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4 Week Free Middle Ages Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

November 4, 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 Middle Ages unit study for kids. Look at these other Best Homeschool Unit Studies for more ideas and topics for hands-on learning.

The Medieval or Middle Ages is a period in history that is full of legend and myth.

This Middle Ages unit study is about medieval Europe.

4 Week Free Middle Ages Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

We’ve studied other periods like Medieval Japan which can make for a great comparison with this one. That is an idea for a co-op with maybe a mix of middle and high school kids.

However, for today we’re focusing on the castles, knights, and King Arthur of medieval Europe.

Next, it’s important to understand that a way of life doesn’t just stop and another one begins at an exact date.

So many periods of history, customs, way of life, and events overlap. This period of Medieval we’ll cover is approximately 500 to 1400–1500 ce.

BOOKS ABOUT THE MIDDLE AGES HISTORY FOR KIDS

First, look at some of these books.

Using a living book as your spine or main text is a fun way to bring this time to life.

9 Medieval History Books & Resources For Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

Add a few of these books to your Middle Ages or Medieval unit study.

King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table (Puffin Classics)

King Arthur is one of the greatest legends of all time. From the magical moment when Arthur releases the sword in the stone to the quest for the Holy Grail and the final tragedy of the Last Battle, Roger Lancelyn Green brings the enchanting world of King Arthur stunningly to life. One of the greatest legends of all time, with an inspiring introduction by David Almond, award-winning author of Clay, Skellig, Kit's Wilderness and The Fire-Eaters.

A Castle with Many Rooms: The Story of the Middle Ages

This covers people and events and covers a larger period of time.

Days of Knights and Damsels: An Activity Guide

Kids can re-create a long-ago world of kings, castles, jousts, jesters, damsels, magic fairies, and Robin Hood—all they need are their imaginations, materials they can find at home, and the activities in this book. Dressing up in a coat of armor made from plastic milk jugs, whipping up a batch of curds and whey, writing secret messages in invisible ink, and telling time with a sand glass made from soda bottles are just some of the fun projects. Every activity is illustrated, and sidebars highlight colorful facts about life hundreds of years ago.

The Usborne Encyclopedia of World History

This newly updated book will introduce you to world history, from prehistoric times to the start of the 21st century. Find out about dinosaurs, the first humans, Ancient Egypt, the Aztec Empire, Medieval Europe, the First World War and many more fascinating subjects.

The Door in the Wall

Set in the fourteenth century, the classic story of one boy's personal heroism when he loses the use of his legs.

The Kitchen Knight: A Tale of King Arthur

The Knights of the Round Table were in their glory. When an unknown stranger visits the castle and asks Kin Arthur's favor, he is allowed to serve in the kitchen for his meat and bread. Little does anyone suspect that he is of noble blood and will soon be knighted by the famous Sir Lancelot. Lush illustrations bring the reader into the book, as Sir Gareth meets adventures and battles to free a princess from the fearsome Red Knight of the Plain.

Castle: A Caldecott Honor Award Winner

In this 1978 Caldecott Honor Book, award-winning author and illustrator David Macaulay explores the history and construction of castles in a richly illustrated resource for curious young readers. The word itself conjures up mystery, romance, intrigue, and grandeur. What could be more perfect for an author/illustrator who has continually stripped away the mystique of architectural structures that have long fascinated modern man? With typical zest and wry sense of humor punctuating his drawings, David Macaulay traces the step-by-step planning and construction of both castle and town.

The Middle Ages: An Interactive History Adventure

I like to incorporate a wonderful and informational book to support our topic while making it fun and engaging. The Middle Ages, choose your own adventure style book is fantastic for middle elementary.

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood (First Edition): Illustrated Classics

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood was written and illustrated by Howard Pyle and published in 1883. It is the best known version of the story of Robin Hood which had been popular throughout the previous century. Pyle popularized Robin Hood, his adventures, and his band of merry men in a way that influenced most later depictions in writing, drawing, and film. The book consists of a series of episodes pitting the outlaw Robin Hood, Little John, Friar Tuck and the rest of his band against corrupt authorities epitomized by the evil Sheriff of Nottingham.

Also, understand why the Middle Ages are also called Medieval Times.

Merriam-Websters defines Middle Ages like this: With its roots medi-, meaning “middle”, and ev-, meaning “age”, medieval literally means “of the Middle Ages”. In this case, middle means “between the Roman empire and the Renaissance”—that is, after the fall of the great Roman state and before the “rebirth” of culture that we call the Renaissance.

In summary, I explained to my sons it’s the time between Ancient Rome and The Renaissance.

However, if you have older children, the Middle Ages can be broken down further into the Early Middle Ages (c. 400 to 900), the High Middle Ages (c. 900 to the mid-1200s) and the Late Middle Ages (c. mid1200s to 1500).

Each of these time periods have significant events, people and places which emerged. This helps to narrow your study if you want to dive deeper.

Because this is only 4 weeks, I’m teaching a general overview of the Medieval Times.

HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY MIDDLE AGES UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 1

The Roman Empire had provided stability for centuries in the region. It had spread its culture, the Latin language, and Christianity across the continent.

But the Roman grew weak and worse it had been invaded.

So, it was a time when kings and feudal lords ruled the land and when castles appeared.

Castles were both a residence for the noble and a defensive structure.

However, the majority of people were poor people or peasants.

They learned a trade and survived off the land living in thatched huts and farming on land they did not own.

The lands were normally owned by a feudal lord.

And it’s important to help your child understand what we mean when we say Middle Ages Europe. All the countries did not have the same name as they do today but we’ll use the modern day names so our kids will understand the geography.

During the early Middle Ages, Europe included the islands of Britain and Ireland.

Also, much of the land that we now call Italy, Germany, and France was included. It also included the Vikings and the Scandinavian countries. The countries are we now called Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

  • If you have the room, make your European Middle Ages Map a poster size so your kids can see the countries.
  • Read about knights and then look at my post How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts
  • Duct Tape Weapons Help Bring Medieval History to Life
  • Read and learn about what is a coat of arms. Then look at my post Middle Ages History: Make a Coat of Arms Activity
  • Make a Medieval Castle
  • Look at this Medieval Sensory Bin for the littles
  • Hands-on Demonstration of Feudalism in the Middle Ages

MIDDLE AGES HISTORY VOCABULARY WORDS

Too, look at a list of words to define.

  • noble – A person of high social rank, often owning large amounts of land and having titles like lord or lady.
  • feudal society – a social system in which land is owned by a small ruling class and is worked by peasants in exchange for protection and other services.
  • vassal– A person who receives land from a lord in exchange for loyalty and service.
  • papacy – the office or the position of the pope
  • fief – A piece of land granted by a lord to a vassal in exchange for loyalty and service
  • manor – a Iarge estate, often including farms and a village, ruled by a lord
  • knight – a man who received honor and land in exchange for serving a lord as a soldier

NATURE & SCIENCE MIDDLE AGES UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 2

Next, in the Middle Ages people decorated their heads with flowers and leaves. Make a crown of flowers with any long stem flowers. Daisies are a good choice.

Medieval Chemistry had early beginnings although we don’t always think about the medieval period as that time.

  • Discuss the physics of moats and drawbridges.
  • A terrible plague called the Black Death swept through Europe, causing the deaths of millions of people. Research what it was and how it was spread.
  • Define Science’ of Alchemy. Look at my post Medieval Chemistry and Homeschool History – Fun Hands-On Activity.
  • Make a battering ram
  • Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult Stem Challenge for Medieval Unit Study
  • Discuss hygiene. Baths were normally in warm springs in winter less to none.
  • Dragon STEM Activities
  • Look at this fun Magic Color Changing Potion Science. Folks didn’t understand what science versus fantasy was.
  • Medieval Food changed during this time but look at these fun recipes and good background information

MATH & LANGUAGE ARTS MIDDLE AGES UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 3

During this period, it was hard for people to separate myth from reality.

But that is why the book King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is fun to read to get a taste of the time.

Also, we don’t have as many primary sources which is why this is called the dark period.

But be sure to pore over what we do have from that time which are the famous stories like “Beowulf” and “The Canterbury Tales”.

  • Fun Dragon Unit Study Ideas and Salt Dough Dragon Craft. My dragon unit study is a fun way to introduce make believe versus reality.
  • Discuss what is meant by BC and AD or BCE and CE. AD means “Anno Domini,” or “in the year of our Lord,” and is used for dates after the birth of Jesus. These refer to ancient times and modern times.
  • Explore the architecture of castles and cathedrals.
  • Some children understand better when they can do a timeline of people and events.
  • Read King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
  • And do a fun self-paced language arts course online for high school on the book Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

Too, here are some history makers and events during this period.

Research one or two that interests your child.

FAMOUS PEOPLE AND EVENTS

  • knights – men who fought for and protected the lands of their lord, baron, count, or king.
  • barbarians – people that the Romans thought were primitive.
  • King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table – No one knows if they’re real or not.
  • Medieval minstrels – Musicians who traveled from place to place, singing songs and reciting poetry. Look at this beautiful site Luminarium for Lyrics (make sure your sound is on) and look at the English Anthologies too.
  • Henry II of England – In 1154, Henry II was crowned King of England. Under his rule, England prospered. He brought common law to England.
  • court jester – the court’s official entertainer
  • bubonic plague – infectious disease carried by rats and mice that spread to humans.
  • Charlemagne – “Charlemagne” is French for Charles the Great. Charlemagne used the great wealth and strong military organization that he had inherited from his father and brother to build his empire.
  • Crusades – A series of wars fought between Christians and Muslims during the 11th to the 13th centuries in the hopes of taking possession of Jerusalem and other places considered to be holy by the Christians.
4 Week Free Middle Ages Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

ARTS & CRAFTS MIDDLE AGES UNIT STUDY WEEK 4

  • Learn about knights and do this easy Knight Armor Engraving on my post The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft.
  • Geronimo Stilton Time Travel How to Make a Medieval-Stained Glass Craft
  • Paint a Jester . The court jester had a unique position in the court. His job was to make fun of things and to make jokes. This included the King and Queen. Anyone else would be punished or even put to death.
  • 5 Usborne Knights And Castles Books | How To Make A Medieval Toilet Roll Castle
  • How To Upcycle A Monopoly Game History to A Medieval Theme & Free Printables
  • How To Make A Kids Easy Medieval Stained Glass Window
  • Medieval Period: How To Make A Quill Pen
  • Fun Kindergarten History Activities: How to Create Royal Peg Dolls
  • Host a Medieval Feast. This is fun to do when you finish your study and celebrate with a feast.
  • And because the Middle Ages and the Renaissance overlap look at how to make this fun goblet.

  • Color Your World: Fun and Easy Dragon Stained Glass Project

Also, look at this list of craftsmen and trades during the Middle Ages.

  • Blacksmith – Worked with metal to make tools, horseshoes, and armor.
  • Candlemaker – Made candles from tallow or beeswax for light.
  • Glassblower: Crafted glass items like bottles and windows. Look at my fun unit study and free lapbook Glass Blowing.
  • Tanner – Made leather from animal hides for clothing and goods
  • Fletcher – Made arrows for archery and hunting.
  • Weaver – Created cloth and textiles using a loom.

Also, look at a few more Middle Ages resources.

MORE MIDDLE AGES RESOURCES

  • Medieval History for Homeschool Middle School
  • Medieval Chemistry and Homeschool History – Fun Hands-On Activity
  • 12 Gifts For Medieval History Buffs
  • Medieval Homeschool History – 4 Surefire Ways to Beat a Boring Study

Of course, as I mentioned this is a huge quick overview and just touches the fringe of this expansive time.

There are more colorful characters and events to explore.

What are you studying about and doing hands-on?

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Do Unit Studies Tagged With: hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources, historyspine, homeschoolhistory, medieval Europe, medieval homeschool history, Middle Ages, middle ages history

How to Create a Creditworthy American History Course (& resources)

September 20, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I’m showing you how to create a creditworthy American history course with resources. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool High School.

Whether you want to create a standalone creditworthy American history course for your teen or you want to enhance the interest level of your current American history curriculum, you’ll love these tips.

Here’s a seasoned veteran tip.

Use lower grade level resources to put important topics in a nutshell.

How to Create a Creditworthy American History Course (& resources)

To get a quick glimpse of major events, use what you have at the house or that you can get at a library to get a quick glimpse of major events.

Lower level resources can give you an easy starting point when teaching a new topic.

5 TIPS FOR CREATING A CREDITWORTHY HISTORY COURSE

Then, look at these 5 seasoned veteran tips that will make creating your own American History high school course easy.

1. KNOW YOUR STATE LAW.

Be familiar with your state homeschool laws so you can meet the requirements as you build an American history course.

A lot of states don’t have specific requirements, some do. Just be sure you know so that you can cover it.

2. TRACK YOUR TEEN’S TIME.

The rule of thumb is that one course credit is equal to 120 hours. Obviously one-half a credit is 60 hours.

What is not so obvious is deciding how to meet the hours requirement.

It also does not mean that all of the hours need to come from textbooks.

Also, look at my post Homeschool High School–How to Log Hours for High School to give yourself time to learn more about how to truly count hours.

3. FOLLOW YOUR TEEN’S INTEREST. THINK OUT OF THE PUBLIC-SCHOOL BOX STANDARDS.

Don’t hem in your teen’s creative expression on how to meet the hour requirement.

If you have the control in your state to determine how to fill the credit requirement, then think beyond what public school dictates as traditional learning.

Look at this list of ideas to add to your course and ways to meet the time requirement.

Mix and match these activities to meet the needs of an American history credit.

  • Read a textbook
  • Read living books
  • Essays
  • Hands-on projects
  • Prepare a speech
  • Review primary resources
  • Learn history through art
  • Learn history through geography
  • Learn about fashion of the period
  • Apprenticeships
  • Watch movies
  • Cook a period recipe
  • Focus on one or more history makers like Abe Lincoln or George Washington or Wyatt Earp. Look at my lapbook Free American History Lapbook The Old West Through the Life of Wyatt Earp.
  • Learn history through music
  • Take field trips like attending a play, music performance and art museum
  • Do a lapbook on a period in American History like our FBI lapbook for high school
How to Create a Creditworthy American History Course (& resources). You'll love these EZ steps for creating your own curriculum @Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

The fun part begins when you and your teen decide if he will cover only history for the whole 120 hours or if you’ll mix and match with other subjects.

4. DETERMINE IF THE COURSE WILL BE HALF-CREDIT, FULL YEAR CREDIT OR SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN.

The beauty of homeschooling is that you can adjust a course to a teen’s likes and passions.

For example, if a teen is a writer, then he can focus on writing while learning history.

So history could be a .60 credit and creative writing about history a .60 credit.

Alternately, if you want to add a literature element, then history may be a full 1 credit and literature could be a one-half credit.

If your teen is a budding artist and doesn’t like history so much, then he can cover history while doing art. You and your teen determine how to divide up the hourly credit.

5. IF YOU BEGIN IN MIDDLE SCHOOL YOU CAN STILL COUNT IT AS HIGH SCHOOL AS LONG AS YOU USE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL RESOURCES.

By starting in middle school, your teen can go slower or take his time and dig deeper if there is a passion for history.

As long as the resource you’re using is high school level, then you can count the credit on the transcript.

American Homeschool History Outline

Although my teens had some say in the topics, they didn’t have the final say.

I wanted to be sure my teens were exposed to a wide variety of topics.

But it’s not necessary to cover all the events, people, or topics at the same depth.

I find that looking at the table of contents of any American History textbook can serve as a beginning point for an outline.

You can easily use it as a reference or make your own course outline.

AMERICAN HISTORY EVENTS AND PERIODS TO COVER

Look at one I created to get you started.

  • Columbus
  • The First People of America
  • The American Colonies
  • The American Revolution
  • Creating the Constitution
  • The Age of Jefferson
  • The Age of Jackson
  • Religion and Reform
  • Manifest Destiny
  • The Civil War
  • Reconstruction
  • Industrial Growth
  • The Gilded Age
  • World War I
  • The 1920s
  • The Great Depression
  • Truman and the Cold War
  • The Eisenhower Years
  • The 1960s and Vietnam
  • Present

5 American History Enhancements

As you can see you quickly can draft a diy American History course that your teen will be passionate about.

After doing American History several times with each of my grads, I mixed and match different resources.

Key to keeping it easy is to have a variety of resources at your fingertips.

Look at these 5 American history resources that you can use to enhance or flesh out your course. It’s not that hard, I promise.

I’ve listed living books, a hands-on history resource and even a book to us a spine in a story form which is how we prefer to learn.

5 History Resources for Teens

Laid out resources can help you put together an easy creditworthy American history course for teens.

America: Ready-To-Use Interdisciplinary Lessons & ActivitIes for Grades 5-12

Use this as a springboard for ideas. I loved this resource because it helped me to have ideas to include my younger kids while teaching my high school kid.

Too, I could expand an idea in the book to a high school level. Like it says, it’s a great big book of ideas to teach about American history.

A History of US: Eleven-Volume Set (A ^AHistory of US)

Whether it's standing on the podium in Seneca Falls with the Suffragettes or riding on the first subway car beneath New York City in 1907, the books in Joy Hakim's A History of US series weave together exciting stories that bring American history to life. Readers may want to start with War, Terrible War, the tragic and bloody account of the Civil War that has been hailed by critics as magnificent. Or All the People, brought fully up-to-date in this new edition with a thoughtful and engaging examination of our world after September 11th. No matter which book they read, young people will never think of American history as boring again. Joy Hakim's single, clear voice offers continuity and narrative drama as she shares with a young audience her love of and fascination with the people of the past.

The World of Captain John Smith

Genevieve Foster wrote this nearly fifty years ago. It resonates with perhaps more truth today. As a result of this clarion call we have sold many of her enduring "World" titles because of the timeless nature of her books. Her writing style is clear, concise and fluid with her greatest strength as a storyteller being her ability to bring her readers right into the minds and times of her characters.Abraham Lincoln's WorldGeorge Washington's WorldWorld of William PennWorld of Columbus and SonsWorld ofCaptain John Smith.

The Yanks are Coming: The United States in the First World War

Use living books which bring history to life.

One of my son’s favorite authors is Albert Marrin. His books make it easy to cover
topics using a story format and avoiding boring textbooks.

Look at all of the ones for American history.

A History of the American People

Paul Johnson’s History of the American People is like a history form of American History and covers major events and times. We used it like a spine or main resource. Then dig into further topics after that.

In addition, hands-on games bring a different element to the day and keep teens from taking all so seriously.

Add in hands-on games and fun if your kid loves hands-on.

Hands-on history is not just for the young.

If your teen learns best by hands-on then assign one or two projects as a grade.

I used Home School in the Woods projects to help me come up with ideas for my teens.

Include your younger kids too and the day can be fun while your teen gets his credit hours.

I love this format because if you have to teach American History a few times over, there is always room for a unique slant or perspective.

How to Create a Creditworthy American History Course (& resources). You'll love these EZ steps for creating your own curriculum @Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Avoid the boredom and blahs by using different resources.

What else do you like to include for your teen?

MORE CREDITWORTHY AMERICAN HISTORY COURSE ACTIVITIES

  • Modern U.S. and World History High School Literature
  • 7 Unique Ways to Supplement U.S. History for High School
  • 10 Early American History Events that Happened in Fall for Homeschool Middle or High School
  • How to Grade Hands-on Homeschool Activities and Projects (Free Rubric for Grading)
  • Daniel Boone – North American Explorer Unit Study and Free Lapbook
  • American Revolution and Free Lapbook
  • 7 Things to Try When a Homeschool History Curriculum Isn’t Coming Together (Hint: Try a Primary Source or Two)
  • How to Use a History Spine to Build Your Study of History

Leave a CommentFiled Under: History Resources, Teach Homeschool History Tagged With: american history, early American history, high school, history, history resources, historyspine, homeschoolhighschool, homeschoolhistory, middleschool

Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

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

Teaching ancient history to young children can be daunting, make Israel crafts for preschoolers to simplify it and help them understand. Also, look at my Ancient Civilization page for more activities.

We’re making a mini-Torah Scroll as we talk about this important part of Jewish culture.

They are a reminder of the rich history and tradition of the Jewish people.

Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

The Torah is used for religious ceremonies.

For example, it is used at weddings, funerals and are also read in synagogue every week.

The Torah is the most important religious text in Judaism.

Judaism is a religion some people around the world follow.

Even if you’re not Jewish, the Torah is still important because it helps us understand different cultures and traditions.

Learning about it can help us appreciate the diversity of the world and the different ways people find meaning and purpose in their lives.

What’s Inside the Torah

 It is a scroll that contains the first five books of the Hebrew Bible- Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Each book teaches different things:

Genesis (Bereshit)-Tells the story of creation and the early history of humanity. Includes the stories of Adam and Eve, Noah’s Ark, and the Tower of Babel.

Exodus (Shemot)-Tells the story of the Israelites’ enslavement in Egypt and their liberation under the leadership of Moses. It includes the Ten Commandments.

Leviticus (Vayikra)-Contains laws and regulations governing the lives of the Israelites. Includes instructions for sacrifices, festivals, and other religious observances.

Numbers (Bemidbar)-Tells the story of the Israelites’ journey through the desert to the Promised Land. Includes the census of the Israelites and the story of Korah’s rebellion.

Deuteronomy (Devarim)- Summarizes the law and history of Israel. Includes Moses’ farewell address to the Israelites.

Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

Israel is very important to the Torah as it is a Jewish-majority state, and the Torah has a profound influence on the country’s laws, politics, and society.

Share some of these interesting facts about Torah Scrolls as you learn about and enjoy making Israel crafts for preschoolers.

You can include your older children as well.

Books About Ancient Civilizations

Next, look at these other books to include in your study about ancient civilizations.

13 Ancient Civilization Hands-on Resources and Books

Add some of these fun resources to your unit study or study for the day of Ancient Civilizations.

The Greeks Pop-up: Pop-up Book to Make Yourself (Ancient Civilisations Pop-Ups)

Tarquin Popups are a special kind of do it yourself activity book. Not only is there the fun of making the scenes and seeing them popup but they are full of interesting information and ideas. This book contains six main scenes to make: Knossos, the Palace of Minos, the Lion Gate at Mycenae, the Battle of Salamis, the Golden Age of Athens, the Theatre, Alexander the Great and King Porus.

The Ancient Egypt Pop-up Book:

A magnificently illustrated, interactive pop-up book chronicles the history of ancient Egypt and its diverse cultural innovations, covering everything to the construction of the Egyptian pyramids and the elaborate mummification process, to the mysterious rites performed at an Egyptian god's temple and the ancient hieroglyphic writings.

Ancient Israelites and Their Neighbors: An Activity Guide (Cultures of the Ancient World)

Children can try their hand at re-creating ancient Israelite culture—along with the cultures of their neighbors, the Philistines and Phoenicians—in a way that will provide perspective on current events.
The book covers a key period from the Israelites’ settlement in Canaan in 1200 B.C.E. to their return from exile in Babylonia in 538 B.C.E.
This part of the Middle East—no larger than modern-day Michigan—was the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. More than 35 projects include stomping grapes into juice, building a model Phoenician trading ship, making a Philistine headdress, and writing on a broken clay pot. Israelites', Phoenicians', and Philistines' writing and languages, the way they built their homes, the food they ate, the clothes they wore, and the work they did, and of course, their many interesting stories.

Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters

The new National Geographic Treasury of Greek Mythology offers timeless stories of Greek myths in a beautiful new volume. Brought to life with lyrical text by award-winning author Donna Jo Napoli and stunning artwork by award-winning illustrator Christina Balit, the tales of gods and goddesses such as Zeus, Aphrodite, Apollo, and Athena and heroes and monsters such as Helen of Troy, Perseus, and Medusa will fascinate and engage children’s imaginations.

Photo Credit: store.homeschoolinthewoods.com

Activity Study: Great Empires

Included in this study are over 35 projects, games, recipes, links, and the history of fourteen empires! Generally, each empire's materials can be covered in 1-3 days

Tools of the Ancient Romans: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Rome

Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid’s Guide to the History and Science of Life in Ancient Greece explores the scientific discoveries, athletic innovations, engineering marvels, and innovative ideas created more than two thousand years ago. Through biographical sidebars, interesting facts, fascinating anecdotes, and fifteen hands-on activities, readers will learn how Greek innovations and ideas have shaped world history and our own world view.

Ancient Egypt Activity Book For Kids: Ancient Egypt

Is your child fascinated by Ancient Egypt? if so then this Ancient Egypt themed activity book is just for them. This is a great book for boys and girls who have an interest in Ancient Egypt. This Ancient Egypt themed activity book will keep them entertained and happy for hours.

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself (Build It Yourself)

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself explores the incredible ingenuity and history of ancient China with 25 hands-on projects for readers ages 9 and up. Great Ancient China Projects covers topics from porcelain pottery, paper, gunpowder, and dynasties, to martial arts, medicinal healers, jade carvers, and terracotta warriors.

Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Greece (Build It Yourself)

Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid’s Guide to the History and Science of Life in Ancient Greece explores the scientific discoveries, athletic innovations, engineering marvels, and innovative ideas created more than two thousand years ago. Through biographical sidebars, interesting facts, fascinating anecdotes, and fifteen hands-on activities, readers will learn how Greek innovations and ideas have shaped world history and our own world view.

Sumerian Mythology: History for kids: A captivating guide to ancient Sumerian history,Sumerian myths of Sumerian Gods, Goddesses, and Monsters

What humans call “civilization” didn’t always exist. We didn’t always live in big cities, have roads to get places easier, or grow food on farms. For a long time, humans were hunter-gatherers. Hunter-gatherers wandered from place to place looking for food. They didn’t build homes or stay in one place. The Sumerians, as far as we know, were the first people to start a civilization.

History Pockets: Ancient Civilizations, Grades 1-3

The book includes the following pockets:

  • What Is History?
  • Ancient Mesopotamia
  • Ancient Egypt
  • Ancient Greece
  • Ancient Rome
  • Ancient China
  • Ancient Aztec World

This resource contains teacher support pages, reproducible student pages, and an answer key.

Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt for Kids: Her Life and World, with 21 Activities (69) (For Kids series)

Cleopatra has been called intelligent and scheming, ambitious and ruthless, sensual and indulgent. This unique biography captures the excitement of her life story, including portions that have been largely neglected, such as her interest in literature and science and her role as a mother, and allows readers to draw their own conclusions. Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt for Kids also includes maps, time lines, online resources, a glossary, and 21 engaging hands-on activities to help readers better appreciate the ancient culture.

DIY Ancient Egypt Box, Learn About Geography and World History, Hands on Learning for Kids

HANDS ON LEARNING: Supernow educational boxes includes an adventure box with 4 hands-on projects and interactive digital content to bring the projects to life!

INTERACTIVE PLAY: Kids get a monthly adventure box that serves as a portal to an immersive adventure. Participate in an unfolding mission by attending live, interactive classes and solving fun clues.

Additionally, look at these facts about the Torah.

9 Facts about Torah Scroll

  1. The Torah lays out 613 laws for Jews to live by, including the Ten Commandments.
  2. The Torah scroll is written by hand.
  3. There are 304,805 letters in the Torah scroll.
  4. The Torah scroll is divided into 54 weekly portions.
  5. Torah scrolls are written on parchment, which is a special type of animal skin.
  6. The text is written in Hebrew, and it is read from right to left.
  7. Torah scrolls are very long, and they can be up to 100 feet long! They are kept in a special case called an ark.
  8. The Torah scroll is usually read from a lectern called a bimah.
  9. Torah scrolls are very expensive, a single Torah scroll can cost up to $100,000.
Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

Additionally, look at more hands-on ideas to learn about Ancient Israel.

More Activities to Learn About Ancient Israel

You can use a map or atlas to help your child identify Israel on a map.

DK First Atlas is wonderful for young children and has a nice section on the Middle East, including facts, photos, and of course the map.

Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

For another hands-on activity that focuses on ancient Israel try making these Hands-on Ancient Egypt: Israelite Mud Bricks for Kids to demonstrate how labor intensive life was for many during these times.

A wonderfully easy but impactful lesson, Color by Number Israel Map, lets children become familiar with the diverse geography of Israel.

This is a really cool experiment that models the Dead Sea in Israel, testing buoyancy of extremely salty water.

Finally, look at how to make mini Torah Scrolls.

How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

You will need:

  • Empty toilet paper rolls
  • Copy paper
  • Paint
  • paintbrushes
  • Glue
  • Craft sticks
Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

First, paint both sides of the craft sticks.

If they are not long enough you may have to use two on each side to be sure that it shows out either end of the toilet paper roll.

Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

Paint both toilet paper rolls your desired color, inside and out. 

Allow the paint to dry completely and then glue the painted craft sticks inside the rolls.

Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

Cut copy paper into strips just slightly smaller than the width of the toilet paper rolls-3 ½”.

You will only need a few strips.

Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

Apply a thin layer of glue to one end of the strip with a paintbrush and overlap them making it as long as you would like.

Alternatively if you have paper on a roll you can use that instead.

Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

Let your child write their name or something else on the strips. We decided to write the modern Hebrew alphabet.

Do this first in pencil. You can find a simple copy of the letters here on Wikipedia.

Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

Now, have your child over it in marker or crayon to build writing skills.

Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

Glue each end of the paper to either painted roll and hold in place until dry.

Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

You can hold it down with a wooden clothespin for a few hours until dry.

The Torah is a special and important book with stories and lessons that can inspire and guide us all.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: ancient civilizations, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources, homeschool, Israel, Jewish

Free Westward Ho History Cards

June 13, 2024 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I’m sharing a quick way I add a bit of history fun. I have these free westward ho history cards. Also, you’ll love my unit study BEST Westward Ho Unit Study and Lapbook!

Free Westward Ho History Cards

I have a new term called hodgepodge homeschooling because that is what it may end up being this month depending on how fast we sell our big furniture items and get the house up for sale.

First, look at these fun Westward expansion resources.

10 Westward Expansion Resources

Add in a few books and resources to bring the study of the Oregon Trail to life during the United States expansion of the west.

Your Life as a Pioneer on the Oregon Trail (The Way It Was)

Your Life as a Pioneer on The Oregon Trail, has some funny illustrations and great information for this unit study.

Little House on the Prairie Series 7 Books Collection

Of course ALL the Little House Books are some of the best about pioneer life.

The Ingalls are the most famous pioneers and westward moving families.

Westward Expansion (A True Book: Westward Expansion)

A True Book: Westward Expansion takes readers on an amazing journey to a fascinating time in U.S. history when the country was experiencing dynamic change and expanding westward.

The Oregon Trail 4-Book Paperback Box Set Plus Poster Map

In this boxed set, choose your own trail and complete the journey to Oregon City with all four paperbacks in this exciting series! It's 1850 and your first goal is to get your family, covered wagon full of supplies, and oxen to Chimney Rock on time. 

The Oregon Trail: Journey to Willamette Valley Boardgame

  • It's a race to Willamette Valley as you join the wagon train and seek your fortune in the West!

Apples to Oregon:

Apples, ho! When Papa decides to pull up roots and move from Iowa to Oregon, he can’t bear to leave his precious apple trees behind. Or his peaches, plums, grapes, cherries, and pears. Oh, and he takes his family along too.

Locomotive

It is the summer of 1869, and trains, crews, and family are traveling together, riding America’s brand-new transcontinental railroad. These pages come alive with the details of the trip and the sounds, speed, and strength of the mighty locomotives; the work that keeps them moving; and the thrill of travel from plains to mountain to
ocean

The California Gold Rush and the '49ers

Try your luck, and search for your fortune in California! Follow the joy and heartbreak of the '49ers during the California Gold Rush.

Daily Life in a Covered Wagon

In 1853, the Larkin family loaded up their wagons and headed west in search of a new life. But how did they do it? What did they eat? How did they survive sickness, and attacks from cattle thieves? Drawing on diaries and letters, and illustrated with photographs of actual object from the past, Daily Life in a Covered Wagon explored what life was really like on the wagon trail.

Covered Wagons, Bumpy Trails

Illustrations and simple rhyming text follow Mother, Father, and Baby John as they make the difficult journey by wagon to a new home across the Rocky Mountains in the fertile Sacramento Valley of California. By the creators of Gold Fever.

One of them that Tiny needs to revisit because he was very young when we studied it the first and second time is my Westward Ho unit.

Too, I made some Westward Ho history cards to add to it because this allows him to study and memorize the important facts.

Free Westward Ho History Cards

They highlight that time period on his own in case my time is tied up the rest of this month.

This way he can cut them out, hang on an O ring and study on his own. 

I plan to make some more history cards as we go along and probably create some for my other units too. 

Actually, this will be a nice change for our school because Tiny can review what I have and I can add some new updates to my previous unit studies.

Keeping school easy will be my focus the rest of this month as we take a big step to our move.

I’m so excited about this weekend and kind of having mixed feelings when you see so much of your personal things going.

I am keeping my vision clear though of South America and the fun we will have when we get there.

More Printable History Cards to Put an O Ring

  • Free Homeschool History Cards – French and Indian War
  • Ancient Civilizations.
  • and Titanic Sank April 15 – Free History Cards.

You’ll love these other homeschool history resources:

Westward Ho History Cards. Grab these free AWESOME Westward Ho History printables and put on an O ring for fun. Grab them at Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus.
  • Westward Ho! Lapbook
  • Gunfight at O.K. Corral – American History through the Life of Wyatt Earp
  • 18 Amazing Kids Subscription Boxes to Try Right Now
  • 7 Educational Movies for Kids About Westward Expansion.
  • 6 Unit Study Resources: Mountain Men – Explorers of the West

How to Get the Free Westward Ho History Cards

Now, how to grab the free history o ring cards. 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) Sign up on my email list.
2) Grab the freebie now.
3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

mirror
entertainment center 3
depression glass 1a
mango table

2 CommentsFiled Under: 1. My FREE Learning Printables {Any Topic}, Geography Based, History Based Tagged With: hands on history, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources, lewisandclark, middleschool, westwardho

Hands-on Homeschool History Free Ancient Civilization Cards for O Ring

June 12, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have another set ready for the easy and interactive hands on homeschool history on an O ring series that I want to do. Also, look at my Ancient Civilizations page.

Adding the cards today, which are for Ancient Civilizations, I now have 4 sets of cards.

These cards have very general information and I made them so we can hit broad strokes when studying these topics and as a way to memorize some of our unit studies.

Hands-on Homeschool History Free Ancient Civilization Cards for O Ring

The four I have done so far are

  • Westward Ho,
  • The Titanic,
  • French and Indian War

And today, like I mentioned are the Ancient Civilizations.

Because I may study some of our history topics several times with each child, I have been wanting to make up these cards to allow my sons a way to study independently.

Too, through the years I have had one son interested in delving deeper into one topic that another son may not be so interested in.

A remedy to that problem is to make these O rings which they can grab, and do interactively.

This way if they are not as interested in a topic, at least they know some broad strokes about that topic.

Ancient Civilization Resources for Kids

Next, look at some of these fun resources for learning about Ancient Civilizations.

13 Ancient Civilization Hands-on Resources and Books

Add some of these fun resources to your unit study or study for the day of Ancient Civilizations.

The Greeks Pop-up: Pop-up Book to Make Yourself (Ancient Civilisations Pop-Ups)

Tarquin Popups are a special kind of do it yourself activity book. Not only is there the fun of making the scenes and seeing them popup but they are full of interesting information and ideas. This book contains six main scenes to make: Knossos, the Palace of Minos, the Lion Gate at Mycenae, the Battle of Salamis, the Golden Age of Athens, the Theatre, Alexander the Great and King Porus.

The Ancient Egypt Pop-up Book:

A magnificently illustrated, interactive pop-up book chronicles the history of ancient Egypt and its diverse cultural innovations, covering everything to the construction of the Egyptian pyramids and the elaborate mummification process, to the mysterious rites performed at an Egyptian god's temple and the ancient hieroglyphic writings.

Ancient Israelites and Their Neighbors: An Activity Guide (Cultures of the Ancient World)

Children can try their hand at re-creating ancient Israelite culture—along with the cultures of their neighbors, the Philistines and Phoenicians—in a way that will provide perspective on current events.
The book covers a key period from the Israelites’ settlement in Canaan in 1200 B.C.E. to their return from exile in Babylonia in 538 B.C.E.
This part of the Middle East—no larger than modern-day Michigan—was the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. More than 35 projects include stomping grapes into juice, building a model Phoenician trading ship, making a Philistine headdress, and writing on a broken clay pot. Israelites', Phoenicians', and Philistines' writing and languages, the way they built their homes, the food they ate, the clothes they wore, and the work they did, and of course, their many interesting stories.

Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters

The new National Geographic Treasury of Greek Mythology offers timeless stories of Greek myths in a beautiful new volume. Brought to life with lyrical text by award-winning author Donna Jo Napoli and stunning artwork by award-winning illustrator Christina Balit, the tales of gods and goddesses such as Zeus, Aphrodite, Apollo, and Athena and heroes and monsters such as Helen of Troy, Perseus, and Medusa will fascinate and engage children’s imaginations.

Photo Credit: store.homeschoolinthewoods.com

Activity Study: Great Empires

Included in this study are over 35 projects, games, recipes, links, and the history of fourteen empires! Generally, each empire's materials can be covered in 1-3 days

Tools of the Ancient Romans: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Rome

Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid’s Guide to the History and Science of Life in Ancient Greece explores the scientific discoveries, athletic innovations, engineering marvels, and innovative ideas created more than two thousand years ago. Through biographical sidebars, interesting facts, fascinating anecdotes, and fifteen hands-on activities, readers will learn how Greek innovations and ideas have shaped world history and our own world view.

Ancient Egypt Activity Book For Kids: Ancient Egypt

Is your child fascinated by Ancient Egypt? if so then this Ancient Egypt themed activity book is just for them. This is a great book for boys and girls who have an interest in Ancient Egypt. This Ancient Egypt themed activity book will keep them entertained and happy for hours.

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself (Build It Yourself)

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself explores the incredible ingenuity and history of ancient China with 25 hands-on projects for readers ages 9 and up. Great Ancient China Projects covers topics from porcelain pottery, paper, gunpowder, and dynasties, to martial arts, medicinal healers, jade carvers, and terracotta warriors.

Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Greece (Build It Yourself)

Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid’s Guide to the History and Science of Life in Ancient Greece explores the scientific discoveries, athletic innovations, engineering marvels, and innovative ideas created more than two thousand years ago. Through biographical sidebars, interesting facts, fascinating anecdotes, and fifteen hands-on activities, readers will learn how Greek innovations and ideas have shaped world history and our own world view.

Sumerian Mythology: History for kids: A captivating guide to ancient Sumerian history,Sumerian myths of Sumerian Gods, Goddesses, and Monsters

What humans call “civilization” didn’t always exist. We didn’t always live in big cities, have roads to get places easier, or grow food on farms. For a long time, humans were hunter-gatherers. Hunter-gatherers wandered from place to place looking for food. They didn’t build homes or stay in one place. The Sumerians, as far as we know, were the first people to start a civilization.

History Pockets: Ancient Civilizations, Grades 1-3

The book includes the following pockets:

  • What Is History?
  • Ancient Mesopotamia
  • Ancient Egypt
  • Ancient Greece
  • Ancient Rome
  • Ancient China
  • Ancient Aztec World

This resource contains teacher support pages, reproducible student pages, and an answer key.

Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt for Kids: Her Life and World, with 21 Activities (69) (For Kids series)

Cleopatra has been called intelligent and scheming, ambitious and ruthless, sensual and indulgent. This unique biography captures the excitement of her life story, including portions that have been largely neglected, such as her interest in literature and science and her role as a mother, and allows readers to draw their own conclusions. Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt for Kids also includes maps, time lines, online resources, a glossary, and 21 engaging hands-on activities to help readers better appreciate the ancient culture.

DIY Ancient Egypt Box, Learn About Geography and World History, Hands on Learning for Kids

HANDS ON LEARNING: Supernow educational boxes includes an adventure box with 4 hands-on projects and interactive digital content to bring the projects to life!

INTERACTIVE PLAY: Kids get a monthly adventure box that serves as a portal to an immersive adventure. Participate in an unfolding mission by attending live, interactive classes and solving fun clues.

Also, if you want to flesh out your study on these topics, then look at my pages, which match up with these history cards.

  • Lapbook and unit study for Westward Ho.
  • Lapbook and unit  study for the Titanic.
  • Lapbook and unit study for the French and Indian War.
  • Lapbook and unit study for Ancient Civilizations Page I and Page II.

I plan to do another set soon, so hope you enjoy these.

How to Get the Free Ancient Civilization History Cards

Now, how to grab the free history o ring cards. 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) Sign up on my email list.
2) Grab the freebie now.
3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Don’t forget to follow BOTH of my Pinterest accounts for more AWESOME pins.

Visit Tina Robertson’s profile on Pinterest.


Visit Tinas Dynamic Homeschool ‘s profile on Pinterest.

Free History Cards. Put on an O ring and learn facts about Ancient Civilizations, Westward Ho, the Titanic and the French and Indian War. Grab them @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Leave a CommentFiled Under: 1. My FREE Learning Printables {Any Topic}, Ancient Civilizations, Geography Based, Hands-On Activities, History Based, History Resources, Science Based Tagged With: ancient civilizations, ancientegypt, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources, lewis and clark, lewisandclark, titanic, westwardho

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