{"title":"Early Literacy (archived)","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"explore-letters-preschool-library-booklist","title":"Explore the Letters Library Book List - Free Homeschool Resource | Knowledge Crates","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eNeed recommendations for additional books to go with your Explore Letters Preschool unit study? We've compiled a bunch of ideas in this FREE downloadable booklist. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExplore More Letter Resources:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eLooking for hands-on learning activities? Check out our E\u003ca title=\"Explore Letters Unit\" href=\"https:\/\/www.knowledgecrates.com\/collections\/seasonal-crates-1\/products\/explore-letters-preschool-unit-study\"\u003explore Letters Unit\u003c\/a\u003e for Preschool - Grade 1 designed to pair with this booklist! Check out the \"Plays Well With\" section below for details on how this booklist pairs perfectly with hands-on activities, crafts, and educational games.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🚫 Usage Information:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eFor Personal Use Only: This printable PDF is for personal and educational use. Redistribution, resale, or modification is prohibited.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Knowledge Crates","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44873299198186,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/8184\/0301\/files\/explore-letters-preschool-library-booklistknowledge-crate-981863.png?v=1735819962"},{"product_id":"explore-bees-preschool-unit-study","title":"Explore Bees - Early Elementary Unit Study | Knowledge Crates","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIf your kid notices every flower, every bug, and every “tiny flying thing” on the sidewalk… you’ve already got the perfect setup for a bees’ preschool unit study. Explore Bees is a hands-on, screen-free homeschool unit study designed for early elementary (ages 4–6) that helps kids understand why bees matter, how pollination works, and how nature stays healthy when pollinators have what they need. It blends STEM-inspired learning, creative bee crafts, and sensory play in a way that feels fun for kids and doable for parents—because every activity includes the materials you need and a step-by-step guide. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis unit works especially well for early learners because bees give you a real-world “why” behind the learning. Kids don’t just memorize a fact like “bees help plants.” They watch it play out as they connect bees to flowers, bees to gardens, and bees to the foods we eat. The theme naturally supports early science concepts like life cycles, habitats, and environmental stewardship, but it also sneaks in early math, language development, and fine motor skills through playful, hands-on work. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe activities are thoughtfully chosen to keep little hands busy and little brains working. The Bee I-Spy Mat turns learning into a visual scavenger hunt where kids practice observation, counting, and language skills while they search for bee-related objects. The Sunflower in a Bag activity lets kids grow a pollinator-friendly plant while learning about the plant life cycle and noticing how bees help flowers grow. And the Bee Hotel Kit gives children a concrete way to learn about bee habitats by building a safe space for solitary bees to rest and nest. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThere are also experiences that make this unit feel special, not like “just another craft.” Kids can roll and shape real beeswax sheets in the Beeswax Candle Kit while learning how bees produce wax in their hives. Sensory learning shows up with a Sensory Rice Bin (spring-themed sensory play) that supports fine motor development, imaginative play, and early science concepts through hands-on exploration. This is the kind of unit where kids are learning while they play—and you don’t have to convince them it counts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe bee-themed art projects reinforce what kids are learning in a way that’s developmentally perfect for preschool and early elementary. The Torn Paper Bee gives purposeful scissor and hand-strength practice while building a bee from shapes. Watercolor Bee Art introduces color mixing and painting skills as kids create bee-and-flower scenes. Bubble Wrap Beehive adds texture and pattern-making while tying art directly to honeycomb designs. And the Make a Bumblebee Craft reinforces bee body parts and thier functions as kids build their own bumblebee using mixed materials. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eEarly math and literacy are baked in, too (without worksheets taking over). The Honeycomb Roll \u0026amp; Cover Game supports number recognition and counting with a simple dice game kids actually want to play. The Alphabet Garden Activity Set from Learning Resources helps kids explore letters and sounds through nature-themed play. And the Bee Lifecycle \u0026amp; Honeycomb Diorama gives kids a 3D view of how bees grow from egg to adult and how honeycomb fits into hive life—perfect for little learners who understand best when they can build and see it. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe books included keep everything connected, so you’re not bouncing between random resources. This crate includes four titles: \u003ci\u003eLittle Sunflower\u003c\/i\u003e by IglooBooks, \u003ci\u003eNational Geographic Kids: Bees\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Very Greedy Bee\u003c\/i\u003e by Steve Smallman, and \u003ci\u003eDiscover the Busy World of the Beehive\u003c\/i\u003e by Petra Bartikova. The mix of photo-rich nonfiction and story-based learning helps kids absorb facts, talk about what they notice, and revisit key ideas through different kinds of texts—exactly what early learners need.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eNow the practical parent question: how long does it take? We create a free 6-week plan families can use as a simple pacing guide. If you like structure, it gives you an easy week-by-week rhythm. If your family is more flexible (or your child is in a full-blown bee obsession and wants to do everything immediately), you can absolutely complete the unit faster. And if you want to stretch it longer—because life is busy, because you’re schooling multiple ages, or because you want more time for observation and outdoor nature walks—you can do that too. The activities are designed to work in a shorter or longer timeframe depending on what fits your homeschool best. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAnd if you want to see what the 6-week plan looks like in real life before you dive in, there’s a companion blog post that walks through the pacing, shows activities in action, and shares homeschool tips and tricks that work in a real home setting. It’s the “show me how this actually looks on a kitchen table” support many parents want. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eExplore Bees is a strong choice if you’re looking for pollination activities for early learners, bee life cycle activities for kids, and a cohesive homeschool science unit that feels playful but still teaches meaningful concepts. It’s hands-on, screen-free, and designed to help little learners build knowledge through doing—without you having to plan a thing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdditional Resource:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Want to see this unit study in action? \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"See the Bee Blog Post\" href=\"https:\/\/www.knowledgecrates.com\/blogs\/news\/bee-crafts-and-activities-25-fun-ideas-for-preschoolers\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSee Our Blog Post Here\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdditional Information\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e: \u003c\/strong\u003eItems may vary due to current availability. This \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003ebees preschool unit study crate contains products not manufactured by the seller. Please be advised that crates may contain small parts that may not be suitable for children under 3 years. Do not consume crate contents.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Knowledge Crates","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44923401142506,"sku":"01142506","price":124.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/8184\/0301\/files\/BeeUnitStudy.png?v=1742380376"},{"product_id":"explore-bees-library-booklist","title":"Explore Bees Library Book List - Free Homeschool Resource | Knowledge Crates","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eFREE Explore Bees Booklist \u003cspan\u003e–\u003c\/span\u003e Perfect for Your Bee Unit Study!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eLooking for the perfect books to complement your bee-themed unit study?\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🐝\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOur\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFREE downloadable Explore Bees Booklist\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis packed with engaging, educational titles \u003cspan\u003e–\u003c\/span\u003e from colorful board books for toddlers to captivating novels for older kids.\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExplore More Resources:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eWant more bee-themed fun? \u003cspan\u003e🐝\u003c\/span\u003e We’ve also created an \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.knowledgecrates.com\/products\/explore-bees-preschool-unit-study\" title=\"Bee Unit Study\"\u003eExplore the Bees\u003c\/a\u003e unit study for preschool - grade 1. Check out the \"Plays Well With\" section below for details on how this booklist pairs perfectly with hands-on activities, crafts, and educational games.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🚫 Usage Information\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e: \u003c\/strong\u003eFor Personal Use Only: This printable PDF is for personal and educational use. Redistribution, resale, or modification is prohibited.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Knowledge Crates","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44935986479338,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/8184\/0301\/files\/explore-bees-library-booklistknowledge-crate-767350.png?v=1746053372"},{"product_id":"explore-dinosaurs","title":"Explore Dinosaurs - Early Elementary Unit Study | Knowledge Crates","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDoes your child love dinosaurs? Explore Dinosaurs takes that curiosity and turns it into hands-on learning through science experiments, creative art projects, books, and interactive literacy activities.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDesigned for kindergarten through first grade, this dinosaur homeschool unit study brings together a variety of activities that let children explore, create, experiment, and discover. They can make a fizzy volcano, dig into dinosaur-themed sensory activities, create their own prehistoric artwork, and enjoy stories and games that build early reading skills. Each activity gives children a different way to explore the world of dinosaurs while developing new skills along the way.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe included activity guide walks you through the projects and has a convenient four-week plan printed inside the cover to help you organize your learning. Follow the suggested schedule or spread the activities out to fit your family's routine.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdditional Resource:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Want to see this unit study in action? Visit our \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.knowledgecrates.com\/blogs\/news\/dinosaur-crafts-and-activities-for-preschoolers-explore-dinosaurs-unit\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eblog post featuring dinosaur crafts and activities\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e for a closer look at the projects and learning experiences included in Explore Dinosaurs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdditional Information:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Items may vary based on availability. This unit study crate contains products manufactured by third-party suppliers. Some materials may contain small parts and may not be suitable for children under 3 years of age. Do not consume crate contents.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Knowledge Crates","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45108761002218,"sku":"61002218","price":124.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/8184\/0301\/files\/explore-dinosaurs-preschool-early-elementary-unit-studyknowledge-crates-8070921.png?v=1753356582"},{"product_id":"explore-spring-with-gail-gibbons-early-elementary-unit-study-knowledge-crates","title":"Explore Spring with Gail Gibbons - Early Elementary Unit Study | Knowledge Crates","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe minute spring shows up, kids turn into tiny scientists. They’re spotting worms on the sidewalk, pointing out every bud on every branch, and asking the kind of questions that start with “Why…” and end with you trying to remember what a stem does. Explore Spring with Gail Gibbons is built for that exact season of life. This spring homeschool unit study is designed for preschool through early elementary and teaches how plants grow, where food comes from, and how spring changes the world around us through hands-on, screen-free learning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis is a complete, open-and-go unit study, so you don’t have to plan lessons or gather supplies. The unit is anchored by four Gail Gibbons books—The Vegetables We Eat, The Fruits We Eat, From Seed to Plant, and the From Seed to Plant Workbook—which give kids a clear, kid-friendly foundation in plant science and nonfiction reading. From there, children learn by doing: planting and observing real growth with Watch it Grow cucumbers, Watch it Grow strawberries, and Growing a Bean, plus the classic Grass Heads science activity. These are the kinds of activities that naturally build early science skills like predicting, noticing patterns, and recording changes over time—without your child realizing they’re “doing school.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eSpring is also the season of pollinators, and this unit makes that connection stick. Kids explore pollination with a hands-on activity that helps them understand how flowers become fruits and why bees and butterflies matter. Then comes the showstopper: the Butterfly Garden Kit. Children watch the full life cycle as a caterpillar forms a chrysalis, becomes a butterfly, and is released into the wild. It’s real science, real observation, and one of those learning moments that becomes a core memory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eMath and early literacy are woven in with hands-on tools that feel like play. Kids practice counting, sorting, number recognition, and comparing quantities with the Count the Crop math mat and Veggie Patch Math Mat. The Who Lives in the Garden I Spy Mat builds observation skills, attention to detail, and vocabulary using spring garden themes. Sensory learning is built in too, with Crayola Play Dough and a Build a Flower Garden dough mat that strengthens fine-motor skills while reinforcing flower parts and garden concepts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eArt in this unit isn’t “extra.” It’s part of the learning. Children create Root to Bloom Art to show how plants grow from roots to flowers, Tops and Bottoms Veggie Art to explore which foods grow above or below ground, and Strawberry Art to tie fruit to seeds and plant growth. They’ll also complete a Butterfly Directed Drawing to connect spring life cycles and build drawing confidence. The unit wraps with a Spring Life Cycle Diorama that pulls the whole theme together—plants, pollination, growth, and seasonal change—in a visual project kids can explain in their own words.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eFor pacing, we provide a free 4-week plan families can follow for an easy, week-by-week rhythm. But it’s flexible on purpose: you can complete it faster if your child is on a roll, or stretch it longer if you want a gentler pace or you’d like the growing projects and butterfly life cycle to unfold naturally. There’s also a companion blog post that walks through the four-week plan, shows activities in action, and shares practical homeschool tips that work in a real life setting—because hands-on learning is wonderful, but it’s even better when it’s actually doable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdditional Information\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e: \u003c\/strong\u003eItems may vary due to current availability. This unit study crate contains products not manufactured by the seller. Please be advised that crates may contain small parts that may not be suitable for children under 3 years. Do not consume crate contents.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Knowledge Crates","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45835488624874,"sku":"88624874","price":124.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/8184\/0301\/files\/explore-spring-with-gail-gibbons-early-elementary-unit-study-knowledge-cratesknowledge-crates-7979909.png?v=1770555846"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/8184\/0301\/collections\/early-literacy-units-with-alphabet-learning-toys-364421.png?v=1742838568","url":"https:\/\/www.knowledgecrates.com\/collections\/alphabet-learning-toys-archived.oembed","provider":"Knowledge Crates","version":"1.0","type":"link"}