Craft

Ocean Pelagic Zone Booklet: A Fun Learning Resource for Students

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Designing This Mini Pelagic Zone Booklet:

This project was fun to create! I wanted to make a little flip-book that showed the depth of the ocean layers through shades of colours. This simple book illustrates how the deeper the layers go in distance from the sun, the darker it gets from increasing lack of sunlight.

My daughter enjoyed this activity as she got to go through our crayon box and pull out every possible shade of blue, purple, grey and lastly black. She then lined them up and selected 6 shades to use in her little flip book.

After some technical educating on my part for how to develop this resource, I discovered how much I enjoy creating digital educational files and have since then updated and redesigned this product to be able to offer it as a digital purchase.

What Is This Resource Used For?

This is a fun, hands-on resource for kids to learn about the amazing layers of the ocean, also known as the “Pelagic Zones”! Great to use alongside any ocean studies!

What are the “Pelagic Zones?”

The pelagic zones, or layers of the oceans are split up into 6 areas, ranging from the most shallow intertidal zone near the sunny surface, to the deepest and darkest depths of the hadalpelagic trenches.

  • Intertidal Zone
  • Epipelagic Zone (Sunlight Zone)
  • Mesopelagic Zone (Twilight Zone)
  • Bathypelagic Zone (Midnight Zone)
  • Abyssopelagic Zone (The Abyss)
  • Hadalpelagic Zone (The Trench)

Showing (1) completed booklet, with 5 pages of B&W booklet template, and the B&W Info cards.

What is Included in this Digital Package? (Total 17 Pages)

  • Ocean Pelagic Zones Booklet (Colour Version) & Instructions
  • Ocean Pelagic Zones Booklet (Black and White Version) & Instructions
  • Pelagic Zone Info Cards (Colour Version)
  • Pelagic Zone Info Cards (Black and White Version)
  • Terms of Use

**Please Note that this is a DIGITAL FILE. There is no physical product from this purchase. After purchasing, there is a link that is automatically sent to your email where you can access your new file.

Click HERE to Buy this Package:
Ocean Layers Mini Book & Pelagic Zone Info Cards
$1.00 CAD

The Pelagic Zone Booklet:

Kids can use either one of the booklet template versions to cut and staple together their own mini pelagic zone books. Both the B&W and the Colour version were designed to insert a transparent page protector cut to represent the ocean’s surface. (This is of course optional, but my daughter and I thought it was a cool part of the activity!)

Showing my daughter’s completed booklet cover with the B&W booklet template

The black and white version has the extra steps of colouring or painting the different layers and then gluing on the different layer’s labels. This version is printer-friendly, and has detailed instructions on how to complete the booklet.

The In-colour version booklet template

The in-colour version may be heavier on ink usage, but the added step of colouring or painting the layers is already done, and the labels are already included, which enables this project to be completed in less time. The pelagic layer colours also coordinate with the coloured version of the pelagic zone info cards.

The finished product size is approximately 7.5″ x 4.5″.

Supplies Needed for this Activity:

  • Scissors
  • Gluestick (**not required for the in-colour version)
  • PDF template printed (pages 1-4, instructions are page 5) **I recommend printing on white cardstock if you are painting in the coloured layers)
  • Plastic page protector (cut in half if size is 8.5″x11″, use template for sizing)
  • 6 Different Crayon or Marker shades of blue, navy blue, purple and black. (You could also paint if you prefer!) (** Not required for the in-colour version)


Pelagic Zone Info Cards:

Each of the Pelagic Zone Info Cards relates to a layer of the ocean and has details included of the following:

  • Approximate recorded depth
  • Average recorded temperature for that zone
  • Plant life or unique habitats to that zone
  • Marine animals
  • Other known facts related to that zone

The black and white version is of course printer friendly, and the in-colour version uses the same ocean layer colours as the coloured pelagic booklet template! So if using lots of coloured ink is not an issue then this is a great option!

Thank you for your interest in this product!

** This is a DIGITAL FILE. There is no physical product from this purchase. After purchasing, there is a link that is automatically sent to your email where you can access your new file.

Click HERE to Buy this Package:
Ocean Layers Mini Book & Pelagic Zone Info Cards
$1.00 CAD

Check out these other Ocean Crafts and Activities!

More Homeschooling Crafts & Activities to Check Out:

Hi, I’m Jessie!

I’m a Wife and Homeschooling Mom living in a remote town in Northern Ontario, Canada. I love making wholesome meals for my family from scratch, homeschooling our girls and learning more about natural living.

Read more about my story HERE.

Subscribe to Northbird’s email list to get weekly posts on: tasty recipes, activity ideas for kids, natural living tips, and some genuine mom thoughts and encouragement!

Recent posts from Northbird:

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This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can read my full disclosure HERE.

Birdwatching Binocular Craft with Bird Survey Printables

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This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can read my full disclosure HERE.

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Return to “Discovering Birds”

Birds: A Natural Homeschooling Inquiry…

Learning about birds in our homeschool studies is one of the easiest topics to investigate in my opinion, simply because it is on-going, and the kid’s curiosity is spring boarded from seeing “who” comes to our bird feeders!

This is such a natural discovery process that leaps into questions of:

“Where do the birds go when it is raining or snowing?”

“What do birds eat when we forget to fill up the bird feeder?”

“Why are the birds chasing each other in the sky?”

Even though questions from these little treasures may be nearly constant some days, I am learning to pray for patience and view them as a golden opportunity for the kids to learn.

A “Whisky Jack”/”Canada Jay”,
Moose River area, Northern Ontario

Honestly, there are so many days that we have dropped the math or language arts lessons to simply go stare out the window for several minutes to watch the various feathered creatures fly around, eat at our feeders, scratch for worms and bugs, or pick up grass for their nests.

There is always something to learn from watching birds, even if it is to realize our need to sit still, and step away from whatever business is in our lives while we quietly observe these beautiful creatures. Birdwatching is so calming, both for myself and also my very busy children!

I love how one can almost hear a pin drop if they are watching the birds from our window. They have learned to be as quiet as they can and not move so the birds don’t get spooked!

A downy woodpecker hanging on to have a snack.

One of our favourite types of bird feeders is the clear plastic one above  ↑ (The Window Cafe, similar to THIS ONE available on Amazon) that suctions right onto the window glass!

A “Whisky Jack” eating from one of our homemade bird feeders.

You can check out THIS POST if you are interested in seeing how we made these easy & seedy paper roll bird feeders.

About this Craft:

This bird-based inquiry craft is an easy set up, inexpensive, and can be completed as simple or fancy as you like!

I must give credit to my sister-in-law “L” for first having the idea several years ago and making two quick sets for our toddlers to decorate with stickers when they were having trouble getting along with each other!

I hope you and your students have fun making this simple fun birding craft!

Watch and Record!

Don’t forget to watch and record what types of birds your kids can find using their new birdwatching binoculars!

You can download this Free Birdwatching Survey Sheet PDF HERE.

Have a student that loves to record and draw?

My daughter loves drawing! I created this bird survey tool as a way for her to record and draw the different birds that she finds around our home in Northern Ontario. It will be a great keepsake in years to come.

This birdy resource will encourage students to get outside into nature and watch and listen for the many amazing different bird species out there! It is non-specific to any geographical area, and is to be used as an interactive survey tool.

On each page students can record:

  • The name of the BIRD sighted
  • Date/Time
  • Location of the BIRD
  • Colour and any notable markings of the BIRD
  • Behavior of the BIRD (what was the bird doing?)

At the bottom of each page there is a framed box where students can DRAW their impression of what the bird looked like, or what it was doing (flying, perching, nesting, etc)

This PDF file has been designed to be easily printed, folded and stapled together, making it an easy handout to either print and make ahead of time for younger students, or have the older students assemble it themselves!

This Bird Watching Printable Journal is available to purchase and download from my store on Teachers Pay Teachers HERE.

How to Make Paper Binoculars

Supplies Needed:

Decorating suggestions:

Directions:

1. If you are using paper towel rolls, first cut them in half. If using toilet paper rolls, make sure they are completely bare!

2. Cut coloured paper into strips for a background, then wrap around and tape in place.

3. Cut a different colour of paper into thinner strips and also wrap and tape into place. (*Note: it helps to have all the tape along one side, so that when you staple it together, the tape can be hidden)

4. Staple together the two rolls where they touch when held together, (tape side in), stapling twice both at the top and bottom.

5. Use a single hold punch, make a small hole about 1/2 inch below the eye hole top, opposite from the staples (see picture).

6. Insert string into hole and tie a large knot at the end of the string to hold it in place.

7. It’s time to begin using the binoculars!

Made this Craft?

I’d LOVE to see your results!! Feel free to post to your social media account and tag Northbird using one of the links below or post in the comments!

More Homeschooling Crafts & Activities to Check Out:

Hi, I’m Jessie!

I’m a Wife and Homeschooling Mom living in a remote town in Northern Ontario, Canada. I love making wholesome meals for my family from scratch, homeschooling our girls and learning more about natural living.

Read more about my story HERE.

Subscribe to Northbird’s email list to get weekly posts on: tasty recipes, activity ideas for kids, natural living tips, and some genuine mom thoughts and encouragement!

Recent posts from Northbird:

Birdwatching Binocular Craft

This is a fun bird inquiry craft to make at home: Kids can make their own binoculars and decorate them as simple or as decorative as they like!



By Jessica Burman © 2025 The Northbird Blog http://www.thenorthbirdblog.com

Supplies Needed:

  • String or Twine
  • Scissors
  • Stapler
  • Tape
  • Single Hole Punch
  • Coloured Paper
  • Inside cardboard roll from toilet paper or paper towel rolls


    • Decorating Ideas:

  • Paint
  • Markers
  • Stickers (These watercolour bird stickers are gorgeous!)
  • Coloured Ribbons
  • Washi Tape

    • Directions:

    1. If you are using paper towel rolls, first cut them in half. If using toilet paper rolls, make sure they are completely bare!
    2. Cut coloured paper into strips for a background, then wrap around and tape in place.
    3. Cut a different colour of paper into thinner strips and also wrap and tape into place. (*Note: it helps to have all the tape along one side, so that when you staple it together, the tape can be hidden)
    4. Staple together the two rolls where they touch when held together, (tape side in), stapling twice both at the top and bottom.
    5. Use a single hold punch, make a small hole about 1/2 inch below the eye hole top, opposite from the staples (see picture).
    6. Insert string into hole and tie a large knot at the end of the string to hold it in place.
    7. It’s time to begin using the binoculars!

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    DIY Eco-Friendly Christmas Ornament from Toilet Paper Rolls

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    Our little town recently had a very festive gathering in the town square to come together, decorate and light up a large Christmas tree in the middle of the square. It was super chilly and snowy out, but great fun to be there with our friends, enjoying some freshly popped corn, hear the local school choir do some carolling, and bring our homemade ornaments for the tree.

    One criteria on the event poster was that the ornaments be eco-friendly. My oldest and I had some fun thinking of ideas and discussing what “eco-friendly” meant, as we have made many ornaments over the years but I don’t think any of them were recycled or ok for the environment!

    This easy and simple craft is what we came up with. All you need is string and toilet paper rolls. Everyone has these!

    I like that it can be either completed and hung “as is”, or if desired, adding further embellishments or painting it! There are so many possibilities to have fun with this simple craft.

    I hope you enjoy making this easy ornament for your Christmas tree or holiday garland!

    For those who need a visual aid in making the Paper Roll Star, you might find this short video helpful!

    How to Make A Paper Roll Christmas Ornament:

    Supplies Needed:

    Directions:

    1. Take a leftover toilet paper inner roll and make sure there is not any remains of white paper left on them. Then flatten firmly.

    2. Cut with scissors into 1/2 inch strips across roll.

    3. Using a hole punch, make a hole at the end, leaving about a 1/4 inch from the end.

    4. Arrange Star with the amount of pieces you would like to use, with the hole punched ends in the middle.

    5. Cut string about 10 inches in length, and thread through the middle holes, leaving equal lengths of string on either side.

    6. Gather the pieces down and tie a double knot firmly.

    7. Fan it back up and re-thread one of the strings back through only one of the cardboard pieces (2 holes).

    8. Tie a double knot at the end and it’s ready to hang!

    Made This Activity?

    I’d LOVE to see your results!! Feel free to post to your social media account and tag Northbird using one of the links below or post in the comments!

    Northbird’s Christmas Collection:

    More Homeschooling Crafts & Activities to Check Out:

    Hi, I’m Jessie!

    I’m a Wife and Homeschooling Mom living in a remote town in Northern Ontario, Canada. I love making wholesome meals for my family from scratch, homeschooling our girls and learning more about natural living.

    Read more about my story HERE.

    Subscribe to Northbird’s email list to get weekly posts on: tasty recipes, activity ideas for kids, natural living tips, and some genuine mom thoughts and encouragement!

    Recent posts from Northbird:

    Eco Friendly Christmas Ornament: Paper Roll Star

    • Servings: 1 Christmas Ornament
    • Difficulty: Easy
    • Print

    Looking for an easy Christmas ornament craft to do this holiday season? Are you interested in it being Eco-Friendly and made from recycled materials? Check out this easy craft to decorate your home with!



    The Northbird Blog, 2024 http://www.thenorthbirdblog.com

    Supplies Needed

  • String or twine
  • Toilet paper inner roll or paper towel inner roll
  • Scissors
  • Single hole punch


    • Directions

    1. Take a leftover toilet paper inner roll and make sure there is not any remains of white paper left on them. Then flatten firmly.
    2. Cut with scissors into 1/2 inch strips across roll.
    3. Using a hole punch, make a hole at the end, leaving about a 1/4 inch from the end. (see picture)
    4. Arrange Star with the amount of pieces you would like to use, with the hole punched ends in the middle.
    5. Cut string about 10 inches in length, and thread through the middle holes, leaving equal lengths of string on either side.
    6. Gather the pieces down and tie a double knot firmly.
    7. Fan it back up and re-thread one of the strings back through only one of the cardboard pieces (2 holes).
    8. Tie a double knot at the end and it’s ready to hang!

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    Salt Dough Baby Print Ornaments

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    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can read my full disclosure HERE.

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    With each baby that we’ve had, we have this lovely tradition to make a salt dough imprint of their tiny feet or hands every Christmas and turn it into a special ornament for our Christmas garland.

    I love having this precious memento to remind myself of our little girls when they were this tiny!

    It’s not always easy to try to get wriggling toes or tiny squirming fingers to cooperate for this craft, so I definitely suggest having someone help hold your little one still while you gently push their feet or hands into the rolled out and ready dough!

    These charming ornaments also make great gifts for grandparents, aunties, uncles (to my family members reading this: sorry for the spoiler this year!) and other special friends in your life.

    After baking them in the oven and cooling completely, use some acrylic paint to either paint the print so you can see it better, or paint the whole thing however you like!

    After the paint has dried, a nice layer of mod podge will seal it and give it a nice shine to enjoy on your Christmas tree for many years to come.

    I hope you enjoy making this simple and inexpensive yet precious keepsake of this time in your baby’s life!

    If you are a visual learner like I am, this video might be helpful to see the whole process!

    How to Make Salt Dough Baby Foot/Handprint Ornaments:

    Supplies Needed:

    Ingredients:

    Directions:

    1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees fahrenheit.
    2. Mix flour and salt together in medium size bowl. (Add any additional sparkles or cinnamon if you want at this point, but keep in mind if you want to paint later on it may not matter too much!)
    3. Add just enough water to make it into a soft dough.

    4. Knead for 2-3 minutes so dough is a smooth ball.

    5. Divide into 2 balls and roll out to 1/4” thick (or about 1/2 centimeter). *You can try putting a flattened ball between two sheets of parchment paper with flour and rolling it this way, or just flour up a surface and roll out, adding flour as you go. (Try not to add too much flour, just enough so that it doesn’t stick to the parchment or pin!)

    6. While baby is held overtop of dough area by one person, another can gently take the hand or foot and press firmly into the soft dough. Make sure to poke each finger and toe so that you get the full imprint! (If you have a really wriggly baby, feet are definitely much easier to do than hands!)

    7. If the print is not very deep, it will be harder to see, especially after baking. Use your finger or gently use a utensil to deepen the baby’s print to make it more visible.

    8. Use dull knife or large cookie cutter to cut out baby’s print. Gently place on a parchment covered baking sheet, spaced out evenly with other baby prints.

    9. Poke a hole above the print for the ribbon, leaving at least 1/2 inch of dough before the edge.

    10. Bake on middle rack for about 1.5-2 hours (90-120 minutes). The timing will largely depend on the thickness of the baby prints, so I recommend checking it after 1 hour, and every 20 minutes after that. When done it will be mostly hard yet slightly soft on top (not squish-able!) and slightly golden on bottom. Turn the oven off at this point and just let them continue to dry out in the oven for another hour (or longer if you want, just make sure not to forget about them for the next time you use the oven!)

    11. Remove from oven and transfer to cooling racks.

    12. When fully cooled (or the next day!) you can use acrylic paint if desired to paint the baby’s imprint area so it can be seen better, and decorate however you like. I also painted the backs once the front side had dried.

    13. Seal with mod podge or other craft sealer to help it stay dry and preserved.

    14. Don’t forget to write your baby’s name and age with a permanent marker so you don’t forget this precious moment in your baby’s life.

    15. Tie with a ribbon and wrap up carefully when not in use. Keep in mind that it may still break if dropped (it is salt dough after all!).

    Additional Notes:

    1. This recipe makes enough for about 10 handprint or footprint infant ornaments.

    2. I had some ornaments puff up while being baked several years ago, using other recipes. So after tweaking it and having many great results, I have learned that puffing up usually happens from these three avoidable things:

    • Having the oven too hot
    • The dough hasn’t been rolled out thin enough
    • The dough has mini air pockets in it

    Made This Recipe?

    I’d LOVE to see your results!! Feel free to post to your social media account and tag Northbird using one of these links:

    Northbird’s Christmas Collection:

    More Homeschooling Crafts & Activities to Check Out:

    Hi, I’m Jessie!

    I’m a Wife and Homeschooling Mom living in a remote town in Northern Ontario, Canada. I love making wholesome meals for my family from scratch, homeschooling our girls and learning more about natural living.

    Read more about my story HERE.

    Subscribe to Northbird’s email list to get weekly posts on: tasty recipes, activity ideas for kids, natural living tips, and some genuine mom thoughts and encouragement!

    Recent posts from Northbird:

    Salt Dough Baby Footprint Ornaments

    • Servings: 10
    • Difficulty: Easy
    • Print

    Make a salt dough imprint of your baby's hands or feet and turn it into a beautiful ornament or precious gift for your loved ones this Christmas!



    This recipe makes enough for about 10 handprint or footprint infant ornaments.

    Supplies Needed

  • Mixing bowl
  • Spoon
  • Measuring cups
  • Parchment paper
  • Rolling pin
  • Baking sheets x2
  • Cooling rack
  • Pencil or straw (for poking ribbon holes)
  • Dull knife or a large cookie cutter (if you want perfectly round ones!)


    • Ingredients

  • 2 cups all purpose flour (plus extra for rolling out)
  • 1/2 cup iodized fine salt
  • 3/4 cups water (more or less)
  • Additional ideas if not painting:


    • Directions

    1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees fahrenheit.
    2. Mix flour and salt together in medium size bowl. (Add any additional sparkles or cinnamon if you want at this point, but keep in mind if you want to paint later on it may not matter too much!)
    3. Add just enough water to make it into a soft dough.
    4. Knead for 2-3 minutes so dough is a smooth ball.
    5. Divide into 2 balls and roll out to 1/4” thick (or about 1/2 centimeter). *You can try putting a flattened ball between two sheets of parchment paper with flour and rolling it this way, or just flour up a surface and roll out, adding flour as you go. (Try not to add too much flour, just enough so that it doesn’t stick to the parchment or pin!)
    6. While baby is held overtop of dough area by one person, another can gently take the hand or foot and press firmly into the soft dough. Make sure to poke each finger and toe so that you get the full imprint! (If you have a really wriggly baby, feet are definitely much easier to do than hands!)
    7. If the print is not very deep, it will be harder to see, especially after baking. Use your finger or gently use a utensil to deepen the baby’s print to make it more visible.
    8. Use dull knife or large cookie cutter to cut out baby’s print. Gently place on a parchment covered baking sheet, spaced out evenly with other baby prints.
    9. Poke a hole above the print for the ribbon, leaving at least 1/2 inch of dough before the edge.
    10. Bake on middle rack for about 1.5-2 hours (90-120 minutes). The timing will largely depend on the thickness of the baby prints, so I recommend checking it after 1 hour, and every 20 minutes after that. When done it will be mostly hard yet slightly soft on top (not squish-able!) and slightly golden on bottom. Turn the oven off at this point and just let them continue to dry out in the oven for another hour (or longer if you want, just make sure not to forget about them for the next time you use the oven!)
    11. Remove from oven and transfer to cooling racks.
    12. When fully cooled (or the next day!) you can use acrylic paint if desired to paint the baby’s imprint area so it can be seen better, and decorate however you like. I also painted the backs once the front side had dried.
    13. Seal with mod podge or other craft sealer to help it stay dry and preserved.
    14. Don’t forget to write your baby’s name and age with a permanent marker so you don’t forget this precious moment in your baby’s life.
    15. Tie with a ribbon and wrap up carefully when not in use. Keep in mind that it may still break if dropped (it is salt dough after all!).

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