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2027 to 2028 Free Homeschool Year Round Schedule Planning Calendars

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have the 2027-2028 homeschool year round schedule free planning forms. And I have two color choices. Grab other gorgeous planning pages on my Homeschool Planner and 7 Step Curriculum Planner page.

This homeschool planning schedule is not just a calendar; it is a form to both plan and track your schedule. Besides, when you create a well thought out schedule you are more effective in your teaching.

2027 to 2028 Free Homeschool Year Round Schedule Planning Calendars

Instead of being rigid, a schedule frees your mind of stress. In addition, even if you started in August or September, you can use the schedule because it is twelve months.

Remember, I create both academic and physical year calendars.

Although the homeschool planning schedule calendars may seem similar to plain calendars, let me assure you they are not.

THREE DIFFERENT HOMESCHOOL CALENDARS

And I create three different types of calendars each year.

The three different types of calendars I prepare each year are.

  1. Regular calendar for reference. I normally put two or three in my planner.
  2. A planning schedule like I have today which I create both an academic and physical year.
  3. Then the two page per month calendar for tracking appointments.
2027 to 2028 Free Homeschool Year Round Schedule Planning Calendars

Also, you need at least one of each type of calendar in your homeschool planner.

HOMESCHOOL PLANNING SCHEDULE

Here are some features and sections it has.

  • First, 12 months on one page so if you school year round, you can still track;
  • is a calendar where highlight weeks you plan to homeschool and mark out weeks you take off;
  • is used to track each day and total weeks by writing down; and

Next, it has a comprehensive key box at the bottom of the form for you to note things like first day of school, holidays, quarters, and goals for days and weeks to homeschool.

Look at these other homeschool planner products that I know you’ll love!

EVEN MORE PLANNING FORMS

Look at the free forms for each STEP. Be sure to go to each link to get the free printables offered at each step.

Then you get BOTH color choices in this one download. Above is the Blush color option.

And below is the second color choice. It’s the Tumbled color option.

2027 to 2028 Free Homeschool Year Round Schedule Planning Calendars

Now, how to grab the freebie.

It’s a subscriber freebie.

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

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

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

Homeschool STEM Activities: The Ivory Soap Experiment

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Homeschool STEM activities are a wonderful way for your child to explore a wide variety of science topics, from learning about scientific inquiry to what happens when you mix an alkaline and an acid.

If you are looking for a simple science experiment that feels like magic while teaching real scientific concepts, the Ivory soap experiment is one of the best hands-on activities you can try. And that is what I am sharing with you today.

Homeschool STEM Activities: The Ivory Soap Experiment

Using just a bar of Ivory soap and a microwave, kids can watch an ordinary soap bar transform into a giant fluffy cloud right before their eyes. It is quick, inexpensive, easy to clean up, and perfect for homeschool science lessons, rainy afternoons, or family fun nights.

Children get excited because they are able to see chemistry and physics happening in real time.

The dramatic change in size captures their attention immediately, creating an excellent opportunity to spark a conversation about how matter changes.

BOOKS ABOUT NOTABLE STEM FIGURES

First, add a few of these books about famous STEM figures.

We prefer living books. Add a few to your home library.

8 Notable STEM Figures

Add some of these books to your reading day about science and famous inventions.

Then, here are more fact about the Ivory soap experiment.

ABOUT THE IVORY SOAP ACTIVITIY

To explain simply how this works, Ivory soap contains tiny air pockets that are whipped into the soap during manufacturing. In fact, Ivory soap is famous for floating in water because of the air trapped inside.

When the soap is heated in the microwave, the air and water molecules inside begin to expand rapidly. The heat softens the soap while the expanding air pushes outward, and this causes the soap to puff up into a giant foam structure.

This experiment demonstrates several scientific concepts, including expansion caused by heat, physical changes in matter, air trapped inside materials, and how microwave energy interacts with water molecules. It is a wonderful visual example of how heat can change the properties of a substance.

Homeschool STEM Activities: The Ivory Soap Experiment

To keep them engaged, have older kids research why microwaves heat water molecules or compare the results between different soap brands.

For younger children, this experiment encourages observation skills, prediction-making, and sensory exploration. It is especially engaging for those hands-on learners who benefit from seeing science in action rather than simply reading about it.

MORE THAN A KITCHEN SCIENCE ACTIVITY

Children do not expect a hard soap bar to grow into a giant, fluffy sculpture. The rapid transformation creates excitement and wonder, which is exactly what makes science meaningful and fun.

Experiments like this also help children connect learning with everyday life. They begin to realize that science is not limited to textbooks or laboratories. It can happen right in the kitchen using ordinary household items.

The Ivory Soap Experiment is more than just a fun kitchen activity. We can use it to introduce vocabulary words and scientific thinking.

Here are a few questions to ask children during the experiment:

  • What do you think will happen to the soap?
  • Why does the soap get bigger instead of melting flat?
  • How does the texture change after heating?
  • Is this a physical change or a chemical change?

MORE AMAZING HOMESCHOOL STEM ACTIVITIES

  1. 3 Dinosaur Stem Activities Elementary Kids Will Love
  2. How to Make Bouncy Balls: Easy 5-Minute DIY Kids Love
  3. 11 Awesome Beach Theme STEM Activities | Quick Sunscreen Painting Experiment
  4. Walking Paper Horse: Easy STEM Project That Actually Moves!
  5. Explore The Great Outdoors: Nature STEM Activities For Homeschool Freebie
  6. Straw Rockets STEM Kids’ Craft – Backyard Summer Camp
  7. Summer Cool Stem Projects For All Ages Free Printable
  8. National STEM Day – Popsicle Sticks for Creative DIY STEM Projects
  9. 3 Easy Penguin Activities And Penguin Slide STEM Activity
  10. How to Make Awesome Tin Can Wind Chimes | KidMinds
  11. 3 Dinosaur Stem Activities Elementary Kids Will Love
  12. Famous Stem Figures And Easy Stem Activities At Home
  13. Electricity STEM: Lighting Up a Shoebox Tiny House
  14. 15 Star Wars STEM Activities Ideas | Fun Flashlight Science and DIY Lightsaber

Now look at how to do this activity.

IVORY SOAP EXPERIMENT

You will need:

  • One bar of Ivory soap
  • A microwave-safe plate
  • A microwave
  • Optional: safety gloves or oven mitts
Homeschool STEM Activities: The Ivory Soap Experiment

Start by placing the bar of Ivory soap on a microwave-safe plate. You can use the whole bar or cut it into smaller pieces if you prefer.

Homeschool STEM Activities: The Ivory Soap Experiment

Put the plate in the microwave and heat the soap for about one to two minutes.

Homeschool STEM Activities: The Ivory Soap Experiment

 Watch carefully through the microwave window as the soap begins to puff up dramatically.

Homeschool STEM Activities: The Ivory Soap Experiment

Within seconds, the soap expands into a large, soft, cloud-like structure that looks almost like whipped foam.

Homeschool STEM Activities: The Ivory Soap Experiment

Once the microwave stops, allow the soap to cool slightly before touching it. The texture becomes light, crumbly, and surprisingly airy.

Kids love exploring the finished product because it feels completely different from the original solid bar. Let them scratch it with fingernails, skewers, crumble it apart with their hands,  and observe it under a magnifying glass.

Homeschool STEM Activities: The Ivory Soap Experiment

The expanded soap can then be used after the experiment for sensory play or used over time as a gigantic fun soap to wash hands with.

A few tips for success…

  • Use only Ivory soap for the classic fluffy effect; other brands don’t produce the same reaction.
  • Watch the experiment carefully while microwaving; do not overheat the soap. One to two minutes is usually enough.
  • Allow the soap to cool before handling.
  • Place a paper towel under the plate for easier cleanup if desired.

Free Lapbook Canada For Kids Who Love Hands-On Learning

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a free lapbook Canada for your kids who love hands-on learning. Also, look at my page Homeschool Lapbooks – Powerful Tools For Mastery Learning for more lapbook ideas. 

Canada is a country in North America. It is located just north of the United States and stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.

It is a fascinating country full of natural beauty, diverse cultures, and unique wildlife. By creating a lapbook, you can organize everything you learn in a creative and memorable way.

Free Lapbook Canada For Kids Who Love Hands-On Learning

Canada is filled with natural wonders and landmarks. For example, some famous landmarks are Niagara Falls, Banff National Park and the Rocky Mountains.

And many kinds of animals live in Canada making it a fun science and nature study too.

For instance, they have moose, beavers, polar bears, Caribou, Arctic foxes and bald eagles.

BOOKS ABOUT CANADA FOR KIDS

Next, I’ve rounded up some books about or set in Canada.

We prefer living books when we can find them.

10 Books About Canada or Set In Canada

Add a few of these books about Canada or set in Canada to your home library.

Also, add these hands-on ideas to your study of Canada.

HANDS-ON IDEAS FOR LEARNING ABOUT CANADA

Free Lapbook Canada For Kids Who Love Hands-On Learning

MORE COUNTRY, CONTINENT AND STATE LAPBOOKS

Next, look at the minibooks included in this lapbook.

MINIBOOKS IN THE CANADA LAPBOOKS

  • Weather & Seasons in Canada
  • Fun Facts About Canada
  • Animals that live in Canada
  • Famous Landmarks
  • Canada is famous for..
  • Did You Know….
  • Discover Canada map

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

HOW TO GET THE FREE CANADA LAPBOOK

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 instantly.

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

How To Make A Fun Intertidal Zone Diorama

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I am going to show you how to make a fun and easy intertidal zone diorama that helps your child understand the makeup and creatures of the shoreline. Also, look at my page Seashore Beach Watching Unit Study and Seashore Lapbook.

The intertidal zone is one of the most unique ecosystems on Earth. It is the area along the shoreline that is underwater during high tide and exposed to air during low tide. Because the tides change every day, the environment in the intertidal zone is constantly changing.

How To Make A Fun Intertidal Zone Diorama

The animals and plants that live here must be able to survive the crashing waves, salty water, bright sunlight, strong winds, and changing temperatures. Despite these challenges many organisms still thrive in this habitat.

To create my intertidal zone diorama, we used paper mache made from toilet paper- inexpensive, and always easy to find. It is a great art medium.

FUN SEASHORE BOOKS FOR KIDS

And adding books to your day can make this a full unit study or science outside day.

Next, add some of these books to your home library.

7 Seashore & Beach Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Choose a few of these seashore themed books to go along with your study of the beach and seashore. Whether you're looking for a spine for a unit study or literature, you'll love this roundup.

We also included plastic sea animals.

CREATURES OF THE INTERTIDAL ZONE

And some made out of air-dry clay and paint to show you that you can use one or all of these to fill in your sea creatures and plants.

CRABS

One of the most common animals in the intertidal zone is the crab. Crabs are crustaceans with hard exoskeletons that protect them from predators and rough waves. They move sideways quickly and often hide under rocks or inside crevices to stay safe and moist when the tide goes out. Many crabs are scavengers, meaning they help clean the ecosystem by eating dead plants and animals.

STAR FISH

Sea stars use hundreds of tiny tube feet on the underside of their bodies to grip rocks tightly and avoid being swept away by waves. They are predators that feed on mussels and clams by prying open their shells. One amazing fact about sea stars is that they can regrow lost arms if they become injured. Some species can even regenerate an entirely new body from a single arm.

BARNACLES

Barnacles are small animals that permanently attach themselves to rocks, docks, and even whales. At first glance, they may look like shells or rocks, but they are actually crustaceans related to crabs and lobsters. Barnacles protect themselves with hard outer plates that close tightly during low tide to keep water inside their bodies. When the tide returns, they open and use feather-like appendages called cirri to catch tiny plankton from the water. Large groups of barnacles often form crowded colonies along rocky shores.

MUSSELS AND CLAMS

Mussels attach themselves to rocks using strong, thread-like fibers called byssal threads. These threads help them stay anchored even during strong waves. Clams, on the other hand, bury themselves in sand or mud for protection. Both mussels and clams are filter feeders, meaning they filter tiny food particles and plankton from the water.

SEA ANEMONES

Soft-bodied animals related to jellyfish and corals. They may look like underwater flowers, but they are actually predators. Their tentacles contain stinging cells used to capture fish and small marine animals. Sea anemones are commonly found in tide pools where water remains trapped during low tide. Some species can survive out of water for short periods by keeping moisture inside their bodies.

SEAWEED AND ALGAE

Seaweed provides shelter and food for many marine creatures. It is flexible, allowing it to bend with waves instead of breaking. Some seaweeds also contain air bladders that help them float closer to sunlight for photosynthesis. Different colors of algae grow at different tide levels depending on how much sunlight and water they need.

OYSTERS

Shellfish, found in some intertidal zones, especially in estuaries and coastal wetlands. Oysters attach themselves to rocks and to each other, forming large oyster reefs. These reefs provide shelter for fish, crabs, and other marine animals. Oysters are filter feeders and can clean large amounts of water every day by removing algae, dirt, and pollutants.

SEA CUCUMBERS

Soft-bodied marine animals related to sea stars and sea urchins. They move slowly along the ocean floor using tiny tube feet. Sea cucumbers are important because they help clean the ecosystem by eating decaying matter and organic material found in the sand. After digesting the nutrients, they release cleaner sand back into the environment. Some sea cucumbers can even defend themselves by releasing sticky threads or parts of their internal organs to distract predators.

How To Make A Fun Intertidal Zone Diorama

SEA SPONGES

Sponges attach themselves to rocks and remain in one place for their entire lives. They survive by filtering water through tiny holes in their bodies and collecting microscopic food particles. Sponges provide shelter for small fish, shrimp, and other marine creatures. Even though they may look like plants, sponges are actually animals and are very important for keeping ocean water clean.

IDEAS TO EXPAND THE INTERTIDAL ZONE DIORAMA

Next, look at more activities to add to this study.

HOW TO MAKE A FUN INTERTIDAL ZONE DIORAMA

You will need:

  • Toilet Paper
  • Water
  • School glue
  • Plastic ocean animals- crab,
  • Clay
  • Bowl
  • Strainer
  • Craft paints/brushes
How To Make A Fun Intertidal Zone Diorama

Use a scrap of cardboard from a leftover box as a base.

How To Make A Fun Intertidal Zone Diorama

Soak the entire roll of toilet paper in a bowl of water until soaked through then remove the center. Depending on the size of your diorama you may need two or more

Squeeze out excess and allow it to drip in a strainer until the majority of the water is out.

How To Make A Fun Intertidal Zone Diorama

Tear toilet paper into small pieces and place them back into the  bowl (without the water) and then mix in about one cup of white glue. Stir the mixture until it forms a thick pulp.

Use your pulp to recreate the ocean floor at the shoreline, creating a gentle slope at one end by laying it on thickly and then adding less paper as you go. I included some dry paper at the start to help as filler, the water and glue will bind it all together.

How To Make A Fun Intertidal Zone Diorama

Use a roller to squeeze out excess moisture and press everything together so it sticks well.

How To Make A Fun Intertidal Zone Diorama

To smooth everything out a bit better I finished with a layer of dry toilet paper and pressed it into the wet.

How To Make A Fun Intertidal Zone Diorama

 After shaping the design, allow it to dry completely, which may take one or two days.

After your ocean floor is dry you can paint it to resemble sand and allow that to dry for an hour or two.

How To Make A Fun Intertidal Zone Diorama

Now you are finally ready to add your ocean creatures. While everything is drying it is the perfect time to gather your plastic sea creatures, make some from leftover paper mache, or clay and finish them off with paint. This is great for sea weed, sea cucumbers, sponges, and to create the body of a hermit crab

We were also able to incorporate shells that we had from previous beach trips to make a hermit crab, a snail, and even an oyster with a pearl.

Place everything where you would like it and you have a simple intertidal zone diorama model.

Free Babylon Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on History

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I have a free Babylon lapbook to add to your study of ancient civilizations. Also, look at my page Homeschool Lapbooks – Powerful Tools For Mastery Learning for more lapbook ideas. Too, you’ll love my Free Mesopotamia Lapbook For Kids Who Love Hands-On Learning.

Ancient Babylon was one of the most important cities in the ancient world. It was located in Mesopotamia, near the Euphrates River, in what is now modern-day Iraq.

Free Babylon Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on History

Ancient Babylon may have existed thousands of years ago, but its inventions, laws, and discoveries still influence the modern world today

Lapbooks turn history into a creative project instead of just memorizing facts. And there are numerous facts that your child can include in his lapbook.

One of Babylon’s most famous rulers was Hammurabi. He created one of the earliest written law codes called the Code of Hammurabi.

Babylonians wrote using a system called cuneiform. They pressed wedge-shaped symbols into wet clay tablets using a reed stylus.

BOOKS ABOUT THE MESOPOTAMIA REGION FOR KIDS

Next, look at these books about the Mesopotamia region.

When possible, we prefer living books then add reference books with our unit studies.

7 Books to Read About Ancient Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia is a region situated within the Tigris–Euphrates River system, in the northern part of the Fertile Crescent. Today, Mesopotamia occupies modern Iraq.  In the broader sense, the historical region included present-day Iraq and parts of present-day Iran, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey.

And the Hanging Gardens of Babylon are one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

We did a hands-on project about the gardens. Adding more hands-on ideas to your unit studies helps learning stick.

HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES TO LEARN ABOUT ANCIENT BABYLON

Free Babylon Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on History

MORE ANCIENT CIVILIZATION LAPBOOKS

Next, I had some half-baked minibooks until I created the whole lapbook. So, I included my earlier free minibooks.

  • An Ancient Babylon cover sheet to use on the outside file folder when you cut it in half or to use for a notebook cover.
  • King Nebuchadnezzar dream flip book
  • King Nebuchadnezzar notebook page
  • Hanging Garden matchbook
  • Tower of Babel notebook

And then look at the minibooks included in this lapbook:

  • What do people eat
  • Fun Facts about Babylon
  • Where was Babylon
  • Famous Places
  • What did people wear
  • The Code of Hammurabi

HOW TO GET THE FREE ANCIENT BABYLON LAPBOOK

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 instantly.

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