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6 Ancient Israel Fun Activities Middle School: How To Make A Topography Map

October 27, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a few Ancient Israel fun activities middle school if you’re learning about Ancient Civilizations. For more ideas look on my page Ancient Civilizations. Also, look at my page Hands-On Simple And Best Homeschool Geography Ideas & Tips for more fun hands-on geography.

And I created one and then rounded up whatever else I could locate to create a fun unit.

There is just nothing like a hands-on project to help your child dig deeper and understand better whatever topic they’re learning about.

6 Ancient Israel Fun Activities Middle School: How To Make A Topography Map

Today we are going to make a topographic relief map of Israel, using a somewhat unusual art medium, beans.

Using different colors and shapes and sizes of beans helps differentiate the different areas of this Middle Eastern land.

From the Mediterranean sea to the mountains in the coast of Blaine, we are outlining the major topographical differences of Israel.

Ancient Israel was a small country in the Middle East that existed from about 1200 BC to 586 BC.

It was home to the Israelites, a people who believed in one God.

The Israelites were originally nomads, but they eventually settled down in the land of Canaan.

They built a kingdom with Jerusalem as its capital.

The Israelites had many kings, including King David and King Solomon.

David was a great warrior who defeated the Philistines, a powerful enemy.

 Solomon was a wise king who built the first temple in Jerusalem.

The Israelites were conquered by the Babylonians in 586 BC.

The Temple was destroyed, and many of the Israelites were taken into exile.

After 70 years, the Israelites were allowed to return to their homeland. They rebuilt the Temple and re-established their kingdom.

The Israelites were later conquered by the Romans in 70 AD. The Temple was destroyed again, and many Israelites were killed.

Despite these setbacks, the Israelites have survived as a people.

BOOKS ABOUT ISRAEL FOR KIDS

Next, look at some of these books to add to your unit study.

Books About Israel for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Grab some of these fun books for your home library or to add to your learning day.

The Bronze Bow: A Newbery Award Winner

After Daniel bar Jamin's father is crucified by the Roman Empire, Daniel wants nothing more than to rid his land of Israel of Roman control once and for all. Yet when David meets Jesus of Nazareth, a traveling carpenter with a gentle message of love and forgiveness, David starts to realize that the hate festering in his heart might be his true enemy after all.

The Birth of Israel, 1945-1949: Ben-Gurion and His Critics

oseph Heller tells the story of the complex and often conflicting political calculations that led directly to the founding of the independent Jewish state of Israel in the aftermath of World War II and the Holocaust. Examining the positions of many competing parties, he explains how and why the charismatic David Ben-Gurion prevailed: by shrewdly maneuvering between radical extremes on the left and on the right, Ben-Gurion managed to steer a successful middle-of-the-road policy in favor of partition.

Israel: The Founding of a Modern Nation

Tells the story of how the nation of Israel was founded, as well as the stories of its heroes, villains, battles, and miracles, with clear, accessible text that traces its history from biblical times to the nation's birth in 1948.

This is Israel: A Children's Classic

Like the other Sasek classics, these are facsimile editions of his original books. The vibrant illustrations have been preserved, remaining true to his vision, and where applicable facts have been updated, appearing on a "This is...Today" page at the back of each book. The charming illustrations, coupled with Sasek’s witty, playful narrative, make for perfect souvenirs that will delight both children and their parents, many of whom will remember them from their own childhood. This is Britain, first published in 1974, encompasses the nation’s many facets, from the mystery of Stonehenge to the monuments of the British Isles. Among his stops are the White Cliffs of Dover; Brighton’s Prince Regent’s Royal Pavilion; the castles and Tintern Abbey in Wales; and Scotland’s four Royal Palaces and long lochs. This is Israel, first published in 1962, visits the Promised Land, a sun-drenched panorama of many hues and many traditions. From the Sea of Galilee to the Red Sea (it’s really blue); from modern Tel Aviv to Jerusalem new and old; from Mt. Zion to King Solomon’s mines; Sasek presents the biblical glory of its past and the golden hope of its future.

They continue to practice their religion and celebrate their culture.

Jump into learning more about the ancient and modern-day people of Israel with these activities including our topography map tutorial.

6 ANCIENT ISRAEL FUN ACTIVITIES MIDDLE SCHOOL

  1. Encourage your middle school kids to engineer a model of Masada with this STEM Challenge while Studying Ancient Israel.
  2. History of Ancient Israel and Judah explained in 5 minutes
  3. History Unboxed offers a subscription box but you can also purchase individual boxes like this one for Ancient Israelites Unboxed. It can be specified for youth or young adult and includes everything you need to make a rams horn trumpet, try an ancient treat of real honeycomb, and what you need to make and use your own oil lamp.
  4. I originally did this with younger kids but I think it has great benefits for middle school too- Hands-on Ancient Egypt: Israelite Mud Bricks for Kids.
  5. Try a dish that the ancient Israelites would have enjoyed like this Jacob’s Lentil Stew, by this time you know how wonderful cooking is as part of the learning experience.
  6. Learn to read Hebrew in just 6 weeks with illustrations, memory tricks, and 12 lessons to have you on the road to learning this ancient language.
6 Ancient Israel Fun Activities Middle School: How To Make A Topography Map

Finally, look at how to make this topography map of Israel.

HOW TO MAKE A TOPOGRAPHY MAP OF ISRAEL

You will need:

  • Heavyweight cardboard/cardstock.
  • Tacky glue
  • An assortment of dried beans
  • Sharpened pencils
6 Ancient Israel Fun Activities Middle School: How To Make A Topography Map

The first thing we’re going to do is print off a simple topographical map of Israel, like the one I found here at Geography Realm Map of Israel.

We printed a simple map outline and then referenced topographic maps to fill in each section.

Next, you are going to flip over your printed map and lay your pencils sideways, almost flat and rubbing lead by scribbling all over.

You want a good thick coat that covers all the map parts you want to trace.

6 Ancient Israel Fun Activities Middle School: How To Make A Topography Map

Now you’re going to take a piece of cardboard or cardstock and slip it behind your map print out.

Take a pencil and trace the outline of your map of Israel onto the blank piece of paper.

This will transfer the lead that you scribbled on the back to the new page.

Lift slightly and be sure that it has been traced everywhere before you completely move it.

6 Ancient Israel Fun Activities Middle School: How To Make A Topography Map

This will give you your basic outline.

First decide which beans will represent which topographical feature and create a little key in the bottom corner by gluing the bean and writing what it represents.

You can also use one type to mark the capital.

6 Ancient Israel Fun Activities Middle School: How To Make A Topography Map

To create the blue for water you can toss white navy beans into a ziploc bag with food coloring or liquid watercolor and then allow to dry.

6 Ancient Israel Fun Activities Middle School: How To Make A Topography Map

Now take your school or tacky glue, and “paint” the section that you want to start with. You have a little bit of working time but I do not recommend painting the entire map yet.

6 Ancient Israel Fun Activities Middle School: How To Make A Topography Map

Press the correct beans into the thick glue until you have covered the entire area you need to then move onto the next section.

6 Ancient Israel Fun Activities Middle School: How To Make A Topography Map

Repeat until the map is fully covered; to seal the map you can brush a layer of glue over the top of the beans if you like.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: ancient, ancient civilizations, Ancient Israel, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, history, homeschool, map

How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map | Easy Swiss Geography

April 1, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Reading The Swiss Family Robinson is the perfect excuse to learn some Swiss geography as well as other geographical terms and phrases. Also, you’ll love more ideas on my post Free Swiss Family Robinson Unit Study. Too, look at my page Homeschool Geography for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.

We are creating a fantasy map with real geographical features to learn about them in a new and fun way.

The Robinsons ended up on their island as they were heading to a New Guinea colony to escape the Napoleonic Wars.

Their ship was abandoned by the crew in the midst of a wild storm and the family and a handful of animals managed to survive and end up in what is believed to be the East Indies.

How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map | Easy Swiss Geography

Their island was filled with creatures, flora and fauna that was unknown to them.

And they had to band together to not only survive but thrive on their island.

It is an incredible story of survival, family, ingenuity, love, and adventure.

If you haven’t read it yet I cannot recommend enough making it a family read aloud experience.

The beauty of this is that as a read aloud it is a wonderful unit for a wide variety of ages and activities, like our map, can be adjusted for everyone to do at the same time.

The Swiss Family Robinson Book

8 Books & Resources for Learning About The Swiss Family Robinson

Add some of these books to your unit study of The Swiss Family Robinson and their adventures on a deserted island.

Swiss Family Robinson (Illustrated Classic): 200th Anniversary Collection

More than 100 original illustrations by Louis Rhead. You want to read this book with illustrations.

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

See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world.
Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.

Tracks, Scats and Signs (Take Along Guides)

Become a nature detective with this illustrative, engaging and fun Take-Along-Guide. You may not know where to look, or what to look for, but animal signs are everywhere and this guide will help you learn how to read them. You'll learn how to spot and identify common clues that 17 wildlife species leave behind in the woods, in the fields and along ponds.

Swiss Family Robinson Movie

The heroic tale of the courageous exploits of the Robinson family after they are shipwrecked on a deserted island. Using teamwork and ingenuity, they overcome the obstacles of nature and transform their new home into a "civilized" community.

Willy Whitefeather's Outdoor Survival Handbook for Kids

From treating a bee sting to building an overnight shelter, kids will gain the knowledge and confidence they need to survive outdoors.

Bear Grylls The Complete Adventures Collection 12 Books Set

Bear Grylls The Complete Adventures Collection 12 Books Set: Titles In This Set: The Blizzard Challenge The Desert Challenge The Jungle Challenge The Sea Challenge The River Challenge The Earthquake Challenge The Volcano Challenge The Safari Challenge The Cave Challenge The Mountain Challenge The Arctic Challenge The Sailing Challenge

Knot Tying Kit | Pro-Knot Best Rope Knot Cards, two practice cords and a carabiner

By Pro-Knot, the number one trusted name in Knots with over 7,000 5 Star reviews! This complete knot tying KIT includes everything you need to learn and practice how to tie 23 essential rope knots. The six card/twelve page waterproof plastic card set contains 23 best all purpose rope knots
clearly illustrated and described, bound together with a no-rust brass grommet in the corner!

Foraging Wild Edible Plants of North America: More than 150 Delicious Recipes Using Nature's Edibles

Edible wild plants are nature’s natural food source, growing along roadsides, sprouting in backyards, and blooming in country fields. North America’s diverse geography overflows with edible plant species.

Swiss Geography Study Ideas

There are many ways to learn about Swiss geography through hands-on activities.

There is never a need to pick up a pen to do it, and I have a lot of ideas here for you to turn this literature study into a geography lesson as well.

Choose one or multiples to add a unique dimension to your unit.

Find Switzerland on a world map.

Scrunch maps are a great easy item to keep on hand for locating countries.

How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map | Easy Swiss Geography
  • Locate the capital of Switzerland (Bern).
  • Check out this entire Switzerland Homeschool Geography Unit Study (and Lapbook) with loads of great ideas for Swiss geography.
  • Switzerland is made up of 3 geographic regions, The Alps making up about 58% of the country, the Central Plateau making up around 31, and the Jura ( mountain range) at 11%. Have your child identify each of these regions on a map, atlas, or even an online map.
  • Research the largest body of water in Switzerland (Lake Geneva).
  • Take a virtual tour of land locked Switzerland in Switzerland for Kids.

Create your own imaginary island with my fantasy map tutorial below, including topographical features like mountains, rivers, patches of trees, and bodies of water.

How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map | Easy Swiss Geography

More The Swiss Family Robinson Activities

  • Where Did Swiss Family Robinson Land And Their Unique Homes | Cave Activity
  • From Switzerland to the Author of Swiss Family Robinson Quick Study
  • How to Create Swiss Family Treehouse Blueprints With Kids
  • What is the Swiss Family Robinson About | Simple Jeopardy Style Game
  • How to Make Adorable Swiss Family Robinson Book Characters Bookmarks
  • Exciting Swiss Family Robinson Activities | From Oyster To Pearl
  • The Swiss Family Robinson Fun and Easy Movie Night Ideas
  • Embrace Island Life: How To Eat A Coconut Like Swiss Family Robinson
  • Animals in The Swiss Family Robinson Book | Parrot Craft
  • Lost In Adventure: 10 Books Like Swiss Family Robinson
  • How to Build a LEGO Swiss Family Robinson STEM Challenge Treehouse
  • Survival to Inspiration The Swiss Family Robinson Book | Brick Book
  • How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map | Easy Swiss Geography
  • DIY Easy Compass Activity and Survival Ideas
  • Simple Candle
  • Hunting Deer
  • How to Plan And Start an Easy Gardening Unit Study for Kids

Finally, look how to make a Swiss Family Robinson map.

How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map

Even younger children can complete this activity by simplifying some of the steps.

It can be used as an opportunity to explain the difference in islands, peninsulas, archipelago and other land formations.

You will need:

  • Watercolor paper
  • Watercolor paints
  • Fine line pen
  • Dry uncooked rice
How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map | Easy Swiss Geography

First, on a sheet of watercolor paper pour handfuls of rice around the page, adding as little or as much as you like. 

It creates more visual interest if you make larger and smaller piles.

How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map | Easy Swiss Geography

Next, take a fine line pen and trace around the majority of the rice to create various-sized pieces of land.

How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map

You can trace around single pieces of loose rice or larger groupings.

I like to use these fine-line Sharpie permanent markers you don’t want to use regular markers because the water makes the marker bleed and blurs your edges.

How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map | Easy Swiss Geography

How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map

Pour the rice off the page into a container to save for another project.

How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map | Easy Swiss Geography

Give the pen a few minutes to dry and decide what colors you would like to use on your Island, I went for shades of tan and green.

Fill in the center of your land areas with your various colors using different opaqueness of watercolor paint to create interest and dimension.

How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map | Easy Swiss Geography

Allow the paint to dry and then watercolor whatever shades of blue you would like around the outside of the land for water.

Go back and add more layers of color to the land if you would like to further define the areas for trees, mountains, sand and any other areas you want to create.

This will keep your mat from looking so flat.

How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map | Easy Swiss Geography

Let the water and the rest of the page dry completely, this really doesn’t take long.

Once dry, retrace the outline of your map to make it a nice and dark outline.

Draw a small compass rose in the corner of your map.

How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map | Easy Swiss Geography

I would say, “Now, here’s the fun part”, but to me every step of this process was really fun!

Begin by creating areas of mountains, trees, and other details on your map.

Upside down V’s make mountains.

How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map | Easy Swiss Geography

Create little bushes like blobs for trees or make evergreens for forest patches.

We even sketched out a little hut and farmland.

To create a plot of farmland, make a square with 3 small lines in one direction and then another square with 3 small lines in the other direction, repeating until it is the size you want.

How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map | Easy Swiss Geography

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: geography, hands-on, hands-on activities, homeschool geography, map, Swiss Family Robinson

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

November 3, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Creating a geography craft is a fantastic way to teach geography in a hands-on way that won’t soon be forgotten. Also, look at my pages Homeschool Geography , Free Africa Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning | Free Continent & Country Reports and Learn About Indigenous Animal Geography Fun Activity for Preschool to Elementary for more ideas and tips.

When you think of geography most likely you think of map skills, states, countries, mountain ranges, etc.

But it is so much more than that.

Geography is the study of Earth and the forces that shape it, both physical and human.

Specifically, it is the study of Earth’s landscapes, its people, places, and the environment.

I am going to show you how to make an embroidered map.

We made Africa but you can apply the same technique to any map you like.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

You also don’t need to be an embroidery expert.

I am fairly new to it myself. If you know how to sew a basic stitch, you can create this pretty keepsake map.

Not only is sewing your embroidery map a fantastic way for kids to learn geography but they also are learning a beautiful handiwork skill that will translate into hobbies or maybe even a career later in life.

It is great practice in fine motor skills, patience, planning, spatial recognition, and of course art!

6 Facts About The Continent of Africa

First, look at these facts about Africa.

  1. There are 54 different countries in Africa and 9 dependent territories with more than 1.3 billion people living on the continent.
  2. More than half of the African continent is covered by grassland or savannah.
  3. Northern Africa is made up mostly of the vast Sahara Desert and the semi-arid Sahel zone which also includes fertile land in the Nile delta.
  4. Central Africa has rainforests and coastal plains. It is also home to the continent’s highest mountains and lakes.
  5. Southern Africa is mainly on a high plateau.
  6. The southernmost city on the African continent is Cape Town in South Africa. It has about 5 million inhabitants and is one of the most populous cities in the world.
How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Next, look at some of these books to add to your collection about Africa.

Books About Africa

13 Resources for Children Studying About Africa

Add one or two of these books to your study about the art of Africa.

Africa For Kids: People, Places and Cultures - Children Explore The World Books

Africa For Kids: People, Places, Culture gives children not only a peek into the land and its people but the artwork of even simple everyday items like weaving and serving plates.

Africa Coloring Book For Kids!

Here is a coloring book filled with African souvenirs to color that is soothing and a great springboard for discussion.

African Patterns Scrapbook Paper

I found this beautiful book of African Patterned Scrapbook paper that can be used for many craft projects.

Africa, Amazing Africa: Country by Country

Atinuke’s first non-fiction title is a major publishing event: a celebration of all 55 countries on the African continent! Her beautifully-written text captures Africa’s unique mix of the modern and the traditional, as she explores its geography, its peoples, its animals, its history, its resources and its cultural diversity. The book divides Africa into five sections: South, East, West, Central and North, each with its own introduction. This is followed by a page per country, containing a delightful mix of friendly, informative text and colourful illustrations.

Africa Is Not a Country

Enter into the daily life of children in the many countries of modern Africa. Countering stereotypes, Africa Is Not a Country celebrates the extraordinary diversity of this vibrant continent as experienced by children at home, at school, at work, and at play.

The Water Princess

With its wide sky and warm earth, Princess Gie Gie’s kingdom is a beautiful land. But clean drinking water is scarce in her small African village. And try as she might, Gie Gie cannot bring the water closer; she cannot make it run clearer. Every morning, she rises before the sun to make the long journey to the well. Instead of a crown, she wears a heavy pot on her head to collect the water. After the voyage home, after boiling the water to drink and clean with, Gie Gie thinks of the trip that tomorrow will bring. And she dreams. She dreams of a day when her village will have cool, crystal-clear water of its own.

Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions (Picture Puffin Books)

Artists Leo and Diane Dillon won their second consecutive Caldecott Medal for this stunning ABC of African culture. "Another virtuoso performance. . . . Such an astute blend of aesthetics and information is admirable, the child's eye will be rewarded many times over."

When Stars Are Scattered

Omar and his brother Hassan, two Somali boys, have spent a long time in the Dadaab refugee camp. Separated from their mother, they are looked after by a friendly stranger. Life in the camp isn't always easy. The hunger is constant . . . but there's football to look forward to, and now there's a chance Omar will get to go to school . . .With a heart-wrenching fairytale ending, this incredible true story is brought to life by Victoria's stunning illustrations. This book perfectly depicts life in a refugee camp for 8-12 year olds.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Young Reader's Edition

When a terrible drought struck William Kamkwamba's tiny village in Malawi, his family lost all of the season's crops, leaving them with nothing to eat and nothing to sell. William began to explore science books in his village library, looking for a solution. There, he came up with the idea that would change his family's life forever: he could build a windmill. Made out of scrap metal and old bicycle parts, William's windmill brought electricity to his home and helped his family pump the water they needed to farm the land. Retold for a younger audience, this exciting memoir shows how, even in a desperate situation, one boy's brilliant idea can light up the world. Complete with photographs, illustrations, and an epilogue that will bring readers up to date on William's story, this is the perfect edition to read and share with the whole family.

Things Fall Apart

Things Fall Apart is the first of three novels in Chinua Achebe's critically acclaimed African Trilogy. It is a classic narrative about Africa's cataclysmic encounter with Europe as it establishes a colonial presence on the continent. Told through the fictional experiences of Okonkwo, a wealthy and fearless Igbo warrior of Umuofia in the late 1800s, Things Fall Apart explores one man's futile resistance to the devaluing of his Igbo traditions by British political andreligious forces and his despair as his community capitulates to the powerful new order. With more than 20 million copies sold and translated into fifty-seven languages, Things Fall Apart provides one of the most illuminating and permanent monuments to African experience. Achebe does not only capture life in a pre-colonial African village, he conveys the tragedy of the loss of that world while broadening our understanding of our contemporary realities.

Wildlife of East Africa (Princeton Pocket Guides, 3)

Those looking for a concise yet informative, visually breathtaking yet affordable East African safari need look no further than this spectacular field guide. Featuring full-color photos of 475 common species of bird, mammal, snake, lizard, insect, tree, and flower, Wildlife of East Africa takes us on an exquisite one-volume tour through the living splendor of the main national parks and game reserves of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Many of the species included--from pelicans to plovers, ostriches to elephants, from the daintiest of antelopes to cattlelike giants, from leopards to lions, baboons to gorillas, chameleons to crocodiles, acacias to aloes--also inhabit neighboring countries. The selection was based on the personal experiences of the authors, wildlife experts who have been leading safaris in the region for more than twenty years.

Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna

Heads up: this is a great book but there is a rite of passage and has a part about circumcision.

Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton gives American kids a firsthand look at growing up in Kenya as a member of a tribe of nomads whose livelihood centers on the raising and grazing of cattle. Readers share Lekuton's first encounter with a lion, the epitome of bravery in the warrior tradition. They follow his mischievous antics as a young Maasai cattle herder, coming-of-age initiation, boarding school escapades, soccer success, and journey to America for college. Lekuton's riveting text combines exotic details of nomadic life with the universal experience and emotions of a growing boy.

The Bitter Side of Sweet

Fifteen-year-old Amadou counts the things that matter. For two years what has mattered are the number of cacao pods he and his younger brother, Seydou, can chop down in a day. The higher the number the safer they are. The higher the number the closer they are to paying off their debt and returning home. Maybe. The problem is Amadou doesn’t know how much he and Seydou owe, and the bosses won’t tell him. The boys only wanted to make money to help their impoverished family, instead they were tricked into forced labor on a plantation in the Ivory Coast. With no hope of escape, all they can do is try their best to stay alive—until Khadija comes into their lives. She’s the first girl who’s ever come to camp, and she’s a wild thing. She fights bravely every day, attempting escape again and again, reminding Amadou what it means to be free. But finally, the bosses break her, and what happens next to the brother he has always tried to protect almost breaks Amadou. The three band together as family and try just once more to escape.

Next look at more geography crafts.

More Geography Craft Ideas

  • How to Make a Paper Mache Planet Earth is a simple classic craft idea to familiarize your child with the landforms and bodies of water of the planet.
  • Make a Fun and Easy Salt Dough Daniel Boone Wilderness Road Map
  • Paper Art Landforms are beautiful and interesting, helping to cement the different landforms in their mind.
  • Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • As a big fan of LEGO I of course agree– Is There Anything You Can’t Do With Lego? This demonstrates a simple map of Australia. Crafts don’t have to be consumable items, a reusable resource like LEGO gives you endless use.
  • Hands-on Geography: Longitude/Latitude Mapmaking Activity
  • Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase Edible Map
  • Another delicious map idea is How to Make a Rice Krispies Edible Map.
  • Marco Polo Unit Study – Salt Dough Map + Free Printable Map Flags

Finally, look at how to learn a handwork skill and geography too.

Embroidered Map Fun Geography Craft

Depending on skill, age, ability, and how often it is worked on this will probably take about 2-4 hours total.

It is a lot for one day, especially for a child who is new to the craft and should be broken up over several days.

Also, know that the marker fades after several days.

You will need:

  • Embroidery fabric 
  • Embroidery needles
  • Embroidery thread
  • Embroidery loom
  • Water erasable pen 
  • Map outline of Africa

Print a physical map of Africa (or whatever continent or country you like).

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

I highly recommend reducing the size by 25% or 50% before printing.

I printed my full size, and it was too big for my hoop.

If this is the case for you just move the fabric around until you can embroider the whole piece.

Cut a piece of thin embroidery fabric to a few inches larger than the map all the way around.

Tape the printout to a window and then tape the fabric over it.

Use the fabric marker to trace the outline of the map.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Then any important characteristics like mountains, rivers, etc.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Place your fabric on your embroidery hoop, pull it tight, and tighten down the screw.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Cut off a piece of black thread about as long as your arm.

You can use the full thickness of the embroidery thread or carefully pull off 3 or 4 of the strings to use if you would like a thinner line. 

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Run the thread through the needle, leaving about 3 inches of a tail coming out the eye of the needle. On the other end knot as close to the end as you can and then trim excess.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Come through the back side with the needle, pinching the tail of the thread with the needle.  Start at one end of the outline and stitch in and out, starting a new stitch very close to the last one. 

Continue until you have filled in the complete outline.

When you’re finished with the outline, tie a knot in the end of the thread, as close as you can to the fabric.

Use different colors to mark off each of the topographical features like mountains and rivers.

Fill in each area with a different type of stitch if you like to create interest and make it more obvious that the land is different.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Flip your fabric over and cut any loose threads to clean up the back. It’s okay if your back is messy from big knots or thread running all the way across, you won’t see it on the final product!

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

You can either wait for the purple fabric marker to fade to invisible or use a wet paintbrush to brush away the marker, it will just fade out.

To display, you can either mount it in a hoop, place it in a frame behind glass, or back it with felt to make it stiff for tabletop use.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: Africa, crafts, geography, handicraft, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool geography, homeschoolgeography, map

Hands-on Geography: Longitude/Latitude Mapmaking Activity

August 17, 2017 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a longitude latitude activity today. Also, look at my page Homeschool Geography for more geography tips and activities.

Learning to read longitude and latitude is a major part of reading maps.

With these measurements, geographers can locate any place in the world, simply by finding the correct degree coordinates.

Learning to read longitude and latitude is a major part of reading maps. With these measurements, geographers can locate any place in the world, simply by finding the correct degree coordinates. Click here to learn how!

It’s important to learn what these terms mean and it’s important for kids to understand how to use these coordinates.

But there’s no better way to teach it than by doing a fun, hands-on geography activity!

This fun longitude and latitude mapmaking activity is a great way to help kids get involved in making maps.

Plus, it helps the concepts of longitude and latitude to really “stick”!

Longitude and Latitude Mapmaking Activity

When I was a kid in geography class, I would always get longitude and latitude mixed up. I couldn’t seem to remember which measurement traveled in which direction. Eventually, I came up with this memory aid:

  • Longitude measures the earth the “long” way around (vertically)
  • Latitude measures the earth the wide way around (horizontally)

That might be useful to your students as well.

Longitude and Latitude Activity @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

To do this activity, you’ll need:

  • One piece of blue construction paper
  • One piece of white construction paper
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick
  • A green colored pencil
  • A green marker
  • A black ink pen
  • A ruler
  • And pushpins (if desired)

To begin this activity, cut an elongated oval out of blue construction paper.

You want the oval to be large enough to depict the world, but small enough to fit onto the white construction paper.

Making a Longitude and Latitude Map @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Glue the blue oval onto the center of the white paper. Leave enough space around to write your longitude and latitude measurements later.

Using the green colored pencil, draw an approximate map of the world on the blue oval.

We just looked at a world map and drew it freehand.

That’s why the continents don’t look exactly right.

If you wanted to skip this step, you could print a world map and glue that onto the white paper, but I think drawing it out helps kids feel more connected to what they’re learning.

Longitude and Latitude Map Project @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

You could also use this part as an opportunity to talk about the distortions that come along with map projections.

Anytime a mapmaker designs a map, he or she has to alter the shape of the continents to get them all to fit. Just like we do when we draw the earth.

HANDS ON GEOGRAPHY

Once your drawing is completed, use a green marker to outline the borders and make them stand out a bit.

Creating a Map with Longitude and Latitude @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Now, use a ruler to draw a dashed line vertically down the center of the picture.

Longitude and Latitude Grid Activity @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Mark this line as the prime meridian – the center of the earth when measuring longitude.

The prime meridian has a coordinate of 0 degrees longitude.

Marking Longitude and Latitude Map Lines @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

From there, measure out equal distances to draw additional vertical dashed lines.

There should be six lines to the right of the prime meridian, showing 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 degrees.

Finding Longitude and Latitude On a Map @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Then label them all.

Adjusting Longitude and Latitude on a Map @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Do the same on the left side, marking six vertical measurements for 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 degrees. The key is to use an equal distance for each measurement.

Ours ended up being 3/4 of an inch apart.

As we completed the left side, we realized that our oval wasn’t actually equal, which was going to cause our measurements to be off.

We just cut some extra paper off the left side to even it up. Just like mapmakers may have to revise their designs as they go.

Finding the Equator On a Map @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Now it’s time to mark the latitude lines! Draw a line roughly across the horizontal center of the oval to mark the equator, which has a coordinate of 0 degrees latitude.

Marking Latitude Lines on a Map @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Then add three dashed lines below the equator to show 30, 60, and 90 degrees latitude. Label these lines.

Do the same to add three dashed lines above the equator.

Using Longitude and Latitude to Find a Location @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Okay! Now we can practice locating places on the map!

I started by asking my son to find the location marked by 0 degrees latitude and 30 degrees longitude.

(We drew our longitude lines first, because there were more of them to add to the picture. But in geography, latitude should always be listed first. Just FYI.)

Finding a Location On the Map with Longitude and Latitude @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Once we found it, we marked it with a pushpin.

If you wanted to find several places on the map, hang this picture on a cork board and let the kids try to spot places based on their coordinates!

Hands-on Geography: Longitude and Latitude Mapmaking Activity | Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

A note of caution: This map is not going to be accurate, since it’s hand-drawn.

So remind the kids that the coordinates you call out and find on this map will not be the same coordinates they will find on Google Maps or a printed official map.

But this is a cool way to learn what latitude and longitude mean and how to find them!

  • Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase Edible Map Activity
  • South America Salt Dough Map Activity
  • Marco Polo Mythological Mapmaking Activity

Written by Selena of Look! We’re Learning!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Geography, Hands-On Activities Tagged With: geography, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolgeography, map, middleschool, teens

Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase Edible Map

April 13, 2016 | 8 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We decided to make this Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase edible map for a hands-on activity for our Lewis and Clark Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook.

Seriously though, I decided to have Tiny make this map because it is hard to picture the immense landmass.

Or just how big that purchase was as we have been reading about it in our Lewis and Clark Unit Study and (revisited.)

Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase Edible Map

Acres and acreages sounded like blah, blah and blah.

Not only was the Louisiana Purchase a huge hallmark in American history, but it just about doubled the size of America.

That is a significant benchmark to remember.

The best way to see that is to make a visual of it.

Hands-on History to Learning about Lewis and Clark

Since Tiny has been hankering for some sweets, we sat down to make this fun project.

Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase Edible Map. A great visual to understand how vast it was. Grab the directions here @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Look at this list of supplies we used and of course, I’m a believer in using what you have on hand to make this delicious learning activity.

  • edible peanut butter dough – (peanut butter, honey and boxed dried milk. recipe below.)
  • platter or clean mat
  • black sharpie
  • icing, we used cream cheese and had some green too
  • atlas and a few websites showing the boundary of the Louisiana Purchase
  • crushed oreos (the real reason we had to do this map)
  • plastic knife or butter knife for shaping “states” and “river”
  • Hershey’s Kisses
Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase Edible Map
Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase Edible Map

We pulled out a clean table place mat that we had, which we only had one of. How did we do that?

Anyway, it was the perfect clean palate to start with.

Using a black sharpie and our atlas, the first thing Tiny did was to trace the outline of the U.S. It doesn’t have to be perfect because it will be covered up.

So Tiny drew the boundaries free hand on the mat.

The next thing we used was edible peanut butter dough.

I am really glad we used peanut butter dough instead of the salt dough recipe that we normally use because it was easy to work with because it stayed moist the whole time.

Salt dough is good too but we use that when we want to paint, but edible peanut butter dough is not only great tasting, but pliable.

Since this kid has loved this recipe since I introduced it to him when he was in grade school, it makes for a great project now that he is older.

Edible Louisiana Purchase Map

Look at this recipe at how to make edible peanut butter dough.

  • 1 cup of dried instant milk
  • 1/2 cup of peanut butter
  • 1/3 cup of honey

As you can see above, we just added it together and mixed.

Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase Edible Map
Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase Edible Map

You’re looking for the consistency pictured above, so you may need to add a bit more dry milk to get your dough not so sticky, but that is pretty close to what we used.

Then he started to add the blobs of peanut butter onto the map.

Lewis and Clark Map 5Lewis and Clark Map 6
Even if you stopped here for the little kids, it’s a fun map to illustrate the United States because it is so easy to work with.

Then next, we located the might Mississippi River.

Okay real quick here, I have to tell you something of a fond childhood memory I think of every time I hear the word Mississippi.

My extended family is from Mississippi. And every year as a little girl when I visited them, I can hear my sweet little cousins voice who were in grade school singing to remind me how to spell Mississippi.

” M – i -, crooked letter, crooked letter,- i-, crooked letter, crooked letter, -i-, humpback, humpback -i-.”  My boys were not so impressed, but they will remember it now as I have been singing that to them.

Edible Lewis and Clark Map

Anyway, back to the map, take a butter knife or plastic knife and carve out the Mississippi River.

Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase Edible Map
Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase Edible Map

Tiny had to think at this point how he wanted the river to show up. He added cream cheese frosting to it and sprinkled it with blue sugar.

I think it made this geographical feature pop, which is what I wanted to impress on him. Plus it was easier than spreading icing in it.

Also though it helps to picture the vastness of the mighty Mississippi River.

Lewis and Clark Map 9 Lewis and Clark Map 10
Then, next he decided to carve out the states on the West coast because it helps to show the route that Lewis and Clark took.

Again, that is why I used edible peanut butter dough because it easy to carve in, change if you make a mistake and does not dry out.

After spreading some icing on the part of the Louisiana Purchase, he crushed up some oreos on the icing.

It really was a fun way to help emphasize how vast the area was that Lewis and Clark explored too. That area stands out.

Lewis and Clark hands-on history. Make a fun edible map @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Adding cream cheese sprinkled with the rest of the blue sugar on it on the west and east coasts solidified the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans as boundaries.

Then placing the Rocky Mountains on the left that Lewis and Clark would have viewed helped to prepare Tiny for his reading so he knows they had to cross the Rockies to reach the Pacific.

The green icing helped to show the route taken to the Pacific.

You could use a different color to show the return trip, but that is all the icing we had unless we dyed some, but I think we were done by this time.

He added in the Appalachian Mountains on the east too just for good measure.

More Lewis and Clark Hands-on History Activities

  • Lewis and Clark: Hands-on History. Make a Char Cloth
  • Lewis and Clark:Cooking on the Trail
  • Lewis and Clark Free Botany 1 and 2 Minibooks
  • Spectacular Lewis And Clark Plants Drawings | 7 Quick Botany Art Lessons
Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase Edible Map
Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase Edible Map
Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase Edible Map
Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase Edible Map
Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase Edible Map
Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase Edible Map
Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase Edible Map
Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase Edible Map

What do you think? Easy enough to remember how vast the Louisiana Purchase was?

Don’t forget to follow BOTH of my Pinterest accounts for more AWESOME pins.

Visit Tina Robertson’s profile on Pinterest.


Visit Tinas Dynamic Homeschool ‘s profile on Pinterest.

8 CommentsFiled Under: Geography, Geography Based, Hands-On Activities, History Based, History Resources Tagged With: edible, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, lewis and clark, lewisandclark, map

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