middle school

Fun Upcycled T Shirt Library Tote Back to School Kids Craft

August 13, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This upcycled t shirt library tote back to school kids craft is so fun and sassy. And learning how to homeschool means we love visiting the library.

It is almost time for public school to ring back into session and for homeschoolers to come out of hiding.

If you are like most homeschooling moms, you make weekly runs to the library for chapter books ,reference books, read aloud books, audio books, and maybe even DVDS.

Fun Upcycled T Shirt Library Tote Back to School Kids Craft

A good way to deal with that is to let everyone carry their own pile, but we aren’t going to run out and buy a bunch of tote bags are we?

Nope, not today. Today we are going to upcycle something you already have around the house.

Not only is this school craft idea inexpensive and easy but it’s cute and washable too.

When it gets dirty just toss it in the wash along with your next load and it’s ready to work again.

23 Favorite Read Aloud Books for Our Library Tote

From t-shirt to upcycled library tote makes a great co-op activity too.

Invite everyone to bring a favorite old t-shirt, supply some scissors, the directions, and everyone ends up with a great school craft idea to take home.

First, I’m sharing 23 favorite read aloud books for your newly created upcycled t-shirt turned library tote. I know you’ll find a favorite or two for your family.

23 Favorite Read Aloud Stories

You'll love adding some of these favorite read aloud stories to your homeschool day.

The Wild Robot

When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is all alone on a remote, wild island

Stuart Little

Stuart Little is no ordinary mouse. Born to a family of humans, he lives in New York City with his parents, his older brother George, and Snowbell the cat.

The Green Ember

Heather and Picket are extraordinary rabbits with ordinary lives until calamitous events overtake them, spilling them into a cauldron of misadventures.

The One and Only Ivan

Having spent twenty-seven years behind the glass walls of his enclosure in a shopping mall, Ivan has grown accustomed to humans watching him.

Anne of Green Gables

Eleven-year-old Anne Shirley has never known a real home.

Little House on the Prairie

Classic tales by Laura Ingalls Wilder about life on the frontier and Americas best-loved pioneer family.

My Side of the Mountain Trilogy

This coming-of-age story about a boy and his falcon went on to win a Newbery Honor, and for the past forty years has enthralled and entertained generations of would-be Sam Gribleys.

The Hobbit: Illustrated Edition

In The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling farther than the pantry of his hobbit-hole in Bag End.

The Indian in the Cupboard

Trying to hide his disappointment, Omri puts the Indian in a metal cupboard and locks the door with a mysterious skeleton key that once belonged to his great-grandmother

Summer of the Monkeys

The last thing fourteen-year-old Jay Berry Lee expects to find while trekking through the Ozark Mountains of Oklahoma is a tree full of monkeys

The Borrowers Afield

Driven from their home in the big house, Pod, Homily, and Arrietty take up life in a boot.

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy

Soon they are busy discovering the summertime magic of Arundel’s sprawling gardens, treasure-filled attic, tame rabbits, and the cook who makes the best gingerbread in Massachusetts.

Charlotte's Web

Some Pig. Humble. Radiant. These are the words in Charlotte's Web, high up in Zuckerman's barn.

The Sign of the Beaver

Although he faces responsibility bravely, thirteen-year-old Matt is more than a little apprehensive when his father leaves him alone to guard their new cabin in the wilderness

The Chronicles of Narnia

Fantastic creatures, heroic deeds, epic battles in the war between good and evil.

Mr. Popper's Penguins

It tells the story of a poor house painter named Mr. Popper and his family, who live in the small town of Stillwater in the 1930s.

The Courage of Sarah Noble

In 1707, young Sarah Noble and her father traveled through the wilderness to build a new home for their family.

The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread

A brave mouse, a covetous rat, a wishful serving girl, and a princess named Pea come together,

Frindle

A quirky, imaginative tale about creative thought and the power of words that will have readers inventing their own words.

The Lemonade War

Here is a clever blend of humor, math wizardry, and business know-how. As it captures the one-of-a-kind bond between brother and sister.

Where the Sidewalk Ends

This special edition contains 12 extra poems.

Because of Winn-Dixie

One summer’s day, ten-year-old India Opal Buloni goes down to the local supermarket for some groceries—and comes home with a dog. But Winn-Dixie is no ordinary dog.

The Boxcar Children Fully Illustrated Edition

The classic story of four orphaned siblings, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny, who find an abandoned boxcar in the forest and decide to make it their home.

Read aloud books are such a fun way to bond as a family.

Reading together improves comprehension and vocabulary in children.

Also, they can improve processing skills, increases their attention span, reduces stress, builds listening, communication skills and visualization.

How to Upcycle a T-Shirt

Now, let’s make this adorable library tote and you only need a few things to make this.

a t-shirt
fabric scissors
a bowl to use as a pattern for cutting
fabric chalk

Yes, just things that you already have in your house.

Grab your t-shirt and start by cutting off the sleeves, just inside the seam.

And try to cut as evenly as you can but it’s handmade so if the edges are a bit rough it’s okay.

If younger children are helping or making their own, you will definitely have some uneven cuts and knots but that is the charm of their very own DIY project.

Next, use a large bowl to draw a half circle around the neckline to make the opening larger.

You want the shoulder area to be somewhere between 3”-5” on each side to make it sturdy and comfortable handles.

The handles can be held with hands or looped over your shoulder.

Cut this circle out of both sides of the shirt.

Too, you want to make sure you have a good pair of fabric scissors.

I like these, for most of our crafts because they work well, are comfortable, and are not too expensive.

Measure a line up about 3” from the bottom all the way across and mark it with chalk. The chalk line disappears with just a bit of wiping.

Now cut strips on both sides of the fabric up to this line all the way across the bottom of the shirt.

Make the strips about ¾” wide.

Then, grab your first set of fringes and knot it, repeat with the second set of fringes. Continue all the way across the bottom.

Be sure to tie each knot tightly and securely to make sure that the bottom of your bag is sturdy enough to carry a pile of books.

Other Back to School Craft Ideas

Alternatively, if you don’t want to have your knots showing you can turn the shirt inside out first and make your knots and then turn it inside right so they are hidden inside.

I like the fringe and didn’t want the bulk inside the bag taking up precious book space.

That’s it, your old t-shirt is ready to go live its best new life as a library tote.

This bag is also great to tote whatever you need at a farmers markets, on nature walks, to the beach, co-op meetings, grocery shopping, or on road trips.

Finally, look at more fun activities.

More Back to School Craft Ideas

Fun Pineapple Candle For Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

July 27, 2022 | Leave a Comment
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Squeeze in more fun summer activities for middle schoolers by making this fun pineapple candle. Plus, there is more to homeschool middle school than just academic subjects.

Middle school kids love to do crafts year-round or do we call them activities.

Besides, this fun pineapple candle can be used in several ways.

Add it to a homeschool area, to your tween or teen’s room, or do it along with my huge Amazon Rain Forest Unit Study.

Fun Pineapple Candle For Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

Too, pineapples are bromeliads and bromeliads grow in tropical areas. So, add this summer craft as another easy activity to your unit studies.

Fun Facts About Pineapples

Pineapple is neither a pine or an apple but are made up of lots of berries that have grown together.
Pineapples take 18-20 months to be ready for harvest.
Pineapple plants produce only one pineapple at a time.
Hawaii produces ⅓ of the pineapples in the world.
Pineapples actually originated in South America not in Hawaii like many think.
The pineapple is a symbol of hospitality.
The largest pineapple on record weighed a whopping 17.76 pounds.
The top of a pineapple can be replanted to grow a new pineapple plant.
Pineapple juice makes a great meat tenderizer.
Pineapple is a member of the Bromelioideae family and Ananas genus.
Pineapple plants grown between 3.3 feet and 4.9 feet in height.

Because summer isn’t over yet and there is still plenty of time for fun as well as learning before the temps start to cool a bit, let’s make this cute pineapple craft.

Summer Craft for Homeschool Middle School

This project is fairly easy and kid friendly with a few safety warnings and maybe a hand pouring of the hot wax for young children.

Too, if you love crafts, you may have several of these things on hand.

If not, add to your growing list of supplies by using the list below.

List of pineapple craft supplies.

Small Glass jar
Fake Succulent (Dollar Tree)
Soy Wax Beads
Yellow Candle Wax Colorant
Candle Wicks
Pineapple Fragrance Oil
Sharpie or Paint Pen
Glass microwavable container
Green paint

I like to use wax beads for a few reasons rather than cutting up a big slab of wax.

First, they melt faster and more evenly and second, they make it easy to measure the amount needed for irregular shaped containers like this one!

Also, you can buy an individual scent for your candle.

But when you purchase the variety pack it was a better deal than just getting one.

Plus, you will have plenty of wax beads left over from your bag to make other candles throughout the seasons.

How to Make a DIY Summer Pineapple Candle

Begin by taking a sharpie or paint pen and draw upside down V’s to create the spikes of a pineapple. Then let it dry.

Next, use green craft paint or spray paint to make the screw on the lid green, set aside to dry.

Fill your glass jar with beads where you want the top to be.

And add a few more tablespoons worth because as your beads melt they will fill in the spaces in between and you will have less than you did while they are whole.

Afterwards, place the wick down inside the jar and curl the excess around a pencil to keep it straight in the jar.

Then, pour your measured amount of wax beads and a small piece of yellow colorant into a microwave safe glass container.

Heat in 30 second increments until completely melted.

Shave off just a bit of your candle colorant and mix it. Continue to do this until your desired yellow shade is reached.

Stir in fragrance oil, again just keep adding and stirring until the scent strength you like is reached.

Carefully pour melted wax into your jar and let it cool completely.

Trim the wick with scissors to slightly shorter than the jar.

Finally, grab your jar lid and hot glue the plastic succulent to the top to create the crown.

Other Pineapple Themed Summer Fun Ideas

We really enjoyed this pineapple summer craft to help us finish up our summer and now we have a lovely home decor item that the kids have pride in creating and they beg for us to light.

Pineapples are delicious and they smell amazing, making them a great subject for this summer craft don’t you think?

More Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

Super Easy and Fun Aquarium Jar Craft For Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

July 24, 2022 | Leave a Comment
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Your kids will love this fun aquarium jar craft for summer activities for middle schoolers. Whether you’re diving into a study about the oceans or doing a shark unit study, hands-on activities are the way to go. Also, look at my page homeschool middle school for more fun tips.

Either use an upcycled jar or a mason jar from Dollar Tree. This easy aquarium craft for summer activities for middle schoolers is a multisensory approach to learning.

Not all middle schoolers are at the same level of maturity, so a hands-on approach is effective at getting information in.

Super Easy and Fun Aquarium Jar Craft For Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

In addition, no matter how easy of a project, it can help the information stay in little growing brains.

When we study a particular topic I like to include as many hands-on activities as possible and they range from super simple to more involved.

In addition, with shark week looming I started brainstorming fun and easy ways to learn about sharks and other ocean creatures in a unique way.

Besides, this is easy enough to make for a fun summer activity or to use for a homeschool summer co-op.

Craft For Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

First, I gathered up some of our favorite books to fit the theme.

Ocean Anatomy,
Basher Ocean, and
The Big Book of Blue for reference.

We really enjoy the illustrations and the way the information is provided in simple little nuggets.

Next, before introducing the mini aquarium jar craft learn a few facts about the ocean.

For example, start with the fact that the ocean is a vast and mostly unexplored part of our Earth.

And it is filled with many beautiful and at the same time frightening creatures.

Encourage your child to be a marine biologist if just for the day.

Learn about a couple of creatures, their habits, feeding, characteristics, and what part they play in the oceans ecosystem.

Ocean Craft for Tweens

Have your middle schooler go through your ocean themed books. And the pile of plastic ocean animals. Choose just two to learn about. Here are the easy stipulations.

First, the animal had to fit in the small plastic mason jar from the Dollar Tree.

Second, the animal has to be one that your child is interested in learning about . This way he can research and learn about the animal for the rest of the assignment.

Although you may school year round, you can use assignments like this in summer to keep writing to a a minimal while sneaking in some learning through summer crafts.

Next, look at this easy list of supplies.

A smooth upcycled jar or plastic mason jar from Dollar Tree
Gravel or sand
Plastic ocean animals
A Hot glue gun
Distilled water
Essential oil or hand sanitizer

How to Make a Simple Jar Aquarium Ocean Craft

Begin by using a smooth upcycled jar or mason jar from Dollar Tree.

Sometimes the empty name brand jars have a good amount of writing and raised designs.

However, jars like spaghetti and pickle jars are good choices. Once you soak the label off they are usually smooth.

I pick up a couple of these plastic mason jars from Dollar Tree every so often because they are great for not only storage but also crafts.

Start by putting hot glue on the bottom of a piece of coral or plastic aquarium plant.

Press into the bottom of the jar.

And if you don’t have one in your plastic animals you can easily make some with craft foam.

They will stand upright and hold up to being soaked in water.

Next, add a layer of gravel or sand, just a bit to cover the bottom.

Next hot glue some of the animals in place.

We didn’t want our animals floating upside down or all piled up on the bottom.

And the glue shows very little through the jar.

We chose a giant squid and whale shark

Add just a tiny bit of hot glue and press them into place.

Once glue is cooled and hardened slowly add distilled water to ⅛” from the top of the jar.

You can add a bit of blue food coloring if you like too.

But previously we found that it made it too cloudy to see well.

Additionally to keep the water from going bad you can add a couple drops of antibacterial essential oil . Hand sanitizer works as well.

Add a bit of hot glue to the threads on the lid, Then, screw into place to keep it from leaking.

Finally, you can add quite a bit to this activity by watching a documentary.

Watch a document while your child puts the jar aquarium together

Too, create the mini aquarium during read aloud time with an ocean themed book keeps wiggly learners interest.

A few more ideas to make this fun are to use chalk pastels. Sketch your chosen animals for a fresh art piece.

Chalk pastels are more intriguing than everyday crayons. Also, have your child create a large model of their animal with paper mache.

What ocean crafts do you like doing during summer with your middle schoolers?

Other Ocean Crafts for Middle Schoolers

How to Make a Fun Paper Mache American Robin Bird Craft

July 17, 2022 | Leave a Comment
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Today, I’m sharing how to make a fun paper mache American Robin bird craft. Whether you’re doing a summer or spring unit study, you’ll love this craft to go with my North American Robin Unit Study.

And because you can study about birds anytime of the years, this paper mache bird craft can be done anytime. Too, hand crafts stimulate the creativity and imagination of your children.

For younger children, having something to hold like this fun American Robin craft helps them to focus on what you’re teaching

Besides, this is a fun art project that your children will love and want to keep.

Further, once you learn this technique you can do this for any spring or summer birds you find in your yard.

Also, this fun bird craft would make a great gift idea.

So if you’re like us, one of our favorite spring and summer pastimes is sitting in the backyard watching the birds stop by our feeder.

Too, we are always sure to keep it stocked with seed and keep the bird bath clean and full to encourage their visits.

In addition, we have such a variety of beautiful birds that come to eat.

For example, we see cardinals, black capped chickadees, blue jays, Mockingbirds, Mourning Doves, American Robin’s, and many more.

Moreover, American Robins can be seen throughout the US year round and in a wide range of habitats besides your backyard.

Facts About the American Robin

They are spotted in city parks, forests, mountains, tundra, and fields.

How to Make a Fun Paper Mache American Robin Bird Craft

If you look close you will notice that the males coloring is more intense while the females are a bit duller.

Robins like to build their nests among the dense leaves of trees but might also build their nest in a basket or light fixture on your front porch as well.

They love a wide variety of fruit as well as worms, insects, and sometimes even small snakes.

Next, these are two of my favorite nature reference books.

,And they have great bite sized tidbits of information, beautiful illustrations.

Too, while the Big Book of Birds especially is geared toward younger children middle schoolers really enjoy using it too!

The second one is Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World.

North American Robin Unit Study

Next, you’ll love these other tips and resources for a spring or summer unit study.

Use the links for this unit study or any bird unit study.

Finally, look at this list of easy supplies.

Robin Crafts

Cardboard
Straight edge knife
newspaper
scissors
Glue
water
Sturdy craft wire
Masking tape
Craft paint- rust orange, gray, brown, black,and white
Paintbrushes

Directions:

Use a pencil to draw a general bird shape onto a piece of scrap cardboard. You want to use a thick corrugated box rather than something like a cereal box for strength.

Make it as big or as little as you like.

This first step helps form the base shape and support the paper mache. Cut it out using scissors or a straight edge.

Move on next to bend craft wire to form the legs and feet.

Fold the wire over several times on each section to be sure it’s sturdy enough.

Too, I tried taping these to the form but they did not stay on well. But I found that hot glueing them was quicker and sturdier.

Combine 2 parts glue to one part water and mix well.

We used watered down glue which works as well as old fashioned paper mache but dries a bit faster and is less likely to mold like the wet flour might.

Tear newspaper into 1” or less strips, and make them just a little longer than the widest part of your bird form.

Ball up smaller pieces of newspaper and attach it to the sides of your form with masking tape to create a little more body and define the basic shape.

Dip your paper strips into the glue mixture, dragging it across the edge of your bowl to remove some of the excess.

Begin covering your structure with strips, alternating directions, and thickness to complete the shape of your bird.

Be sure to smooth each layer to avoid getting too much bumpy texture on your finished product.

Allow to dry completely. This will likely take a couple days to be sure it is dry through all the layers.

Once dry, you are ready to begin painting and adding personality to your little bird.

Mix a bit of gray and black paint to get the color of the back. You may find the perfect chest color in your paints already, but we mixed a bit of terra cotta and brick red to get ours.

We found the easiest order to paint our American Robin in was by first painting the gray brown back of the bird, then the black capped head and finally the rust brown underbelly and beak,. letting each section dry about 15 minutes between each.

When the paint is completely dry add some details with white like the eyes and some feather details.

You can use this tutorial to make any type of bird you like!

Just change up the shape slightly and choose whatever paint colors you need to customize your creation.

Spend some time before or after this craft looking up pictures of American Robin babies in the nest, listening to their calls, sketching the pictures in your notepad, and reading through some fun books to turn this craft into a mini unit study!

Fun Making Ocean Layers Soap | Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

July 13, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you’re diving into a study on the ocean layers, doing summer activities for middle schoolers, or want to do an Ocean Unit Study and Ocean Lapbook, our kids will love this ocean layers soap. Also, look at my page Homeschool Middle School for more fun tips.

Besides, there is no better way to learn than with a fun hands-on activity that demonstrates an idea you are trying to get across.

And yes, you could even make this fun soap activity for Shark Week.

Fun Making Ocean Layers Soap | Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

The ocean is a huge and mostly unexplored part of our earth. As a matter of fact only about 20% of it has been explored and mapped by humans.

It is made up of 5 layers and each is different not just in depth but in temperature.

Too, the life that lives in each layer is very different.

It is fascinating, mysterious, scary, beautiful, and changing.

Today, we are going to create a beautiful bar of soap to demonstrate the 5 layers of the ocean and we can learn quite a bit while completing this activity.

Also, you’ll want to grab a couple of books to reference throughout.

And one of our favorites is Ocean Anatomy because of its beautiful illustrations and concise bites of information, even a high schooler enjoys it!

Another great one, especially for littles is The Big Book of Blue, another one with great illustrations.

Also, Basher has a great line that cover a lot of science as well as other topics.

We used Oceans as a reference during our soap making as well.

In addition, I’ll be sharing some research questions for each layer to challenge your child.

This will encourage them to use a reference book or internet, whichever you prefer to find out the answer.

We are going to make just enough today to make a couple of bars but you could easily double or triple the recipe for a larger batch.

Too, if you have access to a microwave this project would make a great activity for your co-op as well.

Layers of the Ocean

1. The Trenches (Hadalpelagic Zone)

First, The Trenches (Hadalpelagic Zone) is the deepest and darkest layer of the ocean.

It ranges from about 20,000 feet down to an estimate of 36,000 feet. It is freezing and the pressure is enormous there.

Hadal is named after Hades, Greek God of the underworld. While not a lot, there are some creatures that make their home there.

And a question: What is the deepest trench in the ocean? ( The Mariana Trench)

2. The Abyss(Abyssopelagic Zone)

Second, The Abyss(Abyssopelagic Zone) has crushing pressure and extremely cold temps.

And this part of the ocean ranges from about 13,700 feet down to 19,700 feet.

Ocean life is still scarce here but not nonexistent. This layer makes up about 83% of the total ocean.

And a question for your children: Name 3 creatures that live in this zone.
Chemosynthetic bacteria, tubeworms, and small fish, sharks, invertebrates and some crustaceans.

3. The Midnight Zone (Bathypelagic Zone)

Third is The Midnight Zone (Bathypelagic Zone).

The only light you will find in this mid layer of the ocean is from bioluminescent fish.

The Midnight zone ranges from 3,280 feet to 13,135 feet down into the depths.

And a question for your children: What is bioluminescence?
It is the production and emission of light from living organisms.

4. The Twilight Zone (Mesopelagic Zone)

Fourth is The Twilight Zone (Mesopelagic Zone).

Below 660 all the way down to 3,280 feet deep this layer is where some whales travel to eat.

Some of the animals here are darker and thinner for camouflage.

Too, squid and octopus are lurking at these depths.

Question: How many species of animals live in the Twilight Zone?
There are over 700.

5. The Sunlight Zone.

Fifth is The Sunlight Zone.

This top layer of the ocean only extends down to 660 feet.

There is plenty of sunlight here, hence the name, and there is a wider range of temperatures within this zone.

Fun question: In this zone where divers explore, what does SCUBA stand for?
Self-contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus.

Layers of the Ocean Soap Craft

Next, have fun making this layers of ocean soap craft.

Here is your list.

Clear melt and pour soap base
Blue Mica Powder or Soap Colorant
Soap Mold
Your favorite essential oil scents or soap fragrance. (Grab the Caribbean Set with scents like Pina Colada and Ocean Breeze)
glass bowl or measuring cup
5 Small glass bowls for dividing up colors
rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle

First, cut your soap into 1” chunks and place in the glass bowl.

Heat in the microwave for 1 minute and then in 30 second intervals until completely melted.

Mix in your scents to the desired scent strength.

We are going with coconut and lime today for our ocean scented soap, but you can put in any scent or combination you like.

Next, divide soap evenly between your bowls.

We love these little glass dishes from Dollar Tree because they work well for everything from sauces to experiments and at only 4/$1.25 they are a great kitchen or science addition!

Work quickly and add some color to each bowl.

Add only a small amount to the first bowl and adding more as go. We added a tiny bit of green and some black to the last to help make it even darker.

Pour your lightest layer in the mold and spritz it with rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. This helps remove bubbles and will also help each layer stick together.

Let it set for 15-20 minutes to harden.

You will need to melt each layer in the microwave again for about a minute as it will harden while waiting.

However, no fret because it’s very easy to bring it back to a liquid state.

While we waited for each layer to melt we talked about that particular part of the ocean, looking up facts, watching videos, and reading our books.

Continue adding layers, lightest to darkest, spraying with alcohol between each.

Let your soap sit overnight then remove it from the mold.

More Ocean Activities for Summer

With just one activity we have covered science, geography, life skills, and art. Jot all those down in your Ultimate and Beautiful DIY Homeschool Unit Study Planner.

2. Ultimate DIY Homeschool Unit Study Planner
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Your child has used research skills, fine motor skills, following directions, reading, coordination, writing, and so much more!

The added bonus is that you are making memories while you learn about the ocean and its layers.