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homeschoolscience

Simple and Fun Hands-On Water Cycle Activity For Kids

April 20, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a fun hands-on water cycle activity for kids. Also, look at my page Free Earth Science Lapbook & Unit Study Ideas for more activities.

It can be used from preschool through upper elementary.

Teaching the water cycle should be a very simple process In the early years.

You can go a little more in depth as they grow which means you can customize this plate activity to reflect what they know at various stages.

Simple and Fun Hands-On Water Cycle Activity For Kids

Evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection make up the 4 stages of the water cycle.

And they are very important because it provides water to humans, animals, and plants.

Besides providing hydration it redistributes nutrients, pathogens and sediment in and out of aquatic ecosystems.

To teach it simply we are going to use a paper plate.

Next, look at some of these fun books which teach about the water cycle.

Water Cycle Books for Kids

4 Water Cycle Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Add some of these living books and reference books to your learning day about water and the water cycle.

Image for A Drop of Water

A Drop of Water

A child crouches beside a meadow brook, and a drop of water collects and falls from the child’s fingertip to continue on its journey. Where does that journey begin? High in the sky, rain clouds are parting. Water trickles and flows down the mountain, collecting in an upland bog, seeping through a beaver’s dam, rushing over rocks, passing many plants and animals along its winding way—each dependent on water and the different environments it shapes to live.

Image for A Drop of Water: A Book of Science and Wonder

A Drop of Water: A Book of Science and Wonder

The most spectacular photographs ever created on the subject of water appear in this unique science book by Walter Wick. The camera stops the action and magnifies it so that all the amazing states of water can be observed — water as ice, rainbow, steam, frost, dew. Readers can examine a drop of water as it falls from a faucet, see a drop of water as it splashes on a hard surface, count the points of an actual snowflake, and contemplate how drops of water form clouds. Evaporation, condensation, capillary, attraction, and surface tension are explained through simple text and illustrated by pictures that reveal water in its many awesome transformations.

Image for The Snowflake : A Water Cycle Story

The Snowflake : A Water Cycle Story

With a double-page spread for each month, this book describes the journey of a single drop of water throughout the year.

Image for Drop: An Adventure through the Water Cycle

Drop: An Adventure through the Water Cycle

Meet Drop. She's water! And she's seen a thing or two--even dinosaurs. Everywhere Drop flows--and she flows everywhere--she makes life on Earth possible, and has a great time doing it. Have you ever plummeted from a rain cloud? Or taken a thousand-year nap in a glacier? Drop has! She'll tell you all about it

Also, I have a few other basic items to show these 4 steps and create a craft/science project combo for a hands-on water cycle activity.

I have explained the water cycle on a basic level, gathered a few more fun activities, and resources that you can use to create a mini unit to enjoy.

Simple and Fun Hands-On Water Cycle Activity For Kids

4 Stages of The Water Cycle

  • Evaporation– Water evaporates under the sun’s heat and becomes a gas that is found in earth’s atmosphere. Demonstrate evaporation with a pot of simmering water and how it seems to disappear over time, the steam is visible and helps give kids a concrete idea.
  • Condensation– Water condenses in the atmosphere when it becomes cold, forming clouds. You can demonstrate this by showing what happens on the outside of a glass of ice water over time or the condensation on a mirror after a hot shower.
  • Precipitation-When there is too much moisture in a cloud water is released from the clouds in the form of rain, sleet, hail, and snow. For younger children, set out little bowls or cups with examples of each in the form of water, ice, and “snow” (a little cornstarch mixed with oil). Allow your child to explore and examine each form of precipitation.
Simple and Fun Hands-On Water Cycle Activity For Kids
  • Collection – Water is collected and held in different areas. For example, places like oceans, rivers, lakes, ponds, and underground. Water in its solid form, ice, is held in glaciers and snow.

Then the entire process starts all over again.

Watch The Water Cycle For Kids on YouTube for a wonderful short explanation of the process from start to finish.

4 More Engaging Hands-On Water Cycle Activities 

Here are a few more ways besides our craft/science activity below to teach the water cycle.

  • Watch the precipitation stage of  the water cycle with a hands on Water Cycle Unit Study: Rain Cloud Experiment.
  • Learning About the Exciting Water Cycle with Salt demonstrates evaporation with colored salt to give your child physical proof of the process.
  • I love the creative take on The Water Cycle+Ice Paints here.
  • The simple experiment of The Water Cycle In a Bag is a great way to demonstrate the process up close.
Simple and Fun Hands-On Water Cycle Activity For Kids

Paper Plate Water Cycle

For preschoolers we will keep this hands-on water cycle activity very simple with minimal labels but you can challenge older children to put in a bit more detail or even use a wider variety of materials to put it together.

You will need:

  • Paper plate
  • Blue paint
  • paintbrush
  • Blue craft foam/paper
  • Yellow craft foam/paper
  • Markers/paint pens
  • Cotton ball/cotton stuffing
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors
Simple and Fun Hands-On Water Cycle Activity For Kids

First, let your child paint the entire plate a light medium shade of blue and then set aside to dry, explaining that this is the sky and ground water.

Simple and Fun Hands-On Water Cycle Activity For Kids

While it is drying, cut a wave of blue craft foam out slightly shorter than the width of the plate.

This represents an ocean or where water is held. Cut a few raindrops for precipitation, and a yellow sun.

Simple and Fun Hands-On Water Cycle Activity For Kids

Once the plate is dry, they can glue the sun in place on one side of the sky and the wave across the bottom with the glue stick.

Use a bit of cotton ball, cotton stuffing, or even a little ball of white tissue paper to create a cloud opposite the sun.

Simple and Fun Hands-On Water Cycle Activity For Kids

Glue on the raindrops underneath the cloud you made.

Simple and Fun Hands-On Water Cycle Activity For Kids

Use a marker to draw directional arrows and label the plate as the water cycle.

If your child is older, they can do the entire plate from start to finish and even label each part of the water cycle themself.

Simple and Fun Hands-On Water Cycle Activity For Kids

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: earth science, earthscience, elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, homeschoolscience, science, water

How to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Honeycomb Honey Bee Activity

March 20, 2024 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This simple honey bee activity is not only a fun dramatic play idea for young learners but also can be used to build fine motor, math, science, and language arts skills. Also, look at my post Fascinating and Fun Honey Bees Unit Study and Lapbook for Kids.

Who knew a couple empty toilet paper rolls could do so much?

Homeschooling never needs to be expensive or complicated.

How to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Honeycomb Honey Bee Activity

Let me show you some ideas, share a few facts, and teach you how to make a toilet paper roll honeycomb.

Honey bees are important to our food supply and even very young children can learn about their life cycles, the contributions they make to our food (including their delicious honey).

And they can learn about other products they produce like wax, pollen, and propolis.

As you build your honeycomb, talk about why bees build the cells in hexagons.

Did you know that this is because the hexagon shape uses the least amount of material to hold the most weight?

Bees know what they are doing and are great at geometry.

Fill your honeycomb cells with different things to represent honey, pollen, eggs, and larvae, explore what they might keep in each cell with books and videos.

Honey Bees Books for Kids

Next, look at some of these living books to use to learn about bees.

8 Honey Bees Unit Study Resources & Books

Add some of these fun resources to your bees unit study or spring unit study.

Image for Bees: A Honeyed History

Bees: A Honeyed History

One part science, one part cultural history, and countless parts fascination, Bees: A Honeyed History celebrates the important role that these intriguing insects have played in our ecosystem throughout the ages, and today.

Image for The Beekeeper's Bible: Bees, Honey, Recipes & Other Home Uses

The Beekeeper's Bible: Bees, Honey, Recipes & Other Home Uses

Part history book, part handbook, and part cookbook, this illustrated tome covers every facet of the ancient hobby of beekeeping, from how to manage hives safely to harvesting one’s own honey, and ideas for how to use honey and beeswax. Detailed instructions for making candles, furniture polish, beauty products, and nearly 100 honey-themed recipes are included. Honeybees, which are critical in the pollination of popular US produce such as almonds, apples, and blueberries, are actually not native to the Americas. The honeybee that you see dancing from flower to flower in farms and gardens originated in Europe. The introduction of the honeybee began with European colonization of the Americas; before that, wild native bees, other insects, and some birds and mammals pollinated the native flowers of the continent. The honeybee’s ability to pollinate crops, produce honey, and be easily domesticated precipitated the growth in beekeeping all over America.

Image for Flight of the Honey Bee: Read and Wonder

Flight of the Honey Bee: Read and Wonder

Follow the flight of a honey bee as she searches for nectar to sustain her hive and, along the way, pollinates flowers to produce seeds and fruits. Nature lovers and scientists-to-be are invited to explore the fascinating life of a honey bee.

Image for Life Cycle of a Honey Bee

Life Cycle of a Honey Bee

Honey Bees are fascinating creatures which have been kept by humans for centuries. Now you can explore the life cycle of the honey bee without being stung. Watch as it grows from an egg, to a larva, and to a pupa before finally emerging as a mature adult.

Image for Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

Always a favorite when doing any kind of nature study, there are a few pages that cover different types of bees, common nectar sources, and bee anatomy. If you don't have this set already I cannot recommend it enough for nature studies.

Image for Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of Country Life

Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of Country Life

One of the companion books to Nature Anatomy, the farm version covers all parts of farming, machinery, and crops but it also caught my eye because it even covers Beekeeping for aspiring beekeepers. It goes over bee terminology, parts of a bee, the parts of a hive, types of bees, flower parts, and beekeeper essentials. These books really put a lot of info into compact parts.

Image for The Life and Times of the Honeybee

The Life and Times of the Honeybee

Why do beekeepers use smoke machines when collecting honey? Can a bee really sting only once? Why do bees "dance"? In concise, detailed text and abundant illustrations that range from the humorous to the scientific, Charles Micucci offers a wide-ranging and spirited introduction to the life cycle, social organization, and history of one of the world's most useful insects.

Image for The Magic School Bus Inside a Beehive

The Magic School Bus Inside a Beehive

When the Magic School Bus turns into a beehive, Ms. Frizzle's class learns firsthand about how workers, drones, and the queen bees live together. Readers will be abuzz with knowledge as they discover how honeybees find food; make a comb, honey, and beeswax; and care for their young, all from the bee's perspective.

Also, look at more hands-on activities to learn about bees.

5 More Honey Bee Activities

  1. Make Gold Glitter Honey Bee Slime for a memorable sensory experience while you read aloud about the amazing bee.
  2. Try this unique activity, Labeling Parts of a Honey Bee LEGO Fun Activity For Kids, for a new way to play with LEGO.
  3. Use this Bee Pollination STEAM Activity to demonstrate how bees gather and carry pollen back to the hive.
  4. Another fresh way to examine the parts of a bee hive are my 7 Honey Bee Activities And Explore a BeeHive With Felt Activity.
  5. Watch Busy Bees! | Bumblebees and Honeybees to learn more, this is a great opportunity to grab a cup of coffee while your little one watches.
How to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Honeycomb Honey Bee Activity

In addition, add letter tiles into some of the hexagons and have your child make the sound and identify it as they pull them out or you call out the letter and have them find it in the beehive.

How to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Honeycomb Honey Bee Activity

You can have your child remove the pompom pollen with tweezers to work on fine motor skills.

Add dice, let them roll a number and take out that many pompoms to practice a basic math skill.

How to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Honeycomb Honey Bee Activity

Toddlers can even sort the different materials to practice one of the most basic math skills.

Finally, look at how to make how to make a toilet paper roll honeycomb.

How to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Honeycomb

You can make your honeycomb as large as you like, letting your child create a small or gigantic hive full of hexagons to fill.

Supplies:

  • Empty toilet paper rolls
  • yellow/gold craft paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Scissors
  • Yellow pom poms
How to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Honeycomb Honey Bee Activity

First, paint the outside of empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls a bright golden yellow, each tp roll makes about 5 honeycomb cells.

Set aside to dry.

How to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Honeycomb Honey Bee Activity

Once dry, press roll flat and pinch edges firmly, open and repeat in half in the opposite direction.

Finally make a third fold pressing the edges well.

How to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Honeycomb Honey Bee Activity

This will give the cells a hexagon shape.

I don’t worry about making it perfect for younger children.

For older kids you may want to have them measure 6 lines spaced evenly around the tube to get better dimensions.

Open roll and cut ¼” strips across.

How to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Honeycomb Honey Bee Activity

You will need to work your creases again to move your shapes back into a hexagon.

But once you have already creased it well it should go back to shape easily.

How to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Honeycomb Honey Bee Activity

Now you can glue the pieces together side by side to create a large hive.

Too, I like to leave them loose so that the child can build and rebuild it, changing the shape and moving things around.

This way they can be used to count as well.

Now add small balled up pieces of yellow tissue paper and yellow and white pom poms so your child can build their hive with eggs, honey, and pollen.

Include a book, magnifying glass, tweezers, and plastic bee toys to finish it off.

How to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Honeycomb Honey Bee Activity

2 CommentsFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: bees, elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, life science, science

Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study

March 9, 2024 | 7 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

The beauty of unit studies is the ability to combine multiple subjects. This famous and historic trees fun study combines nature, history, and geography. Also, look at my other Lapbooks Ideas and my page Best Homeschool Unit Studies. Add in some art and music and it’s a memorable unit study.

So today, I rounded up some fun resources for creating a famous and historic trees nature and history unit study.

Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study

First, look at this book we fell in love with which gave us the kick start to our ideas.

Celebritrees Historic & Famous Trees of the World states it’s for grades 2 to 4, but this idea can be used for a super great unit study for multiple ages.

Besides, the history and legend of the famous trees in the book gives plenty of chance for a deep unit study.

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

Next, add in some of these fun books.

9 Tree Books & Resources for Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

You'll love using one of these books as a science reference or to use for art to inspire life science lessons.

Image for Celebritrees: Historic & Famous Trees of the World

Celebritrees: Historic & Famous Trees of the World

Some trees have lived many lifetimes, standing as silent witnesses to history. Some are remarkable for their age and stature; others for their usefulness. A bristlecone pine tree in California has outlived man by almost 4,000 years; a baobab tree in Australia served as a prison for Aboriginal prisoners at the turn of the twentieth century; and a major oak in England was used as a hiding place for Robin Hood and his men (or so the story goes…).

The fourteen trees in this book have earned the title "Celebritrees" for their global fame and significance. Both in fact and in legend, these fascinating trees remind us not only how much pleasure trees bring, but what they can tell us about history.

Image for The Busy Tree

The Busy Tree

Spectacular illustrations rendered in oil paint, and a rhyming text that describes a tree’s activities from its roots to its branches, introduce young readers to the amazing activities that go on in a tree. Acorns nibbled by chipmunks, ants scurrying across a trunk, a spider spinning a web, leaves “breathing out air for all to breathe in”—everything adds up to a “busy tree” for all to “come and see.”

Image for The Tree Book for Kids and Their Grown-Ups

The Tree Book for Kids and Their Grown-Ups

This is a fantastic reference book to have on hand for tree studies.

It has great illustrations and covers everything from how a tree “eats and drinks” to types of trees, seeds, how they change in the seasons, why we need them and more

Image for Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world.

Image for Trees, Leaves & Bark (Take Along Guides)

Trees, Leaves & Bark (Take Along Guides)

An introduction to the world of insects, caterpillars, and butterflies including identification information, educational activities, and fun facts.Invites young naturalists to spot wildlife. 

Image for Tree Full of Wonder: An educational, rhyming book about magic of trees for children

Tree Full of Wonder: An educational, rhyming book about magic of trees for children

Tree Full of Wonder is a vibrant, rhyming, educational and unique picture book showing the unbreakable bond between people and trees. For children ages 3-8. Kids will fall in love with nature and will become Protectors of the Trees.

Image for The Magic and Mystery of Trees (The Magic and Mystery of Nature)

The Magic and Mystery of Trees (The Magic and Mystery of Nature)

From the highest branch and leaf down to the complex “wood wide web” of roots, it’s no wonder every part of a tree plays an important role in its own growth and the habitat of the whole forest or woodland. The Magic & Mystery of Trees is a nature book that takes children on a fascinating journey of exploration, showing them just how special these mighty organisms are.

Image for Figurines of Pine, Elm, Juniper, Monkey Puzzle, Topiary, Petticoat, Aspen, Two Maples

Figurines of Pine, Elm, Juniper, Monkey Puzzle, Topiary, Petticoat, Aspen, Two Maples

Learn and Play: These figurines provide a fun and educational way to learn about different tree species, promoting environmental awareness and appreciation.

Image for Fandex Family Field Guides: Trees

Fandex Family Field Guides: Trees

Bringing the world of TREES to your fingertips, FANDEX presents a foolproof field guide. Four visual keys--die-cut leaf, bark pattern, flower, nut or seed, and photo of the full tree--plus descriptions of habitat and more combine to give a complete picture of North America's forest and backyard trees.

In addition, TREES is a cultural history--of the mighty White Oak, California Redwood, Aillanthus, the tree that grows in Brooklyn, and the stately White Ash, as important for the bows of early Native Americans as for the baseball bats of today.

Also, there are plenty of books about the nature of trees and science and even poetry, but we loved learning about the famous trees of the world.

Famous and Historic Trees

Although the book only lists 14 famous and historic trees of the world, you could easily add other features to the search besides the oldest, tallest, or biggest trunk.

Science of Trees

Next, add in a bit of science. How are trees defined? Look below at some of their characteristics.

Trees usually have a single stem, or trunk.Trees are woody plants.
Trees are at least 15 feet tall.Trees have a branched-out top called a crown.

Moreover ,trees clean the air, give shade, cool our house, conserve energy and attract songbirds. Also, trees reduce erosion and conserve energy.

MORE TREE CRAFTS

  • From Forest to Fun: Unique Crafts With Tree Bark
  • Easy Pine Craft Tree Ideas And A Free Life Cycle Printable

Furthermore, look at the information on the historic trees.

Learning about the Methuselah Tree

The Methuselah Tree has lived more than 4,600 years. It is a Bristlecone Pine and it’s located in California.

  • Methuselah Tree Lesson Plan
  • A Bristlecone Pine Named ‘Methuselah’
  • Here is an outline map of California
  • About the Ancient Bristle Cone Pine
  • Read about the Bristle Cone Pine here
  • Learn about California history here

Moon Trees

Stuart Roosa was a former U.S. Forest Service worker who orbited in the command module of the Apollo 14 in 1971. He conducted scientific experiments in lunar orbit.

He put hundreds of tree seeds in a packet and took with him to space.

When he got back to earth, the seeds were germinated and are known as “moon trees” and are found all over the U.S. and the world.

  • Read about the Moon Trees here.
  • Where on Earth Did NASA Plant Moon Trees
  • Moon Trees Stand as Living Testaments to First Voyages to Moon
  • Making of a Moon Tree Map

Famous Scythe Tree

This next tree is in Waterloo, New York and the Balm-of-Gilead stands as living monument to a young soldier that went off to fight in the American Civil War.

  • Scythe Tree
  • Read about the Story of the Scythe tree
  • New York word search
  • Here is a mini unit study too about New York.
  • Why is an Upstate NY historian trying to save a really old tree?
  • Map where some animals live in New York
  • New York Outline Map

Prison Boab Famous Tree

Another tree is the Prison Boab which is located in Australia.

It is a Baobab tree. It has many names. One is the Upside-Down Tree because it’s branches look like roots and it’s also just named Boab.

Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study
  • Derby Boab ‘Prison Tree’
  • Read here Inventing a Colonial Dark History: The Derby Boab ‘Prison’ Tree
  • Boab Trees YouTube
  • The Boab Prison Tree
  • Hands-On Geography: Australia Awesome and Deadly Animal Art

The Tule Tree

El Árbol del Tule (The Tule Tree) is located in Santa María del Tule, Mexico.

It is a Montezuma Cypress and it’s estimated to be 1,400 years old.

Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study
  • Read about the Taxodium mucronatum tree here
  • Mexico geography
  • Mexico Lapbook
  • Learn some facts about Mexico from National Geographic
  • Mexico Unit Study and Make a Fun Easy Floral Headband

Chapel Oak Famous Tree

Another famous tree is the the Chapel Oak which is located in Allouville-Bellefosse, France.

It is a huge oak with two chapels inside and a spiral staircase and looks like something out of a fairy tale.

It is one of the biggest and oldest trees in France.

Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study
  • Read about the Le Chêne Chapelle (The Chapel Oak)
  • The Peculiar Chapel Of Allouville-Bellefosse
  • Look at this France Unit Study
  • The Ancient Oak Tree Chapel as Old As France Itself
  • Learn About the Geography of France by Creating A Solar Oven
  • Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns

Ficus Religiosa or The Bodhi Tree

This is a kind of fig tree in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka which is sacred to the Buddhists. They believe Buddha gained “bodhi” or enlightenment while sitting under it and meditating.

  • You can read about the fig tree here.
  • Geography for Kids about Sri Lanka
  • Read here about the characteristics of the tree
  • Map of Sri Lanka

The Famous and Historic General Sherman Tree

Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study

In the Sequoia National Park in California is the General Sherman or a giant sequoia.

The giant sequoias are very special because they are among the oldest and largest living things on earth

. The General Sherman Tree, found in Sequoia National Park, is the largest living thing on earth.

It is 274.9 feet tall, has a circumference (4.5 ft. above the base) of 83.2 feet, a base circumference of 102.6 feet, and a volume of nearly 58,000 cubic feet.

Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study
  • Read about the General Sherman here
  • 12 page lesson plan
  • Our Giant Sequoia Forests 12 page beautiful download
  • The largest trees in the world
  • The Giant Sequoia curriculum pdf

MORE Famous and Historic Trees of the World

There are other trees to read about like

  • Anne Frank’s Chestnut Tree
  • Isaac Newton’s Apple Tree (Woolsthorpe, England)
  • Dueling Oaks in New Orleans, Louisiana
  • The Major Oak, Sherwood Forest, England
  • and the Emancipation Oak (Hampton, Virginia).

Study Tree Art

Add some beautiful art to your study about historic trees. Read about Joseph Farrington and his The Oak Tree. Read about Paul Cezanne and his Forest art.

Also read about Georges Seurat and The Morning Walk.

Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study
The Oak Tree by Joseph Farrington
Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study
Forest by Paul Cezanne

Also, look at Hands-On Literature Nature Study: Simple Tree Craft.

Tree Poetry

Learning and memorizing poetry about trees could also be copywork or to make nature journals.

Loveliest of Trees, The Cherry Now by A. E. Housman

Loveliest of trees, the cherry now
Is hung with bloom along the bough,
And stands about the woodland ride
Wearing white for Eastertide.

Now, of my threescore years and ten,
Twenty will not come again,
And take from seventy springs a score,
It only leaves me fifty more.

And since to look at things in bloom
Fifty springs are little room,
About the woodlands I will go
To see the cherry hung with snow.


Binsey Poplars by Gerard Manley Hopkins

My aspens dear, whose airy cages quelled,
   Quelled or quenched in leaves the leaping sun,
   All felled, felled, are all felled;
     Of a fresh and following folded rank
                Not spared, not one
                That dandled a sandalled
         Shadow that swam or sank
On meadow and river and wind-wandering weed-winding bank.
   O if we but knew what we do
          When we delve or hew—
     Hack and rack the growing green!
           Since country is so tender
     To touch, her being só slender,
     That, like this sleek and seeing ball
     But a prick will make no eye at all,
     Where we, even where we mean
                To mend her we end her,
           When we hew or delve:
After-comers cannot guess the beauty been.
   Ten or twelve, only ten or twelve
      Strokes of havoc únselve
           The sweet especial scene,
      Rural scene, a rural scene,
      Sweet especial rural scene.


The Way through the Woods by Rudyard Kipling 


They shut the road through the woods
      Seventy years ago.
Weather and rain have undone it again,
      And now you would never know
There was once a road through the woods
      Before they planted the trees.
It is underneath the coppice and heath,
      And the thin anemones.

     Only the keeper sees
That, where the ring-dove broods,
      And the badgers roll at ease,
There was once a road through the woods.

Yet, if you enter the woods
      Of a summer evening late,
When the night-air cools on the trout-ringed pools
      Where the otter whistles his mate,
(They fear not men in the woods,
      Because they see so few.)
You will hear the beat of a horse’s feet,
      And the swish of a skirt in the dew,
      Steadily cantering through
The misty solitudes,
      As though they perfectly knew
      The old lost road through the woods.
But there is no road through the woods.

Famous and Historic Trees of the World Lapbook

Too, I’ve created this fun famous and historic trees lapbook to use with this fun unit study.

Awesome features of my lapbooks.

  • Aimed at elementary to 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. I aimed for elementary to high school for this lapbook. One of my reasons for aiming this lapbook for the upper grades is that I use a cursive font for the minibooks filled in with information.
  • 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 already provided by the minibook filled in and another way where your child can add his own research and not use the inside pages. Blank pages are provided for your student’s research.
  • You can use any reference materials, books, or online resources to complete the lapbook.
  • I don’t provide links in the lapbooks for filling out 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.
Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study

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  • Dynamic Famous and Historic Trees Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    Dynamic Famous and Historic Trees Lapbook for Multiple Ages

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Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study

More Tree Facts

Also, you’ll love these resources for studying about each of these varieties of trees.

  • Where do trees get their mass from YouTube
  • Parts of tree
  • Download tree diversity sheets with some fun fact cards
  • 680 Tree Fact Sheets

You’ll love these other studies:

  • History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail
  • 20 Nature-Inspired Kids’ Novels to Nurture Interest In the Outdoors
  • 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.
  • Colorful Winter Bird: Northern Cardinal Lapbook & Unit Study.
  • Free Arctic Ground Squirrel Lapbook & Unit Study Resources

7 CommentsFiled Under: Geography, Geography Based, History Based, Lapbook, Lapbooks, My Unit Studies {Free Printables & Hands-on Ideas}, Nature Based Activities Tagged With: geography, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources, homeschool geography, homeschoolgeography, homeschoolscience, lapbook, lapbookresources, life science, nature, nature study, science, sciencecurriculum, trees

How to Easily Make Fun Seed Tape With Kids

March 6, 2024 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

While creating super easy seed tape with kids’ hands are busy and their minds are open to absorbing new information! Also, look at this post Easy Seeds and Gardening Unit Study for Kids (Middle – Upper Elementary) for more ideas.

Seed tape makes a great activity during the spring months.

Not only is it teaching a practical life skill, but you are incorporating math and science into their learning as well. It is the perfect rainy-day activity while you wait for planting season.

Seed taping makes for a sweet homemade gift too. Grandma might really enjoy a little help with her garden.

How to Easily Make Fun Seed Tape With Kids

Look at this list to make fun seed tape with kids:

  • Assorted seeds
  • Toilet paper
  • All-purpose flour
  • Wooden craft stick
  • Water
  • A small bowl
  • Permanent marker
  • Ruler/measuring tape
  • Clear zippered bags
  • Tweezers
How to Easily Make Fun Seed Tape With Kids  @Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Seed tape can be used in small or large gardens, containers, or even cut into small pieces for seed starting pots.

12 Easy Seed Tape Steps With Kid

Pull out a length of toilet paper that is easy to work with, I recommend from 2’ to 4’ depending on your garden space. If your toilet paper is more than 1-ply you will want to separate each layer.

Use a sharpie to write the name of your plant carefully at the end of the roll so you don’t get confused.

In a small bowl stir together just enough flour and water to create a sticky paste, it should be like a thick pudding. A couple of teaspoons of flour will go a long way.

How to Easily Make Fun Seed Tape With Kids  @Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Mark off spots for your seeds by making a dot with your sharpie on your lengths of toilet paper, this will depend on the recommended planting distance of the flowers or vegetables you are planting, you can find this information on the back of your seed packet.

This is a great time to include some math in your child’s activity, have them use a ruler to mark off the spaces.

How to Easily Make Fun Seed Tape With Kids  @Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Drip a bit of your paste on your mark using a craft stick.

How to Easily Make Fun Seed Tape With Kids  @Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Use your tweezers to drop a seed or two onto the paste dot, tape down gently.

How to Easily Make Fun Seed Tape With Kids  @Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Leave your paper out and allow the paste to dry completely, this is an important step, if you move to the next step before it’s dry it will stick together and become a big unusable mess.

How to Easily Make Fun Seed Tape With Kids  @Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Once your paste is completely dry roll up your seed tape into a tidy little roll and place inside a plastic baggie, don’t forget to use your sharpie to write the name of your plant on the baggie.

How to Easily Make Fun Seed Tape With Kids  @Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Gardening Activities for Kids

Store your seed tapes until ready to use!

How to Easily Make Fun Seed Tape With Kids  @Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

When ready to plant you can use the entire length or trim them into smaller pieces, even a few squares for container gardening will work!

Dig a shallow trench in the prepared soil and unroll your seed tape, cover with a thin layer of soil, water well.

How to Easily Make Fun Seed Tape With Kids

Remember to identify your rows with plant markers.

Turn this simple activity into a larger unit study by including some other activities that go along with it well and add a little more to it.

How to Easily Make Fun Seed Tape With Kids  @Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

11 Seed Tape Unit Study Ideas

One/ Track your planting from seed tape to harvest with a gardening journal.

Two/ Incorporate art by sketching your plants.

Three/ Work in some math by having your child draw out a square foot garden and filling in the plants you plan to grow.

Four/ Practice measurement by having them track the plant’s growth with a ruler.

Five/ Purchase a rain gauge and track the rain for the season on a simple bar graph.

Six/ Use leftover seeds for a seed sorting activity. Look at my tips here for Easy Seed and Gardening Unit Study for Kids (Middle – Upper Elementary)

Seven/ Create a garden budget and have your child compare prices and help choose plants and other items needed to fit in the budget.

Eight/ Make plant markers for art and writing practice.

Nine/ Check out books from the library about seeds and planting, I have a list of suggestions below!

Ten/ Draw and label the parts of a seed.

Eleven/ Photograph your plant from seed to harvest and create a book.

Next, look at some of our favorite books.

11 Gardening With Kids Books & Fun Resources

As a true bibliophile no unit study would be complete without a strong list of books to support a topic. Here is a great list for everyone in the family.

Image for Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of Country Life

Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of Country Life

Learn the difference between a farrow and a barrow, and what distinguishes a weanling from a yearling. Country and city mice alike will delight in Julia Rothman’s charming illustrated guide to the curious parts and pieces of rural living. Dissecting everything from the shapes of squash varieties to how a barn is constructed and what makes up a beehive to crop rotation patterns, Rothman gives a richly entertaining tour of the quirky details of country life. 

Image for The Garden Classroom: Hands-On Activities in Math, Science, Literacy, and Art

The Garden Classroom: Hands-On Activities in Math, Science, Literacy, and Art

Packed with garden-based activities that promote science, math, reading, writing, imaginative play, and arts and crafts, The Garden Classroom offers a whole year of outdoor play and learning ideas—however big or small your garden.

Image for Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt:

Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt:

Explore the secret realm beneath the dirt that brings the world of nature to life: Follow a young girl and her grandmother on a journey through the year planning, planting, and harvesting their garden—and learn about what's happening in the dirt to help make it all happen.Up in the garden, the world is full of green—leaves and sprouts, growing vegetables, ripening fruit. But down in the dirt exists a busy world—earthworms dig, snakes hunt, skunks burrow—populated by all the creatures that make a garden their home

Image for Gardening Lab for Kids: 52 Fun Experiments to Learn, Grow, Harvest, Make, Play, and Enjoy Your Garden

Gardening Lab for Kids: 52 Fun Experiments to Learn, Grow, Harvest, Make, Play, and Enjoy Your Garden

A refreshing source of ideas to help your children learn to grow their own patch of earth, Gardening Lab for Kids encourages children to get outside and enjoy nature. This fun and creative book features 52 plant-related activities set into weekly lessons, beginning with learning to read maps to find your heat zone, moving through seeds, soil, composting, and then creating garden art and appreciating your natural surroundings.

Image for The Ultimate Guide to Gardening: Grow Your Own Indoor, Vegetable, Fairy, and Other Great Gardens

The Ultimate Guide to Gardening: Grow Your Own Indoor, Vegetable, Fairy, and Other Great Gardens

Whether inside or outside, decorative or edible, this book is full of gardening projects large and small. Easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions are accompanied by photographs that guide the aspiring gardening through planting all kinds of gardens.

Image for Kids Gardening Set

Kids Gardening Set

MONTESSORI FOR TODDLERS: Our gardening tool set encourages kids to play outside & learn about plants, nature & sustainability. Perfect for the yard and sand box.

OUTDOOR LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Our Kids Garden Set is great for Occupational Therapy & Developing Fine Motor Skills. Suitable for Boys and girls.

Image for Do-It-Yourself Garden Research Handbook - The Thinking Tree: How to Design, Plant, & Care for Your Own Garden! Homeschooling Science, Nature & Home Economics

Do-It-Yourself Garden Research Handbook - The Thinking Tree: How to Design, Plant, & Care for Your Own Garden! Homeschooling Science, Nature & Home Economics

A Gardening Research Workbook & Planning Guide for Teens, Kids and Families! Perfect for Homeschooling Science, Nature Study, Botany and Home Economics!

Designed for teens, but perfect for Ages 9+ (Younger students will need some extra help).

Image for Raised Garden Bed Wood Planter Boxes Outdoor for Kids with Legs

Raised Garden Bed Wood Planter Boxes Outdoor for Kids with Legs

{Raised Garden Bed for Kids} We designed the children raised garden bed carefully, so that your children can feel the happiness of plant growth and the magic of natural life. Our raised garden bed deep enough to provide your plants and vegetables with ample room to breathe and grow healthy.

Image for From Seed to Plant

From Seed to Plant

Flowers, trees, fruits—plants are all around us, but where do they come from?  With simple language and bright illustrations, non-fiction master Gail Gibbons introduces young readers to the processes of pollination, seed formation, and germination.  Important vocabulary is reinforced with accessible explanation and colorful, clear diagrams showing the parts of plants, the wide variety of seeds, and how they grow.  The book includes instructions for a seed-growing project, and a page of interesting facts about plants, seeds, and flowers.   A nonfiction classic, and a perfect companion for early science lessons and curious young gardeners.

Image for National Geographic Readers: Seed to Plant

National Geographic Readers: Seed to Plant

Kids see plants, flowers, and trees around them every day. In this lively and educational reader, they'll learn how those plants grow. Kids will take this magical journey from seed pollination to plant growth, learning about what plants need to thrive and grow with the same careful text, brilliant photographs, and the fun approach National Geographic Readers are known for.

Image for Oh Say Can You Seed? All About Flowering Plants

Oh Say Can You Seed? All About Flowering Plants

An easy and fun introduction to plant biology! With the able assistance of Thing 1 and Thing 2 - the Cat in the Hat explores the world of plants. Kids will learn about the various parts of plants, seeds, and flowers; basic photosynthesis and pollination; and seed dispersal.

Seed Tape Science Words

You can use the following words for vocabulary, spelling, copy work, and journal starters.

  • Angiosperms- Flowering plants.
  • Gymnosperms-Non-flowering plants.
  • Tuber- Thickened underground part of the stem.
  • Rhizome- A horizontal underground stem with lateral shoots and roots.
  • Corm-Short swollen underground plant stem.
  • Bulb- An underground storage organ with a short stem and fleshy scale leaves.
  • Germination- When a seed begins to develop after dormancy.
  • Bud- Flower or plant that is beginning to bloom
  • Seedling- A young plant, mostly raised from seed and not cuttings.
  • Seed Coat- Protective outer coat of a seed.
How to Easily Make Fun Seed Tape with Kids and sneak in some learning too. Check out this FUN activity over at Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

You’ll also love these other fun activities:

  • Easy Seed and Gardening Unit Study for Kids (Middle – Upper Elementary)
  • Fall Unit Study (Includes Apples, Sir Isaac Newton, Art, and Appleseed)
  • How to Make a Fun Kids Root Viewer
  • How to Easily Garden Plan With Kids Using LEGO
  • Wildflowers Unit Study & Lapbook

2 CommentsFiled Under: Hands-On Activities, Science, Science Based Tagged With: garden, gardening, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, life science, nature study, science, seed, spring

Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

February 22, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

From science to literature, I have a wonderful selection of owl unit study ideas to spark your next lesson. Also, grab more ideas on my Best Homeschool Unit Studies page.

Included is a simple how-to for dissecting owl pellets.

Owl pellets are the indigestible parts of creatures that owls eat such as the skull, claws, teeth, fur, and feathers that cannot safely pass through an owl’s digestive tract.

So instead, the gizzard of the owl presses everything into a tight pellet that the owl then regurgitates.

Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

They look just like a little round clod of dirt at first glance.

As you begin to pull it apart you will find fur, bones, and more.

They are both gross and fascinating at the same time. If you have never examined one, I highly recommend doing so.

But beyond that grossly wonderful hands-on activity there is plenty more to choose from to create a small or larger lesson on this nocturnal bird of prey.

I have science, language arts, math, and even art and life skills bundled up to give you plenty of inspiration for an owl unit study.

There is so much to learn about owls that they really can be their own study.

They are found on nearly every continent and there are roughly 250 owl species.

All of them live above ground except for the burrowing owl that makes its nest underground in holes abandoned by other animals.

Books About Owls for Kids

13 Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read to About Owls

Add some of these books about owls to your home library or for your unit study.

Image for Owls in the Family

Owls in the Family

Every child needs to have a pet. No one could argue with that.   But what happens when your pet is an owl, and your owl is terrorizing the neighbourhood?  

In Farley Mowat’s exciting children’s story, a young boy’s pet menagerie—which includes crows, magpies, gophers and a dog—grows out of control with the addition of two cantankerous pet owls. The story of how Wol and Weeps turn the whole town upside down s warm, funny, and bursting with adventure and suspense.

Image for An owl and three pussycats

An owl and three pussycats

A baby owl and three kittens receive a bit of extra help in growing up on Maple Hill Farm.

Image for Owl Moon

Owl Moon

Late one winter night a little girl and her father go owling. The trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream. Whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls to the mysterious nighttime bird. But there is no answer.Wordlessly the two companions walk along, for when you go owling you don't need words. You don't need anything but hope. Sometimes there isn't an owl, but sometimes there is. Distinguished author Jane Yolen has created a gentle, poetic story that lovingly depicts the special companionship of a young child and her father as well as humankind's close relationship to the natural world. Wonderfully complemented by John Schoenherr's soft, exquisite watercolor illustrations, this is a verbal and visual treasure, perfect for reading around and sharing at bedtime.

Image for The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark

The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark

Plop, the baby barn owl, is like every barn owl there ever was, except for one thing—he is afraid of the dark! Mrs. Barn Owl sends him down from the nest-hole to find out more about the dark, and it's not long before Plop finds out that DARK IS SUPER! This comforting story filled with gentle humor and warm and soothing illustrations has been enjoyed for decades by parents and children who want to snuggle down with a good read.

Image for Little Owl's Night

Little Owl's Night

Little Owl enjoys a lovely night in the forest visiting his friend the raccoon, listening to the frogs croak and the crickets chirp, and watching the fog that hovers overhead.

Image for Owls

Owls

On silent wings a bird sweeps down in the moonlight...   With their striking appearance and distinctive hoot, hoot, owls are one of the most recognizable birds in the world.  But did you know there are more than 140 types of owls living in the world?   Gail Gibbons' Owls celebrates the similarities and differences in the many species of owls, from large to small, living in diverse environments and making many different kinds of nests.  The book covers basics of owl behavior, information on how they hunt, and the many factors that have led some types of owls to become endangered.   The boldly colored illustrations feature clear labeling, and all new words are defined and reinforced with clear, simple language, appropriate for young readers.  The book also features a page of intriguing owl trivia.

Image for Barn Owl (Science I Can Read Book)

Barn Owl (Science I Can Read Book)

Easy-to-read text and illustrations trace the life of a barn owl from his birth until he leaves the nest and finds a mate of his own.

Image for The Book of North American Owls

The Book of North American Owls

Everything you ever wanted to know about owls on the North American continent. Features the twenty-one species of owls and all their vital statistics. Includes a detailed, illustrated glossary with maps showing residence and breeding ranges.

Image for There's an Owl in the Shower

There's an Owl in the Shower

It’s people versus owls in this laugh-out-loud story about one family’s love for a special little owl, from bestselling nature writer and Newbery Medal winner Jean Craighead George!

Borden Watson’s father is out of job, and it’s all the spotted owls’ fault. The birds are endangered, which means loggers, like Mr. Watson, are no longer allowed to cut down trees.

It doesn’t make sense to Borden. Why are owls being put first over the citizens?

But when Borden finds an owlet in the forest who needs his care, he brings it back home—much to Mr. Watson’s displeasure. Hilarious chaos soon ensues, as the tiny owl makes big changes in this logging family’s home, and makes his way into their hearts.

This heartwarming story is a great way for young readers to learn about important topics, like endangered species, conservation, and environmentalism.

Image for Knight Owl (Caldecott Honor Book) (The Knight Owl Series, 1)

Knight Owl (Caldecott Honor Book) (The Knight Owl Series, 1)

A determined Owl builds strength and confidence in this medieval picture book about the real mettle of a hero: wits, humor, and heart.  Since the day he hatched, Owl dreamed of becoming a real knight. He may not be the biggest or the strongest, but his sharp nocturnal instincts can help protect the castle, especially since many knights have recently gone missing. While holding guard during Knight Night Watch, Owl is faced with the ultimate trial—a frightening intruder. It’s a daunting duel by any measure. But what Owl lacks in size, he makes up for in good ideas. Full of wordplay and optimism, this surprising display of bravery proves that cleverness (and friendship) can rule over brawn. 

Image for A Snowy Owl Story (Wildlife on the Move)

A Snowy Owl Story (Wildlife on the Move)

One winter, as food gets scarce, a snowy owl finds himself forced to look in new and unfamiliar spots in order to find food and a place to call home. Based on a true story, A Snowy Owl Story describes, through the tale of one particular owl, the recent irruption of snowy owls all across the United States. Through this simple narrative, youngsters will learn about migration, adaptation, and respectful human interaction with nature. This unique title (first in a projected series of four board books) is written and designed specifically for a preschool market; few board books exist that tell conservation stories for this age range. Published in cooperation with Maine Audubon.

Image for Reggie The Burrowing Owl: The True Story Of How A Family Found And Raised A Burrowing Owl

Reggie The Burrowing Owl: The True Story Of How A Family Found And Raised A Burrowing Owl

This is the true story about how one, little orphaned burrowing owl brought five children and their parents together on a mission to care for him as best they could back in 1967. While taking care of, Reggie, we learned that—there’s no such thing as an ordinary day with a burrowing owl around. This is not just a story for children, but the whole family and though our days revolved around Reggie, it was the unique way Reggie impacted ours and those around us ordinary lives which makes this story so special. We hope you will find it so as well."Populations of burrowing owls are declining in some areas due to pesticide use, poisoning of prairie dog colonies, and automobile collisions. Conservation concerns differ by region, and in various states they are listed as endangered, threatened, or as a species of concern.

Image for Owl at Home (I Can Read Level 2)

Owl at Home (I Can Read Level 2)

Owl lives by himself in a warm little house. But whether Owl is inviting Winter in on a snowy night or welcoming a new friend he meets while on a stroll, Owl always has room for visitors!

Arnold Lobel's beloved Level 2 I Can Read classic was created for kids who read on their own but still need a little help. Whether shared at home or in a classroom, the engaging stories, longer sentences, and language play of Level Two books are proven to help kids take their next steps toward reading success.

Also, look at more ideas.

OWL UNIT STUDY RESOURCES

  • How to Make a Toilet Roll Owl & Elf Owl Facts

Resources for an Owl Unit Study

SCIENCE

Watch this video on the Great Horned Owl for a bird’s eye view.

Grab the Big Book of Birds for preschoolers through middle elementary (and maybe beyond), it is a great oversized book full of bird information and illustrations.

Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

Dissect an owl pellet.

I found this fantastic free printable owl pellet bone sorting chart that you can use along with the owl pellets as you dissect them and carefully remove the individual bones.

This is a great way to identify which ones are which.

For younger learners try out Owl Eyesight – STEM Exploration for Kids.

Learn about the life cycle of an owl as you label each part of the cycle with the free life cycle of an owl labeling worksheets.  

I enjoy adding books to our library that are good for more than one use.

Nature Anatomy is just such a resource, it has a nice section on owls with pretty illustrations, and information on bird anatomy, birds of prey, eggs, nests, and calls.

Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

LANGUAGE ARTS

For preschoolers I have this wonderful O is for Owl unit with plenty of hands-on activity ideas.

Have your middle or high school teen write a report on one species of owl including its habitat, how to identify it, and preferred prey.

One of my favorite children’s books is Owl Moon and it makes a great addition to read aloud for this topic.

MATH

Try out this Owl Matching Game for kids to help your child make the connection between the number of objects and the number itself.

Hoot Owl Hoot is a simple cooperative matching game that preschoolers will enjoy.

GEOGRAPHY

Owls are found in nearly every continent in the world from deserts to coniferous forests to the Arctic tundra.

Take out a map and have your child identify the habitat of several owls.

Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

An ornithologist is a scientist who studies birds, including owls. Have your child research and list 3 different things that this type of scientist does.

ART AND LIFE SKILLS

This Owl Head craft does not have written instructions but I think the step-by-step photos are enough to create your own unique owl art piece.

This one goes under art but is also a fantastic life skill, simple sewing to create a Stuffed Winter Owl Heat Pack.

These paper bag owls take what would typically be a preschool project and raise it a few levels making it great for upper elementary and middle school.

Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

How to Dissect Owl Pellets 

You will need:

  • Grab these large Barn Owl Pellets. When they are jumbo like this one, it’s so much more fun.
  • Tweezers
  • Skewer
  • Magnifying glass
  • Tray

First, owl pellets generally come sanitized and with instructions, but I wanted to give you more insight and ideas for approaching the dissection.

To make it inviting, spread out your pellets as well as the science tools on a tray.

Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

Use tools like skewers and tweezers to carefully pull the pellet apart.

Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

Remove all the little bone fragments.

Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

Examine them a little closer using a magnifying glass.

Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

Use a bone identification chart to match up the bones you find in the pellet.

You may find enough to reconstruct a little skeleton.

Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

Be sure to wash up well afterward and if you want to keep your bones you can store them in a little vial on your science shelf, I have found similar to these at Dollar Tree in multipacks.

Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

Leave a CommentFiled Under: My Unit Studies {Free Printables & Hands-on Ideas} Tagged With: elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, life science, owl, science, unit studies, unit study, unit study approach

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