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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.

The Egypt Game

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

Tales of Ancient Egypt (Puffin Classics)

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

The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt (Landmark Books)

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

The Buildings of Ancient Egypt

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

Science in Ancient Egypt (Science of the Past)

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

Great Ancient Egypt Projects: You Can Build Yourself

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

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

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

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

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

Boy of the Pyramids

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

The Golden Goblet

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

Seeker of Knowledge: The Man Who Deciphered Egyptian Hieroglyphs

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

The Egyptian Cinderella

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

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

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

Augustus Caesar's World

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

The Lost Queen of Egypt: The Tomb of Nefertiti

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

Pyramid

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

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

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

Pharaoh's Boat

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

The Winged Cat

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

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.

11 Books About or Set in India for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

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

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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4 Week Free China Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

November 11, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a free 4-week China unit study for kids. Look at these other Best Homeschool Unit Studies for more ideas and topics for hands-on learning.

China is one of the world’s oldest civilizations.

So, this unit study for multiple ages is geared toward Ancient China.

4 Week Free China Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

In addition, we are focusing on China’s rich history, culture, food, animals, inventions, and landmarks.

However, because this is a multiple age study topics like the Opium Wars and the philosophical views of Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism I feel are for older students.

Too, I will list famous people in history which will give your children a feel for the period.

ANCIENT CHINA BOOKS FOR KIDS

First, living books and picture books bring this period to life.

When possible, I try to always include reading of living books. Then I add reference books to our list.

12 Books & Resources For Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read to About Ancient China

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

Zheng He, The Great Chinese Explorer: A Bilingual Story of Adventure and Discovery

In the West, legendary explorers like Christopher Columbus, Ernest Shackleton and Sir Edmund Hillary are a recognized part of our history. But in China, that legend belongs to the great explorer Zheng He (1371–1433), who lived during China's renowned Ming Dynasty. Zheng He, the Great Chinese Explorer is a bilingual (English and Chinese) tale of his adventures.

When he was a child, Zheng He dreamed of foreign lands, his imagination was inspired by the travels of his father and grandfather and the wonderful items they brought back from trading trips to the West. A simple but exotic porcelain vase in cobalt, a color not found in China at the time, drove Zheng He to discover the origins of this unique color—and become one of the most famous explorers in China's history.

Chee-Lin: A Giraffe's Journey

Eighty years before Columbus, China sent ships to explore the world.The Chinese discovered many marvelous things, but one discovery stood out above the others: the chee-lin.This chee-lin was just a giraffe, but to the Chinese it was an omen of good fortune so rare that it had appeared only once before—at the birth of Confucius.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

A Time Magazine 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time selection!​A Reader’s Digest Best Children’s Book of All Time​!This stunning fantasy inspired by Chinese folklore is a companion novel to Starry River of the Sky and the New York Times bestselling and National Book Award finalist When the Sea Turned to SilverIn the valley of Fruitless mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life's questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her family's fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer.Grace Lin, author of the beloved Year of the Dog and Year of the Rat returns with a wondrous story of adventure, faith, and friendship. A fantasy crossed with Chinese folklore, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a timeless story reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz and Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon. Her beautiful illustrations, printed in full-color, accompany the text throughout. Once again, she has created a charming, engaging book for young readers.

Science and Scientists (True Stories From Ancient China)

Ancient China has a long history of scientific excellence. Learn more about some of China’s greatest scientific wonders and the scientists who studied them. Features stories about astronomy, seismology, mathematics, calendar-making, and geography.

The Warlord's Beads (Warlord's Series)

Clever Chuan devises a simple way for his father to quickly and accurately count all the warlord's treasure.

The Five Chinese Brothers (Paperstar)

The classic picture book about five clever brothers, each with a different extraordinary ability, has been in print for almost 80 years."An original nonsense tale told with...spirit and gusto." -- The Horn Book

The Great Wall Of China (Aladdin Picture Books)

Angela FIsher's The Great Wall is an "awe-inspiring, impressive, black and gray illustrations set the tone for this history of the building of the Great Wall of China." (School Library Journal)

The Story about Ping

No one can deny the appeal of the book's hero, Ping, the spirited little duck who lives on a boat on the Yangtze River. Ping's misadventures one night while exploring the world around his home form the basis of this timeless classic, which is brought to life by Kurt Wiese's warm and poignant illustrations.

In the Forbidden City (We All Live in the Forbidden City)

Serving as the seat of imperial power for six centuries, the Forbidden City is one of China's most famous and enigmatic landmarks. Accompanied by a mischievous cat, readers will tour this colossal architectural structure, discovering the secrets hidden inside the palace walls. They will encounter the people who have walked through its halls and gardens, including emperors, empresses, and rebel leaders, and hear exciting tales about the power struggles and intrigues of everyday life.This large format book conveys the grandeur of the Forbidden City through highly detailed line drawings of its buildings, gardens, and courtyards with numerous fold-out spreads. Each page is populated by a large variety of characters and peppered with entertaining anecdotes. Every book includes a plastic magnifying glass for looking at the drawings more closely."Readers receive a lavish tour of the Forbidden City, once home to Chinese emperors and now a museum, courtesy of Chiu and the Design and Cultural Studies Workshop, which he founded. Delicate line drawings highlight the architectural intricacies of the nearly 178-acre complex (several foldout spreads emphasize its size) while Chiu examines the Ming and Qing dynasties in thorough detail, along with major events in the palace's history. (In one foldout scene, 24 emperors offer pithy, even brusque notes on their reigns — "I was entirely unaccomplished," says Emperor Longqing.) A magnifying glass is wisely included to help readers appreciate the wealth of visual detail." — Publishers Weekly

The Emperor Who Built The Great Wall

DID YOU KNOW that China was named after its first emperor – the brilliant, all-powerful emperor who built The Great Wall? In this book, discover why he started building the Wall, how he made China the biggest country on earth, and what treasures he hid in his secret tomb. Find out how he became one of the most important people in the history of China. Read all about the first emperor’s fascinating life in The Emperor Who Built The Great Wall.The simple language and beautiful illustrations make this book a wonderful reader or bedtime story. It is suitable for all ages, but children aged six to twelve years will especially enjoy reading this book.~ About the ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA… Series ~China has a long history, but its many stories are often too complex for children. In this series, Jillian Lin retells China’s best historical tales so they are easy and fun to read. Children will embark on a journey through time where they will get a glimpse inside the colorful lives of famous Chinese figures. Beautiful illustrations, gripping stories, and fascinating facts make these books wonderful readers or bedtime stories for ages six and above. Other titles in this series include:The King Without A Throne (Confucius)The Mountain Man Of Music (Zhu Zaiyu)The Miracle Doctor (Hua Tuo)The Girl Who Became Emperor (Wu Zetian)The Dreamer Of Stars (Zhang Heng)The Greatest Explorer In The World (Zheng He)The Pirate King (Koxinga/Zheng Chenggong)

Where Is the Great Wall?

More than two thousand years ago, with his land under constant attack from nomads, the First Emperor of China came up with a simple solution: build a wall to keep out enemies. It was a wall that kept growing and growing. But its construction came at a huge cost: it is believed that more than a million Chinese died building it, earning the wall its nickname--the longest cemetery on earth. Through the story of the wall, Patricia Brennan Demuth is able to tell the story of China itself, the rise and fall of dynasties, the greatness of its culture, and its present-day status as a Communist world power.

DK Eyewitness Books: Ancient China: Discover the History of Imperial China―from the Great Wall to the Days of the La

A spectacular and informative guide to the history of the great Chinese empire and the customs and traditions of its people.  Stunning real-life photographs and lifelike models offer a unique "eyewitness" view of life in imperial China, from its earliest beginnings in the Bronze Age to its final years in the early 20th century. See the stunning bronze work of the ancient Chinese and the beautiful techniques used for Chinese calligraphy. Learn why the First Emperor created the Terracotta Army, what kinds of goods were carried along the Silk Route, who invented paper, and much, much more. 

Let’s dive into some of the history and geography.

HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY CHINA UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 1

First, here are a few of the major dynasties:

  • Xia Dynasty
  • Shang Dynasty
  • Zhou Dynasty
  • Qin Dynasty
  • Han Dynasty

Besides the many fascinating dynasties that have existed in China, there are many beautiful geographical landmarks.

  • Free Ancient China Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on History
  • How To Make The Great Wall Of China Out Of Paper
  • If your kids want to create their own scrolls, look at my post How To Make Paper Look Old Craft With Kids.
  • Investigate the Silk Road with Marco Polo and make Terracotta Army with my unit study and free lapbook Free Marco Polo Unit Study, Lapbook, and Hands-on Ideas
  • Make a timeline and grab these free Chinese Timeline Figures.
  • The History Unboxed -Ancient China Unboxed is affordable and includes some really neat information as well as hands on activities like -Coloring the Great Wall, excavate your own ancient Chinese replica artifact, taste an ancient preparation of tea, decorate and fly an ancient style of kite, and making a magnetic compass.
  • Also, for younger kids look at this fun printable All About China book. Scroll to the bottom for the free pdf link.

GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES OF CHINA

  • Yellow River (Huang He). The second-longest river in China.
  • Yangtze River. The longest river in China and Asia.
  • Great Wall of China. It wasn’t just a wall but a fortification to protect them from invasions.
  • Himalayas. The highest mountain range in the world.
  • Gobi Desert. A large desert in northern China and southern Mongolia.

And here are some historical people to research.

Confucius, Qin Shi Huang, Laozi, Zheng He and although not really ancient, Qiu Jin is celebrated as a heroine.

Marco Polo traveled along the Silk Road in the 13th century and wrote about his adventures in China. We did a whole unit study about him.

NATURE & SCIENCE CHINA UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 2

Another fun topic to discuss about their contributions to inventions.

For example, there is paper, a compass, gunpowder, and silk.

Also, learn about some of the animals and plants and trees in China.

  • DIY Easy Compass Activity
  • Learn about silkworms. Look at this cool Dissect a Silkworm Cocoon.
  • Learn about Chinese medicine. Discuss what is Yin and Yang and what it means to take a holistic approach. Explain what is cupping and the benefits of ginseng, ginger, and goji berry.
  • Th red-crowned crane is found in wetlands and is known for its impressive courtship dances.
  • The cinnamon tree is native to China. Look at this fun page to learn about growing a cinnamon tree at home.
  • Research about the giant panda.Read about pandas here.
  • Design and create a Chinese Garden
  • Make kites like they did back then.
  • China is known for various types of tea, including green, black, and oolong.
  • The snow leopard big cats live in the mountainous areas of Tibet.
  • The lotus is a beautiful flower that grows in a pond in China.
  • Look at the science of how tea is made.

MATH & LANGUAGE ARTS CHINA UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 3

Also, look at these hands-on math and language arts ideas.

  • Introduce students to the Chinese abacus (suanpan), an ancient tool used for arithmetic. Look at my post 8 Ancient China Activities For Kids | How To Make An Abacus.
  • The Tangram is China’s most famous puzzle game. Use 7 geometric pieces and other shapes to assemble a puzzle. We made our own tangram puzzle pieces here where we played a similar game.
  • Practice writing Chinese characters. Look at this post Chinese Character Printmaking Project.
  • Create a list of Chinese Proverbs and learn their meaning. For example, A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness and He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever.
  • Build the Wall of China. We did ours with paper. Look at my post How To Make The Great Wall Of China Out Of Paper. But measure the length and width and calculate how long it will need to stretch across your dining room table.
  • Investigate Ancient Chinese currency like the bronze coin and cowry shells.
  • Research about the Chinese calendar which is a lunar calendar and compare with the Gregorian calendar.
  • Read ancient Chinese folktales like The Monkey King and The Legend of Mulan. Look at this Paper Doll Mulan Craft for Kids.
  • Comparing Ancient Chinese and Western Literary works.
4 Week Free China Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

ARTS & CRAFTS CHINA UNIT STUDY WEEK 4

Finally, look at some of these fun arts and crafts to do along your unit study.

  • Kids Ancient China Activity | How To Make a Simple Ming Dynasty Craft
  • Another fun activity to do together is to cook traditional Chinese foods like dumplings or rice.
  • Craft tea cups and have a traditional tea ceremony.
  • Learn how to make noodles.
  • Quick and Easy Ancient Chinese Paper making for Kids
  • Make a fan.
  • Make paper Chinese dragons.
  • Chinese paper cutting is one of the most popular folk arts in China. Look at this fun Chinese Paper Cutting of a Horse.

A lot of Ancient China then like now is rural.

However, China was home to some of the most advanced cities on earth.

Not only did they excel in architect like the monasteries but their people learned poetry, how to play a musical instrument and performed beautiful dances.

What part of Ancient China are you focusing on?

Leave a CommentFiled Under: My Unit Studies {Free Printables & Hands-on Ideas} Tagged With: Ancient China, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, homeschool, unit studies, unit study, unit study approach

Exploring Navajo Crafts for Kids: How to Make a Medicine Bag

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

I have some great Navajo crafts for kids for you starting with a tutorial on how to make a medicine bag. You’ll also love my page Native American Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning.

Medicine bags were made from leather. For example, they used buckskin from deer, elk, or buffalo and stitched together with sinew or rawhide lace.

However, we are going to modify it a bit for simplicity and to keep our craft affordable.

Exploring Navajo Crafts for Kids: How to Make a Medicine Bag

Also called a medicine bundle, a medicine pouch is a traditional Native American bag for various items that have totemic, spiritual, or supernatural power.

The Navajo word for medicine pouch is- jish.

Additionally, the Navajo Indians, also known as the Diné, are the largest Native American tribe in the United States.

They live on the Navajo Nation, a vast reservation that spans parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.

Besides, the Navajo people have a rich culture and history that dates back centuries.

Next, look at some of these fun books.

BOOKS ABOUT THE NAVAJO FOR KIDS

8 Books about the Navajo Past and Present for Kids

Add one or two of these books to your reading day or home library.

Navajo Coyote Tales

Coyote encounters Rabbit, Fawn's Stars, Crow, Snake, Skunk Woman, and Horned Toad in these 6 delightful, English-language adaptations of traditional Navajo Coyote stories collected by anthropologist William Morgan and translated by him and linguist Robert W. Young.

Sing Down the Moon

In this powerful novel based on historical events, the Navajo tribe's forced march from their homeland to Fort Sumner is dramatically and courageously narrated by young Bright Morning.

Like the author's Newbery Medal-winning classic Island of the Blue Dolphins, Scott O'Dell's Sing Down the Moon is a gripping tale of survival, strength, and courage.

Little Navajo Bluebird

Describes the simple life among Navajo's today-caring for sheep, weaving blankets and making jewelry and an Indian child passionately rejects white society and its ways and wants to belong only to her own tribal group.

Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two

Throughout World War II, in the conflict fought against Japan, Navajo code talkers were a crucial part of the U.S. effort, sending messages back and forth in an unbreakable code that used their native language. They braved some of the heaviest fighting of the war, and with their code, they saved countless American lives. Yet their story remained classified for more than twenty years. But now Joseph Bruchac brings their stories to life for young adults through the riveting fictional tale of Ned Begay, a sixteen-year-old Navajo boy who becomes a code talker. His grueling journey is eye-opening and inspiring. 

The Water Lady: How Darlene Arviso Helps a Thirsty Navajo Nation

Underneath the New Mexico sky, a Navajo boy named Cody finds that his family's barrels of water are empty. He checks the chicken coop-- nothing. He walks down the road to the horses' watering hole. Dry. Meanwhile, a few miles away, Darlene Arviso drives a school bus and picks up students for school. After dropping them off, she heads to another job: she drives her big yellow tanker truck to the water tower, fills it with three thousand gallons of water, and returns to the reservation, bringing water to Cody's family, and many, many others. Here is the incredible and inspiring true story of a Native American woman who continuously gives back to her community and celebrates her people.

The Navajo: Herders, weavers, and silversmiths

Native American Studies, Cultural Studies

Songs from the Loom: A Navajo Girl Learns to Weave

Jaclyn Roessel live in Kayenta, Arizona, on the Navajo reservation. Like most young girls, Jaclyn has many interests. She likes her math class, she plays basketball and volleyball, and she loves in-line skating. She is also interested in rug weaving, and she has asked her grandmother to teach her how to weave. For the Navajos, weaving is more than a craft or hobby. It is an important part of the culture and history of the Dine―the people. Jaclyn's grandmother has explained that she wants Jaclyn to learn not just the technique of weaving but the stories and songs that go along with it. These stories about Spider Woman and Changing Woman have been passed down from generation to generation. In Songs from the Loom, photographer and writer Monty Roessel accompanies Jaclyn and her grandmother as they shear sheep, gather plants to dye wool, and weave a rug. Navajo rugs are highly valued and hang in museums around the world. This book looks at what the beautiful rugs mean to the Navajos.

Girl Who Chased Away Sorrow, The Diary of Sarah Nita, a Navajo Girl (Dear America)

As one of the latest editions to the Dear America series, this tale provides the first-hand account of a Navajo girl who, along with her family and friends, endured the hardships of the Long Walk in an effort to survive and reach her final destination.

But before we get onto our crafts and resources here is some good information to share about the past and present-day Navajo people.

ALL ABOUT THE NAVAJO PEOPLE OF PAST AND PRESENT

Navajo History

The Navajo people are believed to have originated in the Southwest around 1,500 years ago.

They were originally nomadic people who hunted, gathered, and farmed.

Over time, they developed a complex society with a strong oral tradition and a deep connection to the land.

They were believed to have settled in the Four Corners region of the southwestern United States, which includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado.

 Another idea is to have your child locate this area on a map.

Exploring Navajo Crafts for Kids: How to Make a Medicine Bag

Navajo Culture

The Navajo people have a rich culture that is based on their traditions and beliefs.

They are known for their beautiful arts and crafts, including weaving, pottery, and jewelry making.

They also have a strong oral tradition, and their stories and legends have been passed down from generation to generation.

The Long Walk

In the 1860s, the Navajo people were forced to leave their homeland.

They walked over 300 miles to a reservation in New Mexico.

This journey, known as the Long Walk, was a difficult time for the Navajo people. Many died along the way. Those who survived were forced to live in harsh conditions on the reservation.

The Navajo Nation Today

Today, the Navajo Nation is a thriving community with over 170,000 members. The Navajo people have worked hard to preserve their culture and traditions, and they have also made great strides in education and economic development.

The Navajo people have a strong oral tradition.

And their stories and legends have been passed down from generation to generation.

Exploring Navajo Crafts for Kids: How to Make a Medicine Bag

They have overcome many challenges, and they continue to thrive today. The Navajo people are an important part of the American story, and their contributions to our country are immeasurable.

FUN FACTS ABOUT THE NAVAJO INDIANS

The Navajo Code Talkers were a group of Navajo soldiers who used their native language to send secret messages during World War II.

  • The Navajo call their traditional homelands Dinétah, which means “among the People”.
  • The Navajo Nation is the largest Native American reservation in the United States today.
  • They primarily made their home in a Hogan. It was built from wooden poles, tree bark, and mud. They were typically octagonal or hexagonal in shape, with a conical roof made from mud or clay. The door faced east towards the sun.
  • The Navajo language is the most spoken Native American language in the United States.
  • The Navajo people are known for their beautiful arts and crafts, including weaving, pottery, and jewelry making.

EXCITING NAVAJO CRAFTS FOR KIDS

  • Make this Navajo Fry Bread recipe and have a taste of a staple menu item of their traditional diet.
  • Check out my Free Navajo Code Talkers Worksheet and How to Make Dog Tags Activity.
  • Navajo Ribbon Weaving
  • To go along with your crafts use this Native American Unit Study to cover many different areas and tribes.
  • Try Navajo Sand Painting for kids as a unique history/art lesson.

HOW TO MAKE A MEDICINE BAG

You will need:

  • Felt
  • Twine or cording
  • beads
  • Scissors
  • Hot glue gun/sticks
  • needle and thread
Exploring Navajo Crafts for Kids: How to Make a Medicine Bag

First, fold a piece of brown felt in half and cut out a large pocket shape from both pieces at the same time so that they match up.

Exploring Navajo Crafts for Kids: How to Make a Medicine Bag

Cut small openings along the top edge of both pocket halves, this is where you will thread your drawstring.

Exploring Navajo Crafts for Kids: How to Make a Medicine Bag

Cut a strip off the scraps (or use a new piece) the same length as the base of your bag, cut strips all the way across not quite cutting through to create a fringe.

Exploring Navajo Crafts for Kids: How to Make a Medicine Bag

Hot glue the fringe across the bottom of one side of the pocket and set aside.

Exploring Navajo Crafts for Kids: How to Make a Medicine Bag

Take the other half of the pocket and run a needle that has been threaded and knotted through one side of the pocket.

Knot it wherever you would like your beading to start.

Run it through and slide beads in any pattern you like over the needle.

When you are satisfied with your design run the needle back through to the first side.

Exploring Navajo Crafts for Kids: How to Make a Medicine Bag

Drop down and repeat as many lines as you like.

Exploring Navajo Crafts for Kids: How to Make a Medicine Bag

Hot glue the two sides together, stopping the glue just before the top edge where your cording will go.

Exploring Navajo Crafts for Kids: How to Make a Medicine Bag

Start threading your cording at the ‘back’ of the bag going both ways, in and out all the way around to the front.

Exploring Navajo Crafts for Kids: How to Make a Medicine Bag

Cut off excess cord, leaving enough to tighten the bag and cinch it.

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

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