We are completely absorbed in the story of The Lord of the Rings.  Being very creative children, mine feel the need to be constantly dressed as their favorite characters.  We have the Hobbit clothes and weapons down pat.  We have an axe for Gimli, and swords for Aragorn, Eowyn, Eomer, Faramir, and Boromir.  However, for Legolas, we were lacking a quiver.  My son already had a play bow and set of arrows, but, alas, had nowhere to keep them handy while battling Orcs!  My inventive Mommy juice got flowing and I made him a quiver myself (VERY simply and for free!).  Since there are many boys out there enjoying play arrows, I thought I would share my creation.

What you need:

• 2 empty Pringles chips cans
• Construction paper
• Black electrical tape
• Stapler

How to assemble:

I cut the bottom off of one Pringles can and taped it to the open end of the second can.  Next, I attached a strip of tape long enough to sling across the chest of my boy and attached another strip of tape to the first, sticky sides together.  This is the strap of the quiver.  Then I covered the cans in brown construction paper and stapled in place.  I covered the staples and edges of the cans with more tape, giving it a finished look.  Drop in the arrows, sling the quiver, and off he goes to the battle!

Finished Quiver

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We have a fun craft project that we have available in our new store!  Mr. Skeleton is about 5 feet tall and very easy (and cheap) to make!  We have had one in my parent’s home that I can remember hanging every Halloween as a child.  My mother informed me yesterday that that particular skeleton has hung around for 36 years!  Even your youngest can easily participate in this craft and it can be a keepsake tradition for your family.  For the older kids, I thought that it would be an opportune time for learning the real names of all those bones.  So, I have gathered some links to learn the names and test them as well.

Vocabulary

Defining terms you will be using throughout a study is a great way to introduce vocabulary words and an important part in understanding new concepts.  Besides the names of the bones, there are some other terms you may encounter.  Have your kids take turns looking these up in a dictionary as a good way to develop dictionary skills as well as finding the answers.  You can look in an online dictionary, but I prefer the paper version to teach the kids research skills.  My kids write vocabulary words on index cards (word on one side, definition on the other), to use as flashcards throughout the study.

• osteology, joint, tendon, ligament, axial, appendicular, irregular, sesamoid

Naming the Bones

Next, I would learn the names of the bones.  My favorite is a cute, but very informative movie at Science With Me.  You must register on their site, but it is completely free and well worth it.  To see the skeleton movie, go to animations and click on Stanley the Skeleton.  Turn up the volume and enjoy.  I think this works well even for older kids, but, if yours want something more “grown-up”, there is a labelled diagram of the skeleton you can use.  I would label index cards with the names of the bones, mix them up, and have the kids lay them out as though they were building a skeleton.  Breaking them up into groups can also help.  The two groups of bones, based upon where they are located, are Axial and Appendicular.  The five types of bones, based upon their shape, are Long, Short, Flat, Irregular, and Sesamoid.

Once they have the names down pretty well, there are some good links to interactive skeletons to test themselves and solidify their learning.

• BBC Interactive Body has a Skeleton Game.
• Get Body Smart has an Interactive Skeletal System.
• Label the bones on this animation.

There are also free printable worksheets available at Science With Me and Lesson Tutor.

Here is our skeleton craft: We’re sorry, the Mr.Skeleton craft is no longer free. But, you can purchase it for only $1.49 from our new store!

Also, be on the lookout for notebooking pages and complete unit studies coming soon from Homemade Homeschoolers!

To discuss science, crafts, or other homeschooling topics, please visit our HMHS Discussion Forum.

As summer draws to an end and the school year begins, I like to think up fun craft projects to kick off the semester.  One that is a family favorite is making a yard stick art displayer.  My children are prolific artists.  There is a seemingly never-ending production of masterpieces every day.  I want to treasure each one, but what do I do with them? This art holder/displayer is our solution.  They are cheap, customizable, and extremely easy to make – even my youngest can participate.  We have made them when we move, redecorate, or when one breaks.  Artwork can be changed daily, or shown indefinitely.  I have them above their desks now, but in the past they have hung in their rooms as well.

Finished Displayer

What you need.

• One wooden yardstick per displayer.  If you can find the type with holes at each end, it makes hanging very simple.
• Wooden spring-loaded clothespins.  We use 5 on each displayer.
• Tempera paint in variety of colors.  Tempera makes clean-up very easy, but with older children acrylic or wood paint would work nicely also.
• Glue gun.

How to Assemble

Simply paint each yardstick and clothespin in desired colors.  Creativity is endless here.  My son made one with each clothespin as a different animal.  My daughter has drawn intricate characters and filled them in with a fine point brush.  Give them a theme, or let them decide!  You could do a different one to display each subject and decorate them accordingly.  (Ex:  One for Science decorated with beakers and test tubes to display scientific diagrams; a different one with numbers to display Math work, etc.)  I have found that a double layer of paint is best on the yardsticks to cover the measurements marked on them.  Also, keep in mind that only one side of each clothespin will be visible.

Next you will glue the clothespins to the yardstick, once all paint is dry.  We use 5 clothespins per yardstick and glue them evenly across.  I have also made them to hang vertically by gluing the clothespins long-ways down the yardstick.  This is perfect if horizontal wall space is limited.  Older children familiar with the safe use of a glue gun can do this entire project by themselves.  Younger children will need help gluing, of course.

Close-up of clothespin attachment

Have fun!  These have been a great way to show off the kids’ artwork while keeping tape off of the walls!

Yardstick Displayers in use

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