The Wolfe Pack {Reviews+Resources+Suggestions=Support for the Discerning Homeschool Mom}

providing the discerning homeschool mama with support on her journey

Game Review: PRIME CLIMB {Math}

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{This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy for details.} 

PRIME CLIMB is available on Amazon HERE.

{I purchased this game myself. All opinions are my own!}

I first learned about Prime Climb in a Homeschool FaceBook Group. It was promoted as being a good game to play if you wanted your kids to practice using all four operations {addition, subtraction, multiplication, division} in a fun way. Being a sucker for math games, I immediately bought it! And then it sat on our game shelf for months and months. I don’t know if it was the word “prime” in the title, the geometric-looking game board or the lengthy instruction booklet that intimidated me, but something sure did! But, eventually, my son asked enough times to play, that I relented and I am so glad I did!  {By the way, is it only my who forgets a daily chore like unloading the dishwasher but remembers things like unopened games and ….

Here’s my fun and fizzy review of Fraction Formula!

In addition to reviewing the

FUN FACTOR and the

EDUCATIONAL VALUE,

I will also include info on the

ORGANIZATIONAL COMPONENT,

TIME COMMITMENT, 

CLARITY LEVEL

and an OVERALL SCORE. 

NAME: Prime Climb

PUBLISHER: Math for Love

CATEGORY: Math

SUB CATEGORY: All four operations with an emphasis on factors

TIME COMMITMENT: Moderate {30+ minutes}

PLAYERS: 2-4

AGES: 10+ 

CLARITY LEVEL: ♥♥♥♥♥ I won’t mislead you and say this is the easiest of games to understand nor play because it’s not. But don’t let the 8 pages of instructions nor the spiral game board intimidate you. The instruction booklet is long only because it’s very ____ {detailed}  and includes a lot of images. And the board is super detailed only because it was designed to highlight prime factorization to increase the use of strategy. It truly is fairly simple to understand and play.  CLARITY LEVEL SCORE: 5/5 ♥♥♥♥♥

FUN FACTOR: ♥♥♥♥_ The tagline is “The Beautiful, Colorful, Mathematical Game, ” and it is! It has a very beautiful and bold appearance with its black background and color-coded spiral board. But, the tagline never mentions fun, though I think it should! No, it’s not fun enough that all of the neighborhood kids will want to come and play this instead of the PS4 but it is fun! It’s especially fun when you have played a few turns and players start to bump one another back to start. And the fun is significantly increased when players really start to strategize instead of just relying on luck.  FUN FACTOR SCORE: 4/5 ♥♥♥♥_

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL: ♥♥♥♥♥  If you are looking for a game that allows for practicing all four operations, pushes kids to strategize and really hounds the concept of factors and prime, this is a GREAT game! I would classify this as the math game with the HIGHEST EDUCATIONAL VALUE of every math game we have tried!  It’s a wee bit on the expensive side, but the depth of the EDUCATIONAL VALUE makes it well worth it, in my opinion.  EDUCATIONAL LEVEL SCORE: 5/5 ♥♥♥♥♥

ORGANIZATIONAL COMPONENT: ♥♥♥♥♥  Prime Climb is designed beautifully with quality pieces, though the pawns could probably take an upgrade.  The box is sturdy, but not small. It does have a divider insert which helps keep things neat. The board is the fold-out type and is very well-made and easy to fold/unfold.  ORGANIZATIONAL COMPONENT: 5/5 ♥♥♥♥♥ 

OVERALL SCORE: ♥♥♥♥♥ This game has ousted FLIP IT for the top spot and is now our favorite math game! Not only is it fun, but it offers the opportunity to push players to the next level of understanding math. It also offers practice with all four operations and allows players to strategize or just go with sheer luck! It’s especially great for older kids who need practice because it definitely gives off an older-kid vibe with its style and strategy.  OVERALL SCORE: 95% ♥♥♥♥♥ 

If you are ready to play “the beautiful, colorful, mathematical game,” you can grab it here on Amazon. 

If you want to look more closely at HOW to play Prime Climb, keep reading….

STEP ONE: Unfold the board and put it in the middle of the playing area. 

STEP TWO: Remove the blank cards from the pile, shuffle the remaining cards and place them in a pile so that all players have access. 

STEP THREE: Each player chooses their pawn color and places BOTH on “0”.  For our example, we only have two players {yellow and blue.}

STEP FOUR: Decide who will go first. 

TIP: A turn consists of four phases: ROLL, MOVE, BUMP, DRAW

STEP FIVE: Player One ROLLS the dice. 

STEP SIX: Player One needs to decide what to do with each die. Each die needs to be applied to a pawn. Each die is applied by either adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing it with the number that pawn is on. Because it’s on 0, the only option is to add it. So, Player One adds the 7 die to one pawn and MOVES it to 7. Then Player One adds the 10 die to the other pawn and MOVES it to 10. 

NOTE: Player One could’ve applied both die to one pawn and moved to 17. 

STEP SEVEN: If another player’s pawns were on one of those new spots, Player One would BUMP it back to 0. But there are no pawns to BUMP so that part is done for this turn. 

STEP EIGHT: If Player One has a pawn on an entirely red space, he gets to DRAW a card. But he didn’t, so there is no card to DRAW this time. 

STEP NINE: Player Two takes a turn. ROLL. MOVE. BUMP. DRAW. 

STEP TEN: Player One takes another turn. This time he ROLLS 10 and 4.

STEP ELEVEN: Player One uses the 4 die and adds it to the 7 that it’s on and MOVES that pawn to 11. Then he uses the 10 die and multiplies it with the 10 spot and MOVES that pawn to 100. 

STEP TWELVE: No pawns to BUMP. 

STEP THIRTEEN: Because Player One has a pawn on an all-red spot {11}, he gets to DRAW a card. It’s a KEEPER card that he can use on a future turn. So, his turn is now over. 

STEP FOURTEEN: Player Two takes a turn. 

STEP FIFTEEN: Player One ROLLS a 3 and 11.  Player One adds the 11 to the 8 spot and MOVES to 19. He then subtracts the 3 from the 100 spot and MOVES to 97. 

NOTE: You MUST land on 101 exactly. Player One could not have added 3 to the 100 spot and moved to 101. It must be exact. 

STEP SIXTEEN: No pawns to BUMP. 

STEP SEVENTEEN: Because Player One landed on an all-red spot, he gets to DRAW a card. It’s another KEEPER card to use on a future turn. 

NOTE: Even though Player One was on TWO red spots, he only got to DRAW one card. Only one card can be drawn per turn. 

STEP EIGHTEEN: Player Two takes a turn. 

STEP NINETEEN: Player One ROLLS a 4 and 5.  Player One adds the 4 to the 97 spot and MOVES to 101! That pawn is done and can be removed from the board!  Player One is halfway to winning!

STEP TWENTY: He then subtracts the 5 from the 19 spot and MOVES to 14 where Player Two has a pawn. Player One BUMPS this pawn back to 0 and takes over the 14 spot. 

STEP TWENTY-ONE: Player One does not DRAW a card because he is not on an all-red spot. His turn is over. 

STEP TWENTY-TWO: Play continues until either Player One gets his remaining pawn to 101 or Player Two gets both of his pawns to 101. 

The Most Essential Homeschool Supply

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{This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy for details.}

Be sure to read to the bottom where you’ll find an AMAZING GIVEAWAY!

 

I used to spend hours searching the aisles for my own school supplies when I was a kid {you can ask my mom, she’ll tell ya!}

Then I taught in the classroom for a decade.

And now I’ve homeschooled a kid from PreK and into High School.

So, to say that I have used more than my fair share of school supplies would be an understatement.

And, I’ll admit it. I just LOVE school supplies! To this day, I have a hard time passing up the Back-to-School displays every August. But, I have not needed to stop and shop those shelves in a long time for a couple of reasons.

Besides the fact that I have a surplus of homeschool supplies as it is, my High School-aged son requires very little these days {in terms of supplies that is, don’t get me started on the cost of High School books and classes!}

But, truth be told, it has been a few years since my son has needed much more than a pack of paper and these FRIXION ERASABLE RETRACTABLE COLORED PENS.

And I’m thinking that, even if you have a boatload of homeschool students that cover the entire spectrum of ages and skills, these ERASABLE PENS will become the most essential homeschool supply in your house too!

WHY? 

Two simple reasons…

ONE: They’re colorful and fun!

They come in a variety of fun, VIBRANT COLORS but don’t bleed or transfer and are FULLY ERASABLE {see below.} So, you no longer need to sacrifice COLORFUL FUN for the sake of practicality! The seven pack includes what you see in the pictures above and the ten pack adds lime green, orange and a third shade of blue. 

So, whether your High Schooler is editing a research paper, your Middle School kid is doing an Inductive Bible Study or your Kindergartener is working on handwriting, these colorful pens will keep everyone happy!

TWO: They really work!

My son uses these pens exclusively. He hates the sound of pencil scratching and he makes too many mistakes to use normal pens {that don’t erase} so this is seriously all he uses.  He uses them for math problems, editing essays, science notebooking, Inductive Bible Study, spelling tests….every time he needs to write something for school, he uses one of these pens. And, like most typical fourteen-year-old boys, he makes a lot of mistakes and tends to be more than a wee bit messy with his handwriting. So, to say he erases a lot would be no lie.  He erases ALL THE TIME and these pens REALLY WORK! They write clean and clear and they erase just as well! {And, don’t ask me how, but they leave no eraser dust all of the place. They’re kinda magical, really!}

So, there ya have it! FRIXION ERASABLE RETRACTABLE COLORED PENS by Pilot, the essential homeschool supply!

{WARNING: We have tried a handful of knock-off brands but nothing compares to FRIXION. The less expensive knock-offs run out of ink much sooner, rendering the lower price pointless.}

{BONUS: Pilot also makes FRIXION ERASABLE STICK PENS that aren’t retractable. They tend to be a little less expensive but we prefer not needing to keep track of caps all the time. But your family may prefer them!}

{BONUS BONUS: I’m participating in an awesome giveaway from Abby with 4 One More. She has these amazing Inductive Bible Studies that actually teach your kids HOW to STUDY the BIBLE! And she’s giving away TWO Inductive Bible Study Family Bundles to one winner. Your students in grades K-12 can study through the books of James, Jonah, and Nahum using the inductive method. These studies are open & go – no prior knowledge is needed! If you bought a Gospel Grab Bag this spring, you’ll recognize Abby’s amazing resources! The Gospel Grab Bag had a Psalm 1 Inductive Bible Study, which I have been saving to use this fall!}

Abby Banks is a former classroom teacher, now homeschool mom of five and pastor’s wife. Even though she grew up in a Christian home, she was never taught how to read and understand the Bible. After learning how to deep dive into the Word using the Inductive Method, Abby has taught it to kids, teens, and women in various church and homeschool contexts for the last 20 years. a Rafflecopter giveaway

It is your responsibility to read the terms and conditions upon entering. By entering, all entrants understand that they are subject to being added to each of the participating blogger’s email lists.

Game Review: PROFESSOR NOGGIN’S Wildlife of North America {Science}

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Professor Noggin’s Wildlife of North America is available on Amazon HERE.

{I purchased this game myself. All opinions are my own!}

Read on for a detailed REVIEW.

If you like educational games but don’t know Professor Noggin, let me introduce you! She has a HUGE selection of EDUCATIONAL CARD GAMES. They all use the same premise with the same rules. {They even all come in the same type of box which stack together perfectly.} So once you learn the rules and realize the VALUE in her games, you might get hooked {like us!} 

This REVIEW pertains to the Wildlife of North America version but would probably speak fairly well of all of her games.

In addition to reviewing the

FUN FACTOR and the

EDUCATIONAL VALUE, I will also include info on the

ORGANIZATIONAL COMPONENT {because I can’t stand messy boxes},

TIME COMMITMENT {because I have the patience of a three-year-old},

CLARITY LEVEL {because I get irritated if I have to translate instructions}

and an OVERALL SCORE.

NAME: Professor Noggin’s Wildlife of North America Card Game

PUBLISHER: Outset

CATEGORY: Science

TIME COMMITMENT: Minimal {10-15 minutes}

PLAYERS: 2-8

AGES: 7+ {or anybody who has learned a few animal facts and/or can read the cards to learn them as they go}

HOW TO WIN: Be the player with the most cards by answering the most questions correctly. 

CLARITY LEVEL: ♥♥♥♥♥ The instructions are very simple and explain the game succinctly. CLARITY LEVEL SCORE: 5/5 ♥♥♥♥♥

FUN FACTOR: ♥♥♥♥_ This is a fun, little game! Turns are fast and simple. And you can modify it to make it fun for multiple ages/skill levels by selecting Student, Scholar or a mixed version. We only scored it 4/5, though, because it’s not laugh-out-loud kind of fun!  But, it is a fun way to practice/learn facts about North American wildlife! FUN FACTOR SCORE: 4/5  ♥♥♥♥_

ORGANIZATIONAL COMPONENT: ♥♥♥♥♥ The card game comes in a sturdy, little box that contains one die, 30 came cards and one instruction card. The cards are thick and strong. The components are minimal and very easy to keep organized. ORGANIZATIONAL COMPONENT SCORE: 5/5 ♥♥♥♥♥

EDUCATIONAL VALUE: ♥♥♥♥_ The entire game revolves around nothing but facts related to the wildlife of North America so the educational value really depends on how much you value that topic. In our home, with a son who wants to eventually get a Ph.D. in Zoology, we value anything that adds to his knowledge on animals. Your family may not feel the same way, but with the huge variety of topics that Professor Noggin covers, there is likely a topic that your family would appreciate. EDUCATIONAL VALUE SCORE: 4/5 ♥♥♥♥_

OVERALL SCORE: ♥♥♥♥_ We enjoy many of Professor Noggin’s games as a fun piece of our school day and this Wildlife of North America version has been a fun addition. It’s quick, fun and educational. And, if, like me, you don’t recall much from your own science classes {way back when,} no worries. Just use the cards as learning tools instead and learn while you play. You’ll probably lose to your kids, but that’s okay. When everybody learns, everybody wins! OVERALL SCORE: 90% ♥♥♥♥♥

If you are ready to offer your kids a  fun and easy educational card game, you can buy it here on Amazon.

If you would like to read detailed instructions {with pics,} continue on….

HOW TO PLAY:

1. Open box, unpack contents and shuffle cards. 

2. Put the cards in a stack in the center. 

3. Decide if you are going to play STUDENT, SCHOLAR or a mix of the two. You can easily play a mix if you have some players who are more advanced than others. Just assign those players the SCHOLAR questions and the beginner players get the STUDENT questions. 

4. Decide who will go first. Player One rolls the die. 

5. Player One draws the card from the top of the stack. 

6. Player One shows everybody the topic on the card.

7. Player One looks at the die{1, 2, 3} and reads the corresponding question {1, 2, 3} on the card to Player Two {the person to his/her right.} Player One needs to make sure he/she is reading the assigned level for Player Two {Student/Scholar.}

8. Player Two answers the question.***

9. If Player Two is correct, he/she gets to put the card in his/her own pile.

10. If Player Two is incorrect, Player One reads the answer out loud and then the card is placed on the bottom of the stack. 

11. Player Two rolls the die. 

12. Repeat steps 5-11 rotating through the Players until all of the cards have been correctly answered {or you decide to stop. It’s super easy to stop at any given point and call the game over.}

13. The player with the most cards at the end, wins the game!

***If a corresponding question is labeled “NOGGIN’S CHOICE”, that Player does not need to answer the question. Instead, he/she gets to steal a card from another Player’s pile and add it to his/her own.

Cicadas: A UNIT STUDY Read~Write~Create~Explore~Enjoy~Learn

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{This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy for details.}

Each UNIT STUDY includes suggestions of books to READ, ideas to WRITE, crafts to CREATE, more to EXPLORE, snacks to ENJOY and other ways to LEARN about a specific topic! To read more about the concepts behind my UNIT STUDIES, read this. 

If you find it handy to have a simplified printable of these suggestions, you can find one, along with several free printables,  here in the FREE Cicadas Unit Study Printable Pack.

Otherwise, read on for a more detailed version with links embedded! 

{Note: The links are pink! Just think, “pink link” if you are wanting to follow a link to something.}

 

CICADAS 

INTRO: For a girl who was born and raised in Southern California, CICADAS were something I had no experience with whatsoever…until one weird summer when we returned to visit my husband’s family in Mid-Missouri. They were everywhere. I mean….everywhere. It was the craziest experience, one which our six-year-old son found fascinating but his mama found downright disturbing. But, since that time, I have learned quite a bit about the creatures and find them truly fascinating. Whether you live where CICADAS will be emerging this summer or not, your kids should enjoy learning all about these interesting insects! 

READ: Considering CICADAS are viewed by many as one of the most fascinating creatures, I think there should be more and better book options out there on the subject. I mean, how many stories of roly-polies and ladybugs do you see highlighted on the evening news? Gail Gibbons and Tish Rabe, please take note! But there are certainly enough to teach your kiddos about CICADAS!

Cecily Cicada by Kita Helmetag Murdock and Patsy Hemetag is a book written TWICE by a mother/daughter team. They first wrote the book in 2004 and then updated it for the 2021 CICADA emergence.  It’s a cute fiction book that does a great job of showing little the life cycle of CICADAS with a lot more than a diagram. They also include some lovely choice of words that adds to the sweetness of the book. The  FREE Cicadas Unit Study Printable Pack has two pages to complement the book; one for vocabulary and one for comprehension. 

Cicadas! Strange and Wonderful by Laurence Pringle is probably the best non-fiction option available. It is fairly thorough covers both periodical and annual CICADAS along with their life cycle, body parts, etc. There is a one-page scavenger hunt in the FREE Cicadas Unit Study Printable Pack. The scavenger hunt would work with any non-fiction resource on the subject. 

Cicada by Shaun Tan is a unique picture book for sure. My library had it cataloged in the Young Adult Department and I think that was probably the right choice. Though it could be read to younger kids and followed up with a conversation that connects the story to the life cycle of the CICADA, it is certainly a wee bit dark and sad in places. It does end on a happy note for the CICADA, but might cause kids to question the happiness of humans. There is one writing activity in the FREE Cicadas Unit Study Printable Pack.

My Life as a Cicada by M. Eigh is a fiction book with very cartoony illustrations, which are not my favorite, but it does do a good job of portraying the life cycle of a CICADA from the insect’s perspective. It also explains the pesky termites that it has to deal with, which most other books don’t cover. Overall, it’s a good option, especially for younger kids. 

WRITE: The FREE Cicadas Unit Study Printable Pack includes a couple of writing activities. There is one designed to accompany the book, Cicada by Shaun Tan. But there is also one that is great for kids of all ages, regardless of where they got their CICADA info. It asks the student to write a sentence or two about the CICADA’s life underground and illustrate it. Then it asks the student to do the same about life above-ground. 

There is also a Venn Diagram so kids can compare and contrast the CICADAS and butterflies. 

There are additional writing activities and prompts found in the CICADA Fact Pack. More info about that below. 

LEARN: There are quite a few printables in the FREE Cicadas Unit Study Printable Pack including a list of Ten Cool CICADA Facts plus some questions to go with it. 

There are also two pages covering a CICADA’s body parts and

a couple of pages covering the life cycle of the CICADA. 

For a more thorough and detailed pack, check out the CICADA Fact Pack. It includes a detailed explanation of the life cycle, more information on the body parts and a map of the current broods. It also includes questions to answer, pages to label and a crossword puzzle to complete. Use code 25OffCicadaPack to save 25% off the current price!

CREATE: With their simple bodies, CICADA art is fairly easy to create! This how-to-draw a CICADA tutorial is a simple nine-step process. This CICADA paper craft includes a free template. This toilet paper tube CICADA is kinda funny looking but totally endearing! And this origami CICADA may not be the easiest of the bunch but is a great lesson in following directions and creates a fun keepsake. 

ENJOY: As mentioned above, my personal experience with CICADAS is limited to that weird summer in Missouri plus one lone bug last summer here in Kansas. But, that experience in Missouri sure left a lasting impression. I even remember that the local frozen custard shop was making CICADA frozen custard. And it was selling out every day! It ended up making national news and they had to stop selling it.  Turns out, there was concern from the FDA about eating the crunchy critters. But, there are currently a ton of ideas of how to eat actual CICADAS but I just can’t contemplate that concept. Other than those icky ideas,  the selection of CICADA-themed snacks is pretty limited. I did find these cupcakes but I would not call them easy to make but you might find a clever way to adapt them. But this sweet and salty CICADA snack is way more my style, both in the ease of making and choice of ingredients. It just takes two types of pretzels, a big chocolate peanut butter cup, a Nutter Butter cookie and a couple of red M&M’s. 

EXPLORE: One of the most fascinating things about CICADAS is the molting process and this cool three-minute video shows it off perfectly! This video includes text that explains a bit more about CICADAS but is also short enough for any age. This site includes links to CICADA sounds along with other CICADA tidbits. But, this four-minute video from Sci Show Kids is my favorite. It’s designed for the younger crew but also speaks clearly about CICADAS to all ages! 

Manatees: A UNIT STUDY Read~Write~Create~Explore~Enjoy~Learn

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{This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy for details.}

Each UNIT STUDY includes suggestions of books to READ, ideas to WRITE, crafts to CREATE, more to EXPLORE, snacks to ENJOY and other ways to LEARN about a specific topic! To read more about the concepts behind my UNIT STUDIES, read this. 

If you find it handy to have a simplified printable of these suggestions, you can find one, along with several free printables,  here in the FREE Manatees Unit Study Printable Pack.

Otherwise, read on for a more detailed version with links embedded! 

{Note: The links are pink! Just think, “pink link” if you are wanting to follow a link to something.}

 

MANATEES 

INTRO: I think MANATEES are some of the coolest animals on earth and I feel so blessed to have been able to see several of them while living on an island off the coast of Belize. The experience was like something out of a movie with an old rickety wooden boat that was being propelled by wiry men with long sticks. We had to be very still and very quiet and very patient. Especially patient. But, the patience paid off and we were able to see several of their enormous, slow-moving bodies emerging, exhaling, inhaling and then just as slowly submerging again. Over and over and over again. It was mesmerizing and I could have stayed there all day if given the opportunity.  If you have a kid who might be mesmerized by these unique mamamls, I hope this MANATEE Unit Study will offer some guidance in how to teach about these cool creatures! 

READ: All About Manatees by Jim Arnosky is a great option to start a Unit Study on MANATEES. The author is has written nearly 100 nature and wildlife books for children and does a beautiful job of describing what MANATEES are, what they eat, where they live and more. He also illustrated the book, using what looks like watercolors which creates the most lovely underworld setting! It’s a great way to get all of your MANATEE facts in one place, and if you use the mini Book Companion Fact found in the FREE Manatees Unit Study Printable Pack, you can extend the learning beyond the pages of the book. You can also use those printable pages with nearly any non-fiction book about MANATEES. 

National Geographic Kids Manatees by Laura Marsh is a non-fiction chapter book perfect for young independent readers. It includes on-page definitions, vivid photographs and simple facts. It makes a great single resource on the subject of MANATEES, especially when combined with the one-page scavenger hunt found in the  FREE Manatees Unit Study Printable Pack. You can probably find all of the answers to the scavenger hunt with nearly any non-fiction book about MANATEES {or internet search.}

Another great non-fiction option is Oceans Alive Manatees by Anne Herriges. It’s listed as a level 2 reader but it’s definitely an easier read than the Nat Geo book mentioned above. My library had a copy. Maybe yours will too!

Manatee Scientist: Saving Vulnerable Species by Peter Lourie is a great option for older kids. It tells the true stories of three scientists in different parts of the world who are dedicated to saving MANATEES. 

There are lots of fiction books about the sweet MANATEE! You’ve got Sam the Sea Cow by Francine Jacobs, which tells the story of Sam, a MANATEE calf. It does a great job of weaving in MANATEE facts along with the adventure Sam takes us on. 

Another cute fiction book is Mary Manatee by Suzanne Tate. It focuses on the real danger that MANATEES face: propeller boats. But it does so in a gentle way. 

A funny, fantastical option is I’m a Manatee by John Lithgow. Yes, THAT John Lithgow. If you’re not aware, the actor is also a singer/author and has several titles to his name. The book comes with a CD, which makes reading it both extra fun and extra educational. It’s a silly book but does weave in several facts about MANATEES amongst the fun rhyme and fantastical approach. It also has gorgeous illustrations! The FREE Manatees Unit Study Printable Pack includes one comprehension page and also a writing activity for the book.  

But my favorite fiction book about MANATEES is This is a Sea Cow by Cassandra Federman. It’s a hilarious story about a MANATEE that takes issue with the way a second-grader portrayed it in her book report. The MANATEE comes to life and corrects all of the student’s misinformation. It’s a very clever way to educate readers about MANATEE facts. It’s also a great way to transition into writing….

WRITE: In the FREE Manatees Unit Study Printable Pack, you’ll find a Venn Diagram that is perfect to compare/contrast MANATEES and cows that would be super fun to use with This is a Sea Cow by Cassandra Federman but would also work without the book.

And, as mentioned above, there is also a fun writing activity based on the book, I’m a Manatee by John Lithgow but can be used without the book. There are two levels included, one for younger writers and one for writers who can do a bit more. 

LEARN: If your kids love to learn with printable pages, there is one page of Informational Text with questions found in the FREE Manatees Unit Study Printable Pack along with two labeling activities. Or you can find a couple of more in-depth options on my MANATEES Pinterest Board. These other options are from other content-creators and are not free, but you might want to check them out {and I clearly need to add a full-on MANATEE Fact Pack to my list of resources to make…there’s just not a ton out there!}

In the FREE Manatees Unit Study Printable Pack, you will also find two MANATEE body part diagrams to complete. One asks the student to simply label 6 parts while the other asks the student to label and explain six different body parts. 

CREATE: Ya know I’m all about simple art so drawing is not usually my go-to suggestion. But with the simple, and delightfully squishy, body shapes that MANATEES sport, they are fairly easy to draw! Here is a set of directions on how to draw one. You could then cut out your hand-drawn MANATEE and place it on its own habitat! This option seems fairly simple and uses markers and pipe cleaners.  This next craft,  though, takes paint, patience and grass clippings but it is super cool and more than just a wee-bit realistic, so, though it’s not easy-peasy super quick, I am suggesting it anyhow. 

ENJOY: There are not a lot of ideas for MANATEE foods! But, I did find just enough to fill a whole day at least! Start the day with this cute MANATEE waffle breakfast, then enjoy a MANATEE-shaped sandwich for lunch and end the day with some MANATEE-shaped hot stuffed crescent rolls for dinner! Be sure to serve a big salad with dinner…since that’s what MANATEES would eat! 

EXPLORE: There are several options for videos/movies about MANATEES. The Octonauts on Netflix has an episode {Season 2, Episode 10} where they save a group of MANATEES from a storm. The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That also has a MANATEE episode {Season 2 Episode 6} about a mom and baby. For something more documentary-like, National Geographic has a quick three-minute video.  But this 15-minute option, put out by Fort Pierce Manatee Observation and Education Center, is so good that it could serve as the base of your entire MANATEE Unit Study.

Other than packing a bag and heading to FLORIDA, or at least the local aquarium, there are not too many sciencey ideas out there, but this post includes a super cool idea about making a “Caution: MANATEE Area” obstacle course.

And, lastly, no MANATEE Unit Study would be complete without recommending Larry’s Silly Song, Barabara Manatee, from VeggieTales. It teaches NOTHING about MANATEES but it’s so ridiculous that your kids won’t ever forget the Unit Study! 

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