In this post: A study of the human body and rainforest food, fun, and crafts! Lastly, art in the style of Henri Rousseau. Join us for a trip back to our 5th-grade studies!
Hello, Dear Ones! This is my 7th post for our 5th-grade studies from a couple of years ago. In geography, we learned about the rainforest: the Amazon, and the Congo. In science, we learned about the human body. Our famous artist was Henri Rousseau. Also, here's a glimpse of our schoolhouse right after it was built. We did these studies in the spring of 2016. Here’s how we learned!
Human Body Project Board- We began our two-week study of the body with a project board that featured layers/systems of the human body. Ideas from here.
Leeland was our model and I traced his body for our project. We began with the circulatory system so our figure was red.
We used red and blue pipe cleaners for veins. You can find several human body lapbooks here.
We learned about our senses. Then we added plastic bag lungs with a straw to fill them up. We added a brain and labeled it. We added muscles to the left arm and right leg. Brads kept the joints moving. Our skeleton consisted of a skull, rib cage, hip bone, right arm, and left leg. We also have the intestines.
If you'd like a more detailed study of the human body, check out these blog posts: http://amberdover.com/category/homelife/my-family-rocks-sundays/homeschool-ideas/the-human-body/
The Rainforest- the Congo and the Amazon
Congonese Beans and Rice with Boiled Green Bananas. This is a lunch perfect for a rainforest study. We also watched the Jungle Book. You can also see our paper plate toucan. Check out my 5th-grade geography link at the end of this post to see all the blogs that inspired me.
Sloth paper craft with rainforest cookies.
We used crepe paper for vines.
Here's Michael making a paper plate tree frog and a blue Morpho Butterfly in our schoolhouse.
Bead snakes and a loooong paper chain green snake.
I loved this snake so much that we kept it to use the next year in our Garden of Eden set. Michael also read about the rainforest creatures we made. You can see an inflatable monkey hanging from a vine.
Henri Rousseau Inspired Tiger & Forest Tunnel Book
According to Wikipedia, "Henri Julien Félix Rousseau was a French post-impressionist painter in the Naïve or Primitive manner." Rousseau's Tiger in a Tropical Storm Surprised (say that 5 times fast!) inspired us to make our own tigers. It fit well with our Rainforest theme.
Rainforest Tunnel Book with the layers of life.
I printed several worksheets so we could turn it into a tunnel book. We pasted them to folders so they would stand.
Lastly, we made this awesome cardboard box hippo. The Reading Pool became the waterhole!
Music- Michael playing his piano along with a Hoffman's video.
Lots of Play- I kept Leeland busy anyway I could...with lots of sensory fun and exploring his environment. Who knew simple objects like a newspaper could be so much fun? :)
Gardening and Fun Outdoors
Nana is a regular visitor.
The boys enjoyed the box just as much as the little house!
School and meals happen outdoors once the weather turns nice!
The School House was finished in the Spring of 2016. Here's Michael working on English.
Me reading to Leeland in the reading corner. The book is Pooh's Schoolhouse.
Well, I pray you are inspired. I have a few more 5th grade posts coming and then hopefully I'll get 6th grade (possibly 7th too) and Summer fun posted before we start 8th grade (& preschool) this Fall.
God bless & remember the High King lives! ~Amber Dover
You can find more ideas here:
5th Grade Pinspiration