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Geronimo Stilton Back in Time Second Journey Through Time and Fun Mayan Mask

June 30, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If your child is reading Geronimo Stilton Back in Time Second Journey Through Time, you’ll love this Mayan mask. Be sure to grab more Geronimo Stilton Books ideas and crafts on my page.

If you don’t know about him already, Geronimo Stilton is a globetrotting mouse who finds himself in all kinds of adventures.

Oftentimes these adventures take him time traveling.

In this second book in this series, he finds himself first in Ancient Rome, in the middle of the Mayan Empire, and finally in the Age of The Sun King visiting Louis XIV.

Geronimo Stilton Back in Time Second Journey Through Time and Fun Mayan Mask

Geronimo’s books love to share maps, landmarks, dress, customs, and legends of the period he visits.

These books make wonderful “textbooks” disguised as chapter books.

Assign the section for independent reading or read aloud and then add in a few fun activities to round it out.

I wanted to dive a little deeper into the second part of the book, the Mayan Empire, and create a craft that highlights some of their traditions.

Mayan masks were a big part of the ancient culture and were a perfect activity to highlight the culture, traditions, and art.

They were made from a variety of materials like gold, shells, stones, gems, and volcanic rock.

Masks were used for a variety of reasons including to adorn the faces of the dead, to be worn at important events, to be worn during battle, as well as hung up in houses.

5 Facts About Mayan Culture

First, look at some of these facts about the Mayan civilization.

  • The Mayans were a group of people who lived in the Yucatan Peninsula in what is today Mexico, Belize and Guatemala.
  • Many Mayans still live there today, they are still  living in the same areas where the Mayan civilization used to be. They follow the ancient Mayan traditions and beliefs, as well as speak the Mayan language.
  • New Archaeological ancient sites are still being discovered, Ek Balam was just found in the 1980’s.
  • The Mayans main crops were corn, beans, avocados, papayas, and cocoa, etc.
  • They made 7 big contributions to the modern world-The Mayan Calendar, astronomy, hydraulic buildings, filtration systems, rubber, chocolate, and medicine.
Geronimo Stilton Back in Time Second Journey Through Time and Fun Mayan Mask

Also, look at more activities about the Mayan civilization.

More Mayan Civilization Resources

  • Geronimo Stilton – Build a LEGO Temple of Kukulcan
  • Make Mayan paper clip jewelry.
  • Free South America Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas
  • Pull out an atlas or map and have your child find Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala to learn where ancient Mayans lived.
  • Make a Kukulkan Mayan Paper Snake Craft
  • 9 Free South America Country Reports for Kids Notebooking Pages
  • Try recreating this Maya Chocolate Recipe for a tasty history lesson.

Geronimo Stilton Back in Time Second Journey Through Time and Fun Mayan Mask

Moreover, here are more Geronimo Stilton book activities.

Geronimo Stilton Book Activities

Next, look at these other crafts to go with the books.

  • The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activity Craft Fun Dragon Eggs
  • Geronimo Stilton The Second Journey Through Time Sun King Fun Medallion
  • The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft
  • Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis
  • Race Against Time Build a Fun Greek Water Clock
  • Out Of Time Fun Sir Francis Drake Ship Craft
  • Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower
  • 10 Things to Learn From The Fun Geronimo Stilton Chapter Books
  • The Fourth Journey Through Time Fun Cleopatra Collar
  • Learn About Mozart The Eight Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Series
  • The Geronimo Stilton Book Fourth Journey Fun Egypt Game
  • Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Craft a Fun England Tower Guard
  • Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)
  • Down and Out Down Under Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef
  • Field Trip to Niagara Falls Summary And Fun Corn Craft
  • The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time Colosseum Craft
  • The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine
  • #2: Back in Time Mayan Craft
  • The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy
  • Who Is Geronimo Stilton Rodent Notebooking Page
Geronimo Stilton Back in Time Second Journey Through Time and Fun Mayan Mask

Finally, look how to make this fun Mayan mask.

Geronimo Stilton Back in Time – Mayan Mask

We wanted our mask to resemble a jaguar.

The Mayan warriors believed that wearing a jaguar helmet mask gave them the ability to face their enemies with courage and strength.

I like to use 12×12 cardstock, it makes a great size for a Mayan mask. You can find this in the scrapbook section at your local craft store.

You will need:

  • 12×12 Cardstock
  • Jumbo craft stick
  • Scissors
  • Markers

First, fold the cardstock in half and press in a good crease.

Geronimo Stilton Back in Time Second Journey Through Time and Fun Mayan Mask

Keeping cardstock folded, draw a half circle/oval to create a basic face shape.

Geronimo Stilton Back in Time Second Journey Through Time and Fun Mayan Mask

Cut out the half circle.

Geronimo Stilton Back in Time Second Journey Through Time and Fun Mayan Mask

On the center of one side draw an oval eye.

Geronimo Stilton Back in Time Second Journey Through Time and Fun Mayan Mask

We want to keep the mask as symmetrical as possible so to do that you need to fold the two sides in towards the crease.

Geronimo Stilton Back in Time Second Journey Through Time and Fun Mayan Mask

Close along the fold again and cut out the eye outline.

Geronimo Stilton Back in Time Second Journey Through Time and Fun Mayan Mask

Depending on where your eye was in the fold here is how your eyes should look.

Geronimo Stilton Back in Time Second Journey Through Time and Fun Mayan Mask

Open all the folds and then refold only at the center crease, cut a half oval shape for the mouth.

Geronimo Stilton Back in Time Second Journey Through Time and Fun Mayan Mask

Use scraps leftover from the cardstock and cut out ears as well as a nose shape.

Geronimo Stilton Back in Time Second Journey Through Time and Fun Mayan Mask

We cut our nose shape out 4 times and layered them together with glue like this to create a little depth to the mask.

Geronimo Stilton Back in Time Second Journey Through Time and Fun Mayan Mask

Glue the nose in place.

Geronimo Stilton Back in Time Second Journey Through Time and Fun Mayan Mask

After looking up some Mayan masks online for inspiration let your child use markers to design their own mask.

Geronimo Stilton Back in Time Second Journey Through Time and Fun Mayan Mask

Flip the mask over and glue the ears and teeth onto the back.

Cut teeth out of white cardstock and attach them to the back of the mouth opening.

Now, glue the popsicle stick into place as well to hold the mask up. Alternatively, you can glue string to the top to wear it.

Let the glue dry completely.

Geronimo Stilton Back in Time Second Journey Through Time and Fun Mayan Mask

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: book lists, books, crafts, Geronimo Stilton, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, history, Maya, south america

How to Make Paper Mache Mountains to Celebrate Chimborazo Day

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

How to make paper mache mountains is a fun way to learn geography, learn about the Chimborazo mountains and South America. Also, I have this page Free South America Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas. Too, look at my page Homeschool Geography for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.

June 3rd is celebrated as Chimborazo Day by many in Ecuador.

Chimborazo is an ice-capped inactive mountain.

Any of the geography of South America holds a special place in my heart since we lived there for a few years.

How to Make Paper Mache Mountains to Celebrate Chimborazo Day

With an elevation less than that of Mount Everest, the Chimborazo of the Andes wins the award for being the highest point on earth because it’s the furthest point from earth’s center.

This is a great opportunity to learn about it and a few other famous mountain ranges around the world by learning how to make paper mache mountains. 

We are going to learn how to make paper mache mountains with a new medium, rather than flour and water that can mold easily.

Too, we are going to make our own mod podge mixture.

Facts about Chimborazo

  • The Chimborazo is a dormant volcano that erupted 1,400 years ago.
  • The word Chimborazo either means “women of snow” or “mountain of ice.”
  • Although it’s not a hard mountain to climb, the high altitude can make you sick.
  • It is 20,565 ft high and on the equatorial line. So, it makes it the closest point to the sun on planet Earth.
  • Alexander von Humboldt in 1802, traveled to modern day Ecuador to climb Mount Chimborazo.
  • In many dialects of Quichua or Quechua, “chimba” means “on the other side” as in “on the other side of the river” or “on the opposite bank.
  • It is a stratovolcano.
How to Make Paper Mache Mountains to Celebrate Chimborazo Day

More Facts about Mountains

  • Other famous mountains include The Matterhorn, Mount Fuji, Denali, Mont Blanc, Everest, and Mount Kilimanjaro.
  • The largest range of mountains is in the Atlantic Ocean known as The Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
  • Mountains cover roughly one-fifth of the earth’s land surface.
  • 75 percent of the world’s countries have mountains in them.

What Is A Mountain?

The dictionary defines a mountain as “a large natural elevation of the earth’s surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level.

Mountains are made from rocks and soil.

In addition, mountains must be higher than 1968.5 feet otherwise they are classified as a hill.

How Is A Mountain Formed?

All mountains are formed by the movement of tectonic plates in one of three ways:

  • Volcanic explosion
  • Tectonic faults 
  • Tectonic collision

When the boundaries between two tectonic plates move further apart, the result is described as a divergent boundary.

When two plates collide, the outcome is called a convergent boundary.

What Kinds Of Mountains Are There?

There are 5 different types of mountains.

  1. Fold Mountains
  2. Fault-block Mountains
  3. Dome Mountains
  4. Volcanic Mountains
  5. Plateau Mountains

Next look at some of these other resources about mountains.

Resources for Learning About Mountains and How to Make Paper Mache Mountains

  • Rocky Mountains Oregon Trail Fun Large Diorama Craft for Kids
  • 6 Unit Study Resources: Mountain Men – Explorers of the West
  • How Does the Power of Ice Shape Mountains
  • How to Memorize the Countries of South America & Mountain Climate Zones Minibooks

Additionally, look at resources for learning about South America.

South America Activities

  • 9 Free South America Country Reports for Kids Notebooking Pages
  • Free South America Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas
  • Appreciating the Culture of South America Through Dance
  • Free Machu Picchu Mini Book & Completed South America Lapbook
  • South America Unit Study– Colorful Free Printable Map
  • South America Geography Salt Dough Map + Printable Pennants
  • South America Unit Study resources

Then, add some vocabulary words.

Vocabulary Words About Mountains

Here is a small list of vocabulary words you may run into while studying mountains.

  • Mountain-Large natural elevation of the earth’s surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level.
  • Mountain Range-A mountain range is a series or chain of mountains that are close together.
  • Peak-The pointed top of a mountain.
  • Ridgeline-The topmost edge along a mountain ridge.
  • Valley-A low area of land between hills or mountains.
  • Elevation-Height above a given level, especially sea level.
How to Make Paper Mache Mountains to Celebrate Chimborazo Day

Finally, look how to make these fun paper mache mountains.

How to Make Paper Mache Mountains

I bought foil, a roll of brown shipping paper, and masking tape a Dollar Tree with plenty of everything left over for future projects.

If you have a newspaper or other supplies already on hand you can use that and save a little more money.

This is a super messy project.

You will want to lay something down indoors like a plastic tablecloth or head outside for this one.

Also, keep a wet rag nearby for wiping little hands coated in the glue mixture.

You will need:

  • Craft paper or Newspaper 
  • School glue
  • Water
  • Masking tape
  • Aluminum foil
  • paint/paint brushes
How to Make Paper Mache Mountains to Celebrate Chimborazo Day

First, prepare your base by cutting a square of cardboard or using a foam science board to be a little larger than you would like the base of your mountain to be.

Ball up paper to form the bulk and the basic shape of your mountain on your baseboard”. Use masking tape to hold it all together and secure it down to the board. Continue stacking and adding until you have a good general size and shape.

How to Make Paper Mache Mountains to Celebrate Chimborazo Day

Cut or tear your paper into long 1” strips, but you can also just use random ragged shapes, it will all work out.

How to Make Paper Mache Mountains to Celebrate Chimborazo Day

In a medium bowl mix together 2 parts glue to 1 part water, combining well.

Paper Mache Mountain Craft

Toss in a couple of handfuls of paper and make sure they are all covered with the mixture.

How to Make Paper Mache Mountains to Celebrate Chimborazo Day

 Run each strip of paper through the glue mixture until well-saturated. Scrape off some of the excess using the side of the bowl.

How to Make Paper Mache Mountains to Celebrate Chimborazo Day

Begin layering your strips over the form you made, overlapping a bit. You can go in any direction, don’t smooth out every piece, you can crinkle some and bunch them up a bit to create ridgelines and dimensions. Be sure to add some to the base to create the texture of the land around the mountain.

How to Make Paper Mache Mountains to Celebrate Chimborazo Day

I like to cover everything with a layer or two of aluminum foil to smooth out some of the rough areas and hold everything together because it’s pliable. You can also use it to help form your shape. Remember that you don’t want everything perfect, you want it to appear rough and natural as it would in nature.

How to Make Paper Mache Mountains to Celebrate Chimborazo Day

With this kind of well-built-up base and this type of glue mixture, I find that 3 or 4 layers are often sufficient to create even and well-covered surfaces. It also seems to dry much quicker, especially if you put it out in the sun.

Allow it to dry completely.

How to Make Paper Mache Mountains to Celebrate Chimborazo Day

Paint your mountain as well as the flatland.

How to Make Paper Mache Mountains to Celebrate Chimborazo Day

Once dry you can add snowcaps, shadows, and any other details you want to the painted portion, dry again.

How to Make Paper Mache Mountains to Celebrate Chimborazo Day

To add a little more interest and texture you can use glue.

You can use this technique to recreate Chimborazo or any other mountains you like!

How to Make Paper Mache Mountains to Celebrate Chimborazo Day

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: geography, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolgeography, mountains, paper mache, south america

Free Lapbook Maya and Fun Hands-on Meso-America Unit Study Ideas

June 4, 2023 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This free lapbook maya is a fun way to cover topics about Meso-America. Also, look at my Meso-America page for more ideas.

The Maya are one of the civilizations of Mesoamerica.

They originated in the Yucatan and settled in what is today southern Mexico, Guatemala, northern Belize, and western Honduras.

Free Lapbook Maya and Fun Hands-on Meso-America Unit Study Ideas

Too, the Maya developed astronomy, calendar systems and hieroglyphic writing.

In addition, Mayans were skilled farmers, weavers, and potters.

Facts about the Maya Civilization

  • Mayans built pyramids. They were used as burial places and for an observatory.
  • The building at Chichén Itza is an observatory much like a telescope.
  • The Mayan were polytheistic or had many gods.
  • When studying about the Mayans, investigate the rainforest, pyramids/temples, and sacrifices.
  • Other Mesoamerican cultures are Olmec, Toltec, Zapotec, Aztec, and Inca.
  • The Maya, Aztec, and Inca all flourished in Central and South America.
  • Also, the Mayans used a 365-day calendar and developed the concept of zero.

Too, add some geography to this unit study and lapbook.

Free Lapbook Maya and Fun Hands-on Meso-America Unit Study Ideas

For example, locate some of these key geographical features below.

Geographical Features Studying Meso-America

  • Locate South America and Central America
  • Locate Mexico
  • Amazon River
  • Andes Mountain
  • Where is Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire?
  • The Incas built cities like Machu Picchu and Cuzco, locate them.

Also, add some books about Meso-America to your unit study.

5 Resources for Learning about Meso-America, the Aztec, Inca, and Maya

Add some of these books to your unit study about Meso-America.

DKfindout! Maya, Incas, and Aztecs

This fun, fact-filled book for kids ages 6–9 is the ultimate guide to three great civilizations of the American continents—the Maya, Incas, and Aztecs. Entertaining and educating young readers through a combination of close-up images, quirky trivia facts, quiz questions, and fascinating tidbits,
it’s the perfect book for any kid who can’t get enough of ancient history.

DK Eyewitness Books: Aztec, Inca & Maya: Discover the World of the Aztecs, Incas, and Mayas―

Journey back in time to experience the rise and fall of the Aztecs, as well as other Mesoamerican peoples, including the Incas and Mayas. You’ll explore their vast empires and lost worlds in spectacular detail, and meet their gods and goddesses and marvel at their precious stones. Join them farming and hunting, team up for sports and games, taste the food and drink, and dance at their celebrations. Then, after centuries of growth and progress, discover how the Spanish conquest
brought these civilizations crashing to their knees.

Llamas and the Andes: A nonfiction companion to Magic Tree House #34: Late Lunch with Llamas

Track the facts about llamas and other animals of the Andes in this nonfiction companion to the bestselling Magic Tree House series!When Jack and Annie came back from their adventure in Magic Tree House #34: Late Lunch with Llamas, they had lots of questions. Why do people raise llamas? What are llamas' closest relatives? How tall are the Andes mountains? What other animals live there? Find out the answers to these questions and more as Jack and Annie track the facts about llamas and the Andes.

Secret of the Andes (Puffin Newberry Library)

An Incan boy who tends llamas in a hidden valley in Peru learns the traditions and secrets of his ancestors. 

Incans Aztecs Mayans

Fascinating account of three major civilizations that existed in the New World before Europeans arrived. How did they live? What did they achieve? What happened to them? Seeks to interpret history from a biblical perspective.

More Lapbook Maya Resources

Additionally, here are some ideas to add to your unit study or to craft for your Mayan lapbook.

  • Inca Crafts for Kids
  • Make an Aztec Sun craft
  • Build a LEGO Temple of Kukulcan
  • Differences in the Aztecs, Mayans and Incas
  • Free Inca Worksheets

How to Get the Free Lapbook Maya and Free Notebooking Pages

Now, how to grab the free maya lapbook. This is a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get access to my subscribers library and this freebie.

However, not all my freebies are in the library (wink).

I like to keep up to date with what is valuable to you so I can give you more, some freebies you must sign up again on the form below even if you are already a follower.

And it’s the only way I have of freely delivering them to you. Just follow the steps below.

► 1) Sign up on my list.
► 2) Go to your inbox and confirm your email from the automatic reply I sent you. If you’re already a confirmed subscriber, you will not have to do this. You’ll receive the freebie instantly.
 ►3) Last step. look for my reply AFTER you’ve confirmed your email.

1 CommentFiled Under: Lapbooks Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, lapbook, lapbooking, lapbookresources, lapbooks, Maya, south america

9 Free South America Country Reports for Kids Notebooking Pages

May 10, 2023 | 9 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have 9 South America country reports for kids. Too, look at my page Geography, Country Studies & Timelines and lapbook ideas.

I want to share the country reports that I have finished for our geography notebooks.

9 Free South America Country Reports for Kids Notebooking Pages

We did not include these because we worked on our salt dough map, but I wanted to go ahead and do them so we had them.

Next year, I am thinking about putting together a Geography Notebook.

9 South America Country Reports for Kids Notebooking Pages

I have 9 of the countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chili, Ecuador, Paraguay, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela.

9 South America Country Reports for Kids Notebooking Pages

Here is how the form looks below and you can download the ones from this new set below too.

9 South America Country Reports for Kids Notebooking Pages

Remember I already did Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela with Set 2.

If you didn’t grab those, the link is below if you want to check out the other two sets.

9 South America Country Reports for Kids Notebooking Pages

I have all my geography country reports on my page Geography, Country Studies & Timelines.

Also, add more unit study resources.

More Unit Study Resources

  • Free South America Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas
  • Appreciating the Culture of South America Through Dance
  • Free Machu Picchu Mini Book & Completed Lapbook
  • 6 Country Notebooking Pages
  • How to Memorize the Countries of South America & Mountain Climate Zones Minibooks
  • South America Unit Study– Colorful Free Printable Map
  • Geography Salt Dough Map + Printable Pennants
  • South America Unit Study resources
9 South America Country Reports for Kids Notebooking Pages

In addition, you may love some of these books which we liked.

13 Resources for a Study of South America

Add some of these fun books and resources to your study of South America.

South America (Rookie Read-About Geography: Continents)

An incredible variety of climates and biomes span the territory of South America. As a result, the continent contains some of the greatest biodiversity on Earth.

Rookie Read-About: Continents series gives the youngest reader (Ages 3-6) an introduction to the components that make each continent distinctive and exceptional. Readers will get to know each continents' geography, history, and wildlife. In this book readers learn about the continent of South America, including the geography, native animals, people and more.

Ancient Civilizations: Aztecs, Maya, Incas!: With 25 Social Studies Projects for Kids (Explore Your World)

A full-color, compelling book for ages 7 to 10 offers a deep dive into the three sophisticated ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica―the Aztecs, Maya, and Incas― through hands-on STEAM projects, essential questions, and loads of fascinating facts!

Why were there more than 3,000 steps built at Machu Picchu? Why did the Aztecs roam Mexico for nearly 200 years before finding a place to settle? How did the Maya study the movements of the stars and the planets? Ancient Civilizations: Aztecs, Maya, Incas! With 25 Social Studies Projects for Kids takes kids ages 7 to 10 on a guided tour to experience the history, culture, economics, and daily life of the Aztecs, Maya, and Incas.

Biblioburro: A True Story from Colombia

A man, his burros, and his books bring joy to children in remote Colombian villages in this inspiring book based on a true story by celebrated picture book creator Jeanette Winter.Luis loves to read, but soon his house in Colombia is so full of books there’s barely room for the family. What to do? Then he comes up with the perfect solution—a traveling library! He buys two donkeys—Alfa and Beto—and travels with them throughout the land, bringing books and reading to the children in faraway villages.

Secret of the Andes (Puffin Newberry Library)

An Incan boy who tends llamas in a hidden valley in Peru learns the traditions and secrets of his ancestors. 

My Mama's Little Ranch on the Pampas

In the sequel to On the Pampas, the author recalls her first year on the small Argentinian ranch purchased and managed by her mother, in an account that includes a visual dictionary of the Spanish words and geographical terms used in the text.

Tales from Silver Lands

Atmospheric woodcuts illustrate this Newbery Award–winning collection of 19 South American folktales. Charles J. Finger heard the tales firsthand from native storytellers, whose fables of talking animals, witches, giants, and ordinary people in supernatural settings provide remarkable insights into regional values and culture. The first of the stories, "A Tale of Three Tails," tells of an age when the rat had a tail like a horse, the rabbit had a tail like a cat, and the deer's tail was plumed like the tail of a dog. "The Magic Dog" recounts an act of kindness to a stray animal that helps overcome a witch's curse. In "The Calabash Man," the creatures of the jungle assist a suitor in winning his bride, and in "El Enano," a greedy troll's insatiable appetite leads to his downfall. Packed with adventure and full of surprises, these and other stories emphasize the importance of hard work, courage, and loyalty.

Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time

In 1911, Hiram Bingham III climbed into the Andes Mountains of Peru and “discovered” Machu Picchu. While history has recast Bingham as a villain who stole both priceless artifacts and credit for finding the great archeological site, Mark Adams set out to retrace the explorer’s perilous path in search of the truth—except he’d written about adventure far more than he’d actually lived it. In fact, he’d never even slept in a tent.

Journey to the River Sea

With the memorable characters and plot twists she brings to her best-selling fantasies, acclaimed author Eva Ibbotson has written a hair-raising novel, set in turn-of-the-last-century Brazil.Accompanied by Miss Minton, a fierce-looking, no-nonsense governess, Maia, a young orphan, sets off for the wilderness of the Amazon, expecting curtains of orchids, brightly colored macaws, and a loving family. But what she finds is an evil-tempered aunt and uncle and their spoiled daughters. It is only when she is swept up in a mystery involving a young Indian boy, a homesick child actor, and a missing inheritance that Maia lands in the middle of the Amazon adventure she's dreamed of. Readers of every generation will treasure Ibbotson's lush historical adventure that harkens back to the beloved classics of Frances Hodgson Burnett and Louisa May Alco

This Place Is Wet

Can you imagine living in a place where there is so much water some houses need to be built on stilts to protect them when the river rises? Or where it is so wet that some plants can grow on the sides of trees with their roots gathering water from the air? In This Place Is Wet, you'll find out all sorts of things about what it's like to live in the rain forest of Brazil. Try to imagine living there!

Bolivar: American Liberator

It is astonishing that Simón Bolívar, the great Liberator of South America, is not better known in the United States. He freed six countries from Spanish rule, traveled more than 75,000 miles on horseback to do so, and became the greatest figure in Latin American history. His life is epic, heroic, straight out of Hollywood: he fought battle after battle in punishing terrain, forged uncertain coalitions of competing forces and races, lost his beautiful wife soon after they married and never remarried (although he did have a succession of mistresses, including one who held up the revolution and another who saved his life), and he died relatively young, uncertain whether his
achievements would endure.

Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay

Ada Ríos grew up in Cateura, a small town in Paraguay built on a landfill. She dreamed of playing the violin, but with little money for anything but the bare essentials, it was never an option...until a music teacher named Favio Chávez arrived. He wanted to give the children of Cateura something special, so he made them instruments out of materials found in the trash

Mayans Aztecs Incas Coloring Book: Coloring Pages of Ancient Mexico Civilizations for Adults and Teens

Mayans Aztecs Incas Coloring Book – Fun And Education For Adults and TeensMake the perfect gift for anyone who loves coloring! Enjoy this Mayans Aztecs Incas Coloring Book for Adults and Teens. Click the cover to reveal what’s inside!About this book:

  • 40 original pages drawings of Symbols, Warriors, Masks and Mandalas.

The Inca Empire (A True Book: Ancient Civilizations) (A True Book (Relaunch))

Explore the Inca empire, including how the Incas survived in the mountains, how the empire was built, and why it disappeared.

A True Book: Ancient Civilizations series allows readers to experience what makes each ancient civilization distinctive and exceptional as well look at its influence on the some of the practices of the modern world. This series includes an age appropriate (grades 3-5) introduction to curriculum-relevant subjects and a robust resource section that encourages independent study.

How to Get the Free 9 Country Reports

Now, how to grab the free country reports. This is a subscriber freebie.

 1) Sign up on my list.
 2) Grab the freebie now.
3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

9 CommentsFiled Under: 1. My FREE Learning Printables {Any Topic}, Geography Based, My Unit Studies {Free Printables & Hands-on Ideas} Tagged With: amazon rain forest, geography, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources, homeschoolgeography, notebooking, south america

Free South America Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas

May 9, 2023 | Leave a Comment
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I have a free South America printable lapbook and unit study ideas. Grab more ideas on my lapbook ideas, and on my best homeschool unit studies pages.

I created this unit study when we moved abroad to South America.

Later, I kept on adding to it along with learning about the Amazon Rain Forest.

Free South America Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas

I have several minibooks to help your child learn about the fascinating continent of South America and to study which countries interest them.

Also, understanding the culture of South America makes this unit study come alive.

South America is the fourth-largest continent. To the east is the Atlantic Ocean and to the west, the Pacific Ocean.

The Andes Mountains range from north to south on the far western side of South America.

10 Geography Facts of South America

First, look at some facts about the geography of South America.

  1. Angel Falls in Venezuela is the highest waterfall in the world.
  2. The Atacama Desert is the driest place in the world, and it’s located in Arica, Chile.
  3. Machu Picchu in Peru is the lost city of the Incas.
  4. Punta Arenas Chile) is the world’s southernmost city.
  5. The Amazon rain forest which borders several countries is the largest rain forest in the world. It is home to diverse plants and animals, as well as to many people such as the Yanomami and the Machiguenga.
  6. The Amazon River in Peru and Brazil is the second longest river in the world.
  7. Cotopaxi Ecuador is a volcano along the “volcano boulevard” of the Andes.
  8. Brazil is the largest Portuguese speaking country in the world.
  9. Falkland Islands is a group of over 100 islands in the southern Atlantic off the coast of Argentina.
  10. Peru is South America’s third largest country and the heart of the Inca empire from the 12th to 16th centuries.

Vocabulary Words for Studying South America

  • Andes – A mountain system that stretches along the west coast of South America. The Ecuadorian Andes are known worldwide for their impressive mountains, volcanoes, and snow-capped peaks, some of the most famous of which are Cotopaxi and Chimborazo
  • rain forest – A dense, broad-leaf, largely evergreen forest occurs mostly in tropical regions of the world that receive large amounts of rain.
  • equator – An imaginary circle around Earth that divides the globe into two equal parts: the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. The equator is used as the starting (or zero) point for measurements of latitude.
  • deforestation – The removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a non-forest use.
  • forest floor – Bottom layer of the rain forest which receives little to no sunlight, with little plant life growing there.
  • Tierra Caliente – The low-elevation forest zone in the mountains of South America
  • Tierra Fria – The upper forest zone in the mountains of low-latitude South America
  • Tierra Helada – The high-elevation zone in inter-tropical latitudes of South America
  • Tierra Templada – The middle-elevation forest zone in the mountains of South America

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

Books About South America

Some of these books can be added for literature or just to learn about the area.

There are also some fun picture books which give your child a glimpse of life in the Andes.

13 Resources for a Study of South America

Add some of these fun books and resources to your study of South America.

South America (Rookie Read-About Geography: Continents)

An incredible variety of climates and biomes span the territory of South America. As a result, the continent contains some of the greatest biodiversity on Earth.

Rookie Read-About: Continents series gives the youngest reader (Ages 3-6) an introduction to the components that make each continent distinctive and exceptional. Readers will get to know each continents' geography, history, and wildlife. In this book readers learn about the continent of South America, including the geography, native animals, people and more.

Ancient Civilizations: Aztecs, Maya, Incas!: With 25 Social Studies Projects for Kids (Explore Your World)

A full-color, compelling book for ages 7 to 10 offers a deep dive into the three sophisticated ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica―the Aztecs, Maya, and Incas― through hands-on STEAM projects, essential questions, and loads of fascinating facts!

Why were there more than 3,000 steps built at Machu Picchu? Why did the Aztecs roam Mexico for nearly 200 years before finding a place to settle? How did the Maya study the movements of the stars and the planets? Ancient Civilizations: Aztecs, Maya, Incas! With 25 Social Studies Projects for Kids takes kids ages 7 to 10 on a guided tour to experience the history, culture, economics, and daily life of the Aztecs, Maya, and Incas.

Biblioburro: A True Story from Colombia

A man, his burros, and his books bring joy to children in remote Colombian villages in this inspiring book based on a true story by celebrated picture book creator Jeanette Winter.Luis loves to read, but soon his house in Colombia is so full of books there’s barely room for the family. What to do? Then he comes up with the perfect solution—a traveling library! He buys two donkeys—Alfa and Beto—and travels with them throughout the land, bringing books and reading to the children in faraway villages.

Secret of the Andes (Puffin Newberry Library)

An Incan boy who tends llamas in a hidden valley in Peru learns the traditions and secrets of his ancestors. 

My Mama's Little Ranch on the Pampas

In the sequel to On the Pampas, the author recalls her first year on the small Argentinian ranch purchased and managed by her mother, in an account that includes a visual dictionary of the Spanish words and geographical terms used in the text.

Tales from Silver Lands

Atmospheric woodcuts illustrate this Newbery Award–winning collection of 19 South American folktales. Charles J. Finger heard the tales firsthand from native storytellers, whose fables of talking animals, witches, giants, and ordinary people in supernatural settings provide remarkable insights into regional values and culture. The first of the stories, "A Tale of Three Tails," tells of an age when the rat had a tail like a horse, the rabbit had a tail like a cat, and the deer's tail was plumed like the tail of a dog. "The Magic Dog" recounts an act of kindness to a stray animal that helps overcome a witch's curse. In "The Calabash Man," the creatures of the jungle assist a suitor in winning his bride, and in "El Enano," a greedy troll's insatiable appetite leads to his downfall. Packed with adventure and full of surprises, these and other stories emphasize the importance of hard work, courage, and loyalty.

Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time

In 1911, Hiram Bingham III climbed into the Andes Mountains of Peru and “discovered” Machu Picchu. While history has recast Bingham as a villain who stole both priceless artifacts and credit for finding the great archeological site, Mark Adams set out to retrace the explorer’s perilous path in search of the truth—except he’d written about adventure far more than he’d actually lived it. In fact, he’d never even slept in a tent.

Journey to the River Sea

With the memorable characters and plot twists she brings to her best-selling fantasies, acclaimed author Eva Ibbotson has written a hair-raising novel, set in turn-of-the-last-century Brazil.Accompanied by Miss Minton, a fierce-looking, no-nonsense governess, Maia, a young orphan, sets off for the wilderness of the Amazon, expecting curtains of orchids, brightly colored macaws, and a loving family. But what she finds is an evil-tempered aunt and uncle and their spoiled daughters. It is only when she is swept up in a mystery involving a young Indian boy, a homesick child actor, and a missing inheritance that Maia lands in the middle of the Amazon adventure she's dreamed of. Readers of every generation will treasure Ibbotson's lush historical adventure that harkens back to the beloved classics of Frances Hodgson Burnett and Louisa May Alco

This Place Is Wet

Can you imagine living in a place where there is so much water some houses need to be built on stilts to protect them when the river rises? Or where it is so wet that some plants can grow on the sides of trees with their roots gathering water from the air? In This Place Is Wet, you'll find out all sorts of things about what it's like to live in the rain forest of Brazil. Try to imagine living there!

Bolivar: American Liberator

It is astonishing that Simón Bolívar, the great Liberator of South America, is not better known in the United States. He freed six countries from Spanish rule, traveled more than 75,000 miles on horseback to do so, and became the greatest figure in Latin American history. His life is epic, heroic, straight out of Hollywood: he fought battle after battle in punishing terrain, forged uncertain coalitions of competing forces and races, lost his beautiful wife soon after they married and never remarried (although he did have a succession of mistresses, including one who held up the revolution and another who saved his life), and he died relatively young, uncertain whether his
achievements would endure.

Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay

Ada Ríos grew up in Cateura, a small town in Paraguay built on a landfill. She dreamed of playing the violin, but with little money for anything but the bare essentials, it was never an option...until a music teacher named Favio Chávez arrived. He wanted to give the children of Cateura something special, so he made them instruments out of materials found in the trash

Mayans Aztecs Incas Coloring Book: Coloring Pages of Ancient Mexico Civilizations for Adults and Teens

Mayans Aztecs Incas Coloring Book – Fun And Education For Adults and TeensMake the perfect gift for anyone who loves coloring! Enjoy this Mayans Aztecs Incas Coloring Book for Adults and Teens. Click the cover to reveal what’s inside!About this book:

  • 40 original pages drawings of Symbols, Warriors, Masks and Mandalas.

The Inca Empire (A True Book: Ancient Civilizations) (A True Book (Relaunch))

Explore the Inca empire, including how the Incas survived in the mountains, how the empire was built, and why it disappeared.

A True Book: Ancient Civilizations series allows readers to experience what makes each ancient civilization distinctive and exceptional as well look at its influence on the some of the practices of the modern world. This series includes an age appropriate (grades 3-5) introduction to curriculum-relevant subjects and a robust resource section that encourages independent study.

Free South America Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas

South America Printable Minibooks

Also, look at these minibooks which come in the free South America lapbook 27 page download.

  • Animals of the Galapagos fan book which includes the Giant Tortoise, Lava Lizard, Marine Iguana, Green Turtle, Galapagos Penguins, Magnificent Frigate Bird, Blue-Footed Booby, and Blue-Banded Goby.
  • Comparing Mountain Climate Zones
  • Simon Bolivar Copywork
  • Map of South America to label and one labeled
  • Machu Picchu – Lost City of the Inca
  • Negrinho – A dessert from Brazil
  • How to Memorize the Countries of South America and Dependent
  • Map Flags to put on your salt dough map
  • 2 – The Galapagos Island layered book. One prefilled with facts and one blank to add your own information.
  • Vocabulary Pocket and Vocabulary Words

More South America Unit Study Resources

  • Appreciating the Culture of South America Through Dance
  • Free Machu Picchu Mini Book & Completed South America Lapbook
  • 6 South America Country Notebooking Pages
  • How to Memorize the Countries of South America & Mountain Climate Zones Minibooks
  • South America Unit Study– Colorful Free Printable Map
  • South America Geography Salt Dough Map + Printable Pennants
  • South America Unit Study resources
  • 7 Facts About the Inca Empire & Make a Fun Incan Ruins Model

  • How to Make a Felt Mountain Craft | 7 Andes Mountain Facts For Kids
  • Effigies Celebrations and Customs of Cuenca Ecuador
  • 5 Things I Love About Cuenca Ecuador
  • Galapagos Islands Animals Fun and Simple Watercolor Flamingo Tutorial
  • How To Make A Blue-Footed Booby Bird Craft
  • Ikat Weaving and Makana Shawl in Gualaceo Ecuador
  • Finding a Home in Cuenca, Ecuador
  • Everyday Life in Cuenca, Ecuador

How to Get the Free South America Printable Lapbook

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Leave a CommentFiled Under: Lapbooks Tagged With: hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, lapbook, lapbookresources, south america

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