Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Activity, Change, Progress

handson

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

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

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Seventh Journey Time Warp is our next book for adventure. And we’re doing a fun Lost City of Atlantis craft. Be sure to grab more Geronimo Stilton Books ideas and crafts on my page.

This time we are going to visit mythical Atlantis with our favorite globetrotting mouse in Geronimo Stilton Time Warp The Seventh Journey Through Time.

We are going to do it with a magical diorama that lets your child create their own version of the magical city to go along with the reading.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

Geronimo finds himself underwater this time in The Time Tentacle 2000 in the lost city of Atlantis.

He speculates about their clothing guessing that it was similar to ancient Greek tunics.

And he shares about the 10 kings of Atlantis who descended from Poseidon, visits the ornate gold palace, and enjoys a banquet with royalty.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

Benefits of Introducing Myths, Legends and Fairytales

Also, I know I usually stick to history and reality but there is much to be said about the benefits of imagination, fairy tales, legends and myths.

For example, legends, folktales, and myths:

  • can teach children about emotional resilience by helping them to connect fictional stories to real life people and circumstances.
  • help children to deal with adversity by learning to believe in themselves to overcome obstacles and challenges. 
  • help children confront real-life fears and anxieties in a wonderful fantastical setting that makes it easier to deal with.
  • develop a child’s imagination.
  • are full of rich insights into humanity and history.
  • cultivate an appreciation and understanding  of other cultures.
  • open the door to learning about why people came to believe them.

:

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

In addition, mythology whether it comes from the Roman Empire, the Greek or the Egyptian region is a part of teaching within language arts.

Stories and myths and names of characters helps to promote vocabulary skills and heightens a child’s interest in following story lines.

About the Lost City of Atlantis

The Lost City of Atlantis is a myth which may have started in Egypt, survived in classical Greek writings, and then emerged in medieval traditions by Arabian geographers

Supposedly, Atlantis disappeared into the sea as a result of earthquakes and floods.

Some historians think suggest that this myth had its roots in the volcanic explosion of Santorini.

And your child will love reading about the Lost City of Atlantis.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

Other Geronimo Stilton Chapter Book Activities

Next, look at these other crafts to go with the books.

Now, dioramas are meant to be free form and totally creatively led by your child,.

Use what supplies you have with maybe a couple of special items added.

However, I will give you some loose directions to help get you going.

If you don’t have them on hand already you can get most of the supplies at Dollar Tree.

I grabbed even my cardboard box here, the castle cut out in the unfinished wood craft and the sand.

Too, they carry seashells in the floral aisle as well as paint, and glitter.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

Finally, look below at how to make your own diorama.

How to Make A Mythical Lost City of Atlantis Diorama

You will need:

  • A cardboard box
  • A castle cut out (Dollar Tree) or you can draw a simple one on cardstock or cardboard and cut it out.
  • Paint and glitter
  • Sand
  • Assorted seashells
  • Plastic ocean animals
  • Hot glue gun/glue sticks
  • Safari LTD Mythical Realms Toob

These mats are fantastic for craft projects, they are easy to clean, safe and are a good way to keep your kitchen table free from paint, hot glue, and other craft messes.

Directions:

The first thing to do is to tape up or hot glue the bottom of the box.

I folded it so there was more coverage rather than like you would for support if shipping something and glued it well.

Next, cut off the flaps on one end except for one, and the larger side of the box to create a 3 walled structure with a floor base.

This gives your child plenty of open space for creativity.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

Paint the inside or cover it in blue tissue paper or construction paper to give it a water like look.

You don’t have to paint the bottom unless your child wants to. We will cover it up with sand in a bit. Allow your paint to dry completely.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

Next, paint a thick coat of glue on the base and sprinkle generously with sand.

Additionally, you could also use table salt to get the same look.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

While you are waiting for the glue to dry paint your castle gold and add glitter if you like.

We added a little more texture to the castle with some hot glue and pressed more glitter into it while the glue is still wet.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

Create some depth to your diorama by not just gluing your castle flat to the back but popping it out instead.

How to Make a Cardboard Castle

Too, you can hot glue anything thick to the back to separate it from the back of the box.

I cut several squares of cardboard roughly the same size and glued them together and then to the back.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

Now the really fun part for us was creating coral and other undersea items from hot glue.

This is a good introduction to the glue gun for kids because there is really no need for their fingers to get near the glue until it is completely cooled.

All you do is squeeze out the glue and make underwater shapes on your silicone mat or waxed paper.

Make sure that each piece is connected and thick enough that it can support itself upright.

Create grassy shapes and twisting coral and let them cool for a few minutes until hard.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

If you want to add glitter, sprinkle some on the glue immediately before it sets.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

Or you can paint the hot glue shapes once hardened.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

Peel your shapes off and make a small puddle of hot glue to create a base.

Immediately put your shapes on the base and hold until hardened or use whatever objects you can to hold them in place upright until ready.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

Place your Mythical Toob figures, ocean animals, and shells around to fill up your Atlantis diorama.

The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

Daniel Boone Exploration DIY Easy Compass Activity and Survival Ideas

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

Today, we’re learning about Daniel Boone exploration and ideas to learn from his life. You’ll love my unit study and other ideas on my page Daniel Boone – North American Explorer.

And when you think about Daniel Boone and his life you think about his amazing skills on the frontier. 

After all, he is best known for exploring and settling the area we now know as Kentucky.

Daniel Boone Exploration DIY Easy Compass Activity and Survival Ideas

He used his knowledge of the area and the skills he learned growing up to become a folk hero and create a legacy that lives on today.

What was commonplace living then is considered survival skills in today’s world.

Survival skills are something that you might want to incorporate into your child’s homeschool goals.

Survival Skill Ideas for Kids

Some things that you might want to teach them that would have been a part of the upbringing in Daniel Boone’s world are:

  • Building a shelter- How to gather and arrange whatever is at hand to protect themselves from the elements.
  • Starting a fire- Not only arranging wood but starting a fire without a lighter or matches.
  • Using a compass- A good skill to help them find their way in the wilderness.
  • Finding and filtering clean water- Knowing how to find and different methods for purifying water.
  • Basic First Aid- Learning to clean and care for basic emergencies.
  • How to use a knife-Safely handling and storing
  • Acquiring food- An important basic wilderness skill, identifying edible plants, making fish traps, and animal traps.
  • And be sure to grab my free Daniel Boone Lapbook.
  • Also, look at Daniel Boone: The Complete Series.

Even if you did not grow up this way teaching these skills may appeal to you, but how do you teach what you aren’t skilled in yourself?

Daniel Boone Exploration DIY Easy Compass Activity and Survival Ideas

Grab some of these resources to help you.

First, I have a Foraging and Feasting Nature Unit Study and Lapbook.

Books for Daniel Boone Unit Study & Survival Ideas

Second, one of my favorite resources to learn anything and about Daniel Boone Exploration are books.

10 Resources for A Daniel Boone Unit Study

Whether you want to add a hands-on unit study or are looking for a few resources, you'll love one of these.

Then learn about how a compass works.

How a Compass Works

Here is a bit of science,

How does this work? A needle is made from steel which contains iron.

When you stroke the needle on the magnet the iron particles are magnetized. It only works temporarily, but you do get to see a cool effect of a needle working like a compass.

The metals iron, steel, nickel and cobalt are magnetic.

Now, a compass works by detecting and responding to the Earth’s natural magnetic fields – always pointing north.

Earth’s core is made of iron that is part liquid and part solid crystal.

The movement of the liquid core produces the earth’s magnetic field. 

Now, look at these easy directions in how to make a compass.

How to Make a Compass

You will need:

  • Small cork
  • Fine sharpie
  • A needle
  • A Small cup
  • Water
  • A magnet
Daniel Boone Exploration DIY Easy Compass Activity and Survival Ideas

The first thing you want to do is slice off a piece of the cork about ¼” thick.

Daniel Boone Exploration DIY Easy Compass Activity and Survival Ideas

Slide the needle through the center of the cork, it helps to use a pair of needle nose pliers rather than trying to do it with your bare fingers.

Daniel Boone Exploration DIY Easy Compass Activity and Survival Ideas

Next rub the pointed tip of the needle back and forth across the magnet 25-30 times to magnetize it.

Daniel Boone Exploration DIY Easy Compass Activity and Survival Ideas

Fill a small jar about ⅔ full of water and place your compass in the water, the needle will point north/south.

Daniel Boone Exploration DIY Easy Compass Activity and Survival Ideas

You can use a real compass or a compass on your phone to test and be sure which direction is north to prove it.

Daniel Boone Exploration DIY Easy Compass Activity and Survival Ideas

Use a fine point sharpie to mark North, South, East, and West on the cork.

Daniel Boone Exploration DIY Easy Compass Activity and Survival Ideas

Place it back into the jar of water.

Daniel Boone Exploration DIY Easy Compass Activity and Survival Ideas

Remember you will need to re-magnetize it for each use.

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

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

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.

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

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

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

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.

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

Hands-on Seed Activities

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

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

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. 

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

Cover one cup completely with black construction paper.

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

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.

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

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.

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

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.

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

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

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

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

Add the wings to the sides with glue as well.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Cut a beak out of the second plate.

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

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.

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

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.

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

Free Awesome Ancient Greece Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Activities

| 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.

Free Awesome Ancient Greece Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Activities

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.

Free Awesome Ancient Greece Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Activities

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

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

Free Awesome Ancient Greece Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Activities

More Hands-on Greece Activities for Kids

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.
Free Awesome Ancient Greece Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Activities

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!