I'm not sure we could successfully homeschool without LEGO® bricks. (I write this jokingly, but there is some element of truth to the statement.) LEGO® learning can take place across all subject areas, ages, and interest levels. LEGO® bricks will speak to a child when nothing else will, and sometimes they help make a break-through to understanding in a critical math or science concept.
There's power in mathematical talk in the classroom! Boost students' critical thinking and communication skills! Plus, learn all...
Physical map of Greece showing major cities, terrain, national parks, rivers, and surrounding countries with international borders and outline maps. Key facts about Greece.
This is a very simple way to experience the amazing Roman Arch. We used the book "Primary Physics" which we bought at the Roman exhibit in Melbourne a few months ago. Author is Marti Ellen. I am so fascinated by the way it stays up..... The ice cube tray has the perfect angles! We poured plaster of paris into the ice tray. When set, we gently sanded the blocks with sand paper. You need an uneven number of blocks to get a 180 degree arch...7,9, 11 the 'foot' or blocks touching the ground need to be sanded further to create a slightinward slant, so the next block will rest on them. It takes two people, or one carefully holding as my husband did pictured above. So glad I didn't buy the expensive set of wooden blocks I was looking at! Seriously...the Roman Arch....I love it!
Enjoy creating your own mini-world for some of your favorite figurines -- kids will love to be creative as they decide what unique features to add to their playscape!
This winter science experiment demonstrates how snowshoes spread out weight to a larger area, and how large paws keep animals from sinking into the snow.
Elise Melnick (@hairbyELM), a Chicago native who migrated west to Los Angeles to pursue a professional dancing career, felt the need for something more fulfilling 'and that's when I made the switch. In 2011 I enrolled in Paul Mitchell ...
When beginning a study of world history, it's always best to begin at the beginning...with ancient civilizations. For the next few weeks, I will be sharing an on-going unit study of one of the oldest known people groups of the world, the Ancient Egyptians. (This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for full details.) As a Christian, I confess that the Egyptian culture is cloaked in evil spiritism and a religious immorality. Neither of which I wish to discuss in detail with my young, impressionable children. But, I am also keenly aware that God loved and LOVES the Egyptian people...as is evidenced by numerous accounts in Scripture of how He chased after their hearts. It was not by accident that great patriarchs of the faith...Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and even Jesus, Himself...spent portions of their lives with these desert peoples. In His mercy, He continued to leave a remnant among them to give Light to their darkened world. It is my prayer that as I teach my children some of the "who", "what", and "where" of Egypt during this unit study, I can also impart a bit of the "why." I hope you will join me over the coming weeks as I journey back a few thousand years to the times of the pharaohs. I will be sharing some of the resources that we have used and projects we have completed. We will be using the following core books and filling in with several other living literature titles and videos. Pharaohs and Pyramids (Usborne Time Traveler) 100 Things You Should Know About Ancient Egypt by Jane Walker Block Pyramid After reading Pyramid by David MacAulay, the kids used our wooden blocks to build a replica of the pyramid of Menkaure. This might look like just a big pile of blocks, but the book detailed the step-by-step, 20+ year process. The kids followed the same procedures when erecting each "brick." Mummified Apples We also read the fantastically quirky book You Wouldn't Want to Be an Egyptian Mummy! : Disgusting Things You'd Rather Not Know by David Antram and watched the Reading Rainbow episode Mummies Made in Egypt. Later, I found this great Mummy Experiment idea and decided that with a few tweaks...ok, a LOT of tweaks, it would be a great way to prove that in using natron (salt), the Egyptians chose the best materials possible when preserving their dead. What we used: 2 apples roll of gauze 10 plastic cups masking tape to make labels 4 different natural preservatives (We chose salt, sugar, vinegar, and baking soda.) Cut both apples into 5 equal slices. Place one slice into each plastic cup. Reserve 2 slices to be the "control group." Place one of the "control" apples into a cup. Roll the other "control" apple in gauze and place into another cup. These two apples will NOT have a preservative poured onto them. Pour 1/2 cup of one of the preservatives onto 4 of the apples. Be sure to completely cover each slice. Label the cup with the name of that preservative. Roll the remaining 4 apple slices in gauze, place into cups, and cover with the same preservatives. Label the cups. At this point, you should have cups labeled with the following: apple apple & gauze salt salt & gauze sugar sugar & gauze vinegar vinegar & gauze baking soda baking soda & gauze Place all cups in a warm, dark, and dry place. (We chose a kitchen cupboard.) After one week, "unearth" the mummies. Before removing the apples from the "mummy casings", take turns guessing which preservatives you think did the best job mummifying. Dig out/unwrap the apples to reveal the results. Discuss that the gauze wrappings did not allow the apples to thoroughly dry and therefore created a greenhouse for bacteria and mold. This is why the Egyptians dried their dead before wrapping them. Optional: Compare the salt-only apple with a dehydrated apple. The salt apple looks more "preserved" than any of the others, including the dehydrated (edible) apple. Document your findings with a simple notebook entry. More Ancient Egypt Ideas to Explore Mummified Apple Experiment Taamia Falafal (Meatless Pitas) Making Papyrus Make a Cartouche Map of Egypt
These STEM Building Challenges for Kids are great for building skills in Math, Technology and Engineering, & they're super fun for all age groups!
I don't share every single unit study or art project or book we read in our homeschool, but sometimes there's things that are just way too good not to share...our Ancient Greece unit study is
Got some old coffee cans laying around? How about recycling them into cute Planter Buckets! The first step is to drink all of the coffee :) The second step is…
Learn about mummification by making apple mummies with Ancient Egypt science experiment and explore Magic Tree House Mummies in the Morning!
The history of mosaics, especially Greek mosaics, is elaborate and winding, extending over a vast passage of time and geography. From the advent of the art form, to what we know now as mosaic design, Ancient Greek mosaics are as important today as they were thousands of years ago. What Are Greek Mosaics? Greek Mosaics, which can be found in parts of Greece and modern-day Macedonia are believed to be the earliest form of the art still in existence today. Before that time, the first ever creations of art resembling mosaics are said to have been laid out in Ubaid, Mesopotamia during the third millennium BC. Photo credit: sci-news The most common use of mosaic design in the Greco-Roman world were floor mosaics. These large designs were favored as they are much less vulnerable when buildings collapse. Their durable quality is why we still find many Greek and Roman floor mosaics today. Photo credit: 123rf Laying the Foundations Early Mesopotamian mosaics were made by combining terra-cotta fixtures. Similar to what we now know as mosaic design, these early works of art were limited to red and white and aligned symmetrically – forming a pattern. In addition to decoration, these mosaics also served as protection from harsh weather. Photo credit: cargocollective Early Christian Mosaics It wasn’t until the Ancient Greeks took the art form into their own hands circa 8th Century BC that it became a far more intricate process. This, in turn, shaped the method and technique that is still applied today. The Ancient Greeks modernized mosaic art by pioneering the use of smaller elements while also introducing the consistent use of geometric symmetries. Often depicting pagan gods, people and animals, the Ancient Greeks were the first to use what is known today as tesserae or the many small pieces of marble, glass, or tile that comprise a mosaic artwork. Photo credit: ictaem.org Vivid Imagery The spread of this famous Greek mosaic technique initiated the art form, taking it to a higher level while giving way to more vivid detail and imagery. This also lay the foundations for a wider skill set of varying techniques that were all rooted in the same methodology. With the spread of the Roman Empire, this art form gained in scope and outreach and began to enshrine Roman temples and sprawl across the floors of Hellenistic villas. Many of the majestic Greek floor mosaics that give testimony to this era in time are still preserved in their ancient molds, interspersed throughout remnants of the once widely encompassing Greek and Roman empires. Photo credit: escape greece Countless mosaics in North Africa, Carthage and Tunisia feature many of these famous Greek artworks. What Are Some Famous Greek Mosaics Facts? During the Imperial era, a more classical period began for the mosaic art form as it became highly developed and elaborate. New tools were invented that allowed for more intricate and skilled creations. Artists began thinking outside of the box, literally, while applying the growing mosaic trend to various other aspects of architecture. Photo credit: du A Grounded Art Form Beyond its conventional use of being applied to floor spaces, mosaics were being integrated into other facets of interior architecture. Additionally, an increase in the use of color began to separate mosaics from the world of painting, making it an art form to reckon with, rather than just a substitute for painting. Mosaics were used as a means of enclosing interior vaults and extending across entire walls, with a unique appeal that in many ways even a painting couldn’t achieve. This was due to the fact that mosaics had a very durable quality which made them applicable to outdoor areas, something paintings could neither achieve nor withstand. So much so that in time, a reciprocal change came into effect during the Byzantine era. Many Byzantine paintings revealed a new trend towards two-dimensionality, brought on through the influence of mosaic art on paintings. Photo credit: showcasemosaics Set in Stone Ancient Greek mosaics tesserae varied in size. Inlaid patterns’ average tessera would measure approximately 1 centimeter. Further down the timeline, nearing the start of the Medieval times, more mediums became available, giving way to a wider assortment of raw materials. Additionally, the creation of floor mosaics was often a question of employing not only aesthetic elements but also quality materials with resistance to being worn out from being tread upon for centuries to come. This became the main reason stone was used for early Ancient Greek mosaics. For much of history, the mosaic artist was therefore limited to whatever variations in color the natural stones at hand would provide. Photo credit: Pinterest Ancient Greek methods mainly revolved around the use of pebbles, barring the use of mediums such as stained glass. This pebble method soon took on more shape and form with the invention and widespread use of the tessera technique, which evolved even further into the Hellenistic era of Ancient Greek history, and on to the Roman empire. Pebble mosaics hailing from that era in time in Ancient Greece are today a rarity, and can only be seen in select locations such as Olinthos and Pella, in Macedonia. Photo credit: Unfamiliar destinations Pebble mosaics of Olinthos On the Greek island of Halkidiki, there are several fixtures which house some of these antiquated pebble mosaics, reflecting a wealth of history dating back to 5th Century BC. The Greek mosaics discovered in Pella and other surrounding Greek cities exemplify the fact that a varied assortment of light and dark colored pebbles was becoming the norm, with beautiful depictions of Greek gods comprising a large majority of them. This beautiful manipulation of contrast allowed more vivid detail to be interspersed through the use of free mosaic patterns. Photo credit: Stephens blog This also became the trend for mosaics that came into being during the Byzantine empire’s era. Due to the fact that tessera from the archaic period had become more uniform, most tessera would range from a diameter of one to two centimeters. More intricately detailed areas such as faces or clothing would be pieced together using considerably smaller tessera, with even smaller black tessera serving as an outline to the figures. All of these tesserae were grouted using mortar, which was the staple choice at the time for solidifying the mosaics. Photo credit: greenwich blog Pebble mosaics from the House of Pella The House of Pella also used the pebble technique throughout the 4th century. This widespread use suggests that the technique was being rapidly improved upon. By this point, the level of detail in floor mosaics rivaled that of actual paintings. While previously limited to naturally colored stones, the artists were now given the added capability of artificially coloring the pebbles as is prevalent throughout several of the mosaic productions at Pella. This was brought into effect through the introduction of a technique whereby the pebbles would be painted with the desired colors and accented with a depression in their center to protect the film of paint. This was combined with terra-cotta or lead wire in certain instances. Photo credit: halfmoon yoga and art Photo credit: scholar exchange One specific mosaic which is beyond breath-taking features Dionysos, the Greek god of harvest, riding a panther while waving a gold leaf. Photo credit: awesomestories Turn of the Century The next innovation in mosaic design occurred at the turn of the 3rd Century BC, roughly when the pebble technique was abandoned. More finely cut mosaic pieces gave way to fluid masterpieces. New materials, such as stained glass, also brought on new dimensions to the art form. Through the art medium came a new flurry of not only textures but colors as well. Newly improvised setting techniques brought on smoother textures, allowing more dimensions and means of artistic expression. More intense colors ushered the mosaic art form into an all-new territory that dominates church art as we know it today. It became an art form that had to it even more aesthetic qualities than actual painting, as seen from varying perspectives. Photo credit: greenwich blog Multi-faceted While there are many facets to this millennia-old art form, it is clear that mosaic design is one of the few that has retained its ancient qualities in terms of method and technique. The history of mosaics is ongoing, and while many art forms are beginning to whittle away with the onslaught of digital technology, mosaics as an installation art have existed since the dawn of humanity and continue to persevere in their most basic and natural element. We hope this synopsis of a brief history of Ancient Greek mosaics served to inspire you to delve further into the magic of mosaics. For a vast multitude of mosaics, both pre-designed and customizable, please visit Mozaico, a global retailer of all things mosaics.
Learn about about 24 greek god and goddesses in this fun, Greek Mythology for Kids printable pdf book filled with Greek myths.
With the Olympics coming up, I decided to share a post on Greek Olympics lesson ideas for kids. I thought it would be fun for my kids to learn about the history of ancient Greek Olympics,
These {FREE} Pattern Block Logic Puzzles will challenge and motivate your students. Perfect for improving problem-solving skills!
Vairāk kā novēlojies rakstiņš par to, kā Es un mans Kundziņš tikām palūgti tikt pie galdniecības frēzes un ņēmāmies šim nolūkam mūsu mežiņa lapeni fotografēt, mērīt, zīmet un žurnālam "Mūsmājas"sūtīt.
Teaching mythology genre studies excites kids like nothing else! You can include research, writing, allusions, and more!
Tackle winter blues with Snow Scoop, a winter STEM activity challenging students to build a snow shovel designed for efficient snow removal!
The History of Ancient Greece Welcome back to the latest post on Free Ancient World History Curriculum Series! This section will cover the beginning of Gree ...
Dive into a famous ancient civilization to learn about history with FREE printable Romans Coloring Pages. Fun history activity for elementary students.
Architects around the world are reaching to infinity and beyond with new construction, according to a list by Emporis.
Essential topics for an Ancient Greece Unit - key topics to cover on Ancient Greece for middle school or upper elementary.
Ancient Greece Book List Free World History Curriculum Hello ! If you've been following this series, thanks for coming back! I'm so excited to sha ...
When the Zills family is summoned to Egypt to help find the hidden burial side of an ancient pharaoh, Matt and Bibi are locked into an adventure they'll never forget. Luckily, the two know their geometry, so they use math to escape from the pharaoh's tomb. Full color.\nMatt, Bibi, and their dog Riley crawled through the tiny opening first. FWUMP! A secret door suddenly closed behind them . . . The Zills family is summoned to Egypt to help find the hidden burial chamber of an ancient pharaoh. But when Matt and Bibi get trapped in the pharaoh's pyramid, they stumble upon an even bigger mystery. With only each other, their dog Riley, and the geometric hieroglyphics on the walls to help them, the twins must use their math skills to locate the burial chamber--and the way out. Luckily, Matt and Bibi know their stuff when it comes to geometric solids, and so will the readers of this adventure in math!
Learn about Ancient Greece with FREE printables All About Greece readers to read, color, and learn facts about advanced civilization.
Discover how to do a simple and fun blubber science experiment for kids learning about habitats and arctic animal adaptations. A simple classroom investigation for teaching about habitats & ecosystems in 2nd grade science.
Learn about the history and mythology of ancient Egypt with this 75+page Ancient Egypt Unit. It includes notebook pages, lapbook, timeline cards, geography materials and other activities.
Resources and Ideas for teaching an Ancient Greece Interactive Notebook unit, Strategies and teaching tips for social studies or history.
We just wrapped up our Ancient China unit study, and it was a blast! I added in a Magic Tree House book to go along with our unit (#14: Day of the Dragon King), and it was a hit with my kids. We loved the story, it was easy to read, and it made learning […]
The Percy Jackson book series has seized elementary readers everywhere, and it is the perfect opportunity to incorporate Greek and Roman mythology into your history lessons! The books follow a young protagonist, Percy, who finds out that the world of Greek mythology is real and that he’s at the...
It’s no secret that we are in love with the resources from Home School in the Woods. We’ve used notebooks and lapbooks resources from different places and the beautiful materials...
Ancient Egyptian Mathematics: Build a LEGO Math Calculator. Ancient Egypt was an advanced society. We know that from the structures and texts left behind.
Learn about Ancient Greece with these free printable books to read, color, and learn! Fun geography & history worksheets.
FAST math problem solving is a great way to help students solve math word problems. This method will take your students step-by-step through the process.
