Finally, how to grab the free 32 page lapbook. It’s a subscriber freebie.
That means when you sign up to follow me, you get access my subscribers library and this freebie.
However, not all of my freebies are in the library (wink).
I like to keep up to date with what is valuable to you so I can give you more, some freebies you must sign up again on the form below even if you are already a follower.
It’s the only way I have of freely delivering them to you. Just follow the steps below.
► 1)Sign up on my list. ► 2) Go to your inbox and confirm your email from the automatic reply I sent you. ►3) Last, look for my reply AFTER you confirm your email.
The Journey Through Time Book (Geronimo Stilton Special Edition) is our book for adventure today. And we’re doing a knights armor engraving craft. Be sure to grab more Geronimo Stilton Books ideas and crafts on my page.
Was King Arthur real? Most historians believe he was just a fictional character from folklore and legend.
But that doesn’t stop him from being a very fascinating part of the Medieval period.
With dashing and chivalrous knights, Camelot, jousting, castles, and kings is it any wonder that our favorite time traveling mouse zoomed right into the Middle Ages among the likes of King Arthur and Excalibur.
And Geronimo Stilton also makes stops in prehistory with the dinosaurs and in Ancient Egypt.
About The Journey Through Time Book (Geronimo Stilton Special Edition)
The story is fun and captivating but as always, the author weaves so much amazing information into it.
Readers learn fantastic vocabulary from the period, medieval fashion, castle architecture, and the feudal system.
Too, they will even be reading an excerpt from an Alfred, Lord Tennyson poem.
Just because these books are colorful and whimsical it’s no reason to discount the quality they add to your child’s reading time.
In addition, Safari Ltd Toobs have a fantastic knights and dragons set that make for a great addition to a study or to this book.
They can be used to set the mood for introducing a new unit theme, in sensory bins, dioramas, or even as pawns in place of standard board game pieces.
Additionally, we learned that knights had a code of chivalry to be followed.
The Knight’s Code of Chivalry was a system of morals.
Further, the code declared all knights should protect others who could not protect themselves like widows, children, and the elderly.
Facts About Knights and The Knight’s Code of Chivalry
The word “knight” comes from an Old English word meaning “servant”.
Knights were sworn to uphold their duty to God, to the church, and to their liege lord.
Earlier anyone who proved themselves brave and honorable in battle could be awarded knighthood by the king but later it was decided they had to descend from nobility.
Young boys could begin their knight training at just 7 years old. They were sent away to live and train and were called pages.
At 13 years old, they could become a squire as they continued their education and training.
They were finally able to be dubbed a knight at 21.
William Marshal was one of England’s greatest knights and was considered the greatest tournament knight of his time.
Women could be knights as well. For example, the Order of the Hatchet (Orden de la Hacha) in Catalonia was a military order of knighthood for women.
A knight would be punished with public humiliation for breaking the code.
Knights armor weighed between 45 and 55 lbs.
Geronimo Stilton BookActivities
Next, look at these other crafts to go with the books.
When teaching history, sometimes you have to come in sideways or use games that teach geography. I have more fun game ideas for teaching history on my history games page.
For example, gameschooling has become one of the most popular methods for teaching your child.
It doesn’t matter if you gameschool exclusively, unschool, use a packaged curriculum, online lessons, or put together unit studies.
Games that teach geography can be added to your day and teach so much through playing and enjoying time together.
First, you can build an entire lesson or even a full unit study around a game.
I’m sharing one of favorite games for learning geography.
Besides geography and history can go hand in hand.
Too, I’m showing you other items and activities to add to keep the lessons going as long as you want.
Everything from movies to books, a few more games, and other items helps to round out a geography or history slant or both.
What is Geography
The word geography comes from the Greek geo, which means “Earth,” and graphy, which means “writing or description.
So, geography means to learn about the Earth’s land its surface, and features including water and air.
However, geography also includes learning about the people of the area, understand landmarks, and appreciating cultural differences
Immediately, you can see a tie in between learning about the natural resources of an area and the people.
Additionally, look at some of these hands-on geography ideas.
Quick! Find a state that ends with the letter A. Now find one that borders Tennessee. Have fun learning about the United States in this madcap game of observation and quick reflexes.
Explore every state of the USA from Alabama to Wyoming with these 51 charmingly illustrated infographic maps! Includes an expansive guide to the state flags and US presidents.Discover more than 2,000 facts about the people, cities, nature and historic events that have helped make America what it is today. Ghost towns, swamp tours, the center of the universe… bacon donuts, brainy berries, salmon jerky… The French Fry King, The Mother of Oregon, The Queen of Blues… be inspired by the inventiveness, beauty and diversity of our great nation in this curious collection of fact-filled maps.
Who knew history could be so delicious? In The U.S. History Cookbook, you'll discover how Americans have lived and dined over the centuries. This scrumptious survey of periods and events in U.S. history mixes together a delectable batter of food timelines, kid-friendly recipes, and fun food facts.
How do you sum up a whole country in just 100 words? This striking book takes on the challenge! From amendment to Vegas, each of the carefully chosen 100 words has its own 100-word-long description and beautiful illustration, providing a snapshot of what the USA means to people today: its roots, its values, its culture, and customs. Basically, everything you need to know in a nut shell.
This Toob includes figurines of the Lincoln Memorial, Hoover Dam, Liberty Bell, Alamo, Mount Rushmore, Statue of Liberty, Gateway Arch, U.S. Capital, Empire State Building, White House, as well as a flag and an eagle.
Easy Storage: Unfold and spread flat when you need it or scrunch it up and store away when you're done. The USA map makes a wonderful addition to your home, office, library, kid's room, classroom or playroom.
LEARN STATES & CAPITALS IN A FLASH: Get to know each of the 50 states! How well do you know your home state and neighbors? Perfect for all ages
50 FLASH CARDS: Includes 50 educational flash cards for studying important school subjects such as US Geography and History!
9 LEARNING GAMES: Teach and participate in 9 specially made enrichment activities: Name Games, What's the Motto, Heads Up, Region Round-up, State Trivia and more! Fun symbols
Test your geography knowledge with Talking Tables beautifully illustrated 1000-piece USA 50 States Map Jigsaw Puzzle & Poster. This USA Map Puzzle features landmarks from across America! Our Jigsaw Puzzles For Adults make for Fun Indoor Activities and can be framed as Wall Art
Have you ever wondered what a badland is? What about a gulch? Do you know what an isthmus is? Or a seamount? What about the difference between a plateau and a plain, or a knob and a knoll? Well look no further. This broad introduction to the fascinating world around us explores our planet’s physical features from the highest mountain peak to the deepest ocean trench. The team behind Maps & Globes proves that geography can indeed be an adventure.
As you can see combining geography and history is a natural fit.
Finally, look at how to play the scrambled states of America.
Scrambles States of America
First, The Scrambled States of Americais a silly colorful game which introduces states as a game that requires observation and quick reflexes.
You collect the state cards, match them with neighbors, and more.
And you win by familiarizing yourself with the state cards you’re dealt.
Then, you try to be the quickest to respond to action cards like – capital that starts with D or a state that is south of Colorado.
It even comes with a small copy of THE Scrambled States of America Book. Fun.
While this game probably is best for middle to upper elementary. I definitely think that it is still fun for middle school kids.
It is a gentle approach to learning US Geography for anyone that needs to learn or refresh what they already know.
I don’t really have a con for this game except that older kids may feel that it is baby-ish.
However, if they can get past that it’s a great learning tool for the whole family.
Today, how to upcycle a monopoly game history turned medieval monopoly game is a fun twist to learn history. Also, look at the other history games on my page.
Have you ever looked at an old board game in your stash or maybe at a yard sale and think about upcycling it? Me too.
So, I took an old unused monopoly game that we had and converted it into a medieval themed version with castles for properties.
Also, I added Safari Ltd Knights and fun cards with references for the time period.
Since, we are learning about the Middle Ages so for this game I decided to make it medieval themed.
However, you could take this idea and make it match any branch of history you want to include in your studies.
These super fun Safari LTD Knights and Dragons have been used for sensory bins, dioramas, block play, counters, and now game pieces.
Teaching Medieval History
Next, look at some of these medieval facts to use in your unit study.
Most of the peasants wore plain clothing which was made from heavy wool to keep them warm in cold weather. The wealthy, of course, wore nicer clothing made from fine wool, velvet, and silk.
Not many people attended school in the Middle Ages. Most peasants learned a job and survival from their parents, apprenticeship, or the guild system.
London’s population went up 500% between the 12th and 14th centuries.
Marriages were often arranged. Noble girls were often married at just 12 years old and the boys at 14.
We got our modern piggy banks from medieval people who had saving accounts termed “pygg” meaning the type of clay the jars they were kept in were made from.
The first castle in England was the Tower of London’s White Tower Castle.
The largest castle in the world is The Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork.
Also, here are some rules I want you to know about before you turn a monopoly game board into a medieval themed board.
Monopoly Medieval ThemedBoard Rules
First, rather than collect Boardwalk, Park Place and the other familiar properties. we are going try to collect Medieval Castles from all over Europe.
Also, try to collect some cool Medieval collections like banners and a library and see who ends up with the most spoils at the end.
I used as much of the board as possible and stuck with the same rules to make it easier to transition to a new game.
The property stickers will fit right under the colors so you can keep them and I made the matching property cards so players can keep track of the properties they own.
You can add a little color to the top of the cards with markers if you like to make it easier to spot them.
The rules are pretty much standard monopoly, including whatever house rules you would like to incorporate.
For example, house rules like whoever lands on free parking gets the money in the center, allowing players to buy property on the first trip around the board.
I have left out houses and hotels to simplify and keep with the time period and I did away with rent on the properties with the exception of when a card is drawn from chance or community chest which requires rent.
Too, grab my other fun history games to add to your learning day.
If you like you can keep the community chest and chance cards to glue your new cards to so that the backing is stronger and will be easy to identify the stack,
If not, you can just write a C for chance or CC for community chest on the back of the card.
First, we painted over the Monopoly in the center.
Later we will add some of the stickers which I included in the printables to decorate it some. Sand it a bit so the paint sticks better. If you like, you can leave the center of the board as is.
Too, each printable I created tells you whether it should be on cardstock or sticker paper.
Use them for creating the new board labels.
Cut out all of your cardstock and sticker pieces, you can use scissors but a paper slicer makes it easier.
Place all your sticker labels on the board/
The collar amounts correspond with the correct spot.
Additionally, free parking is free steed parking.
Socks is jail, go to the stocks is obviously the go to jail spot.
Besides, you can place the Medieval Collections on any of the railroad spots, as well as the two utilities.
Setup your game board just like you would for traditional Monopoly.
And use your knights, dragons, etc. as your moveable tokens.
What a fun way to learn about Medieval times.
Grab the Free Printable Cards and Stickers
Finally, how to grab the pages because it’s a subscriber freebie.
That means when you sign up to follow me, you get access my subscribers library and this freebie.
However, not all of my freebies are in the library (wink).
I like to keep up to date with what is valuable to you so I can give you more printables.
Some freebies you must sign up again on the form below even if you are already a follower.
It’s the only way I have of freely delivering them to you. Just follow the steps below.
► 1)Sign up on my list. ► 2) Go to your inbox and confirm your email from the automatic reply I sent you. ►3) Last, look for my reply AFTER you confirm your email.
Today is Wright Brothers Day. And we’re learning about amazing airplanes.
On December 17, 1903, almost 120 years ago the Wright brothers were able to make their first successful flight.
It was completed in the 1903 Wright Flyer in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina with Orville Wright manning the controls.
What an amazing thing it must have been to see that sight!
Flying objects are things we take for granted because it is so commonplace now.
Wright Brothers Airplane
Their plane was a Canard biplane with a 12-horsepower Wright horizontal four-cylinder engine driving two pusher propellers via a sprocket-and-chain transmission.
And there were no wheels, linear skids acted as landing gear.
Also, it was a natural fabric finish – no sealant or paint of any kind.
With a wingspan of 40 ft 4 in, a length of 21 ft. 1 in. and it weighed 605 lbs. without a pilot.
We are going to paint and put together a simple old fashioned plane similar to the 1903 Wright Flyer.
Using some hot glue and wooden craft sticks (popsicle sticks) that you can customize by creating it in different sizes as well as colors.
First, look at some of these books to add to your study.
6 Resources for Learning About Flying Things
Use one of these books to study about airplanes or things that fly.
As young boys, Orville and Wilbur Wright loved all things mechanical. As young men, they gained invaluable skills essential for their success by working with printing presses, bicycles, motors, and any sort of machinery they could get their hands on. As adults, the brothers worked together to invent, build, and fly the world’s first successful airplane. This is the fascinating story of the two inventors and aviation pioneers who never lost sight of their dream: to fly, and to soar higher!
The Wright brothers were the first people ever to build and fly an airplane, doing what many people at the time didn’t think was possible. Before they made history with their airplane, Wilbur and Orville were curious kids who loved learning about the world around them and how it worked. They fell in love with the idea of flying and taught themselves everything they needed to know to make their dream come true.
On a winter day in 1903, in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, two brothers—bicycle mechanics from Dayton, Ohio—changed history. But it would take the world some time to believe that the age of flight had begun, with the first powered machine carrying a pilot.
From the early pioneers to the latest spaceflight technology, this groundbreaking book charts the inspirational story behind humankind's conquest of the skies. In the 100 years since the Wright brothers' first powered flight, aviation has witnessed many memorable events. From record-breaking flights and aerial warfare, to advances in aircraft design and the race for space, Flight covers the most memorable moments in the history of aviation
n the sky themed figurines by Safari Ltd. Airplanes, blimp, helicopter, hot air balloon, space shuttle and more replicas have been handpainted and researched for accuracy. Pieces come in a clear toob with a globe top and facts on the inside. These figures are perfect for displays, playing pretend, and more! 12 pieces per package.
Also, hands-on learning makes a subject come to life.
Hands-on Activitiesfor Flying Things
Learning about the Wright Brothers and their Wright Flyer is a great springboard for learning about other things that fly, including:
Have children research via books or the internet who invented each and when. If you like, have them choose one and research it deeper.
Call your local airport and see if they offer tours for groups and schedule a field trip for your co-op or group of friends. You may have even better luck at smaller private airports.
Especially for younger children, the figures in Safari Ltd. In The Sky Toob are perfect for hands-on activities.
For instance, look at these ways to use the sky figures.
create an up in the air sensory bin,
a flying things diorama,
you can add them to the block center
use as a model for pencil drawings or
include them in a themed basket for things that fly.
Another way you can use them is to have your child place them in order of when each was invented.
Further, make paper airplanes and see who can fly them the farthest, measure the distances to include some simple math naturally into your day.
You can even add on an airplane launcher to really get them moving.
Last, make an egg carton helicopter that littles will love.
How to Make an Amazing Wooden Airplane
Now, let’s make this fun wooden airplane.
Short list of supplies
2 sizes wooden craft sticks (popsicle sticks)
wooden spools
Craft paint
paintbrushes/foam brush
Hot glue gun/sticks
Directions:
Paint 2 large wooden craft sticks and 2 small ones the same color, or you can leave them unfinished in the natural color like the Wright Brothers plane was.
Paint a third small craft stick another color for the propeller.
Stack 5 or 6 craft sticks together and secure between each with hot glue. Once the glue hardens and dries, paint the stack the color you chose for the body.
Allow paint to dry completely before moving onto the next step.
Once everything is dry, you are ready to assemble.
Place your stacked pieces vertically in front of you.
Then attach one large stick to the top and underside of the front of the stack centered about 1” down to create a nose for the plane.
At the opposite end of the stack glue a smaller wood craft stick on top and underneath.
Finally, hot glue your propeller in place on the nose.
At this point, you may want to trim your craft stick down a bit to make a smaller propeller using loppers or strong scissors to make it smaller.
As an extra step if you like you can glue two small beads or wooden objects under the wings to tip it upwards to allow it to sit and a slant, making it better for display.
