the road to inspired learning
One of our local state parks has an amazing animal observation window. Winter, spring, summer, fall–we have visited over and over throughout several years. This simple, natural nature study gifted us with learning the names and behaviors of many of the feathered friends in our state. Make Your Own Bird Journal Part of Simon’s Camping Class (at […]
We've enjoyed Eve Bunting's Night Tree for many years now. "By moonlight in the quiet forest, a young boy and his family decorate their favorite tree with popcorn, apples, tangerines, and sunflower-seed balls as a gift for the animals of the woods." This year we had the opportunity to complete a similar activity at one of […]
Once upon a time, we wandered around with nature notebooks trying to capture nature study. Eventually, we gave up because we lacked focus. Our story changed when we started NaturExplorers this year. Each unit we've used has had a happy ending. We finished out our fall nature studies with Spectacular Spiders. Jason was able to […]
Simon is a frog-toad magnet. He found an American Toad a few months ago, and we've been keeping him ever since. His name is Mr. Brown and he lives with three other frog-finds– Mr. Yellow (who actually should be Mrs. Yellow) and Mr. and Mrs. Green; these three are all leopard frogs. Yes, I've been […]
This is a super fun sensory activity that will cultivate curiosity about nature. Your preschooler will create a book with special objects he finds in nature. When he's finished, he will have a book he can "read!" Supplies: 6 Ziploc freezer bags (quart-sized) Stapler My Prickly Tickly Book Pages printed (on different colors of paper, […]
If you are new to Read to Me & ABC, please start here. Read to Me The book of the week for Letter L is The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle. Alphabet Art- Leafy L Supplies L Pattern brown paint, paintbrush glue (we used Aileen's Tacky Glue) fake leaves Paint the L and let it dry. Glue the […]
Regular school takes a back seat this week to make room for fall fun! I stole our first few fall fun ideas from Nature Detectives. Make Like a Squirrel & Gather Nuts We found an oak tree and the boys grabbed up dozens of acorns. I told them to hide them like squirrels do. […]
Simon kept telling me one day that we had a frog in the tadpole pool. I didn’t believe him. Finally, he showed it to me! Simon sat out in the hot sun to play with this little guy. Unfortunately, he was very good at jumping and hopped away.
Take your nature walk and collect a shoebox full of stuff (nuts, berries, leaves, grass, seeds, etc.). Get some sidewalk chalk and draw a circle. Decorate your funny face! This was an easy way to make a good memory and enjoy the great outdoors at the same time. Here are our faces.
As we rowed Albert, Elijah completed a backyard bird notebook. We still have one more bird to add, but I thought I would go ahead and post pictures! 🙂 COVER PAGE CARDINAL ROBIN BLUE JAY MOURNING DOVE GOLDFINCH General Bird Information Page Many of the printables for this lap ~n~ notebook came from Homeschool Share. Albert Resoure […]
"…Jewels of strawberries we didn’t deserve, Eating our way down. Till our hands were sticky, and our lips painted, And over us the hot day fainted…"
Last night Elijah and I went for a walk. We were throwing handfuls of maple seeds in the air (something that delights both of my children). Watching his face light up gave me an idea. A big idea for a little boy. I told Elijah we should come back with a bucket and collect […]
We were outside playing a few days ago, and Elijah declared, "Mom, I just can’t wait for the whole world to BLOOM!" I love this kid!
This morning while we were walking, I noticed that Elijah kept saying some really cool things about spring. I told him when we got home that we'd work on putting his words in a poem. I gave him these simple prompts after our walk: What does spring smell like? What did you smell? What does […]
We’re going to go E-A-S-Y this year with the nature journal. With young children, it’s more about getting outside and exploring than it is recording. It will be an educational experience; you don’t have to try to create one. (I’m talking to myself in case you are wondering!) The journal is not necessary. BUT I […]
Elijah painted a paper egg carton various colors. We left two without colors so that he could put whatever he wanted in those. As we went nature hunting, Elijah found items of each color to put in the appropriate spot of his egg carton. He was overjoyed! He thought this was the best thing ever, […]