unit study

Farmer Boy Unit Study and Make a Fun Hand Loom Craft

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

I have a Farmer Boy unit study and fun hand loom craft. Also, grab more ideas on my Best Homeschool Unit Studies page.

Dig into a wonderful literature-based Farmer Boy unit study while also teaching your child about pioneer and farm life.

Too, I have a step-by-step weaving loom tutorial that demonstrates weaving and ends with a beautiful keepsake.

Farmer Boy Unit Study and Make a Fun Hand Loom Craft

Additionally, this is a great activity that teaches not only a way of life in pioneer days but also a unique handicraft, fine motor skills, following directions and patterning.

Another great book to supplement your study is Julia Rothman Farm Anatomy to study the farming aspect of life back then.

It covers farm animals, skills like how to plow a field and milk a cow, make cheese, barn structures, and more modern machinery.

Besides a great way to learn is by doing, so here are activities for each area that you might want to teach-cooking, science, history, language arts, and crafts.

Farmer Boy Unit Study Ideas

RECIPES

Make Fried Apples N’ Onions alongside your next dinner to try a taste of one of Almanzo’s favorite treats.
Give Almanzo’s Moms Doughnuts a try to start off your day.
Next, pancakes are an important part of a hungry growing boys breakfast in both this book and The Long Winter as well, make Farmer Boy Pancakes.

FARMER BOY SCIENCE

A must do activity is the Popcorn and Milk Experiment from the book.
However, if you are going to do the popcorn and milk experiment, you have to also try this Dancing Corn.
Furthermore, choose an animal or two from Farm Anatomy or another book to study.
Learn about farming with my How to Create Homeschool Farming Curriculum and Adorable Clothespin Sheep Craft.
Further, farmer Boy talks about how ice was stored in the days before refrigeration, this Ice Insulation Experiment gives your child a little more understanding how that works.
Add my Free Horse Unit Study for Your Horse Loving Kids.
Learn how to make soap.
I thought this How to Test Soil Ph would make a great experiment if you are doing gardening alongside your study as well.
Make Butter

FARMER BOY GEOGRAPHY/HISTORY

Find Malone, New York on a map where Almanzo was born and raised.
The book covers approximately one year in Almanzo’s life, have your child create a timeline to learn the basics of a timeline.
And then, take a step back in time and watch this video on the Wilder Homestead, see the layout, furniture, and more details of life as a pioneer.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Vocabulary. Find a full set of vocabulary flashcards for the whole book here to use online, print, as well as in several online activities to practice.
Have your child write a letter to Manzo from the future to try and explain life in present times.
Use excerpts from the book for copywork to develop handwriting skills.

FARMER CRAFTS

Make a Clove Apple like Ma Ingalls to preserve it and scent the house.
Create these adorable Pine Cone Farm Animals
Pioneer Living and Cloth Dyeing
Fun Pioneer Peg Dolls

Farmer Boy Manzo won an award for his milk fed pumpkin, creating this Book Page Pumpkin using an old book

Books for Studying Little House on the Prairie Series

Little House on the Prairie Unit Study Resources

Add some of these fun resources to ignite a love for learning about the Little House on the Prairie.

The Little House (9 Volumes Set)

The nine books in the timeless Little House series tell the story of Laura’s real childhood as an American pioneer, and are cherished by readers of all generations. They offer a unique glimpse into life on the American frontier, and tell the heartwarming, unforgettable story of a loving family.

Pioneer Girl: The Story of Laura Ingalls Wilder

Readers around the world know and love Laura, the little girl born in the Big Woods of Wisconsin and raised in covered wagons and on wide open prairies. Now Little House fans can learn more about the remarkable story of the pioneer girl who would one day immortalize her adventures in the beloved Little House books in this, the first picture book biography book of Laura Ingalls Wilder.

A Little Prairie House (Little House Picture Book)

With the My First Little House picture book series, the youngest readers can share in the joy of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books in these illustrated adaptations of the beloved series!

Laura, Pa, Ma, Mary, and baby Carrie have traveled from the Big Woods to the prairie in their covered wagon, driving through tall grass until they found just the right spot for their new home. With the help of their kind neighbor, Mr. Edwards, Pa builds a snug little house for the family in the middle of the wide-open prairie.

Farmer Boy (Little House, 2)

The second book in the treasured Little House series, Farmer Boy is Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved story of how her husband, Almanzo, grew up as a farmer boy far from the little house where Laura lived. This edition features the classic black-and-white artwork from Garth Williams.

The nine Little House books have been cherished by generations of readers as both a unique glimpse into America’s frontier history and as heartwarming, unforgettable stories. The Little House series has captivated millions of readers with its depiction of life on the American frontier.

While Laura Ingalls grows up on the prairie, Almanzo Wilder is living on a big farm in New York State. Here Almanzo and his brother and sisters help with the summer planting and fall harvest. In winter there is wood to be chopped and great slabs of ice to be cut from the river and stored. Time for fun comes when the jolly tin peddler visits, or best of all, when the fair comes to town.

Almanzo wishes for just one thing—his very own horse—and he must prove that he is ready for such a big responsibility.

The Little House Cookbook

With this cookbook, you can learn how to make classic frontier dishes like corn dodgers, mincemeat pie, cracklings, and pulled molasses candy. The book also includes excerpts from the Little House books, fascinating and thoroughly researched historical context, and details about the cooking methods that pioneers like Ma Ingalls used, as well as illustrations by beloved artist Garth Williams.

Who Was Laura Ingalls Wilder?

Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books, based on her own childhood and later life, are still beloved classics almost a century after she began writing them. Now young readers will see just how similar Laura's true-life story was to her books. Born in 1867 in the "Big Woods" in Wisconsin, Laura experienced both the hardship and the adventure of living on the frontier. Her life and times are captured in engaging text and 80 black-and-white illustrations.

Laura Ingalls Dress Up

Three Piece Set: Kid girls colonial dress, attached apron and bonnet.

Little House Coloring Book: Coloring Book for Adults and Kids

A beautifully designed coloring book featuring classic artwork by Garth Williams and quotes from all nine original Little House books. Perfect for at-home creative time—return to the world of Little House with your kids...or enjoy on your own!

Join Laura Ingalls, her Ma and Pa, and her sisters, Mary, Carrie, and Grace, on their travels across the frontier as you color in your favorite pioneer characters and scenes and revisit this beloved series.

This 96-page coloring book offers hours of relaxing, stress-reducing pleasure.

More Best Homeschool Unit Studies

Finally, look at this fun hand loom craft.

Farmer Boy Unit Study Hand Loom Craft

However, before your children begin with this craft have them learn about chores or activities that would be done seasonally.

After reading the book, look at some of the chores. I have divided them by seaons.

WINTER

SPRING

weaving cloth on a loomm
hauling timber
sledding
filling the ice house
threshing grain

plowing the fields
dyeing woold
shearing the sheep
gathering the eggs
making maple syrup
planting crops

SUMMER

FALL

making ice cream
haying
trout fishing
berry picking

butter making
mending fences
candle making
winterizing house and barns
soap making
butchering livestock

Now, let’s make this fun hand loom craft.

You will need:

8 jumbo craft/popsicle sticks
Several colors of yarn
Twine
Scissors
Hot glue gun/sticks
Twine

First, hot glue 4 craft sticks corner to corner to form a square frame, allowing glue to harden.

Glue twine to the bottom corner of the frame and wrap it tightly all the way around ½” apart, glue into place at the end, cut off excess.

Run a thick line of glue across the top and bottom to hold the lines in place from one side all the way to the other.

Press another craft stick on top of the glue on top and bottom.

Cut the angled strings on the backside off the frame to leave a clean easy to use loom.

Pre-cut piles of yarn 10” long.

If your child wants to create a pattern for their loom, lay out the threads flat in the order they will be placing them.

Demonstrate how to weave over and under from one side to the other.

For younger children it may help to take another craft stick and thread it over and under to keep the alternating lines easier for them to identify. It slides easily up the lines as they fill it in.

For the next yarn switch to the opposite-under and then over.

Repeat continuing up the loom, every so often pushing the rows down so that it ends up full.

Once the loom is full, cut the ends off of each side just short of the edges of the frame.

Run a generous line of hot glue along a craft stick and press it down onto the cut yarn edges on both sides.

Create a hanging loop by knotting off a loop of yarn and hot glue onto the back of the frame.

Fun Facts About the Phantom of the Opera & Styles of Music Unit Study

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

I have some fun facts about the Phantom of the Opera and a styles of music unit study. Also, grab more ideas on my Best Homeschool Unit Studies page and Homeschool Music Curriculum.

Music is defined as vocal or instrumental sounds, or a combination of both, combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion.

Fun Facts About the Phantom of the Opera & Styles of Music Unit Study

Some of the things that make different genres of music are the instruments used, tempo, song structure, timbre, rhythm, song structure, cultural influence, and phrasing.

Your child probably already has music preferences but listening to different genres has a lot of benefits beyond musical appreciation.

First, look at some of these facts about some of our favorite music which comes from the Phantom of the Opera.

More Homeschool Music Curriculum Resources

Easy And Fun Rainstick South America Craft For Kids

7 Facts About Phantom of The Opera

The Phantom of the Opera is based on a 1910 novel of the same name, the songs were written for the stage adaptation by Andrew Lloyd Weber.
This opera has won over 70 major theater awards, including 3 Olivier Awards, 7 Tony Awards- including Best Musical, 7 Drama Desk Awards, and 5 Outer Critic Circle Awards.
The Phantom’s make-up takes 2 hours to put on and 30 minutes to take off. First, the face is moisturized and shaved, prosthetics are attached, and then wigs, microphones, and contact lenses are added.
Each performance requires- 130 cast, crew, and orchestra members, 230 costumes, 120 automated cues, 22 scene changes, 281 candles, 551 pounds of dry ice, 10 fog and smoke machines.
It has been played in 15 different languages- English, French, German, Japanese, Danish, Polish, Swedish, Castilian, Hungarian, Dutch, Korean, Portuguese, Mexican Spanish, Estonian and Russian.
It first opened in London’s West End in 1986 and then on Broadway in New York in 1988.
It is the longest-running Broadway show of all time (In the US), 35 years, the curtain closed on this beautiful work for the last time on April 16, 2023.

Also, look at some more facts that can be used to turn the Phantom of the Opera into a music unit study.

Phantom of the Opera Unit Study Ideas

Begin with understanding some background information about the book.

The Phantom of the Opera, by Gaston Leroux, was first published in 1911.

And the book was brought to life by a musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Learn About the Main Characters

Next. introduce some of the characters.

Christine, a beautiful young singer from Norway
Raoul, a rich, handsome young Frenchman
La Carlotta, a famous Spanish opera singer
Madame Giry, a woman who looks after the boxes in the Opera House
The Persian, a strange man who watches the phantom
Monsieur Firmin, a director of the Opera House

Also, learn about the famous Opera House in Paris in 1880. The Phantom of the Opera occurs within the Le Relais Paris Opéra or the Paris Opera House.

Understand the History of the Le Relais Paris Opera

Because the novel features mystery and horror, learn about why the Opera House was chosen.

Look at the Paris Opera House history and this site even has a virtual tour.

Explore the Places of Entertainment in 19th Century Paris

This site offers images of the building and shows examples how the Paris Opera House has appeared in French art.

Opera v Operetta

Next, learn about the basics of a Opera.

Do you know the difference between an opera and an operetta?

Use these free guidebooks on the site Opera Colorado’s Opera for Beginners to understand.

Listening to Different Music Styles

Just listening to music has so many benefits.

Music is known to reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory.

These are all great benefits for a homeschooler.

But they also gain appreciation for and learn to identify different genres of music through listening to different styles of music.

This is not a comprehensive list but covers the most popular music styles.

One of the simplest ways to study each is to create a playlist using your favorite music streaming service like iTunes and add a few songs for each of the categories you wish to cover.

Then, as your child is listening, have them rate each style of music, encourage them to pay attention to the instruments, speed, and lyrics, and then make observations. They can also rate each on a scale of 1-10.

Music Styles

Classical- This refers to Western art music composed during the Classical period (1750-1820) and beyond that. It is known for its complexity and orchestration.
Opera- A form of Western Classical music. Originally, operas were entirely sung, but nowadays they also include spoken dialogue. It tells a story through music and singing.
Country- Has its roots in the folk traditions of the southern United States. It features acoustic guitars, fiddles, and storytelling lyrics about rural lifestyles, love, and heartbreak. Artists: Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, and Dwight Yokum
Jazz- Jazz includes styles such as swing, bebop, and fusion. It has harmonies, improvisations, and syncopated rhythms. Artists: Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, John Coltrane.
Rock-Known for its use of electric guitars, drums, and strong vocal performances. It also includes sub-genres like classic rock, alternative rock, and heavy metal.
Pop- Generally tends to be catchy and melodic. It has simple song structures, and electronic elements, and focuses on themes of love and relationships. Artists: Lady GaGa, Katy Perry, and Justin Bieber
Reggae– Originated in Jamaica and is characterized by its off-beat rhythms, syncopation, and lyrics are often social and politically based. Artists: Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff
Dance/Electronic – Produced using electronic instruments, such as synthesizers and drum machines. It includes sub-genres like techno, house, and trance, known for their repetitive beats and electronic soundscapes.
Hip Hop/rap – This style emerged out of African-American communities and incorporates elements of rap, beats, and sampling. It often addresses political as well as social issues.
R&B-R&B (Rhythm and Blues): R&B combines elements of jazz, gospel, and blues. The emphasis is on soulful singing and smooth melodies, it can often focus on romantic relationships and personal experiences.

Finally, look at some of these resources to help you build a study of music.

8 Books and Resources for a Music Unit Study

There are many concepts to cover for a music unit study and one of them is to learn about styles of music.

The Phantom of the Opera (SeaWolf Press Illustrated Classic)

The Phantom of the Opera was first published as a serialization in Le Gaulois in 1909. The novel is partly inspired by historical events at the Paris Opera during the nineteenth century and an apocryphal tale concerning the use of a former ballet pupil's skeleton in Carl Maria von Weber's 1841 production of Der Freischütz. The setting of The Phantom of the Opera came from an actual Paris opera house, Palais Garnier, that Leroux had heard the rumors about from the time the opera house was finished. Act one of the opera Helle had just finished when a fire in the roof of the opera house had melted through a wire holding a counterweight for the chandelier, causing a crash that injured several and killed one. Using this accident paired with rumors of a ghost in that same opera house, Leroux wrote Le Fantôme de l'Opéra and published it in 1910

BendyFigs Phantom of The Opera

Bend and pose into different positions.

Perfect for Play or Display. Includes a detachable display base.

Phantom of The Opera - Journey to The Lair - Musical Figurine

A beautiful keepsake if you have serious lovers of the music like I do. Plays the Tune: "Music of the Night", 18 note movement

Music Appreciation for the Elementary Grades: Book 1

Music Appreciation for the Elementary Grades: Book 1 will introduce children to seven different composers, dating from 1685 to 1828 (Bach, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Paganini and Schubert). Each composer's childhood and adult life are vividly described in individual biographies. Every important incident is mentioned and every detail of the stories is true. Each book contains written music and delightful pictures throughout. It is more than the human side of these books that will make them live, for in the music the great masters breathe. This book includes a variety of hands-on activities such as: geography lessons, history lessons, recipes, instrument studies, music vocabulary, hand writing, musical facts of the Classical period, timelines, character trait studies, and so much more. Geared for a variety of learners-auditory, kinesthetic, visual, and just plain "active"-the Student Activity Book is an excellent companion to your reading experience. * Exceeds all of the national standards required for music appreciation (kindergarten - sixth grade.) * User- friendly for multi-age groups * Geared for a variety of learners- visual, auditory and kinesthetic * Incorporates activities from across the curriculum.

The Music Appreciation: Middle Ages Thru Classical Era Course

The Music Appreciation: Middle Ages Thru Classical Era course consists of 36 lessons about the music, genres, styles, and composers of Western Music from 450-1800. You'll learn about Gregorian Chant, the beginnings of musical notation, organum, Medieval church modes, Hildegard von Bingen, Guido d'Arezzo, Josquin des Prez, madrigals, motets, the beginnings of opera, music of the Reformation, Buxtehude, Vivaldi, Bach, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, hymn writers, Beethoven, and many more!

A History of Musical Style (Dover Books On Music: History)

Style — the distinctive manner of presentation, construction, and execution in any art — is a topic of primary importance in music history. This highly regarded text by noted musicologist Richard Crocker (University of California, Berkeley) takes a much-needed fresh look at the subject and attempts to reshape some basic ideas in the light of modern research. Seeking the reasons for stylistic change within the history of style itself (rather than in the history of men or of ideas), this enlightening account shows how music, growing out of its own past, has shaped its own development.Professor Crocker's exceptionally clear and systematic presentation enables students to easily follow the evolution of Western musical style from Gregorian Chant (ca. 750) to the atonal music of the mid-20th century. The book stresses the continuity of basic musical principles over long periods of history, while it explores in detail moments of high stylistic achievement and the composers who exemplified them.

What Is Rock and Roll? (What Was?)

Rock and roll sprang from a combination of African-American genres, Western swing, and country music that exploded in post World War II America. Jim O'Connor explains what constitutes rock music, follows its history and sub-genres through famous musicians and groups, and shows how rock became so much more than just a style of music influencing fashion, language, and lifestyle.

Photo Credit: learn.musicinourhomeschool.com

Music in Our Homeschool

Self-paced online music appreciation courses especially suited for homeschoolers either at home or at a homeschool co-op.

How to Make a Hobbit Door Craft and Fun The Hobbit Unit Study

September 21, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a fun The Hobbit unit study and a hobbit door craft. Also, grab more ideas on my Best Homeschool Unit Studies page.

Besides Hobbit Day is September 22nd, and I rounded up the best resources to create a hobbit unit study to celebrate.

I love all of Tolkien’s book series and the movies as well.

How to Make a Hobbit Door Craft and Fun The Hobbit Unit Study

Too, they lend themselves very well to becoming a unit study.

From character analysis to vocabulary, and research to artwork I have enough to fill a day or a few weeks.

I am also showing you how to create this cute little hobbit door that makes for a great decoration for your celebration as well as to adorn your shelf or table.

The Hobbit Unit Study Resources

Of course, you will want to begin your study with the book itself or maybe the whole series.

The Hobbit Resources

Add some of these books and fun resources to celebrate Hobbit Day or do a fun unit study.

The Hobbit: Illustrated Edition

In The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling farther than the pantry of his hobbit-hole in Bag End. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard Gandalf and a company of thirteen dwarves arrive on his doorstep to whisk him away on a journey to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon....

“A glorious account of a magnificent adventure, filled with suspense and seasoned with a quiet humor that is irresistible.

J.R.R. Tolkien 4-Book Boxed Set: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings

When Thorin Oakenshield and his band of dwarves embark upon a dangerous quest to reclaim the hoard of gold stolen from them by the evil dragon Smaug, Gandalf suggests an unlikely accomplice: Bilbo Baggins, an unassuming Hobbit dwelling in peaceful Hobbiton.Along the way, the company faces trolls, goblins, giant spiders, and worse. But as they journey from the wonders of Rivendell to the terrors of Mirkwood and beyond, Bilbo will find that there is more to him than anyone—himself included—ever dreamed. Unexpected qualities of courage and cunning, and a love of adventure, propel Bilbo toward his great destiny . . . a destiny that waits in the dark caverns beneath the Misty Mountains, where a twisted creature known as Gollum jealously guards a precious ring.

Who Was J. R. R. Tolkien?

Best known for his epic Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien was born in British-occupied South Africa. His early life was full of action and adventure. Tolkien spent his childhood roaming the British countryside with his family and could read and write by age four. He was naturally gifted with languages and used this skill as a signals officer in World War I as well as in his fantasy writing. By creating alternate universes and inventing languages in his work he demonstrated that imaginary realms were not just for children. Fondly remembered as the “Father of High Fantasy,” Tolkien’s books have inspired blockbuster movies and legions of fans.

An Unexpected Cookbook: The Unofficial Book of Hobbit Cookery

When a second generation geek with multiple degrees in history grows up to be a professional cookbook writer, it s no surprise you end up with a lovingly researched book of Hobbit cookery.Inside these pages you ll find one chapter for each traditional Hobbit meal. In addition to being based on historic recipes revised to fit Tolkien's specific vision of the Shire, the dishes have the following themes.- Breakfast - hot, fast, traditional morning food - Second Breakfast - cold, sturdy pies full of meat, veg and fruit to fuel a small adventure- Elevenses - a hearty selection of breads to tide you over until Luncheon- Luncheon - lighter fare appropriate for a pub- Afternoon Tea - sweet biscuits, cakes and buns to accompany a caffeinated pick-me-up- Supper - a hot meal of meat, veg, and mushrooms with a sweet finish- Dinner - slow cooked roasts and puddings that take hours to make, but are well worth the wait.

Little People Collector the Lord of the Rings: Hobbits

Includes Frodo Baggins with the One Ring around his neck and holding Sting, Samwise Gamgee and his frying pan, Peregrin “Pippin” Took and Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck with their swords

LEGO The Lord of The Rings: Rivendell Building Kit Construct and Display a Middle-Earth Valley

While it's in the higher price range the Rivendell LEGO Set is going to appeal to both the LEGO lover and the Hobbit fan. As you know LEGO is fantastic for fine motor skills, direction following, hand eye coordination, problem solving, planning and attention span.

Next, look at these hands-on activities for your The Hobbit unit study.

Hands-on Activities for the Hobbit Unit Study

Be sure to enjoy breakfast, second breakfast, elevensies, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner, and supper. Make Lembas Bread and wrap it up with this recipe and free template for the leaves.

Create a Lord of The Rings Welcome Mat. This is a great art project for older fans like teens.

Use these free pages of Hobbit themed copywork to practice handwriting, focus, and even spelling.

Make these tiny clay door charms to show off your love of the Shire.

Welcome to the study with a chalk drawing or a painting on canvas like I did here for our celebration.

Add in ideas about dragons on my Fun Dragon Unit Study Ideas and Salt Dough Dragon Craft.

And make fun dragon eggs.

In addition, create a map based on Thror’s Map.

You could also challenge your child to create it on their own, using the tutorial from Chalk Pastels The Hobbit Art Lesson – You ARE an ARTiST!

You could also take your creativity outdoors and make a Hobbit Hole Fairy Garden in a container.

Literature Analysis

And literature analysis should start in middle school although your child can be introduced to these concepts prior to middle school.

First, explain what is literature analysis.

It means understanding what the techniques are, then identify the techniques in the books your child reads and then doling a brief essay explaining what he identified.

Look at these easy helps for literature analysis to help your child understand that every book has these elements.

Theme
Plot
Setting
Character
Point of View
Mood

Each person has their reasons for loving the story. Try to draw out the reasons your child loves it.

For example, we love it because not only is it strong fantasy, but it has elements of fairy tale and even a medieval time period feel.

List of Characters in the Hobbit Novel

Additionally, look at a list of the characters in the novel.

Your child can focus on writing about each one or comparing character traits.

Bilbo Baggins
Thorin Oakenshield
Gandalf
Gollum
Smaug
Bard

About J.R.R.Tolkien

Also, look at these few facts about J.R.R. Tolkien if you want to do an author study.

He was born John Ronald Reuel Tolkien.
In addition, he was born on January 3rd 1892 in Bloemfontein, England.
Too, he was recognized as one of the finest philologists (study of literature) in the world.
However, he is best known as the creator of Middle-earth.

Then, although Tolkien created Middle Earth, his stories draw from myths, fables, and fairy tales.

For example, look at some of these elements and ask your child if some of these same concepts are developed in other literature.

dwarves, elves, and trolls
talking animals
riddles and runes. Runes were old letters originally used for cutting or scratching on wood
dragon
the treasure trove

(Although this Rivendell LEGO Set is set is expensive, it is a beautiful keepsake and gift to treasure for years. Just had to let you know)

Too, look at some of these other best homeschool unit studies.

More Best Homeschool Unit Studies

Finally, make this hobbit door craft.

Hobbit Door Craft

You will need:

Thin balsa wood round
Cardboard
Green craft paint
gold/yellow craft paint
Brick red craft paint
Small wood bead
Artificial greenery
Small artificial flowers
Black Sharpie
2 Jenga blocks or other thick pieces of wood
White paint pen
Paintbrush
Unfinished mushrooms
ruler

First, paint the wood round as well as the jenga blocks a deep green and set aside to dry.

You can paint one or both sides.

Once dry use a ruler and permanent marker to make lines in the round to look as if it is made of planks.

Add a few lines and knots to give it more of a wood look.

Paint your unfinished mushrooms however you like, or you could use small pre-decorated ones.

Cut a round of cardboard 1” to 1 ½” larger than the wooden round. Paint brick red and allow it to dry.

Once dry use a white chalk marker to make lines all the way around, a few inches in from the edge.

Glue the green wood round into place in the center of the brick red circle.

Paint the small wooden bead gold or yellow and attach to the center of the round.

Hot glue a layer of greenery and moss around the outside edge.

Continue layering on flowers, mushrooms, and more greenery as you like.

Finally, hot glue the two painted Jenga blocks along the back to stabilize and hold the door upright.

You will want to hold it in place until the glue is cold and set.

How to Put Together a Middle School Nature Study With Book List

July 12, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Putting your own middle school nature study together fits an unschooling, unit study, Charlotte Mason and eclectic homeschool approach. Also, you’ll love more ideas on my How to Homeschool Middle School.

I’m showing you how to put together a middle school nature study.

Besides, once you learn the general framework of a unit study, you can spend as much time or as little as you want on it.

You’ll learn how to do it easy peasy, make it a little more challenging, cover more than just simple nature study, and give you a list of wonderful books and other resources to go along with it.

How to Put Together a Middle School Nature Study With Book List

While nature study is wonderful you may want to be able to make it more well-rounded and use it as credit for their sciences.

It is possible to do that with a little more intentional planning.

How to Put Together a Middle School Nature Study

You can still enjoy the carefree times of nature walks, simple observations, and nature-based art but it’s time to kick those things up a notch.

1. Expand What the Term Nature Study Means

First, build your curriculum on more subjects than just nature.

See how you can expand it.

While nature study is important and wonderful, you want to make sure that you are giving them access to multiple streams of learning.

For example, look for interesting videos, living books on a variety of topics, and deeper study into topics,

In addition, include parts of science that are not naturally in nature studies.

Encourage study and find ways to incorporate learning about electricity, rocketry, chemistry, anatomy, microbiology, and other topics.

2. Nature Journals Become Science Notes & Labs

These can be a great way to work on art and creative writing.

However, nature journals can easily turn to lab notes and physical documentation of what they have been learning.

Too, journals show progress and can be used to highlight what interests your child.

More Nature Study Activities

How to Create a Fun Yosemite National Park Camping Curriculum | DIY Firestarter

But at this stage, you can start expecting a little more out of them, a little more writing, more challenges with their artwork, and expanding their interests.

Instead of just drawing, take the next step to nature photography or classifying rocks with bulleted lists, add a bit more structure to the expectations.

3. Keep Records

No matter what your homeschool style you may or may not have kept more of a record than the smiling photographs and jotted notes that you needed.

You can also “reverse plan”, which just means you write down what you accomplish after it’s done rather than what you plan to do in advance.

This helps you get a feel for if you are doing enough.

And I find it really encouraging to look back on all we accomplished that I might not have remembered without writing it down. Grab any notebook or paper pad and start writing it all down.

4. Offer Learning Baskets

Gather different types of books and resources like field guides, tools, specimens, and picture books, with a broad nature study scope as well as some specific to certain topics.

Then put them all together in a basket to create interest.

Next go with a specific nature topic of a mix to see where the current interests lie. You never know they may find a new passion!

5. Expand the bookshelf

Don’t sell those picture books yet!

There are many amazing nature study picture books that will appeal to middle schoolers and teach them so much more than any dry textbook would.

Don’t discount those books you may consider picture books and too young for middle schoolers. They are still a great resource and wonderful to use for art inspiration, identification, and research.

Then here are more nature study activities and resources.

Other Nature Study Activities and Resources

Also, add one or two of these fun nature lapbooks to your nature unit study for a hands on project.

Dynamic Honey Bee Lapbook for Multiple Ages
$4.00 Add to cart

Dynamic Famous and Historic Trees Lapbook for Multiple Ages
$4.00 Add to cart

6 Nature Study Books and Resources

Add one of these resources or books to your study about nature. They all give you a starting point or use one or two of them as a nature spine.

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

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

Handbook of Nature Study

The Handbook of Nature Study is a classic Charlotte Mason text. A big book full of information on pretty much every area of nature study from tools to birds, weather, and rocks.

The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady

This beautifully packaged facsimile of Edith Holden’s original diary is filled with a naturalist’s masterful paintings and delightful observations chronicling the English countryside throughout 1906. As one of the few true records of the time in print, the handwritten thoughts and paintings contained in The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady transport readers to a more refined, romantic, and simpler time.

Botanicum

Filled with both recognisable, and tropical flora, Botanicum is the ultimate companion guide to the variety of plants, and how they have evolved and grow.

Curiositree: Natural World: A Visual Compendium of Wonders from Nature - Jacket unfolds into a huge wall poster!

Discover the interconnectedness of the natural world and learn why living things look and behave the way they do in a series of visually compelling information charts, maps, and cutaways, all illustrated in a nostalgic, vintage style. Packed with incredible facts about the natural world and the animals that populate it, the whole family will enjoy the full-page spreads grouped into the categories of habitats, species, and adaptations.

Nature Study & Outdoor Science Journal: The Thinking Tree Presents: A Creative Book of Observation, Drawing, Coloring, Writing & Discovery

The Thinking Tree presents: A Creative Book of Observation, Drawing, Coloring, Writing & Discovery Through Nature, ideal for all ages (even adults!)

Creativity and discovery at its best, this journal is a bestseller among The Thinking Tree publications! Your nature-loving student will treasure this journal designed to ignite their wonder of the outdoors. With more than 180 lessons and beautiful illustrations, the Nature Study Journal invites the student to read, write, draw, color, explore and appreciate the outdoors while covering a variety of subjects such as science, poetry, observation instructions, and more.

Free Homeschool Geology Unit Study And Easy DIY Eggshell Geode

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

I have a free homeschool geology unit study. Also, grab more ideas on my best homeschool unit studies page.

Find out how to create your own diy eggshell geode, gather a list of fabulous books, and learn some interesting facts alongside your child.

Geology is the study of the Earth, on and under its surface, and the processes that shape it.

This applies to tectonic plates, the layers of the earth, volcanoes, rocks, and minerals to name a few common studies.

For this homeschool geology unit study, we are going to focus a bit more on the rocks and minerals aspect of geology.

Free Homeschool Geology Unit Study And Easy DIY Eggshell Geode

Petrology is the study of the 3 types of rocks – igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary and the processes that form and transform them.

Mineralogy is the study of the chemistry, crystal structure, and physical properties of the mineral makeup of rocks.

5 Fascinating Facts For Your Homeschool Geology Unit Study

A mineral is a solid, naturally occurring substance made up of one or more elements and a gem is a precious or semi-precious mineral that has been cut and polished.
People who explore caves to enjoy and examine stalactites, stalagmites, and other rock and mineral formations found there are known as spelunkers.
A rock can begin as one type and can change many times. Rocks are always changing; it just takes a very long time for these changes to occur.
Diamonds are the hardest mineral.
Meteorites are rocks from space, and they help scientists learn more about the solar system.

Also, look at more geology activities.

MORE GEOLOGY UNIT STUDY ACTIVITIES

How To Make Crystals | Facts About Crystals For Kids

Too, add some more geology unit study ideas.

Homeschool Geology Unit Study Activity Ideas

This Geology Gem Stone Slime is a fun sensory idea for examining and extracting stones.
Watch Introduction to Geology on YouTube to find out more about what it includes.
Rock Activities For Kindergarten And Fun Edible Rock Cycle
To find out more about rocks and minerals specifically, you might enjoy Rocks for Kids.
Grab this free earth science book.
Edible Rock Cycle Fudge and Hands-on Rock Activities
Watercolor the beautiful layers of an Agate.

This is a great simple experiment to demonstrate stalactites and stalagmites formation.
Learning can also be delicious like this activity that includes making Rock Candy Geodes.

More Best Homeschool Unit Studies

Then, look at this fun list of books to add to your homeschool geology unit study.

5 Geology Unit Study Resources

Add these books and resources for a fun homeschool geology unit study for children of multiple ages.

Great STEM Science Kit - Geology

DISCOVER CRYSTAL TREASURE - Break open these rocks to reveal amazing crystals inside! Geology doesn’t get more exciting than breaking open rocks and finding crystal treasures. Ag great STEM activity that also makes an excellent gift for girls and boys!

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

Basher: Rocks & Minerals: A Gem of a Book

Simon Basher is back with another zany primer to science! Following his 3 successful titles on the basics of chemistry, physics, and biology, BASHER SCIENCE: ROCKS AND MINERALS is an in-depth look at the ground beneath our feet. Like his other titles, Basher presents these topics through charming and adorable illustrations and pairs them with basic information told from a first person perspective. He develops a community of characters based on the things that form the foundations of our planet: rocks, gems, crystals, fossils and more. And what's more, he makes it understandable, interesting, and cute. It's not what you expect out of a science primer.

Advanced Professional Rock Tumbler Kit - Turn Rough Rocks into Beautiful Gems

Turn rough rocks into polished gems: Discover and learn the fun process of rock tumbling with the Advanced Rock Tumbler. Pour in the rough stones and grit and let the machine do its job!

Everybody Needs a Rock (An Aladdin Book)

Everybody needs a rock -- at least that's the way this particular rock hound feels about it in presenting her own highly individualistic rules for finding just the right rock for you.

As you can see, studying geology covers a lot of other science topics. For example, there are volcanoes to tectonic plates to learn about.

So, I’m adding some vocabulary words which will help you to round your study.

Geology Vocabulary Words

fossil – the preserved remains of things that lived long ago
ocean trench – a narrow, extremely deep valley formed when the seafloor dips down as one tectonic plate slides under another
continental drift – a process in which continents slowly move over time on the surface of the earth
geologist – a scientist who studies the makeup of the earth and the forces and processes that shape and change it
basalt – heavy, dense rock formed from cooled, hardened lava
magnitude – an earthquake’s strength
plate tectonics – a theory that Earth’s crust and the solid top part of the mantle are broken up into sections that fit together but move against each other
tsunami – a gigantic wave of seawater caused by an earthquake in oceanic crust
fault – a crack in Earth’s crust
crater – a bowl-shaped opening at the top of a volcano or geyser
mineral – a solid, nonliving substance found in the earth that makes up rocks
hot spring – a naturally flowing source of hot water
obsidian – a dark rock or natural glass formed from lava that cooled very quickly
granite – a common igneous rock that forms from magma that cooled within Earth’s crust

Finally, look how to make this fun diy eggshell geode.

Homeschool Geology Unit Study- DIY Eggshell Geode

You will need:

Eggshells
Egg carton
Borax
Epsom salt
School glue
Food coloring

Gather some eggshells from breakfast.

Plan ahead and try to crack them in unique ways rather than just in half.

Wash thoroughly and carefully peel away the thin membrane inside the eggshell.

Turn upside and allow it to dry.

Once dry, pour a generous amount of school glue into your eggshell and roll it around to coat well to the edges.

Pour all the excess glue into the next shell until you need more or are finished coating all the shells you are using.

Fill each shell with Epsom salts, rolling around to get it all in the glue, this serves a few purposes.

DIY Eggshell Geode

First, it gives the borax crystals something to grab onto and helps encourage their growth all over the inside of the shell.

Secondly, it gives a little more “bulk” to your geode, letting your child have the satisfaction of a little bit quicker experience.

Shake out the excess Epsom salts.

Let the Epsom salt and glue dry and harden together.

Heat water to almost boiling on the stove or in the microwave.

I find it easiest to do it in a large heat-safe measuring cup with a pour spout for pouring later.

Stir in a few tablespoons of Borax, mix well, and continue adding until the water no longer absorb any of the powder when thoroughly stirred in.

There should be a bit of powder sitting in the bottom, this is how you know it is supersaturated.

Place the eggshells with the opening at the top wherever it is on the shell, the carton comes in very handy for this step.

It holds it well and safely catches the overflow. Place it where it will be for the next 24 hours, undisturbed because you don’t want to move it around until it’s ready.

Place a drop or two of food coloring inside each egg.

Carefully pour your saturated water into the eggshells right up to the very edge.

Allow to sit undisturbed for 12-24 hours, flip the eggs to drain and dry. The longer you let them sit the larger the crystals.

You can paint the outside of the shells if you like or leave them as they are.

Voila, you have beautiful handmade geodes that open the door for wonderful discussions on how geodes are formed.

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How to Put Together a Middle School Nature Study

1. Expand What the Term Nature Study Means

2. Nature Journals Become Science Notes & Labs

3. Keep Records

4. Offer Learning Baskets

5. Expand the bookshelf

Other Nature Study Activities and Resources

Dynamic Honey Bee Lapbook for Multiple Ages

Dynamic Famous and Historic Trees Lapbook for Multiple Ages

5 Fascinating Facts For Your Homeschool Geology Unit Study

MORE GEOLOGY UNIT STUDY ACTIVITIES

Homeschool Geology Unit Study Activity Ideas

More Best Homeschool Unit Studies

Geology Vocabulary Words

Homeschool Geology Unit Study- DIY Eggshell Geode

DIY Eggshell Geode

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