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Explore Native American Culture: How to Make a Cherokee Rattle Craft

December 9, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Turn your everyday paper plates into a beautiful Cherokee rattle craft. Also, you’ll love my free Native American Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning.

Your child will enjoy it while you learn all about Cherokee customs, history, and who they were and are as a people.

I am a big fan of simple crafts using basic items that most of us keep on hand in our craft supplies (or at least in the kitchen).

Explore Native American Culture: How to Make a Cherokee Rattle Craft

A real Cherokee rattle is typically made from a gourd or turtle shell.

It was adorned with beads, feathers, and other decorations.

They are used in traditional Cherokee ceremonies and healing rituals, creating a sound that is both rhythmic and soothing.

It is often used in conjunction with singing and drumming.

And its sound is said to help create a connection between the physical and spiritual realms.

The Cherokee are a Native American tribe who have lived in the southeastern United States for thousands of years.

They are one of the largest Native American tribes in the United States, with over 300,000 enrolled members mostly in northeastern Oklahoma.

The Cherokee have a rich culture and history. They were once a powerful tribe, with a large empire that stretched across the Appalachian Mountains.

The Cherokee were known for their advanced farming techniques.

Also, they are known for their written language, which was one of the first Native American languages to be written down.

In the 1800s, the Cherokee were forced to leave their land in Georgia and Alabama and move to Oklahoma.

This forced removal, known as the Trail of Tears, was a terrible journey that resulted in the deaths of thousands of Cherokee people.

Despite the hardships they faced, the Cherokee survived and thrived.

Today, they have a strong presence in Oklahoma and other states across the country.

BOOKS ABOUT THE CHEROKEE FOR KIDS

The Cherokee are proud of their culture and heritage, and they continue to work to preserve their traditions and language.

Our rattle pays homage to their history and traditions but here are some other wonderful ideas to make your unit rich and full with hands-on activities, crafts, books, videos, and more.

Next, look at some books about the Cherokee.

When possible I prefer living books.

8 Cherokee Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Grab some of these books about the Cherokee to add to your reading list or to a unit study.

Image for Cherokee, Indians of the Mountains

Cherokee, Indians of the Mountains

Tells of everyday life in the Cherokee Nation and how it changed with the coming of the white man

Image for Talking Leaves

Talking Leaves

A work of historical fiction about Sequoyah and the creation of the Cherokee alphabet, from the acclaimed author of Code Talker Thirteen-year-old Uwohali has not seen his father, Sequoyah, for many years. So when Sequoyah returns to the village, Uwohali is eager to reconnect. But Sequoyah’s new obsession with making strange markings causes friends and neighbors in their tribe to wonder whether he is crazy, or worse—practicing witchcraft. What they don’t know, and what Uwohali discovers, is that Sequoyah is a genius and his strange markings are actually an alphabet representing the sounds of the Cherokee language. 

Image for Sequoyah and the Cherokee Alphabet

Sequoyah and the Cherokee Alphabet

The story of one of the great leaders of the Cherokee nation... as well as the fascinating and disturbing story of cultural transformation and subsequent oppressive injustice that ended in The Trail of Tears.

Image for The Apple Tree -- A Modern Day Cherokee Story Told in English & Cherokee (English and Cherokee Edition)

The Apple Tree -- A Modern Day Cherokee Story Told in English & Cherokee (English and Cherokee Edition)

A Cherokee boy plants an apple seed, already seeing the apple tree it is meant to be. But the little apple tree is not so sure. Young and impatient, it begins to doubt its calling after apples fail to appear that first fall. How can the boy convince the tree to give the seasons the time to work their magic? The story is told in English with Cherokee translation, and includes a Cherokee syllabary.

Image for Itse Selu: Cherokee Harvest Festival

Itse Selu: Cherokee Harvest Festival

Step back in time for a captivating glimpse of Cherokee life in pre-Columbian North America. Join Little Wolf and his family as they prepare to celebrate Itse Selu, the harvest festival. As night approaches the village, the magic of anticipation fills the air. The luscious feast, Grandfather's storytelling, and the sacred corn dance weave a magical tapestry of tradition.

Image for The First Strawberries (Picture Puffins)

The First Strawberries (Picture Puffins)

From an award-winning Native American storyteller comes this captivating re-telling of a Cherokee legend, which explains how strawberries came to be. Long ago, the first man and woman quarrelled. The woman left in anger, but the Sun sent tempting berries to Earth to slow the wife's retreat.

Image for Grandmother Spider Brings the Sun: A Cherokee Story

Grandmother Spider Brings the Sun: A Cherokee Story

After Possum and Buzzard fail in their attempts to steal a piece of the sun, Grandmother Spider succeeds in bringing light to the animals on her side of the world.

Image for Only the Names Remain: The Cherokees and The Trail of Tears

Only the Names Remain: The Cherokees and The Trail of Tears

From 1837 to 1838, thousands of Cherokee Indians were marched from their homelands in Georgia to exile in Arkansas by the same white men they has once befriended. The Cherokees journeyed through bitter cold and blazing heat, with little food or water. One out of every four died --- and with them died a culture that had existed for hundreds of years, a civilization that had existed for hundred of years, a civilization that had embraced the white man's ways only to perish through his betrayal. Today, only the names remain of this once great nation.

Then, look at more activities to go with the Cherokee rattle craft.

CHEROKEE ACTIVITIES, CRAFTS, AND RESOURCES

  • There is so much information and rich history in my Free The Trail Of Tears For Kids Fun Unit Study Ideas And Lapbook.
  • Make Corn Husk Dolls at home like Cherokee children would have played with long ago.
  • Get the Cherokee Rose coloring sheet with label. This flower was named for the people who were responsible for distributing the plant.
  • Learn the Cherokee language through free videos available on YouTube in multiple lessons.
  • Watch a short 5 minute video about the Cherokee with information on where they began as well as their life now.
  • Dive into other tribes like the Navajo by creating a pinch pot and compare various tribes’ ways of life.
  • Learn how to make a Wattle and Daub house perfect for housing plastic figures
Explore Native American Culture: How to Make a Cherokee Rattle Craft

Also, add some fun Cherokee facts to your learning day.

CHEROKEE FACTS TO KNOW

The Cherokee word for “hello” is “osiyo.” but there is no word for “goodbye” instead they say “donadagohvi,” which means “Until we meet again!”. I just love that.

Cherokee comes from a Muskogean word that means “speakers of another language”.

The Cherokee lived in wattle and daub homes.

Wattle and daub homes were framed with tree logs and then covered with mud and grass to fill in the walls.

They called themselves the Ani-Yunwiya, meaning “principal people”.

The Cherokee were the first Native American tribe to develop a written language, it was developed by Sequoyah one of the most famous members of the Cherokee tribe.

Finally, look at how to make a Cherokee rattle craft.

HOW TO MAKE A CHEROKEE RATTLE CRAFT

You will need:

  • Two paper plates
  • Beads
  • Craft feathers
  • Jumbo craft stick
  • string/yarn
  • markers
  • Hot glue gun/glue
Explore Native American Culture: How to Make a Cherokee Rattle Craft

First, on the convex side of the paper plates draw a design with Cherokee symbols or whatever you like, you could also draw the design to resemble a turtle’s shell.

Too, you could use paper bowls to get a different sized drum with a different sound instead of plates.

Explore Native American Culture: How to Make a Cherokee Rattle Craft

On the concave side hot glue a 6” string to either side.

Explore Native American Culture: How to Make a Cherokee Rattle Craft

Add a handful of beads or use beans to the plate to create the rattling noise.

Explore Native American Culture: How to Make a Cherokee Rattle Craft

Hot glue the jumbo craft stick to the bottom of the plate on one side.

Explore Native American Culture: How to Make a Cherokee Rattle Craft

Add beads to the string and feathers to embellish it.

Explore Native American Culture: How to Make a Cherokee Rattle Craft

If you add a bit of hot glue to the feather tips and push them into the bead it acts as a stopper for the end of the string. Trim off any excess string.

Quickly add hot glue all the way around the lip of the first plate and press the second one into place

The hand drum is ready.

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

Feudal System In Japan: How To Make A Colorful Fan Craft

December 5, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

The Feudal System in Japan was a complex system of government and social organization that lasted for over 700 years, from the 12th to the 19th century. Also, look at more ideas on my page Medieval Japan Unit Study and Lapbook 1185 – 1600 A.D.

While we learned about it, I thought it would be fun to create a beautiful craft.

Feudal System In Japan: How To Make A Colorful Fan Craft

The Japanese fan had historical significance, was used for communication, as a part of court culture, in ceremonies, and religious rites.

And fans feature beautiful artwork, such as flowers, animals, and scenes from nature.

You will also find additional resources like videos, books, and hands-on activities to help you create a fun unit on Ancient and/or modern Japan.

BOOKS ABOUT JAPAN FOR KIDS

11 Books and Resources for Studying About Japan

You'll love these resources and books for studying about Japan. Add them to my Medieval Japan Unit Study or just fun for the day.

Image for Samurai: An Illustrated History

Samurai: An Illustrated History

This Japanese history book traces the story of a unique historical phenomenon: a period of 700 years--equivalent to the entire stretch of Western history between the reigns of the Crusader king Richard the Lionhearted and of Queen Victoria at the height of the British Empire--during which an enclosed civilization was dominated by a single warrior caste.

The historical narrative of samurai history is supported by explanations of samurai armor, weapons, fortifications, tactics, and customs, and illustrated with nearly 800 fascinating color photographs, maps, and sketches, including ancient scroll paintings and surviving suits of armor preserved for centuries in Japanese shrines.

Image for Samurai Arms, Armour & the Tactics of Warfare

Samurai Arms, Armour & the Tactics of Warfare

Part of the acclaimed Book of Samurai series, which presents for the first time the translated scrolls of the historical Natori-Ry samurai school of war, this volume offers an exceptional insight into the weaponry and armour of the samurai era, as well as tactical advice for use on and off the battlefield.

Image for Life in Old Japan Coloring Book

Life in Old Japan Coloring Book

More than 40 handsome, ready-to-color illustrations depict samurai warriors, the imperial villa at Kyoto, a Shinto shrine, a tea ceremony, a Noh play, a typical city street, a restaurant, music makers, more. Introduction and detailed captions describe Japanese culture and provide detailed information on art, government, costume, and daily life.

Image for Japanese Picture Dictionary Coloring Book: Over 1500 Japanese Words and Phrases for Creative & Visual Learners of All Ages

Japanese Picture Dictionary Coloring Book: Over 1500 Japanese Words and Phrases for Creative & Visual Learners of All Ages

Learning a new language is a new way of meeting new people, opening doors in your professional career and attracting fresh opportunities when traveling around the world, as you may know. The great thing is - whether you want to learn Japanese to visit Japan’s precious historic landmarks, watch anime and movies or simply meet wonderful Japanese people - we’ve got you covered!

Image for All About Japan: Stories, Songs, Crafts and Games for Kids

All About Japan: Stories, Songs, Crafts and Games for Kids

A cultural adventure for kids, All About Japan offers a journey to a new place--and ways to bring it to life! Dive into stories, play some games from Japan, and learn some Japanese songs.

Image for The Inch-High Samurai

The Inch-High Samurai

The brave little boy who sailed to the Capital in a teacup and fought a demon with a needle to win the love of a Lady is a Japanese cousin to Tom Thumb.

Image for The Crane Girl

The Crane Girl

In this magical retelling of a Japanese folktale, a mysterious girl weaves silk to help repay the kindness of a boy and his father until the father's greed finally exposes her secret.

While gathering firewood, Yasuhiro comes upon an injured crane hidden in the snow. He rescues and comforts the bird, then watches as it flies away over the wintry hills.

The next night, a mysterious young girl arrives at Yasuhiro's home seeking shelter from the cold. The boy and his father welcome the girl, named Hiroko, to stay with them. When Hiroko notices that Yasuhiro's father is struggling to earn money, she offers to weave silk for him to sell. After the fabric fetches a good price, the boy's father becomes impatient for more silk, and his greed has a life-changing effect on them all.

Lyrical storytelling deftly interwoven with original haiku create a magical adaptation of a popular Japanese folktale--an inspirational story of friendship and the power of kindness to transform lives.

Image for Commodore Perry the Opening of Japan (Landmark Series, #56)

Commodore Perry the Opening of Japan (Landmark Series, #56)

For more than 200 years Japan had isolated herself from the world - now Commodore Perry, representing the US government had arrived on the shore of Japan. Perry's mission was to open a door into Japan so US ships might stop for fuel & water on their route to China.

Image for 3D Puzzle Wooden Craft Kits DIY Model Building Kit

3D Puzzle Wooden Craft Kits DIY Model Building Kit

This 3D wooden Puzzle is the oldest tower in Japan and one of the iconic buildings, ancient and elegant.

Image for Japan Tokyo Skyline Famous Architecture Model Block Set

Japan Tokyo Skyline Famous Architecture Model Block Set

The iconic landmark you love,Build this detailed Japan skyline model!Features an elaborate façade with Tokyo Tower,Tokyo SKYTREE, Mount Fuji,Sensoji Temple,Osaka Castle and more.

Image for Japanese Flower Pavilion Cherry Blossom Bonsai Tree Bricks Kit

Japanese Flower Pavilion Cherry Blossom Bonsai Tree Bricks Kit

Japan Sakura Tree House Building Set consists of 1810pcs + mini-blocks. It includes detailed step-by-step color instructions, and exquisite details of various sizes and color componentsand.

Now let’s find out exactly how the feudal system in Japan worked, who was involved, and how it came to an end.

THE FEUDAL SYSTEM IN JAPAN

The feudal system was based on the idea that the emperor was the supreme ruler of Japan.

But in reality, power was held by the powerful feudal lords called daimyo.

The daimyo were samurai warriors who controlled large areas of land.

They had their own armies and could make their own laws.

Also, they had their own castles, where they lived and ruled.

The daimyo were not all equal. Some were more powerful than others.

The most powerful daimyo was called the shogun. The shogun was the military leader of Japan and the emperor’s chief advisor.

The peasants were the lowest class in the feudal system.

In addition, they worked on the land and paid taxes to the daimyo. They also had to provide labor for the daimyo’s projects, such as building roads and castles.

The feudal system was a very hierarchical system. The emperor was at the top, followed by the daimyo, the samurai, and the peasants. Each class had its own rights and responsibilities.

The feudal system was a time of great violence and warfare. The daimyo were constantly fighting each other for power and control. The peasants were often caught in the middle of these wars.

This system eventually came to an end in the 19th century due to a number of factors, including the rise of the Meiji Emperor and the introduction of Western technology and ideas.

The feudal system had a profound impact on Japanese culture and society.

Feudal System In Japan: How To Make A Colorful Fan Craft

It helped to create a strong sense of national identity and a deep respect for tradition.

It also led to the development of several important cultural institutions, such as the samurai code of bushido and the tea ceremony.

HANDS-ON JAPAN ACTIVITIES

Perfect for Ancient Japan studies or modern times, this Simple Homemade Sushi: Hands on Japan Activity for Kids is a great way to bond and learn at the same time.

WATCH: Shoguns, samurai and the Japanese Middle Ages on Khan Academy to learn even more about the feudal system.

Follow these simple steps to learn How to Fold an Origami Koi Fish in this beautiful Japanese artform.

Ancient Japan for Kids: Fun and Simple Handwriting Activity

Get some pretty paper and learn How to Make Easy Paper Lanterns.

Keep your prep to a minimum by using my Medieval Japan Unit Study and Lapbook 1185 – 1600 A.D. that has already done a lot of the work for you.

If you want to make a big impression on your child when digging deep into a topic like Japan, the military stronghold in the form of a LEGO Himeji Castle is the way to go.

Finally, look at how to make this Japanese fan.

HOW TO MAKE A COLORFUL FAN CRAFT

You will need:

  • 2 sheets 12×12 patterned paper
  • Two large popsicle sticks
  • Embroidery thread
  • Hot glue gun/sticks
  • Rubber band
Feudal System In Japan: How To Make A Colorful Fan Craft

First, make even accordion folds all the way across your paper, press in crease firmly with your finger or the edge of the craft stick to make the pleats sharp.

Repeat with the second sheet.

Feudal System In Japan: How To Make A Colorful Fan Craft

Next, bend both in half.

Feudal System In Japan: How To Make A Colorful Fan Craft

Hot glue center of each of the bent fans to the other side of the same fan to create two bigger fans.

Feudal System In Japan: How To Make A Colorful Fan Craft

Now hot glue both of those fans together along the centerfolds, hold together or place something heavy on them until the glue cools and they are firmly stuck.

Feudal System In Japan: How To Make A Colorful Fan Craft

This next part is optional but adds such a fun touch.

We’re making a tassel for the fan from embroidery thread.

Wrap the thread around your hand 25-30 times.

Feudal System In Japan: How To Make A Colorful Fan Craft

Slip another piece of thread under one end and tie it off, cut the loops on the other end.

Feudal System In Japan: How To Make A Colorful Fan Craft

Finish it off by slipping a longer thread under the top fold and tying a knot below that about  ½” from the top. Trim off excess

Feudal System In Japan: How To Make A Colorful Fan Craft

Hot glue the long string in place by attaching it to one side of the fan near the bottom.

Feudal System In Japan: How To Make A Colorful Fan Craft

Hot glue the oversized popsicle sticks to either side of the ends of the fan lined up with the bottom, you want the excess of the sticks to stick out over what is the top of the fan.

Again, hold into place until glue has set.

Be sure to pull the tassel forward out of the center before pressing everything together.

Feudal System In Japan: How To Make A Colorful Fan Craft

To open the fan simply pull open the wooden handles.

Feudal System In Japan: How To Make A Colorful Fan Craft

And secure with a rubber band, to close go the opposite direction and keep closed with the rubber band.

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

The Ancient Art Of Mummifying: How To Mummify A Chicken

November 30, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We are going to learn step by step how to mummify a chicken, instead of just reading about how the ancient Egyptians prepared their mummies.  Also, look at my Ancient Civilizations page for more ideas.

Doing it this way really helps your child understand the steps, processes, and ingredients used to mummify without odor to preserve the body.

We will use salt and baking soda to draw the moisture out of the chicken.

The Ancient Art Of Mummifying: How To Mummify A Chicken

This helps to preserve it and along with the spices it will keep odors at bay, even after weeks of sitting out.

Ancient mummies give us a glimpse into ancient Egyptian culture.

They tell us about the Egyptians’ beliefs about death and the afterlife.

And they also tell us about the Egyptians’ daily lives, their clothing, their jewelry, and their art.

Today, mummies are on display in museums around the world.

Also, they are a reminder of the ancient Egyptian civilization and their fascinating beliefs.

Through learning how to mummify a chicken children will get a hands-on view into this ancient ritual that includes history, science, math, and more.

I have also included a few more activities to extend the learning and add to your ancient Egypt unit.

BOOKS ABOUT ANCIENT EGYPT FOR KIDS

First, I have so many fun books about Egypt.

I try to use living books first then add reference books.

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.

Image for The Egypt Game

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?

Image for Tales of Ancient Egypt (Puffin Classics)

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.

Image for The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt (Landmark Books)

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.

Image for The Buildings of Ancient Egypt

The Buildings of Ancient Egypt

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

Image for Science in Ancient Egypt (Science of the Past)

Science in Ancient Egypt (Science of the Past)

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

Image for Great Ancient Egypt Projects: You Can Build Yourself

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Image for Boy of the Pyramids

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.

Image for The Golden Goblet

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.

Image for Seeker of Knowledge: The Man Who Deciphered Egyptian Hieroglyphs

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.

Image for The Egyptian Cinderella

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?

Image for Augustus Caesar's World

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.

Image for The Lost Queen of Egypt: The Tomb of Nefertiti

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.

Image for Pyramid

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.

Image for Pharaoh's Boat

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.

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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.

In addition, look at these other activities to go along with how to mummify a chicken.

HOW MUMMIES ARE MADE

In ancient Egypt, people believed in life after death.

Also, they wanted to preserve their bodies so that they could have a comfortable afterlife. This is why they created mummies.

The process of mummification was long and complex.

It took about 70 days to complete, our chicken should take about 40 because it is so much smaller.

First, the body was washed with water and natron. Natron is a type of salt.

Then, the internal organs were removed. And placed in jars. The brain was removed through the nose.

The body was then packed with natron to dry it out. After 40 days, the natron was removed and the body was wrapped in linen bandages.

Mummies were often dressed in their finest clothes or wrapped in expensive linen. They were also given jewelry and amulets to protect them in the afterlife.

Mummies were buried in tombs.

Tombs were decorated with paintings and carvings.

Too, they were filled with food, furniture, and other items that the mummy might need in the afterlife.

HANDS- ON MUMMY IDEAS

Before you learn how to mummify a chicken check out some of these ideas to add to your study.

Learn all about the steps in this to make your own Mummification Process Game.

Use this Pharaoh Headdress Printable Craft to wear or decorate your mummy for its trip to the afterlife.

While teaching about this ritual you can make an Egypt Crafts For Kindergarten Create a Fun Kid Sized Mummy.

How to Make a Mummy STEM Activity uses an apple for a very simple mummification process activity.

Fun and Easy Hands-On Ancient Egypt Craft: Create Canopic Jars

The Ancient Art Of Mummifying: How To Mummify A Chicken

Additionally, here are more Ancient Egypt hands-on activities.

FUN HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS LEARNING ABOUT EGYPT

  • Ancient Egyptian Mathematics: Build a LEGO Math Calculator
  • Fun Pharaohs and Queens Ancient Egypt Lapbook and Activities
  • 11 Easy Hands-On Ancient Egypt Projects for Middle School
  • Hands-on Ancient Egypt: Israelite Mud Bricks for Kids
  • Make a beautiful Cleopatra Collar and Cuffs to wear.
  • Discover The Secrets Of Ancient Egypt: Free Printable Hieroglyphics Alphabet
  • Free Ancient Egypt Mehen Printable Board Game (Hands-on History)
  • Ancient Egypt Civilization (Hands-on History): King Narmer Crown
  • Ancient Egypt Homeschool Unit Study – Hands-on and FUN!
  • Ancient Egypt Unit Study Part 2 – Best Hands-on Homeschool Ideas
  • Building Wonders: Create the Great Sphinx of Giza with LEGO
  • 7 Fun Ways to Play Go Fish Egyptian Games for Kids
  • Free Africa Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning | Free Continent & Country Reports

Finally, look at how to mummify a chicken.

HOW TO MUMMIFY A CHICKEN

I highly recommend getting a small Cornish game hen for your project.

This was all I could find after searching several stores and the larger chicken requires a lot more materials to dry it out as well as taking up more space on your counter.

You will need:

  • A whole chicken
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Container of Table salt
  • Box of Baking soda
  • Herbs-optional
  • Essential oils-optional
  • Roll of gauze
The Ancient Art Of Mummifying: How To Mummify A Chicken

This is just the materials for your first process, you will need probably 4-5 pounds total of the baking soda/salt mixture over the drying process.

First, prepare your chicken for mummification by removing it from the wrapper.

Next, if it has any of the organs inside, you want to remove and dispose of those.

This is a great time to talk about what the Egyptians would do with the organs.

The Ancient Art Of Mummifying: How To Mummify A Chicken

Then rinse the chicken inside and out thoroughly.

Pat dry with paper towels.

The Ancient Art Of Mummifying: How To Mummify A Chicken

Now the final step in the cleansing process is to wipe the chicken down with alcohol to help remove any bacteria.

The Ancient Art Of Mummifying: How To Mummify A Chicken

Combine one canister of salt and one box of baking soda and mix together.

The Ancient Art Of Mummifying: How To Mummify A Chicken

Put about a cup of this mixture inside the cavity of the chicken and shake and roll it around to coat the inside completely.

The Ancient Art Of Mummifying: How To Mummify A Chicken

Place chicken inside of the bag and pour the remaining baking soda/salt combo inside the bag to cover the chicken.

Alternatively, be sure everything is covered by laying it on a tray. Pat the mixture all over it.

The Ancient Art Of Mummifying: How To Mummify A Chicken

You can also add some fresh or dried herbs you have on hand to help with the smell while it’s drying.

MUMMIFY A CHICKEN LIKE ANCIENT EGYPT MUMMIES

Add a few drops of essential oil as well, you could use rosemary oil, cedar oil, or lavender oil.

The Ancient Art Of Mummifying: How To Mummify A Chicken

Place fully coated chicken in the Ziploc bag, if you have a large chicken, you’ll probably need to use a 2 gallon bag.

The Ancient Art Of Mummifying: How To Mummify A Chicken

For the first week or two you want to open it back up every 2 to 3 days and drain any liquid that has come out.

Then add additional salt and baking soda to continue the drying process. It is surprising how very little smell there is to your mummified chicken.

You can see here that liquid is quickly drawn out of a well-preserved chicken.

The Ancient Art Of Mummifying: How To Mummify A Chicken

Every few days remove the chicken. Observe it to see how it is dried.

Do you notice any smell?  How does the skin look? Use your science journal to take notes about the changes in the chicken and anything else you observe.

The Ancient Art Of Mummifying: How To Mummify A Chicken

You can also measure and weigh the chicken before and during the process to learn more about the changes.

Once your chicken is completely dried out brush off the excess dry mixture.

And look at how our “corpse” looked 30 days later?

The Ancient Art Of Mummifying: How To Mummify A Chicken

Then wrap it completely in gauze.

Add jewels and other items to recreate the final preparations of mummies like in ancient times.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: ancient civilizations, ancient egypt, ancientegypt, egypt, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, mummies

Unique Homeschool History Ideas With Handprint Henna For India

November 13, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I like to find unusual homeschool history ideas to mix up everyday topics and studying the history of henna in India fits the bill.

Henna is a special plant that grows in hot, dry places like India.

Leaves are dried and turned into powder. Then the powder is mixed with water to create a paste.

Unique Homeschool History Ideas With Handprint Henna For India

This paste is used to create beautiful designs on the skin.

In India, henna is a big part of celebrations like weddings and festivals.

People decorate their hands and feet with intricate patterns, and it’s a fun way to express their creativity.

But it is more than just a decoration; it’s a symbol of joy, celebration, and cultural heritage in India.

It’s a beautiful way to connect with tradition and add a touch of color to special occasions.

Beyond henna, let’s dive into the Taj Mahal that is over 400 years old, some traditional Indian foods, crafts highlighting the amazing animals of the country, and more.

Of course I have plenty of facts, hands-on ideas,  books, and more to help you create a wonderful unit study.

BOOKS ABOUT OR SET IN INDIA FOR KIDS

Next, living books bring to life the period or area we’re studying about.

When I can find them, I list them. Then add reference books too.

12 Books About or Set in India for Kids

Grab some of these books about India for your unit study or learning day.

Image for T is for Taj Mahal: An India Alphabet (Discover the World)

T is for Taj Mahal: An India Alphabet (Discover the World)

From the quiet grandeur of the Himalaya Mountains to the urban city of Calcutta, T is for Taj Mahal: An India Alphabet showcases India's exotic treasures. Visit the haunting Taj Mahal, a tribute from an emperor to his dead wife. Traverse the bustling streets of Mumbai, the second most populated city in the world. Sample a traditional meal fragrant with garam masala spices, or attend a cricket match where some games have lasted up to five days! Varsha Bajaj was born in Mumbai, India. Her book, How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight?, was named to the 2005 Texas Library Association 2X2 Reading List. Varsha lives in Houston, Texas. Robert Crawford's paintings have appeared on the cover of major magazines such as The Atlantic and U.S. News and World Report, as well as books. He also illustrated Sleeping Bear Press's The Legend of the Old Man of the Mountain. Robert lives in Woodbury, Connecticut.

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The Lost Kingdom

Thirteen-year-old Rodmika is well acquainted with the crystal-clear rivers and tangled vines of the Green Jungle. So when his family moves to the other side of the jungle, leaving behind his chance for an education, Rodmika is perfectly suited to find a way to return. As Rodmika searches for a way back to the place of his schooling, he uncovers much more than a path.Set against the backdrop of a lush, untamed Indian rainforest, The Lost Kingdom weaves adventure and mystery into a thrilling tale that will resonate with readers who have a love for exploration and excitement.

Image for Seasons of Splendour: Tales, Myths and Legends of India

Seasons of Splendour: Tales, Myths and Legends of India

A vibrant collection of Indian myths and legends illustrated in beautiful watercolors and told by one of India's sparkling personalities, Madhur Jaffrey.Seasons of Splendour is a richly illustrated treasury of stories about Indian gods and goddesses, kings and queens, princes and demons. Here are engaging and beautifully told tales of Krishna, Ram, and Sita, along with stories based on the Hindu epics the Ramayana and Mahabharata, as well as others of ancient origin with no known source. When Madhur Jaffrey was a young girl growing up in her grandfather’s house in Delhi, storytelling was an integral part of life. After dinner, she would huddle with her cousins and siblings around a seated aunt, grandmother, or mother and listen.

Image for Burying the Moon

Burying the Moon

In Latika’s village in rural India, there are no toilets. No toilets mean that the women have to wait until night to do their business in a field. There are scorpions and snakes in the field, and germs that make people sick. For the girls in the village, no toilets mean leaving school when they reach puberty.

No one in the village wants to talk about this shameful problem. But Latika has had enough. When a government representative visits their village, she sees her chance to make one of her dreams come true: the construction of public toilets, which would be safer for everybody in her village. 

Image for Rikki-Tikki-Tavi (Illustrated)

Rikki-Tikki-Tavi (Illustrated)

Rikki-Tikki-Tavi is the tale of a courageous young mongoose who saves a boy and his family from the evil snakes lurking in the garden.

Image for Aru Shah Series Books 1 - 5 Collection by Roshani Chokshi

Aru Shah Series Books 1 - 5 Collection by Roshani Chokshi

Twelve-year-old Aru Shah has a tendency to stretch the truth in order to fit in at school. Whilst her classmates are jetting off to exotic locales, she'll be at home, in the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture where her mother works. Is it any wonder that Aru makes up stories about being royalty.

Image for Malgudi Days

Malgudi Days

Introducing this collection of stories, R. K. Narayan describes how in India "the writer has only to look out of the window to pick up a character and thereby a story." Composed of powerful, magical portraits of all kinds of people, and comprising stories written over almost forty years, Malgudi Days presents Narayan's imaginary city in full color, revealing the essence of India and of human experience.

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Tiger Boy

"One of the new tiger cubs has escaped from the reserve!"When a tiger cub escapes from a nature reserve near Neel's island village, the rangers and villagers hurry to find her before the cub's anxious mother follows suit and endangers them all. Mr. Gupta, a rich newcomer to the island, is also searching--he wants to sell the cub's body parts on the black market. Neel and his sister, Rupa, resolve to find the cub first and bring her back to the reserve where she belongs.The hunt for the cub interrupts Neel's preparations for an exam to win a prestigious scholarship at a boarding school far from home. Neel doesn't mind--he dreads the exam and would rather stay on his beloved island in the Sunderbans of West Bengal with his family and friends.

Image for Boys without Names

Boys without Names

For eleven-year-old Gopal and his family, life in their rural Indian village is over: We stay, we starve, his baba has warned. They flee to the big city of Mumbai in hopes of finding work and a brighter future. Gopal is eager to help support his struggling family, so when a stranger approaches him with the promise of a factory job, he jumps at the offer.

?But there is no factory, just a stuffy sweatshop where he and five other boys are forced to work for no money and little food. The boys are forbidden to talk or even to call one another by their real names. Locked away in a rundown building, Gopal despairs of ever seeing his family again.

Image for Homeless Bird: A National Book Award Winner

Homeless Bird: A National Book Award Winner

Like many girls her age in India, thirteen-year-old Koly faces her arranged marriage with hope and courage. But Koly's story takes a terrible turn when in the wake of the ceremony, she discovers she's been horribly misled—her life has been sold for a dowry. Can she forge her own future, even in the face of time-worn tradition? 

Perfect for schools and classrooms, this universally acclaimed, bestselling, and award-winning novel by master of historical fiction Gloria Whelan is a gripping tale of hope that will transport readers of all ages.

Image for India on a Plate!: Indian Food from A to Z

India on a Plate!: Indian Food from A to Z

Kids love learning about food, they need to learn their ABC's, and this mouth-watering alphabet book covers both in the most delicious way! From spicy achaar to sweet zafrani pulao, flip through food from every corner of India, for all kinds of occasions.

Image for Where Is the Taj Mahal?

Where Is the Taj Mahal?

The Taj Mahal may look like a palace, but it's actually a tomb and a lasting testament to one of the world's great love stories. In 1612, Mogul emperor Shah Jahan married Mumtaz Mahal. It had been love at first sight and for nineteen years they were so inseparable that Mumtaz even accompanied Shah Jahan to battlefields. When she died suddenly giving birth to their fourteenth child, the emperor set about building a magnificent memorial to his wife. Everything about the Taj was perfectly planned, from the white marble walls that shimmer in the sunlight and sparkle by moonlight, to the countless decorative flowers made from precious gems that still astound visitors today.

Next, learn about henna.

  1. Henna is derived from the henna plant Lawsonia inermis. It is a natural dye that has been used in India and other parts of the world for centuries. The henna plant is a small shrub native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Australasia. The plant cultivated for its leaves, which are dried and ground into a fine powder.
  2. Henna is traditionally applied to the hands and feet of brides and grooms during Indian wedding ceremonies. It is believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and happiness to the couple. The intricate designs created with henna are often passed down through generations and hold deep cultural significance.
  3. Paste is applied to the skin using a cone and left on for several hours. Once the paste is dry, it is then peeled off leaving behind the beautiful orange or brown design on the skin.
  4. Henna is also used in India for its cooling properties and stress-relieving effects. Henna paste is believed to have a calming effect on the body and mind, and it is often applied to the forehead during meditation or relaxation practices.
  5. Henna is a versatile plant with various uses beyond body art. The leaves of the henna plant have medicinal properties. They are used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments such as skin conditions and headaches.
Unique Homeschool History Ideas With Handprint Henna For India

In addition, look at more homeschool history ideas.

INDIA HOMESCHOOL HISTORY IDEAS

  • Find India on a map or globe, then locate the capital, New Delhi.
Unique Homeschool History Ideas With Handprint Henna For India
  • Art Around the World: India (Taj Mahal Bleeding Tissue Paper Art)
  • Create beautiful Paper Plate Dandiya Dolls that display the clothing used in the traditional Indian folk dance.
  • Watch India: The Harappans – Ancient World History for Kids! To learn more about the people of the Indus Valley and more.
  • Take a trip to a local Indian restaurant and try a unique dish or two like centuries old Khichuri, a dish made of rice, moong lentils, ghee (clarified butter), cumin seeds, ginger and asafoetida.
  • Celebrate the National Bird of India with this fun and simple How to Make an Easy Bird Craft Fun Paper Plate Peacock.

ASIA ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

  • 5 Asia Activities For Kids & Free Color by Number Camel
  • Quick and Easy Ancient Chinese Paper making for Kids
  • Free Ancient China Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on History
  • Marco Polo Unit Study and Lapbook
  • Medieval Japan Unit Study and Lapbook
Unique Homeschool History Ideas With Handprint Henna For India

Finally, look at how to make this fun Indian handprint henna craft.

INDIA HANDPRINT HENNA CRAFT

This is really a fun hands-on activity for the whole family and is a great way to build fine motor skills and spend some time in a calming activity as you create intricate designs on the hand.

You will need:

  • Cardstock/construction paper
  • Brown fine line pens/markers
  • A willing hand
  • Scissors
Unique Homeschool History Ideas With Handprint Henna For India

Trace the entire hand and include the wrist and some of the arm with a pencil, give yourself as much canvas to work on as possible.

Unique Homeschool History Ideas With Handprint Henna For India

Cut out around the outline of the hand carefully.

Unique Homeschool History Ideas With Handprint Henna For India

Use fine line pens or markers to create designs.

Take your time creating intricate designs on the hand, wrist, and fingers. Look to Google for some beautiful design inspiration.

Unique Homeschool History Ideas With Handprint Henna For India

The more small and detailed design you create the more amazing the final outcome will be.

Unique Homeschool History Ideas With Handprint Henna For India

If you want to test out henna designs on your actual hand you can grab a tattoo kit.

Look at this Body Mark Temporary Tattoo Markers for Skin, Henna Vibes, Flexible Brush Tip, 3-Count to try out your own designs on the skin.

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

The Art of Seneca Tribe Crafts: How to Make Easy Moccasins

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

We are exploring a variety of Seneca tribe crafts as we learn more about how and where they lived. You’ll also love my page Native American Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning.

We’re learning the beautiful handiwork they created and who they were as people.

The Seneca are a Native American people originally based in present-day New York State and northern Pennsylvania.

They are one of the six nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. And are known as the “Keepers of the Western Door.”

The Art of Seneca Tribe Crafts: How to Make Easy Moccasins

They were known as skilled warriors, diplomats and extensive trade network.

Also, for their matrilineal society, Iroquois Confederacy leadership, and agriculture of corn, beans, and squash.

In addition, they are also known for their beautiful art of quillwork and beadwork.

These skills were often applied to an important aspect of daily life – footwear, moccasins to be precise.

Moccasins were a traditional footwear worn by Native Americans.

When they wore out, they were able to quickly and easily make another pair from a single piece of buckskin.

The Seneca wore moccasins to protect their feet from the cold and wet weather, for comfort- moccasins allowed the wearer to still feel the ground.

Moccasins are part of their traditional Seneca outfit, which also included leggings, beaded skirts, and decorated overdresses. 

They were also worn simply for style to show which community they belonged to; the distinctive styles would identify the wearer’s community.

We are going to do something very similar to what we learn about them but with much easier to acquire craft felt and some beads.

If you have smaller children, you should be able to make a pair of moccasins with two pieces of 12×18 felt.

If you are making them with middle or high school students you will want to purchase a large piece by the yard to be sure you have enough fabric.

BOOKS ABOUT THE SENECA FOR KIDS

Next, look at these books about the Seneca.

5 Seneca Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Grab some of these books about the Seneca to add to your reading list or to a unit study.

Image for Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison

Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison

In this classic frontier adventure, Lois Lenski reconstructs the real-life story of Mary Jemison, who was captured in a raid as young girl and raised among the Seneca Indians.

Meticulously researched and illustrated with many detailed drawings, this Newbery Honor novel is an unforgettable tale.

Twelve-year-old Mary Jemison took for granted her peaceful days on her family's farm in eastern Pennsylvania. But on a spring day in 1758, something happened that changed her life forever.

When a band of warriors invades the Jemisons' house and takes the family captive, Mary is separated from her parents and siblings. She travels with the Indians to southern Ohio and later to a Seneca village on the Genesee River in
what is now western New York.

Image for Muskrat Will Be Swimming

Muskrat Will Be Swimming

Although Jeannie loves her lakeside neighborhood, her feelings are hurt by her schoolmates who live in fancier homes and call her a Lake Rat.

When she confides her troubles to her grandfather, he tells her about his own childhood experiences with teasing. As the story unfolds, the grandfather shares a traditional Seneca story that helps Jeannie to find strength in her Native identity and a new appreciation for the different roles that animals play in nature. This is a quiet book that celebrates family and place and the teachings of Native people. Muskrat Will Be Swimming is based on a real incident in Cheryl Savageau's life.

Image for Land of the Senecas

Land of the Senecas

This classic work of local history tells the story of the Seneca people of western New York, from their ancient origins to the present day. Arch Merrill's engaging prose and vivid descriptions of Seneca life, culture, and traditions make this book an essential resource for anyone interested in the history of upstate New York and its Native American peoples.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

Image for Red Jacket: Seneca Chief

Red Jacket: Seneca Chief

This is the story of the famous and controversial Seneca chief and orator Red Jacket (Sagoyewatha, ca. 1750–1830), whose passionate and articulate defense of the old ways won the admiration of many but also earned him the enmity of Chiefs Joseph Brant and Cornplanter. Red Jacket received a medal from George Washington as a token of friendship. He is remembered as a vocal and persistent opponent of foreign encroachment on the Iroquois, protesting bitterly against the sale of tribal lands and involvement in European-American disputes, missionary activities, and various efforts to “civilize” the Iroquois.

Image for Turtle's Race with Beaver

Turtle's Race with Beaver

Turtle lives in a beautiful little pond with everything a happy turtle needs. But one spring, Turtle awakes from hibernation to discover that her lovely home has been invaded! A pushy beaver takes over Turtle's beloved pond and refuses to share. Instead, he challenges her to a race to determine who can stay. But how can a little turtle outswim a big, powerful beaver? This charming fable of brains versus brawn is a great read for all the young readers in the forest to share!

Next, look at these facts about the Seneca.

WHO WERE THE SENECA TRIBE?

The Seneca have a long and rich history dating back thousands of years.

They were originally semi-nomadic people who lived in longhouses and relied on hunting, fishing, and agriculture for sustenance.

In the 16th century, the Seneca encountered European settlers and began to trade with them for goods such as metal tools and guns.

The Seneca have a vibrant culture that is rich in tradition and spirituality. 

The Seneca people have a strong oral tradition. Many stories and legends have been passed down through generations.

Today, the Seneca people live on several reservations in New York and Pennsylvania.

The tribe is federally recognized. The Seneca have their own government and laws.

The Seneca continue to maintain their traditional culture and way of life while also adapting to the modern world.

FAMOUS SENECA PEOPLE

  • Wilma Mankiller (1945-2010): A Cherokee-Seneca activist and politician who served as the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.
  • Red Jacket (1758-1830): A Seneca war chief and orator who was a prominent figure in the War of 1812.
  • Ely S. Parker (1828-1895): A Seneca engineer and military officer who served as Commissioner of Indian Affairs under President Ulysses S. Grant.
  • Jim Thorpe (1888-1953): A Seneca athlete who is considered one of the greatest all-around athletes of all time.

SENECA TRIBE CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES

  • The Iroquois Confederacy was made up of  the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca tribes. Look at How To Make a 5 Arrows Craft the symbol of their unity.
  • Here is my Native American Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning to dive deeper into the different tribes.
  • Try this simple but beautiful Quillwork Inspired Craft as you study about this handcraft.
  • French And Indian War Activity: How To Make An Iroquois Longhouse, the Seneca people lived in Longhouses rather than teepees.
  • Here you will find recipes highlighting one of the 3 Sisters(corn of the corn, beans, and squash) hominy, corn muffins, and corn soup. Cooking is a wonderful hands-on activity.
  • No Sew Quiver and Macrame Arrows

The Art of Seneca Tribe Crafts: How to Make Easy Moccasins

HOW TO MAKE EASY MOCCASINS

You will need:

  • Two large pieces of felt
  • Suede cording
  • Beads
  • Needle and thread
  • Paper and a pencil
The Art of Seneca Tribe Crafts: How to Make Easy Moccasins

First, trace your child’s foot on a piece of white paper.

The Art of Seneca Tribe Crafts: How to Make Easy Moccasins

Cut out the outline and center it on a piece of felt so that you have a good 5”-6” on either side, and several inches at both heel and toe.

Cut around the foot not quite halfway around leaving about 2” of excess felt around it.

The Art of Seneca Tribe Crafts: How to Make Easy Moccasins

Flip the template over and repeat for the second moccasin.

Fold the shape in half and “measure” to the foot, as you wrap it around you will see where you need to trim some down but leave enough to cover with a ½” seam allowance.

 Sew ¼” in up the back and all the way around, leaving the “ankle” portion unsewn.

The Art of Seneca Tribe Crafts: How to Make Easy Moccasins

Turn the sewn boot inside out. The stitches are now hidden on the inside.

The Art of Seneca Tribe Crafts: How to Make Easy Moccasins

Cut a fringe all along the ankle section like this.

The Art of Seneca Tribe Crafts: How to Make Easy Moccasins

Fold the fringe down.

Cut two small holes on either side of the top portion of the shoe for laces and thread cording or ribbon through them.

The Art of Seneca Tribe Crafts: How to Make Easy Moccasins

Finally add beads to the ends of the cording and tie it off.

The Art of Seneca Tribe Crafts: How to Make Easy Moccasins

Slip on your handmade moccasins and enjoy your handiwork.

If you are worried about them being too slippery on hardwood floors just run a few lines of hot glue along the bottoms.

Allow them to harden, this will create a gripping effect.

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

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