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Mexico Unit Study and Make a Fun Easy Floral Headband

February 7, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

There are many fantastic topics that can help make a fun and full Mexico Unit Study. Also, you’ll love these other Best Homeschool Unit Studies and my Meso-America Unit Study and Lapbook.

And I have a lot of topic ideas to get you started on your way and exciting activities to go along with it.

Besides ideas for fantastic activities to get your learner excited, and information on some subtopics for Mexico.

I also have a tutorial for a fun easy floral headband.

Mexico Unit Study and Make a Fun Easy Floral Headband

It’s like the style Frida Kahlo is known for that is also worn in celebrations and has become part of the traditional costume.

There is much to learn about this amazing country that is just south of the U.S. bordering California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

It is rich in culture and history that spans way back to the Mayans that began as early as 1500 BCE.

You can cover flora, fauna, history, geography, artists, special days, food, and more.

Additionally, you can explore present and ancient Mexico through hands-on activities and engaging books that open the culture of another land.

Books for Kids About Mexico

First, I like to use a living book or even picture book if I can to begin our unit study.

Then I add reference books to add to our learning.

10 Mexico Books & Resources For Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

Add some of these books to your home library about Mexico. Also, use them for a homeschool unit study.

Image for The Underdogs: A Novel of the Mexican Revolution (Penguin Classics)

The Underdogs: A Novel of the Mexican Revolution (Penguin Classics)

The Underdogs is the first great novel about the first great revolution of the twentieth century. Demetrio Macias, a poor, illiterate Indian, must join the rebels to save his family. Courageous and charismatic, he earns a generalship in Pancho Villa’s army, only to become discouraged with the cause after it becomes hopelessly factionalized. At once a spare, moving depiction of the limits of political idealism, an authentic representation of Mexico’s peasant life, and a timeless portrait of revolution, The Underdogs is an iconic novel of the Latin American experience and a powerful novel about the disillusionment of war.

Image for Stories from Mexico

Stories from Mexico

Tales from Mexican folklore including The Palace of Canela, In Through the Window, The Coyote and the Sheep, The Cu Bird, and SenÄor Coyote and Juan's Maguey.

Image for Adelita

Adelita

Hace mucho tiempo—a long time ago—there lived a beautiful young woman named Adelita. So begins the age-old tale of a kindhearted young woman, her jealous stepmother, two hateful stepsisters, and a young man in search of a wife. The young man, Javier, falls madly in love with beautiful Adelita, but she disappears from his fiesta at midnight, leaving him with only one clue to her hidden identity: a beautiful rebozo—shawl. With the rebozo in place of a glass slipper, this favorite fairy tale takes a delightful twist. Tomie dePaola's exquisite paintings, filled with the folk art of Mexico, make this a Cinderella story like no other.

Image for Hill Of Fire (I Can Read, Book 3) (I Can Read Level 3)

Hill Of Fire (I Can Read, Book 3) (I Can Read Level 3)

Every day is the same for Pablo's father. Then one afternoon the ground growls, hisses smoke, and swallows up his plow. A volcano is erupting in the middle of his cornfield!

Image for Mexico in Story and Pictures

Mexico in Story and Pictures

Image for Imagine

Imagine

Have you ever imagined what you might be when you grow up? When he was very young, Juan Felipe Herrera picked chamomile flowers in windy fields and let tadpoles swim across his hands in a creek. He slept outside and learned to say good-bye to his amiguitoseach time his family moved to a new town. He went to school and taught himself to read and write English and filled paper pads with rivers of ink as he walked down the street after school. And when he grew up, he became the United States Poet Laureate and read his poems aloud on the steps of the Library of Congress. If he could do all of that . . . what could you do? With this illustrated poem of endless possibility, Juan Felipe Herrera and Lauren Castillo breathe magic into the hopes and dreams of readers searching
for their place in life.

Image for Old Ramon

Old Ramon

Fun novel combining Mexico and California cultures where a young boy learns about life and growing up.

Image for The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes

The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes

In the picture book Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes, award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh brings a cherished Mexican legend to life.A Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor BookALA/ALSC Notable Children’s Book! “A palette of earthy, evocative colors .

. . A genuine triumph.” ―Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)“Use this Aztec legend to inspire readers while teaching a bit about dramatic irony.” —School Library Journal Izta was the most beautiful princess in the land, and suitors traveled from far and wide to woo her. Even though she was the daughter of the emperor, Izta had no desire to marry a man of wealth and power. Instead, she fell in love with Popoca, a brave warrior who fought in her father’s army—and a man who did not offer her riches but a promise to stay by her side forever. The emperor did not want his daughter to marry a mere warrior, but he recognized Popoca’s bravery. He offered Popoca a deal: If the warrior could defeat their enemy, Jaguar Claw, then the emperor would permit Popoca and Izta to wed. But Jaguar Claw had a plan to thwart the warrior. Would all be lost? Today two majestic volcanoes—Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl—stand overlooking Mexico City. They have been admired and revered for countless generations and have formed the basis of many origin and creation myths.

Image for Growing Up In Aztec Times (Growing Up In series)

Growing Up In Aztec Times (Growing Up In series)

Describes the daily life of the Aztecs, discussing life in the city, life in the country, education, food and drink, and other aspects.

Image for The Tale of Rabbit and Coyote

The Tale of Rabbit and Coyote

Poor Coyote! What’s he doing, hanging upside down in the farmer’s house, next to a pot of boiling water? How’d he wind up underneath the jicara tree, getting bonked by rock-hard fruit? Who tricked him into whacking a wasps’ nest with a stick? And why is he always howling at the moon? Because of Rabbit, that’s why! Longtime collaborators Tony Johnston and Tomie dePaola look to the folklore of Oaxaca, Mexico, for this nutty, naughty tale of trickery and hijinks. Written with sly humor and illustrated in the vibrant golds, blues, and reds of the Southwest, this is a story with a flavor as distinctive as chile peppers.

Mexico Unit Study

Geography Ideas About Mexico

One thing that is important to include in your unit study of Mexico is the geography of the country.

Mexico is a country with extreme landforms from high mountains to deep canyons located in the center to deserts in the north, and even thick rainforests in the south and east.

  • Mexico is a country that is part of North America.
  • The country’s name came from the Aztec word Mexica (mesh-EE-ca).
  • Also, the ancient Maya’s and Aztecs lived in the country of Mexico.
  • There are some great free printable maps on this page to color, print, labeled or to label.
  • The Rio Grande River is the border between the United States and Mexico.
  • Mount Popocatépetl is one of the highest volcanoes in Mexico.

Mexico is bordered on the north by a 2,000-mile stretch of the United States.

Guatemala and Belize are found on the southeast; the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea are on the east; the Pacific Ocean is on the south and west.

The climate varies greatly because there is a great distance from north to south.

Language Arts Ideas About Mexico

Next, here are some language art ideas.

  • Learn this list of 20 Spanish words.
  • Reading. Choose one or more of the books above. There are different levels and I have something for every age.
  • Here are some vocabulary words which also explains some of the culture of Mexico.
    • sombrero: a large, wide brimmed hat
    • poncho: a blanket with a hole in the center for the head to go through
    • serape: a blanket woven from colorful yarn
    • fiesta: a party
    • pinata: large container normally an animal shape filled with candy used at parties
  • Most areas have a Mexican supermarket. Visit the store and have your child write down the names of foods from Mexico.
  • Read a Mexican folktale and role play. Young children love this and especially dressing up and playing the part of one of the animals. For example, look at Senor Coyote and Rabbit.
Mexico Unit Study and Make a Fun Easy Floral Headband

Math Ideas About Mexico

Additionally, here are a few ideas for fun math.

  • Explain that the currency in Mexico is pesos.
  • Try to explain the value and then convert it to dollars.
  • Play games about money and learn about money from Mexico and other countries on Math is Fun. Click on money. Play Make the Amount but first look at Currencies of the World to be familiar with the coins of Mexico.

Moreover, add some of these science ideas.

Science Ideas about Mexico

Besides learning about the rainforest, learn how chocolate is made.

  • Look at my rainforest lapbook and unit study.
  • Rainforest Amazon Activities for Kids
  • Fun Chocolate Unit Study and DIY Chocolate Candy Bar Activity

Ancient Mayans- Of course if you are studying these ancient people you will want to dig into the pyramid of Chichen Itza.

Also, learn about the contributions the Mayans made – The Mayan Calendar, Filtration systems, rubber, chocolate, and medicines.

Here is a book recommendation that goes along with the unit as well as a fun LEGO build for the pyramid- Geronimo Stilton Adventure The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time (Mayan Craft).

LEGO is a fabulous manipulative to incorporate.

Monarch Butterflies- Monarchs travel up to an incredible 3,000 miles to the forests of central Mexico in a great migration to winter in the warmer climate.

This is a great science topic to include in your lesson on Mexico, learning about the Monarch specifically as well as the life cycle of a butterfly. Add this Fun and Easy Hands-on Life Cycle Butterfly Activity for Kids to you quick study.

Music, Food, and Art of Mexico

Also, more topics to learn about are about the music, food, and art of Mexico.

  • Easy Mexican Crafts: How to Make a Taco Craft

First, La Cucaracha in Spanish phrase means “the cockroach” and it is a Mexican folk dance. This is fun to learn and do with a group like in a co-op or with other family members.

Mariachi music is performed by a band playing as they stroll and the Mexican Hat Dance is the national dance of Mexico.

Here is another fun video showing the Hat Dance. I love it because it’s quirky, but also your child can hear both the music and see the dance.

Too, the instructor gives tips for each age on how to vary the dance. So much fun to do at home or in a co-op.

Too, corn, chilies and chocolate come originally from Mexico.

Tacos- Especially Tacos el Pastor- or “ Shepherd Style” tacos that are made with seasoned and marinated pork. They are very different from the typical fast food or Tex Mex style restaurant tacos that you have probably had.

In addition, learn about tamales and how to make tortillas.

Frida Kahlo- One of the most celebrated Mexican artists is Frida Kahlo. She was a painter who was known for portraits, especially self-portraits in a naive folk art style. She is also identifiable with her large colorful floral headbands like the one below.

  • 5 Mexico Crafts For Preschoolers And Free Activity Pages

More Unit Study Ideas

  • Free Marco Polo Unit Study, Lapbook, and Hands-on Ideas
  • South America Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas
  • Texas Homeschool Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
  • France Unit Study and Make Easy French Bread
  • US Westward Expansion Lapbook and Hands-on Unit Study Ideas

Mexico Unit Study and Make a Fun Easy Floral Headband

Finally, look how to make this fun easy Mexican floral headband.

Make a Fun Easy Floral Headband

You will need:

  • A wide headband
  • Variety of silk flowers
  • Hot glue
Mexico Unit Study and Make a Fun Easy Floral Headband

To keep your cost low try to find an inexpensive variety of flowers on a single stem, Dollar Tree is a great resource for this.

You might also find some at a thrift store or in your own supply stash.

Pull the flowers themselves off the stem or cut them off close to the underside of the flower if they are attached.

Mexico Unit Study and Make a Fun Easy Floral Headband

Lay your headband flat and arrange the flowers loosely around the band to get an idea of how you would like to place them.

Mexico Unit Study and Make a Fun Easy Floral Headband

Hot glue a few pieces of greenery to the headband.

Mexico Unit Study and Make a Fun Easy Floral Headband

Now you can begin hot gluing the flowers around the headband. I like to start with one large flower and put it in place.

Mexico Unit Study and Make a Fun Easy Floral Headband

Then I work my way down to smaller ones, finally filling in with the smallest ones. Be sure to make it full on either side.

Mexico Unit Study and Make a Fun Easy Floral Headband

You will want to hold each flower in place until the glue sets firmly.

Once the glue has set your headband is ready to wear.

Mexico Unit Study and Make a Fun Easy Floral Headband

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: crafts, flowers, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, Mexico, unit studies, unit study

Letter E Is For Eagle Easy Preschool Eagle Study

January 11, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

E is for eagle, and you can take this high-flying preschool letter E unit in several different directions. Also, I have more alphabet letter fun on my page How to Homeschool Preschool.

You can focus just on eagles, cover birds of prey, and talk about the eagle as a symbol of America, or birds in general.

These amazing birds deserve a special unit study, and they work out perfectly when you are focusing on the letter E.

Letter E Is For Eagle Easy Preschool Eagle Study

Whether you gather your books from a visit to the library or on Amazon I have some great suggestions for you as well as crafts and activities that don’t require very many specific supplies.

For the most part, you can do these lessons with what you likely already have on hand.

Adding a few videos and a couple of printouts makes it a very low stress but highly educational preschool study.

It’s worth investing in fantastic plastic figurines with this as they will find their use through the years in small-world play, sensory bins, and even dioramas as your child gets older.

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

  • Alphabet Letter A is for Apple Craft for Preschool | Fun Apple Study
  • Letter O is for Owl Preschool Craft | Fun Great Horned Owl Study
  • Alphabet Letter H Handprint Craft For Fun Preschool Horse Study
  • How To Make An Alphabet Teeth Cleaning Activity | 5 Preschool Letter T Crafts
  • Alphabet Letter R is for Rainbow Craft for Preschool | Fun Rain Mobile
  • Alphabet Letter M is for Monkey Handprint Preschool Fun Monkey Study
  • Alphabet Letter G is for Gorilla Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask
  • W Is For Winter Craft Easy Snowman Oobleck Activity
  • Letter E Is For Eagle Easy Preschool Eagle Study
  • Alphabet Letter N Is For Nest Handprint & Fun Nests Preschool Craft
  • B is for Bird Craft | Free Preschool Bluebird Study
  • X is for X Ray Craft | Unique Crayon Resist Skeleton

Language Arts Focus Day 1

E-E- E is for Eagle, don’t forget to practice that sound throughout the day as you play in sensory bins, make crafts, and yummy snacks.

Letter/Sound Recognition – Create a sensory bin with any base you have on hand -beads, rice, or shredded paper. Place items in the bin that start with Ee including letter tiles as well.

Raid the toy box or print items from free images. Have your child roll the die and count out the number of items that start with e or the letter e that matches. This also helps with beginning math skills.

Letter E Is For Eagle Easy Preschool Eagle Study

Book- Is a Bald Eagle Really Bald focuses on the Bald Eagle as the national symbol, its meaning on our Great seal, as well as facts about how eagles live in the wild.

Craft/Activity- Create this cute E is for Eagle Handprint Craft, I just love sweet little handprint keepsake crafts to remember how small they were.

Song/Fingerplay- This Powerful Bald Eagle song is not your typical catchy children’s song (it is catchy though).

But I think it’s fantastic that it focuses on teaching about the bald eagle from the colors to their unique characteristics.

Snack- These Bald Eagle Snacks are so cute and look like a lot of fun to make, they look complicated but it’s really just coating marshmallows in melted chocolate and adding a few items.

Science Focus Day 2

Zoology is one of the first sciences children learn.

Today focuses on what habitat eagles live in (around lakes and reservoirs with lots of fish and forests around).

And they learn what eagles eat (fish, rabbits, waterfowl, rodents, and other small creatures), and their life cycle.

You could also research and see what other types of eagles beyond the well-known bald eagle like the golden eagle, black eagle, and harpy eagle.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Go on a letter E hunt, finding objects that start with the letter E around the house or in books. Here is a list of 50 items to help give you ideas. Remember to make the sound each time you find something!

Book- Bailey the Bald Eagle and the Great Flight centers around fears and how to face and overcome them.

Reading stories like this helps to teach your child how to verbalize feelings, encourages empathy, and is healthy for social-emotional growth.

Letter E Is For Eagle Easy Preschool Eagle Study

Craft/Activity- How about some Life Cycle of an Eagle Coloring Pages, while I prefer hands-on activities to worksheets they are great occasionally like this one that demonstrates the life cycle and coloring pages are great if your child enjoys them.

Song/Fingerplay- A funny little rap The Bald Eagle hip hops its way through facts about the eagle, sounds, and how they build their giant nests, and is perfect for a little dancing.

Snack- Create your mix of “eagle food”.

Toss together fish (Swedish fish candy or goldfish), snakes (gummy worms), and rabbits (Annie’s Organic grahams or fruit snacks) as you talk about the things that eagles eat.

Math Focus Day 3

Count eggs, count bald eagle toys, or any other small items you have on hand. 

Use a tape measure to measure how large an eagle nest is (up to 9 feet wide) and their wingspan to introduce your child to using new math tools.

Letter E Is For Eagle Easy Preschool Eagle Study

Count eggs, count bald eagle toys, or any other small items you have on hand. 

Letter/Sound Recognition- As I said, I like hands-on activities for preschoolers, but worksheets can have their place from time to time. This Find the Letter E Worksheet can be circled, marked with a dot marker, or colored over.

It doesn’t require a lot of writing that little hands are not ready to do just yet, just a simple seek-and-find.

Book- A great science reference series is “The Big Book of’ Series”.

Look at this gorgeous large layout on Bald Eagles in The Big Book of Birds.

Letter E Is For Eagle Easy Preschool Eagle Study

This volume will get lots of use even when class is not in session because the illustrations are bright and pretty, also there is so much to look at for littles.

Craft/Activity- Grab these free Eagle Number Puzzles print and laminate and let your child match the number, the number of eagles, and if they are ready for it the third part with the number written out as a word.

Song/Fingerplay- This Letter E Song by ABC Mouse lists many words that start with E and the images that go with them to help commit the words to memory in a fun melody.

Snack- Take your pick of either an Eagle Marshmallow Pop or Eagle Quesadilla for a fun on-theme treat to enjoy together.

History/Geography Focus Day 4

The bald eagle is the national symbol for the U.S. Help your child locate Washington DC on a map and where it is to wherever you are.

Letter E Is For Eagle Easy Preschool Eagle Study

Letter/Sound Recognition- Most of us have a basket of those oversized LEGOs for preschoolers in the house already, print a few letters and let your child work on building the Letter E with a familiar toy.

Book- The Bald Eagle American Symbols is another good book to have at hand that focuses on the bald eagle as our national symbol through the eyes of Bill the bird keeper.

Craft/Activity- Make a Paper Plate Bald Eagle for your preschooler to fly around, see the directions below.

Song/Fingerplay- I love the idea of learning signs for words that begin with the Letter E E.

Not only is it great for building finger muscles as they form the words and learn sign language, but using a multi-sensory approach when learning is very successful. 

Check out this Letter E Signing for Babies (great for preschool).

Snack- You have to enjoy a deviled egg or whatever your preschooler’s favorite choice of egg is for a snack or breakfast.

Not only can you practice making the e-e-e-egg sound but you can talk about how eagles lay eggs like other birds.

Books about E is for Eagle

14 Fun Resources for Studying about Eagles

Add some of these fun activities, books and resources to learn about eagles.

Image for 1. Eagle and Birds of Prey: Discover the World of Birds of Prey―How They Grow, Fly, Live, and Hunt

1. Eagle and Birds of Prey: Discover the World of Birds of Prey―How They Grow, Fly, Live, and Hunt

Eyewitness: Eagles and Birds of Prey is a guide to birds of prey of all shapes and sizes. From majestic falcons to soaring vultures, you'll get a bird's eye view of their amazing world. Learn about their styles of flight and their hunting techniques. Explore the preying and feeding habits, from specialist feeders to scavengers. 

Image for 2. Science Comics: Birds of Prey: Terrifying Talons

2. Science Comics: Birds of Prey: Terrifying Talons

Every volume of Science Comics offers a complete introduction to a particular topic―dinosaurs, the solar system, volcanoes, bats, robots, and more. Whether you're a fourth grader doing a natural science unit at school or a thirty-year-old with a secret passion for airplanes, these graphic novels are for you!

Image for 3. Big Book of Birds (The Big Book Series)

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

Following up the hugely successful The Big Book of Bugs, The Big Book of Beasts, and The Big Book of the Blue, The Big Book of Birds is a fact-filled tour of the world’s most wonderful winged creatures. Yuval Zommer’s distinctive illustrations show off some of the most colorful, flamboyant, impressive, and wacky birds of the sky. Picture-book charm pairs with informative nonfiction to make a beautiful, large-format title for parents to share with young children and for older children to read by themselves.

Image for 4. EAGLE 300 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle

4. EAGLE 300 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle

HIGH-QUALITY JIGSAW PUZZLE: The stunning, lifelike image is mounted on premium chipboard. Random cut pieces are thick and sturdy – they come fully separated with cleanly cut edges (dust-free!) that fit together snugly and hold up to repetitive use.

Makes amazing wall décor. Glue it, then mount the masterpiece!

Image for 5 PCS Birds of Prey Figurines

5 PCS Birds of Prey Figurines

This set brings you some of the most amazing birds of prey from around the world!

5 Piece Set includes Bald Eagle, Falcon, Hawk, Owl, and Vulture.

Image for 6. Supertoob: USA,Figure Playsets

6. Supertoob: USA,Figure Playsets

 Use birds of prey figurines including a Bald Eagle to make a diorama or sensory bin, they are also great used for art inspiration. My eagle came from the USA Safari Toob.

Image for 7. Thunder Birds: Nature’s Flying Predators

7. Thunder Birds: Nature’s Flying Predators

Acclaimed naturalist and illustrator Jim Arnosky helps birds and imaginations take glorious flight in this breathtaking nonfiction picture book with six giant gatefolds.
Arnosky will draw out kids' inner explorer as he explains why there are no feathers on a vulture's head, which bird is the deep-diving champ, what makes an owls's wings perfectly silent in flight, and much more.
Readers can use this gorgeously illustrated book to bring the wilderness right into their rooms-or as a guide on their next expedition.

Image for 8. 100 Facts Birds of Prey- Hawks, Eagles, Ornithology, Educational Projects, Fun Activities, Quizzes and More!

8. 100 Facts Birds of Prey- Hawks, Eagles, Ornithology, Educational Projects, Fun Activities, Quizzes and More!

Flip through 100 fascinating facts covering everything from hunting prey to patrolling airports, then test your knowledge with fun quizzes. Each page is packed with activities, projects and mind-blowing facts for a truly engaging experience. With stunning photographs and beautiful illustrations, this fun-filled book is sure to challenge young readers and prepare them for academic success. 

Image for Simulated Bald Eagle Figurines Plastic Eagle

Simulated Bald Eagle Figurines Plastic Eagle

Your child will love these to use in sensory bins or dioramas or just as a model to paint or play with.

Image for Is a Bald Eagle Really Bald?

Is a Bald Eagle Really Bald?

A bald eagle doesn't sound like an attractive bird. But it's pictured on the Great Seal of the United States and on the dollar bill. Why was this bird chosen as a national symbol?

Image for Bailey the Bald Eagle and the Great Flight

Bailey the Bald Eagle and the Great Flight

Bailey is a bald eagle who comes from a long lineage of high flyers, with her grandfather even holding the world record for being the highest flyer. So, it comes as a bit of a surprise to her family when she is scared of heights. This fear keeps her down every day, literally, but it also helps her meet some amazing friends she never would have otherwise. This story is about how we are all afraid of something, but it's how we overcome those fears that matters most.

Image for My Little Book of Bald Eagles

My Little Book of Bald Eagles

This is a delightful story about a new family of bald eagles. From newborn's first lessons in life to the first solo flight, this beautifully illustrated book is ideal for introducing young children to the wonders of nature.

Image for Harpy Eagle (Apex Predators of the Amazon Rain Forest)

Harpy Eagle (Apex Predators of the Amazon Rain Forest)

It's early morning in the Amazon rain forest. A large monkey is climbing through the branches of a tall tree. Suddenly, there's a flash of white and black feathers. An enormous harpy eagle swoops between the leafy branches and snatches the monkey from the tree. Then the giant predator carries its prey high into the treetops and begins to eat. Filled with information perfectly suited to the abilities and interests of its primary-grade audience, this colorful, fact-filled book gives readers a chance not only to learn all about harpy eagles and their Amazon rain forest home, but also to develop their powers of observation and critical thinking. Built-in activities, such as figuring out how the bird's body is adapted for hunting, and investigating how much weight the eagle can carry in its talons, give readers a chance to gain insights beyond the facts and figures.

Image for Wild Life Realistic Harpy Eagle Figurine -

Wild Life Realistic Harpy Eagle Figurine -

This Harpy Eagle Figurine would make an amazing addition to your dioramas, sensory bins, trays

Language Arts Focus Day 5

Letter/Sound Recognition- Place Post-it notes with lowercase and uppercase e’s all over the floor. Include a few others with different letters.

Have your child hop on all the E and make the sound as they do.

Letter E Is For Eagle Easy Preschool Eagle Study

Book- My Little Book of Bald Eagles is a great book for 3-5-year-olds. It tells the story of a newborn eaglet through his very first solo flight.

Craft/Activity- Watch this short video All About Bald Eagles for Kids. They will learn all kinds of fascinating facts and see real videos of them in action.

Song/Fingerplay–This song heavily focuses on the letter sound. The repetitiveness will help it stick in your child’s mind- Letter E.

Snack- Sometimes you just need a quick and easy snack without a lot of prep. Make this Bacon and Egg Treat in the microwave quickly with just 3 items to reinforce e is for egg.

Finally, look how to make this adorable eagle craft.

Paper Plate Bald Eagle

You will need:

  • 3 paper plates
  • Brown craft paint
  • Yellow craft paint
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Google Eye
Letter E Is For Eagle Easy Preschool Eagle Study

First, cut one paper plate in half to create two wings.

Cut a thin bell shape with a flared-out tail at the end of the second one using the majority of the plate.

Also, the ruffled edge of the plate as the tail to give it a little extra fun texture.

Use the third plate to cut out a head with a beak.

Or if you prefer you can cut the beak out separately and have your child glue it on later.  

Letter E Is For Eagle Easy Preschool Eagle Study

Now to get the look of the bald eagle. Have your child paint just the ruffled part of the head brown.

And the same for the body with the tail.

It will be the reverse. Have them paint the smooth part of the plate brown and leave the ruffled part white. They will then paint the wing entirely brown except for just the tips.

Letter E Is For Eagle Easy Preschool Eagle Study

Paint the beak yellow and glue on a googly eye.

Letter E Is For Eagle Easy Preschool Eagle Study

Glue the wings together in the center and spread them out in any formation you like.

Letter E Is For Eagle Easy Preschool Eagle Study

Glue the head to the body.

Letter E Is For Eagle Easy Preschool Eagle Study

Now attach the two parts.

You may want to use hot glue for this final part so it will dry faster and stay together better. A glue stick may not hold all the weight together.

Letter E Is For Eagle Easy Preschool Eagle Study

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: birds, crafts, eagles, elementary science, hands on history, hands-on, letter sounds, life science, phonics, preschool, preschool skills, science, unit studies

Alphabet Letter G is for Gorilla Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask

January 9, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

G is for Gorilla is a fun opportunity to learn not only the letter sound but incorporate a fun much loved zoo animal unit. Also, I have more alphabet letter fun on my page How to Homeschool Preschool and my page Free Africa Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning | Free Continent & Country Reports.

While this can be a heavy zoology-based unit study there are still plenty of great ideas for math, art, geography, language arts, and more.

Throughout I have bundled it all here for you to make it easy to pick and choose your favorite activities.

Alphabet Letter G is for Gorilla Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask

Gorillas are exclusively native to Africa.

This provides a solid lesson in geography where you can search the map for Africa, locate the Congo on the map, and locate where each of the two different species of gorilla call home.

For your lessons you might want to invest in a fun set of figures if you don’t already have some.

This adorable little gorilla family can be used in many ways, dramatic play, sensory bins, with playdough, and more.

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

  • Alphabet Letter A is for Apple Craft for Preschool | Fun Apple Study
  • Letter O is for Owl Preschool Craft | Fun Great Horned Owl Study
  • Alphabet Letter H Handprint Craft For Fun Preschool Horse Study
  • How To Make An Alphabet Teeth Cleaning Activity | 5 Preschool Letter T Crafts
  • Alphabet Letter R is for Rainbow Craft for Preschool | Fun Rain Mobile
  • Alphabet Letter M is for Monkey Handprint Preschool Fun Monkey Study
  • Alphabet Letter G is for Gorilla Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask
  • W Is For Winter Craft Easy Snowman Oobleck Activity
  • Letter E Is For Eagle Easy Preschool Eagle Study
  • Alphabet Letter N Is For Nest Handprint & Fun Nests Preschool Craft
  • B is for Bird Craft | Free Preschool Bluebird Study
  • X is for X Ray Craft | Unique Crayon Resist Skeleton

Language Arts Focus Day 1

Letter/Sound Recognition- Fill in this cute Letter G Animal Alphabet Dots Printable with do a dot markers or round stickers.

Book- Gorilla does a great job introducing the concept of empathy and sorting out feelings in a cute story about a gorilla and a little girl who dreams of seeing gorillas in real life.

Craft/Activity-  Dramatic play is an important part of a child’s social and emotional development, this activity  Zoo Animals – Dramatic Play Activity  allow them to become zookeepers, create cages, and care for animals through pretend play.

Song/Fingerplay- ABC Mouse does letter songs and learning so well, I found this very catchy little song on YouTube to go over letter sounds and recognition The Letter G Song.

Alphabet Letter G is for Gorilla Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask

Snack- Keep it simple with single ingredients snacks that start with G, here are ideas for 5 Snacks For Kids That Start With G.

Science Focus Day 2

Science comes into play learning about gorillas, rain forests, and even other zoo creatures your child might spot there.

As a matter of fact, if you are able this would be a great time for a field trip to the zoo to see these animals in person.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Grab whatever letter tiles you have and spell out gorilla. At the top of a piece of construction paper write out G-O-R-I-L-L-A, spreading it out so there is enough space for the tiles to fit under each letter.

Give your child the pile of letters and let them match it below your written example. As they match each one, tell them the name of the letter if they don’t already know it.

This is not about learning to spell a big word like gorilla but more about learning to recognize letters and that letters put together create a word.

Alphabet Letter G is for Gorilla Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask

Book- Goodnight Gorilla is a classic sweet board book centered around a sneaky gorilla and an unsuspecting zookeeper.

While it doesn’t have a lot of words it tells a silly story through very expressive illustrations.

Craft/Activity- This Goodnight Gorilla: A STEAM Activity for Preschoolers was too good to pass up for our science activity, especially since it went so well with our book choice today.

Song/Fingerplay- Raffi songs are fantastic for kids with his warm voice and simple folk lyrics that tell stories, check out The Gorilla Song. 

Snack- These Chocolate Banana Oat Pancakes look delicious and are a great portrayal of the key figure in our lessons.

Math Focus Day 3

You need not overthink math at this age, it is simply recognizing numbers and learning to add and subtract small amounts.

Grab items from around your house and count, like the gorillas in their plastic toys or banana bunches at the grocery store. Gather leaves into two piles and introduce concepts like more/fewer.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Shaving Cream Writing- Yep, it is as simple as it sounds.

Spread a thin layer of unscented shaving cream on a shallow tray and let your little one write with their finger.

I recommend printing and laminating your letters so they can be used over and over.

Remember to practice the sound the letter makes as they draw it with their finger.

Book- One Gorilla A Counting Book, I think the illustrations here are just darling and are perfect for simple math.

Craft/Activity- For preschool I especially like to avoid worksheets, but they also have their place.

I think a color by number like this is great for building fine motor skills and in preschool it is phenomenal for number recognition as they find and color a1-6 repeatedly. Repetition is a great teaching tool in preschool.

Song/Fingerplay- Cute and catchy you might have the Baby Gorilla Song stuck in your head before the week is out, it is to the tune of a familiar favorite-Baby Shark.

Snack- Make ‘Gorilla Goodies’ by creating a trail mix of whatever dry ingredients you have on hand, no need to run to the store for special ingredients.

Mix up pretzels, marshmallows, raisins, dry cereal, nuts, cookie pieces, candy, etc.

History/Geography Focus Day 4

Take a look at a map and find Africa, locate where gorillas live around the Congo.  Incorporate social studies by talking about zoos and zookeepers and what they provide to communities.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Reinforce the letter sound and name by pre-writing with their finger on a salt tray. If you have a preschooler who loves to lick their finger, use vanilla or chocolate pudding.

Book- Ivan: A Gorilla’s True Story

Craft/Activity-  This Simple and Fun Wildlife Craft Mountain Gorilla Layered Art Project may just need a little extra help from you but is completely doable by a preschooler.

Song/Fingerplay- I found The Mountain Gorilla Song that sings about a specific type of gorilla and can be used to talk about the two different species, eastern and western.

Snack-Simply because kids find poop so funny, Gorilla Poops, would make a nice addition to your study. Make them in different sizes and turn it into a lesson on larger/smaller.

Books for Learning About G is for Gorilla

G is for Gorilla Preschool Unit Study Theme

Bring learning to life for your preschooler with these G is for Gorilla books and resources.

Image for 4 Pcs Realistic Gorilla Figurines

4 Pcs Realistic Gorilla Figurines

Gorilla Family: Set of four gorilla animal toys with two adults and two kids.

Image for Gorilla

Gorilla

Hannah loves gorillas and longs to see a real one. Unfortunately, her father is always too busy — or too tired — to take her to the zoo.

Image for "The Letter G Song" by ABCmouse.com
Photo Credit: www.youtube.com

"The Letter G Song" by ABCmouse.com

"The Letter G Song"
Image for Good Night, Gorilla

Good Night, Gorilla

Good night, Gorilla. Good night, Elephant. It's bedtime at the zoo, and all the animals are going to sleep. Or are they? Who's that short, furry guy with the key in his hand and the mischievous grin? Good night, Giraffe. Good night, Hyena. Sneak along behind the zookeeper's back, and see who gets the last laugh in this riotous good-night romp.

Image for One Gorilla: A Counting Book

One Gorilla: A Counting Book

Here is a list of the things I love.One gorilla.Two butterflies among my flowers--and one gorilla.Tree budgerigars in my house--and one gorilla.

Image for Gorillas

Gorillas

All the wild gorillas live in Africa. They are peaceful and intelligent, and live in family groups called troops. Here are descriptions of the physical characteristics of these primates as well as information about how they live, including how they eat, raise their young, and adapt to their environment. Gibbons's trademark style features kid-friendly explanations and visually presented facts.

Image for Ivan: A Gorilla's True Story

Ivan: A Gorilla's True Story

The real-life inspiration for The One and Only Ivan. A gorilla captured as a baby, Ivan was brought to a Tacoma, Washington mall to attract shoppers. Gradually, public pressure built until a better way of life for Ivan was found at Zoo Atlanta. From the Congo to America, and from a local business attraction to a national symbol of animal welfare, Ivan the Shopping Mall Gorilla traveled an astonishing distance in miles and in impact. In a spare, powerful text and evocative illustrations, Newbery medalist Katherine Applegate and artist G. Brian Karas present the extraordinary real story of this special gorilla.

Image for Little Gorilla

Little Gorilla

As beloved Little Gorilla grows up, he discovers that love grows with him. Perfect for bedtime or snuggle-time, this warm and timeless classic reassures readers that as they grow and change, they are always loved. Just about everybody in the great green forest loves Little Gorilla. His mother loves him. His father loves him. Even Big Boa Constrictor loves him. But Little Gorilla begins to grow . . . and Grow . . . and GROW. And then, when Little Gorilla isn’t so little anymore—everyone still loves him! A soothing, rhythmic text and expressive illustration create a heartwarming story about the security and constancy of love.

Image for Gorilla mysteries

Gorilla mysteries

Discusses the habits of gorillas, giant apes of frightening appearance but gentle behavior, long misunderstood by their human close relatives.

Image for G Is for Gorilla Gulp (With Teaching Tips for Letter G)
Photo Credit: blog.allaboutlearningpress.com

G Is for Gorilla Gulp (With Teaching Tips for Letter G)

What goes together better than peanut butter, cocoa, and bananas? We can’t think of a better combination—and we think your little monkeys will be nodding between gulps of chocolatey goodness!

Language Arts Focus Day 5

Letter/Sound Recognition- Take a small gorilla toy or something like a pencil to use as a pointer and go through books, newspapers, pictures on the wall or anywhere else and locate all the Gg’s that you can.

Place the toy or pointer over it

Book- Gorillas by Gail Gibbons is great as a science reference because her books are so engaging for younger (and older children as well) with bright photographs and plenty of information to take in.

Alphabet Letter G is for Gorilla Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask

Craft/Activity- Make our fun Gorilla Mask while you talk about the characteristics of the gorilla, it’s fun for dramatic play and pretend.

Song/Fingerplay- Another fun and catchy song that is fun to dance too is The Letter G, Gimme G song, introducing movement adds another layer of fun making what they learn stick.

Snack- G is for Gorilla Gulp Shake is a great snack to practice letter sounds as you pronounce g-g-gorilla and g-g-g-gulp.

Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask

You will need:

  • 3 paper plates
  • Black craft paint
  • Grey craft paint
  • Ribbon or yarn
  • Scissors
  • Glue sticks
  • Paint brushes
  • Black marker
Alphabet Letter G is for Gorilla Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask

First, flip one plate upside down and let your child paint the entire backside of the plate black, set aside to dry.

Alphabet Letter G is for Gorilla Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask

Flip a second plate and paint the center a gray color, let it dry.

Alphabet Letter G is for Gorilla Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask

Take the third plate and paint the center black.

Once all the paint is dry cut ears and a little lock of hair from the center of the black plate.

And cut a gorilla face from the gray, the center of their face is kind of a squished heart shape.

You want the gray portion to be just a little smaller than the center of the main black plate.

Alphabet Letter G is for Gorilla Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask

Measure/Eyeball the eye holes with your child’s head.

Make it about 1 ½” apart should be great for a preschooler’s face.

And make them a little oversized to give them plenty of visibility.

 Cut out of the whole black plate.

Alphabet Letter G is for Gorilla Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask

Lay the gray face under the eye holes and trace with a pencil then cut them out.

Alphabet Letter G is for Gorilla Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask

Draw features on the face like nostrils, mouth, and some little wrinkles.

Alphabet Letter G is for Gorilla Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask

Glue the gray face piece to the black plate and then the ears and hair tuft.

Alphabet Letter G is for Gorilla Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask

Finally punch holes on either side of the mask.

And tie the ribbon or yarn through to create a tie to hold on the mask.

Alphabet Letter G is for Gorilla Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: alphabet, gorilla, handprint, homeschool preschool, letter sounds, phonics, preschool, preschool skills, unit studies

How to Make a Popsicle Stick Stem Dogsled | Balto Unit Study

November 21, 2023 | 1 Comment
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We’re making a popsicle stick STEM dogsled as we enjoy a ride through the story of Balto. Also, look at my 4 Week Free Alaska Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas.

Even though Balto might make you think of simply a literature unit, you can still work in some amazing history, geography, math, language arts, and science.

You have a great choice of activities and resources below.

Also, I have a tutorial for you to build your own dog sled from popsicle sticks. 

How to Make a Popsicle Stick Stem Dogsled | Balto Unit Study

The STEM part of this study can be learned naturally.

For example, your child investigates different methods for creating a sled to make it aerodynamic.

In addition, he learns about friction as it glides or sticks on the path down the ramp, problem-solving, and encourages outside-of-the-box thinking.

Encourage everyone in the family to create a sled and then race.

Ask questions like what made your sleds go faster or slower? What would you change next time?

Facts About the Book Balto

First, if you are not already familiar with the story of Balto let me give you a quick rundown.

It is based on a true story set in Nome Alaska and centers around the dog Balto who is a purebred Siberian husky.

He leads a dog team on a life-saving mission for serum when there is an outbreak of diphtheria.

  • Balto was not the only dog responsible for saving the children of Nome, sled dogs took turns carrying the medicine from Nenena, Alaska to Nome. 
  • There is a statue of Balto that was placed in Central Park, and it remains there, still today.
  • The run by mushers and dogs for the diphtheria serum was also known as the Great Race of Mercy.
  • The trip from Nenena to Nome normally took 30 days for a sled dog team, this time it was done in a miraculous 6 days to deliver the medicine before it expired.
  • A sled dog team is typically made up of a musher and 4 to 6 dogs or a pair and 8 to 12 dogs. This relay included 20 mushers and around 100 to 150 dogs. 
How to Make a Popsicle Stick Stem Dogsled | Balto Unit Study

Next, if your kids love reading books about dogs and dogs stories, look at some of these fun reads.

I lean toward living books to bring unit studies to life.

9 Books and Resources for Kids Who Love Dogs and Sled Dogs

If your child loves books about dogs and sled dogs, grab some of these for a fun unit study.

Image for Balto and the Great Race (Stepping Stone)

Balto and the Great Race (Stepping Stone)

Balto has a quiet life as a sled dog—until tragedy strikes. Dozens of children in Nome become sick with diphtheria. Without antitoxin serum, they will perish—and the closest supply is 650 miles away! The only way to get the serum to Nome is by sled, but can the dogs deliver it in time? Heading bravely into a brutal blizzard, Balto leads the race for life.

Image for Togo

Togo

Togo wasn't meant to be a sled dog. He was too feisty and independent to make a good team member, let alone a leader. But Togo is determined, and when his trainer, Leonhard Seppala, gives him a chance, he soon becomes one of the fastest sled dogs in history! His skills are put to the ultimate test, though, when Seppala and his team are called on to make the now-famous run across the frozen Arctic to deliver the serum that will save Alaska from a life-threatening outbreak of diphtheria.

Image for Kiana's Iditarod (PAWS IV)

Kiana's Iditarod (PAWS IV)

Kiana is no ordinary dog. Born and bred to race, she leads her team of huskies on a journey unlike any other. The Iditarod - known traditionally as Alaska's 'Last Great Race' - spans 1,049 icy miles from Anchorage to Nome. From the treacherous terrain to the bitter, blowing winds, the trail is full of obstacles Kiana and her team must overcome in order to reach the finish line. Along the way, they encounter packs of wild wolves, a mighty moose, and other dog-sled teams fighting for first place. Can Kiana summon the strength of her team and lead them to victory? Author Shelley Gill brings her firsthand experience as the fifth woman to complete the Iditarod race to this crackling adventure story, while Shannon Cartwright's vibrant color illustrations bring Kiana and her team's extraordinary efforts to life for young readers.

Image for Kavik the Wolf Dog

Kavik the Wolf Dog

When Andy Evans stumbles upon the snow-covered wreckage of a small plane, he’s shocked to find a survivor. Should he put the gravely injured dog out of his misery? The look in the animal’s eyes says he’s not ready to die. It turns out that Kävik’s a champion sled dog, and soon he makes a full recovery. When his rightful owner finds out Kävik is alive, he wants the dog back. But Kävik has other ideas.

Image for .Siberian Husky Figurine

.Siberian Husky Figurine

Detailed Representation: Hand-painted by professionals, this Siberian Husky figurine comes alive with realistic features and markings, a perfect gift for dog lovers.

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White Fang

WHITE FANG !!!! (PART 1 of 2) From Jack London, one of the greatest American writers of all time, comes this masterpiece in adventure story telling: WHITE FANG!!! Can White Fang the timber wolf pup ever be tamed? WHITE FANG (PART 1 of 2)examines the violent world of wild animals and the equally violent world of humans. WHITE FANG! A tale of animal heroism, survival and adventure like never before seen in American literature.

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Stone Fox

Based on a Rocky Mountain legend, Stone Fox tells the story of Little Willy, who lives with his grandfather in Wyoming. When Grandfather falls ill, he is no longer able to work the farm, which is in danger of foreclosure. Little Willy is determined to win the National Dogsled Race—the prize money would save the farm and his grandfather. But he isn't the only one who desperately wants to win. Willy and his brave dog Searchlight must face off against experienced racers, including a Native American man named Stone Fox, who has never lost a race.

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Dogteam

On a moonlit winter night, a team of dogs pulls a sled, taking the narrator and readers on a wondrous ride through the snow, into and out of the woods. It is a ride you'll wish would never end.

Image for The Adventures of Balto: The Untold Story of Alaska's Famous Iditarod Sled Dog

The Adventures of Balto: The Untold Story of Alaska's Famous Iditarod Sled Dog

Balto, the great Alaska sled dog, has been dead since 1933. But he still stands larger-than-life on Dogdom's Mount Olympus, where the world's great canines are immortalized. Yet few people know Balto's true story.

Additionally, look at some of these unit study facts to go along the popsicle stick stem dogsled.

Balto Unit Study

Don’t just read the book, immerse yourselves in it with fun hands-on activities that cover a wide variety of subjects and ages so everyone in the family is included.

You can widen your unit a bit by incorporating the topics of winter, Alaska, snow, blizzards, and other themes that are prevalent throughout the story.

Math Unit Study Ideas for Balto

  • Research how long it takes to get from where you are to Nome, Alaska-by foot, car, train, and plane.
  • For the littlest learners, you can do Winter Math Activities With Printable Snowflake Number Circle.
  • Here is a wintery-themed Hands-On Math: Fun and Easy Snowflake Geometry idea.
  • If you live somewhere with snow have your child create and maintain a record of the daily snowfall.

Science Unit Study Ideas for Balto

  • Learn about the different wildlife found in Alaska- Caribou, moose, polar bear, bald eagle, Orcas, and more for science.
  • Use a Siberian Husky Figure to reenact the story, use it in a diorama, or as part of a lovely winter sensory bin.
  • Your popsicle stick stem dogsled craft today is a great opportunity for hands-on science. This is a great time to let your child hypothesize and experiment, they will be naturally problem-solving, engineering, and thinking critically along the way.
  • Find out how Inuit of the Arctic: How Animals Survive Harsh Winters Fun Blubber Activity, goes along with this unit very well.

History/Geography Unit Study Ideas for Balto

  • Locate Nome, Alaska on a map or globe. Then locate the starting point in Nenena, Alaska, and track the path with your finger.
How to Make a Popsicle Stick Stem Dogsled | Balto Unit Study
  • Use this stencil of Alaska as a base to create a felt, salt dough, paper, or any other material map to learn the geography of this chilly state.

After finishing the book, watch the animated adaptation of Balto.

Language Arts Unit Study Ideas For Balto

For younger readers, Totally True Adventures, Balto and The Great Race is a wonderful retelling of the story.

  • Provide your child with writing prompts. Encourage them to write or type a paragraph or an entire story from the inspiration.  “As the snow started falling faster my dogsled team and I…” , “ If I could be anywhere during the winter time it would be….”. Or “ Let me tell you about the time I interviewed Balto.”
  • Flip through your copy of Balto ahead of time. Then write down words that your child might not know or might be a challenge for spelling. Use these throughout your study as spelling/vocabulary words.
  • This Snow & Ice Salt Writing Tray is great for prewriting letters. But it is also a really fun sensory activity. For older children they can practice sight words and spelling.

Crafts for Learning About Balto

  • Follow this tutorial video and draw a Siberian husky, just like Balto for art.
  • Create these fabulous DIY Stand-up Cardboard Huskies to display, and add them to your dogsled to complete it.
  •  A Super Easy Snowball Painting is not only fun but can help your child understand the total white-out conditions that can be faced in a winter storm.

If you are looking for more ideas like this Balto Unit Study you can work in more winter studies with the 8 Cool Winter Crafts for Middle School | Craft a Snowman Bead Necklace and a list of other great books that fit the theme to get them through winter.

How to Make a Popsicle Stick Stem Dogsled

I am giving you a general how-to make a popsicle stick stem dogsled.

But remember this is a stem project and you may want to try several ways and models to test which one goes faster, holds more weight, etc.

You will need:

  • Popsicle sticks
  • Sturdy scissors or straight edge blade
  • Cardboard
  • Glue gun/glue sticks
  • Paint-optional

If you enjoy doing projects with craft sticks you may want to invest in this tool.

It comes in really handy and makes cutting much easier, especially with angles like I did on the side braces of this.

How to Make a Popsicle Stick Stem Dogsled | Balto Unit Study

First, determine the length and width you would like to make your sled, use scissors or a razor knife to trim pieces for the bottom, side, and front.

First lay out all the pieces to get an idea of where everything goes.

How to Make a Popsicle Stick Stem Dogsled | Balto Unit Study

I used 4 sticks for the base and then secured them with a stick going across at each end, using hot glue.

Cut them slightly short on each side so you have room to attach runners, so it just needs to be the width of one craft stick on either side.

How to Make a Popsicle Stick Stem Dogsled | Balto Unit Study

Hot glue craft sticks that are full size or cut them down to either side of the base to create runners.

How to Make a Popsicle Stick Stem Dogsled | Balto Unit Study

Flip the sled over and begin construction of the front, to keep it light you will want to cut your sticks in half and again cut down a piece for support across the back.

How to Make a Popsicle Stick Stem Dogsled | Balto Unit Study

Glue on side rails and support at an angle to stabilize the whole thing, you can cut angles or leave the ends straight.

How to Make a Popsicle Stick Stem Dogsled | Balto Unit Study

Finally, you can leave your sled unfinished or paint it.

How to Make a Popsicle Stick Stem Dogsled | Balto Unit Study

Create a snowy ramp with a long strip of cardboard painted white.

How to Make a Popsicle Stick Stem Dogsled | Balto Unit Study

Prop it up at varying heights to test its speed.

How to Make a Popsicle Stick Stem Dogsled | Balto Unit Study

1 CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: Alaska, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, literature, STEM, unit studies, unit study, winter crafts, winter season

Over And Under The Snow Activities For a Free Literature Unit Study

November 10, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Look at these easy and fun Over And Under The Snow activities I have gathered to create a fun and free literature unit study for preschoolers (or even kindergarteners ). Also, you’ll love more ideas on my pages Winter Season Unit Study Free Lapbook & Hands-On Ideas, Best Homeschool Unit Studies and How to Homeschool Preschool.

Preschoolers can benefit from a literature unit study.

And you can easily turn it into a fun week-long theme that covers everything from language arts to science and even math.

Over And Under The Snow Activities For a Free Literature Unit Study

You will want to start each day by reading the entire book from start to finish.

You can choose the order you do these activities.

It is totally up to you and what works for you and your child.

Besides the book and some plastic animals, you can put this entire week together with less than $5 in supplies.

I picked up the pack of styrofoam balls, shaving cream, and baking soda that made up 3 of the week’s activities for $3.75 at Dollar Tree.

I have also included a few more ways to use these items to stretch the fun, learning, and budget.

Language Arts Day 1

The act of reading alone is a wonderful language arts activity.

As you read through the book you stimulate their imagination and expand their understanding of the world.

Reading aloud helps them to develop language and listening skills and is an important pre-reading activity to help them understand the written word.

But there are some places you can be intentional.

Throughout the book, some words will be brand new to your child. Take some time to go over them a bit before you read so that your child can understand and learn the new vocabulary.

Here are some new words that you might pick a couple from to focus on:

  • Glide- To move with a smooth continuous motion.
  • Flash- A quick view of something.
  • Tracks- A mark or line of marks left by a person or animal.
  • Huddle- To crowd together closely.
  • Morsels– A small piece of food.
  • Shelter- A place that gives temporary protection from weather or danger.
  • Gnaw-To bite or nibble something persistently.

Point out letters your child is already familiar with on the cover or throughout the book and have them name the letter.

New letters should be told to the child over and over until they have it down.  But make it fun! Talk about what letter f-f-fox starts with or o-o-over.

Finally, the shaving cream that you will be using later in the week can be squirted right onto the table and smoothed out a bit to practice drawing and writing letters with little fingers.

Sensory experiences like this often stick much better than dozens of tracing worksheets.

Over And Under The Snow Activities For a Free Literature Unit Study

Also, add some of these books for a fun read aloud.

I lean toward living books then like to add in reference book when possible.

26 Winter Books to Read to Kids and For Kids Who Love to Read

Add in a few books to make your winter unit study complete. Add books for all ages.

Image for Winter Is Coming

Winter Is Coming

Day after day, a girl goes to her favorite place in the woods and quietly watches from her tree house as the chipmunks, the doe, the rabbits prepare for the winter.

As the temperature drops, sunset comes earlier and a new season begins.

Image for Hanna's Cold Winter

Hanna's Cold Winter

Hanna was a hippopotamus in the Budapest Zoo. Hanna and the other hippos thrived in the warm springs which flowed from the ground. One winter, however, it was so cold that the river froze.

Image for Over and Under the Snow

Over and Under the Snow

Part of the acclaimed nature book series that includes Over and Under the Pond, Over and Under the Rainforest, and Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, this volume takes readers on a cross country ski trip through the winter woods to discover the secret world of animals living under the snow.

Over the snow, the world is hushed and white. But under the snow lies a secret world of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals making their winter home under the snow. This beloved nonfiction picture book reveals the tunnels and caves formed beneath the snow but over the ground, where many kinds of animals live through the winter, safe and warm, awake and busy, but hidden beneath the snow. 

ENCHANTING AND EDUCATIONAL: A charming story and beautifully rendered illustrations invite readers of all ages to explore and learn about the "subnivean zone" (the space between the colder snow and the warmer ground) where many animals live in the winter, opening a fascinating window into the natural world.

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The Snow Day

A young rabbit wakes up to wonderful news: A snow day! School is canceled, and the day that follows is rich with the magic and delight of the falling snow.

Image for Animals in Winter

Animals in Winter

This is a clear and appealing book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. Introduce kids to basic science ideas as part of discussions about the seasons and animals.

Image for Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs

Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends. But that was before he stopped talking to her and disappeared into a forest with a mysterious woman made of ice. Now it's up to Hazel to go in after him. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen,"

Image for Brave Irene: A Picture Book

Brave Irene: A Picture Book

This winning heroine will inspire every child to cheer her on as she ventures through a bitter cold snowstorm in William Steig's classic Brave Irene.

Image for Moominland Midwinter

Moominland Midwinter

Everyone knows the Moomins sleep through the winter. But this year, Moomintroll has woken up early.

So while the rest of the family slumber, he decides to visit his favorite summer haunts. But all he finds is this strange white stuff. Even the sun is gone! Moomintroll is angry: whoever Winter is, she has some nerve.

Image for Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow

Blessed--or cursed--with an ability to understand animals, the Lass (as she's known to her family) has always been seen as strange.

And when an isbjorn (polar bear) seeks her out, and promises that her family will become rich if only the Lass will accompany him to his castle, she doesn't hesitate. But the bear is not what he seems, nor is his castle, which is made of ice and inhabited by a silent staff of servants

Image for If Polar Bears Disappeared

If Polar Bears Disappeared

The freezing ecosystem in the far north of the globe is home to many different kinds of animals.

They can be Strong, like a walrus Tough, like a lemming Resilient, like an arctic fox.

But no arctic animal is as iconic as the polar bear.

Image for The Very, Very Far North

The Very, Very Far North

An inquisitive polar bear named Duane befriends an array of animals as he discovers where he belongs in this charming classic-in-the making

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The Longest Night

It is the longest night of the year, and the snow lies deep. All through the forest, animals long for dawn's warmth.

Strong and clever creatures boast that only they can bring back the sun. But the wind knows better.

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The Adventures of a South Pole Pig: A novel of snow and courage

Flora the pig was born for adventure: “If it’s unexplored and needs to get dug up, call me. I’m your pig,” she says.

The day Flora spots a team of sled dogs is the day she sets her heart on becoming a sled pig.

Before she knows it, she’s on board a ship to Antarctica for the most exhilarating—and dangerous—adventure of her life.

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Wolf in the Snow

A girl is lost in a snowstorm. A wolf cub is lost, too. How will they find their way home?

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The Snowflake Sisters

Crystal and Ivory snowflake take full advantage of this beautiful snowy evening in New York City as they travel to the park, fly through Time Square, journey past the Statue of Liberty, and more before coming in for their final landing of the day.

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Mr. Popper's Penguins

A classic of American humor, the adventures of a house painter and his brood of high-stepping penguins have delighted children for generations.

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One Snowy Night (Percy the Park Keeper)

Percy the Park Keeper always feeds the animals in the park where he lives.

But one cold winter’s night Percy discovers that his little friends need more than food and he must find a way to help them find a warm place to sleep for the night.

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Dog Driven

From the author of Ice Dogs comes a riveting adventure about a musher who sets out to prove her impaired vision won't hold her back from competing in a rigorous sled race through the Canadian wilderness. Perfect for fans of Gary Paulsen.

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Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

There are more animals to find among the trees, and the kindly figure with his "promises to keep" exudes warmth as he stops to appreciate the quiet delights of winter.

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Stranger in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy (Nature)

Forest animals, awakened by the birds' warning that there is a stranger in the woods, set out to discover if there is danger and find, instead, a wonderful surprise.

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Owl Moon

Late one winter night a little girl and her father go owling. The trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream.

Whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls to the mysterious nighttime bird.

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Here Comes Jack Frost

One cold morning a lonely boy wishes for something to do. His animal friends are hibernating, and he has nobody to play with―even all the birds have flown south.

When he meets Jack Frost, the last thing he expects is to make a new friend . . . or to discover how enchanting winter can be!

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Twelve Kinds of Ice

With the first ice—a skim on a sheep pail so thin it breaks when touched—one family’s winter begins in earnest. Next comes ice like panes of glass. And eventually, skating ice! Take a literary skate over field ice and streambed, through sleeping orchards and beyond.

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Blizzard

With accounts from the survivors and period photos, a tale by the author of the Newbery Honor book, The Great Fire tells what is was like to live through the Great Blizzard of 1888 that crippled New York City with its fierce winds and blinding snow.

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Grandmother Winter

Grandmother Winter lives all alone with her snow-white flock of geese. All through the spring, summer, and fall, Grandmother Winter tends her geese and gathers their feathers. Why?

To bring snowfall as soft as feathers and bright as a winter moon. To the woodland and all of its creatures, the arrival of winter is a gift.

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Wild Child

Lynn Plourde's text snaps and crackles like the leaves of fall as Mother Earth gently gets her daughter ready for bed.

And Greg Couch's extraordinary illustrations take readers from the soft greens of late summer through the fiery oranges of a fall sunset to the peaceful blues of early winter's eve.

Next add geography or history or both.

Geography Day 2

In preschool, this is focused on the study of people and how they relate to their world.

This means transportation, community helpers, family, emotions, and caring for our world.

You can talk about the relationship between the little girl and her father in the book.

And explain how they each felt throughout their exploration of the woods and ways that we can take care of the world we live in and the animals by respecting them during walks.

Who are helpers in places like this?

Park rangers and game wardens are likely brand-new community helpers to your child.

Explain to them what each does and how they help our world.

You can also focus on the geography of the animals throughout the story.

Where would you find red squirrels or voles for instance?

Next, add in some fun art. Here are some ideas.

Art Day 3

Create a fun puffy sensory paint by combining white craft paint with a little bit of shaving cream.

Then for an easy over and under the-snow activities use it to create a winter scene with areas for creatures over and under the snow.

Over And Under The Snow Activities For a Free Literature Unit Study


Use a marker to draw trees in the background, encouraging your child to recreate the cover of the book if they like. Both free art and gently directed art are important parts of development.

Over And Under The Snow Activities For a Free Literature Unit Study

Once the paint has dried your child can add animals above and below the snow to re-enact the book.

You can use plastic animals, print out small pieces of paper of winter animals, or let them draw some in.

Over And Under The Snow Activities For a Free Literature Unit Study

You do not need or want a full math curriculum at this age. Simply focus on number sense to begin with.

Math Day 4

As you read the book, have them count with you the number of animals on different pages.

Over And Under The Snow Activities For a Free Literature Unit Study

Number sense includes counting and identifying quantities, number recognition, subitizing (glancing at small numbers and knowing the number).

One-to-one Correspondence- This is simply making the connection between a number and a physical item.

It involves the act of counting each object in a set once, with one touch per object.

 A simple activity you can do to help develop number recognition is to get multiples of an object.

For example, you can grab small styrofoam balls or white buttons to go along with the snow theme of the book and a single dice (two if they are working on higher than 1-5).

Let them roll the die and match the number with the correct number of objects.

Over And Under The Snow Activities For a Free Literature Unit Study

Use positional words like over, under, inside, outside, behind, etc. and have your child move an object to demonstrate them.

This simple spatial activity is a precursor to geometry and measurement.

You can use styrofoam balls for all kinds of counting and adding and subtracting.

More Over and Under the Snow Activities

  • Winter Craft Ideas for Kids Animals in Winter Fun Snow Slime
  • Over and Under the Snow Building Activity
  • Kindergarten Crafts for Winter An Easy and Fun Polar Bear Fork Painting
  • Over and Under the Snow – A Storytime Activity
  • Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity
  • Simple and Easy Instant Ice Kids Activity Homeschool Science Experiments
  • Free Amazing Winter Unit Study and Winter Lapbook for Kids

Science Day 5

The science possibilities are wonderful in this book.

You can study specific animals and their habits, winter weather or both. I have an activity suggestion for this that gives you a concrete example of both.

You can take a deep dive into learning about the creatures above and below the snow by watching short videos on various animals.

Pouring over your favorite zoology books, observing these animals in nature in your own backyard, or at the zoo.

Over And Under The Snow Activities For a Free Literature Unit Study

Or with fun hands-on activities like this Over and Under the Snow sensory bin with two ingredient snow as its base.

Over and Under the Snow Activities – Two Ingredient Snow

You will need:

  • Baking soda
  • unscented/sensitive shaving cream
  • Blue construction paper
  • Paintbrush

To create the 2 ingredient snow, combine baking soda with unscented shaving cream until a snowlike texture is reached.

If it’s too dry add more shaving cream, too wet, more baking soda.

I find that it is easiest to mix it with your hands. If it just holds together when squeezed it’s a great texture.

Over And Under The Snow Activities For a Free Literature Unit Study

Fill the bottom of your chosen shallow container for the sensory bin with the “snow”.

Add small pinecones, twigs, etc. as well as plastic animals mentioned in the book like foxes, squirrels, beavers, frogs, black bears snowshoe hares, and owls.

The sensory bin is used for dramatic small-world play, fine motor skills, and as a wonderful base to work in science learning about animals as well as snow.

Over And Under The Snow Activities For a Free Literature Unit Study

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, life science, science, snow, unit studies, unit study, winter crafts, winter season

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