Capybara Lesson Plans, Printables, Crafts, Videos & More

Discover the fascinating world of capybaras with our collection of capybara lesson plans, crafts, printables, videos, and books. Perfect for homeschool or classroom use.

If you are learning about South America or the Amazon Rainforest, you might want to explore the world of capybaras! These adorable and fascinating creatures are the largest rodents in the world and have a lot of interesting features and behaviors to explore. Here are some resources in English and Spanish to help you learn more about capybaras.

This post contains affiliate links.

Lesson Plans & Activity Packs

• Rainforest Biome Animal: Capybara  :: Simply Learning Shop
  This activity packet is great for Montessori style classrooms and home lessons. PreK - 1st grade
  
  
• Capybara Unit Study :: Easygoing Acres
  This unit study is meant for elementary aged students and can be adapted to older elementary students. Approximately a 3 - 4 day unit. K - 5th grade
  
  
• If you are on Study.com: Capybara Facts: Lesson for Kids 
  Best suited for students in elementary grades. **Note: Study.com requires a membership for full access to their lesson plans.
  
  
• Capybaras Reading Passages Comprehension Activities  :: Top Floor Teachers
  This high interest reading comprehension resource about Capybaras covers nonfiction content standards. These activities are perfect for the upper elementary and middle school language arts classroom. 5th - 7th grades.
  
  
• El Capibara: Capybara MiniLesson and Printable Activities for Spanish Class :: OohLaLlama
  Great for SPANISH LESSONS. Help students acquire high frequency language structures naturally while learning about this friendly, fascinating animal. Student-tested and approved! 2nd through 9th grades
  
  
• Capybaras' Revenge (Current Events) - 3 versions + activities in Spanish :: The Comprehensible Classroom by Martina Bex
  La revancha de los carpinchos is a current event from 2021 in the suburbs of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Due to habitat loss, capybaras have invaded private, gated communities in search of food. This resource features three versions of La revancha de los carpinchos, all written in Spanish: Básico, Intermedio, and Avanzado. 7th through 12th grades

Crafts, Printables, & Activities

• Capybara Bead Pattern (Coming soon!)
  This adorable pattern is easy to use with Perler Beads or similar brands. 
  
  
• Capybara Coloring Page from Twinkl
  This simple coloring page is perfect for young children.
  
  
• Capybara Jungle Coloring Page Digital Download by BethNewcott
  This fun coloring page is for older students who may enjoy a more artistic challenge.
  
  
• Capybara Masks Printable Color + Coloring by FrozenPirateMasks
  This is super fun and you have the option of printing a full-color mask or a black-and-white version that your kids can color themselves.
  
  
• How to Draw a Capybara :: HelloArtsy
  Super fun activity.
  
  
• How to Draw a Capybara :: How2DrawAnimals 
  Another, more complex how-to video that is better for older students.
  
  
• Capybara Printable Craft :: LearnCreateLove
  Here's a free and crazy cute cut and glue craft that your younger children will enjoy.
  
  
• Capybara Perler Bead Pattern on Pinterest. Looking 
  
  
• Capybara Coloring Book by PaperLand Publishing
  A good collection for older students (tweens & teens) who like to color more complex pages.
  

Videos

In English:

• What Does the Capybara Say? 5 Fast Facts You NEED to Know About the Capybara! :: Shelby On Safari
  The best video! Have your students watch and then answer the question: Which type of capybara is found in Venezuela?
  
  
• The Biggest Rodent! :: SciShow Kids
  This short video provides an overview of capybara biology and behavior in a fun and engaging way.
  
  
• Capybaras, the Largest and ‘Chillest’ Rodents in the World :: Crazy Creatures
Great video footage and super kid-friendly.

In Spanish:

• El Capibara o Carpincho :: El Blog de Emi
  Your children may wind up loving this channel so much that you subscribe to it.
  
  
• ALL about the CAPIBARA: The largest rodent in the world :: Vidanimal (Spanish w/English subtitles)
  Better for older students.
  
  
• LOS CARPINCHOS :: Tuti Channel
  A Spanish read aloud of the book by Alfredo Soderguit (Also listed below in the Books section.)
  
  
• La historia de la capibara :: Chicos IPe
  A sweet animated story.

Books

Books in English

The Capybaras
by Alfredo Soderguit 

Hens and their chicks love their warm, snug home. Life is simple and comfortable in the chicken coop, where everyone knows their place and worries are far away. Until one day, when the capybaras appear. 

To the hens, the capybaras are too big, too wet, and too hairy. They don’t even follow the rules! But it’s hunting season, and the capybaras need somewhere safe to hide. Can the hens learn to get along with their unexpected guests? 

This delightful story shares the importance of opening our hearts to each other, no matter our differences, and the marvelous surprises that can happen along the way. Ages 4 - 8

You're a Good Friend, Capybara
by Chronicle Books

This lighthearted ode to friendship is delivered by capybaras, gentle giants who are known for their calm demeanor and social friendships with other animals, from dogs and monkeys to turtles and birds. This gift book features charming photography of these cuddly creatures and their assorted animal companions, paired with sweet advice and odes to friendship, straight from nature's experts. This celebration of the capybara's community, love, and kindness towards everyone—regardless of whether they have hooves, claws, or shells—is a must-have gift for friends of all sizes.

Capyboppy
by Bill Peet

The true story and adventures of Capyboppy, the Peet family's pet capybara.

I am a Capybara
by Michela Fabbri 

A capybara is not a mouse, or a beaver, or a bear, and has all sorts of surprising traits you will soon discover. But while every capybara has teeny tiny ears and a gigantic nose, this endearing capybara happens to love poetry and the opera, and even dressing up as a whale! He speaks candidly about his experiences and feelings, and he likes to find common ground with others, like his best friend, a little bird. Although he may appear to be a tough guy, he still likes cuddles and care. 

Capybara
by Megan Borgert-Spaniol 

This children's book is part of the "Rain Forest Animals" series and provides an introduction to capybaras for young readers.

The Mighty Capybara: The Fascinating World of South America's Largest Rodents
by Elli River

In this comprehensive and engaging guide, you'll discover everything you need to know about these charming animals, from their physical characteristics and behavior to their cultural significance and ecological importance. With in-depth chapters covering everything from the history and evolution of capybaras to their role in the ecosystem, reproduction and family life, and even tips for observing and photographing them in the wild, this book is the ultimate resource for anyone interested in these amazing creatures. Best suited for older students in middle school and up.

Books in Spanish

Los carpinchos
por Alfredo Soderguit 

El capibara con botas
por Mira Canion

***Language Learner Literature An easy Spanish reader containing just 55 new vocabulary words and English-Spanish cognates. 

Normal capybaras swim well. Carlos is the only capybara in the Amazon Rainforest who can't swim. Things don't look good for Carlos away from the water.

El gran viaje de Capy: La capibara aventurera
por Jose Navarro Hernández 

A lo largo de su viaje, Capy descubre nuevos lugares y se encuentra con diferentes animales y desafíos que pondrán a prueba su valor y coraje. Con la ayuda de sus amigos, Capy aprenderá importantes lecciones sobre la importancia de la amistad, el trabajo en equipo y la perseverancia.

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Children's Books About Sharks in English and Spanish

To continue our celebration of Shark Week 🦈, I started looking through all the bilingual shark-themed children's books on the market. I put together a list of the ones in English and Spanish that I liked best. There are a couple that had both English and Spanish versions. I tried to list all of the titles below starting with books for the youngest "readers" first. 

If you are looking for activity books with a shark-theme, then be sure to check out my post on Children's Crafts & Activities for Shark Week. I've listed those separately at the bottom of that post.

Happy reading!

This post contains affiliate links.

Books about Sharks

Children's Books in English that Feature Sharks

Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist

by Jess Keating

Sharks
(Smithsonian Kids First Discovery Books)

Tom and The Last Shark

by Erwin Lorinser

Walter the Whale Shark: and His Teeny Tiny Teeth
by Katrine Crow

Everything Awesome About Sharks and Other Underwater Creatures! 
(Scroll down for Spanish version.)

by Mike Lowery

The Ultimate Book of Sharks (National Geographic Kids)

by Brian Skerry

100 Questions About... Sharks
by Simon Abbott 

Children's Books in Spanish that Feature Sharks

Tiburones sorprendentes
by Nicola Davies

Tom y el último Tiburón
by Erwin Lorinser

The Hungry Shark / El tiburón hambriento << Bilingual edition!

by Tamia Sheldon

Tiburón grande, tiburón pequeño

by Anna Membrino

National Geographic Readers: Los Tiburones

¡Todo lo que mola de los tiburones y otras criaturas submarinas! 

(Scroll up for English version.)

by Mike Lowery

Super tiburones: Y otras criaturas de las profundidades

Other Posts You May Enjoy

• Children's Crafts & Activities for Shark Week
  
  
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• Celebrating Shark Week with National Geographic Kids
  
  
• Ask en español & Alternatives

Blossom and Root Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum Review

The following review is a guest post by Latina mom, Vanessa Ruiz. All thoughts and opinions are her own.

When you are looking to homeschool your child, you want to make sure that he or she is learning absolutely everything necessary for success. To ensure we cover all the necessities, many of us look to pre-made curricula to avoid the overwhelming task of planning a year of learning. However, choosing the right curriculum is no small feat. Here is a review of the Blossom and Root Kindergarten Curriculum to help you decide if this homeschool curriculum is the best choice for your child.

Note: We used the Blossom and Root Kindergarten Curriculum for the 2020-2021 school year. A huge update was released in the Summer of 2021. Although we did not get to use the updated materials during our school year, I looked over the new materials to give you the most current review possible.

This post contains affiliate links.

The Pros of the Blossom and Root Kindergarten Curriculum

Nature- and Play-Based

Anytime you can do school outdoors, it’s a good day. With Blossom and Root, you are encouraged to go outside as often as you can. The curriculum is based upon the Charlotte Mason principles, which means that time in nature is a huge component of learning.

My son loved doing school at the park or in the woods and I loved the special memories we got to create together. We often spent more time playing than doing the actual school work, and that is exactly how it should be for the early years.

We chose to homeschool because of the COVID-19 pandemic and due to unfortunate previous experiences that had shattered my son’s self-confidence. This curriculum was the perfect springboard to help him re-encounter a love of learning and confidence in himself. We got to be creative, go at our own pace, and explore his interests together.

Secular Curriculum

Although I am a person of faith, I want my child to have a well-rounded education that introduces him to the world, not just one point of view.

Therefore, I love that Blossom and Root is a secular curriculum that doesn’t mention faith but does introduce figures of different faith backgrounds and points of view.

Science

We absolutely loved the way science is presented as an adventure into outer space. The 2021 update even includes a list of recommended texts to help expand the exploration.

This was the one subject matter that my son begged to do each day. We ended up far ahead in science because he just couldn’t wait to go visit his friend Zoola in space. He told everyone he met about his trip and even built a cardboard box space ship big enough for the whole family.

History

I also loved how history was presented in such a child-friendly way. You begin by exploring your child’s own history, their family and community. The year ends with a section to study influential people of your choice. Therefore, you can cater this subject to your family’s own heritage and background.

Well-Rounded

What amazed me about this curriculum is that you could sufficiently explore all the subject matters in a very small amount of time. I remember never having enough time for art or history as a classroom teacher. Yet, in our few hours each day of homeschool, we were able to fit in all the subjects.

I love the artist and musician selections in the updated version. We didn’t love the choices in the first version because they were lacking diversity. However, the updates have done a beautiful job of selecting artists of diverse backgrounds.

Small Time Commitment

This was a catch-22 for us but for most people it is a huge perk. Sometimes we would get through all the material for the day in an hour or less. The curriculum recommends free play after structured school time is done, which sounds wonderful.

Unfortunately, my son didn’t do well with free play at first because he was used to constant structure and always having other kids around. To make matters worse, I was still working from home full time and needed to keep my son busy eight hours a day. So, I quickly learned to have a busy book full of supplemental activities on hand for the days we zoomed through it all.

You Can Mix and Match

As I mentioned before, my son’s previous educational experiences had left him ill-equipped for Kindergarten in many ways. He was not quite at the Kindergarten level in some subject areas and far beyond in others. Luckily, you can choose to purchase additional curriculum pieces by subject. They are sold separately on the website for most grade levels.

I could have purchased both the Early Years Curriculum and Kindergarten bundle to help supplement our Kindergarten curriculum in the areas where he was lacking.

The Optional Book Lists

This first edition had very little literature guidance beyond the language arts section. I love that the update includes optional literature recommendations for each topic. That would have saved me so much planning time!

The Cons of the Blossom and Root Kindergarten Curriculum

Print Your Own Curriculum

I personally didn’t mind this aspect but I have heard others mention that they don’t like having to print the curriculum on their own.

Blossom and Root does recommend a vendor you can use in order to print and bind your curriculum but that is not a purchase option offered directly through the Blossom and Root website.

We just printed it all out on regular paper and put it in three ring binders with divider tabs and it worked out wonderfully. I think I actually prefer that to having several smaller books for each subject.

The Planning Process

For me, the draw of a curriculum is that it is planned out for you. Therefore, I want you to hand me a lesson plan grid with everything I need to do each day so that I can just jump in and get started.


The Blossom and Root Kindergarten Curriculum does provide a chart with everything you will go over during the week within each subject. However, I would have loved all that information together on one page so that I didn’t have to keep flipping back and forth throughout the week, or make my own lesson plan, to stay on track.

There is, however, a master supply list and a master book list so that you can at least get everything you need at once.

Outdated literature (before Summer of 2021)

When we first began using Blossom and Root in the Fall of 2020, the literature used in the language arts section felt sorely outdated. I found myself doing the necessary reading but supplementing with diverse authors and more modern texts.

However, in June of 2021 an updated version was released and it almost made me want to go back and redo Kindergarten. The curriculum now contains a beautifully diverse list of titles from all walks of life.

I chose to still mention this aspect because the creator of Blossom and Root is updating one grade level at a time. Therefore, if you are looking for a grade level other than Kindergarten, you may want to check the expected update timeline before purchasing, or just plan to supplement in order to add more diversity to your literature.

The Nature Study Readings

We loved, loved the projects that took us outside into nature to explore. We both abhorred the readings from The Burgess Animal Book for Children.

The chapters are long and dry and left my active five year old frustrated and tired. We tried splitting them up into a page a day, letting him play or bounce while I read, asking questions as we read and stopping frequently but nothing overcame the boredom.

Eventually, we skipped the readings completely and used supplemental books or videos to learn about the animals or topics in the nature studies.

Keep in mind that there are surely kids out there who love this text and listen with enthusiasm. Mine is just not one of those kids.

Light on the Math

My son loves math and science. Therefore, one math lesson a week embedded into our space exploration was not enough for him. However, looking back onto my own childhood, I personally would have loved having math hidden within an adventure.

They do have a list of recommended math curricula on their FAQ page, I was just hoping the Blossom and Root Kindergarten Curriculum would have everything I needed included.

Doesn’t Always Align With State Standards

If you are homeschooling for a short period of time and want your child to be able to jump into public school without missing a beat, you will want to double check your state’s learning standards to make sure you are covering everything necessary. However, this is true with most curricula, not an issue with Blossom and Root itself.

In my opinion, Blossom and Root is a wonderful, well-rounded curriculum for kids and families who enjoy nature and lots of playtime. It has just enough freedom within the structure to allow you to modify things depending on your child’s needs and explore topics that are important to you.

Books and Toys that Pair Well

Learning Resources Alphabet Acorns

Nature Bound Bug Catcher Vacuum with Light Up Critter Habitat Case

Kenley Counting Ladybugs

The Essential Guide to Forest School and Nature Pedagogy

Life Cycle Figures

Globe 3-D Geography Puzzle

GeoSafari Jr. Talking Kids Microscope

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Vanessa Ruiz is a mother of two bilingual boys, former Spanish teacher and early childhood educator turned writer. She also runs the website, Families Embracing Diversity, a resource to help families learn to embrace our differences today in order to give our children a better tomorrow.

In her spare time she enjoys reading books on diversity and culture, traveling when possible with her family and friends, and spending time outdoors.

Symbolic Monarch Migration Program 2021

© Can Stock Photo / davidcrehner

Eleven years ago, I first told you about Journey North's "Symbolic Monarch Butterfly Migration" program in which students in the US and Canada mail symbolic butterflies to Mexico. There children protect them throughout the winter and then send them back north in the spring.

This year marks the program's 26th year!

Last year, 5,000 students participated. And they hope to have just as many or more this year. 

If you would like to participate, teachers must download the teacher packet, which includes the instructions for making and sending the butterfly, as well as directions for registering on the Journey North website. In addition, teachers (or parents!) can use the lessons provided by Journey North to prepare their students for the program. Students are encouraged to send class pictures, drawings, and a letter in Spanish along with their butterfly.

Children at the monarch sanctuaries in Mexico will care for and send the butterflies back in the spring. NOTE: You will not receive the same butterfly you sent!

To learn more, download the Leader Packet. This PDF explains the entire program and includes step-by-step directions for participating. There are also some printables and a checklist. 

Important deadline: Your butterfly must be postmarked by October 8th.

There is a $15 “Passenger Ticket” fee for each Ambassador Butterfly folder that is submitted.

And if you'd like to learn more about the biology of these remarkable creatures AND about their connection to the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, read my post from last year. It includes a free, BILINGUAL downloadable activity about the Monarch butterfly's life cycle.

Niños and Nature: Bilingual Nature Studies

After being cooped up for a long pandemic year, families are embracing nature studies - especially in their homeschool lessons. But finding nature-based programs have been difficult in the past. Which is why Niños and Nature is so fantastic! 

The Back-to-School Fiesta only has a few giveaways left this month, and I sure love this one! I have seen SO MANY bilingual homeschoolers searching for a nature-based curriculum. So when I saw this one, I was ecstatic! 

Read on and enter the giveaway if this sounds like a good fit for your familia...

Screen free Spanish learning for nature lovers

Niños and Nature is a series of play-based, nature-inspired Spanish courses for children ages 1½ to 6. They currently offer two courses:

Con mi Familia

A play-based Spanish course and preschool curriculum for nature lovers! These Spanish courses are designed for families who want to grow their language skills, while creating a bilingual learning environment for their children right at home. This is the perfect Spanish preschool curriculum for families that love nature, play and connecting with each other! For children 2-6

Spanish in the Wild

These seasonal bilingual nature study courses are designed for families who want to immerse themselves in Spanish, while learning more about the world around them. This is the perfect blended curriculum for language and nature study for your children and teens. This course helps you learn Spanish in every season, and encourages you to get outside for all of your language learning. Whether you are studying the anatomy of a mushroom, the lifecycle of a butterfly, or learning more about gemstones and crystals: this course helps bring Spanish to life with real world context and experiential learning. For children 5+ (even teens!)

If you'd like to see samples, click here. 

Other Posts that May Interest You

• 7 Alphabet Learning Toys
  
  
• New Bilingual Explore with Animals Series for PreK
  
  
• Learning Toys for Toddlers and Preschoolers
  
  
• Blossom and Root Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum Review
  
  
• Bilingual Flash Cards for PreK & Kindergarten

Nature Study Book Series in Spanish - Giveaway!

 

Today's Back-to-School giveaway is a fantastic collection of nature study books by the homeschool curriculum company, Nobis Pacem. You can read more about this Spanish curriculum company that follows the Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling here on my site.

This series is designed for children up to 9 years old, but may be enjoyed by the entire family. Here's what Nobis Pacem says about them:

Children are, by nature, curious, and nature is a propitious place for them to enjoy, and apply, that curiosity.

The study of nature prepares them for the scientific understanding they will use throughout their education, through the acute observation of nature that leads to natural scientific discoveries and fuels the thirst for knowledge and more scientific discoveries.

Nature is found in all the subjects we will study, from science, literature, and art to how nature has affected the course of history.

This book series is designed to make it easier for parents to promote the study of nature, in a simple way since everything is included.

The Giveaway

Nobis Pacem is graciously offering a complete set of this book series to one MommyMaestra reader. 

To enter to win, simply use the rafflecopter below. 

¡Buena suerte!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Free Coloring Page for World Chimpanzee Day

Not so long ago, I was a great ape keeper. Okay, maybe it's been 20 years and that is long ago, depending on how you look at it. But the point is that I was once a zookeeper who cared for gorillas, orangutans, bonobos, and chimpanzees. That was one of the most memorable times of my life, and completely changed how I viewed animals. 

World Chimpanzee Day

So in honor of World Chimpanzee Day (today! July 14th), I'm happy to share the news of the newest title in the Bears for Cares book series and campaign founded by Kay and her sister Jazmin. They launched the campaign on Endangered Species Day as a project of Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots youth service program. It aims to educate children about the state of wildlife and our earth, and what they can do to make a difference and create a more compassionate world.

“Jenny the Chimpanzee” is told in rhyme and encourages young readers to learn about the history and origins of human evolution told by a chimpanzee named Jenny.  And they will be reminded of how interconnected humans are with all other wildlife on this planet. As Lotus writes: “So let’s make sure that we care for each other’s safety. No matter who you are.  Whoever you may be. Whether you are a human or a chimpanzee.”

An added bonus to “Jenny the Chimpanzee” are inspirational quotes from world-renowned ethologist and environmentalist, Dr. Jane Goodall, who is the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees. I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Goodall when I was working with great apes. Here's a pic! (I'm in the middle wearing a white shirt and standing behind Dr. Goodall.)

 

A Free Coloring Page

Bears for Cares has kindly offered a free coloring page from their book, Jenny the Chimpanzee. I'm happy to share it with you! Just right click on the picture below and save it to your device, then print! 

And if you'd like to purchase your copy of this lovely book, click here.