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Awesome U.S. States Book for Kids & Easy Michigan Craft

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

The U.S. States Book for Kids is one of my favorite resources for teaching geography to younger children. Too, look at my page Hands-On Simple And Best Homeschool Geography Ideas & Tips for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.

It is a fun, colorful, oversized book full of maps and fantastic information for learning about each of our 50 states.

If you’re studying the 50 states in your homeschool or classroom, combining a fun book with a hands-on craft is a great way to make the lesson come alive

Awesome U.S. States Book for Kids & Easy Michigan Craft

Just look at all the wonderful information each double-page spread includes for teaching every state from Alabama to Wyoming.

Each map includes:

  • A moment to remember box with a list of significant dates and their events in the state’s history
  • A welcome box with a short introduction to the state
  • Key facts, including the capital, state bird, flower, and tree, and statehood order
  • State icons celebrating the state’s people, places, and history
  • Six inspiring people who have a connection to the state
  • Region spotlight bubbles to allow you to discover more about one particular place

First, look at these other geography books for kids.

GEOGRAPHY BOOKS FOR KIDS

10 Geography Children's Books

I have a list of some of my favorite books for different ages, locations, and styles to help you choose a few to add to your library.

Then, look at a few more facts about the book.

ABOUT THE U.S. STATES BOOK FOR KIDS

It saves you a lot of time pulling all this neat info together and is so much more engaging than a dry textbook.

You will be surprised how much your child will retain from this more relaxed approach to geography.

Each state’s map also contains information about which states it neighbors, its bodies of water, and its borders, as well as where it is situated in the country.

Did you know that while Hawaii shares its border with no one, both Missouri and Tennessee border eight other states? Many state parks, battlefields, national forests, and reservations are also included to

Today, we are going to explore the U.S. states book for kids and focus on one in particular as we create an easy Michigan handprint map craft that helps children remember “The Mitten State.”

Awesome U.S. States Book for Kids & Easy Michigan Craft

Also, look how to use it as a geography spine.

HOW TO USE THE U.S. STATES BOOK FOR KIDS AS A GEOGRAPHY SPINE

  • Take one state per week to focus on, dig deep.
  • Mark each state on a map as you read.
  • Talk about symbols like Michigan’s state bird (the American Robin) or state flower (the apple blossom).
  • Study famous people and landmarks from each state.
  • Add in hands-on learning, like crafts, recipes, or state reports.
  • Draw or print pictures of each state’s symbols.
  • Write a few sentences about what makes each state unique.
  • Challenge older kids to learn the state capitals.
  • Check out videos on landmarks, flora, and fauna from each one.

Next, look at more activities.

RESOURCES TO USE WITH THE U.S. STATES BOOK FOR KIDS

Awesome U.S. States Book for Kids & Easy Michigan Craft

Finally, look at how to make this fun map of Michigan.

EASY MICHIGAN HANDPRINT MAP CRAFT

This simple craft is a creative way to help kids remember Michigan’s shape and location.

You will need:

  • Fun background paper
  • Green cardstock or construction paper
  • Blue cardstock or construction paper
  • Glue stick
  • scissors
Awesome U.S. States Book for Kids & Easy Michigan Craft

First, trace your child’s left hand onto a piece of green cardstock, but rather than tracing each finger, draw around it in a mitten shape, grouping the 4 fingers and the thumb.

Awesome U.S. States Book for Kids & Easy Michigan Craft

It should basically look like this.

Awesome U.S. States Book for Kids & Easy Michigan Craft

Cut out the mitten shape as well as the general shape of the upper peninsula.

Awesome U.S. States Book for Kids & Easy Michigan Craft

For the Great Lakes tear pieces of blue paper into each of the 5.

Awesome U.S. States Book for Kids & Easy Michigan Craft

Label- Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Superior, and Lake Erie around your mitten.

Awesome U.S. States Book for Kids & Easy Michigan Craft

Let your child glue the upper and lower peninsula into place on a fun background.

We chose a patterned paper with snowflakes because it created a great opportunity to talk about the climate of a state so different than our own.

Awesome U.S. States Book for Kids & Easy Michigan Craft

Add the lakes in their correct spots around Michigan.

How Big Is Scotland & How To Make A Kilt Craft

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

How big is Scotland? Today, we are going to find out a whole lot more about this amazing country. Also, look at my post Free Scotland Lapbook For Kids Who Love Hands-On Learning.

Scotland is a beautiful country located in the northern part of the United Kingdom.

And Scotland is actually quite large compared to what most people think.

How Big Is Scotland & How To Make A Kilt Craft

Scotland covers about 30,000 square miles, which is roughly the same size as the U.S. state of South Carolina.

And Scotland is smaller than England, which is its neighbor to the south.

Too, it takes about 8 hours to drive from the top to the bottom so it’s not really too big or too small of a country.

BOOKS ABOUT SCOTLAND FOR KIDS

Next, look at these books about Scotland.

I prefer to use living books when we can find them.

6 Books About Scotland

Add books about Scotland to your homeschool unit study. I have books for multiple ages.

Also, here are more fun facts about the geography and history of Scotland.

  • Language- English is the main language, but many Scots also celebrate their historic languages- Scottish Gaelic and Scots.
  • National Symbol- The thistle, a prickly purple flower, is Scotland’s national emblem.
  • National Animal- Believe it or not, it’s the unicorn. The unicorn was chosen as a symbol of purity, strength, and pride.
  • Famous Landmarks- Edinburgh Castle, the Isle of Skye, the Highlands, and Stirling Castle are among the most visited places.
  • Inventions – Scots have contributed greatly to science and technology, including the invention of the telephone (Alexander Graham Bell), penicillin (Alexander Fleming), and even television (John Logie Baird).
  • Culture- Scotland is known for its traditional Highland Games. Also for bagpipe music, ceilidh dancing, and, of course, its famous patterned fabric, tartan.
How Big Is Scotland & How To Make A Kilt Craft

Also, we learned about tartan.

Tartan is one of Scotland’s most recognizable symbols. It’s a patterned cloth made of crisscrossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colors.

THE HISTORY OF TARTAN

Today, tartan is often associated with kilts, scarves, and blankets, but its history goes back thousands of years. The earliest known tartan in Scotland was around 3,000 years ago. It was found preserved in peat bogs.

By the 1600s and 1700s, tartan had become more than just clothing; it was a symbol of clan identity.

Each Scottish clan (family group) developed its own distinctive tartan pattern. Wearing your clan’s tartan showed loyalty and pride in your heritage.

After the Battle of Culloden in 1746, the British government banned tartan and other Highland clothing as a way to control the clans.

For nearly 40 years, it was illegal to wear tartan in Scotland! When the law was finally lifted, tartan came back stronger than ever. It is an important symbol of Scottish pride and unity.

Tartan is worn all over the world, not just by Scots. People of Scottish ancestry often find their family tartan and use it in weddings, home décor, or crafts like our paper-folding tartan kilt.

There are over 7,000 official tartan patterns registered today. There are ones for families, regions, military units, and even modern creations like the Scottish Parliament tartan or the Balmoral tartan worn by the royal family.

MORE SCOTTISH CRAFTS TO MAKE

Finally, look at this fun tartan kilt craft.

HOW TO MAKE A KILT CRAFT

If you want to make this craft simpler, you can pick up tartan prints of cardstock at your local craft store or on Amazon. I thought it would be really fun to design our own tartan pattern.

Classic tartan is made up of a combination of blues, greens, reds, yellows, blacks, and whites. It has a palette of 3 to 5 of these colors.  But this is YOUR tartan pattern, have fun with it.

You will need:

  • Cardstock
  • Colored pencils, markers
  • A ruler
  • Brown cardstock
  • Scissors
How Big Is Scotland & How To Make A Kilt Craft

First, you can start with any size you like. We began from a 12×12 piece of cardboard but found a shorter height looked better, so we cut it down to 8”.

Choose a base color cardstock, or you can even start with white and color that in.

Once you have your base, begin drawing lines of varying thickness using a ruler and a colored pencil or marker in one direction. For white lines go over heavy with a white colored pencil or paint marker so that it shows well

How Big Is Scotland & How To Make A Kilt Craft

Add a 2nd, 3rd, and so on color in lines.

How Big Is Scotland & How To Make A Kilt Craft

Flip the paper and begin making your pattern in the other direction.

How Big Is Scotland & How To Make A Kilt Craft

When your pattern is done, take a brown piece of cardstock and draw a belt and a large oval to create a Sporran, this is what was used to hold personal belongings since kilts don’t have pockets.

How Big Is Scotland & How To Make A Kilt Craft

Cut out the belt and sporran, draw lines for fur/fringe on the bottom half of the oval, fold it over and glue in place.

How Big Is Scotland & How To Make A Kilt Craft

Add a button to the folded portion.

How Big Is Scotland & How To Make A Kilt Craft

Find the center of your page and mark it, begin making ¼” accordion pleats from the outside in.

How Big Is Scotland & How To Make A Kilt Craft

Repeat on both sides until you have left about ⅓ unfolded in the center.

How Big Is Scotland & How To Make A Kilt Craft

Gather the pleats at the top and tape or staple to the center flat piece.

How Big Is Scotland & How To Make A Kilt Craft

Finally, glue the belt and sporran into place.

The World Of Slimy Insects: Snails Versus Slugs Unique Comparison

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

Most kids love slimy insects like snails, slugs, worms and grubs. They find them endlessly fascinating to observe, poke, capture in jars, sometimes in pockets, and squeal in delight to. Also, look at my page Free Kids Insect Unit Study for more ideas.

If you’ve ever walked outside after a rainy day, you may have spotted slimy little creatures crawling on the ground or across a leaf.

Sometimes it’s a snail carrying its spiral shell, and sometimes it’s a slug, which looks a lot like a snail but without the shell.

The World Of Slimy Insects: Snails Versus Slugs Unique Comparison

First, let’s explore what makes slugs and snails the same and then what makes them different, and of course, why both are fascinating creatures.

After that, we are going to design our own adorable little snails from an egg carton that turns a science lesson into an art lesson.

BOOKS ABOUT MOLLUSKS FOR KIDS

8 Books About Mollusks

Add some of these books to your home library or to your unit study for the day.

Next, look at these facts about slimy insects.

5 SLIMY INSECT FACTS

  1. Some snails can live on land, while others live in water-there are more than 40,000 species of snails in the world.
  2. Slugs and snails have thousands of tiny teeth. They don’t chew like people do. Instead, they use a special tongue called a radula, which works like a rough file to scrape or cut up food.
  3. The biggest land snail, the Giant African Land Snail, can grow as long as a loaf of bread!
  4. Slugs and snails both have tentacles on their heads. The longer pair has eyes at the tips, while the shorter pair helps them smell and feel.
  5. Their slime isn’t just gross—it’s useful! It helps them stick to surfaces and even crawl upside down.
The World Of Slimy Insects: Snails Versus Slugs Unique Comparison

Also, look at the similarities and differences between slugs and snails.

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN SLUGS AND SNAILS

They have a family connection– Slugs and snails are both gastropods, which is a fancy word that means “stomach-foot.” That’s because they crawl using a big, muscular foot located on the underside of their body.

They both leave slime trails– Both leave behind a trail of slime or mucus. This helps them move smoothly over rough surfaces and keeps their bodies from drying out.

They are moisture lovers– They both need damp places to survive because their skin can dry out easily. That’s why you usually see them after rain or in shady gardens.

They share favorite foods–  Slugs and snails both munch on plants, fruits, vegetables, and even decaying leaves. Gardeners often have to watch out for them, because they can nibble on lettuce and strawberries.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SLUGS AND SNAILS

Shell or No Shell- Snails carry a coiled shell on their back. They use it as a home and protection from predators. If danger comes, a snail can pull its body inside the shell. Slugs don’t have a visible shell. Without one, they have to hide under rocks, soil, or leaves to keep safe and stay moist.

Size and Shape- Snails often look bulkier because of their shell. Slugs are slimmer and can squeeze into smaller spaces, like under bark or into tiny garden cracks.

Speed- Neither slugs nor snails are very fast (there’s a reason we say something is moving “at a snail’s pace”). But without a shell to carry, slugs can sometimes move a little quicker.

Protection- Snails have their shells as natural armor. Slugs rely on camouflage and staying hidden. Their soft bodies make them more vulnerable.

MORE SLIMY INSECT CRAFTS & ACTIVITIES

Finally, look at how to make this an egg carton craft of a snail.

COLORFUL EGG CARTON SNAIL

You will need:

  • Cardboard egg carton
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Watercolor paints
  • Paint brushes
  • Google eyes
  • Hot glue or tack glue
The World Of Slimy Insects: Snails Versus Slugs Unique Comparison

First, cut out as much of the “cup” of the egg carton as you can, trim it so the bottom is smooth and even.

The World Of Slimy Insects: Snails Versus Slugs Unique Comparison

Let your child use their imagination to paint their snail natural or fanciful colors with watercolor paints and brushes. You can also use regular craft paints. We just love the wash of watercolor on the cardboard.

The World Of Slimy Insects: Snails Versus Slugs Unique Comparison

Set aside to dry.

Bend a pipe cleaner in half, leaving a loop at one end and twisting it from the loop to about ½” to 1” from the end.

The World Of Slimy Insects: Snails Versus Slugs Unique Comparison

Bend the loop end and hot glue it to the underside of the snail shell.

The World Of Slimy Insects: Snails Versus Slugs Unique Comparison

Now glue googly eyes in place on each of the antennae.

The World Of Slimy Insects: Snails Versus Slugs Unique Comparison

That’s it, you now have the cutest little snail or two to play with as you learn all about them.

Explaining Thunder And Lightning To Preschoolers Easy Sensory Bin

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We’re explaining thunder and lightning to preschoolers by creating an easy sensory bin. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more ideas.

Too, see my post Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning.

Some weather concepts like thunder and lightning can be harder to explain to preschoolers.

Explaining Thunder And Lightning To Preschoolers Easy Sensory Bin

Of course one of the best ways to help them understand is to see lightning and listen to the roll of thunder on a stormy day.

Also, we can use examples. For example, lightning is like a big flashlight in the sky. But lightning moves faster than anything they’ve seen.

And thunder sounds like boom because hot air explodes.

WEATHER BOOKS FOR KIDS

Next, look at some of the living books about weather.

Pictures books are great for all ages but especially for preschoolers.

13 Weather Resources and Books For Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Grab some of these fantastic weather resources and books to engage your youngest learners about what is weather.

Next, look at more hands-on weather experiments.

MORE HANDS-ON WEATHER ACTIVITIES

Explaining Thunder And Lightning To Preschoolers Easy Sensory Bin

Finally, look at this easy lightning sensory bin.

HOW TO MAKE A LIGHTNING SENSORY BIN

First, look at this easy list of supplies.

  • Black beans
  • Yellow pipe cleaners
  • Cotton balls
  • Blue beads
Explaining Thunder And Lightning To Preschoolers Easy Sensory Bin

Pour black beans into the bin to cover the bottom. This represents the night sky.

Bend yellow pipe cleaners into zigzag shapes to look like lightning.

Explaining Thunder And Lightning To Preschoolers Easy Sensory Bin

Add cotton balls around the bin as clouds.

Sprinkle blue beads on top to act as raindrops.

Explaining Thunder And Lightning To Preschoolers Easy Sensory Bin

Place all the pieces so it looks like a stormy sky.

Next, look at ways to use this sensory bin.

WAYS TO PLAY

  1. Kids can sort the items by type: clouds, raindrops, and lightning.
  2. They can pretend play by making a thunderstorm: hide lightning in the clouds, drop raindrops down into the sky, or “flash” lightning across the beans.
  3. Use the bin for fine motor play by scooping, pouring, and picking up beads with fingers or tongs.
  4. Encourage kids to create storm scenes, moving clouds around and arranging lightning bolts in different spots.
  5. For a calming activity, they can simply run their hands through the beans, cotton, and beads, feeling the textures.

BENEFITS OF LEARNING THROUGH PLAY

  • Sparks curiosity and early science discussions about weather and thunderstorms.
  • Builds fine motor skills through scooping, pouring, and picking up small items
  • Encourages imaginative play and storytelling about storms
  • Promotes sensory exploration with different textures (beans, cotton, beads, pipe cleaners)
  • Supports sorting and categorizing skills
  • Provides a calming, hands-on activity for focus and self-regulation

How to Use Hamilton: An American Musical Literature Guide

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Wait until you see all the amazing features of a literature guide, though we are using a unique one that covers a musical rather than a book this time. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool High School.

If you’re homeschooling middle or high school students, chances are you’ve heard of Hamilton: An American Musical.

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway phenomenon has stolen the hearts and minds of history buffs, theater lovers, and teenagers.

How to Use Hamilton: An American Musical Literature Guide

But did you know that you can turn the excitement of Hamilton into a rich literature and history study for your homeschooler?

The Hamilton Literature Guide is designed specifically for this purpose; it blends history, music, and language arts into one engaging curriculum.

With its detailed lesson prompts, creative projects, and cross-curricular ideas, the guide transforms a popular Broadway musical into a rich and memorable educational experience.

HAMILTON LITERATURE GUIDE

Hamilton: An American Musical - An Instructional Guide for Literature

Novel Study Guide for 6th-12th Grade Literature with Close Reading and Writing Activities 

What I really loved about this guide is that it weaves in many of the assignments in the form of tweets, comics, text messages, and writing your own rap to make them relatable and relevant to our teenagers today.

*I do want to note if you have not already seen this play, it does contain mature content and profanity throughout the songs, so you may want to preview them before beginning.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR HAMILTON

How to Use Hamilton: An American Musical Literature Guide

Then, look at more literature guides.

LITERATURE GUIDES FOR TEENS

Now, let’s take a look at how you can use the guide step by step in your homeschool…

HOW TO USE HAMILTON: AN AMERICAN MUSICAL LITERATURE GUIDE

1. SET THE STAGE: BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

The guide begins with an overview of the Author Lin-Manuel Miranda, other plays and texts for comparison, and a summary of the musical itself.  The guide breaks down the musical into 4 sections based on the songs.

Before diving into the lessons, review the background notes and recommended readings included in the guide. These provide you and your child with a clear foundation for understanding the story as they listen to the songs and work through activities.

  • Create a timeline of Hamilton’s life and the major events featured in the musical.

2. STUDY THE LYRICS AS LITERATURE

One of the unique strengths of this guide is its focus on the musical’s lyrics as literature. Students are invited to treat the songs like poetry, analyzing wordplay, rhythm, and metaphor. The guide includes questions that point out literary devices and challenge students to interpret meaning.

  • Ask your learner to identify foreshadowing in Burr’s opening number, “Wait for It” or analyze how repetition adds intensity in “Non-Stop.”

3. COMPARE STORYTELLING WITH HISTORY

Discussion questions help students think critically about historical accuracy and artistic license. Have your child compare and contrast where the musical aligns with or differs from historical fact.

  •  Compare how Thomas Jefferson is portrayed in Hamilton with his actual role in shaping American politics.
  • What events from Hamilton’s life were left out, and why might Miranda have chosen to omit them?

4. CREATIVE CONNECTIONS AND PROJECTS

The guide itself includes project-based assignments that allow students to make personal and creative connections with the material.

  • Write an original rap or spoken-word poem about a Founding Father.
  • The guide encourages you to create a staging and lighting plan for the scene “Burn” if you were to recreate it yourself.
  • There are creative prompts for creating with the story elements-characters, setting, music, and plot.

You can also challenge your learner to…

  • Create a costume sketch for one of the characters.
  • Design a modern poster advertising Hamilton as if it were a new Broadway release.

These assignments keep the lessons fun and interactive, especially for our creative learners.

5. STRENGTHEN WRITING SKILLS

The Hamilton Literature Guide provides essay prompts and writing activities for both formal and creative writing. Students can practice persuasive writing, analysis, and reflection while also exploring Hamilton’s life. The deeper dives into vocabulary and figurative language also helps develop writing skills.

6. EXPAND ACROSS SUBJECTS

The guide doesn’t stop at literature. It offers cross-curricular connections that tie the musical into multiple subjects.

In addition to the ideas in the guide, have your child…

  • Study excerpts from the Federalist Papers.
  • Discuss Hamilton’s financial system and national debt plan.
  • Explore how hip-hop, rap, and Broadway traditions influenced the show.

7. END WITH REFLECTION

By the end of the study, students not only gain knowledge of history but also learn how storytelling and art shape our understanding of the past.

One of the features I really liked from this literature guide was the final activity called  ”Who Tells Their Story?” where students are encouraged to choose another founding person from early American history and research them.

Then, a challenge to pick a major event and write a song or scene from their life.

Host a family or homeschool group showcase where students share their essays, art projects, or performances inspired by the guide. Of course, you will want to encourage them to create a costume for a character from the musical.