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Best Free 4 Week Penguin Study Unit | Fun Study Packet

December 17, 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 penguin study unit for kids. Look at these other Best Homeschool Unit Studies for more ideas and topics for hands-on learning.

Also, I have a fun study packet if you want to dive deeper into studying penguins.

With their upright stance and short legs, penguins are recognized by their waddle.

Best Free 4 Week Penguin Study Unit | Fun Study Packet

But what makes them unique is that they are actually birds.

They have wings and are covered with feathers. They lay eggs and are warm-blooded animals.

Too, all penguin species live in the Southern Hemisphere. But they don’t all live in cold climates.

Several species live in tropical areas. For example, the Galápagos penguin is a penguin native to the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador.

It is the only penguin found north of the equator.

Additionally, there are many different kinds of penguins.

Emperor penguins are the largest species of penguin and can grow to be about four feet tall. Some other well known penguins are the King, the Macaroni, and the Adelie.

PENGUIN BOOKS FOR KIDS

Also, grab one or more of these books to your learning day.

I prefer living books when I can find them.

11 Penguin Books & Resources for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Add some of these books and resources about penguins to your learning day.

Image for Penguin's Way

Penguin's Way

With a new children’s book imprint, the Bodleian Library brings beloved classics back into print, beginning with a beautiful storybook about the life of a fascinating Antarctic species. Originally published in 1962, Penguin’s Way by Johanna Johnston tells the surprising story of these creatures, complete with colorful artwork by award-winning illustrator Leonard Weisgard. In Penguin’s Way, a playful colony of emperor penguins lives on the edge of a faraway secret sea. During the summers, the penguins are content to fish and swim in the icy waters. But, when the seasons change, they must travel more than one hundred miles to the snowy lands surrounding the South Pole. All across the snow plain, the penguins sing songs to welcome newly hatched chicks into the world, but how will the fluffy newborns survive the freezing winter? Few things pique children’s curiosity about the world around them better than a good book. Brought back for a new generation of young readers, Penguin’s Way offers a fun and creative introduction to these fascinating animals.

Image for Mr. Popper's Penguins: All-Time Popular Children Book

Mr. Popper's Penguins: All-Time Popular Children Book

Charming Characters: Meet the endearing Mr. Popper and his comical penguins, each with their distinct personalities and quirks, creating a delightful and memorable cast of characters.

Whimsical Adventures: Follow Mr. Popper and his penguins on a series of whimsical escapades, as they navigate unexpected challenges and create joyous chaos in their small town.

Heartwarming Message: Experience the heartwarming message of friendship, family, and the importance of embracing the unexpected, as Mr. Popper's life is transformed by the presence of his unusual feathered companions.

Image for Whiteblack the Penguin Sees the World

Whiteblack the Penguin Sees the World

Whiteblack the Penguin is worried. He has run out of stories for his radio show, a dire situation for the Chief Storyteller of Penguinland. So Whiteblack decides to travel in search of new tales to share. The result is a journey that spans the globe and not only introduces the precocious penguin to a host of colorful characters but teaches him about the power of friendship and what it means to be a hero. Originally created in 1937, while the Reys lived in Paris, this delightful story is being published for the first time, and is sure to enchant readers young and old. From the creators of Curious George, Whiteblack the Penguin Sees The World is a timeless tale with all the hilarity and childlike sense of adventure characteristic of the Reys’ previous work.

Image for The Emperor's Egg: Read and Wonder

The Emperor's Egg: Read and Wonder

Can you imagine spending the winter outdoors in Antarctica without anything to eat? That’s just what the male Emperor penguin does. While his mate is off swimming and catching loads of fish, he stands around in the freezing cold with an egg on his feet for two whole months, keeping it warm and waiting for it to hatch. Welcome to the story of the world’s most devoted dad!

Image for Penguins!: Strange and Wonderful

Penguins!: Strange and Wonderful

A new edition to the acclaimed Strange and Wonderful series. The seventeen species of penguins come in all sizes and are fascinating in many other ways. The little blue penguin, the smallest, stands about sixteen inches high, and the emperor penguin, the largest, stands almost four feet tall. Some penguins are named for how they look, such as the black-footed penguin, while others are named for where they live, such as the Galapagos penguin. Laurence Pringle's informative book, with stunning illustrations by Meryl Henderson, introduces young readers to the life and behavior of one of nature's most remarkable birds.

Image for 12PCS Realistic Penguin Figurines

12PCS Realistic Penguin Figurines

This penguin figures set was made by hand painted with high realistically detailed appearance, cute face and childish eyes. Their uniquely molded textures and richly painted details make the animals vivid. And all the animal figures stands up very well, they do not fall over. Children would like to spend more time to observe and play with them.

Image for The Great Penguin Rescue: Saving the African Penguins

The Great Penguin Rescue: Saving the African Penguins

African penguins waddle around nesting colonies in lower numbers than ever before. Despite South African government efforts to protect the penguin colonies and their ocean fish supply, young penguins still struggle to survive. Fuzzy chicks waiting for food in open nests may overheat in the sun or become prey. Others simply may not get enough food to survive on their own once their parents leave. But new conservation methods, including rescuing and hand-feeding vulnerable chicks, are giving experts hope. Can volunteers and scientists help save Africa's only penguins before it's too late?

Image for March of the Penguins

March of the Penguins

This documentary chronicles the heroic and harrowing journey that emperor penguins make amid subfreezing temperatures and violent snowstorms at the South Pole in order to mate.

Image for 365 Penguins (Reissue)

365 Penguins (Reissue)

A family finds a penguin mysteriously delivered to their door every day for a year. At first they’re cute, but with every passing day, the penguins pile up—along with the family’s problems. Feeding, cleaning, and housing the penguins becomes a monumental task. They’re noisy and smelly, and they always hog the bathroom! And who on earth is sending these kwak-ing critters? Bright, striking illustrations with lots of opportunity for counting (and lots of laughs), 365 Penguins has become a perennial wintertime favorite.

Image for Penguin: A Season in the Life of the Adélie Penguin

Penguin: A Season in the Life of the Adélie Penguin

Beautiful, full-color photographs and an engaging first-person narrative introduce young readers to an Adelie penguin family's first view of the harsh, wild Antarctic environment.

Image for Penguins!

Penguins!

An illustrated introduction to those wonderful waddling water birds!Living only in the southern hemisphere, there are seventeen different kinds of penguins.  With bright watercolor illustrations and kid-friendly language, Gail Gibbons introduces these black and white birds, describing where and how they live, what they eat, and how they hatch their young.   An exploration of the egg-laying and chick-raising habits of the emperor penguin is also included, describing how these large penguins take care of their babies in extremely cold temperatures, working together to look after one large egg at a time. Readers will also learn about threats to penguin populations, and what conservation efforts have been made to help preserve them.  A collection of penguin facts is also included.

Next, look at history and geography penguin unit study ideas.

HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY PENGUIN UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 1

This is the perfect time to explain the differences between the Arctic and Antarctica.

I still see pictures where penguins are in the Arctic. They are not with the Eskimo.

Penguins live in the Antarctica where there are no people albeit researchers and their teams.

  • Locate the area where penguins live. Antarctica, South Africa, New Zealand, and the Galapagos Islands.
  • Create a penguin timeline for their life cycle
  • Investigate the Galapagos Penguin near the equator. Go here to my free South America Unit Study to learn about the Galapagos.
  • Explore penguin migration. Look at this video Over a million penguins gather to migrate from Argentine peninsula.
  • Learn about their Antarctica habit and look at How to Make an Easy Antarctica Diorama With Your Kids.

NATURE & SCIENCE PENGUIN UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 2

Then, this penguin unit study is obviously a strong slant toward nature and science.

Penguins or marine birds are adapted to living at sea. Some penguins spend as much as 80% of their lives in the ocean.

  • Discuss the waddle or how penguins walk on land
  • Penguin camouflage activity Learn how black and white protect them from prey
  • Slippery Penguins on Ice Experiment
  • Penguins eat mostly squid, fishes, and krill. Krill are small crustaceans—relatives of shrimps, crabs, and lobsters.
  • Read how deep penguins can dive
  • Baby Emperor Penguins Emerge from Their Shells 
  • How Animals Survive Harsh Winters Fun Blubber Activity

There are 18 different species of penguins. Look at this list of the names and where they live.

  • Galápagos – Galapagos Islands
  • Humboldt- Coasts of Chili and Peru
  • Southern Rockhopper  -Southern Chili and Southern Argentina
  • Northern Rockhopper-Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island – South Atlantic Ocean
  • Emperor -Antarctica
  • Adélie-Antarctica
  • Chinstrap-Antarctic Peninsula
  • Fiordland-Southwest coasts of the South Island in New Zealand.
  • Snares- Snares Islands south of New Zealand
  • Macaroni-Antarctic Peninsula
  • Gentoo  -Antarctic Peninsula
  • Erect-Crested-New Zealand sub-antarctic- mostly Antipodes and Bounty Islands
  • Royal-Macquarie Island, near Bishop and Clerk Islands in Australia
  • African-Southwest coast of Africa- Namibia to Port Elizabeth
  • Little- Australia and New Zealand
  • Yellow-Eyed-New Zealand
  • King- Antarctic Peninsula
  • Magellanic- Southern coasts-Argentina, Chile, and Falkland Islands.

And baby penguins are called chicks. (Sometimes they are called fledglings.) And learn how penguins care for their chicks.

Best Free 4 Week Penguin Study Unit | Fun Study Packet

Some penguins never build nests. A king or emperor penguin incubates a single egg on the top of its feet. A featherless patch of abdominal skin keeps the egg warm.

MATH & LANGUAGE ARTS PENGUIN UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 3

  • Penguin Facts for Kids Printable
  • Penguins Addition with 100 Chart 
  • Penguins Math Pack (PreK-Middle School)
  • How long can a penguin hold its breath under water? 20 minutes. Time how long that is.
  • Penguins Emergent Readers
  • Magnetic Ice Skating Penguin Letter Writing Activity
  • How cute! Grab these Free Penguin Math Puzzles for Preschoolers.

Also, look at these vocabulary words.

predator — an animal that eats other animals
preen — to clean, arrange, and oil feathers
down — the covering of fine, soft feathers of a young bird; also the soft underfeathers of adult birds.

ARTS & CRAFTS PENGUIN UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 4

Finally, look at these fun penguin arts and crafts ideas.

  • How to Make an Egg Carton Bobblehead Penguin Preschool Craft
  • No-Sew Sock Penguin Craft 
  • Emperor Penguin Craft: Step-by-Step Guide To Make Your Own Penguin
  •  Popsicle stick penguin craft
  • How To Create Toilet Paper Roll Penguins For A Bowling Game
  • Free Color By Number Penguin And Penguins Antarctica Habitat
  • Marble-Painted Penguin Craft 
  • Salt Dough Handprint

Next, look at this fun printable themed informational packet.

ABOUT THE PENGUIN STUDY GUIDE FOR YOUNG LEARNERS

This printable packet is a 75 page printable pdf download.

Here are some of the topics included.

  • What are penguins
  • Penguin anatomy
  • Socialization
  • Mating for life
  • Life Cycle
  • Survival
  • Diet
  • Habitat
  • Predator
  • Species
  • Emperor Penguin
  • Adélie Penguin
  • King Penguin
  • Chinstrap Penguin
  • Gentoo Penguin
  • Macaroni Penguin
  • African Penguin
  • Rockhopper Penguin
  • Little Blue Penguin
  • Galápagos Penguin
  • Penguin Quiz fill in the blanks activity
  • Penguin Quiz True or False activity
  • Penguin Quiz Multiple Choice activity
  • Anatomy Game activity
  • Sound Matching activity
  • Conservation Matching Game activity
  • Life Cycle Game activity
  • Penguin Diet Sorting Game activity
  • Penguin Word Search activity
  • Penguin Adventure activity

HOW TO GET THE PENGUIN PRINTABLE INFORMATION PACKET

You can get it now!

TOS
Important: READ THIS FIRST.
Before you email me asking where your download link is or tell me that it is not working, read this to ensure that you get your pretties timely and that you don’t pay for something and not get it.

• All my products are digital. You will not receive a physical product for anything in my store. A digital physical year calendar does not mean a physical product or calendar.
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Best Free 4 Week Penguin Study Unit | Fun Study Packet

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  • Dynamic and Amazing Penguin Study Guide For Young Learners

    Dynamic and Amazing Penguin Study Guide For Young Learners

    $5.95
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Leave a CommentFiled Under: My Unit Studies {Free Printables & Hands-on Ideas} Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, life science, penguin, science

Meteorology For Kids Made Fun: Amazing Potato Straw Experiment | Free Printable

December 16, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a fun meteorology for kids amazing potato straw experiment sure to give you the eww and aww moment you need in your science day. Also, I have this fun Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning post for more teaching ideas.

Learning about air pressure should be fun. When kids can’t see something like air, for example, show them what air can do.

First explain what is air pressure. Air pressure is the force that the air exerts on everything around us.

Meteorology For Kids Made Fun: Amazing Potato Straw Experiment | Free Printable

And it’s pushing on us all the time although we don’t really know it.

Too, air is made of tiny particles (molecules) that are constantly moving and bumping into things.

Although we can’t see, air is all around us.

Too, air has weight. It presses down on everything here on Earth.

WEATHER BOOKS & RESOURCES FOR KIDS

Also, here are a few weather and book related resources.

Add them to your home library.

10 Weather Unit Study Resources & Books

Add a few of these resources to your weather unit study for hands-on learning.

Image for Eric Sloane's Weather Book

Eric Sloane's Weather Book

"Amateur weather forecasters (which includes just about everyone) will find this volume an informative and entertaining account of the why and how of the weather." — The Nation. In simple language, Eric Sloane explains the whys and wherefores of weather and weather forecasting — and does it in a style that's universally appealing.With humor and common sense shining through in a book that's also lively and informative, Sloane shows readers how to predict the weather by "reading" such natural phenomena as winds, skies, and animal sounds. This beautifully illustrated and practical treasure trove of climate lore will enlighten outdoorsmen, farmers, sailors, and anyone else who has ever wondered what a large halo around the moon means, why birds "sit it out" before a storm, and whether or not to take an umbrella when leaving the house.

Image for You Wouldn't Want to Live Without Extreme Weather!

You Wouldn't Want to Live Without Extreme Weather!

This series takes readers (Ages 8-12) on a historical journey, examining how people coped in the past and how they developed ingenious ways to make life safer and less unpleasant. Each book features full-color cartoon-style illustrations and hilarious speech bubbles to heighten interest, making the series attractive even to reluctant readers.It's a nuisance when it rains on a picnic. It's a tragedy when a tornado destroys a neighborhood. Some plants can grow only in hot, dry conditions; others require cold temperatures at certain times of year. And if the Arctic and Antarctic were less cold, melting ice would raise sea levels around the world and cause widespread flooding.

Image for If You Were a Kid Surviving a Hurricane

If You Were a Kid Surviving a Hurricane

If a hurricane was heading toward your home town, what would you do?

Readers (Ages 7-9) will enjoy the thrilling story of Carrie and Dan, two friends who find themselves caught in the path of a major hurricane. Along the way, they will learn how hurricanes form, how weather scientists track and study these storms, what people do to protect themselves from wind and flooding, and much more.

Image for The Kids' Book of Weather Forecasting

The Kids' Book of Weather Forecasting

With experiments, observations and activities children ages seven to thirteen will learn to predict the weather by understanding the science behind it. From foggy mornings to sunny afternoons to our changing seasons, weather forecasting is a year-round, practical science that children will have fun learning about.

Image for Weather: Explore Nature with Fun Facts and Activities

Weather: Explore Nature with Fun Facts and Activities

How is a forecast predicted? What makes a rainbow? Packed with facts and activities, this book has these answers and more, and is a perfect introduction to the world of sun, snow, and rain for kids who are curious about nature.

With amazing facts about fun topics like thunder and lightning, Weather lets kids have fun and be innovative as they learn through simple activities like cloudspotting and making a barometer. It includes information on weather found in every season of the year, so kids can discover how weather works no matter what it's doing outside.

Image for What Makes a Tornado Twist?: And Other Questions About Weather

What Makes a Tornado Twist?: And Other Questions About Weather

Is each snowflake unique? What comes first: thunder or lightning? What causes the seasons? Charming illustrations, clever charts, and fun text help kids learn whatever they want to know about wild weather. No matter their question, the fascinating answers are right here!

Image for Pet Tornado-Spin and Watch

Pet Tornado-Spin and Watch

Nature's most destructive force can be observed and enjoyed in the palm of your hand Hold Pet Tornado from top or bottom and rotate wrist form amazing funnel clouds Includes educational information aboutEF-0 to EF-5 tornados and is a perfect addition to a weather science curriculum or for your future meteorologist Great Stress reliever and the perfect desk toy.

Image for Weather Science Lab  20 All Season Projects

Weather Science Lab 20 All Season Projects

Discover The Wonderful World Of Weather Science With This Scientific Weather Science Lab Kit Designed To Educate The Budding Meteorologist On The Mysteries Of The Climate And Teach Your Young Scientist How To Chart And Predict It.

Spark Your Kid'S Curiosity & Imagination: Including 20 All-Season Activities For All Climates, This Weather Project Kit Covers A Wide Range Of Weather-Related Subjects And Boosts Children'S Cognitive Skills.

Make A Cloud In The Bottle: Measure Temperature With A Real-Life Thermometer, Atmospheric Pressure With A Barometer, Keep Your Head In The Sky To Identify Clouds And Create Fluffy Snow Without Freezing Temps

Keep Children Busy Come Rain Or Shine: Let Your Kids Set Up Their Weather Station Indoors Or Pick The Right Spot For Their Experiments Outdoors. Encourage Them To Take Notes, For The Most Accurate Forecasts

Image for Peaceable Kingdom Sunny and Stormy Day Game

Peaceable Kingdom Sunny and Stormy Day Game

LEARNING AND GROWING: Nourish your child’s social-emotional well-being through this matching-and-sharing game from Peaceable Kingdom that has three difficulty levels adaptable to your child’s age.

HOW TO PLAY: Read the book together, then use your memory skills to find the “sunny” and “stormy” matches from the book before the moon comes up. Use the sun, cloud and rainbow tokens to share the highs and lows of your own day as a family.

WE WIN TOGETHER: Talking about feelings in an age-appropriate way can nurture emotional health and encourage confidence, compassion and kindness. Sunny Stormy game and book help kick-off important conversations between kids and parents.

3 PART, 3 LEVELS: The game’s storybook, memory game and sharing activity can be done all together, or separately, and have three levels of experience to adapt to older and younger children.

INCLUDES: Full-color Picture Book, 24 Game Tiles, 1 Game Puzzle, Heart Pouch with 3 Sharing Tokens, Instructions (For ages 3 and up)

Image for Board Game to Learn About Seasons and Weather

Board Game to Learn About Seasons and Weather

SMART GAMES FOR LEARNING ABOUT THE SEASONS: Easter in spring, Halloween in fall, Christmas in winter. You go sailing in summer and see butterflies in spring. Children love playing and learning about the seasons, holidays, activities, and events with our educational board game.

EASY GAMEPLAY FOR BOARD GAMES: Win the season card by matching different props with the correct season card. The first player to collect the 5 season cards wins the game. This game can be played in multiple ways. Watch the video to know more!

LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR KIDS GAMES: Review each picture card, have discussions, and guide kids to sort cards across categories. Gain knowledge about fruits, animals, activities, holidays across the different seasons. Build language, reasoning skills, season identification and categorizing, logical, creative, and critical thinking. "

Then, look at more hands activities to go with our meteorology for kids activity today.

METEOROLOGY FOR KIDS ACTIVITIES

  • 9 Hands on Weather Activities for Kids and Awesome Weather Sensory Tray
  • 5 Simple Wind Energy Activities For Kids & Fun DIY Anemometer
  • Weather In A Bottle | How To Make An Amazing Tornado In A Jar
  • How to Make a Simple Wind Vane | Fun Wind Activities Middle School
  • T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten
  • Welcome December Weather By Making an Easy Mitten Wreath With Kids
  • Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet
Meteorology For Kids Made Fun: Amazing Potato Straw Experiment | Free Printable

Additionally, look at more facts about air pressure.

FACTS ABOUT METEOROLOGY AND AIR PRESSURE FOR KIDS

Look at these simple facts.

  • Air pressure can be high or low.
  • Low pressure can lead to clouds and storms
  • But high pressure is often associated with sunny skies and clear weather.
  • Air pressure decreases with altitude. That is why it’s hard to breathe at high altitudes because there is less oxygen.
  • Scientists use instruments like barometers to measure air pressure.

And look at these words to define.

  • pressure
  • atmosphere
  • molecules
  • vacuum
  • weather

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

GRAB THE FREE PRINTABLE BEFORE THE EXPERIMENT

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

Meteorology For Kids Made Fun: Amazing Potato Straw Experiment | Free Printable

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

2) Grab the freebie now.

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

Finally, look at this fun experiment to learn about the power of air pressure.

AMAZING POTATO STRAW EXPERIMENT

In this activity, we’re going to explore how air pressure can create force and movement.

Look at this easy list to get the wow factor.

Gather all ages around, it really is that cool!

Supplies:

  • 1 raw potato
  • 1 paper straw (note we tried a flexible straw and used a jumbo smoothie straw for variables)
Meteorology For Kids Made Fun: Amazing Potato Straw Experiment | Free Printable

Directions:

Grab a raw potato and a paper straw.

Try to insert the straw into the potato.

Meteorology For Kids Made Fun: Amazing Potato Straw Experiment | Free Printable

Use the free printable to have your student write his observations and guesses.

Try again and hold a thumb over the end of the straw as you try to insert it. How is this possible?

Meteorology For Kids Made Fun: Amazing Potato Straw Experiment | Free Printable

Because of air pressure!

Meteorology For Kids Made Fun: Amazing Potato Straw Experiment | Free Printable

When a thumb is placed over the opening of the straw it traps air making the straw stronger.

Meteorology For Kids Made Fun: Amazing Potato Straw Experiment | Free Printable

This allows the straw to pierce into the raw potato without bending or breaking. Do it again!!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: air pressre, elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, potato, science, straw, weather

How Do Mollusks Breathe | Easy Pipe Cleaner Snail Craft

December 14, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re learning how do mollusks breathe and making a fun snail craft.

Mollusks are one of the largest groups of animals.

For example, they include octopus, snails, clams, and squid.

And they are soft bodied creatures. Because they do not have a backbone, they are called invertebrates.

How Do Mollusks Breathe | Easy Pipe Cleaner Snail Craft

In addition mollusks can be divided into 3 main groups.

They are Gastropoda (snails and slugs), Bivalvia (clams, oysters, and mussels), and Cephalopoda (octopuses, squids, and cuttlefish).

Gastropods make up the largest group of mollusks.

SNAIL BOOKS FOR KIDS

Next, look at some of these books about snails.

We love to read living books when we can find them.

6 Books About Snails

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

Image for Matisse's Magical Trail

Matisse's Magical Trail

A young snail's artistic trail inspires a whole class of children to be creative too!

Image for The snail's spell

The snail's spell

"Brilliant illustrations and a short text invite an unnamed sleeping, pajama-clad child into a garden teeming with wildlife. The boy gradually shrinks until he is so small he experiences things as a snail would. The incredibly detailed drawings and the idea of shrinking to enter another world should capture children's imaginations

Image for Escargot

Escargot

Escargot is an adorable French snail who only wants two things: 1) To be your favorite animal, and 2) To eat the delicious salad at the end of this book. Except this delicious salad has a carrot in it. And Escargot hates carrots. But when he finally tries one―with a little help from you!―he realizes that it’s not so bad after all.

Image for The Snail House

The Snail House

Here is the story Grandma tells one evening on her wide veranda steps. It has Michael and Hannah and the disappearing baby in it, a tigerish bird, raindrops like sacks of water, and the hugest apple you ever saw. Oh yes . . . and the Snail House. So gather round, climb up now into Grandma’s lap. Darkness is falling, the air is still, and the story is just about to begin.

Image for Snail in the woods (A Nature I can read book)

Snail in the woods (A Nature I can read book)

A snail's life from the time it is hatched to the time it lays its own eggs.

Image for The Biggest House in the World

The Biggest House in the World

A young snail dreams of having the biggest house—or shell—in the world. Then one day, his wise father tells him the story of another snail with the same dream. He grew and grew, adding bright colors and beautiful designs, until he found that his house came at a terrible cost. The young snail decides that a small, easy-to-carry shell might be best for a life of adventure and exploration.

Also, look at these facts about how do mollusks breathe.

HOW DO MOLLUSKS BREATHE

Most mollusks live in water. For instance, clams, oysters, and snails use gills.

However, land snails breathe through a lung-like organ called a “pallial cavity,” which works kind of like our lungs.

The majority of mollusks live in marine environments.

Additionally, two groups, the bivalves and the gastropods, contain freshwater species.

And only the gastropods have animals that live on land (snails and slugs).

For breathing, the gills or lung-like organ is located inside their bodies.

Water or air flows through an opening in their body called the mantle cavity.

So mollusks have different ways of breathing depending on where they live.

How Do Mollusks Breathe | Easy Pipe Cleaner Snail Craft

Look at more activities about mollusks.

MORE ACTIVITIES TO GO WITH HOW DO MOLLUSKS BREATHE

  • Under the Sea Science Activities With Amazing Disappearing Octopus Ink
  • How do squid swim? 
  • Exciting Swiss Family Robinson Activities | From Oyster To Pearl
  • Clam shell cookies. How fun!
  • Easy Paper Snail Craft | Rocking Snail Craft | Crafts for Kids
  • Peek-a-Boo Snail Craft for Kids
  • Blue-Ringed Octopus craft for kids

Finally, look at how to make this adorable pipe cleaner snail.

HOW TO MAKE A PIPE CLEANER SNAIL WITH KIDS

First, look at this short list of supplies.

  • Colorful pipe cleaners
  • Googly eyes
  • Craft glue
  • Round object (pen or marker or sharpie)

Step 1:

Select 3 pipe cleaners, 2 of the same color and 1 different color.

How Do Mollusks Breathe | Easy Pipe Cleaner Snail Craft

Step 2:

Take that one pipe cleaner and a round object such as a pen or a sharpie.

How Do Mollusks Breathe | Easy Pipe Cleaner Snail Craft

Step 3:

Coil the pipe cleaner around the round object firmly and evenly.

How Do Mollusks Breathe | Easy Pipe Cleaner Snail Craft

Step 4:

Coil the entire pipe cleaner.

How Do Mollusks Breathe | Easy Pipe Cleaner Snail Craft

Step 5:

Take out the coiled pipe cleaner carefully.

How Do Mollusks Breathe | Easy Pipe Cleaner Snail Craft

Step 6:

Now, place the 2 other pipe cleaners adjacent to each other.

How Do Mollusks Breathe | Easy Pipe Cleaner Snail Craft

Step 7:

Insert both pipe cleaners through the coil and draw out about 1.5” of their length from the other end of the coiled pipe cleaner.

How Do Mollusks Breathe | Easy Pipe Cleaner Snail Craft

Step 8:

Bend that 1.5” to 90 degrees.

How Do Mollusks Breathe | Easy Pipe Cleaner Snail Craft

Step 9:

Twist the longer sides of the pipe cleaners evenly.

How Do Mollusks Breathe | Easy Pipe Cleaner Snail Craft

Step 10:

Start by making a small coil at the open end of the longer end.

How Do Mollusks Breathe | Easy Pipe Cleaner Snail Craft

Step 11:

Continue to coil the twisted pipe cleaners.

How Do Mollusks Breathe | Easy Pipe Cleaner Snail Craft

Step 12:

Coil and bring them near the 90-degree bent part.

How Do Mollusks Breathe | Easy Pipe Cleaner Snail Craft

Step 13:

Bent the open ends of the 1.5” sides by a cm. Select 2 googly eyes.

How Do Mollusks Breathe | Easy Pipe Cleaner Snail Craft

Step 14:

Use craft glue to join the googly eyes to the bent parts. Allow the glue to dry.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, life science, mollusks, pipe cleaners, science, snails

10 Winter Slime Ideas And How To Make Marshmallow Slime

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

Today I have some fun winter slime ideas and a fun recipe for making marshmallow slime. Be sure you grab more ideas and a free lapbook for winter fun on my page Winter Season Unit Study.

Marshmallow slime is a fun sensory experience.

Unlike other slime recipes which offer a stretchy experience, this is a unique slime that is a fluffy and soft experience.

10 Winter Slime Ideas And How To Make Marshmallow Slime

And with just a few key ingredients you normally have on hand during winter, you can make for a fun leaning day.

Add this activity to your science day or to my winter unit study.

What’s more is that this marshmallow slime can be enjoyed by all ages.

The way the marshmallow squishes and kneads through your fingers makes it so addictive and enticing.

It’s sure to keep kids entertained for a while.

MORE WINTER SLIME IDEAS

Next, add a few more activities to your winter day.

10 Winter Slime Ideas

Whether you’re looking to entertain kids through the long cold days of winter or are wanting to enjoy the winter season, grab these ideas.

Image for How to Make Gingerbread Slime For Play | 9 Slime Craft Ideas

How to Make Gingerbread Slime For Play | 9 Slime Craft Ideas

In honor of National Slime Day December 7th, I have 9 food-themed slime craft ideas as well as my recipe for gingerbread slime. Also, look at this cocoa slime at my post 3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities.

Image for Winter Slime Recipe and How to Host a Slime Station!
Photo Credit: blissfuldomestication.com

Winter Slime Recipe and How to Host a Slime Station!

Kid’s love slime, and my children are no exception. They love the tactile nature of it, and it can provide hours of entertainment. We have made very basic slime before, but for this project I was looking for a simple Winter Slime recipe that could be replicated on a large scale. I also wanted to allow the children at the fair to personalise their slime and watch the magic as it turns from a bowl of liquid to the squidgy slime we all know and love.

Image for Winter Craft Ideas for Kids Animals in Winter Fun Snow Slime

Winter Craft Ideas for Kids Animals in Winter Fun Snow Slime

If you’re looking for more winter craft ideas for kids, you’ll love this snow slime inspired by the book Animals in Winter. Be sure you grab more ideas for winter fun on my page winter season unit study.

Image for How to Craft Cinnamon Slime and 8 Cool Slime Ideas

How to Craft Cinnamon Slime and 8 Cool Slime Ideas

I have some cool slime ideas. And there are amazing benefits of playing with what otherwise seems like just a fun activity. But there is more to slime than just the mess and thrill of sensory play.

Image for Fascinating Insect Incredible Slime: A Kids’ Guide To Nature’s Goo

Fascinating Insect Incredible Slime: A Kids’ Guide To Nature’s Goo

Learn what insects do in the winter and make this fun insect slime.

Image for DIY Candy Cane Slime – How To Make Homemade Fluffy Peppermint Candy Cane Slime
Photo Credit: kimspireddiy.com

DIY Candy Cane Slime – How To Make Homemade Fluffy Peppermint Candy Cane Slime

SLIME Lovers & CANDY CANE Lovers – here is an AMAZING slime recipe you are going to love. This fun DIY candy cane slime is super fun and fluffy.

Image for The Colorful Blue Jays Winter Food | Make Fun Seed Slime

The Colorful Blue Jays Winter Food | Make Fun Seed Slime

We’re making a fun stretchy batch of seed slime as we learn all about the colorful blue jay and his winter food. Also, look at my Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests.

Image for How To Mix Glow In The Dark Slime Ingredients To Make Awesome Ocean Slime

How To Mix Glow In The Dark Slime Ingredients To Make Awesome Ocean Slime

Wintertime is a great time to study about the ocean.

Add this fun slime activity to your day.

Image for How to Make Snow Slime
Photo Credit: www.messforless.net

How to Make Snow Slime

But the slime I am going to share today is a winner. If you have been wondering How to Make Snow Slime or Cloud Slime as some call it, wonder no more. It is easy once you add a secret ingredient that will totally transform traditional slime.

Image for 3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities

3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities

Your kids will love doing three different cocoa winter hands-on science activities to go with my winter season unit study.

Additionally, sensory play is an important part of a child learning.

SENSORY PLAY BENEFITS

Sensory playing teaches many things.

For instance, it helps children organize information.

When a child uses one of the five senses: sight, touch, smell, hearing and taste it nurtures exploration.

Basically, instead of telling, we’re encouraging children to explore and investigate.

Furthermore, sensory play builds fine motor activities.

Children are strengthening their fine motor activities while having fun.

10 Winter Slime Ideas And How To Make Marshmallow Slime

And when you discuss with your child what he feels, sees, hears, smells or tastes his language development is boosted.

Finally, look at how to make this fun marshmallow slime.

HOW TO MAKE MARSHMALLOW SLIME

First, look at this easy list of supplies.

  • 5 jumbo marshmallows
  • 1 Tbsp coconut oil
  • 5 Tbsp cornstarch
  • Microwave-safe bowl
  • Measuring spoons
  • Spoon or spatula
10 Winter Slime Ideas And How To Make Marshmallow Slime

First, in a microwave-safe bowl add marshmallows and coconut oil.

10 Winter Slime Ideas And How To Make Marshmallow Slime

Add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch at a time until the marshmallow slime is no longer sticky

10 Winter Slime Ideas And How To Make Marshmallow Slime

Microwave for 45 seconds.

Stir to combine the melted marshmallows and oil.

10 Winter Slime Ideas And How To Make Marshmallow Slime

Have fun!

Too, look at these suggestions if you don’t have some of these ingredients.

  • The recipe can be made with 10 regular-size marshmallows.
  • You can make it edible by replacing the cornstarch with powdered sugar. However, this mixture does tend to stay sticky.
  • Cooking oil can be used instead of coconut oil in this recipe.
  • One-time use. Discard it after playing with this slime.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: art crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschoolinginwinter, slime, winter crafts, winter season

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It is often used in conjunction with singing and drumming.

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

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

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

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

The Cherokee were known for their advanced farming techniques.

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

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

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

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

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

BOOKS ABOUT THE CHEROKEE FOR KIDS

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

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

Next, look at some books about the Cherokee.

When possible I prefer living books.

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

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

Image for Cherokee, Indians of the Mountains

Cherokee, Indians of the Mountains

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

Image for Talking Leaves

Talking Leaves

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

Image for Sequoyah and the Cherokee Alphabet

Sequoyah and the Cherokee Alphabet

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

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

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

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

Image for Itse Selu: Cherokee Harvest Festival

Itse Selu: Cherokee Harvest Festival

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

Image for The First Strawberries (Picture Puffins)

The First Strawberries (Picture Puffins)

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

Image for Grandmother Spider Brings the Sun: A Cherokee Story

Grandmother Spider Brings the Sun: A Cherokee Story

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

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

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

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

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

CHEROKEE ACTIVITIES, CRAFTS, AND RESOURCES

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

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

CHEROKEE FACTS TO KNOW

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

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

The Cherokee lived in wattle and daub homes.

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

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

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

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

HOW TO MAKE A CHEROKEE RATTLE CRAFT

You will need:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Add beads to the string and feathers to embellish it.

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

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

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

The hand drum is ready.

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

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