guard (or King’s, depending on who the reigning monarch is) did not come about for another 200 years after Elizabeth I ‘s time.

But I thought it would be fun to draw some comparisons to Elizabethan England and modern England with these cute little figures.

They can be used as a bookmark, pointer to keep your place while reading, or as a little puppet.

Even if you are not reading Geronimo Stilton, this is a fantastic simple craft to do during any England unit study.

And this simple craft can be done by a wide range of ages.

You can set out photos of the guard and supplies and let your child take the lead to allow for process art rather than product art, this is especially good for younger children to experience.

Facts about Elizabethan England and Modern England

This is a great time to study England with the passing of the Queen, to study how her country honors her, to learn about the line of secession, what life was like during the reign of the first Queen Elizabeth and current times, and more.

Here are some fun facts to share to get you started on your mini unit study journey.

Share them over tea or while your child colors or creates these fun tower guards while using Geronimo Stilton Lost in Time The Fourth Journey.

Fun Facts about England Then and Now

The Elizabethan Period lasted for 45 years.
The capital of England is London.
Queen Elizabeth I never married or had children.
The Elizabethan Era is famous for its works by William Shakespeare.
Elizabeth I was the daughter of King Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn.
The last king to reign prior to Queen Elizabeth II’s death was George VI.
Queen Elizabeth II was England’s longest reigning monarch at 70 years on the throne.
Charles is now the king of England and wife Camilla will be known as Queen Consort.
The Tower Guard consists of one officer, six non-commissioned officers and fifteen soldiers.
The longest river in England is The River Thames.
The English drink more tea than any other nation.
There were over 400 years between Queen Elizabeth I and II.
Both queens were 25 years old when they took over the throne.
Elizabeth I’s younger brother Edward VI was actually the last King of England, Elizabeth II’s father Edward I was the last king of the United Kingdom consisting of the joined kingdoms of England and Wales.

You can use any subtopic in the book to engage your child.

The Big Ben you see in the photos came from the Safari Ltd Around The World Toob and is a must to add to sensory bin or dioramas when studying famous places or landmarks around the world.

How to Make an England Tower Guard Craft

Next, look at the easy supplies to make this fun England tower guard crafts.

You will need:

Jumbo popsicle sticks
Red, black, white, gold craft paint
Black felt
Craft glue
Small paintbrushes

Trace around the top of your jumbo craft stick a little larger than the actual stick and about 2” down to create the hat. Set aside.

Leave the top ¼ unpainted.

Paint the rest half red up top for the jacket and black on the bottom half for their trousers.

Let dry completely. You can flip it over and do the other side if you like or paint it a solid color to make it look more finished off.

Use a paint pen or the back end of a small brush to add details like gold buttons, eyes, a white belt and gold buckle to your guard.

Let it dry again.

Glue the hat into place just above the eyes and let it dry a final time.

If you use hot glue it will be ready to use much quicker.

Other Geronimo Stilton Resources

Look at these other craft ideas to go with the Geronimo Stilton Books.

Whether you want to do a literature unit study or easy history unit study, these are great books to use for both.

You can use your tower guard to hold your spot between reading sessions, to follow along the line as you read or for play time.

Learning about England then and now is a great way discover what has remained the same, what has changed, and how different countries governments rule.

Pregnancy Belly Female Study of Human Anatomy Kids Fun Craft

September 19, 2022 | 2 Comments
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The human body is a fascinating study and so is the pregnancy belly. Today, in my female study of human anatomy I’m sharing a fun craft. Also I have this Human Body Crafts page for more fun ideas.

Coming soon is a Human Reproduction and Development Free Unit Study for Big Kids homeschool lapbook that I know you’ll love.

To begin any study of human anatomy, it can be easier to talk to your kids by letting them make a hands-on craft.

Whether you want to cover a full anatomy unit study, or it is time to talk deeper about sex and reproduction you’ll want a relaxed approach.

Pregnancy Belly Female Study of Human Anatomy Kids Fun Craft

Plus, I never shy away here from important topics for our kids.

So, if you’re teaching about puberty, pregnancy, conception, reproduction or similar topics, this hands-on activity makes it incredibly easy to understand.

And makes it a bit more real for your kids.

This project gently introduces the beauty of babies and female development.

It can easily be adjusted to your comfort level, your child’s maturity, and what you want to cover.

How a Baby Grows Resources

To give your middle schooler a little better idea of where and how a baby grows during pregnancy and how the body changes you can provide them with a fun activity.

It takes a little of the pressure off you both.

Even a too cool for school middle schooler will enjoy the relaxing and fun break from worksheets to dig into playdough.

Here are a few books you can add to this activity to round out the reproduction unit study.

If you don’t already have some of your own that you like, these books can be used for more than just a reproduction topic.

So, your kids will get a lot of use out of them.

Basher Science Human Body book has a small section in the beginning on several good terms such as man and woman, baby, sperm, egg, cell, stem cell, and DNA.

The series is a good reference tool for covering the topic. While the books are a little silly they are recommended for ages 10 and up and make a great addition to a middle school bookshelf.

The Fascinating Human Body Book may be a little young for your middle schooler.

However, depending on the maturity level it may be just right.

It covers small chunks of many different topics and has great illustrations.

Finally, the Anatomicum book is great anytime you are doing a study of any part of anatomy.

It is a handy reference book to add to your shelf permanently because it has beautifully illustrated diagrams on male and female.

Human Body Crafts

Reproduction Female Study of Anatomy

Next, look at this easy hands-on pregnancy belly craft. It requires a few easy ingredients.

Playdough in several colors
A Paper and pen
Plastic mini baby or tiny doll.

We got a bag of these adorable lifelike babies to use in our unit study. They were a little pricey, but we plan to use many of them in different ways.

Start by looking up photos of the female reproductive system and recreate the female reproductive organs with playdough.

You could then have your child label the various parts like fallopian tubes and uterus. Be as detailed or as general as you like.

Use this opportunity to demonstrate the path of the egg with a pointer (or pencil) and how a period is your body’s response to an egg not being fertilized.

Next research Google photos or a book of a cross section for a basic outline of the female body.

Have your child draw a basic outline of a pregnant female body. This gives them a rough shape to work on and helps to create a visual of where organs and systems are in relation to each other.

I found it easy to start by making the outline of the uterus and making sure our little baby fit inside it first then worked my way out with the other organs.

Roll playdough into snakes and coil to make the small and large intestines. Then bunch them up.

Too, you’ll want to add these other human body or anatomy resources.

Other Anatomy and Human Body Resources

Then continuing with the craft. Your child can make each system a different color if he or she likes. That makes for a great visual overall for all the systems of the body.

If your focus is just on reproduction, just make those organs a particular color and all others something else.

Be sure to show how as the baby grows and the uterus expands organs are shifted and pressed affecting everything.

Everything doesn’t have to be in proportion.

You just want them to understand the general makeup of the body and where it is in relation to each other as well as how and where the baby grows.

You might also have them recreate a sperm and egg with playdough as you talk about the job of each.

In addition, understanding X and Y chromosomes are a very important part of reproduction.

If you are at the point of teaching it, you could also demonstrate how the baby’s head eventually turns downward.

And explain the path it takes as it is delivered demonstrating how the body opens and adjusts naturally to allow this to happen.

Human reproduction and development are not easy subject to talk about with kids of any age.

It’s an amazing and complex process which leads to the birth of a human being.

And I hope having this easy hands-on lesson will help you to make this topic a little easier to teach to your kids.

What do you think?

Apples Unit How to Make a Fall Kids Garland Apple Craft

September 16, 2022 | 1 Comment
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If you’re doing an apples unit, your kids will love making this fall garland craft. Add this hands-on craft to my fall unit apple study for a study for multiple ages.

Bring some nature into your learning space or for home decor while your child works on fine motor skills.

Too for an apple unit your child can work on artistic expression and just have fun learning about apples and all of fall’s wonderful aromas.

Apples, cinnamon, and pinecones are some of the warmest and coziest symbols of fall.

They make you immediately think of cooler temperatures, crunchy leaves, and nature walks.

The natures colors are a perfect way to usher in fall.

Apples Unit How to Make a Fall Kids Garland Apple Craft

Incorporate the fall garland apple craft into a simple fall unit study or create it as a stand-alone fall craft with your kids.

Middle schoolers will easily be able to do the entire craft on their own.

Younger kids will need a bit more help with the oven, knife, and hot glue gun.

Add other fall items like leaves, acorns, twigs, or similar items from your fall nature walks if you like.

12 Things to Make From Apples

While making your fall garland apple craft, talk about all the various things that you can make from apples.

Here are 12 things to make from apples. You can easily stretch this unit study to a full cooking unit.

Apple cider vinegar
Apple pie
Apple dumplings
Candied apples
Dried apple rings
Apple crisp
Apple turnovers
Apple Sauce
Apple Butter
Apple juice
Apple cider
Apple muffins

Expand learning by having a taste test and try as many of the above apple forms as you can.

Have your child rate the flavor of each one, take a poll of the family, friends, and neighbors to see what is their favorite apple treat.

Then, create an apple graph for a bit of math.

Also use both Farm Anatomy and Nature Anatomy have a couple of pages on apples and make great books to keep in your home library for many topics.

They are known for their pretty illustrations and fantastic information on a wide variety of themes within a topic.

How to Make a Fall Garland

Next, make a fun fall garland. Here are some supplies:

Apples. Gala and Granny Smiths are a favorite for baking.
Pinecones. If you aren’t able to harvest them locally you can get a bag at the craft store.
Unfinished wood beads.
Cinnamon Sticks- in the grocery or seasonal aisle at craft stores.
Twine.
Lemon juice.
Salt.

Even using some fall colorful wooden beads would be pretty to add to it.

First, dry your apples.

Preheat your oven to 200℉.

First, you are going to want to slice your apples.

Instead of cutting them horizontally across the apple the way we did in our dried apple slice recipe we are going to cut these vertically down through the top.

Start on either side of the stem so you get a good cross section view.

Fill a bowl with cold water, add 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of table salt.

And soak your slices for 10 minutes.

Lay the apple slices on a metal rack then place it on a baking sheet.

Bake for 2-4 hours or longer until completely dried.

Once your apples are dried you can begin to create a pattern on your twine.

Decide how long you want it to be.

Place your first piece all the way to the end of this length by sliding it over the twine through a hole, hot glue in place, or tie a knot around it.

Continue the pattern all the way to the end until your garland is as long as you like it to be.

Other Fall and Apple Unit Study Crafts

Then, add some more fun fall and apple unit study crafts.

What do you think? Add a few of them to your learning area and you’ll have the smell of fall year long.

15 Amazing Lapbook Materials to Use Besides Glue and Paper

September 11, 2022 | Leave a Comment
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I have 15 lapbook materials ideas besides glue and paper which can be added to your homeschool lapbooks.

Homeschool lapbooks are more than a set of minibooks inside a file folder.

In addition because lapbooks are products of your child’s work each lapbook can be as individual as the child.

When I started lapbooks I didn’t realize the impact a hands-on tool would have on my children’s learning journey.

15 Amazing Lapbook Materials to Use Besides Glue and Paper

And materials for the lapbooks should be things which help the topic the lapbook is about to be memorable.

Unlike worksheets, lapbooks are interactive and if you create them in the right way they can be a timeless learning tool.

For example, flaps can be added anytime to your lapbook and that can continue as long as your child is interested in the topic.

3 Powerful Advantages to Homeschool Lapbooks

First, before you decide what type of lapbook materials you want to include in your child’s lapbook, look at these three advantages.

Lapbooks are a powerful way to wrap up what is learned and to pull it together in one place.
And because families can have a wide span of grades to cover, only one lapbook can be made with parts contributed by each child. Also, you have the option of each child making their own. There are no rules to how to use lapbooks to nurture a love of learning.
The value of lapbooks comes from the interaction or collaboration within the family, by self-motivated research, or research assigned by you. Flexibility is key to creating the hands-on tool.

Also, lapbooks should be designed in a way that fits the topics your child will want to include.

For example, when my kids were younger, I decided whether the lapbook should be multiple file folders folded book like, to be letter sized or even legal sized.

Even if the file folder will be folded horizontal or vertical are things I help my kids to think about.

For instance, the first American Civil War lapbook we made, shown above, was book like with file folders put together instead of having flaps.

As my kids got older, they decided what type of design they would like based on their previous experience doing them.

If they needed help of course I would give suggestions.

Other Lapbook Resources

Whether your child wants his or her lapbook to be a study guide or a creative expression there is no lack of materials.

Aren’t the miniature pocket sized coloring books perfect for a lapbook?

Materials to Add to a Homeschool Lapbook

Here area few ideas of fun things or materials to add to your lapbook.

One.
Print a board game on paper and fold it smartly into your lapbook.

Two.
Create a mini or expandable timeline.

Three.
Your child’s handprint craft like a rainforest parrot not only makes fun art but is a memory keeper craft.

Four.
Add printed photos.

Not all photos have to stay on your phone. Add photos of your child’s field trip or a fun co-op to his or her lapbook. This way your child can cherish the moments too.

Five.
Printed mini flashcards.

Some of the materials you can make and others you can buy.

Look at these other 10 fun materials to include.

Other Materials to Add to Your Lapbook

Again, lapbooks are so much more than paper and glues. Add these solid things to your lapbook as you need them.

Mushroom Stickers

Then another really fun way to help kids get excited about a topic is to use themed stickers.

Stickers are not just for young kids.

Even older kids love using stickers to decorate outside flaps or decorate inside minibooks.

Rolls Washi Tape

Also, washi tape can be used to make decorate pouches and pockets in your child's lapbook.

Whether you have a crafty child or not, they'll love using the tape for creating mini pouches and pockets.

Basics Sheet Protectors

As my kids got older, we needed ways to hold writing so that it could easily be retrieved.

The best thing about page protectors is that you can cut them down as needed.

Arts and Crafts for Kids

Feathers, googly eyes and poms poms as well as popsicle sticks can be added to your lapbook.

For example, popsicle sticks can make great puppets or math manipulative to store in pockets.

Feathers can be use for writing materials or to decorate any nature or Native American unit.

Cone Coffee Filters

I've used cone filters for several art projects using pastel chalk.

If your child wants to stamp or paint a story, these coffee filters hold up well.

They are still thin enough but not as thick as cardstock so they can be added easily to the lapbook.

Lined Index Cards

Index cards are timeless for kids who want to learn how to study.

Lapbooks are a great way for your child to display what he or she knows by adding cards throughout the lapbook.

Mini Notebooks

I haven't used these yet but oh so cute.

These could easily be added to a pocket if your child was writing an ongoing story or doing copywork.

Small Envelopes Library Card

If you don't want to print your own pockets to store materials or collections, just add these.

I always have pockets ready to go unless we decide to make one.

People Paper Cut Outs

If I had these when we did the Gingerbread Man it would have saved me tons of time.

These paper cut outs can be used for adding math problems on, adding precious thumb and finger prints and even to act out a story for your littles.

Mosaic Squares - Bright Cardstock Squares

Then I'm loving these mosaic squares.

Sure you can could cut your own or get assorted ones which can be used for a variety of purposes.

We cut out out ones to make a mosiac craft for our Marco Polo Lapbook, but this would have saved us some time.

Some things are just worth it to have around.

Rainforest Crafts for Kindergarten: Make an Easy Paper Plate Monkey

September 9, 2022 | Leave a Comment
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Rainforest crafts for kindergarten encourages creativity, fosters imagination, and strengthens fine motor skills. Crafts are part of kindergarten homeschool curriculum.

And learning about the rainforest with a unit study approach is one of the best ways to teach kindergarten aged children.

Rainforest crafts for kindergarteners introduces young children to one of the most important ecosystems in the world.

Rainforest Crafts for Kindergarten: Make an Easy Paper Plate Monkey

And a fun paper plate monkey craft encourages young children to understand the diversity of the rainforest.

Not only can you help your child understand the difference between plants and animals, but your child can use their sense of hearing.

Howler Monkey Facts

First, help your child know how the animals of the rainforest depend on the trees (canopy) and even the understory (layer of vegetation under the canopy) to survive.

The understory is where tree trunks, vines, and bushes grow. Animals who live here in this section can climb very well.

But the emergent layer or the layer above the canopy is bright and sunny and animals with good balance like howler monkeys live here.

Then, look at a few facts about the howler monkeys.

Howler monkeys are one of the loudest animals in the rainforest.
Their howls sound like a strong wind blowing through a tunnel. Have you child stand up and see how loud he or she can howl. Watch the video above and listen to the male howler monkey.
Monkeys live in the trees and eat only vegetation like fruit and flowers.

However, more than just the howler monkey makes its home in the Amazon Rainforest.

What Monkeys Live in the Amazon Rainforest

Squirrel monkeys also live there and are very intelligent animals.

Squirrel Monkey Facts

Look at a few fun facts about squirrel monkeys to share with your child.

They are not the same color all over which makes it harder for predators to see.
Long tails are used for balance.
Also, they have hands with thumbs and can grip branches and food.
Squirrel Monkeys live in large groups like 100 in a group and this way they can warn each other of predators.

However, besides the howler monkey and squirrel monkey there are many species which live in the rainforest.

Some other monkeys are

Pygmy marmoset
Gray woolly
Emperor tamarin
Peruvian spider
Dusky titi

Your child will love the book Fourteen Monkeys: A Rain Forest Rhyme.

In this book there is not only rhyming language to share with your child but it about the Manú National Park in Peru where an amazing fourteen different species of monkeys live together.

Add in some sweet lovable friends, and you can study the rainforest a couple of days or even extend it to a week.

Make a Rainforest Paper Plate Monkey

Next encourage your child to make this easy rainforest paper plate monkey.

We simply followed the instructions at the adorable paper plate monkey at Easy Peasy and Fun.

Look at this list of things we used.

two paper plates
beige paper
glue
scissors
pencil
black marker

This was such a fun and easy rainforest activity. We traced Mr. MunchKing’s hands on light brown paper.

Then we pained the paper plates.

And cut out the legs, arms and face on lighter paper we already had.

Following the instructions for the craft on Easy Peasy and Fun we outlined a face.

We cut out the ears and tails separately and glued on.

Mr. Munchking loved his craft.

More Rainforest Crafts

If you’re looking for more rainforest crafts for kindergarten, you’ll love my huge Amazon Rainforest Unit Study and Lapbooks.

Also look at: