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kindergarten

Learn About Mozart The Eight Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Series

October 11, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

The next book in the Geronimo Stilton series Out of Time (Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time #8) has fun learning facts about Mozart. So, if your child is loving the Geronimo Stilton books, you’ll love this next hands-on craft with the book.

How about combining Mozart, music, and the adorable antics of Geronimo Stilton?

In the Geronimo Stilton series, The Eighth Journey Through Time sails through 4 different time periods in the book.

What a busy mouse.

Learn About Mozart The Eight Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Series

Out of Time (Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time #8) takes your little learner to meet:

  • Alexander the Great,
  • Queen Cleopatra,
  • Sir Francis Drake,
  • and todays topic of interest- Mozart in The Court of Vienna.

The way the books are set up, your child can read the whole thing or just choose to start at one of the time periods.

Learn About Mozart The Eight Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Series

Geronimo meets Mozart and his family and helps them get to the Court of Vienna.

Of course like the other books in this series, it is loaded with fun facts. Also, it has introductions to several instruments, fashion of the time period, and many historical references.

Also, there are a few logic games where your child studies a picture and discover what is wrong. 

These books are aimed at middle to upper elementary, but they are really fantastic for struggling or reluctant readers.

They are not quite a graphic novel and have a fair amount of reading to them.

Learn About Mozart The Eight Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Series

But it is laid out in such a fun and colorful way that they hardly realize they are learning all wonderful historical facts.

Benefits of Learning Music

Even if you or your child have no musical aspirations music is a great experience and has so many learning benefits.

  • Strengthens memory and attention.
  • Reinforces important language skills.
  • Relaxes and relieves anxiety.
  • Improves listening skills.
  • Helps learn math skills (quarter, half note, etc and fractions).
  • Nurtures creativity.
  • Makes you use more of and different parts of your brain.

While you listen to some of Mozart’s music, play a memory game.

Encourage your child to identify the instruments they hear.

They can also listen for when the music speeds up and slows down. What a wonderful way to help you both relax and focus, this can be a great beginning, end, or reset to your homeschool day.

Also, look at these sites:

  • Fun Ways to Teach Children Note Values
  • Dig a little deeper into learning about Mozart with this YouTube video- History of Mozart  from Bedtime History .

Then, add some fun facts about Mozart.

Marvelous Mozart Facts

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756.
  • He wrote his first musical compositions at just 5 years old.
  • Mozart could speak 12 different languages.
  • He wrote over 600 musical pieces in his short lifetime.
  • He was left-handed.
  • Mozart wrote his first opera at just 12 years old. 
  • Mozart died  December 5, 1791 at age 35, believed from rheumatic fever.

Let’s make a DIY music memory game without the need for any special equipment.

But I do suggest that if you don’t have a paper slicer you grab one.

They are so great for cutting straight lines and very inexpensive. But you can do this with just a ruler and scissors also.

Music Appreciation Activity DIY Memory Game

You will need:

  • white cardstock
  • colored cardstock
  • glue stick
  • paper cutter or scissors
  • markers
Learn About Mozart The Eight Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Series

First, cut your white cardstock into 2 ½ ”x 2 1/2” squares.

Again, you can use scissors, but these little paper slicers come in handy dandy for a lot of different projects and are really reasonable.

Learn About Mozart The Eight Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Series

Next, cut your colored cardstock slightly larger than the white, say 2 3/4” to 3” square.

Draw music notes, simple instruments, music symbols, or write out musical terms on your white cards.

Remember you will need two of each.

A quick Google search can help you find some inspiration.

But here is a photo of the 6 I did for this version. You can make more or less depending on your child’s familiarity with music and their skill level.

Learn About Mozart The Eight Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Series

Once your designs are drawn glue the white cardstock to the center of the colored squares.

This helps create sturdier cards and you can’t see through the white cards anymore.

Learn About Mozart The Eight Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Series

To play the game it is simply like traditional memory, mix up and then lay all the cards out face down. 

Take turns picking two at a time to try and create a match, if you get a match you keep the pair, and draw again, but if not put them back down in the same spot.

Repeat until all cards are matched up.

Music Note Memory Variations

  • Write the notes on half your cards and the name on the other half.
  • Draw instruments on your cards instead.
  • Write composer names.
  • Draw music bars with different notes
Learn About Mozart The Eight Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Series

Other Geronimo Stilton Series

Finally, you’ll love these other hands-on book crafts for the Geronimo Stilton series books:

  • The Geronimo Stilton Book Fourth Journey Fun Egypt Game
  • Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Craft a Fun England Tower Guard
  • Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)
  • Down and Out Down Under Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef
  • Field Trip to Niagara Falls Summary And Fun Corn Craft
  • The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time Colosseum Craft
  • The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine
  • Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time Mayan Craft
  • The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy
  • Who Is Geronimo Stilton Rodent Notebooking Page
  • 10 Fun Things You Can Teach Using Geronimo Stilton Books

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: Geronimo Stilton, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, kindergarten, Mozart, music

4 Fun and Engaging Bat Activities for Kindergarten

October 10, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have some engaging bat activities for kindergarten. Find some other fun kindergarten crafts on my kindergarten homeschool curriculum page.

October is the perfect time of year to swoop into a mini unit on bats. These adorable and often misunderstood creatures are a great way to introduce concepts like echolocation and nocturnal.

I have a few do it yourself ideas and a fun sensory bin bat activities for kindergarten. This sensory bin is so easy and inexpensive you can make it with just items in your pantry.

4 Fun and Engaging Bat Activities for Kindergarten

The benefits of sensory bins are many for preschoolers and kindergarten aged children.

They can explore and build their imaginations.

Also, they are good for self regulation, promote fine motor skills, and simple life skills.

That is all before adding in some extra educational activities.

Bat Unit Study Resources

First, include a few of these books to begin your study.

Nature Anatomy is a great living science book that has so many applications.

There is a beautiful two page spread on bats that is perfect to go along with the sensory bin.

You can also go with Bats by Gail Gibbons if you want something to reference during your play and learning in the sensory bin.

I also found this fantastic bat skeleton at Dollar Tree.

I wasn’t sure at first because of the scary teeth but realized that it offered a great learning opportunity to talk to your child about the myths surrounding bats.

And the fact that while yes there are vampire bats, the majority of bats are peaceful bug and fruit eating creatures.

4 Fun and Engaging Bat Activities for Kindergarten

If you look at the plastic skeleton you will see that anatomically it is pretty close to a real bat skeleton.

You can use it as a tool to label the different parts of a bat and talk about how they use their ears for echolocation.

Share a fact about what is echolocation. Bats emit high frequency sound through their mouth or nose and listen for the echo.

From the echo, the bat can determine the size, shape and texture of objects in its environment.

Too, add in my free Bat Unit Study.

4 Fun and Engaging Bat Activities for Kindergarten
  • Dynamic Why Bats Are Not Birds Lapbook For Multiple Ages

    Dynamic Why Bats Are Not Birds Lapbook For Multiple Ages

    $4.00
    Add to cart

Learning About Bat Activities

Too, once you create your sensory bin for kindergarten, add some other ideas for learning.

  • Add letter tiles to work on beginning sounds or even spelling out simple words like bat, night, wing, or fly.
  • Hide the letter tiles in the rice and have your little bat swoop in and grab one then tell you the name of and sound that the letter makes.
4 Fun and Engaging Bat Activities for Kindergarten
  • Roll a die and have your child count out the appropriate number of bats to match the number.
4 Fun and Engaging Bat Activities for Kindergarten

Let your child play and develop their imagination in the sensory bin while you read aloud from Stellaluna.

Busy hands mean the brain is free to take in and hold onto information.

  • Add spoons and cups for scooping, measuring, pouring, and investigating the sensory bin.
  • Talk about the fact that bats hang upside down rather than resting on top of the branch the way birds do. Demonstrate with the pasta bats and sticks in the sensory bin. Introduce the concept of nocturnal animals if your child is not already familiar with it.
  • Bats are most active from dusk to dawn. Make your bin a deep purple that makes it look like dusk, just after the sun sets but before it is completely dark, the time that many bats begin to feed. This is a great way to open up the topic for conversation. They are sure to remember these things taught during play.

And add pincers or tongs for picking up the bats to build fine motor skills.

How to Make a Bat Sensory Bin

Now, look how to make an easy bat sensory bin from things you already have in your home.

Here is a list.

  • Food coloring or liquid watercolors
  • Uncooked white rice
  • farfalle(bowtie) pasta
  • White beans
  • Sticks from the yard.
  • And a container or bin
4 Fun and Engaging Bat Activities for Kindergarten

First, I had liquid watercolor on hand so I used that to color my rice and pasta but you could also use food coloring or watered down craft paint as well.

Place your rice in a large bowl or ziploc bag and add coloring. Shake and knead the bag or stir until it is completely covered.

4 Fun and Engaging Bat Activities for Kindergarten

Next take a small handful of bowtie pasta and toss in a bag with black and/or brown coloring until coated well.

If you do brown, black, and even gray it gives you the opportunity to talk about the different colors of bats. 

4 Fun and Engaging Bat Activities for Kindergarten

You could also just use black beans if you have them on hand for your night sky.

Spread rice and pasta out on a baking sheet in the sun to dry. The liquid watercolors dried up in less than 20 minutes.

4 Fun and Engaging Bat Activities for Kindergarten

Once your materials are dry, add the rice to a large baking dish or other shallow container to create a dusk colored sky.

4 Fun and Engaging Bat Activities for Kindergarten

Next, add some sticks gathered from the yard to give your bats somewhere to fly around and hang from.

4 Fun and Engaging Bat Activities for Kindergarten

Sprinkle a few great northern beans (or beads or pom poms) for stars.

4 Fun and Engaging Bat Activities for Kindergarten

Finally, add your bats.

4 Fun and Engaging Bat Activities for Kindergarten

Finally, add these other science fun activities.

Other Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum Activities

  • Native American Crafts for Kindergarten How to Make a Kids Pinch Pot
  • 15 Fun Resources For History for Kindergarten Homeschool.
  • 19 Fun Hands-on Rainforest Activities for Kindergarten
4 Fun and Engaging Bat Activities for Kindergarten

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Teach Kindergarten Tagged With: bats, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, kindergarten, life science, science

10 Best Homeschool Phonics Curriculum For Kindergarten

September 30, 2022 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Choosing the best homeschool phonics curriculum for kindergarten is one of the first places to start when choosing kindergarten homeschool curriculum.

After all reading is the foundation of every other subject you’ll be teaching.

And teaching phonics to your child doesn’t have to be as frightening as some make it sound.

10 Best Homeschool Phonics Curriculum For Kindergarten

In addition, many programs teaching reading have a public-school mindset meaning the earlier the better in teaching a child how to read.

While that may work for some children, other children benefit from waiting longer before you introduce a phonics program.

However, all children benefit from direct phonics instructions whenever your child has his start.

Also, arming you with tips after 20+ years of teaching children how to read, I want you to be confident to trust the process.

Homeschool Phonics

However, to trust the process, you need to understand the process.

And it will help you if you know some of the mindsets which exist in the reading world.

When I started homeschooling there was still much debate between whole language teaching versus direct phonics instructions.

As I mentioned that was over 20 years ago. I feel the debate goes on still.

However, I feel that children use both skills to read.

Do all children need the same amount of exposure? Absolutely not. But they all benefit.

Unfortunately, some homeschool families who think their child needs less instruction do not find out until later.

10 Best Homeschool Phonics Curriculum For Kindergarten

The real struggle or lack of instruction does not show up until third or fourth grade. Sometimes even later.

What is the Science of Reading

So, I remember the first time I heard the term the science of reading. I delved into it.

Basically, it means to understand that research has been developed into how a child learns to read.

Because we want to teach in a way that nurtures how the brain learns to read, we need to be aware of the process.

As you can tell, reading and understanding the science of reading is a comprehensive topic now.

Homeschool Phonics Kindergarten

Instead of trying to understand the science of reading which can take professionals years, focus on knowing that teaching phonics in a sequential approach with 1:1 teaching is the most effective.

Sight words have a place too. But what are sight words?

Sight words are words that teachers expect kids to know (memorize) by sight. Children are wired to articulate or sound out words. But some children with strong memory skills can learn sight words. Basically learning a sight word just means recognizing a symbol and deciphering it.

Children with special needs or who may not have strong memorization skills can fall behind with this process.

If that is the case, work through the other senses to help a child with special needs or a struggling child.

For example, you can:

  • point out the part of the sight word your child may be able to articulate. Some sight words have a pair of letters which make a sound your child may know.
  • play games with the sight words.
  • have the child write the word and then take away the first or last letter and have him write it in. This can help to makes strong connections in the brain.
  • use sensory writing. Have your child write in shaving cream, in rice, on the wall.

So, take time to help your kids learn sight words while you choose the best homeschool phonics curriculum for kindergarten.

10 Best Homeschool Phonics Curriculum For Kindergarten

Also, I’ve included hands-on manipulatives below too.

Other Homeschool Kindergarten Phonics Resources:

Then, you’ll love these other phonics resources below:

  • How to Choose a Homeschool Phonics Program Like a Pro (& recommendations)
  • 5 Easy Steps to Putting Together Your Own Homeschool Phonics Program

More Tips for Beginner Readers

  • 12 of the Best Books For Beginner Readers Being Homeschooled
  • How To Determine The Best Beginner Reading Books For Kindergarten & Recommendations
  • 6 Boy Approved Books Which Spark the Love of Reading
  • How To Get Your First Homeschooled Child Reading
  • 10 Best Homeschool Phonics Curriculum For Kindergarten

11 Best Phonics for Homeschool Kindergarten

Teaching kids how to read doesn't have to be hard, you just have to have the right tools.

You'll love these phonics resources.

Photo Credit: www.allaboutlearningpress.com

All About Reading Level 1

Package includes: one Teacher's Manual, one Student Packet, and three readers

Evan-Moor Daily Phonics, Grade 2, Homeschooling, Phonemic Awareness, Decoding, Word-Study, Teaching Editions, Reproducible Worksheets

Provide explicit, systematic phonics instruction and practice in just 15 to 20 minutes a day!

Daily Phonics, Grade 2 helps students in second grade—including students learning English—develop the phonics skills necessary to become proficient, on-grade-level readers.

The 32 weekly units in grade 2 cover:

Photo Credit: www.starfall.com

Welcome to Starfall PreK & Kindergarten

Starfall.com® opened in September 2002 as a free public service to teach children to read.

Since then it has expanded to include language arts and mathematics for preschool, kindergarten, first grade, second grade, and third grade.

Starfall’s emphasis on phonemic awareness, systematic sequential phonics, and common sight words in conjunction with audiovisual interactivity has proven effective in teaching emergent readers

Explode the Code 4 Books

Explode the Code is a research-based, multisensory program geared to improving literacy with direct, systematic, phonics instruction.

Photo Credit: www.progressivephonics.com

Progressive Phonics

Progressive Phonics all-in-one reading program that is easy, fun, and totally FREE---that's right, totally and completely free.

And with Progressive Phonics, ANYONE can teach a child to read and write in just a few minutes a day, which makes it ideal for parents, teachers, tutors, volunteers and home-schoolers.

Photo Credit: www.opensourcephonics.org

Open Source Phonics

Free Phonics Materials for Teachers, Tutors, and Families Literacy is a civil right.  The research supporting phonics is too strong to ignore. All families deserve access to high-quality phonics materials.

Foundations by Logic of English

Help you child learn to read and spell - while having fun. Teachers and parents are raving about it! This first step in the Logic of English Foundations series opens the door to reading with phonemic
awareness activities, fun lessons that practice the sounds of a-z, and creative blending games

Horizons K Phonics and Reading

Prepare your child for a lifetime of reading and successful learning with the Horizons Kindergarten Phonics & Reading Student Book 1 from Alpha Omega Publications.

Photo Credit: winterpromise.com

Early Language Arts Overview - WinterPromise

Adventures in Pine Hollow is designed to engage students so thoroughly that whether they can’t wait to read or would rather wait forever, they are pulled into a forest world, where they join critter adventures and forget there’s learning going on!

First Start Reading, Book A

First Start Reading covers consonants, short and long vowels, 45 common words, and manuscript
printing, accompanied by artist-drawn coloring pictures and drawing pages for every letter.

Alpha-Phonics Primer

Mr. Blumenfeld created Alpha-Phonics (spiral-bound) to provide parents, teachers and tutors with a sensible, logical, easy-to-use system for teaching reading. It is an intensive phonics instruction
program based on the author's many years of research and experience in the reading instruction field

1 CommentFiled Under: Teach Kindergarten Tagged With: homeschoolanguagearts, kindergarten, language arts, languagearts, phonics

15 Fun Resources For History for Kindergarten Homeschool

September 24, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

These 15 fun resources for history for kindergarten homeschool can be added to the solids tips I share for kindergarten homeschool curriculum.

In addition, teaching history to a kindergarten aged child is not easy to know how to do.

In my 20+ years of homeschooling, I am familiar with how some public school teach it.

Combining an amalgam of subjects that fall under the social studies umbrella is how many schools teach kindergarten homeschool history.

15 Fun Resources For History for Kindergarten Homeschool

And many homeschool families of kindergarten children are not even sure what is social studies.

In addition, if not taught at the level your child can understand history can go right over a child’s head.

Then, the next important thing to consider about teaching history is to know what is your local homeschool law.

4 Ways to Teach Kindergarten Homeschool History

Look at what is important to know about how to teach history to kindergarten aged children.

1. Start With An All About Me Focus

Unlike many history resources which start from the beginning like ancient history and move forward that concept can be hard to understand by young children.

Until a child is older, he doesn’t have a full grasp on understanding the passing of time or how earlier cultures influenced later ones.

So, the point I’m making is that if you start by teaching history by teaching the child about him and his family.

Learn about the house, city, state, country and continent where your child lives and work from the inside out.

Too, learning what are community helpers, helping a five-year-old learn about past and present, and simply reading aloud are effective ways of teaching beginning history.

One of the reasons this is a powerful way for a child this age to learn is that it helps them to make the connection of what is history.

2. History Should be Play-Based.

In addition, some families feel homeschooling should be worksheet based or homeschool like a public school.

I don’t embrace those mindsets for the fact that learning should be developmentally appropriate.

Although these mindsets have loomed in the homeschooling community, it’s more prevalent now.

Perhaps it’s because we have many post pandemic homeschooling families now.

Whatever the reason, the way children at this age learn best for any subject is play-based.

And incorporating play-based learning into history for kindergarten homeschool is not as hard as it may seem.

For example, look at a few of these ideas which can be used for any history topic.

  • Play dough is timeless. Your child can create any landmark, history figure, or play food.
  • Dress up for any time period or to act any event is memorable. Your child won’t easily forget what you’re teaching.
  • Get outside. Many history topics like all homeschool subjects are intertwined with science. Whether you child is on the hunt for something that looks like a fossil or arrow heads, you’ll give him a creative outlet.

3. Understand what is Social Studies.

Additionally, as I mentioned many subjects are intertwined.

There are certain times in your journey when children need exposure to a variety of topics to see their connection.

Understanding what is meant by social studies can help you to intertwine or make connections for your child.

For example, there are many definitions for social studies, but one general one is that the term means to combine learning bits on these topics:

  • History
  • Geography
  • Social science
  • American government and
  • World Geography.

As you can see doing map work along with learning about cultures, countries, foods, and animals around the world stimulates a love of history in your child.

So, history is much more than about dead people or much more than map work. It’s far from boring.

4. Use Living Books.

Finally, use living books. I had a love of books and classics when I began to homeschool but didn’t understand what is a living book.

Look at these things that are tell-tale signs of a living book.

  • Opposite a textbook is a book written by an author that is passionate about the subject. He either is knowledgeable about the subject because it could be his lifework or it’s personal experience.
  • Instead of presenting dry hard facts, a reader is drawn in through a story, which is always the best way of remembering any set of facts.

And if you’re teaching multiple ages, it can be hard to find resources.

15 Fun Resources For History for Kindergarten Homeschool

So, be sure you look at 35 Simple But Powerful American History Homeschool Resources K to 12.

More Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum Resources

Then, you’ll love these other kindergarten homeschool resources:

  • Delightful Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum Which Promote a Love of Learning
  • 10 Affordable and Complete Homeschool Kindergarten Curriculum
  • BEST Free Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum With A Gentle Approach (List)
  • 21 Fun All-In-One Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum
  • 15 Fun Resources For History for Kindergarten Homeschool
  • How to Create the Best Homeschool Schedule for Kindergarten (free printable)
  • 60 Favorite Top Homeschooling Materials for Kindergarten
  • 10 Affordable and Complete Homeschool Kindergarten Curriculum
  • How to Effortlessly Blend Kindergarten Homeschool Subjects & Life

Whether you want to do a basic history introduction or a full-blown curriculum, you have many ways to keep history fun.

More Homeschool History Curriculum Tips

  • Homeschool Secular History Curriculum Dynamic Reader Asks 3 Best Teaching Tips
  • 35 Simple But Powerful US History Homeschool Curriculum Resources K to 12
  • First Grade Homeschool Curriculum for History and Geography
  • 8 Best Classical Style History Curriculum for a Classical Learning Style
15 Fun Resources For History for Kindergarten Homeschool

Besides, you have many years ahead to teach a five-year-old. Make the beginning fun and spark a love of history.

History for Kindergarten Homeschool

Finally, unless you state requires it, you can follow your child’s lead and learn what interests your child.

A lot of social studies curriculum include some of the following concepts:

  • What is a town
  • Where are you on a map
  • What is a map
  • Introducing the cardinal directions
  • What are American symbols
  • What is a citizen
  • and I mentioned about community helpers before.
15 Fun Resources For History for Kindergarten Homeschool

Field trips and visiting museums are the backbone of a amazing history experience.

Reading aloud, doing fun hands-on history activities, and taking field trips you’re sure to nurture a budding history lover.

Lastly, look at these history resources for kindergarten.

History Resources for Homeschool Kindergarten

Because homeschool kindergarten history can be taught in many ways, you'll want curriculum and resources along with hands-on fun.

Photo Credit: blossomandroot.gumroad.com

Arts and the History of Me

- History and geography with a focus on your child's own ancestry, family, and community. Adaptable to your home country! Includes child workbook.

Geronimo Stilton Field Trip to Niagara Falls Summary

The series of Geronimo Stilton books includes history and geography and is geared toward budding readers.

The best thing is that there are so many ideas for fun hands-on ideas.

Around the World Coloring Book

Ideal for home or classroom use, this entertaining and educational coloring book helps youngsters identify and locate Mexico, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, India, Spain, France, Nigeria, and 23 other countries of the world. 

And because Dover makes such beautiful quality coloring books, they are perfect for teaching children history.

Photo Credit: www.bfbooks.com

AROUND THE WORLD WITH PICTURE BOOKS

Then Beautiful Feet has living literature and I've used them for years from K to 12.

Il love that they give a framework to learn with beautiful literature.

Reading aloud and learning about other countries through picture books is one of the best ways to learn.

All your children are sure to love their literature.

180 Days of Social Studies: Grade K

Although I'm not a fan of worksheets, some color pages and activities have merit.

Plus, the pages are great at helping your and your child to understand what is history and civics, etc.

I've used these books to get an idea of what to make hands on to teach concepts.

And as it states, it has a mix of social studies topic.

The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child: Volume 1: Ancient Times: From the Earliest Nomads to the Last Roman Emperor

Story of the World is one of the first resources I used when I had a Kindergartener and older children.

Don't be put off by the fact it says it's for 1 to 6th grade.

It's a VERY flexible resource in helping you to teach multiple ages.

I list books based for different levels and explains history in a story format.

The 50 States: Activity Book: Maps of the 50 States of the USA

And children are at different levels of maturity, but most doing some kind of activity and sticker book.

Me on the Map

What a beautiful resource to help even the younger learner to learn about maps.

Maps can show you where you are anywhere in the world!

A beloved bestseller that helps children discover their place on the planet.

Photo Credit: buildyourlibrary.com

Level 0 curriculum Around the World

.Buiild Your Library is an unusual curriculum resource in that you buy or borrow your own books and use the download as a guide. Here is what it says about Level O Around the World

You are about to embark on an adventure around the world with your kindergarten child! We’ll be visiting each of the seven continents and exploring the amazing places found on our planet earth! This is a gentle but exciting tour around the world.

The White House Cut & Assemble

Simple instructions and clear diagrams to create an expertly designed, beautifully crafted, authentically detailed model of the White House.

And the best part about books like this is that all your children can join in.

George Washington Coloring Book

Born and raised among the wealthy, slave-holding aristocracy of colonial Virginia, George Washington devoted his life to the establishment and success of America as an independent nation

Who Was Anne Frank? (Who Was? Series)

And you'll love the Who Is Series for your kids. Read aloud and learn about different characters.

You can go through part of the collection or just add a few famous history makers.

Bede's History of ME

Bede is a timeline ... who strongly resembles a ball of yarn.

This loveable character introduces young children to the basics of history in a fun way-once a week, all year long. 

Standups! Presidents: 8 Easy-to-Make Models!

Then I've always had books like these stand up presidents around. However, this book is now limited availability.

But I'm still putting it here in case you come across it. Too, Dover makes this book and hopefully will come out with more models.

It's fun to have some thing hands on as you're teaching about the presidents.

History, Geography, and Hands On Learning Ideas for Homeschool Kindergarten

Children this age love to learn about the world around them, but it doesn't have to be complicated.

World Map Puzzle for Kids -With Continents

World Map Puzzle set is an entertaining educational activity for kids to help stimulate and challenge their minds, and aid in development as they play and learn

United States Puzzle for Kids

United States Puzzle for Kids set is an entertaining educational activity for kids to help stimulate and challenge their minds.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Teach Kindergarten Tagged With: american history, hands on history, history, history resources, historyspine, homeschoolhistory, kindergarten

Geronimo Stilton Theme Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)

September 13, 2022 | Leave a Comment
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Today, for book Number 52 the Geronimo Stilton theme is Mouse in Space and we’re making a fun puffy paint moon craft. The Geronimo Stilton books were written by Elisabetta Dami an Italian children’s book writer.

The Geronimo Stilton series is an absolute delight for children ages 7 to 10 years old and are full of mouse fun and adventure.

Today, Geronimo Stilton theme is about space.

Geronimo Stilton Theme Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)

So instead of going back in time like his adventures take him, Geronimo Stilton is headed to space.

Geronimo blasts off on a top-secret mission full of space training, interaction with Dr. Wicked Whiskers, satellites, and a spacewalk.

This book is perfect for diving into some fun science.

Space Unit Study Craft

And today we are going to learn about and create a puffy paint moon that glows in the dark.

This spacecraft has a lot of texture, is fun to make and the fun continues when you turn out the light.

Once charged a bit in the light it will glow brightly, and you have a fun moon to hang up in your bedroom or classroom.

Choose a few activities, crafts, and other books and you have yourself the makings of a space unit study.

I have some ideas to get you started below.

Don’t forget to use the words in different colors, font sizes, and types in the Geronimo Stilton books for spelling and vocabulary.

They make it easy to turn a simple book into a mini unit study.

There are many topics they cover and the layout of the words on the pages makes it fun.

Geronimo Stilton Theme Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)

The Space themed Safari Ltd. Toob is a great place to start and can be used in dioramas, sensory bins, or just fun dramatic play situations.

You could also use them to tell a story about space or they can be used as inspiration for a drawing.

Then Basher Space Exploration and Basher Astronomy take big topics and break them down with silly pictures.

This makes topics easy to understand for any grade.

Four Space Hands-on Craft Ideas

Next, add in more hands-on ideas to make this unit study longer.

  • Create 4 different puffy paintings to show all 4 phases of the moon.
  • Try astronaut ice cream or other freeze-dried food for the true astronaut experience.
  • Enjoy Homeschool Pop’s Planets of Our Solar System video on YouTube.

And this last one is my HUGE Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages.

Don’t forget to grab Mouse in Space! (Geronimo Stilton #52).

Then grab the free unit study.

Geronimo Stilton Theme Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)

Also, add more Geronimo Stilton book resources for a fun literature slant to space.

Other Geronimo Stilton

Most of the hands-on activities below can be done with multiple ages.

  • Field Trip to Niagara Falls Summary And Fun Corn Craft
  • Adventures The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time (Colosseum Craft)
  • The Race Against Time Activities: Fun Edible Spine
  • Adventure The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time (Mayan Craft)
  • The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy
  • Easy and Fun Who Is Geronimo Stilton Rodent Notebooking Page

Finally, let’s make this fun glow in the dark moon craft.

Now off to the moon!

You can trace a plate or bowl to create the outline of your moon.

But this makes for a great opportunity to introduce your child to a compass to create circles.

How to Make A Glow in the Dark Puffy Paint Moon Craft

You will need:

  • Glow in the dark paint
  • Shaving cream
  • White school glue
  • Artist canvas or thick paper
  • A couple small plastic caps, different sizes
  • Geometry compass
  • watercolors
  • Paintbrush
Geronimo Stilton Theme Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)

You can make your glow in the dark puffy paint moon craft on paper.

However, we had some flat canvases already and I wanted to create something a little more permanent.

So we used our canvases. Trace your moon either with a round plate or demonstrate how to use a compass to draw a circle as large as your canvas.

Geronimo Stilton Theme Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)

Next, combine 1 part glue to 3 parts shaving cream.
How much you mix will depend on how large of a moon you are going to make or if you want extra for more than one.

For a 8 1/2 x12 canvas I used about 1 cup shaving cream, ¼ cup of glue, and 1 heaping Tablespoon glow in the dark paint.

Once mixed, paint in your moon with very thick blobs of paint. Cover the entire circle well.

Geronimo Stilton Theme Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)

While the paint is still wet, stamp in it a few times with different size caps to create craters.

Your kids can also use their fingers. Add a few blobs of your glow in the dark paint here and there around the canvas to be stars or asteroids.

Geronimo Stilton Theme Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)

Allow paint to dry overnight so it is completely dry throughout.

Once it is dry your child can add very wet watercolor around your moon.

Add watercolor right up to the edges of your puffy paint. Then, sprinkle with a bit of salt to create some texture.

Geronimo Stilton Theme Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)

Once dry brush away your salt and it will take some of the watercolor with it leaving a unique texture to the night sky.

Geronimo Stilton Theme Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)

You can grab a flat canvas at Dollar Tree to keep it very low cost. Look how great it looks at night!

What do you think? Are you ready for this fun science activity go with your literature study?

Geronimo Stilton Theme Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: astronomy, crafts, earthscience, Geronimo Stilton, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, kindergarten, science, space

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