Project Mummification {Ancient Egypt Unit}

We've officially started our more relaxed summer homeschooling routine, and that means Ancient Egypt! Up first, mummification. I scored this Lift the Lid on Mummies kit by Jacqueline Dineen at Half Price Books for a lot less than the suggested $20 retail price.

That's not an error, the price is $6.49. It's a steal!

Upon opening the kit, half of the items seemed to be missing. After much inspection, my blind eyes finally spotted this little notch at the bottom:

Hmm...what's that?

Voila! Discovery of all our missing pieces.

A short pamplet is included with directions and a bit of history. When making the canopic jars, there was no picture of which head corresponded to which jar. Only the name of the god was printed on the inside of the template.

Canopic jar template

Madeline quickly remembered that Ms. Frizzle's Adventures Ancient Egypt had a whole section on mummification. And a picture of the canopic jars. Go, Maddy!

So much easier to figure out which head went on which jar :)  We did eventually find that info in the directions, but Madeline had a great time using the Mrs. Frizzle book. The illustrations were a bit more kid-friendly and who doesn't love Ms. Frizzle?

All the organs were separated and then put into the appropriate canopic jar. She couldn't believe the brain was discarded!

Itty bitty lungs

After preparing the canopic jars, Madeline wrapped the figure in linen. I offered to let her salt the body, but she decided against it since there was nothing to decompose. Protective amulets were inserted into the linen wrapping just like in Egypt. Last was the headdress, which she really liked!

The kit's final component is a 3D paper cat. It's a total HOT MESS. No painstaking amount of work could fold it properly. Glue wasn't holding it together like the directions stated either.

Madeline got completely frustrated with the cat. Even I had trouble folding all the parts, the tabs were so small. Many tabs were smaller than an eraser head. If a degreed Fine Artist can't follow the directions {that would be me}, it's a miracle if any child can.

Undeterred, I whipped out the scotch tape. Take that glue, you're outta here! 

Didn't the mummy come out awesome?

Despite some of the heads looking creepy in the photo -- especially the baboon one on the top right -- they're super cute in person. Not sure if they are supposed to be cute, but they are ;)

Madeline completed everything herself except the cat. Because we obviously didn't follow the cat directions, the stand didn't work with the cat. But at least we got it folded.

Her verdict on the kit? Amazingly awesome! Yes, those were her exact words. Even with the frustrating cat.

For the $6.49 paid, it was an INCREDIBLE value. I could never replicate the overall quality for such a price. A fantastic, lucky find!

The canopic jars have a paper bottom and a resin/plastic head top that is very durable and weighty. The figure is well made, also of resin or plastic. A bit like a Barbie but without hair and clothes. The "linen" is a gauge-like strip of fabric. All the amulets and the headress are made of paper.

Madeline is reading through her Ancient Egypt books like crazy and keeps bugging me about more activities. I've got to pace this child! We are going to have so much fun this summer...

Science/Astronomy: the Solar System {Printable Links}

Astronomy is probably my favorite Science unit. Growing up, NASA was a four hour drive away in Houston. Everyone wanted to attend Space Camp and become an astronaut. Pardon my moment of nostalgia, I'm imagining blasting off into space. Okay, I'm back :)

To supplement our textbook lessons, Madeline made this printable book from Enchanted Learning.

Solar System Front Cover

Each page has facts, a picture/cross section,
and comprehension questions

Madeline consulted her textbook to make
sure the planets were colored realistically

Yes, that is Pluto tabbed in there. I purposely included Pluto even though it's not technically a planet anymore. It's a great reminder that what we believe to be scientific fact can change. 

This planet wheel was fun to make. It spins to reveal each planet's picture and characteristics. No Pluto though! 

Madeline got a kick out of the brass brad. She thought it looked like the sun at the center of the solar system. Great observation, kid :)

To discuss why Pluto was included in one resource and not the other, we read Pluto's Secret: An Icy World's Tale of Discovery. I highly recommend it! It's part fiction {story format featuring Pluto's thoughts and feelings} mixed with scientific facts and historical events.

The book starts with the search for Pluto, it's discovery, and ultimately...why it is no longer considered a planet. Students learn the new criteria for planets as of 2006.

Next up, the moon phases. Still thinking on that one. Maybe making the phases with glitter playdough? We'll see...

Enchanted Learning Science Printables {Online Resource}

If your child loves Science, definitely check out Enchanted Learning. So many fun printable books, activities, and craft ideas to incorporate into your lessons! Even though they offer printables for many different topics, their Science ones are our favorite.

Front cover of our animal classification book ~ 
 insects, birds, amphibians, fish, worms, crustaceans, mammals, 
reptiles, and arachnids

Such a time-saver to just print and click. Last year I bought an annual subscription to their site, which was only about $20.

So worth it for the amazing variety of printable activities and books! No profit for me to recommend them either. Their site is just too good not to share :)

For the easier books, I create labels with textbook information to reinforce terminology, characteristics, or vocabulary. Then the labels get all scrambled up!

Madeline sorts through the labels and adds them to the appropriate pages. It's a perfect opportunity to apply what she is learning.

Animal classifications bird page 
{with extra characteristics added in}

Animal classifications insect page 
{with extra characteristics added in}

As you can tell, Madeline loves using her colored pencils! Now you know why we need an electric pencil sharpener :)  These pages were completed with our animal unit in the fall.

A pumpkin book provided activities for our plant unit. Again, we added details in from our textbook. This time, it was to reinforce vocabulary terms.

Handwritten vocabulary terms pasted onto
our pumpkin life cycle page

After starting with the easier books, we tried some that were a bit more challenging. The first two pictures in the collage are from a butterfly life cycle book. Each page is tabbed according to a stage in the cycle. It was a hit! Lots of information and a quiz at the end.

Details from a Painted Lady Butterfly Life Cycle book
and The Elephant book

The other two pictures are from a book about elephant characteristics. Madeline couldn't wait to go to zoo and try to differentiate between the two types of elephants by their ears :)

These a just a few snapshots of what Enchanted Learning offers. There are too many items and subjects to mention, just go to the website! Anyone can look at their activities. If you are more of a DYI person, it will give you plenty of ideas. But to print, you'll need a subscription. Which is dirt cheap for their product quantity and quality.

Space and the Solar System is our current unit. I'll definitely post some of our activities soon!

What about you? What are your favorite online resources for Science?

Book Review: Raiders' Ransom by Emily Diamand

It's officially finished!
Madeline LOVED Raiders' Ransom, but I had mixed feelings about it.

PROS
It's fast-paced with tons of action once you get past the first few chapters. The conversations with the talking jewel are hilarious. Madeline even fell off the bed because she was laughing so hard!

There are so many different topics you can springboard onto -- English geography and landmarks, English history, climate change, recycling, living without technology. More things to learn more about!

CONS
Amazon has this book marked as recommended for ages 8-12. However, this has some very mature themes including child abuse, slavery, war, underage drinking...well, you get the idea. Most of the reviews talk about how funny the book is, but there are just as many intense moments. The graphic description of corpses from battle could be disturbing to children aged 8-12.

RATINGS
Madeline, 5 Stars
She enjoyed this book as much as Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. When we had 10 chapters to go, she wanted to read it straight to the end. She begged every night to read more!

Mom, 4 Stars
I thought it mas a bit mature and maybe is better suited to more of a young adult {YA} audience. The story was great, but started off slow and depressing. There were even some in our book club who just could not get past the first few chapters and gave up {ages 8-10}. The aftermath of the fleet battle was a bit gruesome for younger readers. More of the talking jewel, please!

Will we continue with the series? Absolutely!
Onto Flood and Fire. Even though some to the themes are a bit mature, they do precipitate many good discussions with my daughter. And to me, that is one of the marks of a really good book!

Enjoy these extra resources to further learn about the setting and themes in Raiders' Ransom.
Madeline is having a blast comparing the book vs. real history and places.

ONLINE FREEBIES
- Games and activities for English, British, and Scottish history via the BBC
- View photos and videos of historical landmarks referenced in the book like the Thames River and Big Ben via National Geographic Kids
- Climate change videos, games, and activities via NASA's Climate Kids
- Free Activity Book: Discover Your Changing World with NOAA includes 10 activities to introduce the principles of climate science

ADDITIONAL READING
- English folklore/ Young Guinevere by Robert D. San Souci
- Famous authors/ Charles Dickens: Scenes from an Extraordinary Life by Mick Manning
- London's historical landmarks/ A Walk in London by Salvatore Rubbin
- English theater history/ Tudor Theatre (Building History) by Gillian Clements
- English monarchs / Good Queen Bess : The Story of Elizabeth I of England by Diane Stanley
- Climate change/ The Magic School Bus And The Climate Challenge by Joanna Cole
- Climate change and the polar ice/ Waiting for Ice by Sandra Markle