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Hands-On Math: Fun and Easy Snowflake Geometry

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Written by Christa at Little Log Cottage School.

Easy Snowflake Geometry

With the onset of winter weather, we’ve experienced the first few snow flurries in our area. Just the mention of the word snow and kids of all ages get into a tizzy that brings delight and happiness. I really wanted to bring that feeling of magic into our lessons, so I began hunting for ideas for my older kids.

When my kids were younger, we did a lot with crafts. Crafts are a great way to make lessons hands-on and fun.

The more ways you can make math an art activity, the more kids can connect with the concept. It’s also nice to connect other subjects and make lessons more efficient and engaging.

Hands-On Math: Fun and Easy Snowflake Geometry. With the onset of winter weather, we’ve experienced the first few snow flurries in our area. Add a bit of math and science together to make these easy snowflakes and study a bit of geometry too. CLICK HERE to make this easy hands-on math craft!Because my kids are older, we’ve fallen away from crafts. However, it had become my goal to find a learning craft to tie into both math and science for the winter season. The following craft was the perfect lesson to review angles and geometrical shapes.

To get in our science skills at the same time, we learned a little about the science of weather.

Winter can be a hard time to keep focused with lessons, so this activity can be a great way to keep up your schooling stamina.

Hands-On Math: Simple Snowflake Geometry

Break out the smocks, paint, and craft sticks!! It’s time to get crafty! Here is a fun DIY decoration for your kids to make for their rooms, for a friend, or for a party.

For this craft, you will need the following materials:

  • craft sticks
  • protractor
  • liquid glue or a hot glue gun
  • any color of paint
  • paper to cover work space
  • paint brushes
  • decorative ribbon
  • double stick foam tape

We began this lesson by reviewing the different types of angles. We measured out and drew a 30 degree angle using the protractor.

Then we used 6 craft sticks to glue together a star shape. We were careful to make sure our angles measured at 30 degrees.Making a Simple Math Geometry Craft

Next we added the points to our star in the form of diamonds or rhombuses.

At this point, a few of the kids got off of their measurements which resulted in the creation of their own shapes.

Winter Snowflake Geometry CraftThe kids then chose a color of paint to paint their snowflakes.Painting a Geometric Snowflake

Making a Geometric Snowflake

You’ll love these living books for winter which bring learning alive when your kids hit the doldrums.

Winter NaturExplorers 940x788 (Facebook)
There are many ways to extend this activity:

  • Use the book Snowflake Bentley to learn about the man who studied snowflakes and invented the photomicrographic technique.
  • Research the science of snowflakes. Learn how snowflakes are made and what determines the shape of snowflakes.
  • Learn the seven shapes of snowflakes and then identify all of the shapes found in each snowflake type.

Hands-On Math: Fun and Easy Snowflake Geometry. With the onset of winter weather, we’ve experienced the first few snow flurries in our area. Add a bit of math and science together to make these easy snowflakes and study a bit of geometry too. CLICK HERE to make this easy hands-on math craft!Add more math learning fun to your winter studies with these hands-on activities!

STEM: Build a Da Vinci Parachute Activity

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Written by Christa at Little Log Cottage School.

This year I’ve developed a whole year of STEM activities to go along with our science standards. We study a new inventor each month. This month it was Leonardo Da Vinci!

Studying about Leonardo da Vinci can combine two subjects kids usually don’t consider as similar: art and science. When you can tie the arts, engineering, math, and science into a project; you’ll have kids who are going to be able to creatively solve problems their whole life.

Combining many different facets of learning keeps kids engaged and focused in their schoolwork. When kids begin to understand there is a creative aspect to science, they become more interested and excited to dive into deeper science concepts.

These activities are perfect to use with a Leonardo da Vinci study. You can combine them with an art study, and have a whole Leonardo da Vinci unit!

I chose to build and test da Vinci’s parachute. After studying his sketches, we used math concepts such as perimeter and isosceles triangle constructions. This also uses physical science such as gravity, mass, and air resistance.

Da Vinci Parachute STEM Activity

What You’ll Need:

  • 1 piece of graph paper
  • Four ⅛ inch dowel rods; 12 inches long (Don’t pre cut these)
  • Four ⅛ inch dowel rods; 16 inches long (Don’t pre cut these)
  • 4 pieces of string; 18 inches long
  • masking tape
  • thin paper for the covering
  • 5 paper clips per parachute
  • ruler

We began this project by doing a bit of research on Da Vinci as an inventor. We researched his sketches and found out many of his sketches were ideas of inventions that we use today.

Then we began the project.

Making a Hands-On Da Vinci Parachute

The first step was to sketch out the blueprints. To get in a little math, I gave the kids the following problem to solve:

The square base of the pyramid will be 144 sq feet. Each square represents 2 inches. How many inches will each side of the base be? Draw it out on your graph paper.

After checking to see if the kids had drawn a 12 x 12 square, it was time to cut the dowel rods into 4 12” pieces.

Da Vinci Parachute Activity

You may need to use craft scissors to cut through the dowel rods.

Next, we used as little masking tape as possible to connect the 4 dowel rods into a square base.

Make a Da Vinci Parachute

Then it was on to the triangular sides. By presenting another math problem, the kids were able to find out how long the isosceles triangle had to be. Here’s the math problem:

The total perimeter of the isosceles triangular sides is 44”. Since we already know the base is 12”, what will be the length of the other sides?

To solve the problem the kids had to subtract 44 from 12 to get 32. Then they would divide 32 by 2 to get 16. The triangular sides will be 16” long.

The remaining dowel rods should be cut to provide 4 16” rods. These rods are then carefully taped onto the base of the parachute.

When the triangle pieces are all taped together and lying flat, it’s time to cover the sides of the parachute with very light paper. To do this, we traced around the outside of the triangles and then used as little tape as possible to attach the paper.

Making a Da Vinci Parachute

Then it was time for the strings. This was the hardest part. You must cut four 18” strings.

To keep them from getting tangled, tie all 4 strings together at one end and then make a little loop and tape up each individual string at the other end.

You will then loop a paper clip through each loop. Use one more paper clip at the top of the strings, to connect all of the strings to the top of the parachute. The strings should be hanging down the middle of the parachute.

Model of Leonardo’s Parachute

Constructing a Paper Parachute

To test out our design, we connected each individual string onto a washer. We used the school playground castle to drop our parachute and to see how long it would hang in the air. We tested different weights to see how we could achieve the longest hang time.

Launching a Da Vinci Parachute

Here’s a recap of the project:

Step 1: Cut and tape together 4 12” dowel rods to form a square.

Step 2: Cut and tape onto the square 4 16” dowel rods to form 2 isosceles triangles. Lay flat.

Step 3: Trace the triangles with light paper to cover the parachute. Use tape to attach the paper

Step 4: Cut 4 18” pieces of string and tie together at one end. Then make a small loop at the end of each string and use a little tape to keep the loop.

Step 5: Attach a paperclip to each loop and and one at the top where the strings are tied together. Use that paper clip to attach the strings to the middle of the parachute.

Step 6: Attach a washer to the 4 paper clips and then find a spot to test your parachute.

This was a highly engaging activity that my kids loved. They learned a lot about Leonardo Da Vinci, a lot about mass, gravity, and air resistance, balance, and a little about perimeter and shapes. I’m so glad that we took on the challenge of designing Da Vinci’s parachute!

Physical Science STEM: Build a Da Vinci Parachute Activity. Studying about Leonardo da Vinci can combine two subjects kids usually don’t consider as similar: art and science. Click here to add this fun hands-on science activity to your unit study!

Share more hands-on history learning below!

Easy Hands-On Science: Label the Atom Playdough Activity

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Written by Selena at Look! We’re Learning!

This year, we’ve been learning some introductory physics with our fourth-grader. And you can’t talk about physics without mentioning the atom.

Atoms are all around us. They’re even inside us! When my son learned that everything in the universe is made up of atoms, he was amazed. But that led to more questions, such as “What are atoms made of?”

Easy hands-on science: Label the Atom Playdough Activity

Which is how we ended up learning more about the parts of the atom through this fun label the atom playdough activity! Pick up the free printable diagram and see how to complete this hands-on science lesson with your kids too!

Hands-On Science: Label the Atom Playdough Activity

To complete this label the atom playdough activity, you’ll need the following:

  • Printer
  • Laminator
  • Assorted playdough (at least three colors)
  • Printable Atom Diagram Playdough Mat (Download this image and then print it as is to make it a full-size printable.)
  • Mini sticky notes

Atom Playdough Mat

The playdough mat shows a basic diagram of an atom, complete with three electrons moving around the nucleus. Inside the nucleus are two protons (designated with the positive sign) and two neutrons.

Of course, this is a very simplified diagram. Scientists now know that electrons travel around the nucleus so quickly that they actually tiny electron “clouds”!

Making a Playdough Atom Diagram

After printing and laminating the atom diagram, you can start having the kids add small balls of playdough to fill in the picture.

We started by adding three electrons with green playdough.

Learning about Parts of an Atom

Then we added two red neutrons inside the nucleus.

Making an Atom Diagram Out of Playdough

And, finally, two protons made out of blue playdough.

Labeling Parts of an Atom

Now it’s time to label each part of the atom! We added mini sticky  notes to each item on the mat and then labeled them all. Electrons were first, then the nucleus.

Playdough Atom Labeling Activity

Then we labeled the protons.

Labeling a Playdough Atom

And the neutrons.

Learning About Atoms with Playdough

And we’re done! This was a quick activity that really helped the kids visualize what’s inside an atom. It’s truly incredible to know that the movement of the atom is what makes up matter inside and around us.

It’s also neat to discover that atoms are in constant motion, even inside solid objects! Items that appear to be stable are only stable because the atoms that make them up move super duper slowly. But they’re still moving. The chairs at your dining room table? Yep, the atoms inside are in motion. The foundation of your house? Its atoms are moving too!

If you want to try this activity without playdough, you can print it out and have the kids color it in with markers and then label each item on their own. Or you can challenge them to draw a similar design themselves!

This year, we've been learning some introductory physics with our fourth-grader. And you can't talk about physics without mentioning the atom.Atoms are all around us. They're even inside us! When my son learned that everything in the universe is made up of atoms, he was amazed. But that led to more questions, such as "What are atoms made of?" Click here to make this fun and easy hands-on activity!

Ready to share more hands-on science lessons with your kids? Try these fun activities!

Electricity STEM: Lighting Up a Shoebox Tiny House

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Written by Christa at Little Log Cottage School.

Learning how electrical circuits work are important science skills for kids 4th grade and up. When you understand how electricity works, you can begin to troubleshoot electrical devices and can even begin to build and design your own inventions!

It’s important for kids to get hands-on experimenting when learning the different parts of a circuit. When they have an opportunity to practice using electricity, they’ll soon see the importance electricity plays in our everyday lives.

This highly engaging electrical activity will challenge kids to design their own homes by providing each room with a light, fan, and switch!  I love it when you can combine creativity in a learning project!

Electrical Shoebox House STEM Activity

When I was a kid in school, I was intimated by science and especially electricity. I had that stereotypical thought that science was for boys and way to difficult for me to understand.

When I was thinking about classes to teach for my up and coming tutorial year, one word kept jumping at me: STEM.

STEM is a highly used buzz word for educators across the world. It stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

I was terrified to teach STEM, but I knew if I wanted my kids to be comfortable with science, I was going to have to get over my fear of it. And boy am I glad I did.

If you’re feeling uncertain about your abilities to teach STEM, don’t. Just jump in and do it.

To do this activity you’ll need:

  • a shoebox
  • alligator clips (at least 4)
  • 2 AA battery holders with wires connected
  • 4 AA batteries
  • one motor
  • one switch
  • 2-3 miniature light bulbs
  • tape

STEM Activity - Lighting Up a Shoebox

EASY HANDS ON HOMESCHOOL SCIENCE

To begin this activity, your kids will need a good grasp of how a circuit works. You can always have them play around with the circuits to practice lighting up all of the light bulbs and the motor.

When they have a pretty good understanding of the concept, it’s now time to build the house. First, section off the different rooms of the shoebox. You can use scraps of cardboard to be the dividing walls.

Once the walls are up, it’s time to wire the house.  You may need box cutters to cut holes in the walls (shoebox) to run the wires from the outside of the shoebox into the inside. Tape may be needed to secure the power source on the outside of the house.Lighting Up a Shoebox HouseNow it’s time to hook up your electricity.

Challenge your kids to light up two rooms of the house and run one fan. Then, if you want to add a little bit of design into your challenge, your children can cut out a door and design furniture.

This highly engaging electrical activity will challenge kids to design their own homes by providing each room with a light, fan, and switch!Click here to make this fun and easy hands-on homeschool science activity!

It really is a tiny house! What a cool way to learn about electricity!

Want to see a really cool shoebox house? Take a look at this video!

Get even more ideas for teaching hands-on science in your homeschool below!

Edible Rock Cycle Fudge and Hands-on Rock Activities

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Your kids will love seeing the different processes of the rock cycle while making rock cycle fudge. This is great for your middle school kids to do. And grab some free hands-on homeschool ideas for studying about the fascinating topic of rocks. Click here to make this delicious and fun activity!

There are so many different hands-on activities to do when learning about rocks. And we really love to do rock activities that are easy. We did a Metamorphic Edible Rocks & Notebooking Pages activity a while back and today we decided to whip out an edible rock cycle fudge. (yum)

Make Edible Rock Cycle Fudge

Your kids will love seeing the different processes of the rock cycle while making rock cycle fudge. This is great for your middle school kids to do.

Let the younger ones measure and stir the ingredients when they are not hot. Otherwise, turn this activity over to your kids. Yes, easy activities are my style.

Let’s go. Here is what you need.

Microwave | two bowls (one needs to be microwave safe) | spatula | wax paper | thin cookie sheet | liquid and dry measuring cups | 1/2 cup silt (sweetened condensed milk) | 1/2 cup quartz crystals (sugar) | 1 T. sediment (softened butter) | 1 cup limestone pieces (marshmallows) | 1/4 cup or more sandstone pieces (we used walnuts because we love them, but pecans are fine too) | 3/4 cup basalt pieces (chocolate chips) | 1/2 t. vanilla extract

Add the milk, sugar and softened butter in microwave safe mixing bowl and stir to mix. Set aside.

In the second bowl combine the one cup of marshmallows, 1/4 cup of walnuts or pecan pieces, 3/4 cup of chocolate chips, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Place the mixing bowl with the milk, sugar, and butter in the microwave. Microwave it three times for 45 seconds each. After each time, take it out, stir, and microwave again.

After the third time, pour the marshmallows, walnuts and chocolate chips into the bowl. Everything should start melting. (By the way since the mixing bowl has been microwaved 3 times, it’s hot. So your kids may want to use an oven mitten.)

If it’s not hot enough and melting, stick it in the microwave again and give it a few more seconds.

Pour out onto wax paper which is placed on a cookie sheet and refrigerate overnight. Or, if you’re like us and can’t wait that long, stick it in the freezer for a while and cheat.

Here are some questions to ask about the rock cycle.

1.  What is the rock cycle? It’s how rocks are formed, it’s how rocks breakdown, and it’s how rocks form into other rocks.
2. How is the fudge similar to the rock cycle? (Magma is chocolate, different pieces are sediment and when it cools, it’s igneous rock.)
3. What is sediment? (Metamorphic rocks can break down and turn into sediment).
4. What happens when we apply heat to a sedimentary rock?
5. What is magma?

Look at some other hands-on rock activities I’ve rounded up and love.

 Rocks Unit Studies

Free Grand Canyon Unit Study.
Geology Leader Notebook 92 pages.
Hands-on Science: Rocks & Minerals Unit.		 Rocking the Cycle Unit Study 24 pages.
4th Grade What are Minerals? 107 pages.

And my favorite geography homeschool program with hands-on activities for middle and high school.

Geography Bundle

 Rock Printables, Lesson Plans and Activities

Sedimentary Rocks Notebooking Pages.
4th Grade 39 page Rocks & Minerals Lesson Plan.
Hands-On Rock Cycle: Crayons & Cookies.
Metamorphic Rocks.
Rocks and Minerals: Scratch Test.
Erupting Moon Rocks.		 7th Grade 18 page Stories Told By Rocks Lesson Plan.
Middle School – How Sedimentary Rocks are Formed.
40+ Rocks and Stones Learning Activities for Kids.
Rock – On Fizzy Fun.

Living Books About Rocks

And my favorite rock living book with hands-on activities.

Our Journey Westward

Rocks: Hard, Soft, Smooth, and Rough (Amazing Science).
A Look at Igneous Rocks (Rock Cycle).
Everybody Needs a Rock.

A Look at Metamorphic Rocks (Rock Cycle).
Let’s Go Rock Collecting (Let’S-Read-And-Find-Out Science.

Media About Rocks

Be a Rock Detective.
Fun – Sing Karaoka.
The Rock Cycle.
  The World Under a Rock.
Our World – The Rock Cycle.


More Ideas for Edible Rock Activities

Edible Igneous Rocks.
Rock Stacking.
Edible Rocks, Munching Meteorites.		 Edible Sedimentary Rocks.
How to Identify Rocks Using a Nature Guide.
Rock Candy Crystals.
DIY Agate Candy Slices.

Download here 3 Free Notebooking Pages for these rock activities.

I think you’ll also love to grab my free Earth Science Lapbook and my Metamorphic Edible Rocks & Notebooking Pages.

Hugs and love ya,

 

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