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handson

Fun Hands-On History: Ancient Egyptian Collar Craft

July 20, 2024 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re making an Ancient Egyptian collar craft. Also, there are more Ancient Civilization hands-on ideas on my page.

Ancient Egypt was one of the first civilizations to experience genuine prosperity.

Because the people lived near a reliable water source, food was abundant for farming.

And that left them plenty of time to indulge in a few luxuries, including elaborate hairstyles, culture, and jewelry.

Fun Hands-On History: Ancient Egyptian Collar Craft

One of the most famous forms of jewelry worn by the ancient Egyptians was the Usekh collar.

Rich Egyptians often wore these broad necklaces on a daily basis.

Even though Egyptian men often went shirtless, they still liked to wear the Usekh. That’s how commonly it was worn.

So – for a fun, hands-on history activity, we decided to make our own Ancient Egyptian collar craft! See how we designed ours!

Hands-On History: Ancient Egyptian Collar Craft

To design our Egyptian collar, we studied some examples of actual Usekh collars that have been found by archaeologists.

This one was found on the mummified body of Pharaoh Amenemhat III’s daughter, Neferuptah.

Neferuptah’s Necklace 2012

Naturally, a collar worn by a member of the royal family would be gorgeous and this one is.

Look at all those individual beads that were hand-strung! It must have taken quite a while to make.

Archaeologists have even found images of collars inscribed in relief inside burial tombs.

More Ancient Egypt Crafts

  • Ancient Egypt Narmer Crown Dough Activity
  • Free Ancient Egypt Mehen Printable Board Game
  • How to Make Smokin’ Hot Egyptian Pillars Out of Cardboard
  • Ancient Egypt DIY Simple and Fun Mummification Process Game
  • Egypt Crafts For Kindergarten Create a Fun Kid Sized Mummy
  • Fun Pharaohs and Queens Ancient Egypt Lapbook and Activities
  • The Geronimo Stilton Book Fourth Journey Fun Egypt Game
  • Fun and Easy Hands-On Ancient Egypt Craft: Create Canopic Jars

Also, look at these books about Egypt.

17 Ancient Egypt Books & Resources for Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

Add some of these books to your home library and use them for a day of learning or for unit studies.

The Egypt Game

The first time Melanie Ross meets April Hall, she’s not sure they have anything in common. But she soon discovers that they both love anything to do with ancient Egypt. When they stumble upon a deserted storage yard, Melanie and April decide it’s the perfect spot for the Egypt Game. Before long there are six Egyptians, and they all meet to wear costumes, hold ceremonies, and work on their secret code. Everyone thinks it’s just a game until strange things start happening. Has the Egypt Game gone too far?

Tales of Ancient Egypt (Puffin Classics)

These stories include the great myths - of Amen-Ra, who created all the creatures in the world; of Isis, seaching the waters for her dead husband Osiris; of the Bennu Bird and the Book of Thoth. But there are also tales told for pleasure about magic, treasure and adventure - even the first ever Cinderella story.

The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt (Landmark Books)

For more than 3,000 years, Egypt was a great civilization that thrived along the banks of the Nile River. But when its cities crumbled to dust, Egypt’s culture and the secrets of its hieroglyphic writings were also lost. The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt explains how archaeologists have pieced together their discoveries to slowly reveal the history of Egypt’s people, its pharaohs, and its golden days.

The Buildings of Ancient Egypt

Uses archeological evidence to describe the construction, decoration, and furnishings of ancient Egyptian tombs, pyramids, and homes

Science in Ancient Egypt (Science of the Past)

Discusses the achievements of the ancient Egyptians in science, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, agriculture, and technology.

Great Ancient Egypt Projects: You Can Build Yourself

From reed boats, papyrus, and amulets, to pyramids, pharaohs, and mummies, Great Ancient Egypt Projects You Can Build Yourself explores the fascinating lives of ancient Egyptians through more than25 hands-on building projects and activities. Great Ancient Egypt Projects You Can Build Yourself gives readers today a chance to experience how the ancient Egyptians lived, cooked, worked, worshipped, entertained themselves, and interacted with their neighbors through building projects that use common household supplies.Detailed step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and templates for creating each project are combined with historical facts and anecdotes, biographies, and trivia for the real-life models of each project. Together they give kids a first-hand look at daily life in ancient Egypt.

The Cat of Bubastes: A Tale of Ancient Egypt (Dover Children's Classics)

Chebron, the young son of an Egyptian high priest, and Amuba, a young slave in the boy's household, are close friends; but their lives are greatly altered when Chebron accidentally kills a cat, an animal held sacred by the ancient Egyptians. Forced to flee for their safety, the boys and their companions begin a long and dangerous journey. A thrilling adventure story, this is also a tale packed with historical facts. Among other fascinating details, young readers learn about the Egyptian religion and geography, how the Nile was used for irrigation, and how the Egyptians made war and were prepared for burial. A captivating book that accurately describes life in a once magnificent civilization, this volume will especially appeal to youngsters fascinated by the life and customs of ancient Egypt.

A History of Ancient Egypt: From the First Farmers to the Great Pyramid (A History of Ancient Egypt, 1)

The ancient world comes to life in the first volume in a two book series on the history of Egypt, spanning the first farmers to the construction of the pyramids. Famed archaeologist John Romer draws on a lifetime of research to tell one history's greatest stories; how, over more than a thousand years, a society of farmers created a rich, vivid world where one of the most astounding of all human-made landmarks, the Great Pyramid, was built. Immersing the reader in the Egypt of the past, Romer examines and challenges the long-held theories about what archaeological finds mean and what stories they tell about how the Egyptians lived. More than just an account of one of the most fascinating periods of history, this engrossing book asks readers to take a step back and question what they've learned about Egypt in the past. Fans of Stacy Schiff's Cleopatra and history buffs will be captivated by this re-telling of Egyptian history, written by one of the top Egyptologists in the world.

Boy of the Pyramids

The pictured wall of an Egyptian tomb supplied the inspiration for this unusual story, which takes place during the building of the Great Pyramid of Khufu more than 4,000 years ago. Kaffe and Sari, an Egyptian noble's son and a slave girl from the nomadic Sand People of the Sinai region, help solve a troublesome mystery and trap its culprit. All told against a colorfully detailed backdrop of ancient Egypt.

The Golden Goblet

Ranofer wants only one thing in the world: to be a master goldsmith like his beloved father was. But how can he when he is all but imprisoned by his evil half brother, Gebu? Ranofer knows the only way he can escape Gebu's abuse is by changing his destiny. But can a poor boy with no skills survive on the cutthroat streets of ancient Thebes? Then Ranofer finds a priceless golden goblet in Gebu's room and he knows his luck−and his destiny−are about to change.

Seeker of Knowledge: The Man Who Deciphered Egyptian Hieroglyphs

In 1802, Jean-Francois Champollion was eleven years old. That year, he vowed to be the first person to read Egypt’s ancient hieroglyphs. Champollion’s dream was to sail up the Nile in Egypt and uncover the secrets of the past, and he dedicated the next twenty years to the challenge.James Rumford introduces the remarkable man who deciphered the ancient Egyptian script and fulfilled a lifelong dream in the process. Stunning watercolors bring Champollion’s adventure to life in a story that challenges the mind and touches the heart.

The Egyptian Cinderella

This Egyptian spin on the classic Cinderella tale was initially recorded in the first century by a Roman historian and is retold here by folklorist Shirley Climo.

Poor Rhodopis! She has nothing—no mother or father, and no friends. She is a slave, from the far-off country of Greece. Only the beautiful rose-red slippers her master gives her can make Rhodopis smile.

So when a falcon swoops down and snatches one of the slippers away, Rhodopis is heartbroken. For how is she to know that the slipper will land in the lap of the great Pharaoh himself? And who would ever guess that the Pharaoh has promised to find the slipper’s owner and make her queen of all Egypt?

Augustus Caesar's World

In her unique approach, Foster weaves a story of the world around her central character; rather than focusing exclusively on geo-political events, as most textbooks do, she includes stories of scientific discovery and invention, music, literature, art, and religion. Her keen intuition for stories will especially delight and amuse youthful readers. In Augustus Caesar's World, Foster traces the seven major civilizations of Rome, Greece, Israel, Egypt, China, India, and Persia from 4500 B.C. to the time of Augustus Caesar in 44 B.C. and culminating in 14 A.D. Within this timeframe readers will learn not only the stories of Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, and Marc Antony, but also the historian Livy and how Virgil came to write the Aeneid. Foster will then take her readers all over the world to learn what was happening at this same time in China, Persia, India and so on. Foster's detailed pen and ink drawings are fresh and appealing, and her illustrated timelines give a clear sense of chronology, enriching the engaging text.

The Lost Queen of Egypt: The Tomb of Nefertiti

For professor of Egyptology Henry Markham, this would be the crowning glory of his career: an intact tomb of Nefertiti, the great royal wife of Akhenaten and the heretic pharaoh of eighteenth dynasty Egypt, whose bust of exquisite beauty resides in the Berlin Museum, which he had searched for the last ten years. He had an unspoken passion for her only excelled by his young assistant, Steven Sinclair, whose visions and dreams of her haunted him, much to the annoyance of Helen Carter, the freelance journalist on-site who, with her business partner Mike Mitcham, the digs photographer, saw Nefertiti as a rival for his affections. Thanks to a gambling debt, Mike finds himself the proud owner of a large luxury mobile home that four Mossad agents are interested in, along with Emil Brogini, who did a drug deal with two Mossad rogue agents since deceased. The arrival of Henry's estranged sister, Millicent, with her friend Jane Evesham, a gifted clairvoyant, does nothing to improve his temper, especially when Jane tells him they are in great danger. Can the danger come from four renegade Mossad agents or Emil Bratislav Brogini, Mr. Big in Cairo, into every racket going? Jane discovers that Helen has a latent gift of clairvoyance which, with their combined powers in a séance, sends them back to the eighteenth dynasty with Nefertiti, Akhenaten, and danger around every corner as they try to discover who is trying to kill them all using a large band of Libyan bandits. They survive ambushes, assassin's knives, and chariot chases, finally getting back to their own time with Nefertiti.

Pyramid

Pyramid is a strong resource for readers looking to expand their knowledge of ancient Egyptian civilization, history, and architecture.

Award-winning author-illustrator David Macaulay explores the philosophy of life and death in ancient Egypt through richly detailed black-and-white illustrations and clear, concise text.

Though created with middle grade readers in mind, all with interest in the topic will enjoy this impressive look at what many consider to be one of the most awesome of humankind's creations.

Pharaoh's Boat

With poetic language and striking illustrations, Weitzman tells the story of how one of the greatest boats of ancient Egypt came to be built and built again.In the shadow of the Great Pyramid at Giza, the most skilled shipwrights in all of Egypt are building an enormous vessel that will transport Cheops, the mighty pharaoh, across the winding waterway and into a new world. Pharaoh's boat will be a wonder to behold, and well prepared for the voyage ahead. But no one, not even the Egyptian king himself, could have imagined just where the journey of Pharaoh's boat would ultimately lead.

The Winged Cat

Merit is a servant girl in the temple of cat goddesses. In a rage, Waha, the High Priest, kills a sacred car, and Merit sees him do it.But when Merit reports the evil deed to Pharaoh, Waha denies that he is guilty.

Ours isn’t quite that ornate.

But it was a lot of fun to craft!

Egyptian Collar Craft

We used the following supplies to make our Ancient Egyptian collar craft:

  • A rectangular piece of posterboard (about 12 inches by 18 inches)
  • Yarn
  • A ruler
  • A pencil
  • Hole punch
  • Assorted color markers
  • Scissors
Tracing a Paper Egyptian Collar

Start by tracing the shape of your collar onto the posterboard.

I used a saucer and laid half of it on the posterboard edge to form the neckline.

Making a Paper Ancient Egypt Collar

Then I laid a dinner plate near the other end of the posterboard to form the outer edge of the collar.

Drawing a Paper Egyptian Collar

Trace both edges like so and you have the shape of your collar.

Designing an Ancient Egypt Collar

Then we cut the collar out and used the hole punch to put a hole in each of the top edges.

That’s where you will string the yarn later.

Making an Ancient Egyptian Collar Craft

Easy Hands-on Homeschool History

Use the ruler to draw several horizontal pencil lines across the collar with a pencil.

Our lines were about an inch and a half apart, but you can use whatever measurement you like.

Fun Hands-On History: Ancient Egyptian Collar Craft

The goal is to create a different design on each line.

That gives the collar the “look” of an elaborate design.

Drawing Designs for an Ancient Egyptian Collar

Then start using your colored markers to add color and shapes as you work down the collar.

After adding your colors, go back and use a black marker to outline the different designs you made.

It makes them stand out more.

Making an Egyptian Collar Craft

See? Adding the black outline really defines the individual designs.

Continue working down the collar, alternating designs as you think of them.

The kids will love to come up with their own ideas for collar decorations!

Colorful Ancient Egyptian Collar Craft

All done!

We went with bright colors, but if you have metallic markers, you can make a collar that actually looks like it’s made out of precious metals – just like the Egyptians would have made.

Finished Ancient Egyptian Collar Craft

Cut about a three-foot length of yarn and string it through the holes at the top of the collar.

Tie it to your child’s neck and let them feel like a rich Egyptian for a day!

This was such a fun activity.

It took us about 45 minutes to make our collar, so it was an eye-opening experience to see how much more time and effort the Egyptians put into making theirs.

It’s no wonder these necklaces were reserved for the elite!

You’ll also love how we used Home School in the Woods to learn about Ancient Egypt. We love their hands-on Ancient Egypt lapbooks.

Be sure to read even more hands-on history ideas for studying Ancient Egypt!

  • Ancient Egypt Narmer Crown Dough Activity
  • Free Ancient Egypt Mehen Printable Board Game
  • How to Make Smokin’ Hot Egyptian Pillars Out of Cardboard

Written by Selena of Look! We’re Learning!

Ancient Egypt was one of the first civilizations to experience genuine prosperity. Because the people lived near a reliable water source, food was abundant for farming. And that left them plenty of time to indulge in a few luxuries, including elaborate hairstyles, culture, and jewelry. Click here to make this fun collar craft!

2 CommentsFiled Under: Ancient Civilizations, Hands-On Activities Tagged With: ancient civilizations, ancient egypt, ancientegypt, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, homeschool

8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers | How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

July 19, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

There are so many fun back to school crafts for middle schoolers to get them excited about a new year of incredible learning. Also, look at my page The Dynamics of How to Homeschool Easily and Smarter for more fun ideas and tips. And my page How to Successfully Homeschool Middle School.

An avid reader will love recreating the pages of their favorite book onto a pair of slip-on shoes for the cutest literature themed shoes.

I chose Anne of Green Gables.

8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers | How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

But your child can opt for any book they choose.

For example, Little Women, The Secret Garden, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, The Hobbit, or any other novel.

You just need white canvas shoes.

 I found a pair at Hobby Lobby for just $7.

Also, you’ll need a variety of sharpie markers or fabric paints and some inspiration found in a treasured book.

We have kind of become addicted.

And will probably be creating several fun pairs of these shoes to highlight our favorite books and characters.

If that is not enough back to school fun, I have 8 more intriguing back to school crafts for middle schoolers.

From notebooks to organization ideas, grab one or more ideas create a memorable first day or week of the new school year.

8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers | How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers

  1. Isn’t this the COOLEST COLOR CHANGING NOTEBOOK | DIY NOTEBOOK COVER | SCHOOL SUPPLIES_CRAFTS? What a unique craft for keeping your daily journaling or copywork
  2. Check out this Clever DIY Dollar Tree Desk Organizer Back to School Craft that is inexpensive and can help tidy up your desk quickly and easily.
  3. Never lose your place with cute and easy Washi Tape Bookmarks to mark your spot.
  4. Make an DIY Easy Duct Tape Pencil Pouch Back to School Kids Craft that can also be used to store journaling supplies, makeup, or even jewelry.
  5. Create a Fidget Spinner DIY to keep hands busy while they listen to an educational podcast, read aloud, or watch a history video.
  6. Keep appointments, field trips, and more organized on this dry erase Paint Sample Calendar.
  7. Your middle schooler can say goodbye to boring #2 pencils when they DIY School Supplies into their favorite colors.
  8. This no sew Kindle Cover video creates a great place to store your small tablet for books and web surfing using the box that it came in.
  9. Cute Clay Pencil Earrings for Back to School Crafts For Kids

Now let’s move onto creating these fun themed shoes that will make a splash at the grocery store, co-op, or on your next visit to the library.

How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

You will need:

  • Slip on white canvas sneakers
  • Sharpie Markers
  • Pigma Micron 1.0 or larger
  • Pencil
  • Optional- Water Proofing Spray
8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers | How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

To begin, I recommend sketching out your designs with a pencil on copy paper until you get them just the way you like.

Choose characters, scenes and items that stand out to you and will easily identify your theme.

8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers | How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

Now take your pencil and lightly draw the designs onto your shoes all the way around.

Do this carefully as the pencil erases somewhat but not completely.

Make sure to cover all pencil with outline or marker fill in.

8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers | How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

Once you have your designs all sketched out on the shoe and you like it, trace the outline of each with the Micron pen.

This does not bleed like a Sharpie does.

8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers | How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

Carefully color in each of your designs.

Stay slightly inside the black outlines as it will spread slightly.

You can always go back and add more color where needed.

8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers | How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

Of course, Green Gables and Anne had to feature front and center.

To tidy up your drawings you can go back over the lines where the sharpie has bled onto them.

Place shoes in a pillowcase and tie a knot in it.

Throw in the dryer with towels or something else and run on high heat for 20 minutes to set color.

You can also run a hot iron or a blow dryer over each part to help set the ink.

If desired to protect your design more you can spray with a water based waterproof spray.

Sharpie is not waterproof and will likely smear if you get these shoes wet.

Here is a peek at the other 3 sides to the shoes.

Let’s see if you are a big fan of Green Gables and how much you recognize from the story.

The book itself, and of course cherry cordial

8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers | How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

The broken satchel Anne came with and a cup for tea time.

8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers | How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

A bundle of her beloved schoolbooks and a bouquet of the flowers she cherished so much.

8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers | How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

More Back to School Craft Ideas

  • Fun Upcycled T Shirt Library Tote Back to School Kids Craft
  • Clever DIY Dollar Tree Desk Organizer Back to School Craft
  • DIY Easy Duct Tape Pencil Pouch Back to School Kids Craft
  • How to Make a Boys Duct Tape Wallet Back to School Craft
  • Cute Clay Pencil Earrings for Back to School Crafts For Kids
  • 15 Easy Back to School Crafts And Make A Yarn Wrapped Pencil
  • Back To Homeschool Student Notebook Covers
  • How to Create Easy Back to School Basket Ideas for Middle School (Anatomy)
  • Apple Themed Back to School Crafts & Fun Calming Apple Jar Craft
  • 8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers | How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: back to school crafts, fall crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, literature

7 Awesome Renaissance Events & Easy Goblet Craft

July 15, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Huzzah!!! There are over 200 renaissance events across the United States every year, magical festivals for those who love the Middle Ages. Also, look at my Renaissance Lapbook and Unit Study.

I’m sharing the top events and a fun craft for your Medieval and Renaissance Times fans who just can’t get enough of the period.

The Renaissance Period began in Italy.

And the period was kicked off by events like The Crusades, Black Death, rediscovering Greek and Roman art, increased cultural interaction.

7 Awesome Renaissance Events & Easy Goblet Craft

Channels like the Silk Road, and excess wealth introduced into Italy via trade helped it to spread.

Many are fascinated by it due to the incredible art and craftsmanship.

Then there are the castles, the regalness of kings and queens, chivalry of knights, and all the amazing inventions during this time.

The events I have listed for you today are some of the largest and most popular around the country.

They are perfect for history buffs, cosplay enthusiasts, or those seeking adventure and make an already interesting unit even better.

These outings are wonderfully on theme and include fun activities.

For example, there are jousting tournaments, period foods, lively music by minstrels and troubadours.

Also, handmade goods and many dressed in renaissance garb.

Artisans are on hand to demonstrate their skills, such as blacksmithing, woodworking, and leather working.

Books About the Renaissance Times for Kids

First, look at some of these living books I rounded up.

We have so many favorites but this list gives you a starting point.

17 Renaissance Period Books for Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

This was such a huge time period with so many events and people you can't cover them all but you'll love to add some of them.

The Life of Christopher Columbus: From His Own Letters and Journals

A fascinating look at the life of Christopher Columbus, from his own letters and journals.

A Child's History of the World: Original Illustrated Edition

From the awe-inspiring pyramids of Egypt to the majestic castles of medieval Europe, this book will whisk you away to far-off lands and bygone eras, sparking your imagination and curiosity. Join the ranks of legendary explorers, brave knights, and ingenious inventors, all while uncovering the secrets of our shared human heritage.

Perfect for young readers eager to discover the world's past, this beautifully crafted paperback edition is not just a book—it's a ticket to a time machine, a passport to historical marvels, and a treasure trove of knowledge.

Whether you're a history enthusiast, a curious student, or a parent seeking an engaging educational experience for your child, "A Child's History of the World" is a must-have addition to your library. Let the pages of this book transport you to extraordinary realms, leaving you inspired and hungry for more.

Joan of Arc

Against the fascinating tapestry of Frances history during the Hundred Years' War, Diane Stanley unfolds the story of the simple thirteen-year-old village girl who in Just a few years would lead France to independence from English rule, and thus become a symbol of France's national pride. It is a story of vision and bravery, fierce determination, and tragic martyrdom. 

Diane Stanley's extraordinary gift to present historical information in an accessible and child-friendly format has never been more impressive, nor her skillful, beautifully realized illustrations (here imitating medieval illuminated manuscripts) more exquisite.

Ink on His Fingers (Louise A. Vernon Religious Heritage)

Johann Gutenberg is working on printing the first Bible with type. Twelve-year-old Hans Dunne works in Gutenberg's shop as an apprentice printer. Soon, Hans finds himself in the middle of a type-stealing mystery. Will Hans, and the other pressmen be able to keep Herr Fust from getting the type? Will they be able to finish the Bible so many people will be able to read and learn from it? For 9-to-14-year-olds.

Leonardo da Vinci

Diane Stanley blends wonderful storytelling with gorgeous illustrations to convey the stunning scope of Leonardo da Vinci's genius in a book that has won many awards and earned two starred reviews. This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 6 to 8. It’s a fun way to learn to read and as a supplement for activity books for children.

Galileo

Chronicles the life of a brilliant Italian mathematician, physicist, and astronomer, who was forced to renounce his inventions and discoveries because they challenged the authority of the Church.

The Voyage of the Armada: The Spanish Story

Mr Howarth is a brilliant writer, full of grace and wit and solid common sense' - The New Yorker A reprint of a marvellous retelling of the Armada story. Until this book was published, the Battle of the Armada had been told primarily from the English viewpoint, the English victory puffed up into a national heroic tale which was far from the truth. There is another side to this story, however, and, basing his narrative on previously unexplored Spanish sources, David Howarth, brilliantly redressed the balance.

Knights of Art: Stories of the Italian Painters

Originally written for younger readers as an introduction to the world of the Italian Renaissance, this classic work takes the reader on an exciting personal tour of some of the greatest artists of that time period.Much more than just a dry history of who painted what, Steedman’s book portrays each artist in personal terms, providing details of their lives, loves, highlights and low points.The period of ItalianRenaissance painting started around the late thirteenth century and flourished until the sixteenth, covering the periods scholars now call the Proto-Renaissance (1300–1400), the Early Renaissance (1400–1475), the High Renaissance (1475–1525), and Mannerism (1525–1600). Drawing much of her material from the classic Lives of the Painters, by Giorgio Vasari, Steedman gives readers young and old a concise and enthralling overview of Italian Renaissance painters and discusses their impact upon society and their enduring cultural legacy

Elizabeth I: Red Rose of the House of Tudor, England, 1544 (The Royal Diaries)

As a new edition to The Royal Diaries series, this factual tale offers young readers an insight to the life and times of this famous royal prior to her days on the throne as the Queen of England.

Made in the Renaissance: Arts and Crafts of the Age of Exploration

Arts and Crafts

Bard of Avon: The story of William Shakespeare (We the people)

How did a man from an unremarkable family create a legacy of plays that are performed almost every day in every part of the world? There will always be unsolved mysteries about William Shakespeare, but what we do know of his life, his times, and his theater makes a dramatic and exciting story.

The Hawk That Dare Not Hunt by Day

The Hawk That Dare Not Hunt by Day by award-winning author Scott O'Dell is historical fiction set in Europe during the 1500s. In this Christian fiction book Tom Barton and his uncle Jack are smugglers who are used to breaking the law. With quick wits and secret cargo holds, they have managed to make a comfortable living. And then William Tyndale asks them to carry English Bibles along with their usual cargo. As enemy after enemy rises to oppose Tyndale's Bible translation, Tom is confronted with a choice between what he wants and what he knows to be true.

Martin Luther: What should I do? (Little Lights)

The true story of Martin Luther and the Reformation. At the boarding school in Eisenach, Martin and his friends had to sing for their supper. Martin spent a lot of time thinking about how to get to heaven – he thought that he had to pray for hours on end, eat very little, work very hard and study a great many good books, in order to have his sins forgiven

A Murder for Her Majesty

Horrified at having witnessed her father's murder and fearing that the killers are agents of Queen Elizabeth I, eleven-year-old Alice Tuckfield hides in the Yorkshire cathedral by disguising herself as one of the choirboys.

Antonio's Apprenticeship: Painting a Fresco in Renaissance Italy

Dreaming of becoming a great artist but frustrated by his early tasks, Antonio lands an exciting assignment helping his uncle Charbone prepare a series of frescoes on the life of Christ, a task that helps him to develop his skills as a painter.

Da Vinci's Cat

Two unlikely friends—Federico, in sixteenth-century Rome, and Bee, in present-day New Jersey—are linked through an amiable cat, Leonardo Da Vinci’s mysterious wardrobe, and an eerily perfect sketch of Bee. Newbery Honor author Catherine Gilbert Murdock’s Da Vinci’s Cat is a thrilling, time-slip fantasy about rewriting history to save the present. This inventive novel will engross anyone who loved When You Reach Me and A Wrinkle in Time.

Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture

On August 19, 1418, a competition concerning Florence's magnificent new cathedral, Santa Maria del Fiore was announced: "Whoever desires to make any model or design for the vaulting of the main Dome....shall do so before the end of the month of September." The proposed dome was regarded far and wide as all but impossible to build: not only would it be enormous, but its original and sacrosanct design shunned the flying buttresses that supported cathedrals all over Europe. The dome would literally need to be erected over thin air.

Next, look at these fun renaissance events.

7 Awesome Renaissance Events

  1. Medieval Times– These fun dinner and show venues are located across the United States in 10 different locations- Georgia, Florida, California, Maryland, Illinois, Texas, South Carolina, New Jersey, Arizona and Ontario. If you are near one I highly recommend booking
  2. Texas Renaissance Festival– (Todd Mission, Texas) The Texas Renaissance Festival is the largest Renaissance fair in the United States. It is held every year from late September to late November and features over 100 stages of entertainment, including jousting tournaments, live music, and comedy shows.
  3. Robin Hood’s Medieval Faire–  (Harwinton, Connecticut)  Boasts awe-inspiring performances, 5 stages, scrumptious delicacies, and a huge selection of artisan goods.
  4. Carolina Renaissance Festival (Huntersville, North Carolina) The Carolina Renaissance Festival is one of the largest Renaissance fairs in the Southeast. It is held every year from late March to late November and features over 100 artisans and performers.
  5. Maryland Renaissance Festival (Crownsville, Maryland)- One of the most popular Renaissance fairs in the Mid-Atlantic region. It is held every year from late August to late October and features over 140 artisans and performers.
  6. Florida Renaissance Festival (Deerfield, Florida) Besides the usual Ren Faire events you will find Ax Throwing, Archery, Test of Strength, Jacob’s Ladder, The Hang Bar, Fencing, Water Wars Balloons,Knight’s Flight Zipline, and so much more.
  7. Uhuburg Castle Tours & Accommodations– (Helen, Georgia) Tour a renaissance styled castle in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Uhuburg, the Eagle Owl Castle, is a one of a kind place in both mission and structure with twelve towers, one turret, three gatehouses, an eight story lookout tower, Great Hall, cloistered walls with rampart and lower walkways, ten guest chambers, two apartments, a master chamber, tropical atrium, grotto, and two acres of courtyard gardens.
7 Awesome Renaissance Events & Easy Goblet Craft

For a full list of Renaissance Fairs check out this month by month guide.

Next, look at these other renaissance hands-on history activities.

More Renaissance Period Hands-on History

  • The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft
  • Renaissance Inventors: How To Make A Fascinating Da Vinci Submarine Craft
  • More Unit Study Ideas & Lapbook
  • Free Glass Blowing Lapbook on The History Of Glass Blowing
  • Dragon Unit Study Ideas and Salt Dough Dragon Craft
  • Come see How To Make A Kids Easy Medieval Stained Glass Window to create a big focal point for your renaissance study.

Finally, look at this fun renaissance goblet craft for kids.

Easy Goblet Craft

You will need:

  • Glass or plastic wine glass
  • Flat backed craft gems
  • Air Dry Clay
  • Gold Spray Paint
  • Super glue
7 Awesome Renaissance Events & Easy Goblet Craft

First, clean the entire surface of your glass with vinegar or glass cleaner and allow it to dry.

If you desire to add some texture to your goblet, use air dry clay to create raised areas and frames for your jewels.

As you create make sure your gems fit inside before it dries.

7 Awesome Renaissance Events & Easy Goblet Craft

Once you decide where your clay is going to be sure that it adheres to the glass, dab a bit of super glue on the glass.

And then press the clay into place.

7 Awesome Renaissance Events & Easy Goblet Craft

Allow the clay to dry out completely for a few days on the glass.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to wait that long, you can “draw” on your designs and texture with a glue gun and let it cool until it hardens (about 5 minutes).

Take your goblet outside and place it on cardboard or something similar to protect your surface.

Then spray with 2-3 coats of gold spray paint. Dry completely

7 Awesome Renaissance Events & Easy Goblet Craft

Use superglue to attach the jewels as you like.

7 Awesome Renaissance Events & Easy Goblet Craft

This goblet is not food safe.

It is a great display piece and can be used to hold pens and pencils or other similar objects.

7 Awesome Renaissance Events & Easy Goblet Craft

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

The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft

June 18, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re learning about sea geography and what exactly is a sea. Also, look at my Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook page and Hands-On Simple And Best Homeschool Geography Ideas & Tips.

Is the sea different from the ocean? 

Oftentimes the words ‘sea ‘and ‘ocean’ are used interchangeably when describing large salty bodies of water, but they are two distinct bodies of water. 

But beyond learning about the difference between seas and oceans we of course have a fun activity that I think you and your kids will enjoy.

The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft

We are making a craft based on Paddle to the Sea which gives us a lovely fun geography lesson.

Do you remember as a kid creating your own carbon paper?

I distinctly remember an elementary school scribbling on the back of a paper flipping it and writing on the other side in order to make the carbon transfer to another sheet of paper.

This is a technique that I want to share with you or remind you of today to show your kids how to make their own map.

Before we do that let’s find out some more facts about sea geography and what a sea is and isn’t.

First, look at a few books about the ocean.

16 Ocean Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Choose a few of these ocean themed books to go along with your study of the Oceans. Whether you're looking for a spine for a unit study or literature, you'll love this roundup.

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children in color

Join Danny Meadow Mouse, Jimmy Skunk, and Reddy Fox as they explore the seashore and take a closer look at the habits and habitats of the creatures they find. Discover the Seahorse, Shrimp, Crab, Anemone, Gull, and so many more.

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children is a wonderful way to introduce young ones to the fascinating world beneath us and is a perfect compliment to earlier books in this series, the Bird, Animal, and Flower books.

This edition is complete and unabridged with all of the beautiful illustrations by W.H. Southwick and George Sutton

Seaside Naturalist: Seaside Naturalist

Seaside Naturalist is an illustrated guide to marine plants and animals includes the characteristics of protozoa, arthropods, sponges, mollusks, reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals.

The Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series)

The book opens by explaining how different types of animals are able to breathe and survive underwater, and the different families to which they belong. Subsequent pages are dedicated to specific creatures, including sea turtles, whales, sharks, stingrays, and seahorses, and show varied life in specific habitats, such as a coral reef or deep sea bed. The Big Book of the Blue also explores the underwater world thematically, looking at animals in danger, learning how to spot creatures at the beach, and discovering how to do our part to save sea life. Beautiful and filled with fascinating facts, young, curious readers won’t be able to tear their eyes away from the page.

Scott O'Dell Set: Island of the Blue Dolphins + Zia

Island of the Blue Dolphins begins with a young girl named Karana who is living on the Island of the Blue Dolphins (fancy name, right?) with her younger brother, Ramo, and sister, Ulape. One day, a group of Russian hunters (Aleutians) land on the island to hunt for otter. This is when the trouble really begins.

Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau (Underwater Picture Book for Kids)

Once upon a time in France, a baby was born under the summer sun. His parents named him Jacques. As he grew, Jacques fell in love with the sea. He dreamed of breathing beneath the waves and swimming as gracefully as a fish. In fact, he longed to become a manfish. Jacques Cousteau grew up to become a champion of the seas and one of the best-known oceanographers in the world. In this lovely biography, now in paperback, poetic text and gorgeous paintings come together to create a portrait of Cousteau that is as magical as it is inspiring.

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (Illustrated 1875 Edition):

A beautiful edition with 110 images from the 1875 English edition. Use Amazon's Look inside feature to compare this edition with others. You'll be impressed by the differences. Don't be fooled by other versions that have no illustrations or contain very small print. Reading our edition will make you feel that you are traveling the seas with Captain Nemo himself.

Swiss Family Robinson (Illustrated Classic): 200th Anniversary Collection

More than 100 original illustrations by Louis Rhead. You want to read this book with illustrations.

An introduction by W. D. Howells.

Nicely formatted text in an easy-to-read font.

A beautiful cover from the 1891 edition.

Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia

Embark on a captivating tour of the waters that cover 70 percent of our planet! See our oceans come to life in mind-blowing detail. This is the ultimate children’s visual encyclopedia about the awe-inspiring blue planet! 

Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist

How did a nineteenth-century dressmaker revolutionize science? Jeanne Power was creative: she wanted to learn about the creatures that swim beneath the ocean waves, so she built glass tanks and changed the way we study underwater life forever. Jeanne Power was groundbreaking: she solved mysteries of sea animals and published her findings at a time when few of women’s contributions to science were acknowledged. Jeanne Power was persistent: when records of her research were lost, she set to work repeating her studies. And when men tried to take credit for her achievements, she stood firm and insisted on the recognition due to her.

Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

Follow Rothman’s inquisitive mind and perceptive eye along shorelines, across the open ocean, and below the waves for an artistic exploration of the watery universe. Through her drawings, discover how the world’s oceans formed, why the sea is salty, and the forces behind oceanic phenomena such as rogue waves. Colorful anatomical profiles of sea creatures from crustacean to cetacean, surveys of seafaring vessels and lighthouses, and the impact of plastic and warming water temperatures are just part of this compendium of curiosities that will entertain and educate readers of all ages. 

The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids: 500 Incredible Facts!

Do you know a kid who’s captivated by what goes on beneath the ocean’s surface? This amazing entry into ocean books for kids is packed with hundreds of incredible facts for hours of underwater exploration. Pages of full-color pictures feature life in and around the sea including fish, dolphins, and shipwrecks!

All About Bioluminescence: Deep Sea Animals

Dive into the mesmerizing world of bioluminescence with "All About Bioluminescence." In this captivating book, readers embark on a journey through the depths of the ocean to discover the extraordinary glow-in-the-dark creatures that inhabit its mysterious realm. From the enchanting sea angel to the infamous anglerfish, each page is filled with stunning illustrations and fascinating facts about these luminous beings.With a focus on deep-sea dwellers, readers will uncover the secrets behind bioluminescence and learn how these creatures use light to communicate, camouflage, and lure prey. But the adventure doesn't stop there! "All About Bioluminescence" also includes hands-on activities like a glow stick experiment, allowing readers to experience the magic of bioluminescence firsthand.

Treasure Island (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

One of the most enduringly popular adventure tales, Treasure Island began in 1881 as a serialized adventure entitled "The Sea-Cook"in the periodical Young Folks. Completed during a stay at Davos, Switzerland, where Stevenson had gone for his health, it was published in 1883 in the form we know today.Set in the eighteenth century, Treasure Island spins a heady tale of piracy, a mysterious treasure map, and a host of sinister characters charged with diabolical intentions. Seen through the eyes of Jim Hawkins, the cabin boy of the Hispaniola, the action-packed adventure tells of a perilous sea journey across the Spanish Main, a mutiny led by the infamous Long John Silver, and a lethal scramble for buried treasure on an exotic isle.

Oceans and Seas!: With 25 Science Projects for Kids

In Oceans and Seas! With 25 Science Projects for Kids readers ages 7 though 10 dive into the underwater world of some of the most amazing landscapes on Earth. On this amazing underwater adventure, kids experience the ocean’s tropical reefs and spot crabs, sea sponges, and thousands of kinds of fish darting in its crags and folds. They’ll meet a giant squid with eyes the size of dinner plates and an mbrella-like bioluminescent jellyfish.

Discover the Oceans: The World's Largest Ecosystem (Discover Your World)

From both a historical and scientific point of view, above and below the surface, this engaging guide brings the world’s oceans to life through fun facts, illustrations, and in-depth information. Interactive activities appear throughout, ranging from making solar stills and simple fishing spears to experimenting with a homemade diving bell and figuring out how much water it really takes to survive. With the oceans being the least explored environment on Earth, this reference illuminates some of the most incredible and surprising plants and animals as well as how to survive and navigate these vast expanses.

Pagoo

An intricate study of tide pool life is presented in text and pictures through the story of Pagoo, a her-mit crab.

A Sea Versus an Ocean

A sea is defined as a portion of the ocean that is partly surrounded by land. Using this definition there are about 50 seas around the world.

This includes bodies of water that are not often thought of as seas.

For example, the Gulf of Mexico is an ocean basin and a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Hudson Bay which is the largest northern inland sea.

An ocean is defined as one of the large bodies of water into which the ocean is divided.

What is a Sea

  • Smaller than oceans
  • Partially enclosed by land
  • Most often not as salty as oceans

Examples-Mediterranean Sea, Caribbean Sea, North Sea, Hudson Bay.

What is an Ocean

  • Much larger than seas
  • Deeper than seas
  • Not enclosed by land
  • More salty than seas

Examples-Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean

There is one exception to this and that is the Sargasso Sea.

It is located entirely within the Atlantic Ocean and is the only sea without a land boundary

The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft

Paddle to The Sea and the Great Lakes

So, what do the Great Lakes and Hudson Bay have to do with oceans or seas? Also, grab the book Paddle to the Sea.

Where does this water from the Great Lakes go? Where does it come from?

The Great Lakes were originally fed by meltwater from glaciers but now gets its new water from rivers, precipitation, and groundwater springs.

The Long Lac and Ogoki diversions of the Hudson Bay, located in northern Ontario, divert water from a portion of the Hudson Bay watershed into the Lake Superior basin.

The Great Lakes system flows to the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence River.

As it flows from its westernmost point in Duluth, Minnesota to the Atlantic Ocean, the waterway drops in elevation approximately 600 feet.

The Hudson Strait makes a connection between the Labrador Sea and the Atlantic Ocean in the northeast, while the Foxe Channel connects the Hudson Bay with the Arctic Ocean in the north. It is largely considered to be part of the Atlantic Ocean.

Grab a map like a scrunch map, and trace the path of Paddle To The Sea using a small object, how perfect was this little canoe?

This gives your child a better understanding of how our entire water system works together from tiny streams to large oceans and seas.

The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft

Paddle to The Sea Geography Ideas

  • Learn How to Make An Edible Geography Model of Tidal Zones to take a close up hands on look at the different geography of the ocean.
  • Another fantastic book by Holling C. Holling is Seabird and I found a Seabird Unit Study to go along with it if you are enjoying this stream of study.
  • Making Ocean Layers Soap
  • Create a Dead Sea Lapbook and learn more about this sea that borders Jordan to the east, and Israel to the west.
  • How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Paddle To The Sea Craft

You will need:

  • Watercolor Paper
  • Paddle to the Sea Book
  • Watercolor paints
  • Paintbrushes
  • Copy paper
  • Pencil
  • Black fine line pen
  • Printed map
The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft

First you want to print a map of whatever geographical area that you’re wanting to study and print it out.

I just happened to find the perfect map to go along with Paddle To The Sea here at the National Museum of Great Lakes book club.

The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft

Flip the map over and scribble all over the back with a freshly sharpened pencil, be sure to cover all the areas behind where you will be tracing your map.

The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft

Place your map, scribble side down on a piece of watercolor paper and secure it into place with a piece of masking tape or painters tape to keep it from sliding around.

The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft

Trace around your map outline with pencil and flip it up occasionally to be sure that you haven’t missed any key spots.

The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft

Remove the paper map and tape.

Now to add some fun color.

 Since this is a sea geography project start by water coloring all the

bodies of water like the Great Lakes, Hudson Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean.

The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft

Let your water dry and then start painting in the land.

Have your child color Canada one color and the United States a different color to help them differentiate where one ends and the other begins to grasp the geography of the area.

The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft

Once the entire painting is dry, they can label the bodies of land and water as well as use the fine line pen to outline the land and water to create definition.

The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft

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

A Simple Geronimo Stilton LEGO Tutorial For Mouse Loving Kids

June 14, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Create a simple Geronimo Stilton LEGO to commemorate your child’s love of the mouse. Also, look at my page Geronimo Stilton Books for more great activities.

Too, this activity encourages the skills of creativity, fine motor skills, and following directions.

Do you have a mouse loving kid?

A Simple Geronimo Stilton LEGO Tutorial For Mouse Loving Kids

And by mouse, of course, I mean the adventure loving, time traveling mouse -Geronimo Stilton.

If you do, I have a really fun 2D Portrait Geronimo Stilton LEGO tutorial for them.

In addition, I have a roundup of other unique crafts and ideas to go along with many of the books in the series.

Geronimo Stilton Books for Kids

Geronimo Stilton Books 1 - 20

It is not necessary to go in order, each book is its own stand-alone story, and the main characters are properly reintroduced each time.  So, you can choose the books based on your child's current interest, the season, or a unit study topic.

Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye

Who Is Geronimo Stilton? That's me! I run a newspaper, but my true passion is writing tales of adventure. Here on Mouse Island, my books are all best-sellers! What's that? You've never read one? Well, my books are full of fun. They are whisker-licking good stories, and that's a promise!Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye. It all started when my sister, Thea, discovered a mysterious map. It showed a secret treasure on a faraway island. And before I could let out a squeak of protest, Thea dragged me into her treasure hunt! In no time at all, we'd set sail for the island. It was an adventure I'd never forget....

The Curse of the Cheese Pyramid (Geronimo Stilton #2)

I'm off to Egypt! I climbed onboard a crabby old camel that would take me across the desert to the Great Cheese Pyramid. There, among mummies and hieroglyphics, I would learn the secret of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient Mouse World....

Cat and Mouse in a Haunted House (Geronimo Stilton, No. 3)

I was lost in a dark, spooky forest! Until I stumbled upon Curlypaw Cannycat's Castle.

I'm Too Fond of My Fur! (Geronimo Stilton #4)

Well, my books are full of fun. They are whisker-licking good stories, and that's a promise! I'm Too Fond of My Fur! I was on my way 'round the world to Mouse Everest! The trip was long and dangerous. I almost froze my tail off on the way. And then I was kidnapped by the Abominable Snowman! Yes, it was truly an amazing adventure....

Four Mice Deep in the Jungle (Geronimo Stilton Funny Tales)

Enter the world of Geronimo Stilton, where another funny adventure is always right around the corner. Each book is a fast-paced adventure with lively art and a unique format kids 7-10 will love.I have never been a brave mouse... but lately, my fears were taking over my life! Soon I was too afraid even to leave my mousehole. That's when Thea and Trap decided to cure me. They dragged me away on an airplane (I'm afraid of flying!) all the way to the jungle. There I was forced to eat bug soup, climb trees as high as skyscrapers, swim in raging rivers, and even wrangle snakes! How would a 'fraidy mouse like me ever survive?

Paws Off, Cheddarface! (Geronimo Stilton, No. 6)

Who Is Geronimo Stilton? That's me! I run a newspaper, but my true passion is writing tales of adventure. Here on Mouse Island, my books are all best-sellers! They are whisker-licking good tales, and that's a promise!__PAWS OFF, CHEDDARFACE!It was the strangest thing... all across New Mouse City, rodents kept telling me I'd done things I had no memory of! I soon discovered why... there was a Geronimo look-alike out there, pretending to be me. He'd even fooled my sister Thea! And worst of all, he was trying to take over my newspaper. I had to find a way to strike back -- but how??

Red Pizzas for a Blue Count

They are whisker-licking-good tales, and that's a promise! Red Pizzas for a Blue Count My troublemaker cousin was trapped in Transratania! And before I could even squeak, my sister, Thea, dragged me along on her rescue mission. Little did we know that Transratania is the land of vampire bats! Holey cheese, bats give me mouse bumps! Why? Well, there's nothing a bat likes more than sinking its teeth into a nice, juicy mouse....

Attack of the Bandit Cats (Geronimo Stilton, No. 8)

Oh, what a day! I had just published New Mouse City's first phone book -- and almost every single number was wrong! My customers were out for my fur. So when Thea, Trap, and Benjamin asked me to join their quest for a legendary island covered in silver, I agreed. But no sooner had we set out than we were attacked by a ship of pirate cats! They mousenapped us and threatened to make us their dinner. Would we escape with our lives... or find ourselves in the soup?

A Fabumouse Vacation for Geronimo (Geronimo Stilton, No. 9)

Sometimes a busy businessmouse like me needs a nice, relaxing vacation. But of all the rotten rats' luck -- every time I tried to get away, disaster struck. My aunt Dizzy Fur's mouse hole caught on fire, my office was flooded, and our printing press broke down! When I was finally ready to depart, all the good trips were booked up. I was stuck in a flea-ridden old hotel, sharing a room with a bunch of Gerbil Scouts! I couldn't wait to get back to my comfy home in New Mouse City....

All Because of a Cup of Coffee (Geronimo Stilton, No. 10)

I, Geronimo Stilton, was in love! I went out for a cup of coffee one morning and laid eyes on the most beautiful rodent I'd ever seen. Unfortunately, I immediately tripped over my paws and ended up with my tail in a toaster! I was one mortified mouse. But I was determined to prove that I wasn't a complete stumblemouse. So I decided to join my family on their most daring adventure yet -- a journey to the eighth wonder of the world! There I made a discovery so truly amazing, I knew I could win the heart of my darling ratlette....

The Phantom of the Subway (Geronimo Stilton, No. 13)

When my sister Thea told me a ghost was haunting New Mouse City's subway tunnels, I knew I had to get the scoop for The Rodents Gazette! So I set off with Thea, Trap, and my assistant editor Pinky Pick. We soon discovered that Sally Ratmousen, the editor of The Daily Rat, was also on the trail of the mysterious ghost. But we were all in for the fright of our wee mouse lives... because the ghost turned out to be a CAT!

The Temple of the Ruby of Fire (Geronimo Stilton, No. 14)

It was my most thrilling adventure yet! My old friend Professor von Volt had discovered the location of the famous Ruby of Fire. And before I could let out a squeak of protest, my sister Thea had dragged me into race to be the first to find the legendary gem. The jewel was protected by thousands of ancient booby-traps -- a 'fraidy mouse's worst nightmare? Would I make it through with my fur?

The Mona Mousa Code (Geronimo Stilton, No. 15)

Do you like art? I do! So when Thea heard that there was a secret map hidden beneath Mouse Island's most famous painting, the Monamouse, I knew we had to get the scoop! Together we began to investigate, and soon we discovered secret clues that led us to the most fabumouse secret. And it all lay beneath the streets of New Mouse City!

A Cheese-Colored Camper[GERONIMO STILTON #16 CHEESE-CO][Paperback]

My grandfather William Shortpaws -- also known as Cheap Mouse Willy -- was back at The Rodent's Gazette, and he was determined to torture me. He wanted to publish a guide book to Ratzikistan, the Siberia of Mouse Island. And he ordered *me* to go there to write it! But as you know, dear reader,

Watch Your Whiskers, Stilton! (Geronimo Stilton, No. 17)

Cheesecake! A mysterious one-eyed rat was trying to steal The Rodent's Gazette from under my snout! I had to stop him -- but how? My business manager, Shif T. Paws, came up with a plan. He arranged for me to appear on a TV quiz show. If I won, the Gazette was safe. But if I lost -- SQUEAK! -- I had to give up my tail!

Shipwreck on the Pirate Islands (Geronimo Stilton, No. 18)

My sister had come up with a new way to torment me. She'd combined my two least favorite things - travel and ghosts! Thea had heard rumors of a haunted pirate treasure buried on a desert island. And before I could say "avast ye scurvy rats," she'd dragged me into her treasure hunt!

My Name Is Stilton, Geronimo Stilton (Geronimo Stilton, No. 19)

Have you met my very young assistant editor, Pinky Pick? She is only thirteen years old, but she is one of the cleverest mice I've ever known. If you've ever wondered how Pinky came to work for me at The Rodent's Gazette, this is the book for you! It's a looooong story... and one that's full of adventure, laughs, and of course, like all of my books, lots of embarrassing moments for yours truly!

Surf's Up, Geronimo! (Geronimo Stilton, No. 20)

Ah, there's nothing like a relaxing vacation on the beach! I would spread out by the crystal-clear water with a good book. What more could a mouse want? At least, that was the plan. But somehow, my vacations never seem to go according to plan. Instead of a beautiful seaside resort, I found myself in a fleabag hotel that was falling down around my ears! Oh, would I ever be able to relax and enjoy my vacation

What I love about the books besides the fact that they are intriguing to kids and build reading fluency and vocabulary skills is that they have great illustrations.

They show actual artifacts, clothing, and people throughout history as well as current places to naturally build geography skills through familiarity.

The series is humorous and contains lots of great facts presented in an entertaining way, he definitely has earned a portrait of his own.

The majority of the bricks needed for this craft, or a very close substitute can be found in the LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box.

More Geronimo Stilton Book Series Activities

  • Top 5 Reasons to Love Geronimo Stilton And Geronimo Stilton Book List 1-20
  • Geronimo Stilton Race Against Time And Make Pottery Like Ancient Greeks
  • Geronimo Stilton Back in Time Second Journey Through Time and Fun Mayan Mask
  • Geronimo Stilton The Journey Through Time Fun Easy No Sew Dinosaur Mat
  • The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activity Craft Fun Dragon Eggs
  • Cheese Corner Bookmark
  • Another idea for a bookmark is this Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Craft a Fun England Tower Guard.
  • While this Geronimo Stilton Storyboard and Character Costume was designed for a school setting I think it is awesome and can still be used as a fun project and dress up idea for your homeschooled child.
A Simple Geronimo Stilton LEGO Tutorial For Mouse Loving Kids

Geronimo Stilton LEGO Tutorial

The cone we used for the nose is not in the basic brick boxes, but you may have it in your stash, if not there are other tapered bricks that can give you a similar look.

I highly recommend that even if your child has a lot of LEGO bricks already that you purchase one or two of these and keep them separate from all other bricks to use for builds like this.

They are also really fun for challenges and can be used during reading aloud to keep hands busy.

You will need:

  • 2 LEGO Eyes
  • 1 single brown round stud
  • 2 Pink 1×2 LEGO Bricks
  • 9 Tan 2×2 LEGO Bricks
  • 6 Tan 1×2 LEGO Bricks
  • 2 Tan Studs (single)
  • 3 Red 2×2 LEGO Bricks
  • 6 White 1×2 LEGO Bricks
  • 10 Green 2×2 LEGO Bricks
  • 2 Green 1×2 LEGO Slope Bricks
  • Small baseplate

First, place your 9 tan 2×2 LEGO bricks in the center of a small baseplate to form a square, any plate 16×16 and larger will work great.

A Simple Geronimo Stilton LEGO Tutorial For Mouse Loving Kids

Place your 3 red 2×2 bricks right down the center right to the bottom edge.

A Simple Geronimo Stilton LEGO Tutorial For Mouse Loving Kids

Now put the white 1×2’s down either side of the red to form his shirt and tie.

A Simple Geronimo Stilton LEGO Tutorial For Mouse Loving Kids

Place three 2×2 green bricks down either side and then 2 of the 2×2 green bricks outside of that, topping them with a sloped brick to create the appearance of shoulders/arms.

If you don’t have those sloped pieces, no worries, just use another couple 2×2 bricks.

A Simple Geronimo Stilton LEGO Tutorial For Mouse Loving Kids

Starting at each of the top corners of the head make ears by placing your 3 tan 1×2 bricks and the single 1×1 tan brick in a “circle”

A Simple Geronimo Stilton LEGO Tutorial For Mouse Loving Kids

Fill in with a pink 1×2 brick.

A Simple Geronimo Stilton LEGO Tutorial For Mouse Loving Kids

Finally place a brown round single stud on top of a cone or other sloped piece and press in the center of the face and add your eyes.

A Simple Geronimo Stilton LEGO Tutorial For Mouse Loving Kids

What a handsome mouse he is!

A Simple Geronimo Stilton LEGO Tutorial For Mouse Loving Kids

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: Geronimo Stilton, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, LEGO, literature, mouse, reading

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