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Why Evergreen Trees Are the Ultimate Winter Wonder & Tree Craft

October 26, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We are digging into the pantry and creating a unique tree craft highlighting the winter wonder, evergreen trees using dyed pasta. Also, look at my pages Winter Season Unit Study Free Lapbook & Hands-On Ideas and Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study for more ideas.

Evergreen trees are a fascinating and beautiful part of nature.

They stand tall and proud, even in the coldest and snowiest months.

Their vibrant green needles provide a welcome contrast to the white landscape.

Why Evergreen Trees Are the Ultimate Winter Wonder & Tree Craft

These trees have adapted to survive in harsh winter conditions, and they offer many benefits to both humans and animals from food to wood products.

Included in the evergreen family are cypress, blue spruce, pine, and juniper.

And you may be surprised but the Live Oak, Holly, Laurel, and cypress are also considered to be an evergreen.

As a matter of fact, there are over 1,000 species of evergreen and conifers make up over 600 of those.

When you think of evergreen trees you likely think of ‘conifers’.

Conifers are a group of trees and shrubs like pine trees and fir trees which grow in cooler areas.

The fruit they produce is cones and have very thin leaves which are actually called needles, and they don’t normally lose them in winter.

There is a wide variety of evergreens in different shapes and sizes, from the towering redwoods of California to the small junipers in alpine regions.

Some have needles, others have thick leathery leaves, and some like the Italian Cypress have scaly leaves.

BOOKS ABOUT TREES FOR KIDS

To make learning about trees even more fun there is a wealth of facts, activities, and crafts for you to create a wonderful unit study on trees.

9 Tree Books & Resources for Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

You'll love using one of these books as a science reference or to use for art to inspire life science lessons.

Celebritrees: Historic & Famous Trees of the World

Some trees have lived many lifetimes, standing as silent witnesses to history. Some are remarkable for their age and stature; others for their usefulness. A bristlecone pine tree in California has outlived man by almost 4,000 years; a baobab tree in Australia served as a prison for Aboriginal prisoners at the turn of the twentieth century; and a major oak in England was used as a hiding place for Robin Hood and his men (or so the story goes…).

The fourteen trees in this book have earned the title "Celebritrees" for their global fame and significance. Both in fact and in legend, these fascinating trees remind us not only how much pleasure trees bring, but what they can tell us about history.

The Busy Tree

Spectacular illustrations rendered in oil paint, and a rhyming text that describes a tree’s activities from its roots to its branches, introduce young readers to the amazing activities that go on in a tree. Acorns nibbled by chipmunks, ants scurrying across a trunk, a spider spinning a web, leaves “breathing out air for all to breathe in”—everything adds up to a “busy tree” for all to “come and see.”

The Tree Book for Kids and Their Grown-Ups

This is a fantastic reference book to have on hand for tree studies.

It has great illustrations and covers everything from how a tree “eats and drinks” to types of trees, seeds, how they change in the seasons, why we need them and more

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

Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world.

Trees, Leaves & Bark (Take Along Guides)

An introduction to the world of insects, caterpillars, and butterflies including identification information, educational activities, and fun facts.Invites young naturalists to spot wildlife. 

Tree Full of Wonder: An educational, rhyming book about magic of trees for children

Tree Full of Wonder is a vibrant, rhyming, educational and unique picture book showing the unbreakable bond between people and trees. For children ages 3-8. Kids will fall in love with nature and will become Protectors of the Trees.

The Magic and Mystery of Trees (The Magic and Mystery of Nature)

From the highest branch and leaf down to the complex “wood wide web” of roots, it’s no wonder every part of a tree plays an important role in its own growth and the habitat of the whole forest or woodland. The Magic & Mystery of Trees is a nature book that takes children on a fascinating journey of exploration, showing them just how special these mighty organisms are.

Figurines of Pine, Elm, Juniper, Monkey Puzzle, Topiary, Petticoat, Aspen, Two Maples

Learn and Play: These figurines provide a fun and educational way to learn about different tree species, promoting environmental awareness and appreciation.

Fandex Family Field Guides: Trees

Bringing the world of TREES to your fingertips, FANDEX presents a foolproof field guide. Four visual keys--die-cut leaf, bark pattern, flower, nut or seed, and photo of the full tree--plus descriptions of habitat and more combine to give a complete picture of North America's forest and backyard trees.

In addition, TREES is a cultural history--of the mighty White Oak, California Redwood, Aillanthus, the tree that grows in Brooklyn, and the stately White Ash, as important for the bows of early Native Americans as for the baseball bats of today.

Next, look at some fun facts about evergreen trees.

FUN FACTS ABOUT EVERGREEN TREES

  • The needles are covered in a waxy coating that helps them retain moisture and prevent water loss during the winter months.
  • Winter evergreen trees have deep roots that anchor them firmly in the ground, enabling them to withstand strong winds and heavy snowfalls.
  • They provide vital food and shelter for many animals, including birds, squirrels, deer, and insects.
  • Winter evergreen trees are an important source of lumber, paper, and other wood products.
  • Many winter evergreen trees also produce edible seeds and berries, which can be enjoyed by both humans and animals.
  • Evergreen trees have cultural and spiritual significance in many cultures and can symbolize resilience, longevity, hope, protection, peace, rebirth and renewal, eternal life, and the coming of spring.

When in the woods or a park and identify different types of winter evergreen trees, you can use a field guide or reference book like the one in my photos, The Tree Book For Kids And Their Grown Ups.

Why Evergreen Trees Are the Ultimate Winter Wonder & Tree Craft

Additionally, look at more hands-on activities for kids about trees.

HANDS-ON TREE ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

  • From Forest to Fun: Unique Crafts With Tree Bark
  • Hands-On Literature Nature Study: Simple Tree Craft
  • Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity
  • Celebrate Arbor Day With A Fun Flowering Cherry Tree Activity
  • 10 Fun Facts About Kapok Trees You’ll Love
Why Evergreen Trees Are the Ultimate Winter Wonder & Tree Craft

Too, look at more hands-on evergreen trees activities.

EVERGREEN TREE CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES

  • As always Nature Anatomy is a favorite resource as well including graphics and small tidbits on bark, tree rings, pinecones, and more.
  • Collect some evergreen needles and examine them under a microscope to see their unique structure.
  • Read a book about winter evergreen trees to your kids and discuss their importance in the ecosystem.
  • Watch a documentary or video about winter evergreen trees online like this one Evergreen Trees on YouTube to learn more about their biology and ecological significance.
  • With my Homeschool Kindergarten Life Science – Hands-on Fun Nature Tree Study you can explore trees deeper and learn more with fun activities and book recommendations.
  • Younger kids will really enjoy the simple Fork Painted Tree Craft Idea For Kids.
  • This Nature Study: Tree Trunk Slices is an amazingly creative look at tree rings with an artful twist while you learn what those rings mean.
  • Create the art style of Emily Carr, writer, and artist who loves to recreate the western coast of British Columbia with this Artist study including 3 options.
Why Evergreen Trees Are the Ultimate Winter Wonder & Tree Craft

Finally, look at how to make an evergreen tree craft.

EVERGREEN TREE CRAFT

You will need:

  • Green liquid watercolor
  • Dried pasta
  • sticks/twigs
  • Plastic gallon zip bag
  • Cardstock
  • Glue-optional
Why Evergreen Trees Are the Ultimate Winter Wonder & Tree Craft

First, gather up pasta. Include several different shapes, the more you use the better variety of creations you can make.

Spaghetti noodles are great for pine trees!

Place pasta in a ziploc bag.

You can use liquid watercolor to dye your pasta.

Or add liquid food coloring and a generous squirt of hand sanitizer to dry pasta in the bag.

Why Evergreen Trees Are the Ultimate Winter Wonder & Tree Craft

Massage the bag gently to distribute the color over all the pasta, add more color if needed.

Why Evergreen Trees Are the Ultimate Winter Wonder & Tree Craft

Place parchment paper on a baking sheet and spread the pasta across it to allow it to dry.

Why Evergreen Trees Are the Ultimate Winter Wonder & Tree Craft

Once dry it is ready to use.

You can offer it with glue to make a permanent tree art piece or it can just be laid out to create evergreen trees, gathered up, and then reused over and over.

Why Evergreen Trees Are the Ultimate Winter Wonder & Tree Craft

Lay out small sticks and twigs for the trunk of the tree.

Why Evergreen Trees Are the Ultimate Winter Wonder & Tree Craft

Then use the various dyed pasta shapes to create different sizes and shapes of trees.

Why Evergreen Trees Are the Ultimate Winter Wonder & Tree Craft

Encourage your child to be creative with their dyed pasta shapes and make as many evergreen trees as they can.

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

Awesome Serengeti African Savanna Fun Facts | Free Color By Number

October 25, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have some awesome Serengeti African savanna fun facts and a free color by number printable for your littles. Also, look at my Free Africa Unit Study for more hands-on ideas.

The Serengeti National Park is a fascinating ecosystem which supports a variety of amazing animals.

And the Serengeti is a huge national park in Tanzania, Africa.

Tanzania is in East Africa.

Awesome Serengeti African Savanna Fun Facts | Free Color By Number

Not only is Tanzania home to the Serengeti savanna, but it is home to the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa.

Next, explain that a savanna is a tropical grassland with scattered trees.

It is home to the great wildebeest and zebra migration where millions of animals migrate across the Serengeti in search of water and food.

Also, it is approximately 14,000+ square feet with an abundance of wildlife.

SERENGETI BOOK FOR KIDS

Next, look at some books about Africa on my post Free Africa Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning | Free Continent & Country Reports.

Serengeti: Plains of Grass

The Serengeti National Park is famous for its wildlife and the Great Migration.

Serengeti: Plains of Grass

Leslie Bulion, a virtuoso science poet, has created a portrait of the rainy season on East Africa's southern Serengeti Plain, offering young readers a compelling look at an ecosystem in motion. Using a series of interconnected verses inspired by an East African Swahili poem form—the utendi—Bulion's cadences and rhythmic lines mimic the web of life in the Serengeti, following the great migration of wildebeest, zebras, and other animals into and then out of the vast short-grass plain.

This book Serengeti: Plains of Grass is a beautiful book to highlight the diversity of wildlife and the beauty of the ecosystem.

Also, I have more posts about Africa.

MORE KIDS ACTIVITIES ABOUT AFRICA

  • How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft
  • How To Make A Mountain Volcano | Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro With Geronimo Stilton
  • 8 Facts about African Elephants and a Cute Paper Plate Elephant
  • Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah
  • Alphabet Letter G is for Gorilla Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask
  • Simple and Fun Wildlife Craft Mountain Gorilla Layered Art Project
  • 8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft
  • 6 World Wildlife Day Activities to Learn About African Lions
  • Learn About African Art For Children And Make Fun Djembe Drums
  • How to Make a Kids’ Fun Ceremonial African Tribal Mask

Too, look at more African savanna fun facts.

AFRICAN SAVANNA FUN FACTS

You’ll love these African savanna fun facts to add to your unit study.

  • When saying the “Big Five”, it refers to animals: lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinoceroses.
  • The name “Serengeti” comes from the Maasai language. It means “endless plain.”
  • It’s a great place for birdwatchers too. It has over 500 bird species. One bird, the Lilac-breasted Roller is recognized for its vibrant beautiful colors. A few of the other species found there are the Greater Flamingo, Crowned Crane, African Grey Hornbill and cool Secretary Bird to name just a very few to dive in and learn about.
  • The Serengeti has a unique balance of predators like cheetahs and lions with prey like zebras and antelopes. This keeps the ecosystem balanced.
  • The Serengeti is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This means its recognized for the importance to conservation but also because of its beauty.
  • You can visit the Serengeti on a safari. This means to visit it and see animals in their natural habitat.
  • In addition, the Serengeti also has volcanic craters, rivers and woodlands. This provides abundant diversity for wildlife.
  • The Great Migration is driven by rainfall patterns.
  • The Maasai people have lived in the Serengeti region for centuries.
  • Over 3,000 species of plants are supported by the Serengeti. For example, giraffes love to munch on the leaves of the Acacia tree, and there is the Baobab, Lantana, sisal plant and elephant grass which is a favorite food for the elephants.
Awesome Serengeti African Savanna Fun Facts | Free Color By Number

These are just a very few African savanna fun facts that your kids will love.

HOW TO GET THE FREE COLOR BY NUMBER PRINTABLE

Finally, I have something for your littles to include in your study about the amazing African savannah.

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!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: Africa, color by number, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, lions, science

Free 4-Week Kid’s Australia Unit Study Who Love Hands-on Learning

October 24, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a free 4-week Australia Unit Study for kids. Look at these other Best Homeschool Unit Studies for more ideas and topics for hands-on learning. Also, look at my page Hands-On Simple And Best Homeschool Geography Ideas & Tips for more fun hands-on geography.

From the Sydney Opera House, with its distinctive sail-like design to the home of kangaroos, koalas, and the platypus to the stunning Great Barrier Reef there is no shortage of topics to learn.

The beauty of unit studies is not only combining subjects but teaching multiple ages of children.

Free 4-Week Kid’s Australia Unit Study Who Love Hands-on Learning

Additionally, teaching all your children together means you can discuss the same topic but it’s the activity that is chosen which makes it age appropriate.

For example, if you’re teaching language arts, your younger children can do copywork while your older children draft an essay or learn figurative language.

Today, I have topic ideas and activities for Australian history, geography, nature and even math and language arts.

Remember too with unit studies you can use any curriculum to supplement.

To illustrate, some unit study themes may be more science oriented or history oriented. So don’t force a fit with other subjects.

Many times if we lack math or language arts, we can supplement with ready made already on hand.

By not forcing a fit with a topic it makes the unit study more natural for what interests your child.

BOOKS ABOUT AUSTRALIA FOR KIDS

First, look at this list of living books I rounded up and we love.

Living books are my go-to for unit studies. They teach facts in a story form.

9 Australia Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Grab one or two of these books about Australia to add to your unit study or your home library.

The Upside-down History of Down Under

The true story of Australia starts with a piece of land that went for a swim. Millions of years ago it floated away from Africa. Very, very, slowly. It was home to dinosaurs and giant animals, until the first Australians showed up and got comfortable. This wild and wonderful land was a mystery to the rest of the world. Then the English decided to make it the biggest jail ever . . . Experience the story of Australia from prehistory to federation in 1901.

Storm Boy & Other Stories

Set along the rugged beauty of the South Australian coast, Storm Boy cares for an injured pelican and finds a friend that shows him the power of loyalty and love. This moving story is now a major motion-picture and one of the classics of Australian writing for children. This edition comes with five other stories by Colin Thiele that capture the unique voices of Australians across the natural and suburban landscape.

Seven Little Australians

A captain who has lost his wife remarries a much younger woman to provide his six children with a new mother. Together, the couple had another child, making seven. The captain tries to run the family with stern discipline, but he is no match for the fun-loving children.

Warrigal the Warrior

The story of a killer-dog. His owner had tried to train him to the domestic life, but the call of the wild and his hunting instincts were too powerful. As a killer he roamed abroad, hunted fiercely by farmers whose stock he wantonly destroyed. It is a story that is founded in fact.As for Warrigal -- he is as nature fashioned him.“I have not sought to glorify Warrigal, neither have I condemned him. I have just tried to present him as he really is, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.”

Audrey of the Outback

Meet Audrey Barlow - a girl with a lot on her mind. Her dad has gone away to work, her brother Price thinks he's too old for games, and little Dougie likes pretending to be a bird. So together with her best friend Stumpy, Audrey ponders some of life's big questions ... like whether being a swaggie is lonelier than being a girl, and whether it's better to be a sheep or a cow. Follow Audrey and Stumpy through this dazzler of a story and discover how friends are never far away ... even in the Outback. You'll soon wish you lived there too.

A Little Bush Maid

Billabong, a large cattle and sheep property in the Australian countryside, is home to 12-year-old Norah Linton, her widowed father, David, and her older brother, Jim. Norah's prim and proper aunts, who live in the city, consider she is in danger of "growing up wild" - riding all over Billabong on her beloved pony, Bobs, helping with mustering, and joining in on all the holiday fun when Jim and his friends come home from boarding school.

A fishing trip results in unexpected drama when they discover a mysterious stranger camped in the bush. Who is this stranger and why is he there? Norah's resourcefulness is tested to the full!

Rabbit-Proof Fence: 1000 Headwords

Fourteen-year-old Molly and her cousins Daisy and Gracie were mixed-race Aborigines. In 1931 they were taken away from their families and sent to a camp to be trained as good 'white' Australians. They were told to forget their mothers, their language, their home.But Molly would not forget. She and her cousins escaped and walked back to Jigalong, 1,600 kilometres away, following the rabbit-proof fence as their guide across the desert.This is the story of that walk, told by Molly's daughter, Doris. 

Are We There Yet?

Join Grace and her family as they hit the road camping, experiencing, and meeting all the people and places that make up Australia.

Possum Magic

Grandma Poss uses her best bush magic to make Hush invisible. But when Hush longs to be able to see herself again, the two possums must make their way across Australia to find the magic food that will make Hush visible once more. “Another treat from Mem Fox that is sure to be treasured. The whimsical illustrations are a wonderful complement.

Next, look at these ideas about history and geography.

HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY AUSTRALIA UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 1

When I list ideas, I think of ways you can include multiple ages of kids.

And when possible, give you ideas.

  • List the 6 states and territories as an introduction. 1. New South Wales: Capital city is Sydney 2. Queensland: Capital city is Brisbane 3. Tasmania: Capital City is Hobart 4. Western Australia: Capital City is Perth 5. Victoria: Capital City is Melbourne 6. South Australia: Capital City is Adelaide. There are two territories the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.
  • Investigate the area known as The Outback.
  • Understand that the country name is the Commonwealth of Australia. Australia is an independent but has strong ties to Britain.
  • 1851 Gold is discovered and many miners in California head for Australia.
  • Learn landmarks like the Sydney Opera House, Kakadu National Park, Daintree Rainforest, Sydney Harbour Bridge,Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Great Barrier Reef
  • The Aborigines were the first inhabitants of mainland Australia and the Torres Strait Islanders were people who originally inhabited the 270+ islands north of Australia in the Torres Strait
  • British settlers arrived in Australia in 1788.
  • What two animals are on the Australian Coat of Arms? Kangaroo and Emu.
  • Learn about who was Dutch navigator Willem Janzoon. He was the first European to make recorded contact with and map part of the Australian continent.
Free 4-Week Kid’s Australia Unit Study Who Love Hands-on Learning

Also, for week 2 look at these nature and science ideas to study this week.

NATURE & SCIENCE AUSTRALIA UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 2

Next, Australia is diverse. There are deserts, rainforests, and savannas to explore.

  • 6 Australian Animal Craft Ideas | Easy Paper Bag Platypus
  •  Make a Fun Edible Great Barrier Coral Reef
  • The 7 foot high emu is Australia’s largest bird.
  • Melbourne Zoo is one of the top zoos in the world.
  • Define marsupial: Marsupial is an animal that has a pouch, and the mother carries her baby in her pouch as it grows over time.
  • Australia is in the south hemisphere. How does that affect the seasons? If it’s fall here, it spring there.
  • The Great Barrier Reef is a chain of more than 2,500 reefs and many small islands.
  • Define: Monotremes. Animals that are like reptiles in many ways but are mammals. They are different from reptiles in that they have hair and produce milk to feed their young.The only two in the world are found in Australia. Platypus and Echidna.
  • 9 Australian Animals Art Ideas and Fun Koala Handprint Craft
  • Explore what is an arch bridge. The city of Sidney is famous for its Harbor Bridge.
  • Australia is famous for its wool and sheep.
  • Ayers rock is the largest rock in the world. Look at my post Hands-on Rock Activities & Free Notebooking Pages.

  • The Tasmanian Devil is a carnivorous marsupial found only in Tasmania.
  • Daintree Rainforest is one of the oldest rainforest in the world. Explore the flora and fauna.
Free 4-Week Kid’s Australia Unit Study Who Love Hands-on Learning

MATH & LANGUAGE ARTS AUSTRALIA UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 3

  • How To Make A Kangaroo Pocket | Letter K Craft Preschool Australia Theme
  • Read and learn about Captain James Cook and see whether your agree or not if he was the discoverer of Australia
  • Learn about famous author Mem Fox and read some of her delightful books like Possum Magic and Koala Lou.
  • Research what is the Dingo Fence and why it was built.
  • Get your littles having fun by doing a Kangaroo Jump. Have your kids jump and measure. Then convert it to centimeters. Compare to how high and how far a kangaroo jumps.
  • Research and write Abel Tasman who discovered Tasmania. Hint: He was a sea captain employed by the Dutch East India Company and sailed to the west coast of Tasmania.
  • Write this list of 10 fun Australian words and their meaning: 1. G’day – Hello/Friendly Greeting 2. Fair Go – A fair chance 3. Tucker – Food 4. Dunny – a toilet 5. Bush – countryside 6. Aussies – An informal term for an Australian person 7. Lollies – candies 8. Barbie – BBQue 9. Bloke – man 10. Sheila – woman

  • Symmetry and balance is important in Aboriginal Art. Learn about symmetry and then have your child create Aboriginal Art. Also, look at this art symmetry lesson plan.
  • Convert prices from AUD to another currency (like USD or EUR)

ARTS & CRAFTS AUSTRALIA UNIT STUDY WEEK 4

  • Australia Awesome and Deadly Animal Art
  • Make a fun toilet roll Didgeridoo and Australian dot art.
  • Make Anzac biscuits
  • Construct a model of the Sydney Opera House
  • Make boomerangs out of cardboard and look at their fascinating artwork. Originally, people in Australia and other countries used boomerangs to hunt for food.
  • Learn about vegemite and see if you can make a recipe that tastes like it. It is a spread used for sandwiches and crackers.
  • Do Aboriginal Dot Painting
  • The Great Victoria Desert is the biggest desert in Australia. It has red sand dunes and incredible wildlife. Compare to some of the deserts here and do desert sand art.
  • The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama

Finally, we tend to build on unit studies each year which is why we love them.

What are you studying about in Australia?

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Teach Unit Studies Tagged With: continent, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, unit studies, unit study

Fun Arctic Habitat Diorama and Fascinating Facts About Walruses

October 23, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

For a fun hands-on project, we are making an edible arctic habitat diorama. Too, you’ll love my pages Arctic Region and Arctic and Inuit unit study too.

Not only for educational purposes but also to enjoy the tasty reward of our efforts, we’re making this fun diorama.

Like the equator, the invisible lines of latitude and longitude, the Arctic circles are not real red lines on the Earth.

Fun Arctic Habitat Diorama and Fascinating Facts About Walruses

They are invisible and these polar circles are located near the poles of the earth, at 66.6° N and S latitude.

There are the Arctic Polar Circle and the Antarctic Polar Circle.

The Antarctic Circle contains Antarctica, the Southern Ocean, the Weddell Sea, and the Balleny Islands.

The conditions are so harsh in Antarctica and its surrounding areas that the only people who live there are scientists, temporarily.

Very few creatures make their home in Antarctica, on land and in the surrounding oceans.

You would see killer whales, blue whales, krill, and elephant seals.

Additionally, emperor and Adelie penguins are the only type of penguins to live on our coldest continent Antarctica.

Further, the Arctic Circle includes the Arctic Ocean, the Chukchi, East Siberian, Laptev, Kara, Barents, White, Greenland, and Beaufort seas as well as parts of Greenland, Alaska, Canada, Norway, and Russia.

There are a lot more animals that make their home in the Arctic Circle.

For example, there are Arctic foxes, caribou, Beluga whales, lemmings, puffins, polar bears, walruses, narwhals, and much more.

Unlike Antarctica, humans inhabit many parts of the Arctic Circle.

BOOKS ABOUT THE ARCTIC FOR KIDS

First, look at some of these books about the Arctic.

I prefer living books when you can find them.

12 Arctic Books about People & Animals of the Arctic

Studying about the region of the Arctic is a fascinating topic. Grab some of these books about life in the Arctic and animals of the Arctic.

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. Snowflake-catching instructions are also included for aspiring young snow scientists!

In Arctic Waters

This arctic adaptation of “This is the House that Jack Built” follows polar bears, walruses, seals, narwhals and beluga whales as they chase each other around “the ice that floats in the Arctic waters.” Not only is the rhythmic, cumulative prose good for early readers; it is a pure delight to read aloud. The “For Creative Minds” section helps children learn how these animals live in the cold, icy arctic region.

Arctic Fox: Fascinating Animal Facts for Kids (This Incredible Planet)

Fascinating Animal Facts Arctic Fox Learn all about the amazing and adaptable Arctic fox. This small yet hardy creature survives in the harshest of environments!

This Incredible Planet series provides young readers with interesting information about the Earth’s most fascinating creatures.

Beautiful color photography makes each animal come to life. Learn about the Arctic fox’s habitat, diet, breeding, lifespan, behavior, threats, and so much more!

Over and Under the Snow

A wonderful winter book for kids from the author and illustrator of the beloved Over and Under series, now in paperback! Part of the acclaimed nature book series that includes Over and Under the Pond, Over and Under the Rainforest, and Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, this volume takes readers on a cross country ski trip through the winter woods to discover the secret world of animals living under the snow.

Animals in Winter (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science)

Read and find out about how animals cope with winter in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book.

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.

Have you ever seen a butterfly in the snow? Probably not. Butterflies can't survive cold weather, so when winter comes, many butterflies fly to warmer places. They migrate. Woodchucks don't like cold weather either, but they don't migrate; they hibernate. Woodchucks sleep in their dens all winter long. How do these and other animals handle the cold and snow of winter?

Read and find out in the proven winner Animals in Winter!

This is a Level 1 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores introductory concepts perfect for children in the primary grades.

The Inuit Thought of It: Amazing Arctic Innovations (We Thought of It)

Today’s Arctic communities have all the comforts of modern living. Yet the Inuit survived in this harsh landscape for hundreds of years with nothing but the land and their own ingenuity. Join authors Alootook Ipellie and David MacDonald as they explore the amazing innovations of traditional Inuit and how their ideas continue to echo around the world. Some inventions are still familiar to us: the one-person watercraft known as a kayak still retains its Inuit name. Other innovations have been replaced by modern technology: slitted snow goggles protected Inuit eyes long before sunglasses arrived on the scene. Andother ideas were surprisingly inspired: using human-shaped stone stacks (Inunnguat) to trick and trap caribou. Many more Inuit innovations are explored here, including: • Dog sleds • Shelter • Clothing • Kids’ stuff • Food preservation • Medicine. In all, more than 40 Inuit items and ideas are showcased through dramatic photos and captivating language. From how these objects were made, to their impact on contemporary culture, The Inuit Thought of It is a remarkable catalogue of Inuit invention.

Mini Arctic Animals Figurines Set, Polar Animals Toy for Kids Plastic Arctic Reindeer,Walrus,White Whale,Polar Bear,Arctic Fox,Wolf Figures,

Tiny Animals Figures Party: 18 PCS Package include orca, walrus, white owl, reindeer, husky, 2pcs seal, 2pcs beluga whale, 2pcs arctic wolf, 2pcs arctic fox, 2pcs arctic rabbit, 2pcs polar bear figurines and igloo model.

Who are the Eskimos? Arctic People's Traditional Way of Life

Who Are The Eskimos is perfect for early to middle elementary students and makes a great addition to your library.

North: The Amazing Story of Arctic Migration

“A treat for middle-graders of an ecological bent.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review) At the top of our world is a huge wild place called the Arctic. In the winter, it is a cold and barren land, where few animals can survive. But when spring comes, it attracts animals from every corner of the earth. This lushly illustrated picture book celebrates the resilient wildlife and barren, beautiful landscapes of the Arctic Circle, tracing the awe-inspiring spring migration of millions of creatures to the Arctic and reminding the reader of the hardships and harmony of life in the wild.Back matter includes additional information about the arctic, a glossary, and an index.

Arctic White

When you live in the Arctic in winter, everything is a shade of white. A young girl looks around her home in the Arctic and sees only white, white, white...but one day her grandfather takes her on a journey through the tundra.  And at the end of their cold walk across the ice, they find something special that brings color into their world.

Farthest North: The Incredible Three-Year Voyage to the Frozen Latitudes of the North (Modern Library Exploration)

In 1893, Fridjtof Nansen set sail in the Fram, a ship specially designed and built to be frozen into the polar ice cap, withstand its crushing pressures, and travel with the sea’s drift closer to the North Pole than anyone had ever gone before. Experts said such a ship couldn't be built and that the voyage was tantamount to suicide.  This brilliant first-person account, originally published in 1897, marks the beginning of the modern age of exploration. Nansen vividly describes the dangerous voyage and his 15-month-long dash to the North Pole by sledge. Farthest North is an unforgettable tale and a must-read for any armchair explorer.

This Place Is Cold: An Imagine Living Here book

Can you imaging living in a place where it's so cold your breath turns instantly into tiny ice crystals that glitter in the sun? Where temperatures can drop fifty degrees below zero and even lower and the sun only comes out for a few hours per day? In This Place Is Cold readers will learn how people and animals survive in Alaska's ferocious cold, and how because of global warming this region is now in trouble. Vicki Cobb and Barbara Lavallee travelled the world together to research this groundbreaking geography series, that is now updated and redesigned to appeal to today's readers.

Next, look at some of these fun facts about the walrus of the Arctic.

5 FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT THE WALRUS OF THE ARCTIC 

  1. The only natural predators of the walrus are Orcas and polar bears.
  2. The walrus is nicknamed the Giant or King of the Arctic. Adult walrus are typically about 7.25 to 11.5 feet long and can weigh up to 1.5 tons (3,000 lb).
  3. There are two recognized species which are the Atlantic walrus and the Pacific walrus. They are divided geographically. Atlantic walruses live in the coastal areas of Canada and Greenland. Pacific walruses live in the northern seas of Alaska and Russia.
  4. Both male and female walruses can have tusks that reach almost 3 feet long, measure that out with a measuring tape to be impressed by this feature made of dentine.
  5. These giant pinnipeds can withstand temperatures as low as -35°C (-31°F) due to the layers of blubber stored beneath their skin that help to insulate them from the cold.  

This paper plate walrus craft is just too cute to pass up.

Learn more about blubber with my Inuit of the Arctic: How Animals Survive Harsh Winters Fun Blubber Activity

You can find out more about the walrus and other arctic animals with the Ocean Anatomy book, a favorite resource of mine.

Fun Arctic Habitat Diorama and Fascinating Facts About Walruses

Check out this step-by-step tutorial for drawing a walrus to include a little more art in your study.

This is great for fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and building those skills in following directions.

MORE ARCTIC ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

  • Julie of the Wolves Free Hands-on Arctic Unit Study
  • Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables
  • Arctic Winter Animal Craft Ideas: Make Your Own Felt Puppets
  • Polar Bear Science Activities Preschool | How To Make A Fun Dessert
  • Free Arctic Ground Squirrel Lapbook & Unit Study Resources
  • How to Make Wooden Peg Easy Arctic Animal Crafts
Fun Arctic Habitat Diorama and Fascinating Facts About Walruses

EDIBLE ARCTIC OR ANTARCTIC HABITAT DIORAMA

If you need animals for your arctic habitat diorama these Mini Arctic Animals Figurines Set have a great variety and can also be used as a model for drawing, in sensory bins and trays, as well as other types of dioramas.

You can make a map of either the Arctic Circle or Antarctic Circle using my simple instructions below and focus on any polar animal found in either region.

Also, we realized we had made the Arctic salt dough a few years back so we switched midstream and made this for Antarctica. Again, these directions can be for either the Arctic or Antarctica circle.

But today I am going to dig a little deeper into the walrus (found in the Arctic).

You will need:

  • Sugar cookie dough
  • Cling wrap
  • Baking sheet
  • Map of Arctic or Antarctic circle
  • White frosting
  • Blue food coloring
  • Red vines (licorice)
Fun Arctic Habitat Diorama and Fascinating Facts About Walruses

Find a map of the Antarctic Circle that you like and print it out or you can use an image from an atlas or map.

Cover the map in plastic wrap to protect the page.

Slightly soften your favorite sugar cookie recipe or store-bought prepared cookie dough.

Press gently and mold into the shape of your land mass on top of the plastic wrap.

Try to keep the thickness uniform so that it bakes evenly.

Fun Arctic Habitat Diorama and Fascinating Facts About Walruses

Flip the cookie dough map onto the baking sheet and bake according to the package directions.

Fun Arctic Habitat Diorama and Fascinating Facts About Walruses

While you are waiting you can use a plate or whatever you like as a base.

Mix a little blue food coloring into some of your frosting and cover the round surface with it.

Fun Arctic Habitat Diorama and Fascinating Facts About Walruses

Remove cookie from oven and allow to cool completely before transferring to the center of your frosting.

Fun Arctic Habitat Diorama and Fascinating Facts About Walruses

Frost the cookie map with white frosting (snow and ice).

Fun Arctic Habitat Diorama and Fascinating Facts About Walruses

Add animals to your map.

Fun Arctic Habitat Diorama and Fascinating Facts About Walruses

Finish up by creating the invisible polar circle around your map using red vines or you can get a small squeeze tube of red food coloring to use.

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

How To Make An Upcycled Book Pumpkin | Autumn Art Projects For Middle School

October 20, 2024 | Leave a Comment
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Autumn art projects for middle school can be a great way for teens to express themselves but also open new learning experiences. Look at my pages How to Turn a Pumpkin Lapbook into a Fun Unit Study and Fall Season Unit Study and Free Lapbook for more ideas!

No longer are handprint projects and cutting and pasting going to delight your child.    

It’s time to step up the game with more challenging, detailed, and intriguing art projects.

How To Make An Upcycled Book Pumpkin | Autumn Art Projects For Middle School

The rich colors lend themselves beautifully to all sorts of autumn themed art projects from paintings of pumpkins to scented pinecones meant to be decor as well.

To celebrate the arrival of autumn I have gathered up autumn art projects.

I have fresh idea of my own which is a book pumpkin, and some great information on the Autumn Equinox.

Autumn Equinox- The autumn equinox occurs when day and night are approximately equal in length. This event signifies the official start of fall, and typically falls around September 22nd or 23rd.

In many cultures, the autumn equinox is celebrated with festivals and rituals.

These celebrations often focus on the harvest and the changing seasons.

FALL BOOKS FOR KIDS

Use some of these fun living books about fall for read aloud or to include your younger children.

Even middle school kids still love picture books. Shh! Don’t tell them we know.

15 Fall Books For Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

With a chill in the air and leaves falling, grab one or two of these fun books for your home library.

Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic

A compilation of Native American speeches affirming the desire to live in spiritual and ecological harmony includes the words of Geronimo, Sitting Bull, and Cochise, covering such topics as fishing rights, peace treaties, and the devastation of their land.

Autumn Harvest

"Mr. Tresselt writes quiet, factual prose about katydids, reapers and threshing, falling leaves, apple-gathering, and the first frost."--New York Herald Tribune.

Autumn Leaves

A concise text and crisp, close-up, color photographs of thirteen different leaves from North American trees teach very young children how to look at and compare the leaves of autumn, and are accompanied by an explanation of why they turn color.

The Apple Pie That Papa Baked

These are the apples, juicy and red,that went in the pie,warm and sweet,that Papa baked...for guess who!

Sophie's Squash

Kids will love this playful story of of a unique fall friendship between a girl . . . and her squash!On a trip to the farmers' market with her parents, Sophie chooses a squash, but instead of letting her mom cook it, she names it Bernice. From then on, Sophie brings Bernice everywhere, despite her parents' gentle warnings that Bernice will begin to rot. As winter nears, Sophie does start to notice changes.... What's a girl to do when the squash she loves is in trouble?

Autumn Story: Introduce children to the seasons in the gorgeously illustrated classics of Brambly Hedge!

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the miniature world of the mice of Brambly Hedge!

Bad weather is on the way and the autumn stores are still not gathered in!

Quickly, all the mice of Brambly Hedge set to work to finish the harvesting before the rain begins. Primrose, Lord Woodmouse's daughter, meant to help, but somehow she daydreamed her way over the cornfield and into the Chestnut Woods, and before she knew it, she was lost. The sun went down, the wind rose and it began to rain. Primrose was all alone in the dark and she was frightened.

Poor Primrose, would she find her way home again?

Mr. Hermit Miser and the Neighborly Pumpkin: the green edition |

Mr. Hermit Miser doesn’t like his neighbors, and they don’t like him. But when a pumpkin vine sprouts in Mr. Hermit Miser’s yard and makes its way into the neighbors’ yards, but he wants all those pumpkins for pies … well, what is he to do?

With adventures in pumpkin-snatching, failed attempts at baking pies, and pumpkin goo everywhere, this tale about being neighborly in a not-so-perfect way will be an endearing autumn story for all the readers in your circle.

This reprint of a 1949 classic adds some recipes, a poem, and a bit of pie-history as well.

Dance Like a Leaf

As her grandmother's health declines, a young girl begins to lovingly take the lead in their cozy shared autumn traditions. Poetic prose paired with evocative illustrations by Mexican illustrator Claudia Navarro make for a beautiful celebration of life and a gentle introduction to the death of a loved one.

The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night

"[Spier's] finely detailed, action-packed New England autumn vistas are almost startlingly beautiful."—The New York Times  Over fifty years after he won a Caldecott Honor for The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night, legendary illustrator Peter Spier went back to this time-honored favorite in 2014 to paint the half of the book that was originally printed in black and white. In this glowing, restored vision of Spier’s beloved classic, follow the wily fox as he roams a sleepy New England town in search of a meal, with tones and textures so vivid you can almost hear the crackle of crisp fall leaves and the ripples of the river in the moonlight.

Down Buttermilk Lane

An Amish family, traveling by buggy, spends a day doing errands in the village, visiting, and returning home in time for supper

Fall Leaves

Autumn is in the air: days grow shorter and nights are long. Birds leave, flowers, too. Apples and temperatures fall—then snow!Part poem, part silent stage, this luminous picture book puts autumn on display and captures the spirit of change that stays with us long after fall leaves. Unlock the secrets of this busy and beautiful time of year as the natural world makes way for winter.

Hooray for Fall!

Mama has a surprise for her three little squirrels: three bright red sweaters to keep them warm throughout the fall. Imagine the siblings’ surprise when they find that everything in the autumn woods—the leaves, the berries, even the setting sun—is red too, just like their sweaters.This celebration of a perfect fall day will have young and old alike looking for signs of autumn in their own neighborhoods. Kazuo Iwamura’s books celebrating the seasons (Hooray for Spring!, Hooray for Summer!, Hooray for Fall!, and Hooray for Snow!) are perennial favorites—introducing children to the beauty and joy of each season. Iwamura masterfully captures the small wonders of nature in his illustrations and his stories with their gentle humor warm the heart.

Hopefully the Scarecrow

The perfect Fall book for kids! A poignant picture book about a scarecrow who befriends the young girl who reads to him day after day until one day he's left wondering where she is.A scarecrow stood in the garden. Tall, proud, and smiling. Every day a girl brought her favorite books to the garden and she read to him. He heard tales of courage and of hope. And when she said, "The End," the scarecrow always felt a little bit taller and braver. Year after year, she came and she read to him.Until one spring, two different hands picked him up from the garden shed and placed him in the garden. He waited, but she didn't come to read to him.With poignant words from award-winning author Michelle Houts and lush illustrations by Pura Belpré Honor winner Sara Palacios, Hopefully the Scarecrow is a tender distillation of the enduring power of friendship and a heartwarming look at the ways stories connect us.

Maple & Willow Apart

Funny, relatable sibling dynamics make this story a wonderful way to address navigating big changes. Lori Nichols’s expressive artwork beautifully portrays Maple and Willow’s strong bond, and children will love the creative, kid-powered solution. Maple and Willow have always been inseparable. So what happens when Maple starts big-girl school and Willow stays behind? Well, of course, both girls have marvelous adventures of their own, but the truth is, they miss each other. And when they see that the missing is mutual, they find a unique way to feel connected even when they have to be apart.

Now It's Fall (Lois Lenski Books)

School bells and apples and big ripe pumpkins-all the pleasures of fall come alive in this newly reissued classic by award winner Lois Lenski. First published in 1948, Now It's Fall is a timeless celebration of autumn that will enchant a whole new generation of young readers with its gently recolored illustrations.

This day, autumn equinox, is also a key period for observing natural phenomena like the Northern Lights due to increased geomagnetic activity.

The word “equinox” comes from the Latin words aequus which means “equal “and nox which means “night”).

But the day and night are not exactly 12 hours each on the day of the equinox.

Those who live farther from the equator will have slightly longer days because the sun takes longer to rise and set from there.

On the days close to the equinox, the sun might be visible for anywhere between 12 hours and 6 minutes to 12 hours and 16 minutes.

Now that you know a little bit more about the autumn equinox let’s move on to the art projects and more that I have for you.

6 MORE BEAUTIFUL AUTUMN ART PROJECTS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL

  1. If you have not yet ventured into the world of chalk pastels you will want to try this Beautiful Chalk Pastel Sunflowers – Art Project for Kids
  2. These Wax Paper Stained Glass Leaves take an old idea and elevate it a bit, taking it from elementary to more challenging levels.
  3. Check out my Easy Fall Crafts for Middle School: DIY String Pumpkin Art that will have them spending time off screens and creating beautiful art that will become heirloom decorations.
  4. At first glance you might think that Paper Bag Owls and the Sharpie Art Workshop is kids play but these techniques definitely make it an art piece for all ages.
  5. Look at pumpkins from a new angle, literally and create the Glue and Watercolor Fall Pumpkin Unit Study.
How To Make An Upcycled Book Pumpkin | Autumn Art Projects For Middle School

UPCYCLED BOOK PUMPKIN ART FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL

Our book pumpkin is not only fun to make but creates a wonderful decoration for the home that fits in perfectly with book lovers and homeschoolers.

You will need:

  • Paperback book
  • Scissors or utility knife
  • pencil/marker
  • Orange craft paint
  • Brown craft paint
  • paintbrush
  • Hot glue gun/sticks
  • Raffia or ribbon
How To Make An Upcycled Book Pumpkin | Autumn Art Projects For Middle School

First, you can use any old paperback or hardcover book that you have or pick one up from a thrift store, you can also find them like I did at dollar tree.

Rip off the cover and loosen up the binding by bending the book spin backwards 4-5 times you don’t want to rip it apart. You just want to loosen it a bit.

Draw a pumpkin with a pencil or sharpie marker on one side of the book. I like to make it flat along the bottom, so it sits nicely.

How To Make An Upcycled Book Pumpkin | Autumn Art Projects For Middle School

Either use scissors or a utility knife to cut along the pumpkin outline that you made.

How To Make An Upcycled Book Pumpkin | Autumn Art Projects For Middle School

Using scissors like I did here you won’t be able to cut very many pages at a time, but this method is much safer for younger children.

How To Make An Upcycled Book Pumpkin | Autumn Art Projects For Middle School

Continue cutting through as many pages at a time as you can until you have cut the entire book.

HOW TO MAKE AN UPCYCLED BOOK PUMPKIN WITH KIDS

Open the book so that the last page and the first page are touching. Secure these two pages together with hot glue.

How To Make An Upcycled Book Pumpkin | Autumn Art Projects For Middle School

The book will not immediately resemble a pumpkin shape; you’ll have to fluff the pages and spread them out and work it as you go around the entire circle.

How To Make An Upcycled Book Pumpkin | Autumn Art Projects For Middle School

 The next thing you’re going to do is paint your stem if you left one Brown or you can hot glue a small piece of stick to the center from your yard to give it a little bit more of a rustic look.

Now you can leave it just as if you like just showing the pages but to help it look a little bit more like a pumpkin I like to take a paintbrush and just roughly brush over the edges of the pages.

How To Make An Upcycled Book Pumpkin | Autumn Art Projects For Middle School

Allow paint to dry and add a piece of raffia, ribbon, or yarn to the stem to finish it off.

How To Make An Upcycled Book Pumpkin | Autumn Art Projects For Middle School

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: fall, fall crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, pumpkin, recycle

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