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5 Mexico Crafts For Preschoolers And Free Activity Pages

January 29, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some Mexico crafts for preschoolers ideas and some free Mexico activity pages which can you use with both your preschool and kindergarten kids. Also, look at my pages Mexico Unit Study and How to Homeschool Preschool for more ideas.

Mexico is a country in North America and just south of us here in the United States.

Not only does it have beautiful beaches but delicious food and beautiful vibrant art.

It makes for an especially fun topic for your littles since the traditions of Mexico includes lively music too.

5 Mexico Crafts For Preschoolers And Free Activity Pages

I have a few easy crafts for your child and some activity pages.

Besides, the beautiful beaches it has deserts and jungles.

Too, the amazing Monarch butterflies migrate by the millions from Canada and United States to Mexico every year.

BOOKS ABOUT MEXICO FOR KIDS

Next, look at some of these resources about Mexico.

We love living books so we prefer those first when I can find them.

Also, at times we like reference books when learning about countries.

Picture books are great for any age.

10 Mexico Books & Resources For Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

Add some of these books to your home library about Mexico. Also, use them for a homeschool unit study.

The Underdogs: A Novel of the Mexican Revolution (Penguin Classics)

The Underdogs is the first great novel about the first great revolution of the twentieth century. Demetrio Macias, a poor, illiterate Indian, must join the rebels to save his family. Courageous and charismatic, he earns a generalship in Pancho Villa’s army, only to become discouraged with the cause after it becomes hopelessly factionalized. At once a spare, moving depiction of the limits of political idealism, an authentic representation of Mexico’s peasant life, and a timeless portrait of revolution, The Underdogs is an iconic novel of the Latin American experience and a powerful novel about the disillusionment of war.

Stories from Mexico

Tales from Mexican folklore including The Palace of Canela, In Through the Window, The Coyote and the Sheep, The Cu Bird, and SenÄor Coyote and Juan's Maguey.

Adelita

Hace mucho tiempo—a long time ago—there lived a beautiful young woman named Adelita. So begins the age-old tale of a kindhearted young woman, her jealous stepmother, two hateful stepsisters, and a young man in search of a wife. The young man, Javier, falls madly in love with beautiful Adelita, but she disappears from his fiesta at midnight, leaving him with only one clue to her hidden identity: a beautiful rebozo—shawl. With the rebozo in place of a glass slipper, this favorite fairy tale takes a delightful twist. Tomie dePaola's exquisite paintings, filled with the folk art of Mexico, make this a Cinderella story like no other.

Hill Of Fire (I Can Read, Book 3) (I Can Read Level 3)

Every day is the same for Pablo's father. Then one afternoon the ground growls, hisses smoke, and swallows up his plow. A volcano is erupting in the middle of his cornfield!

Mexico in Story and Pictures

Imagine

Have you ever imagined what you might be when you grow up? When he was very young, Juan Felipe Herrera picked chamomile flowers in windy fields and let tadpoles swim across his hands in a creek. He slept outside and learned to say good-bye to his amiguitoseach time his family moved to a new town. He went to school and taught himself to read and write English and filled paper pads with rivers of ink as he walked down the street after school. And when he grew up, he became the United States Poet Laureate and read his poems aloud on the steps of the Library of Congress. If he could do all of that . . . what could you do? With this illustrated poem of endless possibility, Juan Felipe Herrera and Lauren Castillo breathe magic into the hopes and dreams of readers searching
for their place in life.

Old Ramon

Fun novel combining Mexico and California cultures where a young boy learns about life and growing up.

The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes

In the picture book Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes, award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh brings a cherished Mexican legend to life.A Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor BookALA/ALSC Notable Children’s Book! “A palette of earthy, evocative colors .

. . A genuine triumph.” ―Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)“Use this Aztec legend to inspire readers while teaching a bit about dramatic irony.” —School Library Journal Izta was the most beautiful princess in the land, and suitors traveled from far and wide to woo her. Even though she was the daughter of the emperor, Izta had no desire to marry a man of wealth and power. Instead, she fell in love with Popoca, a brave warrior who fought in her father’s army—and a man who did not offer her riches but a promise to stay by her side forever. The emperor did not want his daughter to marry a mere warrior, but he recognized Popoca’s bravery. He offered Popoca a deal: If the warrior could defeat their enemy, Jaguar Claw, then the emperor would permit Popoca and Izta to wed. But Jaguar Claw had a plan to thwart the warrior. Would all be lost? Today two majestic volcanoes—Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl—stand overlooking Mexico City. They have been admired and revered for countless generations and have formed the basis of many origin and creation myths.

Growing Up In Aztec Times (Growing Up In series)

Describes the daily life of the Aztecs, discussing life in the city, life in the country, education, food and drink, and other aspects.

The Tale of Rabbit and Coyote

Poor Coyote! What’s he doing, hanging upside down in the farmer’s house, next to a pot of boiling water? How’d he wind up underneath the jicara tree, getting bonked by rock-hard fruit? Who tricked him into whacking a wasps’ nest with a stick? And why is he always howling at the moon? Because of Rabbit, that’s why! Longtime collaborators Tony Johnston and Tomie dePaola look to the folklore of Oaxaca, Mexico, for this nutty, naughty tale of trickery and hijinks. Written with sly humor and illustrated in the vibrant golds, blues, and reds of the Southwest, this is a story with a flavor as distinctive as chile peppers.

Also, look at these Mexico crafts for preschoolers and Mexico crafts for other ages.

MEXICO CRAFTS FOR PRESCHOOLERS AND ACTIVITIES

  • Sombrero & Poncho craft
  • Make Your Own Maracas
  • Free Butterfly Unit Study For Kids and Fun Sponge Stamping
  • Paper Plate Taco Craft for Kids
  • Blue Morpho Butterfly Adaptations In The Tropical Rainforest
  • Fun Chocolate Unit Study and DIY Chocolate Candy Bar Activity
  • How to make paper rosettes and Señoritas
  • Frida Kahlo Art Made Simple: Free Easy Art Printable
  • Mexican Cuff Bracelet

Additionally, look at these facts about Mexican food.

FOOD FROM MEXICO

  • Churros: Sweet fried dough, dusted with cinnamon sugar.
  • Guacamole: A creamy and delicious dip made from avocados. Eaten with chips.
  • Enchiladas: Soft tortillas rolled up with fillings like cheese, chicken, or beans, topped with a spicy sauce.
  • Tamales: Corn dough wrapped in a husk stuffed with meat.
5 Mexico Crafts For Preschoolers And Free Activity Pages

Finally, look at how to get these fun Mexico activity pages for your littles.

HOW TO GET THE FREE MEXICO ACTIVITY PAGES

Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.

2) Grab the freebie now.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: 1. My FREE Learning Printables {Any Topic} Tagged With: geography, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, homeschool, Mexico, preschool

Fun with History: Free 30-Day Challenge to Explore the Past

January 27, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

The fun with history free 30-day challenge to explore the past is a journey into the past that is as exciting as it is enriching.

Let me help you to teach history for a month.

Today, I have a free printable to help you teach history.

It has fun facts, activity ideas and a clickable link to an educational video.

Fun with History: Free 30-Day Challenge to Explore the Past

Your child can do this independently or you can make each topic into a longer study.

Although I’m crazy passionate about covering history with our unit study approach, some kids struggle with any approach.

So this challenge mixes and matches various topics instead of staying too long on one topic.

Besides, one of these topics can be a hook for a longer unit study if you find one or two which interests your child.

My 30-cay challenge encourages kids to actively participate in the learning process.

LIVING HISTORY BOOKS FOR KIDS

Next, look at a few fun books you can incorporate into this challenge.

With a bit of reading and videos you’re sure to hook your kids on some of the topics.

Living History Books With Various Themes

There is no way to list books for every topic but some of these will help you round out this history challenge.

Benjamin Franklin

Details the life of this famous American from his boyhood as one of the youngest of seventeen children, to his teen years as an apprentice in his brother's print shop and his later years as an inventor, statesman, diplomat, and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Children and adults alike will enjoy learning about the fascinating life Franklin led from the lively text and beautiful illustrations of this d'Aulaire classic. Folk art style illustrations are enhanced with pert aphorisms from Poor Richard's Almanac on each page. Sayings include Franklin]s originals like, Don t throw stones at your neighbors if your own windows are glass and Better slip with foot than by tongue and Well done is better than well said.

Can't You Make Them Behave, King George?

It begins when he was a bashful boy who blushed easily, goes on to his early days as king, and finally examines his role in the American Revolution - when Americans ceased to think of him as good King George. Fascinating history made accessible for young readers.

The Lost Colony of Roanoke

The Lost Colony of Roanoke is one of the most puzzling mysteries in America's history. In 1587, 115 colonists sailed to the new world, eager to build the brand new Cittie of Raleigh, only to disappear practically without a trace. Where did they go? What could have possibly happened?

Who better to collect and share the clues than Jean Fritz and Hudson Talbott?

The creators of Leonardo's Horse, an American Library Association Notable Book, again combine their masterful talents to illuminate a tragic piece of history that still fascinates Americans today.

A Picture Book of George Washington

Over two hundred years after his death, George Washington remains one of the most studied figures in American history. This clear and concise picture book biography covers the important facts and historical
background, complemented by charming illustrations. The text details Washington's early life as well as the Revolutionary War and his impressive career as leader of the newly formed United States. Young readers will love learning more about the man who was "first in war,
first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." Back matter features a timeline. 

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

Embark on a delightful journey through time, where young readers and the young at heart can explore the wonders of ancient civilizations, epic battles, and remarkable inventions. With V. M. Hillyer as your guide, history comes alive with vivid storytelling, making every page turn an adventure filled with awe and wonder.

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

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

We Were There: Voices of African American Veterans, from World War II to the War in Iraq

Award-winning journalist Yvonne Latty never bothered to find out the extent of her father's service until it was almost too late. Inspired by his moving story -- and eager to uncover the little-known stories of other black veterans, from those who served in the Second World War to the War in Iraq -- Latty set about interviewing veterans of every stripe: men and women; army, navy, and air force personnel; prisoners of war; and brigadier generals.

We Were There with Lewis and Clark (We Were There Books)

(We Were There Books)

We were there in the Klondike gold rush (We were there books, 6)

Young Joe Murray travels with his father to the Klondike to join the gold rush.

Next look at more ideas to go with the history challenge.

MORE FUN HISTORY ACTIVITIES

Pair these activities with the daily history challenge for a fun day spent learning tidbits about history.

  • Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study
  • Ancient Civilizations Ancient Egypt
  • Wright Brothers And Amazing Airplanes And Other Things That Fly
  • Renaissance Lapbook and Unit Study
  • American Revolution Unit Study and Lapbook 1775 – 1783
  • RMS Titanic Unit Study and Free Lapbook
  • Free Ancient China Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on History
  • BEST Westward Ho Unit Study and Lapbook!
  • Free Awesome Ancient Greece Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Activities
  • French Revolution 1789 – 1799 Unit Study & Lapbook
  • How to Make an Ancient Rome-Inspired DIY Clown Collar No Sew
Fun with History: Free 30-Day Challenge to Explore the Past

Finally, look at how to get this free printable.

HOW TO GET THE FREE 30 DAY PRINTABLE HISTORY CHALLENGE

Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.

2) Grab the freebie now.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: History Resources Tagged With: hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, homeschool

Cool Turkey Country Facts For Kids | How to Make Hummus

January 24, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

A little map work, learning some cool Turkey country facts for kids, a great resource book, and a few activities and you have a great mini unit study. Also, look at my post Mini Unit Study: Geography Quest about The Country of Turkey.

That is exactly what I am sharing with you today, all about the fascinating country of Turkey with its blend of history, culture, and beauty.

Cool Turkey Country Facts For Kids | How to Make Hummus

If you get the chance to visit you can choose between exploring ancient ruins, indulging in delicious cuisine, or relaxing on pristine beaches.

Turkey has something to offer every traveler.

If not, you can still take a virtual tour through ideas I’m sharing today including a very easy hummus recipe.

You have probably purchased a tub of hummus in the store but you haven’t really had it until you have made it from scratch and put your own touch on it.

Let’s pack a bag and explore this amazing country shall we?

BOOKS ABOUT THE COUNTRY OF TURKEY FOR KIDS

First, look at these books either set in Turkey or about Turkey.

We prefer to read living books when we can find them about a subject.

7 Books about the Country of Turkey

Add these books to your reading day or to a unit study to learn about the fascinating country of Turkey.

Turkey (Countries)

An introduction to the history, geography, plants and animals, people, economy, cities, transportation, government, holidays and festivals, and culture of Turkey.

Turkey (Our Global Village Series)

Bring the world a little closer with these multicultural books. An excellent way for students to appreciate and learn cultural diversity in an exciting hands-on format. Each book explores the history, language, holidays, festivals, customs, legends, foods, creative arts, lifestyles, and games of the title country. A creative alternative to student research reports and a time-saver for teachers since the activities and resource material are contained in one book.

DK Eyewitness Istanbul (Travel Guide)

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Istanbul will lead you straight to the best attractions this city has to offer. Explore the must-see Hagia Sophia, take in the beauty of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, and don't miss out on the incredible street food.

Discover DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Istanbul.

   • Detailed itineraries and "don't-miss" destination highlights at a glance.

   • Illustrated cutaway 3-D drawings of important sights.

   • Free, color pull-out map (print edition) marked with sights, a selected sight and street index, public transit map, practical information on getting around, and a distance chart for measuring walking distances

   • Guided walking tours, local drink and dining specialties to try, things to do, and places to eat, drink, and shop by area.

   • Area maps marked with sights and restaurants.

   • Detailed city maps include street finder index for easy navigation.    • Insights into history and culture to help you understand the stories behind the sights.

   • Suggested day trips and itineraries to explore beyond the city.    • Hotel and restaurant listings highlight DK Choice special recommendations.

With hundreds of full-color photographs, hand-drawn illustrations, and custom maps that illuminate every page, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Istanbul truly shows you this city as no one else can.

Turkey (Exploring Countries)

Turkey, located on both the continents of Asia and Europe, is the birthplace of some of the worlds oldest

I See the Sun in Turkey (7)

A day in the life of a child in Turkey told from the child’s point of view. I See the Sun in Turkey is one of the books in the multiple award-winning I See the Sun in... series of bi-lingual picture books, each focused on one country and one day in the life of one child with a story told from the child’s perspective. I See the Sun in Turkey provides a unique introduction to the culture, family life and language of Turkey in a way that is age-appropriate and sensitive to the current culture and circumstances without becoming political. As with the other books in the series, the author has spent a considerable amount of time in Turkey, not merely as a tourist, but immersed in the environment and living with families who have opened their homes and their hearts to her. Includes facts about the country and a glossary for extended learning. Written in English and translated into Turkish.

Nearly Nonsense: Hoja Tales from Turkey

Nasrudin Hoja was a mullah (teacher) in Turkey. He was a busy man he worked in a vineyard, gave sermons at the mosque, and was sometimes even a judge. He did all of this with a nagging wife, a constant stream of uninvited visitors, and many animals. Although Hoja’s life wasn’t easy, his heart was always light and his observations about life held a witty twist. For instance, when his donkey got lost, his neighbors offered sympathy, but Hoja found the bright side: “Imagine if I were riding the donkey at the time. I’d be lost too!”Though the ten Hoja stories presented by Rina Singh and richly illustrated by Farida Zaman are funny, each one contains such insight into human nature that Sufi teachers use them to illustrate their teachings. Traditional Turkish Hoja stories are much-loved throughout Asia, and Nearly Nonsense brings them to a North American readership sure to enjoy them and, through laughter, to learn from them.

On Two Feet and Wings

He is in a foreign country, he is alone, and he is just a boy...Abbas Kazerooni is not yet ten, but he’s suddenly forced to leave his parents, his friends―his entire world―and flee Tehran. The Iran-Iraq war is at its bloodiest, and the Ayatollahs who rule Iran have reduced the recruitment age for the army. If Abbas doesn’t escape, it’s almost certain that he will be drafted and die fighting for a regime that has stripped his family of all they have.

On his own in the strange, often frightening city of Istanbul, Abbas grows up fast―with little more than his wits to guide him. He must conquer difficult things: how to live on his own, how to navigate a foreign city and culture when he doesn’t speak the language, and, most importantly, how to judge who is a friend and who is an enemy. Facing the unexpected as well as the everyday challenges of life on his own, Abbas walks a tightrope of survival―yearning to please the demanding father he has left behind, yet relishing his new found independence.

His quick thinking, entrepreneurial spirit, and the kindness of strangers allow him to make the best of his dire situation in surprising ways. Does he have what it takes to not only survive against these challenging odds but achieve his parents’ ultimate dream for him: a visa to England, and the safety it represents?

This compelling true story of one young boy’s courage provides a powerful child’s-eye view of war, political tumult, and survival.

Next, look at some facts about Turkey.

COOL TURKEY COUNTRY FACTS FOR KIDS

Turkey is a fascinating country that has a unique geographical position.

It straddles both Europe and Asia. Being in a transcontinental location has made it a bridge between the east and west and shaped its rich history and diverse culture.

GEOGRAPHY OF TURKEY

The capital of Turkey is Ankara, it is a modern and busy city that is the country’s administrative and political center.

However, the largest and most well-known city is Istanbul, which was once known as Constantinople, a major cultural and economic hub for centuries.

It has a strategic location on the Bosphorus Strait, which connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara which made it a crossroads of ancient civilizations and a melting pot of  modern cultures.

Turkey has a diverse landscape that ranges from towering mountains to fertile plains and stunning coastlines.

Mount Ararat is the highest peak in Turkey and while it has many beaches, Bodrum is considered Turkey’s very own Santorini with ancient and modern architecture to admire, restaurants, activities, and beautiful clean beaches.

The official language of Turkey is Turkish.

The vast majority of the population speaks Turkish (90%), but there are also minority languages spoken in certain areas including Kurdish, Zazaki and Arabic.

HISTORY OF TURKEY

Turkey is a renowned tourist destination, offering a wide variety of attractions for visitors. Its rich history includes numerous historical sites like ancient ruins, Byzantine churches, Ottoman mosques, and Seljuk caravanserais.

The Hagia Sophia located in Istanbul is a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture that has served as both a church and a mosque throughout its history.

The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, is a shopper’s paradise with its alleyways and countless stalls that sell everything from spices and textiles to jewelry and antiques.

Turkish cuisine is a delightful fusion of flavors and influences from various cultures, including Central Asian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean.

Kebabs, hummus, baklava, and Turkish coffee are just a few examples of the country’s culinary delights. Keep reading for my easy Hummus recipe.

Turkish culture is equally rich and diverse, with traditions and customs that have been passed down through generations.

Cool Turkey Country Facts For Kids | How to Make Hummus

Music, dance, and handicrafts play an important role in Turkish culture, and are celebrated through festivals and events throughout the year.

Turkey is an active member of the international community and is a member in important organizations such as NATO and the United Nations.

It plays a significant role in regional and global affairs, and its strategic location makes it an important partner for many countries.

Next, look at some hands-on activities.

THE COUNTRY OF TURKEY HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES

Take a look at a good map or atlas. Help your child identify which part of Turkey lies in Europe. We used First Atlas from DK, great for early elementary through upper elementary for a simple reference.

And look where it is in Asia.

Cool Turkey Country Facts For Kids | How to Make Hummus
  • Try playing one of these traditional Turkish Children’s Games  to get some gross motor work into your day.
  • Free Turkey Geography Country Report
  • Play this FREE Date Dash Turkey-Turkish History Card Game and learn more.
  • Let your children pick up a few words in a new language. Watch the Learn Turkish For Kids- Animals from Dino Lingo on ouTube.
  • Check out this amazing Turkish Bazaar Sensory Bin that lets children explore treasures from this amazing country.
  • Here is an outline map of Turkey with all it’s provinces to color and label.

PBS has a simplified Ebru Turksih Marbling Art project for kids. It demonstrates one of the beautiful crafts they are known for.

HOW TO MAKE HUMMUS

You will need:

  • 2 cups cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup tahini
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 cup water
  • Paprika, for garnish
Cool Turkey Country Facts For Kids | How to Make Hummus

First, In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.

Cool Turkey Country Facts For Kids | How to Make Hummus

Process until smooth and creamy, add water a little at a time as is needed to achieve desired consistency.

Cool Turkey Country Facts For Kids | How to Make Hummus

Give it a quick taste test and add more of whatever seasoning or other ingredient you like to make it just as you like it.

Transfer the hummus to a serving bowl and garnish with paprika.

Cool Turkey Country Facts For Kids | How to Make Hummus

Serve hummus with pita bread, pita chips, pretzels, or vegetables.

Cool Turkey Country Facts For Kids | How to Make Hummus

You can get wild and add more garlic, roasted red peppers, cilantro, mint, or toasted nuts to add a unique flavor to it.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, history, homeschool, turkey, Turkey the Country

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

January 11, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Compare 3 different regions with a Native American Triorama that focuses on each with contrasts and similarities. Also, look at my page Trioramas: How To Create Engaging Visual Narratives For Kids for more ideas. Too, you’ll love my page Native American Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning.

While they had much in common, the tribes of the coast, desert, and plains were each unique with their own traditions and way of life.

The Coastal Indians relied on the bounty of the sea.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

The Desert Indians adapted to arid conditions through agriculture and resourcefulness, and the Plains Indians followed the buffalo across the vast grasslands.

Let’s look at each of these areas and then translate that into a hands-on activity that gives students a wonderful canvas for sharing what they have learned about each.

Your child can include any features of each tribe on the 3 sides of your Native American triorama that you like.

For example, there are war facts, ceremonies, clothing to food, states they lived in, homes, and more.

For this project we focused on food, clothing, and homes.

To make this triorama really unique we decided to do it in a torn paper collage style, adding small details with markers.

This not only is great for building up fine motor skills but also creates a colorful and interesting display.

NATIVE AMERICAN BOOKS FOR KIDS

Then look at these books about Native Americans.

16 Books About Native Americans

You’ll love these books about various Native American tribes and how they lived and their rich history.

The Winter People

Saxso is fourteen when the British attack his village. It’s 1759, and war is raging in the northeast between the British and the French, with the Abenaki people Saxso’s people by their side. Without enough warriors
to defend their homes, Saxso’s village is burned to the ground. Many people are killed, but some, including Saxso’s mother and two sisters, are taken hostage. Now it’s up to Saxso, on his own, to track the raiders and bring his family back home . . . before it’s too late.

In Their Own Words: Sitting Bull

In Their Own Words: Sitting Bull tells the exciting story of Sitting Bull's life using real drawings, letters, and speeches from him and from his friends and family.A warrior I have been. / Now, it is all over. / A hard time I have.With these words, Sitting Bull surrendered to the U.S. government on July 20, 1881. Sitting Bull spent most of his life trying to protect his people. A proud father and brave warrior, Sitting Bull wanted the Lakota Sioux to continue hunting buffalo and roaming the Plains. Although he lost this battle, Sitting Bull is remembered for his brave actions and notable accomplishments.

Blackfeet Indian Stories

Here are the great stories of the Blackfeet, recorded by the famous conservationist and ethnologist, George Bird Grinnell, who became a tribal member in 1885. The Nizitapi, or Real People, as they call each other, were people of the buffalo. They originated on the plains of today’s southern Alberta, western Saskatchewan, and central Montana. Famed frontier artist George Catlin called the Blackfeet “the most
powerful tribe of Indians on the continent.” Like many native people, the Blackfeet have stories and legends that originated centuries ago, perhaps thousands of years ago, and were passed down from generation to generation through an oral tradition.

The Double Life of Pocahontas

In a story that is as gripping as it is historical, Newbery Honor-winning author Jean Fritz reveals the true life of Pocahontas. Though at first permitted to move freely between the Indian and the white worlds, Pocahontas was eventually torn between her new life and the culture that shaped her.

The Buffalo and the Indians: A Shared Destiny

Countless herds of majestic buffalo once roamed across the plains and prairies of North America. For at least 10,000 years, the native people hunted the buffalo and depended upon its meat and hide for their survival. But to the Indians, the buffalo was also considered sacred. They saw this abundant, powerful animal as another tribe, one that was closely related to them, and they treated it with great respect and admiration.

Hidden Roots

"Hidden Roots" focuses on the greater impact that the generations of Abenaki that followed had to deal with. Readers will learn about the loss of identity, history and culture;lack ofself worth and fear that Abenaki people were feeling, and still feel today. Middle grade readers love to see life as "being fair", and will totally understand that life is not fair in this story. This is a book that should be read in every middle school class, so that this history will not be forgotten, and never be repeated.

Children of the Longhouse

When Ohkwa'ri overhears a group of older boys planning a raid on a neighboring village, he immediately tells his Mohawk elders. He has done the right thing—but he has also made enemies. Grabber and his friends will do anything they can to hurt him, especially during the village-wide game of Tekwaarathon (lacrosse). Ohkwa'ri believes in the path of peace, but can peaceful ways work against Grabber's wrath?

Thunder Rolling in the Mountains

Through the eyes of a brave and in­dependent young woman, Scott O'Dell tells of the tragic defeat of the Nez Perce, a classic tale of cruelty, betrayal, and heroism.

This powerful account of the tragic defeat of the Nez Perce Indians in 1877 by the United States Army is narrated by Chief Joseph's strong and brave daughter.

When Sound of Running Feet first sees white settlers on Nez Perce land, she vows to fight them. She'll fight all the people trying to steal her people's land and to force them onto a reservation, includ­ing the soldiers with their guns.

But if to fight means only to die, never win, is the fight worth it? When will the killing stop?

Black Hawk

Before dying, Pyesa, Black Hawk’s father and chief of his people, commanded his son to defend their land from whites, who were trying to force the tribe off their land. Black Hawk, however, has no taste for killing and scalping and goes through great internal conflict. The story of this great-hearted leader shows how some whites and Native Americans were peaceful and kind, while others were not. Based on true events, this powerful book teaches about a difficult time period and shares profound, unique messages about love, faith, mercy, humility, friendship, forgiveness, and faith. Recommended for ages 13-18/Grade 7-12

Moccasin Trail (Puffin Newbery Library)

Jim Keath has lived for six years as a Crow Indian when he learns that his two younger brothers and a sister are journeying west to take up land. Although Jim finds it difficult to fit in with the family he hasn’t seen since childhood, and though they are wary and distrustful of him, Jim feels his duty is at their side. But slowly, as they survive the dangerous trek west, the perils of frontier life, and the kidnapping of their younger brother, Jim and his family realize that the only way to survive is to accept each other and truly reunite the family.

The Pueblo Indians,: Farmers of the Rio Grande

Young hawk lived over 400 years ago, but the civilization of the pueblo indians, already well advanced before any white settlers came into their land, has changed very little since his day.

Sacajawea

Captured by her enemies, married to a foreigner, and a mother at age sixteen, Sacajawea lived a life of turmoil and change. Then, in 1804, the mysterious young Shoshone woman met Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Acting as interpreter, peacemaker, and guide, Sacajawea bravely embarked on an epic journey that altered history forever. Hear her extraordinary story, in the voices of Sacajawea and William Clark in alternating chapters, with selections from Clark’s original diaries.

The Birchbark House (Birchbark House, 1)

She was named Omakakiins, or Little Frog, because her first step was a hop.

Omakakiins and her family live on an island in Lake Superior. Though there are growing numbers of white people encroaching on their land, life continues much as it always has.

But the satisfying rhythms of their life are shattered when a visitor comes to their lodge one winter night, bringing with him an invisible enemy that will change things forever—but that will eventually lead Omakakiins to discover her calling.

Naya Nuki: Shoshoni Girl Who Ran (Amazing Indian Children Series)

After being taken prisoner by an enemy tribe, a Shoshoni girl escapes and makes a thousand-mile journey through the wilderness to find her own people

Squanto, Friend Of The Pilgrims

Tells of the adventurous life of the Wampanoag Indian,Squanto.

Plains Indians (First Nations of North America)

This title teaches readers about the first people to live in the Plains region of North America. It discusses their culture, customs, ways of life, interactions with other settlers, and their lives today.

Next look at some of these facts about Native Americans.

I’ve some facts for each region.

COASTAL INDIANS/PACIFIC NORTHWEST

The indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest coast were remarkably diverse, made up of numerous tribes and language groups in the region.

These tribes included Chinook, Nez Perce, Haidi, Kwakiutl, Makah, and Tlingit.  Fishing,in particular salmon, was important to their existence.

They also spent much time hunting, gathering, and shellfish harvesting. The coastal tribes were known for their woodworking skills- crafting intricate canoes, totem poles, and longhouses.

Their longhouses, made from planks of tall cedar trees, were often elaborately decorated and used as dwellings for extended families and centers of community life.

Social structures were complex, with hereditary chiefs, skilled artisans, and warriors playing important roles.

Potlatches, ceremonial feasts involving gift-giving and displays of wealth, were central to social and economic relations.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

Learn how to draw a Pacific Northwest Coast Wolf head in the style of the tribes of the area.

DESERT INDIANS/SOUTHWEST

The dry and beautiful landscapes of the Southwest were home to diverse indigenous cultures that adapted remarkably to the harsh environment.

The Pueblo people, known for their adobe villages and sophisticated irrigation systems, cultivated crops like corn, beans, and squash.

The Navajo and Apache, semi-nomadic tribes, were skilled hunters and gatherers who also raised livestock.

 The Hopi, Zuni, and other Puebloan groups developed intricate pottery, weaving, and jewelry-making traditions.

Religion and spirituality were deeply ingrained in daily life, with elaborate ceremonies and rituals marking the changing seasons and ensuring agricultural success.

Cliff dwellings, such as those at Mesa Verde, and kivas, underground ceremonial chambers show the ingenuity and resilience of the desert-dwelling peoples.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

Learn how to make Adobe Bricks and look at my post Exploring Navajo Crafts for Kids: How to Make a Medicine Bag.

PLAINS INDIANS

The vast grasslands of the Great Plains supported a nomadic lifestyle centered on the buffalo. Tribes like the Sioux, Cheyenne, Comanche, and Blackfeet followed the herds, relying on them for food, clothing, shelter, and tools.

 Horses, later introduced by Europeans, revolutionized Plains Indian life, enabling greater mobility and hunting prowess.

Their homes were -Tipis, portable dwellings made of buffalo hides, and perfectly suited to their nomadic lifestyle.

Warfare, often driven by competition for resources and territory, was a significant aspect of Plains Indian culture. Warriors were highly respected, and their bravery and skill in battle were celebrated.

Spirituality was deeply connected to the natural world, with the sun, moon, and animals holding special significance.

The Sun Dance, a major religious ceremony, was a time for prayer, fasting, and renewal.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

For the plains Indian study you can include this How to Make a Kid’s Paper Bag Native American Vest and my page Native Americans The Plains Indians Unit Study & Lapbook.

Then look at these other themed ideas.

MORE TRIORAMA IDEAS

  • How to Make an Easy Rainforest Triorama With Kids
  • How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama
  • How to Make an Amazing Shakespeare Triorama Book Report
  • How to Make a Cool Greek Mythology Triorama With Kids
  • How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture
  • How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica
  • Amazing Geography Landforms: An Engaging Triorama Tutorial for Kids
  • How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies
  • How To Build A Water Habitat Triorama With Kids
  • How to Craft a Stunning Wolf Animal Triorama
  • How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska’s Amazing Features
  • How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions
  • How to Make A Pyramid Diorama For States Of Matter
  • The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama

HOW TO MAKE A NATIVE AMERICAN TRIORAMA

Finally, look at how make this Native American Triorama.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

You will need:

  • 3 -12×12 sheets of cardstock
  • Colorful construction paper
  • Glue sticks
  • Scissors
How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

First, fold all 3 sheets of cardstock from diagonal corners to form a triangle, crease well.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

Open and fold on the opposite corners, creasing again.

Open your paper and you should have 2 crisp intersecting lines.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

Cut from one corner to the center.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

And write ‘glue’ one either one of your cut sides to mark the triangle that will not be showing.

Leave your pieces open for easier decorating, we will glue them into their pyramid shape later.

Start by writing the tribal region alongside one corner.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

Then on each of the bottom corner write the features you will be highlighting- homes, dress, food.

Now, the fun really begins- shred, tear, or you could even use a hole punch to create your small pieces of all the colors you will need based on the images you have chosen to represent your tribes.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

Use glue to attach the torn bits of paper to the corresponding triangles to create your designs.

Allow to dry then assemble your triorama by folding the one marked glue underneath the opposite one and attaching with a generous amount of glue.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

Line your 3 trioramas up to compare the very different regions.

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

How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

January 4, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re putting together a triorama project all about the Cherokee Culture, using peg dolls, clay and paint to create their environment. Also, look at my pages Trioramas: How To Create Engaging Visual Narratives For Kids for more ideas and free Native American Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning.

Cherokee culture has a long and proud history.

The Cherokee people are one of the largest Native American tribes in the United States, with a population of over 300,000.

How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

Originally from the Southeastern Woodlands, they lived in what is now the southeastern United States.

This area includes parts of present-day Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.

In the 1830s, the Cherokee were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands in the Southeast in a process known as the Trail of Tears.

This forced removal resulted in the deaths of thousands of Cherokee people as well as the Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole people.

Despite all that they endured, the Cherokee people have maintained their culture and traditions.

And the Cherokee Nation is a federally recognized tribe with over 300,000 citizens and their own government, schools, and healthcare system.

There is so much to learn about the Cherokee.

BOOKS ABOUT THE CHEROKEE FOR KIDS

First, look at these books for kids.

When possible, I add living books to our reading list.

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.

Cherokee, Indians of the Mountains

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

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Here are some facts and a handful of great activities and resources to make this a fun and education packed study for you.

Then we will dive into a giant triorama project.

FACTS ABOUT CHEROKEE CULTURE

Here are some facts and a handful of great activities and resources to make this a fun and education packed study for you.

Then we will dive into a giant triorama project.

Language: The Cherokee language is an Iroquoian language spoken by over 30,000 people. It is one of the most widely spoken Native American languages in the United States.

Religion: The Cherokee people have a complex religious system that includes a belief in a creator god, a pantheon of lesser gods, and a belief in the power of spirits.

Art: Cherokee art is known for its intricate designs and vibrant colors. Cherokee artists use a variety of materials, including wood, stone, clay, and beads.

Music: Cherokee music is a strong and vibrant tradition. Cherokee songs are often used for storytelling, religious ceremonies, and social gatherings.

Dance: Cherokee dance is a powerful form of expression. It is used to tell stories, celebrate special occasions, and connect with the spirit world.

People: The most famous Cherokee Indian is widely considered to be Sequoya. He was known for inventing the Cherokee syllabary, a writing system for the Cherokee language that helped their people assimilate with American Society.

How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

Also, look at more Cherokee hands-on activity.

CHEROKEE RESOURCES AND ACTIVITIES

  • Take a look at my lapbook The Trail of Tears 1820 – 1845 Unit Study & Lapbook.
  • Make Cherokee Stickball Sticks, a game that is and was an important cultural tradition.
  • Explore Native American Culture: How to Make a Cherokee Rattle Craft
  • Cherokee Tribe History is a video just over 20 minutes long that paints a picture of the where, when, and how of their history.
  •  Native American Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning.
  • If you want to focus on the most well known of the Cherokee tribe is Sequoyah, Creator of the Cherokee Syllabary, Lesson Plans.

Then look at more triorama ideas.

TRIORAMA IDEAS

  • How to Make an Easy Rainforest Triorama With Kids
  • How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama
  • How to Make an Amazing Shakespeare Triorama Book Report
  • How to Make a Cool Greek Mythology Triorama With Kids
  • How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture
  • How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica
  • Amazing Geography Landforms: An Engaging Triorama Tutorial for Kids
  • How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies
  • How To Build A Water Habitat Triorama With Kids
  • How to Craft a Stunning Wolf Animal Triorama
  • How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska’s Amazing Features
  • How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions
  • How to Make A Pyramid Diorama For States Of Matter
  • The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama
How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

Finally, look at how to make this giant triorama project about Cherokee culture.

HOW TO MAKE A GIANT TRIORAMA PROJECT ABOUT CHEROKEE CULTURE

You will need:

  • A poster board
  • Wood peg dolls
  • Craft felt
  • Air dry clay
  • Craft paint
How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

First, cut your poster board into a square.

 I have one that is 22×28. I simply cut 6” off one side.

How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

Fold the poster board from corner to corner at an angle like this.

How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

Open and fold the opposite corner, be sure to press clean creases into each.

How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

Cut one of the center creases from the outside edge right up to the center point, the sides on either side of the cut will form your base.

How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

Draw or paint a scene on the triangles above the cut portion.

You can paint and design the background while it’s flat.

Or paint it after it’s glued together

Use a very thin layer of paint so that it dries quickly and doesn’t warp the paper.

Bend the bottom cut portion in and glue one side over top of the other, paint the exposed portion of the bottom to blend into your background.

How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

Paint peg dolls to look like Cherokee people.

Before the influence of Europeans, Cherokee people wore buckskin clothing which included leggings that went past the knee, breechcloths, and moccasins.

The women wore wraparound skirts.

Men decorated their bodies and faces with tribal tattoos and war paint.

How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

Use fine point paint pens or markers to add details. Set aside to dry.

While your paint is drying, use any kind of air-dry clay you like to create the details of your village like fire, homes, etc…

How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

 I prefer the model magic because it is super light and very easy to work with.

How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

Allow clay to dry overnight and paint.

How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

Use markers or paint pens to add details like design to your small pots.

Set up your scene and step back to admire your amazing giant triorama.

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

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