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The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study

April 9, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Along with The Tale of Peter Rabbit printables, I’m also sharing fun hands-on activities during my spring unit study with Mr. MunchKing. He is such a sweet kid to mentor, and he had so much with this spring unit study. It is one of his favorites already.

Tale of Peter Rabbit Unit Study

Before I started blogging or had a website, I used parts of Five in a Row unit study curriculum with my three homeschooled grads. FIAR uses The Tale of Peter Rabbit as one of their literature studies.

Doing the same unit study years later allowed me to dig deeper, to make it fit another generation, and to use my own unique ideas.

I planned this unit study with my ideas and ideas from other educators. Why invent the wheel when so many good unit study printables and subtopics abound on the internet? A pinch of my own way of teaching and add in other wonderful ideas and it’s a fantastic fun study.

One more thing about Five in a Row is that many unit study providers have come along since I started 25 years ago, but Five in a Row remains one of my very favorite for elementary and middle school. The way they use hands-on for all subjects is head and shoulders above many other so called unit study providers.

Keep in mind that this delightful book can be used all the way up to high school as well. Topics can be slanted to teach children like figurative language, drawing inferences, and an introduction to analysis.

Don’t think it’s just a young child’s tale; a picture book is one of the best tools for teaching beginning analysis in the middle grades.

Now, let’s dive into this fun spring unit study about The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study

First, look below at my unit study planning page from my Ultimate DIY Unit Study Planner of how I adapted the tale to fit what I want Mr. MunchKing to learn at the PreK/K level.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study

My unit study planning page is just a guide, but is not everything you cover. Again, as a guide it gives you a framework of important points while following your child’s lead.

Unit Study Concept/Ideas for Peter Rabbit Tale

In addition, I start with unit study idea concepts which are usually like one or two words for me to glance at to use as a springboard for another teaching idea.

Look at some of the unit study idea concepts or word glances for The Tale of Peter Rabbit which fits the age of Mr. MunchKing.

  • England, country garden, farm animals
  • rabbits, berries, sparrows
  • types of robins, fir tree, obedience, and
  • various cultures.

Next, look at various activities and ideas for each homeschool subjects. Beginning with language arts, the best part is reading the book over and over again.

Watch and listen to this beautiful read aloud of Peter Rabbit on YouTube using an English accent.

I have included a few more videos to help the book come alive:

  • The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny film 1/2
  • The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny film 2/2
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study

Peter Rabbit Unit Study Language Arts

Learning how to tell back a story builds fluency in reading and comprehension. It begins with excellent literature.

Further, I created this fun printable story telling cube which can be used in different ways. Reading should be hands-on to allow your child to listen while using his other senses.

This is how you get access to my freebies quickly.
► 1) Sign up on my list.
► 2) Go to your inbox and confirm your email from the automatic reply I sent you.
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The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study

This storytelling cube is a subscriber freebie in my Exclusive Subscribers Library. Get my emails in your inbox for dynamic goodies.

I used this printable in several different ways:

  • ask questions about events in the story and have your learner find it on the cube
  • read a part in the book, ask who was talking in the story and have your child find it on the cube
  • tell your child to choose a character or event on the cube and retell what is the picture illustrating
  • have your child “roll” it and play guess what the picture is illustrating
  • let your child listen and follow along showing the correct illustration
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study

Free The Tale of Peter Rabbit Book

And you’ll love having access to The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter for free here at Gutenberg.

Free Literary Terms Notebooking Pages

Because I know how hard it is to find things for older learners, I’ve created 3 free literary terms notebooking pages based on the book.

Please hear my heart when I say that I don’t encourage any literary evaluation until a child is in middle school. Young child will struggle with understanding literary terms. Wait until they are older.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study

The first notebooking page is Fiction versus Nonfiction. Have your child write under the correct column which key words match the correct column.

For the second notebooking page, Elements of Fiction, have your child research the definition of each of the elements of fiction.

Literary terms is the third page. I have included a brief definition of a few terms on that page.

Help your older leaner to understand the definitions and then find examples of each one in the story. For example, to explain foreshadowing point out this part below to your child.

NOW, my dears,” said old Mrs. Rabbit one morning, “you may go into the fields or down the lane, but don’t go into Mr. McGregor’s garden: your Father had an accident there; he was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor.”

On the last part of the third notebooking page there is a part to add specific genres like mysteries, science fiction, historical fiction, realistic fiction and epic poems to name a few. I hope these brief explanations about each page will help you guide your child.

These notebooking pages are subscriber freebies. That means when you sign up to follow me, you get access to my Exclusive Subscriber’s Only Library which has these notebooking pages in the library.

This is how you get access to these pages quickly.

► 1) Sign up on my list.

► 2) Go to your inbox and confirm your email from the automatic reply I sent you.

►3) Look for the automatic reply giving you the password to the private subscriber’s area. You should have it soon.

Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages
  • IF you are already a follower/subscriber, PLEASE do NOT email me asking how to find it. You may not want to wait on me replying since I get bombarded with emails.
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Fine Motor Activities for The Tale of Peter Rabbit

To further enhance language arts skills for Mr. MunchKing, we added dot printables and other fine motor skills craft fun.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study

The list below of fun printables is from Making Learning Fun which we loved to enhance language arts:

  • 3 sisters Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail printable
  • Peter Rabbit emergent reader
  • ABC Dot to Dot
  • Emergent Reader
  • Pre Writing Tracer Cards
  • Baggie Rabbit Rhyme and Craft
  • Count by 2’s Dot to Dot
  • Feed the Rabbit Game
  • Rabbit Hopping Measurement Cards
  • Coat Button Activity
  • Measurement Worksheet
  • Peter’s Coat Pattern

Also, look at some of these fine motor skill activities we added.

How to Sew a Felt Carrot

First, Mr. MunchKing sewed an adorable little felt carrot. You don’t need much to do this and your little learner can make many of the vegetables in Mr. McGregor’s garden.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study

Begin by gathering felt, a plastic sewing needle, yarn, scissors, and some stuffing.

You can use cotton or whatever you have on hand for the stuffing. As some of our school supplies, we add to our craft supply and added a pack of felt. You’ll need two colors, orange and green.

There are a few easy steps:

  • First, our square had to be cut into a wide triangle.
  • Fold over the triangle to form the shape of a carrot.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study
  • Thread the needle with a long piece of orange yarn and have your child sew on the long side.
  • Don’t cut off your yarn yet. Leave enough room to stuff.
  • Next stuff the carrot and use a pencil to push it down to the bottom of the point.
  • Then, lay the carrot aside without sewing across the top yet either.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study
  • Take the green felt and stuff it inside the carrot with the stuffing.
  • Sew the sides and tie. Thread the needle again and sew across the top of the carrot
  • Lastly cut the green felt to make leaves.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study

How to Use The Vegetables in Mr. McGregor’s Garden for Playing to Learn

Too, we cut free hand from the rest of the felt the other vegetables in Mr. McGregor’s garden.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study

After cutting out the vegetables, Mr. MunchKing glued the small vegetables together.

Next glue them on popsicle sticks and now your can use the vegetable sticks in many ways.

  • your little learner picks up the correct vegetable when he hears that part in the story
  • try to count how many vegetables are in the garden
  • name the vegetables after they’re mentioned in the story
  • poke holes on a shoebox lid and put the sticks through and color the lid like dirt to make a pretend garden

Geography for The Tale of Peter Rabbit

Of course, some of the best subjects to include in this unit study are science, nature study, art and even geography.

Because the author Beatrix Potter was born and raised in England, many of the illustrations in her books are of the English countryside. If you want to know more about Beatrix Potter, the Victoria and Albert Museum has a huge collection of her drawings, letters, and work.

Comparing the English countryside to where your child lives gives your child a foundation of beginning geography. For beginning geography, some of the fun hands-on activities we included was making an edible peanut butter dough map of England and focusing on mapping Mr. McGregor’s garden.

How to make Make an Edible Peanut Butter Dough England Map

Start by making an edible map with peanut butter dough and form the country of England. You could also use cookie dough from the store, bake it and then add icing.

I’ve waffled between these two recipes during the years doing variations of each. So, mix and match until you have the taste your child loves.

  • 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 cup of dried instant milk
  • 1/2 cup of smooth peanut butter
  • 1/3 cup of honey

 Mix until you have a smooth consistency. We have peanut butter lovers here, so a little bit of licking and a little bit of learning is the way to learn about maps at this age.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study
Step 1. Grab your ingredients.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study
STEP 2. Start mixing.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study
STEP 3. Of course, mixing is the best part.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study
STEP 4. Make an outline of England.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study
STEP 5. OF course Lick and Learn along the way.

Next, grab a printed outline of the country of England after you locate it on a globe or map and talk about the pictures in the book.

Tape a clear piece of parchment paper on top of the printable map, so your little learner can follow the lines with his fingers. As your child grows, he can pencil in the border of the countries and landmarks.

Locate the cottage garden in the book, explain about the English countryside and explain what is a country setting versus a city setting. Then let your little learner form the map with the peanut butter dough.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study

In addition, another easy hands-on geography idea is to map Mr. McGregor’s garden. I loved this idea over at Children’s Book and Reading.

Mapping Mr. McGregor’s Garden for Fun Geography

Drawing pictures of what your child is learning cements the story line and you know that your child is understanding. It has been my experience that many older readers who struggle with reading didn’t have enough time to visualize parts of the story.

When a young learner can draw, he visualizes key details. In addition, maps are great visual aids.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study

Having your child map his backyard is another fun way to begin mapping. Geography comes alive because your child is connecting the story to his life and surroundings. It’s fun to see what your child focuses on too.

Then we downloaded the sweet printable over at Children’s Book and Reading which contains empty vegetable patches. As you begin to read the story, have your child follow along on his map.

You can do geography of the garden other ways too. Using a white board, have your child use his fingerprints and thumbprints to draw pictures of where the vegetables are as he hears the story. We grabbed the washable paint colors orange, red, green, and brown.

This activity was a two-pher as I call it. Teach your child about geography while painting and using his fine motor skills. What fun we had.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study

On the printable, your child can map the vegetables, draw pictures of animals where they belong.

And use the printable to explain Peter Rabbit’s route.

Finally, there are many nature and science activities to plan from book.

Nature and Science from The Tale of Peter Rabbit

We had a hard time narrowing down what nature and science activities we wanted to do. The first science activity which was to compare soils best for growing plants came from Inspiration Laboratories.

Compare Types of Soil To Grow Plants In

Comparing the types of soil needed for plants to grow in is a fun segue to learn about gardening.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study

It’s also an easy activity because you need just a few materials most of which you have on hand at home.

Too, your child can begin with this hands-on science and observe the growing process each day to record in a journal if they are writers. If they are budding writers, a picture of the day-to-day growth works too. It encourages pre-writing skills.

Grow Seedlings Like Mr. McGregor’s Vegetables

Another fun idea for a spring garden is to grow seedlings. With a young learner, you don’t need to plant a whole garden unless you want to. Mr. MunchKing really loved this activity as he watched his babies grow each day.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study

If you do this with a young learner, try to get seeds which sprout fast, so you child has fun instantly. I don’t have a green thumb by any stretch, but I’ve always managed to introduce gardening to each child.

And in my experience fast growing seeds work best. We just used what we had on hand which was an empty egg carton, seed packets, and potting soil. Seeds like beans, radishes and peas can grow quickly.

This was a huge unit study for us; we did it for several weeks, stepped back, and then came back to it.

If you’re planning this unit study, do the garden projects first so children can observe while you do the language arts portion and other fun ideas.

Add these fun videos about vegetables to your day.

  • Vegetable Song For Kids
  • Vegetables We Love You | Vegetable Song

Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables

While we were working day to day on the fun activities, we found this beautiful lapbook at Homeschool Share.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study

The beauty of lapbooks is that your child can create them anyway they like to. We used some of the free printables from Homeschool Share and added Mr. MunchKing’s work he loved about Mr. McGregor’s garden.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study

Although lapbooks can take more planning and be more work, in the many my kids have created, they are also memory keepers.

Besides memory keepers, lapbooks are hands-on tools which aids recall.

While true that I don’t hail to be a crafty mom, I do know the value of mess and play learning.

Lapbooks fit into this category for me. Have you ever seen a child filled with excitement as he explains a worksheet? But turn that worksheet into a mini fun book folded into a creative way, and now you have an engaged learner.

Look at my video How to Lapbook EZ on my YouTube Channel.

So The Tale of Peter Rabbit lapbook is a fun way for a child to remember the information in a fun and natural way.

Peter Rabbit End of Unit Tea Celebration

Finally, always try to end your unit study with a memorable activity. I found this adorable tea set which has is a 15-Piece Woodland-Themed Tin Tea Set, Includes Teapot, 4 Plates, 4 Cups, 4 Saucers, Serving Tray and Carrying Case for our spring tea. And what better way to remember this unit study than to have a tea party. Plus we can use it for many more themed parties!

We served raspberry muffins and rabbit shaped cookies. Also, you could serve scones, but the muffins and cookies were great hits.

Mr. MunchKing dressed up in his Sunday finest and we pretended Peter Rabbit invited us over for tea. What a fun time he had!

The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study

Finally, here are a few more fun things I found to help make your The Tale of Peter Rabbit Unit Study memorable.

More The Tale of Peter Rabbit Free Printables and Activities

  • Download these precious and free I Spy printables to use while your child watches the movie and listens to you as you read aloud.
  • Fun pop up garden paper plater craft.
  • Lettuce wraps for kids.
  • Grab these printable ABC carrot patch.
  • And there are even more ideas here at The World of Peter Rabbit site. You won’t be short for ideas.

Free Literature Printables for The Tale of Peter Rabbit for Older Learners

The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study

As you can see we had an awesome time with this fun unit study using beautiful literature. Do you think you’ll try it?

You’ll also love these other hands-on posts about gardening, spring, and beautiful literature.

  • Kinder Gardening to Celebrate Nature and Science
  • Easy Seed and Gardening Unit Study for Kids (Middle – Upper Elementary)
  • 26 Free Nature Unit Studies for Multiple Ages
  • How to Make an Easy Nature Paint Brush With Kids
  • 20 Nature-Inspired Kids’ Novels to Nurture Interest In the Outdoors
  • How to Easily Make a Simple and Fun Kids DIY Flower Press
  • How to Easily Make Fun Seed Tape With Kids
  • Fun Kids Activity How to Make Wildflower Seed Bombs
  • How to Make a Fun Kids Root Viewer
  • Hands-On Mixed Media Flower Art Fun Nature Study

Leave a CommentFiled Under: 1. My FREE Learning Printables {Any Topic}, Free Homeschool Resources, Hands-On Activities, My Unit Studies {Free Printables & Hands-on Ideas}, Nature Based Activities, Science Based Tagged With: biology, freeprintables, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolanguagearts, homeschoolscience, kindergarten, language arts, languagearts, literature, nature, nature study, plants, science, spring

10 Favorite Science Movies and Documentaries for Homeschooled Kids

January 4, 2022 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Whether you add a science movie to your current plans, or want a fun change, I know you’ll find one or two of your favorite science movies and documentaries in this list.

How to use Science Movies in Your Homeschool

First, look at a few ways to use science movies in your homeschool:

  • Compare science movies to the book – compare and contrast skills lead to higher thinking skills
  • Testing the concepts mentioned in a movie is a great way to engage a kid’s science mind – science is about testing theories
  • Encourage your kids to be aware of the greater issues facing man and science – we homeschool because we don’t want our kids learning only within 4 walls or in a bubble, but to engage with issues facing the world now
  • Reduce burnout in a student, a schedule, or learn in a relaxed way through a tough transition and to revive the love of learning – learning takes many approaches
  • Use science movies as a spine to an in-depth or surface level unit study

Then, add in some hands-on ideas or science subscription boxes and you have stand alone curriculum created from great science movies.

Look at my post 18 Amazing Kids Subscription Boxes to Try Right Now to get some ideas. It’s easier than you think to use an engaging science movie or documentary in your homeschool.

10 Favorite Science Movies and Documentaries for Homeschooled Kids

Heads up: I haven’t watched all the movies, so I’m not sure of the worldview. I respect the homeschool parent’s position to teach to your worldview to your children.

Look at this list of 10 Favorite Science Movies and Documentaries for Homeschooled Kids.

1. Kiss the Ground.

Activists, scientists, farmers, and politicians turn to regenerative agriculture to save the planet’s topsoil, and combat climate change.

  • You can go here to Kiss the Ground to get a free link to view it.

And like I mentioned before science is about adding in hands-on fun; here are some ideas from one of my favorite science providers Home Science Tools.

One kit is a climate and weather kit and the other one is weather projects for young scientists.

2. Hidden Figures.

We loved this movie and it’s one of the best science movies we’ve seen in a long time.

Three brilliant African American women at NASA – Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson – serve as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation’s confidence, turned around the Space Race and galvanized the world.

Look at my unit study Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages and here is a trailer to Hidden Figures.

Look at my astronomy lapbook to round out your movie viewing.

  • Dynamic Astronomy Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    $3.00
    Add to cart

3. Uranium — Twisting the Dragon’s Tail.

Physicist Dr. Derek Muller travels across the globe to unlock the mysteries of uranium. Filmed on five continents, the program takes viewers through the element’s past, present and future and explains its many uses, from weaponry to medicine. It’s part science and part history.

  • Here is a trailer to Uranium–Twisting the Dragon’s Tail from YouTube.

4. The Lorax.

Twelve-year-old Ted lives in a place virtually devoid of nature; no flowers or trees grow in the town of Thneedville. Ted would very much like to win the heart of Audrey, the girl of his dreams, but to do this, he must find that which she most desires: a Truffula tree.

Here is the picture below which is such a fun way to introduce nature and care for the earth. Also, I have some lesson planning helps which go with the science movie.

I found this movie on Netflix.

Free Lesson Planning Ideas

Here is a teacher’s guide from Penguin Random House.

Then, here are some printables and lesson plan ideas from A to Z Teacher Stuff.

In addition, add in some fun hands-on nature ideas.

Look at my posts:

  • How to Make an Easy Nature Paint Brush With Kids;
  • Nature Study: Make a Fun Bird Nesting Bag;
  • Winter Nature Craft: How to Make Easy DIY Bird Feeders;
  • Hands-On Mixed Media Flower Art Fun Nature Study;
  • and Fun Kids Activity How to Make Wildflower Seed Bombs.

Too, here are some more ideas from Groovy Lab in a Box:

5. David Attenborough’s Natural Curiosities.

There are many episodes on various nature topics presented by David Attenborough of the UK. I know we haven’t watched all of them, but it looks like Wikipedia has a super roundup of the movies.

All of his topics are fascinating because they explore the unordinary and unexplained curious things about nature.

Science Movies for Homeschooled Kids

6. Lorenzo’s Oil.

True-life drama of a father and mother who battled against the odds to save their son’s life. Augusto and Michaela Odone are dealt a cruel blow by fate: five-year-old Lorenzo is diagnosed with a rare and incurable disease, but the Odones’ persistence and faith leads to the cure which saves their boy and re-writes medical history.

Then, add in this cool kit from Home Science Tools about phlebotomy. Want to learn the medical art of phlebotomy? You’ll be able to practice all facets of venipuncture with this kit! Excellent for current and aspiring medical professionals alike.

Also, look below at a bacteria growing kit.

7. Osmosis Jones.

Mixing live action and animation, the film follows the misadventures of a zoo worker with an unknown malady he contracted after eating an egg contaminated with simian saliva. The responsibility of eradicating this lethal virus falls to a white blood cell cop and a fussy cold-cure pill.

You’ll love my human body lapbook and human body hands-on activities.

  • Dynamic and Fun Human Body Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    $3.00
    Add to cart

8. The Poisoner’s Handbook.

Documentary. From PBS. In the early 20th century, the average American medicine cabinet was a would-be poisoner’s treasure chest, with radioactive radium, thallium, and morphine in everyday products.

You can also watch a trailer here on PBS.

9. October Sky.

John Hickam is a West Virginia coal miner who loves his job and expects his sons, and Homer, to follow in his footsteps. But Jim gets a football scholarship, and Homer becomes interested in rocket science after seeing Sputnik 1 crossing the sky. John disapproves of his son’s new mania, but Homer begins building rockets with the help of friends and a sympathetic teacher. Rocketry, he hopes, will prove his ticket to a better life.

Also here is the book, Homer H. Hickam: Rocket Boys: A Memoir the movie, October Sky is based on and then another book, Rocket Science is for middle school kids which would go great this movie.

Additionally, look at these lesson planning helps and free guides below.

  • It’s just rocket science .pdf guide.
  • Another huge teacher guide which is helpful.
  • A massive 133 page .pdf educator’s guide from Nasa.

Here is a trailer of October Sky on YouTube.

10. Chasing Coral.

Too, here are some free lesson plans about rocket science you can add to your science movie.

Next, from the site Chasing Coral it says: “A team of divers, photographers and scientists set out on a thrilling ocean adventure to discover why corals are vanishing at an unprecedented rate.“

Also, there is a free download of curriculum for grades 6 to 12 on the site.

10 Favorite Science Movies and Documentaries for Homeschooled Kids

You’ll also love my free Coral lapbook.

10 Favorite Science Movies and Documentaries for Homeschooled Kids

Lastly look at some of these other posts you’ll like:

  • 54+ Fun Books Turned Movies to Spark a Love For Reading
  • 10 Fun Amazon Prime Movies for the Youngest Homeschoolers
  • 7 Educational Movies for Kids About Westward Expansion
  • Homeschool History Teaching Ancient Civilizations Using Netflix

Science movies are great for visual learners and bring spice to your day. What other science movies do you like in your homeschool day?

2 CommentsFiled Under: Science, Teach Homeschool Science Tagged With: astronomy, homeschoolscience, human body, movies, nature, science, science lab, sciencecurriculum

26 Free Nature Unit Studies for Multiple Ages

November 14, 2021 | 3 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Early on in my journey I discovered easy nature unit studies as a way to make science come alive. Nature unit studies not only revive burn out in students, but they’re cost effective and memorable.

Today, I’m sharing 26 free homeschool nature unit studies for multiple ages that can easily be used for a year as free curriculum.

I’ve found that it’s hard to cover anymore than about two topics a month because you want to savor topics. If you cover two nature topics per month, then you have a whole years worth of ideas here.

I have a few other topics listed so your kids can choose what interests them or mix and match.

Nature Unit Studies

You can start with any month and do this in any order, but I started with August and worked my way through to the end of what is considered a typical school year.

26 free nature unit studies for multiple ages. Easy nature unit studies as a way to make science come alive. Nature unit studies not only revive burn out in students, but they’re cost effective and memorable. CLICK HERE to grab 26 free homeschool nature unit studies for multiple ages that can easily be used for a year as free curriculum!

Also, I listed these unit studies to flow with the natural cycle of seasons in the Northern hemisphere.

However some places, like here in Texas, it doesn’t get snow all over. Again you can choose any order, but I aimed for a schedule to follow the natural seasons.

AUGUST Nature Unit Studies and Ideas

There is an endless number of themes and ideas to study about in August.

1. Above and Below: Pond Unit Study and Free Lapbook

2. From Egg to Sea Turtle Nature Unit Study & Lapbook

Pond, river or water related ideas, a night walk or even starting a miniature herb garden are great ideas for August.

Furthermore butterflies, water bugs, and dragonflies can be studied during this time.

SEPTEMBER Nature Unit Studies and Ideas

Next, September 1 marks the first of fall.

Normally with a bit cooler weather it’s a great time for a rock and mineral unit study or even prairie flowers. Mushrooms, fruits, and ferns are more good nature unit study ideas.

Another activity is learning about the harvest moon and learning is just not complete without including apples. Be sure to grab my free Moon Journal when you follow me.

Free Nature Study Lessons

Too, I want to add more habitat or biomes unit studies during this month.

3. Fall Unit Study (Includes Apples, Sir Isaac Newton, Art, and Appleseed)

4. Beautiful Human Body Lapbook and Fun Unit Study

Also, there is no greater unit study about nature than learning about the human body.

OCTOBER Nature Unit Studies and Ideas

After an apple unit study or bat unit study, learn about leaves and pumpkins. With the changing weather, storms and weather patterns make great topics.

5. Fall Unit 1 {Pumpkins, Leaves, Corn, & More}

6. Why Bats Are Not Birds Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook

It’s also a fun time to learn about gourds and squash or the changing weather and storms. Also, I have more Free Fall Unit Study Ideas– For Older Kids Too.

Nature Study Resources

NOVEMBER Nature Unit Studies and Ideas

Then November is the last month of fall, but there is already a cold snap in the air.

It’s a fun time to learn about how raptors survive, how trees changes, twigs, buds, gathering, and foraging to save for the long winter months.

Squirrel watching and learning about mushrooms is fun to do this time of the year too.

7. Foraging and Feasting Nature Unit Study and Lapbook


8. Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study

In addition, you can add lichens and moss as a unit study.

DECEMBER Nature Unit Studies and Ideas

Furthermore, I love doing a bird unit study in December. Watching animal tracks and signs is another idea if you have snow.

9. Colorful Winter Bird: Northern Cardinal Lapbook & Unit Study


10. Free Arctic Ground Squirrel Lapbook & Unit Study Resources

Another topic we want to still do is about evergreens or the winter solstice.

Science Unit Studies

JANUARY Nature Unit Studies and Ideas

Next, January is a great time to focus on the Arctic region, Arctic animals, ice and snow.

11. Arctic Region

12. Winter Season Unit Study. Free Lapbook & Hands-On Ideas

Learning about wolves, hibernation, and even foxes are fun topics.

FEBRUARY Nature Unit Studies and Ideas

Another month we loved to focus on rocks and gems is February.

Award Winning STEAM Learning for Kids Ages 3-10+

Because February can be a hard month to get outside for a nature study, I lean toward earth science themes. It keeps the fun going. One year we loved learning about Amber and fossils.

13. Amber – Freezing Gold


14. Free Earth Science Lapbook

If you can’t study what is on the ground, look to the sky and stars for unit study ideas. Look at this hands-on activity Erosion Hands-on Easy Homeschool Science Activity.

MARCH Nature Unit Studies and Ideas

Then at the first hint of spring, we focus on the American Robin and because not all is green yet, we have loved doing one about carnivorous plants.

Also, carnivorous plants can be studied in the summer too. Strawberries are springs first fruit so it’s a great time to go berry picking, canning and of course a hands-on and yummy unit study.

15. American Robin Free Printables, Resources and Crafts


16. Strawberry Unit Study

Also, life cycles, migration, buds, flowers, gardening and baby animals make fun nature study ideas.

APRIL Nature Unit Studies and Ideas

Because spring is in full bloom here in Texas, there are many topics we’d still love to do during this month. Viewing wildflowers is one we love.

Although we love to focus on birds during winter, this is a great time for a bird unit study too.

17. Free Wildflowers Unit Study & Lapbook


18. Easy Seed and Gardening Unit Study for Kids (Middle – Upper Elementary)

In addition, learning about eggs, insects, bugs, clouds and meadows are also fun ideas.

MAY Nature Unit Studies and Ideas

Next, May is a great time to be outdoors and to study about toads or frogs. Making it a general study like amphibians and reptiles is good too.

The Basement Workshop Store

Sometimes you want to just focus on one reptile like a snake or turtle instead of covering so much general information.

Moreover, focusing on small mammals versus large mammals can go along with a zoo field trip when animals will be out.

19. Fascinating and Fun Honey Bees Unit Study and Lapbook for Kids

20. Amazon Rainforest and Free Lapbooks

21. Loads of Toads and Frogs Unit Study and Lapbook

As well as studying about ants or doing a nature discovery walk during this month. Before the summer months set in completely, a wind unit study is great at this time too.

Also, add literature to your nature studies trough Literary Adventures for Kids. Scroll down to see all the book choices from early elementary up to high school. It’s so easy to round out your nature unit studies.

I love these self-paced online books which is a language arts curriculum that is easy to implement and fun to experience — an adventure through a great book!

Look at a few choices below.

JUNE Nature Unit Studies and Ideas

Finally, getting to the summer months makes for great ideas about sun, watermelon, seashells and ocean life. Take a deep dive into learning different types of grasses.

Nature-Based Lessons

We have studied these topics at other times of the year, but getting to the beach and beach combing are just more fun in the warm months. Younger kids love the topic of rainbows.

22. Super Seashore Watching Unit Study and Beach Lapbook


23. Carnivorous Plants

Any type of water study makes it a natural way to learn in the summer months.

JULY Nature Unit Studies and Ideas

Next, topics like sand or pollinators are more great unit study ideas. Also, by focusing on area of sea life like coral reefs can make an ocean unit study more memorable.

Gardening ideas are great for most summer months too.

26 free nature unit studies for multiple ages. Easy nature unit studies as a way to make science come alive. Nature unit studies not only revive burn out in students, but they’re cost effective and memorable. CLICK HERE to grab 26 free homeschool nature unit studies for multiple ages that can easily be used for a year as free curriculum!

24 Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook

25. Coral Reef Unit Study and Lapbook

26. Peregrine Falcon Unit Study and Lapbook

Find out when berries ripe in your area for another fun hands-on topic.

Also, look at these fun activities Beware of Ocean Pollution: Fun Science Activity for Kids and How to Dissolve a Seashell – Beach Hands-on Fun Activity.

Unit studies are my favorite way to teach and the homeschool approach my kids loved best.

A unit study approach works for a child that wants to master a subject and move on or for a kid that wants to dawdle and poke around a subject.

Easy and fun nature unit studies don’t usually require too much in the way of materials. Just learn in and learn about the great outdoors. What are some of your fun and easy nature unit study topics?

Look below for more hands-on nature study activities to go with each unit study above:

  • How to Make an Easy Nature Paint Brush With Kids
  • 20 Nature-Inspired Kids’ Novels to Nurture Interest In the Outdoors
  • Fun Kids Activity How to Make Wildflower Seed Bombs
  • Nature Study: Bird Color Bar Graphing Activity
  • Mixed Media Flower Art Fun Nature Study
  • Literature Nature Study: Simple Tree Craft
  • Nature Study: Make a Fun Bird Nesting Bag
  • Easy and Fun Nature Study: Beautiful Birds
  • Winter Nature Craft: How to Make Easy DIY Bird Feeders

3 CommentsFiled Under: Hands-On Activities, Lapbooks, Middle School Homeschool, Nature Based Activities, Science, Science Based Tagged With: earthscience, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, high school, high school electives, high school science, homeschool highschool, homeschoolhighschool, homeschoolscience, life science, middleschool, nature, nature journaling, nature study, unit studies

Why Bats Are Not Birds Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook

October 17, 2021 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Why bats are not birds fun homeschool unit study and lapbook is an easy way to do a unit study with multiple ages of children.

Too, I’m mentoring Mr. Munch King now and he is doing kindergarten/first grade level work. However, you know there are many bat activities to find for younger kids, but not so much for older kids. My lapbook is geared toward older kids.

Why Bats Are Not Birds Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook

I know you’ll love these activities and unit study resources for a fun bat unit study.

Free Bat Unit Study

Why Bats Are Not Birds Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook. Your kids will love studying about bats in the fall or anytime. Hands-on ideas for multiple ages to learn about the various kinds of bats. Grab the unit study ideas for multiple ages and the bat lapbook for older kids. CLICK HERE to grab it at Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus.
Why Bats Are Not Birds Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook. Your kids will love studying about bats in the fall or anytime. Hands-on ideas for multiple ages to learn about the various kinds of bats. Grab the unit study ideas for multiple ages and the bat lapbook for older kids. CLICK HERE to grab it at Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus.
(A bat) . . . is no bird but a winged mouse; for she creeps with her wings, is without feathers, and flyeth with kinde of skin, as bees and flies do; excepting that the Bats wings hath a farre thicker and stronger skin.
And this creature thus mungrell-like cannot look very lovely.

By John Swan

Bats are located on nearly every continent and make up 25 % of the mammal species found in the world. There are over 1400 species of bats.

Why Bats Are Not Birds

However, bats are not bird. Bats are mammals and belong to the group Chiroptera. Chiroptera means “hand-wing,” referring to how the finger bones support its wings.

What is a Mammal?

Because a bat is a mammal, look at these characteristics of a mammals.

  • They are vertebrate animals that nourish their young with milk.
  • All are warm-blooded.
  • At some stage in their development, they have hair, although sometimes it can disappear before birth.
  • True mammals give birth to live young.

Bats are the only mammal capable of flight. Several other mammals are capable of gliding for long distances.

On the other hand, birds belong to the group Aves. So bats are not featherless birds.

Bats are divided into two types of sizes: Megachiroptera, which means large bat, and Microchiroptera, which means small bat.

Further, look at some of these features of bats:

  • they sleep by day
  • they fly by night
  • in bone structure, a bat’s arm and hand are similar to other mammals
  • as mammals they give birth to live young and nurse them

Contrary to popular belief, bats are not blind. They do have small eyes and sensitive vision.

In addition, bats come in a variety of sizes and species.

The Bumblebee Bat of Thailand weighs a third less than a penny and is the smallest mammal in the world. Cutest bat ever!

It’s also called Kitti’s Hog-nosed Bat and they are found mostly in Thailand. The Bumblebee species is named after Kitti Thonglongya, a Thai zoologist who discovered them.

Look at some more facts here about the Bumblebee Bat.

Why Bats Are Not Birds Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook. Your kids will love studying about bats in the fall or anytime. Hands-on ideas for multiple ages to learn about the various kinds of bats. Grab the unit study ideas for multiple ages and the bat lapbook for older kids. CLICK HERE to grab it at Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus.
Kitti’s Hog-nosed Bat :World’s Smallest Mammal

However, a few other reasons why bats are not birds are because birds lay eggs and forage to care for their young. Also, bats have sharp teeth and birds do not have teeth but have beaks.

Bird and bats both fly and have strong skeletons which aids them to be strong flyers.

Blind As Bats – How Bats See

Too, you often hear people say blind as bats. Is this true? Bats are nocturnal animals. Nocturnal means being active at night rather than during the day. However, bats have excellent eyesight. Some bats hunt by using eyesight alone.

So bats are not blind. They can see better at night than humans, however echolocation is their most important sense when hunting. Bats use echolocation to find their prey.

Look at this fun echolocation activity to do with younger kids.

About Echolocation

When a bat is flying, it makes a series of high-pitched squeaks that humans can’t hear. They make squeaks, chirps, clicks, and buzzes through their mouths or noses. Since these sounds range from 25,000 to 70,000 vibrations a second, humans with an auditory range up to only about 30,000 vibrations can’t hear most of the sounds.

The sounds hit an object and bounce back to the bat, just like an echo. How do bats avoid collisions?

We don’t know exactly, but it’s possible that each animal has its individual sound pattern and is guided only by its own echoes.

Many bats have large ears or specialized ear shapes, which is thought to help with echolocation (location of objects by reflected sound).

How Bats Fly

Why Bats Are Not Birds Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook. Your kids will love studying about bats in the fall or anytime. Hands-on ideas for multiple ages to learn about the various kinds of bats. Grab the unit study ideas for multiple ages and the bat lapbook for older kids. CLICK HERE to grab it at Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus.

Attribution:
Andrew Mercer (www.baldwhiteguy.co.nz)

While bats are exceedingly graceful in flight, when they fold their wings and walk they are extremely awkward creatures.

As bats skim over the surface of the water, they lap up water as they fly.

.

If you observe bats closely when they leave their roost at dusk, you can observe their wings. Bats’ wings beat much stronger and longer than those of birds.

Unlike birds, bats have a hard time taking off from the ground. They fly better by already being in the air.

Bats’ Bodies

The bodies of bats, excluding the wings, are covered with fur. While the fur of most mammals is smooth, bat fur consists of small tubes. It is the finest of all fur and in addition has the greatest numbers of hairs per square inch.

Since most bats fly at night and roost in dark places during the day, they have little need for protective coloration.

The majority of Chiroptera are dull colored, shades of black, brown, gray, and red predominantly.

The bat’s body structure, strong chest muscles, tapering abdomen, short neck and modified forearms is specially formed to support and operate the wings.

So, bats with long and narrow wings fly swiftly; those with large wingspreads are capable of long flights.

However, regardless of the shape of the wings, the design of the bones of the forearm is common to all bats. The four elongated fingers radiate and support the membrane a short thumb extends beyond the forward part of the wing and is like sharp hooked claw.

A claw also protrudes from the second finger of most fruit bats.

Where Do Bats Live – Bat Barracks

Bats live in all kinds of places: Caves, tall trees, barns, attics, and garages. They also roost, they do not build nests. However, the majority of bats roost in dark places. In warm regions, caves have curved corridors which prevents the penetration of light.

Also, while insect eating bats prefer dark retreats like caves, culverts and hollow trees, fruit bats in general do not.

A few bats have unusual homes. Certain African and Indian species share the burrow of the crested porcupine.

In addition, some bats migrate for the winter and some sleep during the winter months.

Also, look at these fun ideas and free lesson plans about caves at Homeschool on the Range.

Bat Babies

Although most bats mate in the autumn, their young are not born until spring. The majority of bats have one baby at a time.

The only bat to have more than two consistently is the American red bat which can have a litter of four.

In spring, the females go off by themselves to have their young. When the baby is about to be born, the mother hangs on the ceiling of a cave or in some other sheltered placed.

She holds on by her thumbs and her back legs, making a basket to keep the newborn bat from falling. Baby bats are tiny pink creatures when they are born, with little or no hair.

They are almost two weeks old before their eyes open. The baby clings tightly to its mother for the first week or so. It uses its hooked milk teeth and little claws to cling to her breasts and fur.

Mothers take their baby along with her when they go hunting. Since bats are good fliers, this is no problem. When the baby bats get too heavy, the mother leaves it hanging by its back feet.

Why Bats Are Not Birds Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook. Your kids will love studying about bats in the fall or anytime. Hands-on ideas for multiple ages to learn about the various kinds of bats. Grab the unit study ideas for multiple ages and the bat lapbook for older kids. CLICK HERE to grab it at Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus.

Baby Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus)
Attribution: Mickey Samuni-Blank

Why Bats Are Not Birds Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook. Your kids will love studying about bats in the fall or anytime. Hands-on ideas for multiple ages to learn about the various kinds of bats. Grab the unit study ideas for multiple ages and the bat lapbook for older kids. CLICK HERE to grab it at Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus.

Eastern Red Bat with three babies
Attribution: Josh Henderson

Why Do Bats Sleep Upside Down

Bats hang upside down because their knees only bend backwards, making it impossible for them to hang in other position.

However, there is a variation in the sleeping pattern of different species. Bats that sleep in the open fold their wings which are crisscrossed. On the other hand, cave-dwelling bats do not use their wings as sunshades.

Hands-on Bat Crafts and Treats

Next, nothing brings a unit study to life more than fun hands-on ways to learn about bats. Look at these hands-on bat activities and crafts.

  • Make a coffee filter bat.
  • Make a hanging bat craft for kids.
  • Flying Bat STEM Activity for Preschoolers
  • Adorable Bat Nature Craft
  • Easy How to Draw a Bat Tutorial and Bat Coloring Page
  • Handprint Bat Keepsake – Kid Craft Idea w/Free Printable Template
  • Make a bat using wooden doll pins
  • Look at these 10 Easy Bat Crafts like simple bottle top bats, hanging foam bat, edible truffle bats and sensory yarn craft to name a few.
  • How to Draw a Cartoon Vampire Bat
  • How fun – make origami bats
  • Paper Bag Bat Craft
  • Craft – Handprint Bat Flying Over the Moon
  • Craft- Bat clothes pin on YouTube
  • How to build a bat house
  • Bat headband craft
  • Chocolate Bat Cookies
  • How fun – Bat Candy Treats

Look at this fun printable bat template craft which helps with cutting skills.

Why Bats Are Not Birds Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook. Your kids will love studying about bats in the fall or anytime. Hands-on ideas for multiple ages to learn about the various kinds of bats. Grab the unit study ideas for multiple ages and the bat lapbook for older kids. CLICK HERE to grab it at Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus.
Why Bats Are Not Birds Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook. Your kids will love studying about bats in the fall or anytime. Hands-on ideas for multiple ages to learn about the various kinds of bats. Grab the unit study ideas for multiple ages and the bat lapbook for older kids. CLICK HERE to grab it at Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus.

Also, we made a coffee filter bat with just a few fun things we had on hand. We mostly followed the instructions at Woo Jr. You just need markers, a clothes pin, paint, and some markers along with scissors. So much fun.

Free Bat Printables

In addition, I’ve rounded up some free and fun bat printables for this bat unit study.

Image Attribution: Wise Owl Factory. (Please Pin from original sources)

Download this Free Printable Bat Diagram Work Page.

  • Fun Bat Flipbook. Flipbook are such fun. They recreate an animal moving or in this case flying. Cut out the mini pages and staple and flip through the book. So fun!
  • Fun itsy bitsy bat book for the littles
  • Fun Bat dot to dot printable
  • Bat themed coloring pages
  • Bat life cycle worksheets
  • Bat word search puzzle
  • Printable Bat Counting Cards 
  • Night Friends Bats of the America – 32 page free download Activity Guide
  • Download for free Frankie the Free-Tailed Bat book.
  • Bats A Conservation Guide – 36 page free download
  • Bats Misunderstood Creatures – 4 page free download
  • More free bat printable templates and bats with rounded ears

About Bats on YouTube and Media

  • YouTube Bats by Night | Wild Detectives
  • YouTube Meet the World’s Biggest Bat | National Geographic
  • YouTube quick lesson on bat physiology and anatomy.
  • YouTube Get to Know Vampire Bats
  • Have the story, Stellaluna read to your little at Storyline Online.
  • YouTube Into the Bat Caves of Kenya.
  • YouTube Bats have a brilliant way to find prey in the dark: echolocation.
  • YouTube vampire bats drinking blood
  • YouTube Incredible Bat Footage Shows Long, Snaking Tongues
  • YouTube Pollination and Bats in the Jungle
  • YouTube All About Bats
  • YouTube Endangered Mexican long-nosed bats pollinate agave

Books About Bats

Whether fiction or non-fiction, your kids will love some of these books about bats

MORE Bat Activities and Science Ideas

Here is another fun hands-on craft for kindergarten/first grade – bats hanging upside down in a cave. Instead of a cutting away part of a cup for the cave, we used a box. Such a fun way to pretend play.

Why Bats Are Not Birds Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook. Your kids will love studying about bats in the fall or anytime. Hands-on ideas for multiple ages to learn about the various kinds of bats. Grab the unit study ideas for multiple ages and the bat lapbook for older kids. CLICK HERE to grab it at Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus.
Why Bats Are Not Birds Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook. Your kids will love studying about bats in the fall or anytime. Hands-on ideas for multiple ages to learn about the various kinds of bats. Grab the unit study ideas for multiple ages and the bat lapbook for older kids. CLICK HERE to grab it at Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus.

  • Look at this site Bat Week. Bat Week is an annual celebration of the role of bats in nature.
  • Plant a Bat Garden
  • Learn about bats in relation to the lunar cycle and study about moon phases. Look at this fun printable stackable moon phases. Also, make these fun Oreo moon phases.
  • Learn about echolocation and play a game where you blindfold one child. You tap on something in the room or have another child and see if the blindfolded “bat” can locate the sound.
  • Also, look at this mammals’ organ dissection kit for older kids if you want to focus on mammals
  • Also, go to Smithsonian Institute for Bat Facts
  • National Geographic Kids Bat Myths Busted
  • Make blood. Although only three species consume blood, it’s fun to learn how they do it without their prey knowing. Compare human blood to animal blood. Are there any differences? Too, vampire bats only suck blood normally from other animals. This is fun hands-on activity for learning about human blood.

Also, look at these fun kits for some bat science, a fun nocturnal science box and fun fall science box.

Halloween Nocturnal Animals Box
Fall Weather Science Box – $34.95

from: Green Kid Crafts

Further, you’ll love these Montana Field Guides for various species:

• Big Brown Bat
• Eastern Red Bat
• Little Brown Bat
• Long-eared Myotis
• Silver-haired Bat
• Spotted Bat
• Townsend’s Big-eared Bat

Bat Predators and Prey

Bats have few predators compared to other mammals, but diseases are harmful. Owls are one predator because they hunt at night. However, snakes and hawks eat bats too.

The bat hawk (Machaeramphus alcinus) is one such hawk. Watch this YouTube video Predators of Bats. Bats have to look out for other raptors like red-tailed hawks and orange-breasted falcons.

Also, did you know there is a bat falcon? The bat falcon eats other rodents too, but also hunts bats.

However, nothing compares to the white-nose syndrome disease. The disease is named for a white fungus on the muzzle and wings of bats.

Around the world bats eat fruit, nectar, frogs, mice, fish, blood, and insects.

Bats as Pollinators

Bats provide many important things and one is spreading pollen. About 50 bat species feed just on nectar. Others are omnivores, feeding on fruit and insects as well as nectar.

So, when bats visit flowers for food they spread pollen. Bats are primary nighttime pollinators. Bats pollinate over 300 species of fruit like banana, mango, guava and tequila agave.

From the U.S. Forest site:

The flowers that are visited by bats are typically:

  • Open at night;
  • Large in size (1 to 3.5 inches);
  • Pale or white in color;
  • Very fragrant, a fermenting or fruit-like odor; and/or
  • Copious dilute nectar.
Bat covered in pollen.

Bat Quiz

All bats are carnivores.

False-A large group of bats, known as megachiroptera live on fruit and pollen. Most of the bats in the U.S. are insectivores.

Bats fly around your head and get tangled in you hair.

False-Bats may come in for a closer look but are far too smart to get tangled in your hair.

Vampire bats are huge bloodsucking bats that are all over the world.

False-Vampire bats are small bats that live only in South America. They don’t suck blood-they lick it up after making a cut with their teeth.

The world’s largest bats have a wingspan of nearly seven feet.

True-Flying foxes have a wingspan that can reach nearly seven feet.

Few More Bat Books

Furthermore, once you start looking, you’ll find a mix of fiction and non-fiction books about bats for all ages.

I used an older book I have, Wonders of the Bat World by Sigmund A. Lavine. to guide me for content for the lapbook. I love older books. Look at some more books below.

Batty About Art

Then, here is a fun and easy arts and craft project for the younger kids.

Why Bats Are Not Birds Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook. Your kids will love studying about bats in the fall or anytime. Hands-on ideas for multiple ages to learn about the various kinds of bats. Grab the unit study ideas for multiple ages and the bat lapbook for older kids. CLICK HERE to grab it at Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus.

Make some fun silhouette art by using sponge painting and a template on cardstock.

This idea was found here at how to make bat silhouette art.

Also, look at this black bat silhouette watercolor lesson.

Bat Poetry

Next, no unit study is complete without a focus on some fun language arts.

Look at this poem, The Bat by Theodore Roethke.

By day the bat is cousin to the mouse.
He likes the attic of an aging house.

His fingers make a hat about his head.
His pulse beat is so slow we think him dead.

He loops in crazy figures half the night
Among the trees that face the corner light.

But when he brushes up against a screen,
We are afraid of what our eyes have seen:

For something is amiss or out of place
When mice with wings can wear a human face.

And then look at these questions to focus on the meaning:

  1. Why does he compare what the bat does during the day with the night? He possibly may be conveying the idea that the bat is misunderstood and is just a simple elegant creature or is the writer conveying that everyone has a side we never see?
  2. What are two metaphors in the poem? a) When mice with wings can wear a human face. We may view the bat as a dark creature, but the writer wants us to know that they can be like humans. b) By day the bat is cousin to the mouse. The writer compares the bat to the mouse to help us see bats through his eyes as something familiar and not dark like many tales about bats.
  3. Did you notice the writer alludes to both a bat’s sight and hearing which are of great interest to us?

Try a little Batty Math

Next, this fun video is a great way to practice observation skills for any age.

From the site: Count the bats — how do your skills compare to a bat biologist’s?

World War II Project X-Ray and Bats

Project X is a plan conceived by the Unit States Army to use bats to destroy enemy installations during World War II. It may seem outlandish, but two million dollars was spent on perfecting the Project X plan.

Bat Bomb Canister

Scientist and members of the armed forces captured thousands of bats in New Mexico’s Carlsbad Caverns. Then a one-ounce bomb which produced a 22-inch flame and burned for eight minutes was harnessed to each bat.

The bats were put into crates with parachutes and loaded onto airplanes. The airplanes dropped the crates on testing sites and the parachutes opened at 1,000 feet automatically.

The bats then flew to a roost, often a cave or eaves of a building. Then they chewed off their harness and flew away, leaving the bombs behind which exploded. They destroyed many “town testing sites”.

Whether they actually used the bats or not is a military secret.

Bat Viewing Spots

A zoo is a great place to view bats both common and rare species. If you are on a lake or stream at dusk, watch bats as they as they skim over the surface of the water. You’ll notice them lap up water as they fly.

Bracken Cave here in Texas right outside of San Antonio is the summer home of more than 20 million Mexican Free-tailed Bats. It is a must visit. (Please note, the land is privately owned by Bat Conservation and you need to make arrangements to visit.).

Read more about Bracken Cave here on National Geographic.

Why Bats Are Not Birds Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook. Your kids will love studying about bats in the fall or anytime. Hands-on ideas for multiple ages to learn about the various kinds of bats. Grab the unit study ideas for multiple ages and the bat lapbook for older kids. CLICK HERE to grab it at Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus.

Bats are amazing creatures! For many years, people thought bats were diseased, dirty and evil. In general, bats are very helpful creatures.

Farmers even set out bat houses so that bats will roost there and protect their crops from massive insects.

Despite superstition, bats are usually peaceful creatures. They are the only flying mammal with a unique miniaturized sonar system.

Bat Lapbook

Your kids will love this fun lapbook. As I mentioned earlier, I know many activities exist for younger kids, so I gear my lapbooks toward older kids. This lapbook is aimed for upper elementary to middle school. However, because you get the same lapbook in two ways – one which has minibooks with facts filled in and the other one with blank minibooks, you can really use this lapbook for ANY age.

If you’re using it for high school, you can count the hours as part of a science credit and if you want to give a grade to the project itself, you decide.

Why Bats Are Not Birds Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook

Awesome Features of the Bat Lapbook:

  • Aimed at upper elementary to middle school, but the lapbook with blank minibooks could be used for high school.
  • This is a .pdf  instant downloadable product and not a physical product.
  • You are paying for the printables, the lapbook.
  • My lapbooks are created for multiple ages.
  • Most of the minibooks have facts which accompany the minibook and a lot of the minibook are offered two ways. One way where your child uses the facts provided and another way where your child can add his own research and not use the inside pages.
  • You can use any reference materials, books, or online resources to complete the lapbook.
  • I don’t provide links in the lapbooks for filling in the information. This keeps my prices low for my products, but I do try to provide free links on my site as I can.
  • Because I have been a working homeschool mom for more of my journey than not, I need flexibility for using lapbooks. Proving a few facts from the main resource I use is one way I have of saving you time and giving you flexibility in how to use the minibooks.
  • Too, some of your kids may be older and you want them to do more research and some of your kids may be reluctant writers so you may want to mix and match pre-filled minibooks with blank minibooks. Flexibility is the key to my lapbooks.

MY GUARANTEE: To treat you like I want to be treated which means I know at times technical problems may cause glitches, so I will do everything possible to make your experience here pleasant. I value your business and value you as a follower. I stand behind my products because they are actual products I use and benefit from too. Though I cannot refund purchases after you have been given access to them, I will do what I can to be sure you are a pleased customer. Read carefully what you get on your digital download.

  • Dynamic Why Bats Are Not Birds Lapbook For Multiple Ages

    $2.75
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Why Bats Are Not Birds Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook

More bat links you’ll love:

  • Bat Conservation is dedicated to conserve the world’s bats and their ecosystems to ensure a healthy planet.
  • Search the Bats Magazine archive at BatCon.
  • Free Nocturnal Animals Lapbook
  • Bats Live
Why Bats Are Not Birds Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook

You’ll love my other free unit studies below:

  • Fascinating and Fun Honey Bees Unit Study and Lapbook for Kids
  • Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study
  • History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail
  • Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, Hands-on Ideas, & Lapbook.
  • Super Seashore Watching Unit Study and Beach Lapbook.
  • Foraging and Feasting Nature Unit Study and Lapbook.
  • Wildflowers Unit Study & Lapbook.
  • From Egg to Sea Turtle Nature Unit Study & Lapbook.

1 CommentFiled Under: 1. My FREE Learning Printables {Any Topic}, Hands-On Activities, Lapbook, Lapbooks, My Unit Studies {Free Printables & Hands-on Ideas}, Nature Based Activities, Science, Science Based Tagged With: bats, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, lapbook, life science, middleschool, nature, nature study, science

How to Build High School Curriculum Directly From Amazon

July 30, 2021 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Knowing how to build high school curriculum directly from Amazon is a valuable skillset. You may not think so in the beginning, but you soon realize there is NO one right way to homeschool high school. So you need flexibility and options to change midstream.

Build High School Curriculum

Quickly, you can build a high school homeschool curriculum package which suits your teen.

Today, I’m showing you what is important to know right away and what you can decide later.

However, before I go on, here are my super helpful posts for How to Build Elementary Homeschool Curriculum Directly From Amazon and How to Build Middle School Curriculum Directly From Amazon.

5 Steps to Build High School Homeschool Curriculum

Many states are flexible meaning you don’t have many requirements to fill for high school according to the law.

Step 1.
Meet Your State Law
.

State law is your first starting point.

Know exactly what requirements you need to meet.
Don’t make this harder than it has to be by using a measuring stick that is unbending. Simply, meet the state law. Your own measuring stick is different.

If you’re having trouble knowing or finding your local law, shoot me an email or post here. I’ll help you to be sure that you’re in the absolute know.

How to Build High School Curriculum Directly From Amazon

Step 2.
Determine Credits by Choosing a Path – Career or College
.

Next, don’t get sideways like I did when my first teen told me he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. If your teen knows right away that he’ll choose a career or college track, then that is your perfect starting points for subjects to fill.

Ask the college about subjects if your teen is college bound; this is not as hard as it appears. Most colleges maintain a website for admission. Right away you can see the number of credits they require for each subject. Boom – done.

If your teen doesn’t know what he wants to do like a majority of adults today, then try to give him what I call a traditional high school experience. This keeps all doors open for whatever direction your teen chooses.

Next, a traditional high school experience will include these subjects below with 4 years being closer to what colleges want for a college bound teen and 2 to 3 years for subjects for a teen who is not college bound:

  • 2 to 4 years of Math. Intro to Algebra is now considered middle school, but in our parents time it started in high school. If a teen is pursuing a science or math major, then intro to Algebra begins in middle school and Algebra 1, 2 and Geometry and another higher course will be needed.
  • 3 to 4 years for English or I like the term Language Arts which we have used up to this time. English doesn’t just mean covering grammar or composition. It can be any theme or subject your teen likes that has to do with writing or speaking. For example, poetry, British or American authors, literature analysis, public speaking, world literature, vocabulary study, and etc.
  • 2 to 4 Sciences and with Lab. Typically Biology, Chemistry and Physics are what I call the main three areas to study. I have two sciences listed because kids that are not science majors may choose to do only two sciences; kids who are college bound will need more.
  • 2 to 4 Social Studies. Again, I don’t like this term but it’s the one used in colleges. I prefer the terms history, geography, social science, American government, world geography, etc. In addition, I again list only two years if your child is not college bound. If your child is college bound or you’re wanting to leave the door open for college, then stick closer to 3 or 4 years.
  • 1 to 4 Foreign Languages. Again what is accepted in one college may not be in another. Too, ASL is considered the study of a foreign language with some colleges. If your child is not college bound and there are no requirements for foreign language in your state, then you and your teen decide how many years.
  • 4 to 5 Electives. Electives are subjects that are subjective. This means you have much room to either add them to your teens load or focus more on core subjects like math, language arts, science and social studies.
  • 1 – 3 Fine Arts and Physical Education. Normally a few years to study fine arts is a good rule of thumb and like one credit for physical education unless of course these topics are your child’s college majors.

Step 3.
Determine a 2 – 5 year Graduation Plan.

Next, determine how long your teen will be in high school.

Some teens do a two year study and align the other years with an apprenticeship. Some teens prefer dual enrollment and still others need another year to mature.

Four years is not always the magic number for graduating; it’s a good guide. Moreover, grab my high school planning pages too and fill in as you go.

How to Build High School Curriculum Directly From Amazon

Download the High School Planning Page below.

High-School-Planning.pdf (20 downloads)

Too, read Free Homeschool High School Planning Sheet (and pssst help for high school too) if you need more help on planning and then also grab the Editable High School Transcript.

Step 4.
Choose Core Subjects First, The Other Subjects Can Wait

Then, narrow down the overwhelm more by selecting first the books and courses need to fill the core subjects.

When homeschoolers use the word core it can mean various things. Some states divide subjects by core and non-core.

For example, some states require math, language arts, history and science as the core subjects.

When I talk about core, I mean the skill subjects which are the three Rs – reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic. They have been your child’s 3 legged stool for an excellent education up to this time and they continue to be important in high school.

The point is unless your state requires other subjects, use your hard earned dollars for the skill subjects first. Unless social studies and science are required immediately, you can purchase those items in increments to give your budget a rest.

Step 5.
Choose Curriculum from Amazon by mixing and matching resource type.

Finally, you now have a big picture of the resources you need from Amazon.

In addition, to help you choose resources wisely, I have divided resources by topic or subject. Do not forget that many kids today learn well by videos and hands-on activities.

So don’t limit your choices to just textbooks or books. Look at the choices below for each subject.

Math High School Homeschool Curriculum From Amazon

  • Algebra 1 Student Text by Math U See
  • Geometry Student Text by Math U See
  • Algebra 2 Math U see Student Text
  • Saxon Algebra 2: An Incremental Development, 2nd Edition
  • Advanced Mathematics: An Incremental Development, 2nd Edition
  • Saxon Calculus: Homeschool Kit w/Solutions Manual Second Edition
  • Teaching Textbooks Algebra 1 Kit, Version 2.0
  • Geometry: A Teaching Textbook, Complete Curriculum
  • Mr. Pen Geometry Set with 6 Inch Swing Arm Protractor, Divider, Set Squares, Ruler, Compasses and Protractor, 15 Piece Set
  • Hands-On Math Projects With Real-Life Applications: Grades 6-12
  • Everything You Need to Ace Pre-Algebra and Algebra I in One Big Fat Notebook (Big Fat Notebooks)

Science High School Homeschool Curriculum From Amazon

  • High School Science: Chemistry by Steck Vaughn
  • High School Science: Biology by Steck Vaughn
  • High School Science: Physical Science by Steck Vaughn
  • Exploring Creation with Advanced Biology: The Human Body
  • Exploring Creation with Health and Nutrition, Textbook
  • Exploring Creation with Chemistry 3rd Edition, Textbook
  • Carson Dellosa The 100 Series: Biology Workbook—Grades 6-12 Science, Matter, Atoms, Cells, Genetics, Elements, Bonds
  • Everything You Need to Ace Chemistry in One Big Fat Notebook (Big Fat Notebooks)
  • HIGH SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 2011 WORKBOOK GRADE 11
  • Must Know High School Physics
  • Must Know High School Chemistry
  • Focus On High School Chemistry Student Textbook (softcover)

Science Lab Component High School From Amazon

  • 40 Biology Lab Activities (Life Science)
  • AmScope 120X-1200X 52-pcs Kids Beginner Microscope STEM Kit with Metal Body Microscope, Plastic Slides, LED Light and Carrying Box (M30-ABS-KT2-W),White
  • AmScope PS25 Prepared Microscope Slide Set for Basic Biological Science Education, 25 Slides, Includes Fitted Wooden Case Brown
  • Mark Twain – Forensic Investigations, Grades 6 – 12
  • EUDAX School Physics Labs Basic Electricity Discovery Circuit and Magnetism Experiment kits for High School Students Electromagnetism Elementary Electronics
  • Teacher Friendly Chemistry Labs and Activities

History and Social Studies High School Homeschool Curriculum From Amazon

  • Geography of the World: The Essential Family Guide to Geography and Culture
  • The History of the Medieval World: From the Conversion of Constantine to the First Crusade
  • Medieval History, a Literature Approach for Senior High
  • The History of the Ancient World: From the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome
  • The History of the Renaissance World: From the Rediscovery of Aristotle to the Conquest of Constantinople
  • North Star Geography
  • TruthQuest History Guide: Middle Ages
  • The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia (Kingfisher Encyclopedias)
  • Exploring World History Text Vol 1 Notgrass 2014
  • Know Geography™ World Atlas Grades 9-12
  • LIFEPAC World History 10th Grade Complete Set
  • Switched On Schoolhouse 10th Grade Homeschool History Curriculum – World History – Full Year History Courses – USB Homeschooling Class for Grade 10
  • American History Timeline – USA Research Handbook: Do-It-Yourself – Time Travel Journal – Fun-Schooling with Thinking Tree Books

Language Arts High School Homeschool Curriculum From Amazon

  • Glencoe Language Arts Grammar And Language Workbook Grade 9
  • Grammar and Language Workbook, Grade 10 (Glencoe Language Arts)
  • Quick Lit Student Workbook: Language Arts, Grades 9-12: The Study of Contemporary Short Story
  • Elements of Language: Student Edition Grade 9
  • Elements of Language: Student Edition Grade 10
  • Elements of Literature: Student Edition Grade 12 Sixth Course
  • The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition
  • Holt Elements of Literature: Student Edition, American Literature Grade 11
  • Lifepac Gold Language Arts Grade 9: Set of 10
  • Writing Fiction [in High School]: Bringing Your Stories to Life!
  • Daily Language Practice 9th Grade +: Use It! Don’t Lose It!
  • Do-It-Yourself – Homeschooling Handbook – Library Based Curriculum: Journal and Study Guide For Eclectic High-School Students

MORE Language Arts High School Homeschool Curriculum From Amazon

  • Cursive Handwriting Workbook for Teens: A cursive writing practice workbook for young adults and teens (Beginning Cursive Workbooks)
  • Advanced Cursive Handwriting Practice Workbook for Teens
  • High School British Literature: A High School English Student Text of Readings and Activities for a full-year British Literature Study (Writing Curriculum)
  • Language Lessons for the High School Student VOLUME 2 SET with Key
  • Easy Grammar.
  • Jensens Grammar.
  • Fix It Grammar. 
  • Institute for Excellence in Writing. 
  • Learning Language Arts Through Literature: The Gold Books.
  • Dover Thrift Editions. 
  • Wordly Wise 3000® 4th Edition Grade 9 SET — Student Book and Answer Key

High School Graduation and College Readiness Curriculum From Amazon

  • SAT Prep Black Book: The Most Effective SAT Strategies Ever Published
  • Diploma Cover 7×9 Smooth Imprinted “Diploma Of Graduation”Certificate Cover
  • Math for the Ages!: SAT and High School Math
  • Sat Math Workbook (Barron’s Test Prep)

Electives High School Homeschool Curriculum From Amazon

  • Electives: Accounting : Home School Curriculum Kit (Lifepac)
  • Career Exploration for Homeschool High School Students
  • What Color is Your Parachute for Teens?
  • ARTistic Pursuits High School 9-12 Book One, The E
  • Signs and Seasons Understanding the Elements of Classical Astronomy
  • Auto Upkeep Workbook: Maintenance, Light Repair, Auto Ownership, and How Cars Work
  • Art: A World History
  • Consumer Mathematics – Abeka Highschool Personal Finance Concepts, Balance, Budget, Insurance Student Textbook

  • Astronomy: A Self-Teaching Guide, Eighth Edition (Wiley Self Teaching Guides)
  • Foundations in Personal Finance Workbook High School Edition For Homeschool by Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University
  • Geography Through Art
  • Money Matters Workbook for Teens (ages 15-18)
  • Practical Critical Thinking: Student Workbook – Problem-Solving, Reasoning, Logic, Arguments (Grades 9-12)
  • Personal Finance Doodle Notes: Brain Based Interactive Guided Notes
  • Family and Consumer Sciences Lab Manual – Abeka High School Home Economics Elective Lab Manual
Also, do not forget to visit my store on Amazon. 
I have Lists created by subjects so you can see more choices.

High School Homeschool Curriculum Packages

Last but not least, I have listed all-in-one programs below. Sometimes you just need to start with a framework. I’ve listed curriculum packages below.

Remember that you can always tweak them to suit your student’s needs. You don’t have to use all-in-one programs as it. I firmly believe all of them are to be tweaked even if just a bit to suit your teen’s schedule, needs, and goals.

All-In-One Programs

  • Switched On Schoolhouse 9th Grade Homeschool 4 Subject Curriculum Set – Full Year History & Geography, Language Arts, Math, and Science Courses – USB Homeschooling Classes for Grade 9
  • Lifepac Grade 9 Christian Homeschool Curriculum 4-Subject Set Alpha Omega Publications Alpha Omega Publications
How to Build High School Curriculum Directly From Amazon

Also, grab these other tips below to help flesh out any interests your teen may have:

  • How to Easily Meet the Lab Component of Homeschool High School Science
  • 54+ Fun Books Turned Movies to Spark a Love For Reading
  • Online Homeschool High School Poetry (No Teaching Involved)
  • How to Choose the Best Middle School Literature And Favorite Resources
  • How to Choose the BEST Homeschool Middle and High School Language Arts Curriculum & Options
  • Big Ol’ List of All-In-One Homeschool Curriculum (a.k.a Boxed)
  • Homeschooling High School: Curriculum, Credits, and Courses
  • How to Begin Homeschooling A Teen Lagging Behind
  • A to Z List: Middle and High School Homeschool Electives
  • Successful Entrepreneur-3 Best Homeschooled Teen Resources
  • 14 Fun and (maybe Frugal) Homeschool High School Electives

I know you can give your child a solid education when you build the curriculum yourself. Did this give you a starting point?

2 CommentsFiled Under: Graduate a Homeschooler, Homeschool Teens _ From Teen to Graduation, Teach/Which Subjects to Teach/Cover EVERYTHING Tagged With: curriculum, high school, high school electives, high school literature, high school science, highschoolgeography, homeschool highschool, homeschoolcurriculum, homeschoolhighschool, homeschoolhistory, homeschoolscience, sciencecurriculum, teens

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