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handson

How To Go From Phonics To Reading With 20 CVC Wheels

January 16, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Helping a child to transition from phonics to reading is a natural flow for a budding reader. Also, look at my page Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum for more fun ideas and activities.

First, you teach a child letter sounds not necessarily letter names.

A strong foundation in phonics can be taught through natural conversations, games, hand play, music and storytelling.

How To Go From Phonics To Reading With 20 CVC Wheels

Too, it’s not necessary that a child masters all the sounds as he will continue to learn them and reinforce them with the use of a CVC wheel.

Next children need to put sounds together to form words. That is how we learn to read.

Sure, teaching sounds in isolation is important but then again children are smart and want a reason to use them.

Learning CVC words is the next step. Consonant-vowel-consonant words gives your budding reader immediate satisfaction. They are now seeing how the sounds come together to form words.

EASY BOOKS FOR BEGINNER READERS

Also, strengthen their reading skill level by these beginning books.

12 Books For Beginner Readers

Bob Books Sight Words: Kindergarten

The set of Bob books have been keepers for years in the homeschool world and there are several reasons.

One is because it normally takes only about 10 to 15 minutes a day.
The second reason is that the books hold your child’s attention and are
short.

Go, Go, Go (Read with Dick and Jane)

You’ll get mixed feedback on the Dick and Jane series that so many parents remember from their childhood.

Although what may seem as funny repetition, the books works for budding readers.

New readers need the constant repetition found in these series of books.

Too, it’s been my experience that struggling readers do well with this series since the text is predictable.

Maisy Mouse Collection 10 Books Set Series 2 Lucy Cousins Early Learner Children

Then, Mouse Mouse book series hails from England and your kid gets a nice influence to other cultures.

While reading about everyday things like bedtime, your beginning reader is entertained while his reading skills are sharpened. It’s just a fun and sweet series which entertains your kids.

A story of visiting the bookshop for the first time from the multi-award-winning Lucy Cousins. Maisy goes to the bookshop to buy a new book, and she also wants to get one as a present for her friend Tallulah. Titles in this Set Includes Maisy goes to Bookshop, Maisy Goes by Plane, Maisy Sports Day, Maisy Plays Football, Maisy Goes To The Cinema, Maisy Goes To Nursery, Maisy Goes To Hospital, Maisy Goes To The Library, Maisy Goes on a Sleepover, Maisy Charley and The Wobbly Tooth.

Usborne My First Phonics Reading Library Collection 12 Books Box Set (Phonics Readers) (WITH FREE AUDIO ONLINE)

Usborne My First Phonics Reading Library Collection 12 Books Box Set (Phonics Readers) (WITH FREE AUDIO ONLINE):Titles In This Ape's Great Escape (Phonics Readers)Chimp with a Limp (Phonics Readers)Hyena Ballerina (Phonics Readers)Giraffe in the Bath (Phonics Readers)Goat in a Boat (Phonics Readers)Bug in a Rug (Phonics Readers)Kangaroo at the Zoo (Phonics Readers)Mole in a Hole (Phonics Readers)Lizard in a Blizzard (Phonics Readers)Flamingo plays Bingo (Phonics Readers)Raccoon on the Moon (Phonics Readers)Phonics Llamas in Pyjamas

Usborne Very First Reading Boxed Set Collection Pack with 16 books

The beauty of the phonics readers is that text is still predictable and rhyming. Decoding which is the common thread with phonics readers makes the Usborne phonics readers a keeper.

Remember the power of little lessons done often creates a master reader.

The Cat in the Hat

I remember using the Cat in the Hat series to teach my first reader and every kid after him.

However, I had no idea how this series of books set up all my kids for reading success lifelong. Maybe Theodor Geisel didn’t have a clue either.

Whatever the case, building stories around sight words is not easy. Building a silly story with sight words is what worked for all of my kids. Too, this series is great for many ages, not just beginning readers.

I remember reading how Dr. Seuss was trying to kill the 1950s Dick and Jane series which some viewed as boring

Beginner Books are fun, funny, and easy to read! Launched by Dr. Seuss in 1957 with the publication of The Cat in the Hat, this beloved early reader series motivates children to read on their own by using simple words with illustrations that give clues to their meaning. Featuring a combination of kid appeal, supportive vocabulary, and bright, cheerful art, Beginner Books will encourage a love of reading in children ages 3–7.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Additionally, filling my bookshelves and yes floor with books with repetitive texts like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See was something else I did right.

Little did I know then that repetitive text in fun books in how kids learn to read.

Multiple exposures to text encourages mastery..

Know that readers are nurtured by reading nursery rhymes at the newborn to preschool ages turns to repetitive text in books in the early years of reading. That equals mastery and brings meaning to reading.

Elephant & Piggie: The Complete Collection (Includes 2 Bookends) (An Elephant and Piggie Book)

Although the Elephant and Piggie series is classified closer to a first grade level, grade levels are subjective; we know that as home educators.

Besides you need a variety of levels as your child repeats and reads higher level books. Then he backs up and reviews basic concepts from lower grade levels.

Reading well is accomplished by pushing the boundaries to the next level without your child feeling any pressure.

Photo Credit: www.happyhomeschoolmom.com

McGuffey’s Eclectic Readers Free PDF Downloads

Here are the six McGuffey Eclectic Readers free PDF downloads in one convenient location! Plus, I’ve also included the McGuffey Speller free PDF download as well.

Splat the Cat: I Scream for Ice Cream (I Can Read Level 1)

One of the best things about the I Can Read series is the multiple levels. From prek to level 4 you have many choices of fun stories to go up and down in level to repeat texts as your budding reader needs it.

Splat can barely sit still during the bus ride. He's imagining the mountain of ice cream he thinks he'll get to eat! But when Splat gets there, that mountain becomes more of an avalanche. It's up to Splat and his classmates to save the day!

Beginning readers will practice the –eam sound in this easy-to-read addition to the Splat series.

I Can Read It! Book 1

Next, like the other readers listed with controlled vocabulary which means that a handful of words are repeated, the I Can Read It Series does the same.

What I also love about them as a parent is not just the predictable text, but in the fourth volume there is a word list which is helpful to me.

Controlled-vocabulary stories, with real plot, action, and humor, engage your childs attention and interest. Reading lessons move your child through a natural progression of phonetic and spelling patterns. Easy to use. Includes I Did Read It! diplomas. Fun!

Buzz Said the Bee, Grade 1 (Hello Reader)

Lastly, I used the Hello Readers from Scholastic to not only teach my new readers, but the sight word practice found in each book was needed for my kids

know some of these books will work for you because they have worked for homeschool families for years. Our needs at home vary because we want to teach phonics, love of reading, and sight words all in a natural way.

Also, look at how rhyming and learning cvc words form a strong foundation for reading.

HOW TO STRENGTHEN CVC SKILLS BY RHYMING

For instance, rhyming is not just a fun child’s game. When a child rhymes he can hear shared sounds.

And recognizing those sounds helps a child to learn to group word families together.

Blending is what a child does when he puts the letters sounds he learned together.

And when a child learns one rhyming pattern he increases his vocabulary with more similar words

Hands on is the best way to teach reading.

HOW TO USE CVC WHEELS TO TEACH READING

For example, one of the tools I love to use are cvc wheels.

It takes just a few minutes to put therm together.

But once they’re together and fastened a child can read and review the cvc words repeatedly.

How To Go From Phonics To Reading With 20 CVC Wheels

And once you put the cvc word wheels together you can use them for your next reader.

Using the cvc wheels in conjunction with a reader nurtures your child’s desire to read.

MORE READING ACTIVITIES

  • How to Choose a Phonics Program Like a Pro (& recommendations)
  • How To Get Your First Homeschooled Child Reading
  • 12 of the Best Books For Beginner Readers Being Homeschooled
  • 5 Easy Steps to Putting Together Your Own Homeschool Phonics Program
  • 10 Best Homeschool Phonics Curriculum For Kindergarten
  • How to Make A Fun ABC Flip Book Fingerprint Activity for Kindergarten
  • Shark and Oceans for Kindergarten Fun Sight Word Activity
  • How To Determine The Best Beginner Reading Books For Kindergarten & Recommendations
How To Go From Phonics To Reading With 20 CVC Wheels

Additionally, look at the word wheels included in this .pdf download.

  • -at family
  • -ab family
  • -ag family
  • -am family
  • –an family
  • -ap family
  • -ar family
  • -ed family
  • -en family
  • -ig family
  • -in family
  • -ip family
  • -ot family
  • –ob family
  • -og family
  • -op family
  • –it family
  • -ug family
  • -un family
  • -ut family

HOW TO GET THE 20 CVC WORD WHEELS

You can get it now!

TOS
Important: READ THIS FIRST.

Before you email me asking where your download link is or tell me that it is not working, read this to ensure that you get your pretties timely and that you don’t pay for something and not get it.
• All my products are digital. You will not receive a physical product for anything in my store. A digital physical year calendar does not mean a physical product or calendar.
• Downloads are INSTANT. When you pay, you will receive an email with a download link INSTANTLY. Depending on your internet connection, the email could be just 30 seconds or so, or a bit longer. The point is it will be soon, not a week later,etc.
• The email with the download link will go to the email you used for paypal. If you used your husband’s paypal, your downloads will go to that email. Please check that email and your spam before emailing me telling me you can’t find it.
• Please put my email tina @ tinasdynamichomeschoolplus dot com (of course substitute the right symbol for dot) in your address/contact list so that your product does not go to spam.

  • 20 CVC Word Wheels for Budding Readers

    20 CVC Word Wheels for Budding Readers

    $4.00
    Add to cart

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Teach Kindergarten Tagged With: CVC, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolreading, kindergarten, language arts, languagearts, phonics, reading

How to Make an Easy Build a Snowman Kid’s Game (free printable cube)

January 14, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a build a snowman free printable game. Also, look at my pages Winter Season Unit Study Free Lapbook & Hands-On Ideas. 

Whether you’re looking for a fun activity to do indoors to keep you the kids from going stir crazy or looking for an easy activity to go with a winter unit study, you’ll love this build a snowman kid’s game.

How to Make an Easy Build a Snowman Kid's Game (free printable cube)

Also, reading aloud while your kids play is a great way to add in some facts about winter.

For example, we love living books.

When possible, we prefer to read them over how to books.

And for this theme of snowman, you’ll want to add a few story books.

BOOKS ABOUT WINTER FOR KIDS

13 Snow, Snowman, Animals, and Winter Books

Add one or more of these books to your learning day if you're learning about snow, snowflakes, winter or just for fun.

Winter Cottage

Immerse Yourself in This Story of Love and Companionship Amidst Deprivation

It is the fall of 1930, and America has plunged into the Great Depression. On a remote dirt road deep in the snowy woods of northern Wisconsin, misfortune forces the impoverished Sparkes family to take desperate measures.

A wayfaring quartet consisting of thirteen-year-old Araminta (nicknamed Minty), her recently unemployed father-a poetry-quoting widower called Pops-and her younger sister, Eglantine (known as Eggs-a dreamer like Pops), and their dog, Buster, are on their way to Minneapolis to live with the curmudgeonly Aunt Amy. When their car breaks down and they are unable to fix it, the homeless four stumble upon a vacant summer cottage by a lake. In desperate straits, they decide to settle in.

1. The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder

How do snow crystals form? What shapes can they take? Are no two snow crystals alike? These questions and more are answered inside this exploration of the science of snow, featuring photos of real snow crystals in all their beautiful diversity. Perfect for reading on winter days, this book by a nature photographer and a snow scientist will inspire wonder and curiosity about the marvels of snow. 

2. Sneezy the Snowman

B-R-R-R-R! AH-CHOO! Sneezy the Snowman is cold, cold, cold. To warm up, he drinks cocoa, sits in a hot tub, stands near a warm fire–and melts! But the children know just what to do to build him up again–and make him feel “just right”.

3. Snowmen at Night

Have you ever built a snowman and discovered the next day that his grin has gotten a little crooked, or his tree-branch arms have moved? And you've wondered . . . what do snowmen do at night? This delightful wintertime tale reveals all!

4. The Biggest Snowman Ever

When the mayor of Mouseville announces the town snowman contest, Clayton and Desmond claim that they will each make the biggest snowman ever. But building a huge snowman alone is hard! They work and work, but their snowmen just aren't big enough. Soon they have an idea. As the day of the contest approaches, Clayton and Desmond join forces to build the biggest snowman ever.

5. Over and Under the Snow

Over the snow, the world is hushed and white. But under the snow lies a secret world of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals making their winter home under the snow. This beloved nonfiction picture book exploring the subnivean zone reveals the tunnels and caves formed beneath the snow but over the ground, where many kinds of animals live through the winter, safe and warm, awake and busy, but hidden beneath the snow.

A Hat for Minerva Louise

"Stoeke's second book about that intrepid screwball, Minerva Louise, is a rare find."—The Horn Book, starred review. The other chickens hate snowy mornings. But not Minerva Louise! To her a snowy day—like everything else—is an adventure. But this chilly, chipper hen needs something to keep her warm. What she finds—and how she finds it—will keep young readers cackling.

6. How to Catch a Snowman

Our heroes' entry for the snowman contest has magically come to life―and ran away! Can YOU help catch it? Get ready for snow much fun as you travel through a winter wonderland with running, skating, and bouncing through trap after trap to catch the snowman and claim the winning prize. Will the snowman teach our heroes a lesson they'll never forget?

The Big Snow

When the geese begin to fly south, the leaves flutter down from the trees and the cold winds begin to blow from the north, the animals of the woods and meadows, big and small, prepare for the long, cold winter ahead when the countryside is hidden under a deep blanket of snow. They gather food and look for warm, snug places in the ground, trees, caves or thickets, where they can find protection against the icy winds.It might have been hard for the birds and animals of the hillside to survive when the Big Snow came if their good friends, who lived in the little stone house, had not remembered to put food out for them.Here, in many beautiful pictures, the Haders show how winter comes to the woodland as the busy animals make their preparations.

7. Curious About Snow (Smithsonian)

The Smithsonian does things right and this Curious About Snow book is a
great introduction for curious kiddos with real images and simple explanations.

8. Animals in Winter

This is a clear and appealing book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. Introduce kids to basic science ideas as part of discussions about the seasons and animals.

9. Arctic Figurines, Including A Harp Seal, Husky, Caribou, Arctic Rabbit, Killer Whale, Walrus, Arctic Fox, Beluga Whale, Igloo, And Polar Bear

SET OF 10 FUN AND FRIGID FIGURES – It’s hard to stay warm at the North Pole, but you can discover its wonders in your home with these frigid friends. This TOOB includes a Harp Seal, Husky, Caribou, Arctic Rabbit, Killer Whale, Walrus, Arctic Fox, Beluga Whale, Igloo, and Polar Bear.

10. Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.

Next, look at ways to play the snowman game.

BUILD A SNOWMAN GAME PLAYING IDEAS

This game can actually be done many different ways depending on the ages of your kids.

Look at these suggestions below on how to do this latest fun activity I have for you.

  • Roll the cube, and have an older child cut out cardboard and draw, color or paint each piece as he builds the snowman.
  • Roll the cube, and have a younger child cut out card stock and draw, color or paint each piece as he builds the snowman.
  • Print two pictures of the cube or die on card stock. Have your child cut out the pictures on one cube and glue the pictures on cardboard or paper. Use another cube for game playing.
  • To teach a preschooler shapes, make the snowman parts different shapes. Octagon for the body, circles for the buttons and cone for the nose will have him practicing geometry skills.
  • Of course, you can just have the child color the picture as he rolls that part of the snowman on the cube.
  • Another easy tip is to cut out the snowman on the download below and put him back together as your child rolls the cube.
Grab this FUN and FREE How to Make an Easy Build a Snowman Kid's Game (with free printable cube). It’s a great activity for a winter unit study to keep the kids busy.

Next look at more snowman fun.

MORE SNOWMAN ACTIVITIES

  • W Is For Winter Craft Easy Snowman Oobleck Activity
  • Fun Paper Cup Snowman Game Matching Upper and Lowercase Alphabet Letters
  • Cute and Simple Snowman Story Stones Winter Art Activities For Preschoolers
  • How to Make an Adorable Q Tip Painting Snowman
  • 8 Cool Winter Crafts for Middle School | Craft a Snowman Bead Necklace
  • Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter
  • How to Make an Adorable Toilet Roll Snowman for Winter Crafts
  • Snow and Snowflake Facts for Kids and Fun Hands-on Exploding Snowman

Snowman Kid’s Game

Although a game like this is fun, it also teaches many skills. 

Preschoolers strengthen fine motor skills by both coloring and cutting.

In addition, you can expand this game by writing down words that correspond to the pictures on the cube.

And children learn to take turns as they play together.

Another way to make this game fun for your artsy kids is to have them roll the cube and draw their own parts for the snowman and build it as they go along. 

Designing their own snowman builds creativity and strengthens the imagination.

A game like building a snowman is also a fun activity to do with a group of kids in a homeschool co-op.

Each kid can design their own snowman and learn to play together.

One more idea is to have your children work together to build a giant snowman on butcher block paper.

Collaboration is a skill that a child uses on to high school.

HOW TO GET THE FREE SNOWMAN PRINTABLE PAGE AND CUBE

Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

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

1) 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!

What ideas do you have for building a snowman?

Grab this FUN and FREE How to Make an Easy Build a Snowman Kid's Game (with free printable cube). It’s a great activity for a winter unit study to keep the kids busy.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: 1. My FREE Learning Printables {Any Topic}, Hands-On Activities, Teach Homeschool Preschool Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool preschool, homeschoolinginwinter, preschool, preschool skills, winter season

The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama

January 13, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

The great barrier reef is an amazing model for an ecosystem triorama, showing a colorful slice of the underwater ecosystem. Also, look at my pages Trioramas: How To Create Engaging Visual Narratives For Kids for more ideas and Free 4-Week Kid’s Australia Unit Study Who Love Hands-on Learning.

The great barrier reef is considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

So, for this triorama we took a trip to the craft store.

The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama

What I enjoyed about this method of creating the triorama is that even younger children who can’t write or draw well can still easily make a beautiful reef display.

The Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system, is swarming with an astounding variety of fish species.

It shows an incredible biodiversity of this underwater ecosystem, each playing their part in keeping it healthy.

Even if you’ve never experienced it up close you can see videos, pictures or books full of the wonders that can be found there.

BOOKS ABOUT THE GREAT BARRIER REEF FOR KIDS

First, look at these books about the great barrier reef to add this hands-on activity today.

5 Great Barrier Reef Books

Add some of these fun books about the Great Barrier Reef to your home library.

The Great Barrier Reef (Earth's Incredible Places)

Vibrant, dynamic illustrations illuminate this enchanting place, its animal inhabitants, and the peoples who have embraced it as a centerpiece of their cultures. Learn all about how the reef came to be, its place in the world, and perhaps most importantly, what we can all do to help ensure that The Great Barrier Reef will be around for countless future generations to discover!

The World of Coral Reefs: Explore and Protect the Natural Wonders of the Sea

Coral reefs occupy less than 1% of the ocean floor, but they support 25% of all marine species with food and shelter. In this lavishly illustrated book for ages 7 to 10, marine ecologist and underwater explorer Erin Spencer provides fascinating, scientific information in a highly accessible format, including details about the
types of coral, their anatomy and life cycle, where they live, how reefs develop, and the incredible diversity of marine animals that live among them, including aquarium favorites like clownfish, royal blue tangs, and sea turtles. Kids learn about the interdependent relationships of people and reefs and how human behavior puts reefs in danger, promising conservation work that scientists are undertaking, and solution-oriented ways kids and families can help in the effort. 

Where Is the Great Barrier Reef?

The Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Australia, is the world's largest coral reef system. Stretching more than 1,400 miles, it provides a home to a wide diversity of creatures. Designated a World Heritage Site, the reef is suffering from the effects of climate change but this fascinating book shows this spectacular part of our planet.

The Mystery on the Great Barrier Reef (Around the World in 80 Mysteries (Paperback))

It's a trip Down Under for Christina, 10, Grant, 7, and their mystery-writing grandmother Mimi! Lots of surprises and mysterious activities unfold as the group travels through the Outback, Queensland, and finally to the Great Barrier Reef. During a glass-bottom boat ride, they discover more than coral and fish under the water-scuba divers and flesh-tearing moray eel lurk beneath their boat! They shudder at the eerie screech of the Tasmanian devil and brave the awesome Australian Outback (and Aborigines!) at night. Watch and wonder as Grant ends up in the Camel Cup camel race- will he make it to the finish line? Don't miss a moment of excitement in Christina and Grant's Australian adventure! Download free activities for this book!

Coral Reef

Hardy adventurers ages 6 - 9 dive into a silent watery world where tiny coral animals grow together to form rock gardens of white, pink, and red-orange. In this action-packed undersea circus, jaws snap, tentacles sting, ink gets squirted, and fish suddenly glow while animals that look like plants sway gently and bashful clams hide the lively secrets inside their shells. Surprisingly dry and armed with a few pieces of equipment and their boundless imaginations, children explore this magical realm one small square at a time. "Science education at its best." ― Science Books and Films

Let’s look at some of these fish and the parts they play among the coral.

FISH OF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF ECOSYSTEM

  • Clownfish are instantly recognizable by their bright orange and white stripes. They are small, agile fish that have a symbiotic relationship with anemones, finding protection within their stinging tentacles and, in turn, they help to keep the anemone clean and healthy.
  • Damselfish are known for their vibrant colors and territorial behavior. They play a key role in the reef’s food web, grazing on algae and providing a food source for larger fish.
  • Parrotfish have beak-like mouths and vivid hues, they also play a crucial role in maintaining the reef’s health by grazing on algae and contributing to sand production.
  • Surgeonfish are equipped with sharp spines on their tails, (which resembles a surgeon’s scalpel, hence the name). And they are known for their agility and territorial behavior.
  • Cod and tuna, also prized for their culinary value, can be found in the reef’s waters, attracting both sport fishermen and commercial fishing operations.
  • Butterflyfish, with their delicate patterns and graceful movements, are a delight to observe as they flit among the coral branches. They are specialized feeders, often targeting specific types of coral polyps or invertebrates.
  • Angelfish are adorned with striking colors and distinctive shapes, they definitely add to the visual spectacle of the reef. They are omnivores, feeding on a variety of sponges, algae, and small invertebrates.
  • Snapper and grouper are popular targets of recreational and commercial fishing.  They are important predators that help regulate fish populations, feeding a variety of smaller fish and invertebrates.
The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama

The reef also provides habitat for a variety of sharks and rays, including the manta ray and the whale shark.

These apex predators are yet another part of maintaining the delicate balance of the reef’s ecosystem.

Also, look at more coral reef activities.

HANDS-ON ECOSYSTEM TRIORAMA CORAL REEF ACTIVITIES

  • Exciting Books About the Great Barrier Reef| Faux Coral Craft
  • Fun Hands-on Coral Reef Activities and Play Dough Invitation to Play
  • Free Coral Reef Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas
  • The Geronimo Stilton Series: Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef
  • Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity

Also, look at these other themed trioramas.

MORE TRIORAMAS

  • How to Make an Easy Rainforest Triorama With Kids
  • How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama
  • How to Make an Amazing Shakespeare Triorama Book Report
  • How to Make a Cool Greek Mythology Triorama With Kids
  • How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture
  • How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica
  • Amazing Geography Landforms: An Engaging Triorama Tutorial for Kids
  • How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies
  • How To Build A Water Habitat Triorama With Kids
  • How to Craft a Stunning Wolf Animal Triorama
  • How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska’s Amazing Features
  • How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions
  • How to Make A Pyramid Diorama For States Of Matter
  • The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama

Finally, look at how to make this ecosystem triorama.

THE WONDERS OF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF: AN ECOSYSTEM TRIORAMA

You will need:

  • Double Sided tape or glue stick
  • 12×12 cardstock
  • Scrap multi colored cardstock
  • Ocean animal/plant stickers
  • Letter stickers
  • Scissors
The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama

First, as we do with all our trioramas, we are folding our square paper into a triangle and create a nice crease.

The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama

Next, unfold and repeat in the opposite direction.

The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama

Then, cut from one tip to the center of the folds and mark out one side that doesn’t need to be decorated (one on either side of the cut).

The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama

Before folding and gluing it into a pyramid add letter stickers along one side to Spell out ‘Great Barrier Reef’ along one side.

The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama

Fold the pyramid and glue the X underneath.

The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama

Use colorful cardstock to cut out some various types of coral to give your triorama dimension, leaving a little extra space at the bottom.

The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama

Fold over enough of the bottom so that you can glue it onto the triorama base.

The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama

Attach with glue, adding them to the front, middle, and back of the base, I like to use a double sided tape dispenser for projects like this.

The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama

Now begin adding fish, putting some on the background.

Add them coming in and out of the corals and grasses as well.

The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama

Your child can go crazy adding fish and other sea creatures to show off the brimming with life Great Coral Reef ecosystem.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: earth science, earthscience, elementary science, great barrier reef, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, life science, science

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

January 11, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Compare 3 different regions with a Native American Triorama that focuses on each with contrasts and similarities. Also, look at my page Trioramas: How To Create Engaging Visual Narratives For Kids for more ideas. Too, you’ll love my page Native American Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning.

While they had much in common, the tribes of the coast, desert, and plains were each unique with their own traditions and way of life.

The Coastal Indians relied on the bounty of the sea.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

The Desert Indians adapted to arid conditions through agriculture and resourcefulness, and the Plains Indians followed the buffalo across the vast grasslands.

Let’s look at each of these areas and then translate that into a hands-on activity that gives students a wonderful canvas for sharing what they have learned about each.

Your child can include any features of each tribe on the 3 sides of your Native American triorama that you like.

For example, there are war facts, ceremonies, clothing to food, states they lived in, homes, and more.

For this project we focused on food, clothing, and homes.

To make this triorama really unique we decided to do it in a torn paper collage style, adding small details with markers.

This not only is great for building up fine motor skills but also creates a colorful and interesting display.

NATIVE AMERICAN BOOKS FOR KIDS

Then look at these books about Native Americans.

16 Books About Native Americans

You’ll love these books about various Native American tribes and how they lived and their rich history.

The Winter People

Saxso is fourteen when the British attack his village. It’s 1759, and war is raging in the northeast between the British and the French, with the Abenaki people Saxso’s people by their side. Without enough warriors
to defend their homes, Saxso’s village is burned to the ground. Many people are killed, but some, including Saxso’s mother and two sisters, are taken hostage. Now it’s up to Saxso, on his own, to track the raiders and bring his family back home . . . before it’s too late.

In Their Own Words: Sitting Bull

In Their Own Words: Sitting Bull tells the exciting story of Sitting Bull's life using real drawings, letters, and speeches from him and from his friends and family.A warrior I have been. / Now, it is all over. / A hard time I have.With these words, Sitting Bull surrendered to the U.S. government on July 20, 1881. Sitting Bull spent most of his life trying to protect his people. A proud father and brave warrior, Sitting Bull wanted the Lakota Sioux to continue hunting buffalo and roaming the Plains. Although he lost this battle, Sitting Bull is remembered for his brave actions and notable accomplishments.

Blackfeet Indian Stories

Here are the great stories of the Blackfeet, recorded by the famous conservationist and ethnologist, George Bird Grinnell, who became a tribal member in 1885. The Nizitapi, or Real People, as they call each other, were people of the buffalo. They originated on the plains of today’s southern Alberta, western Saskatchewan, and central Montana. Famed frontier artist George Catlin called the Blackfeet “the most
powerful tribe of Indians on the continent.” Like many native people, the Blackfeet have stories and legends that originated centuries ago, perhaps thousands of years ago, and were passed down from generation to generation through an oral tradition.

The Double Life of Pocahontas

In a story that is as gripping as it is historical, Newbery Honor-winning author Jean Fritz reveals the true life of Pocahontas. Though at first permitted to move freely between the Indian and the white worlds, Pocahontas was eventually torn between her new life and the culture that shaped her.

The Buffalo and the Indians: A Shared Destiny

Countless herds of majestic buffalo once roamed across the plains and prairies of North America. For at least 10,000 years, the native people hunted the buffalo and depended upon its meat and hide for their survival. But to the Indians, the buffalo was also considered sacred. They saw this abundant, powerful animal as another tribe, one that was closely related to them, and they treated it with great respect and admiration.

Hidden Roots

"Hidden Roots" focuses on the greater impact that the generations of Abenaki that followed had to deal with. Readers will learn about the loss of identity, history and culture;lack ofself worth and fear that Abenaki people were feeling, and still feel today. Middle grade readers love to see life as "being fair", and will totally understand that life is not fair in this story. This is a book that should be read in every middle school class, so that this history will not be forgotten, and never be repeated.

Children of the Longhouse

When Ohkwa'ri overhears a group of older boys planning a raid on a neighboring village, he immediately tells his Mohawk elders. He has done the right thing—but he has also made enemies. Grabber and his friends will do anything they can to hurt him, especially during the village-wide game of Tekwaarathon (lacrosse). Ohkwa'ri believes in the path of peace, but can peaceful ways work against Grabber's wrath?

Thunder Rolling in the Mountains

Through the eyes of a brave and in­dependent young woman, Scott O'Dell tells of the tragic defeat of the Nez Perce, a classic tale of cruelty, betrayal, and heroism.

This powerful account of the tragic defeat of the Nez Perce Indians in 1877 by the United States Army is narrated by Chief Joseph's strong and brave daughter.

When Sound of Running Feet first sees white settlers on Nez Perce land, she vows to fight them. She'll fight all the people trying to steal her people's land and to force them onto a reservation, includ­ing the soldiers with their guns.

But if to fight means only to die, never win, is the fight worth it? When will the killing stop?

Black Hawk

Before dying, Pyesa, Black Hawk’s father and chief of his people, commanded his son to defend their land from whites, who were trying to force the tribe off their land. Black Hawk, however, has no taste for killing and scalping and goes through great internal conflict. The story of this great-hearted leader shows how some whites and Native Americans were peaceful and kind, while others were not. Based on true events, this powerful book teaches about a difficult time period and shares profound, unique messages about love, faith, mercy, humility, friendship, forgiveness, and faith. Recommended for ages 13-18/Grade 7-12

Moccasin Trail (Puffin Newbery Library)

Jim Keath has lived for six years as a Crow Indian when he learns that his two younger brothers and a sister are journeying west to take up land. Although Jim finds it difficult to fit in with the family he hasn’t seen since childhood, and though they are wary and distrustful of him, Jim feels his duty is at their side. But slowly, as they survive the dangerous trek west, the perils of frontier life, and the kidnapping of their younger brother, Jim and his family realize that the only way to survive is to accept each other and truly reunite the family.

The Pueblo Indians,: Farmers of the Rio Grande

Young hawk lived over 400 years ago, but the civilization of the pueblo indians, already well advanced before any white settlers came into their land, has changed very little since his day.

Sacajawea

Captured by her enemies, married to a foreigner, and a mother at age sixteen, Sacajawea lived a life of turmoil and change. Then, in 1804, the mysterious young Shoshone woman met Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Acting as interpreter, peacemaker, and guide, Sacajawea bravely embarked on an epic journey that altered history forever. Hear her extraordinary story, in the voices of Sacajawea and William Clark in alternating chapters, with selections from Clark’s original diaries.

The Birchbark House (Birchbark House, 1)

She was named Omakakiins, or Little Frog, because her first step was a hop.

Omakakiins and her family live on an island in Lake Superior. Though there are growing numbers of white people encroaching on their land, life continues much as it always has.

But the satisfying rhythms of their life are shattered when a visitor comes to their lodge one winter night, bringing with him an invisible enemy that will change things forever—but that will eventually lead Omakakiins to discover her calling.

Naya Nuki: Shoshoni Girl Who Ran (Amazing Indian Children Series)

After being taken prisoner by an enemy tribe, a Shoshoni girl escapes and makes a thousand-mile journey through the wilderness to find her own people

Squanto, Friend Of The Pilgrims

Tells of the adventurous life of the Wampanoag Indian,Squanto.

Plains Indians (First Nations of North America)

This title teaches readers about the first people to live in the Plains region of North America. It discusses their culture, customs, ways of life, interactions with other settlers, and their lives today.

Next look at some of these facts about Native Americans.

I’ve some facts for each region.

COASTAL INDIANS/PACIFIC NORTHWEST

The indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest coast were remarkably diverse, made up of numerous tribes and language groups in the region.

These tribes included Chinook, Nez Perce, Haidi, Kwakiutl, Makah, and Tlingit.  Fishing,in particular salmon, was important to their existence.

They also spent much time hunting, gathering, and shellfish harvesting. The coastal tribes were known for their woodworking skills- crafting intricate canoes, totem poles, and longhouses.

Their longhouses, made from planks of tall cedar trees, were often elaborately decorated and used as dwellings for extended families and centers of community life.

Social structures were complex, with hereditary chiefs, skilled artisans, and warriors playing important roles.

Potlatches, ceremonial feasts involving gift-giving and displays of wealth, were central to social and economic relations.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

Learn how to draw a Pacific Northwest Coast Wolf head in the style of the tribes of the area.

DESERT INDIANS/SOUTHWEST

The dry and beautiful landscapes of the Southwest were home to diverse indigenous cultures that adapted remarkably to the harsh environment.

The Pueblo people, known for their adobe villages and sophisticated irrigation systems, cultivated crops like corn, beans, and squash.

The Navajo and Apache, semi-nomadic tribes, were skilled hunters and gatherers who also raised livestock.

 The Hopi, Zuni, and other Puebloan groups developed intricate pottery, weaving, and jewelry-making traditions.

Religion and spirituality were deeply ingrained in daily life, with elaborate ceremonies and rituals marking the changing seasons and ensuring agricultural success.

Cliff dwellings, such as those at Mesa Verde, and kivas, underground ceremonial chambers show the ingenuity and resilience of the desert-dwelling peoples.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

Learn how to make Adobe Bricks and look at my post Exploring Navajo Crafts for Kids: How to Make a Medicine Bag.

PLAINS INDIANS

The vast grasslands of the Great Plains supported a nomadic lifestyle centered on the buffalo. Tribes like the Sioux, Cheyenne, Comanche, and Blackfeet followed the herds, relying on them for food, clothing, shelter, and tools.

 Horses, later introduced by Europeans, revolutionized Plains Indian life, enabling greater mobility and hunting prowess.

Their homes were -Tipis, portable dwellings made of buffalo hides, and perfectly suited to their nomadic lifestyle.

Warfare, often driven by competition for resources and territory, was a significant aspect of Plains Indian culture. Warriors were highly respected, and their bravery and skill in battle were celebrated.

Spirituality was deeply connected to the natural world, with the sun, moon, and animals holding special significance.

The Sun Dance, a major religious ceremony, was a time for prayer, fasting, and renewal.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

For the plains Indian study you can include this How to Make a Kid’s Paper Bag Native American Vest and my page Native Americans The Plains Indians Unit Study & Lapbook.

Then look at these other themed ideas.

MORE TRIORAMA IDEAS

  • How to Make an Easy Rainforest Triorama With Kids
  • How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama
  • How to Make an Amazing Shakespeare Triorama Book Report
  • How to Make a Cool Greek Mythology Triorama With Kids
  • How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture
  • How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica
  • Amazing Geography Landforms: An Engaging Triorama Tutorial for Kids
  • How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies
  • How To Build A Water Habitat Triorama With Kids
  • How to Craft a Stunning Wolf Animal Triorama
  • How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska’s Amazing Features
  • How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions
  • How to Make A Pyramid Diorama For States Of Matter
  • The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama

HOW TO MAKE A NATIVE AMERICAN TRIORAMA

Finally, look at how make this Native American Triorama.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

You will need:

  • 3 -12×12 sheets of cardstock
  • Colorful construction paper
  • Glue sticks
  • Scissors
How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

First, fold all 3 sheets of cardstock from diagonal corners to form a triangle, crease well.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

Open and fold on the opposite corners, creasing again.

Open your paper and you should have 2 crisp intersecting lines.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

Cut from one corner to the center.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

And write ‘glue’ one either one of your cut sides to mark the triangle that will not be showing.

Leave your pieces open for easier decorating, we will glue them into their pyramid shape later.

Start by writing the tribal region alongside one corner.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

Then on each of the bottom corner write the features you will be highlighting- homes, dress, food.

Now, the fun really begins- shred, tear, or you could even use a hole punch to create your small pieces of all the colors you will need based on the images you have chosen to represent your tribes.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

Use glue to attach the torn bits of paper to the corresponding triangles to create your designs.

Allow to dry then assemble your triorama by folding the one marked glue underneath the opposite one and attaching with a generous amount of glue.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

Line your 3 trioramas up to compare the very different regions.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, homeschool, Native Americans, nativeamerican, nativeamericans, triorama, trioramas

How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska’s Amazing Features

January 10, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Explore Alaska’s amazing features with a biome triorama watercolor project. Also, look at my page Trioramas: How To Create Engaging Visual Narratives For Kids for more ideas. Too, you’ll love my page 4 Week Free Alaska Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas.

This triorama is a fantastic way to highlight the uniqueness of 3 different biomes.

Alaska is a state of stunning natural beauty, from the tundra to the forests to its rich coastline, there is rich variety all over its land.

How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska's Amazing Features

We are going to explore some of it a little deeper, including 4 amazing biomes with their unique features, flora, and fauna.

Then, we are recreating 3 of them in a biome triorama using watercolor paper, watercolors, and 1 or 2 small plastic animals to represent each one.

First, look at these books.

BOOKS FOR KIDS ABOUT ALASKA

13 Alaska Books for Kids Who Love to Be Read to and Love to Read

Add some of these books about the beautiful state of Alaska to your learning day or to your unit study about Alaska.

One Man's Wilderness, 50th Anniversary Edition: An Alaskan Odyssey

To live in a pristine land unchanged by man...to roam a wilderness through which few other humans have passed...to choose an idyllic site, cut trees, and build a log cabin...to be a self-sufficient craftsman, making what is needed from materials available...to be not at odds with the world, but content with one’s own thoughts and company...

Thousands have had such dreams, but Dick Proenneke lived them. He found a place, built a cabin, and stayed to become part of the country. One Man’s Wilderness is a simple account of the day-to-day explorations and activities he carried out alone, and the constant chain of nature’s events that kept him company. From Dick’s journals, and with firsthand knowledge of his subject and the setting, Sam Keith has woven a tribute to a man who carved his masterpiece out of the beyond.

The Year of Miss Agnes (Aladdin Historical Fiction)

Ten-year-old Frederika (Fred for short) doesn't have much faith that the new teacher in town will last very long. After all, they never do. Most teachers who come to their one-room schoolhouse in remote, Alaska leave at the first smell of fish, claiming that life there is just too hard.But Miss Agnes is different -- she doesn't get frustrated with her students, and she throws away old textbooks and reads Robin Hood instead! For the first time, Fred and her classmates begin to enjoy their lessons and learn to read and write -- but will Miss Agnes be like all the rest and leave as quickly as she came?

Gentle Ben

The Alaskan wilderness is a lonely place for Mark Andersen, especially after the death of his older brother, Jamie. But in time Mark finds someone else to love--Ben, an Alaskan brown bear so huge that no one else dares come near him. Gentle Ben has been a favorite of readers of all ages for 25 years, and is a timeless story of a rare friendship.

Sweet Home Alaska

 It's 1934, and times are tough for Trip's family after the mill in their small Wisconsin town closes, leaving her father unemployed. Determined to provide for his family, he moves them all to Alaska to become pioneers as part of President Roosevelt's Palmer Colony project. Trip and her family are settling in, except her mom, who balks at the lack of civilization. But Trip feels like she's following in Laura Ingalls Wilder's footsteps, and she hatches a plan to raise enough money for a piano to convince her musical mother that Alaska is a wonderful and cultured home. Her sights set on the cash prize at the upcoming Palmer Colony Fair, but can Trip grow the largest pumpkin possible--using all the love, energy, and Farmer Boy expertise she can muster?

Touching Spirit Bear (Spirit Bear, 1)

After severely injuring Peter Driscal in an empty parking lot, mischief-maker Cole Matthews is in major trouble. But instead of jail time, Cole is given another option: attend Circle Justice, an alternative program that sends juvenile offenders to a remote Alaskan Island to focus on changing their ways. Desperate to avoid prison, Cole fakes humility and agrees to go.

While there, Cole is mauled by a mysterious white bear and left for dead. Thoughts of his abusive parents, helpless Peter, and his own anger cause him to examine his actions and seek redemption—from the spirit bear that attacked him, from his victims, and, most importantly, from himself.

Home Is the North (Walter Morey Adventure Library)

Set in the U.S. Pacific Northwest and Alaska.

The Snow Child: A Novel

Alaska, 1920: a brutal place to homestead, and especially tough for recent arrivals Jack and Mabel. Childless, they are drifting apart -- he breaking under the weight of the work of the farm; she crumbling from loneliness and despair. In a moment of levity during the season's first snowfall, they build a child out of snow. The next morning the snow child is gone -- but they glimpse a young, blonde-haired girl running through the trees.This little girl, who calls herself Faina, seems to be a child of the woods. She hunts with a red fox at her side, skims lightly across the snow, and somehow survives alone in the Alaskan wilderness. As Jack and Mabel struggle to understand this child who could have stepped from the pages of a fairy tale, they come to love her as their own daughter. But in this beautiful, violent place things are rarely as they appear, and what they eventually learn about Faina will transform all of them.

The Moon of the Gray Wolves: The Thirteen Moons Series

It is November, and for the gray wolves of the Toklat Pass in Alaska, the hunt is on. It is time to harvest the sickly, weak, or old caribou as the herd migrates through the pass. It is also a time to test the survival skills of the young wolf pups.

In Thirteen Moons - a spellbinding wildlife series - Newbery Award-winning author Jean Craighead George has captured 13 North American animals in their natural environments and chronicled their fight for survival. From the lush Florida Everglades to the fertile Canadian east, this series explores the intricate relationships among animals, plants, and the ever-changing environment in which they live. A favorite of adults and children alike, George's entertaining and educational tales of nature alive and in action - Julie, Shark Beneath the Reef, and Julie of the Wolves - have thrilled listeners for a generation. Barbara Caruso's inspired narration captures the vitality and harsh reality of life on the hunt.

Mama, Do You Love Me?

Mama, do you love me? Yes I do Dear One. How much? In this universal story, a child tests the limits of independence and comfortingly learns that a parent's love is unconditional and everlasting. The story is made all the more captivating by its unusual Arctic setting. The lyrical text introduces young readers to a distinctively different culture, while at the same time showing that the special love that exists between parent and child transcends all boundaries of time and place. The story is beautifully complemented by graphically stunning illustrations that are filled with such exciting animals as whales, wolves, puffins, and sled dogs, and a carefully researched glossary provides additional information on Arctic life. This tender and reassuring book is one that both parents and children will turn to again and again.

Under Alaska's Midnight Sun

In the far northern parts of the world, near and above the Arctic Circle, summer days are very long. In Barrow, Alaska, for example, the sun rises in May and sets 83 days later, in early August. During this time, the sun shines all through the night. People call it the midnight sun. When the midnight sun is shining, people and animals stay active even at night. This sweet poetic narrative, illustrated by award-winner Jeremiah Trammell, showcases the many pleasures of this unique time as a little girl dances, fishes, plays games, watches moose and fox, and communes with family and nature.

Big Jim and the White-legged Moose

Based on an actual real-life encounter with a bull mouse, author-illustrator Jim Arnosky provides music for read-aloud rhymes and entertaining illustrations of his adventure in the woods.

This Place Is Cold (Imagine Living Here)

Focuses on the land, animals, plants, and climate of Alaska, presenting it as an example of a place where it is so cold your hair can freeze and break off.

Togo

Based on the true story of the heroic dogs who saved countless lives in Alaska in 1925, this classic tale is a thrilling adventure and a history lesson all in one.Togo wasn't meant to be a sled dog. He was too feisty and independent to make a good team member, let alone a leader. But Togo is determined, and when his trainer, Leonhard Seppala, gives him a chance, he soon becomes one of the fastest sled dogs in history! His skills are put to the ultimate test, though, when Seppala and his team are called on to make the now-famous run across the frozen Arctic to deliver the serum that will save Alaska from a life-threatening outbreak of diphtheria.

Next, let’s learn about each biome and what makes it unique in Alaska.

THE TUNDRA OF ALASKA

The Alaskan tundra, a vast and seemingly barren expanse, stretches across the northern and western parts of the state. This cold, windswept landscape is characterized by permafrost. That is a layer of permanently frozen ground that severely limits plant growth. Despite the harsh conditions, a surprising array of life thrives here.

Flora: Low-growing plants like mosses, lichens, sedges, and dwarf shrubs dominate the tundra, their shallow roots adapted to the thin layer of thawed soil above the permafrost. During the short summer, wildflowers like Arctic poppies and saxifrages can be found here, giving the tundra vibrant colors.

Fauna: The tundra supports a wide array of wildlife, including species like caribou, reindeer, musk oxen, and polar bears. These animals have developed remarkable adaptations to survive in the harsh climate, from thick fur and blubber layers to seasonal migration patterns. Smaller

How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska's Amazing Features

THE LUSH FORESTS OF ALASKA

In stark contrast to the tundra the southern and southeastern regions of Alaska have lush forests that are rich with life. These forests are a mix of boreal and temperate rainforests.

Too, they are dominated by massive conifers like Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and yellow cedar.

Flora: The forest floor is carpeted with ferns, mosses, and a variety of understory plants. In the temperate rainforests, epiphytes like lichens and moss drape the trees are part of the atmosphere.

Fauna: These forests provide habitat for a wide array of animals, including brown and black bears, wolves, moose, deer, and a variety of smaller mammals and birds. Salmon-rich rivers wind through the forests, supporting both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

THE COASTLINE OF ALASKA

Alaska’s coastline stretches over 6,600 miles and is a dynamic and diverse environment that is shaped by the forces of wind, waves, and tides. This intricate network of beaches, cliffs, fjords, and islands supports a rich variety of marine and terrestrial life.

Marine Life: The cold, nutrient-rich waters off Alaska’s coast teem with marine life, including whales, sea lions, seals, seabirds, and a variety of fish and invertebrates. These waters support vital commercial fisheries and provide critical habitat for numerous species.

Coastal Habitats:The diverse coastal habitats, from rocky shores and sandy beaches to estuaries and kelp forests, support a wide array of plants and animals. Seabirds nest on cliffs and islands, while intertidal zones teem with life adapted to the ebb and flow of the tides.

THE GLACIERS OF ALASKA

Glaciers in Alaska cover about 5% of the state, ranging in elevations of below sea level to almost 4 miles high. They are found in the mountains.

Also, they are found in the southern part of the state, and along the southern coast.

Alaska is home to more of  these icy giants than any other state in the United States. Two of the most famous are the Mendenhall Glacier, with  shimmering blue ice caves, and the Exit Glacier, accessible by a scenic trail.

Flora: Moss balls,

Fauna:Tardigrades and rotifers

Then look at these other themed ideas.

MORE TRIORAMA IDEAS

  • How to Make an Easy Rainforest Triorama With Kids
  • How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama
  • How to Make an Amazing Shakespeare Triorama Book Report
  • How to Make a Cool Greek Mythology Triorama With Kids
  • How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture
  • How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica
  • Amazing Geography Landforms: An Engaging Triorama Tutorial for Kids
  • How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies
  • How To Build A Water Habitat Triorama With Kids
  • How to Craft a Stunning Wolf Animal Triorama
  • How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska’s Amazing Features
  • How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions
  • How to Make A Pyramid Diorama For States Of Matter
  • The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama

Finally, look at how to make this Alaska biome triorama which features three biomes.

HOW TO MAKE A BIOME TRIORAMA

You Will Need:

  • Watercolor paper
  • Watercolor paints
  • Pencil
  • Wooden craft stick
  • Scissors
  • Plastic animal figures
How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska's Amazing Features

First, fold your watercolor paper at an angle from corner to corner to form a triangle like this, then press along the fold with a craft stick to give it a deep crease.

Unfold the paper and repeat the same steps in the opposite direction.

How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska's Amazing Features

Open and cut off the excess piece like this, you know have a perfect square that you will need for your triorama.

How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska's Amazing Features

Cut one of the tips along the crease right up to the center point.

Mark one side of the line with an x to identify the piece that will be glued under. It doesn’t need to be decorated.

How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska's Amazing Features

Before folding it up you will want to create each of your biome scenes, this is much easier to accomplish on the flat model.

Use a pencil to sketch the animals or features you want to include in each one.

How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska's Amazing Features

Use small watercolor paint brushes to add color and depth to your animals and the rest of the scene.

How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska's Amazing Features

Allow to dry completely.

How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska's Amazing Features

Add labels to some of the flora and fauna as well.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, science

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