Here’s what you need for Week 1: Rocks:
Books (find at your local library or order below on Amazon):
- Rocks: Hard, Soft, Smooth, and Rough by Natalie Myra Rosinsky (or read it here on OpenLibrary)
- Rocks Rocks Rocks by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
- A Chip Off the Old Block by Jody Jensen Shaffer (or listen to this read aloud)
(+) Book upgrades:
- Rocks and Minerals: A gem of a book created by Basher, written by Dan Green – A mini rock encyclopedia—if your child wants to identify every rock, then you’ll need this.
- The Pebble in My Pocket by Meredith Hooper (read it here on OpenLibrary)
Supplies (use what you have, but here are links to shop if you need anything):
- ingredients for this salt dough recipe (or this air-dry modeling clay is a super simple option)
- small disposable plastic water bottle
- paints
- baking soda
- vinegar
- food coloring
- dish soap
- paper + access to a printer (don’t have one? we like this model)
- crayons (or other coloring supplies)
- river rocks (optional—only need if you’re not able to get out to find rocks outside)
- acrylic sealer
- paint brushes (can also use Q-tips and toothpicks)
- play dough
- Borax
- pipe cleaners
- thread
- wood dowel (or you can use a pencil)
- large glass measuring cup
- scissors
- mineral science kit (some libraries also have these kits available to borrow, so check yours!)
- permanent markers
- cardboard egg cartons
- glue (we like this bundle)
Here’s what you need for Week 2: Rivers, Lakes + Ponds:
Books (find at your local library or order below on Amazon):
- Pond Circle by Bestsy Franco (or read it online on OpenLibrary)
- (-) In the Small, Small Pond by Denise Fleming (or read it online on OpenLibrary)
- Where the River Begins by Thomas Locker (or read it here on OpenLibrary)
- Make Way For Ducklings by Robert McCloskey (or read it here on OpenLibrary or watch our read aloud here!)
- Frogs! by TIME for Kids (or read it here on OpenLibrary)
- (-) Good Night Lake by Adam Gamble (or read it here on OpenLibrary)
Optional additional reading:
- The Treasure Hunter’s Handbook by Liza Gardner Walsh – If your family spends a lot of time outdoors exploring streams and ponds, this is an excellent resource you will use for years. For this lesson, pages 24-34 will be most helpful. (You can also find it on OpenLibrary here!)
Supplies (use what you have, but here are links to shop if you need anything):
- paper + access to a printer (don’t have one? we like this model)
- empty box (a cereal box shape is ideal, though something larger could also work)
- paint
- kinetic sand (optional)
- pipe cleaners
- cardstock
- glue and tape
- tissue paper (green, red, pink, and purple)
- hair gel
- food coloring
- glitter (optional)
- sealable plastic bag (sandwich size or bigger)
- frog life cycle figurines (or you can make your own with bubble wrap, a cardboard egg container, paint, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners)
- 8-10 rocks (use what you can find outside, or these river rocks would work)
- hot glue gun + glue
- small paper cups
- coloring materials or watercolor paints
- feather (optional for duck modification)
- mini popsicle sticks
- yarn
- black permanent marker
- frog and turtle figurines
- green foam sheets (used in two crafts, but you could also use cardstock or construction paper)
- moveable alphabet (this is a great resource for your homeschool supplies, but it is completely optional—you can always use the letters you have printed for past units instead!)
- foil baking sheet (these are often cheaper at grocery stores)
- rocks, leaves, and/or sand
- blue and brown play dough
- brown paper bag
- rubber band or string
- brown cardstock
- brown felt
- wooden stick or pencil
- small magnet
- metal paper clips
- scrap piece of cardboard
- spoon
- yellow buttons or small pom-poms
Optional bonus game for the weekend:
Keep the fun going over the weekend by playing Go Fish! We’ve linked a few different versions below that you can use to work on whatever skills your child is currently trying to master. (And don’t miss this clever hack to help your child hold their cards!)
***Post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through a link, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting our small business!***