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science

Galileo Discovery of Jupiter Moons and Fun Hands-On Moon Crater Experiment

January 7, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This fun hands-on moon crater experiment is a great introduction to learn about Galileo Galilei and his discover of Jupiter’s moons. Add it to my Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for a fun study.

On January 7th, 1610, Jupiter’s first four moons were discovered by Galileo Galilei through a homemade telescope.

It is one of Galileo Galilei’s most important contributions to science.

Galileo Discovery of Jupiter Moons and Fun Hands-On Moon Crater Experiment

The 4 Galilean Moons are named lo or Jupiter 1, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. 

Earth has 1 moon, but did you know that there are over 200 moons in our solar system?

 Most of the major planets, except Mercury and Venus have moons. 

Even Pluto and some of the other dwarf planets have small moons. Some asteroids even have moons.

If you look up at our moon, even with the naked eye you can see craters.

These craters were formed when rocks or comets smashed through space to hit the surface of the Moon.

And we’re going to do a fun moon crater experiment, but first look at these fun facts about Galileo Galilei

Facts about Galileo Galilei and the Jupiter Moons

  • Galileo Galilei was born in the year 1564.and he was born in the town of Pisa, in what is now Italy.
  • His father was Vincenzio Galilei who was a cloth merchant and musician.
  • Although Galileo’s dad wanted him to be a doctor, Galileo was good in math and didn’t want to be a doctor.
  • He invented the telescope and realized his telescope could magnify things to be large.
  • One of his first observations was the moon. At that time people thought the moon was smooth. However, Galileo said the moon was full of bumps and craters.
  • In 1592, Galileo became a professor of mathematics at the University of Padua.
  • One of the many things that set Galileo apart was that he believed in the Copernican system. There were 3 things he believed was 1 ) rotation of the earth on its axis 2) that the planets revolve around the sun  and 3) conical axial motion of the earth to explain a fixed earth’s orientation in space.
  • Ganymede is the largest moon in the Solar System, is larger than the planet Mercury.
  • Io or Jupiter 1 is covered in volcanoes and lava.
  • Europa is covered in ice and has a huge saltwater sea beneath the ice.
  • Callisto is thought to be a dead world with hardly any geologic activity on its surface.
  • 57 more of Jupiter’s moons have been given names and the rest are waiting.
Galileo Discovery of Jupiter Moons and Fun Hands-On Moon Crater Experiment

Also, add some moon vocabulary words.

Moon Vocabulary Words

Additionally, learn moon vocabulary words which can be added to your lapbook.

For example, look at these moon vocabulary words below.

  • Moon (Answer: A celestial body that makes an orbit around a planet)
  • Celestial (Answer: A natural object that exists outside of the earth’s atmosphere)
  • Orbit (Answer: The path an object makes around a particular point in space, like around the earth)
  • Crater (Answer: Holes on the surface of moons caused by the impact of meteoroid)
  • Lunar (Answer: Something that is related to the moon)
  • Revolve (Answer: To move in a circle around a fixed point)

Too, here are some fun books and resources.

12 Resources and Books For Studying About the Moon and Galileo

If you want to focus on the moon in your astronomy and space unit study, add one of these fun resources to your day.

1. Who Was Galileo?

Like Michelangelo, Galileo is another Renaissance great known just by his first name--a name that is synonymous with scientific achievement. Born in Pisa, Italy, in the sixteenth century, Galileo contributed to the era's great rebirth of knowledge. He invented a telescope to observe the heavens. From there, not even the sky was the limit!

2. The Moon Book (New & Updated Edition)

This newly revised edition, available in time for the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, incorporates new, up-to-date information based on recent discoveries, and includes an updated map of the moon's surface. Thoroughly vetted by an astrophysics expert, The Moon Book is a perfect introduction to lunar phases, orbit, the history of space exploration, and more.

3. Galileo and the Magic Numbers

Sixteenth century Italy produced a genius who marked the world with his studies and hypotheses about mathematical, physical and astronomical truths. His father, musician Vincenzio Galilei said, “Truth is not found behind a man’s reputation. Truth appears only when the answers to questions are searched out by a free mind. This is not the easy path in life but it is the most rewarding.” Galileo challenged divine law and the physics of Aristotle, and questioned everything in search of truths. And it was through this quest for truth that he was able to establish a structure for modern science.

4. Moon: A Peek-Through Picture Book

It’s the perfect light nonfiction book for young stargazers—and an ideal bedtime book, ending with a giant moon hovering over a sleepy town hunkered down for bed.

5. Moon Lamp

Novelty Moon Lighting: Realistic Colorful Star Galaxy printed 🌌 Moon Lamp with advanced 3D technology. Now decorate your bedroom, hall, office or desk with our Space Theme gorgeous Galaxy Lamp. Your guests will definitely admire the beauty of this lively moon light.

6. Refracting Telescope for Kids Beginners

Quality Optics: 400mm(f/5.7) focal length and 70mm aperture, fully coated optics glass lens with high transmission coatings creates stunning images and protect your eyes. Perfect telescope for astronomers to explore stars and moon.

7. Jupiter (Planets in Our Solar System)

Everything about Jupiter is big! Its size is big. Even its storms are big! Get the big and small facts about this gas giant that can be seen glowing in the night sky.

8. Galileo Galilei (Genius Series)

Astronomer, physicist, and philosopher Galileo Galilei was referred to as "The Father of Modern Science," because of his groundbreaking research. Making observations about nature, and using mathematics to back them up, he proved the Copernican Theory true: the Sun, not the Earth, is the center of the universe. Join Galileo on his pioneering journey to see why his work had such long-lasting implications, and why the Catholic Church even condemned him for heresy.

9. What the Moon is Like

Imagine that you're walking on the moon. What is it like? For thousands of years people looked up at the moon and wondered about it. Now we know what the moon is like. There is no air on the moon and nothing grows, but there are towering mountains and deep craters—and much more.

Colder than the desert, the hotter than the desert, the moon is an amazing place to explore.

10. A Kite for Moon

What would it be like if the moon was your friend? Find out as you walk alongside a little boy who journeys through life to achieve his dream of becoming an astronaut. And then blast off with your little one as you zoom to the moon together!

The story begins when a little boy, who is flying his kite, notices a sad Moon. He sends up kites to her, writing notes promising he will come see her someday. This promise propels him through years of studying, learning, and training to become an astronaut. Until … he finally goes up, up, up in a big rocket ship with a fiery tail.

A Kite for Moon:

  • Features over 20 gorgeous illustrations by award-winning artist Matt Phelan
  • Is the perfect storybook for children ages 4 to 8
  • Celebrates every child’s fascination with space

11. Large Massive Meteorite Specimen

You could also grab these meteorite specimens (artificial) to let your child use for impact craters!

Moon! Earth's Best Friend (Our Universe, 3)

Meet Moon! She's more than just a rock―she’s Earth’s rock, her best friend she can always count on. Moon never turns her back on her friend (literally: she's always facing Earth with the same side!). These two will stick together forever. With characteristic humor and charm, Stacy McAnulty channels the voice of Moon in this next celestial "autobiography" in the Our Universe series. Rich with kid-friendly facts and beautifully brought to life by Stevie Lewis, this is an equally charming and irresistible companion to Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years and Sun! One in a Billion.

Additionally, look at these hands-on moon activities and space and astronomy activities.

Moon Activities and Space and Astronomy Ideas

  • Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages
  • Make a fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark) to display with more craters.
  • Track the moon cycles with my Free Moon Journal.
  • Quick astronomy and space study.
  • What a fun moon craft. 3-D Light Up Moon with Tissue.
  • Make an EASY Straw Rocket

Also, add this fun hands on Exploring Space and Astronomy Lapbook.

Galileo Discovery of Jupiter Moons and Fun Hands-On Moon Crater Experiment

And these minibooks can be used for notebooking pages or a lapbook.

Galileo Discovery of Jupiter Moons and Fun Hands-On Moon Crater Experiment
  • Dynamic Astronomy Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    Dynamic Astronomy Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    $4.00
    Add to cart

Finally, do this fun moon crater experiment with your kids.

Galileo Discovery of Jupiter Moons and Fun Hands-On Moon Crater Experiment

Moon Crater Experiment

You will need:

  • A round shallow dish
  • Baking flour
  • Different sizes of weighted objects- rocks, marbles, etc.

Directions:

First, place a round dish on the floor.

Too, take this outside so the mess is easier to contain as the flour will spread and settle out a bit.

Smooth the flour a bit by hand or with a paintbrush.

Galileo Discovery of Jupiter Moons and Fun Hands-On Moon Crater Experiment

Have your child drop the objects from various heights to recreate the impact of comets and rocks hitting the moons surface.

You could also grab these meteorite specimens (artificial) to let your child use for impact craters.

Carefully remove the objects and point out to your child how the objects colliding into the surface left impressions in much the same way impacts in space leave craters.

Smooth your “moons” surface and repeat as many times as your child wants.

Galileo Discovery of Jupiter Moons and Fun Hands-On Moon Crater Experiment

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

Gardening Projects For Homeschool Easy Composting With the Amazing Dr. George Carver (Free Printable About Compost)

January 6, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you’re looking to do some beginner gardening projects for homeschool this easy composting idea will get you started. Too, learn about the amazing Dr. George Washington Carver will make it a fun day. Check out more ideas too at Easy Seed and Gardening Unit Study for Kids (Middle – Upper Elementary).

And because January 5th is George Washington Carver Day, it’s the perfect time to learn about him.

Gardening Projects For Homeschool Easy Composting With the Amazing Dr. George Carver

Focus on his hardships and he overcame them, what he did to help people understand about crops and to help people in the south better understand soil.

George Washington Carver made many contributions to his time that are still very relevant and helpful today. 

While most of us know him for his work with peanuts and sweet potatoes there is so much more to it than that.

Gardening Projects For Homeschool Easy Composting With the Amazing Dr. George Carver

About Dr. George Washington Carver

Dr. Carver was born into slavery and all the way through his graduate studies he struggled to find schools that would admit him because he was African American.

George Washington Carver was born sometime during the Civil War,

He was known as “Carver’s George,” and was enslaved to Susan and Moses Carver, successful Missouri farmers.

He taught and was the head of the Agriculture Department at Tuskegee Institute.

Dr. Carver was a botanist, agronomist, chemist, and inventor as well as a teacher.

Also, Dr. Carver worked with people in the south to help improve the soil and maximize crop yields.

Additionally, he encouraged farmers to improve their soil without commercial fertilizers either through planting legumes that improved the nitrogen of the soil and were great sources of protein for people but also by using compost.

If you are interested in gardening or homesteading on any level, composting is an easy thing to start with.

It is literally just gathering kitchen and yard waste and tossing it in a bin to decompose into free, nutrient rich soil that is perfect for improving small or large gardens.

Composting also helps cut down on the waste in your garbage and landfills by almost 30%.

Rather than filling your bins and landfills with this type of waste, you can turn it into soil for gardens or container plants.

First, add in some books about George Washington Carver for your gardening projects for homeschool.

11 Gardening and Composting with Dr. George Washington Carver Activities and Resources

Whether you're doing a gardening unit study or want to learn about the scientist Dr. George Washington Carver, you'll love a few of these resources.

1. In the Garden with Dr. Carver

Sally is a young girl living in rural Alabama in the early 1900s, a time when people were struggling to grow food in soil that had been depleted by years of cotton production. One day, Dr. George Washington Carver shows up to help the grown-ups with their farms and the children with their school garden. He teaches them how to restore the soil and respect the balance of nature.

2. Trees, Leaves, Flowers and Seeds: A Visual Encyclopedia of the Plant Kingdom

Explore the incredible world of plants, from the smallest seeds to the tallest trees, whilst you discover all about the weirdest, smelliest and deadliest flowers on our planet, with this engaging
encyclopedia for children aged 9-12. 

3. Who Was George Washington Carver?

Born in 1860s Missouri, nobody expected George Washington Carver to succeed. Slaves were not allowed to be educated. After the Civil War, Carver enrolled in classes and proved to be a star student. He became the first black student at Iowa State Agricultural College and later its first black professor. He went on to the Tuskegee Institute where he specialized in botany (the study of plants) and developed techniques to grow crops better.

4. Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of Country Life

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

5. Compost: A Family Guide to Making Soil from Scraps (Discover Together Guides)

Teach your kids that composting is fun with this funky guide that takes you from the nitty-gritty of compost composition and care to Worms and Ladders, a fresh take on a traditional board game.

6. Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth

Kids everywhere are seeking knowledge about the environment and climate change. Not only is composting becoming more common in households and residential gardens, but many school gardens feature compost piles, too

7. Nancy B's Science Club Garbage to Gardens Compost Kit & Decomposition Book

If you don’t have the yard space or just want to teach your child how composting works on a smaller scale you can grab a mini countertop Compost Kit to watch the breakdown.

8. Worms Eat My Garbage

How to Set Up and Maintain a Worm Composting System: Compost Food Waste, Produce Fertilizer for Houseplants and Garden, and Educate Your Kids and Family.

9. Outdoor Compost Bin

The compost bin is made of high quality and durable PP material, which is environmentally safe and can withstand cold winters, perfect for gardens, farmland, yards. In addition, the PP material is very durable, can retain heat while regulating moisture, and produce fertilizer as quickly as possible.

10. Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots: Gardening Together with Children

Here are 12 spirited, easy-to-implement ideas for theme gardens that parents and kids can grow together, connecting children to nature through gardening. Each project includes a plan and the planting recipe--as well as a "Discovery Walk," activities and crafts to make with what you grow. And each is illustrated with author Sharon Lovejoy's lyrical watercolors.

11. Gardening for beginners

Great book for beginners.

Moreover, here are some fun gardening projects to add to your unit about George Washington Carver.

More Gardening Projects for Homeschool

  • How to Easily Garden Plan With Kids Using LEGO
  • Kinder Gardening to Celebrate Nature and Science
  • Easy Seed and Gardening Unit Study 
  • Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity
  • How to Easily Make Fun Seed Tape With Kids
  • How to Make a Fun Kids Root Viewer

Then add a simple compost lesson.

How to Teach Kids to Compost

To start composting all you need is an indoor compost container.

You can use something as simple as a designated bowl for it.

However, you will want to empty it into your outdoor compost bin at least once a day to avoid drawing bugs and having it emit an odor.

Gardening Projects For Homeschool Easy Composting With the Amazing Dr. George Carver

 If you use a small countertop compost container like this one below they have a charcoal filter up top and seal nicely.

With this you can empty it outdoors every other day or so and still have no odor.

Gardening Projects For Homeschool Easy Composting With the Amazing Dr. George Carver

As you have kitchen waste, just toss it in the compost container like eggs, coffee grounds, fresh fruit, and vegetable scraps, etc

Gardening Projects For Homeschool Easy Composting With the Amazing Dr. George Carver

Next, you will need a compost bin for outdoors, this is where the real action will take place. The combination of waste will help everything break down into a healthy soil.

Create your own or buy a ready-made one.

Gardening Projects For Homeschool Easy Composting With the Amazing Dr. George Carver (Free Printable About Compost

“Stir” your compost pile with a rake or limb every 3 to 4 days to encourage decomposition.

Gardening Projects For Homeschool Easy Composting With the Amazing Dr. George Carver (Free Printable About Compost

A properly maintained compost bin will heat up and break down items faster than one that is not kept up. 

The proper percentage of compost waste is 50% green compost and 50% brown compost.

Green is fresh recently dead materials with life still evident-fresh grass, veggie and fruit scraps, manure, etc.

Brown is older dead materials like straw, twigs, dead leaves.

Finally, grab this free printable below. Laminate and put it on your refrigerator.

Too, you can add it your gardening notebook.

How to Get the Free Compost Printable

Finally, how to grab the free compost printable. It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get this freebie.

 1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.

2) Grab the freebie now.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!
 

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: earth science, earthscience, garden, gardening, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, science

Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests

January 5, 2023 | 6 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

You’ll love this free bird unit study and dynamic bird lapbook. Be sure to grab my other lapbook ideas and Best Homeschool Unit Studies on my page.

And a great way to begin this unit study is to make a delicious and fun edible bird nest.

This one is a great addition to this bird unit study.

Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests

It’s easy, adorable and tasty.

Make these edible bird nests together with your budding ornithologist as part of a bigger study.

This unit study comes just in time for National Bird Day on January 5th.

First, begin with some of these topics to cover in the bird study.

  • Common Species
  • Feathers
  • Beaks and their uses
  • Migration
  • Nests
  • Eggs
  • Calls

In addition, here are two more facts:

  1. All birds have feathers, but not all birds can fly. For example, penguins do not fly.
  2. And all birds lay eggs, breathe air, and are warm blooded.

Bird Watching Questions

Next, when we learn about birds, I find a list of questions helps to identify what type of bird we’re looking at.

These same questions can be used in your nature walk or just looking in your backyard.

  1. What is the bird doing? (Answer: Flying, perching, hopping, in water, climbing,etc.)
  2. What shape is the bird? (Answer: Look at bird head size to body proportion. And beak size to bird head. Notice the bird’s overall body size.)
  3. How big is it?
  4. Explain what are field markings. For instance, stripes, colors, patches and patterns are field markings. So then ask what field markings do you see?
  5. Are the wings round or pointed?
  6. And what shape is the bill?
  7. How is the bird behaving? (Answer: What is the feeding style, how is it moving and is it with a flock or alone,)

I would highly recommend a field guide and binoculars to do research in real life

More Hands-on Bird Activities

  • How to Make a Chalk Pastel Bird Nest Easy Drawing
  • How To Make A Blue-Footed Booby Bird Craft
  • How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving & A Quick Study on A Swan
  • The Colorful Blue Jays Winter Food | Make Fun Seed Slime
  • How to Make Easy DIY Bird Feeders With Kids

Free Bird Teacher’s Guides and Lesson Plans

In addition, here are some fun and free educator guides and lesson plans about birds.

  • A Teacher’s Guide To Hawaiian Birds This has a nice glossary for vocabulary words and pictures too.
  • Lesson Plan for the lower grades.
  • Lesson Plans for middle school.
  • High School Ideas. Citizen Science has some ideas for projects like tracking sightings, nest watch,

  • Beak Variations
  • Migration Challenge. Why do bird migrate?
  • Learning About Bird Migration
  • Preschool to Kindergarten age Lesson Plan

  • What’s in a Bird Song
  • Free Bird Coloring Pages
  • Another lesson plan for early learning.
  • Students examine historical examples of art with birds as the subject. High School
  • Name That Bird Middle to High School

Moreover, research about different types of bird nests.

5 Common Types of Bird Nests

Also, when your child knows how to observe the types of nests, then it helps to match them with type of bird.

Besides many animals build nests and birds are some of the most expert builders.

Most birds’ nests fall into 5 main types of nests.

  1. cupped (or half-cupped). Used by songbirds and are round with a dip in the center. And swallows use half-cupped nests which adhere to a surface.
  2. cavity. Woodpeckers used cavities in a tree.
  3. Pendulum or Pendant. Baltimore Orioles use suspending type sac-like nests.
  4. Scrape. Used by ground-nesting birds in open habitats. Killdeer make scrape nests.
  5. Burrow. Burrowing Owls make burrow nests.

Cupped nest. A cup nest is cup-shaped and can be made with a variety of materials such as grass, moss,
lichen, or spiderweb

Cavity nest: A cavity nest is a hollowed-out opening in the trunk of a tree.

Pendulum or pendant nest: A hanging sac-like shape, usually suspended from a small tree branch.

Scrape – A type of nest without much material and are shallow ground impressions.

Burrow – This is either a hole burrowed or borrowed from another animal.

Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests

Lastly, think about the type of materials a bird collects to build a list. Have your child collect some of them to build his special nest.

  • dried grass
  • twigs
  • green grass
  • feathers
  • hair
  • mud or dirt
  • leaves
  • bark
  • pine needles
  • straw
  • shredded plant stems
  • animal hair
  • moss
  • old spiderwebs
Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests

Check out some of these resources to help you cover every aspect of birds you might want to learn about.

Bird Books, Activities, and Resources

Then, add in some of these fun books and resources.

17 Books, Resources, and Activities About Birds

You'll love these fun resources if you're studying about birds. Besides, you can study about birds anytime of the year.

So, add one or two of these to your unit study, nature journaling, or just fun for the day.

1. A Place for Birds

In simple yet compelling language, Melissa Stewart showcases twelve North American birds, from the familiar eastern bluebird to the rare Kirtland's warbler. Her clear narrative shows the threats these birds face, and informative sidebars describe a wide variety of efforts to save them. In addition, remarkable full-color illustrations vividly and accurately depict the birds within the ecosystems that support their survival. Range maps and additional bird facts are also included.

2. Feathers: Not Just for Flying

Young naturalists explore sixteen birds in this elegant introduction to the many, remarkable uses of feathers. A concise main text highlights how feathers are not just for flying. More curious readers are invited to dig deeper with informative sidebars that underscore how feathers of all shapes and sizes help birds with warming or cooling, protect them from the sun, help them swim, glide or even
dig.

3. A Nest Is Noisy (Family Treasure Nature Encylopedias)

This gorgeous and informative look at the fascinating world of nests, from those of tiny bee hummingbirds to those of orangutans high in the rainforest canopy.

4. Big Book of Birds (The Big Book Series)

The book draws in children and parents alike with captivating information about and charming illustrations of hummingbirds, peacocks, flamingos, bald eagles, secretary birds, puffins, red-crowned cranes, and more. The book also invites young bird-watchers to protect birds where they live and make their gardens bird-friendly. The text is chatty, funny, and full of remarkable facts.

5. Peterson Field Guide To Birds

For decades, the Peterson Field Guide to Birdsof Eastern and Central North America has been a popular and trusted guide for birders of all levels, thanks to its famous system of identification and unparalleled illustrations. Following the Spring 2020 update to Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America, this guide will feature updated text and range maps, and art updated to reflect current knowledge in ornithology. 

6. How to Feed Backyard Birds: A Step-by-Step Guide for Kids

How to Feed Backyard Birds: A Step-by-Step Guide for Kids is the perfect resource for beginners who are young (and not so young) to discover the joy of attracting birds to your yard. Bird lover and expert Chris Earley wants to share his passion for our colorful singing and flying neighbors with the whole family.

7. Wingspan Board Game - A Bird-Collection, Engine-Building Game

Competitive, card-driven, engine-building board game.

Challenging strategy game recommended for those ages 14 plus

Game includes 170 unique bird cards, 26 bonus cards and 16 Automa cards, 103 food tokens and 75 egg miniatures, 5 custom wooden dice and 5 player mats, 1 birdfeeder dice tower and 2-piece Game Trayz custom tray, 1 goal mat and 8 goal tiles, 1 first-player token and 40 action cubes, 4 clear plastic resource containers, 1 scorepad, and 3 rulebooks.

8. Beaks!

Young naturalists explore a variety of birds, their habitats, and how their beaks help them build, eat, and survive. From the twisted beak of a crossbill to the color changing bill of a seagull, readers will learn fun facts about how beaks are designed and used as tools by birds of all shapes and sizes.  Bright, bold cut-paper illustrations create amazingly realistic tableaus of birds in their natural
environments with their beaks in action.

9. Bird Figurine Toy Birds for Kids Realistic Bird

Set of bird figurine toys, which contains 7 different small plastic birds. The weight of bird figure toy is 96G / 0.2LB. The set of small plastic bird contains 7 pecies of toy birds,such as robin, bluebird, oriole, woodpecker, etc. Please refer to the picture for the actual size and color.

10. Professor Noggin's Birds of North America Trivia Card Game

PLAY & LEARN: Professor Noggin’s series of educational card games encourages kids to learn interesting facts about their favorite subjects.

FUN FACTS: Everything young birders need to know about the most common and interesting Birds of North America. Learn to identify different species and discover fascinating facts about their habitat and behavior.

CARD GAME: Each of the thirty game cards combines trivia, true or false, and multiple-choice questions. A special three-numbered die is included which adds an element of unpredictability.

11. Audubon's Birds of America Coloring Book

Including the red-winged blackbird, painted bunting, wood duck, great blue heron, ruby-throated hummingbird, purple finch, and blue jay, 46 different species of birds from all parts of the United States are included in this book. The pictures have been faithfully redrawn by Paul E. Kennedy from originals by John James Aububon (1785–1851), the most famous American painter-naturalist.

12. The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon

If there was one thing James loved to do more than anything else, it was to be in the great outdoors watching his beloved feathered friends.In the fall of 1804, he was determined to find out if the birds nesting near his Pennsylvania home would really return the following spring. Through careful observation, James laid the foundation for all that we know about migration patterns today.

13. Attracting Birds to Your Backyard: 536 Ways To Turn Your Yard and Garden Into a Haven For Your Favorite Birds

Enjoy your home and garden as never before when you have a yard that's filled with colorful birds and bird songs as well as flowers. This A-to-Z guide includes:Terrific tips and plans for building bird feeders, birdbaths, and birdhouses.Recipes for making bird food that is sure to be a hit with your feathered friends--including Chickadee Doughnut Delights and Easy Bird Treat Mini-Muffins.The 25 best plants to grow to attract birds to your yard--including columbine and honeysuckle, hummingbird favorites.How to identify and attract goldfinches, chickadees, cardinals, and more than 50 other favorite birds to your yard. Plus, you'll learn what their songs and antics really mean.

14. Field Guide to the Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds

Describes all species found in the North American region and offers information on breeding cycles, nesting habits, and provides pictures of nestlings and eggs

15. What's That Bird? Teacher Guide

This study guide accompanies What's That Bird? published by Storey Publishing in 2005, incorporating facts to know, comprehension questions, and characteristics of specific birds. Sections include: 'Meet the Bird', 'How Birds Live', and 'The Wider World of Birds'. Student Book and What's That Bird? sold separately.

16. Paint by Sticker: Birds: Create 12 Stunning Images One Sticker at a Time!

Nature's Masterpieces—ready for paintingPeel the sticker,Paint the sticker, And watch your painting come to life.Paint by Sticker: Birds celebrates the rainbow of colors and shapes of the avian world: a red-headed woodpecker, a blue jay, an orange and black Baltimore oriole, an electric bright hummingbird.

17. Sibley Backyard Birding Flashcards

The Sibley Field Guide to Birds is now transformed into 100 easy-to-reference cards housed in one handsome pull-drawer gift box. Divided into one stack of 50 common Western and Eastern North American birds, and one stack of 50 common birds found across North America, each card features precise illustrations and text concerning habitat, behavior, and voice description necessary for easy identification. Edited with the backyard birder in mind, each bird card is accompanied with a regional map as an additional guide to migratory patterns.

Delightful Birds Lapbook

Also, you’ll love this fun delightful birds lapbooks.

It’s geared toward upper elementary to middle school-ish but of course grades are selective.

Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests

Awesome Features of the Bird Lapbook

  • You get this SAME lapbook TWO different ones. One lapbook has a facts filled in each minibook and the other lapbook has minibooks with all blank inside pages.
  • Because I use a combination of cursive and print fonts, I aim my lapbooks toward upper elementary up to high school. 
  • This lapbook is aimed at upper elementary to middle school-ish.
  • However, because one lapbook is BLANK you can use it for any age.
  • This is a .pdf instant downloadable product and not a physical product.
  • You are paying for the printables, the lapbook.
  • You can use any reference materials, books, or online resources to complete the lapbook.
  • I don’t provide links in the lapbooks for filling in the information. This keeps my prices low for my products, but I do provide free links and unit studies on my site as I can.
  • My printables are very flexible. You decide which topics you want your children to research.  Also, you can mix and match filled in and blank minibooks of your choice.
  • Dynamic Delightful Bird Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    Dynamic Delightful Bird Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    $4.00
    Add to cart

Additionally, here are more bird unit study activities.

Bird Unit Study Resources

  • Free Bird Journal
  • Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity
  • How to Make a Fun Paper Mache American Robin Bird Craft
  • Why Bats Are Not Birds Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook
  • How to Make a Kid’s Fun and Easy Bird Nest Activity
  • How to Make an Easy Jumbo Stick Bird Feeder with Kids
  • Hands-On Nature Study: Bird Color Bar Graphing Activity
  • Hands-On Nature Study: Make a Fun Bird Nesting Bag
  • Colorful Winter Bird: Northern Cardinal Lapbook & Unit Study
  • Easy and Fun Nature Study: Beautiful Birds
  • How to Make Easy DIY Bird Feeders

Too, let’s make a fun hands-on edible nest to go with this unit study.

How to Make Edible Bird Nests

You will need:

  • 2 cups pretzel sticks
  • ¼ cup butterscotch chips
  • ¼ cup chocolate chips
  • mm’s
Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests

Directions:

Lay out a piece of waxed paper on the counter.

Place both kinds of chips in the microwave in a heat safe bow and heat in 20 second increments until completely melted.

Stir well to combine.

Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests

Pour pretzels into a bowl of melted chocolate and stir gently until all pretzels are completely coated.

Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests

Encourage your child to build a bird’s nest by creating a base of a few flat pretzels and then stacking to build up the sides into a cup shaped bird’s nest.

We found this recipe made about 4 good sized nests.

Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests

Add a few m & ms as eggs to the nest.

Let the nests sit until the chocolate has hardened, about an hour or so if your kitchen is not warm.

You can also harden it quicker by placing them in the fridge for a bit.

Once your nest has solidified you can enjoy eating it!

Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests

6 CommentsFiled Under: My Unit Studies {Free Printables & Hands-on Ideas} Tagged With: birdjournal, birds, cardinal bird, elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, lapbook, lapbooking, lapbookresources, lapbooks, life science, science

Daniel Boone Explorer Black Bear Unit Study and Fun Edible Bear Poop

December 30, 2022 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a fun post about Daniel Boone explorer and adventurer. Today, we’re focused on a black bear unit study and making some fun edible bear poop. You’ll love my unit study and other ideas on my page Daniel Boone – North American Explorer and Best Homeschool Unit Studies.

If you are studying Daniel Boone, you should definitely spend some time learning zoology.

Daniel Boone Explorer Black Bear Unit Study and Fun Edible Bear Poop

And focus ton he animals that would have frequented the woods he hunted.

For instance, learn about fox, beaver, deer, wild turkey, and today’s study black bears.

I have a fun filled hands-on list of amazing resources for a bear unit study and a deliciously gross treat to kick it off.

I have rarely met a kid who doesn’t love gross potty humor.

Besides, this craft is a fun introduction to learn a few facts about bears.

So, we’ve created an edible pile of yummy gooey bear poop

8 Species of Bear in the World

But before that I am going to load you up with books, games, and activities to make it a wildly fun bear unit study.

Did you know that there are 8 species of bear in the world?

  1. American Black Bear (Ursus americanus)
  2. Asian Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus)
  3. Brown Bear (Ursus arctos)
  4. Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
  5. Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus)
  6. Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus)
  7. Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus)
  8. Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus)

Also, focus on the black bear, which is probably the most common type for Daniel Boone to have hunted with his gun “Old Tick Licker”.

Daniel Boone Explorer Black Bear Unit Study and Fun Edible Bear Poop

However, comparison is also a great way to learn about a topic as well.

Daniel Boone Killed a Bear

Have your child research some of the following questions:

  • What is the largest species of bear? (Answer: Kodiak Bears)
  • Is a koala actually a bear? (Answer: No. They are marsupials)
  • Which state has the most bears? ( Answer: Alaska)
  • Why do bears hibernate? (Answer: Hibernation is a voluntary state that animals enter to reduce their exposure to winter elements, conserve energy, and when food is scarce.)
  • What is the average lifespan of a bear? (Answer: 10-20 years and some as long as 20)
  • How far away can a black bear smell? (Answer: 1 mile)
  • What are the 3 main subspecies of brown bear? (Answer: California Grizzly, Kodiak, and Grizzly.)

Furthermore, share one of the stories about Daniel Boone and bears.

Boon killed a bar on (this) tree in the year 1760.

More than a hundred and thirty years ago, he cut these words on a beech-tree, still standing in Eastern Tennessee,—”D. Boon killed a bar on (this) tree in the year 1760.”

You will see if you examine the tree, on which the words can still be read, that Boone could not spell very well; but he could what was considered more important then and that was to shoot to kill.

The tree stood on the banks of Boone’s Creek, near Jonesboro, Washington County, Tennessee.

Now, let’s look at a few more facts about black bears.

Daniel Boone Explorer Black Bear Unit Study and Fun Edible Bear Poop

Black Bear Facts

Next, learn some fun facts about black bears.

  • Black bears have 42 teeth.
  • American black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location.
  • Bears can see very well and in color.
  • Black bears can run up to 30-40 miles per hour.
  • They are most active in the morning and early evening.

  • Depending on where they live, bears eat grasses, nuts, berries, salmon, small rodents, and calves.
  • Having short retractable claws makes black bears excellent climbers.
  • The Latin name for black bears is Ursus americanus.
  • Regarding size, black bears can be 2 to 3 feet high at the shoulders and males weight 150 to 300 pounds.
  • Black bears are normally solitary animals except moms with cubs.

Furthermore, here are some videos.

  • Black Bear Family’s Epic Fight For Survival (Bear Documentary) YouTube.
  • 5 FACTS | Black Bears (True Facts) YouTube.
  • The American Black Bear: Everything You Need To Know! 
  • Black Bears – Yosemite Nature Notes 

More Daniel Boone Resources

Look at some other fun resources.

  • Daniel Boone Activities Cooking Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes on the Trail
  • Daniel Boone Exploration DIY Easy Compass Activity and Survival Ideas
  • Amazing Daniel Boone Explorer Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study

Additionally, here are some books and activities to round out your study.

Black Bear Unit Study Resources

14 Books About Bears of All Kinds For Kids Who Love Reading

Add some of these fun resources and activities if you're studying about bears.

1. National Geographic Readers: All About Bears

Kids love bears and in this book they'll be introduced to them all: Grizzly, polar, sun, sloth, black, and brown. Great full-color photos reveal details about how and where they live. Perfect for beginning and young readers, National Geographic Pre-readers

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

While I do enjoy adding theme specific books to unit studies, I really love a book that gives a lot of mileage for multiple units. The anatomy series cover so much at such an amazing price point that I think they are a must have for any nature study. While you will find several  couple pages on bears, the books can be used to study landforms, other forest animals, layers of the earth, and so much more.

3. Big Book of Beasts (The Big Book Series)

Another great book that will definitely get more than one use. This big beautiful picture book has perfectly sized snippets of information and makes a great reference spine.

4. Do Bears Poop in the Woods?

Field guide and intrepid explorer Huw Lewis Jones and wildlife illustrator Sam Caldwell take readers out into the wild to discover all there is to know and love about the eight different species of bears. 

Do you know your panda from your polar bear? Or can you spot the difference between a sun bear and a sloth bear? Follow your expert field guide as we travel deep into the woods and across Arctic ice to learn all the “bear” necessities.

5. I Escaped The Grizzly Maze: A National Park Survival Story

This is based on a true story and makes a great independent read for your older kids.

6. Forest Animal Track Game Flash Cards

Animal Track game is a educational game that will teach kids how to match animals with their tracks and where to find them!

Most animals do not want to come in close contact with humans, but if you learn to notice and recognize their tracks, you will be able identify which animals visit your neighborhood or like to walk along the same trails as you do. Animal tracks can become a window into an otherwise hidden world-the presence and habits of wild animals.

7. Forest Animal-opoly

Is there anything they haven't made an Opoly about? This woodland themed one will be a great addition to your study.

8. Camp Board Game

Finally, this game has two levels making it easy to include beginners and more experienced kids in the same game, Animal identification, fun facts, and quick gameplay make this ideal for any woods, wildlife, or camping themed unit

9. Learning Ecosystems, Food Chains & Food Learning Center Game - Grades 6-9

This is a fun way to learn and reinforce the food chain in the forest, with bears being one of the apex predators, making it ideal to go along with a bear unit study.

10. Bears: Polar Bears, Black Bears and Grizzly Bears (Kids Can Press Wildlife Series)

The eating habits of bears is one of 14 topics in this clearly written look at three North American bears --- grizzly bears, polar bears and black bears.

11. Black Bears: A Natural History

Of the three species (grizzly/brown, polar and black bear), Taylor examines and portrays his devotion and passion specifically to the black bear, the most populous of the species.

Polar Bears

The polar bear is the biggest and most powerful of the animals that are able to survive the hostile climate of the Arctic. Cubs are born during the cold dark winter, even though they start out with only a thin coat of fur and weigh a little over one pound. The mothers raise and teach them so they may grow and survive in the wild. Here is information about how polar bears swim and hunt, how they keep warm and dry, and the many other ways they adapt to their environment.

Where Do Polar Bears Live? (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

The Arctic might be a bit too chilly for humans, but it's the perfect home for polar bears. But the earth is getting warmer and the ice is melting. Where will the polar bears live? How can we help protect their home?

This is a clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. It's a Level 2 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores more challenging concepts for children in the primary grades. The 100+ titles in this leading nonfiction series are:

Polar Bear: Fascinating Animal Facts for Kids (This Incredible Planet)

Fascinating Animal Facts | Polar Bear Learn all about the amazing and majestic polar bear. This hardy and formidable creature survives in the harshest of environments!

This Incredible Planet series provides young readers with interesting information about the Earth’s most fascinating creatures.

Beautiful color photography makes each animal come to life. Learn about the polar bear’s habitat, diet, breeding, lifespan, behavior, threats, and so much more!

Now, let’s make a fun hands-on activity that all your kids are sure to love.

Edible Bear Poop (aka Scat)

Let’s make the pile of bear poop to make your lesson memorable.

You will need:

  • 10 large marshmallows
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 Tablespoons hot cocoa
  • 1 Tablespoon chocolate chips, butterscotch, or white chocolate
  • 1 ½ cups dry ingredients- cereal, nuts, raisins, coconut, etc.
Daniel Boone Explorer Black Bear Unit Study and Fun Edible Bear Poop

I used raisin brain and some peanuts mixed in for mine, but this is easy to adapt to whatever things you have on hand.

Directions:

Lay out a sheet of parchment paper on the counter.

Place butter and marshmallows in a large bowl and heat in the microwave in 30 second increments until completely melted.

Daniel Boone Explorer Black Bear Unit Study and Fun Edible Bear Poop

Mix in chocolate chips.

Stir in dry ingredients until well mixed.

Daniel Boone Explorer Black Bear Unit Study and Fun Edible Bear Poop

Plop onto parchment paper into large piles (makes about 2 good sized piles).

Allow to set up for about 1 hour.

Daniel Boone Explorer Black Bear Unit Study and Fun Edible Bear Poop

2 CommentsFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: american history, bears, DanielBoone, early American history, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources, homeschoolhistory, life science, science

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

December 26, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have two fun candy cane hands-on winter experiments today. Be sure you grab more ideas for winter fun on my page winter season unit study.

Candy canes are plentiful right now and did you know that they make for a tasty, easy, and inexpensive item for science experiments? 

Your kids will love tasting and exploring the world of science with these two simple hands on science experiments in honor of National Candy Cane Day on December 26. 

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

These experiments are a great way to introduce all sorts of scientific terms like hypothesis and bonds.

You can encourage them to make educated guesses (hypothesis) document results, make observations, and learn about how experiments work in general.

Don’t forget to save some to munch on while you learn about them.

Cool Candy Cane Facts

  • They were first made in 1670 but didn’t make their way to American until 1847.
  • Candy canes were once white, no one is sure when the red stripe was added but looking at images prior 1900, they were always white.
  • The world’s largest candy cane was 63 feet tall and was created in 2011.
  • Candy canes have no fat or cholesterol.
  • Two billion candy canes are made each year.
  • The hooks were created by hand until 1921 when a machine was invented to do it.
  • The original candy cane flavor was originally used as a medicine for indigestion and nausea and then the oil was also used to help cover up the flavor of more unpleasant medicinal concoctions.

Furthermore, add some other hands-on candy cane activities.

Candy Cane Hands-on Activities

  • Before you begin investigating watch How Candy Canes Are Made on YouTube.
  • Here is another fun experiment you can do with candy canes Fizzing Candy Canes.
  • Make some Candy Cane Paint to add some art.
  • Use candy canes as counters and manipulatives for math, measure the length, grab various sizes and let your younger child arrange them in size order.

More Winter Unit Study Resources

Look at these other winter unit study resources.

  • Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity
  • Cute and Simple Snowman Story Stones Winter Art Activities
  • Winter Craft Ideas How to Make Fun Pinecone Flowers
  • How to Make an Adorable Toilet Roll Snowman for Winter Crafts
  • Easy and Fun Pinecone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten
  • Free Amazing Winter Unit Study and Winter Lapbook for Kids
  • Easy Hands on Snowflake Winter Craft for Kids Who Don’t Have Snow
  • Winter Nature Craft: How to Make Easy DIY Bird Feeders
  • 3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities
  • How to Make an Easy Build a Snowman Kid’s Game (free printable cube)

Now, let’s have some candy cane fun.

For these two winter science activities, you’ll want to grab the supplies below.

Two Candy Cane Science Activities

Here are all the supplies you will need to gather so that you can complete both experiments:

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments
  • Mini Candy Canes
  • Clear bowls or cups
  • 3-5 liquids-water, sprite, milk, vinegar, etc
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • paper/pen

Now, let’s make this first one which is bending candy canes.

1. Bending Candy Canes Science Activity

For the first experiment we are first going to let your child attempt to bend a candy cane fresh out of the package, it just breaks right? Ask them why they think that is? How were candy makers able to bend it in the first place?

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Spread out several candy canes on parchment lined sheet.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

Bake for 7-10 minutes. Start checking at 7 minutes because you want to pull them out before they begin to distort and melt.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

Immediately remove parchment paper from pan and place on a flat surface away from the hot pan.

Your child can immediately pick them up and begin bending them into shapes.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

You can make letters, shapes like hearts or knots, or even a cute little candy can make like this one.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

You’re just a couple of minutes the candy cane will harden again into its new shape.

You can repeat the process in the oven with candy canes after they’ve hardened or with fresh ones to continue experimenting with what you can do.

2. Melting Candy Canes

Now we are going to test and see which liquid melts candy canes the fastest.

So, you will want to check this one often. We put ours in the bowls and forgot for about 45 minutes and came back to this.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

First, choose your liquids, I would suggest no less than 3 to get a good reading and probably not more than 6 to keep it manageable.

Whatever number you choose to test, place that many clear bowls or cups on a surface where they will not be disturbed. Add a mini candy cane to each.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

Measure exact amounts of each of the liquids and pour over the candy cane.

This is a good time to explain that when conduction an experiment like this you want to keep everything the same except for the one variable that you are testing, in this case the type of liquid.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

Write each of the liquids onto a small slip of paper and place it in front of each container to keep track.

Check after 5 minutes to see how much they have dissolved; these ones were noticeably smaller.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

After the first 5 minutes you want to change to every minute or two because it seems to go so much faster after that.

At less than the 10-minute mark we had a clear winner when we came back, and the vinegar had completely dissolved it.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

Be sure to have your child record their guesses (hypothesis), then list the types of liquids (variables), and finally their results.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolinginwinter, homeschoolscience, middle school, middleschool, physical science, science, sciencecurriculum, winter crafts, winter season

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