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Sep. 20, 2008
Nature Study Group at the Saugus Iron Works
Posted in Nature Study
This past Thursday was the first Nature Study group meeting of the new school year. We all went to the Saugus Irn Works to learn about the different rocks and how iron was formed. The tour was very long (I had to leave after 2 hours), but enjoyable. There were some parts where the kids started to get a little restless, but overall, it was a fun time.
Here are some pictures I took of the buildings (which are all replicas) and the working mills.
Matt wants to go back again to check the place out without a tour. Granted he can't touch anything. Everything works including the water wheels, bellows, furnace, and smith shop. We weren't able to catch the last building (where they stretch the iron out (the tour guide said it was like a huge pasta machine) because I had to get home and get ready for work. Best of all was it is all free.
Posted in Nature Study
While I was out hanging my laundry, my neighbor came out to pick up her yard a little. We were chatting when she noticed this huge bug sitting on her fence post.
Anyone have any clue what bug this is?
Jul. 27, 2008
What kind of bug is this?
Posted in Nature Study
I found him as I was hopping in the shower last week. He got a nice hot shower. Last night, I found another in the tub when I was cleaning it out. They freak me out, yet it is a pretty cool looking bug.
May. 28, 2008
Free Nature Journal ~ This week only~
Posted in Nature Study
Free this week at Currclick, is a Nature Journal in the Charlotte Mason style. Go grab it before this great deal is gone.
It’s all in one place! A guide to nature journaling and a template for creating your own journal. This 90-page book follows Charlotte Mason’s guidelines, has a 36-week nature journal template, includes tips, suggestions, a bird, tree and mammal observation list and food for thought on the many ways nature study enriches your child’s life.
Contains:
Introduction to Nature Study
Finding Delight in Nature Study
Charlotte Mason on Nature Study and “Nature-Diaries”
Better Nature Journaling
Dry Brush Technique for Nature Journals
Instructions for Nature Journal
36-week Nature Journal Template
Bird List
Tree list
Mammal List
May. 21, 2008
Flowers from my garden
May. 10, 2008
At Walden Pond
Posted in Nature Study
I was suddenly sensible of such sweet and beneficent society in Nature, in the very pattering of the drops and every sound and sight around my house, an infinite and unaccountable friendliness all at once like an atmosphere sustaining me, as made the fancied advantages of human neighbourhood insignificant, and I have never thought of them since. (Henry David Thoreau, 1854)
Today, we headed out to Walden Pond in Concord MA to do a little Trout fishing. They stock the pond yearly with the fish and had just done so a few weeks ago. We didn't catch anything however. I think it was a bit to chilly this morning. It rained out the past two days, so it was in the high 40's.
We took a walk around and explored a little and learned a little more about Henry David Thoreau (at least I did hehe). This area was once owned by Emerson and he allowed Thoreau to live here. From what little reading I did on they today, they were good friends. This is a replica of Thoreau's house and a little info on how much it cost him to build the house.
Can you imagine paying so little for a home today? A shed this size would cost hundreds now. Here's a link for you to build a card model of Thoreau's house. I think I will make one with Matt later tonight. (I'll post it when we are done).
Walden Pond is a kettle hole, a deep (103 foot) pond formed over 12,000 years ago when the last glacier to cover New England slowly melted away. As it did, large chunks of ice broke off and beame surrounded and covered by vast amounts of sand and gravel carried by streams flowing fromthe glacier. As these blocks melted, they left behind depressions that eventually filled with water. Because of this geological history, most kettle holes like Walden Pond have no streams flowing into or out of them (from the Walden Pond State Reservation brochure).
Jan. 18, 2008
Nature Study Group ~ Animal Tracks in the Snow
Posted in Nature Study
Once a month, our hoemschool group gets together to go on a nature walk or learn a little about nature around us. This month is was my turn to lead (and my kids weren't even there. LOL). I chose to go on a walk and see if we could see any tracks left behind by some of our local wildlife.
We all met up at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus, MA. It was a cold day, but we were all bundled up. I passed out a handout on the most common animal tracks you can find in MA as well as a couple of pages from My Nature Journal by Adrienne Olmstead on animal tracks. Then we all headed out to see what we could see. Not having any kids with me (daughter is in Florida and son goes to school), I was able to take plenty of pretty snow pictures.
Us heading out
You can bearly make out the paved path that we walked on. There are tons of off road paths to take, but most of us didn't venture out that far.
I just love how the snow sticks to the trees.
A little snow covered stream.
The poor tree all bent over from all the snow. But isn't it so pretty?
It was so georgous there that I could have easily filled up my camera (over 500 pics) with pictures.
We did manage to find some tracks. We saw fox, coyote, rabbit and maybe a dear. It was hard to tell from all the human and dog tracks around. This is a very dog friendly place, so we knew that there would be dog tracks to check out.
Dec. 11, 2007
Crazy Squirrel
Posted in Nature Study
Last year, I had just one suet feeder up. After watching our Downy Woodpeckers fight over it with the English Starlings, I decided that this year, I need to put up another one.
Well, it seems that none of the birds like the feeder. It is the exact same one but with one difference. It is red not green. I have yetto see any birds go to the red suet feeder. They love the green one from last year and I have hadto fill it up twice so far this season. Do birds prefer one color over another? It seems like it here.
Well, it does seem that one animal around here enjoys the red suet feeder. One crazy squirrel. Chantelle took these pictures through the window near our Christmas tree (that is what the little color spots are in the pictures).
Can you see the squirrel drey in the tree in the far right?
I think I need to set our squirrel food for this guy so he doesn't have to perform acrobatic tricks to eat.
Nov. 29, 2007
Dinner just walked through my yard!!!
Posted in Nature Study
Chantelle was in the kitchen working on her English when our neighbors dog started to bark like crazy. She barks if someone comes over our house (Our little private alarm), so Chantelle went to look to see who was coming.
Well, instead of someone out there, there were FOUR Wild Turkeys!! So of course I grabbed my camera and I was standing next to one of them. HUGE birds and very beautiful. Would make a nice dinner too. LOL.
I was really this close to this one. There was one other to my right at the bottom of the wall (My yard is in levels and this bird was on the third to the top. There are five levels total)
This is the one that was at the bottom of the hill. The other two had already walked into another neighbors yard and went behind their shed.
Our little nature study for the day. Now I am truly excited (and a little hungry LOL).
Oct. 1, 2007
Nature Study Group ~Nature Scavenger Hunt~
Posted in Nature Study
This year, our homeschool group has formed a Nature Study group. Two weeks ago was our first meeting. We went on a nature scavanger hunt looking for things that were on this list a fellow mom brought. You can see the list here at her blog.
We met up at Breakheart Reservation here in Saugus, MA. It was a beautiful warm day. I believe we had about 15-20 families there, so we were a little bit noisy at first, but once the group got on with the hunt, things got a little quiet.
Chantelle went one way with her friends, while Matt (who had a half a day at school that day) and I went another way with most of the group. He started out looking for things, but he had so much pent up energy from sitting in class, that he eventually just started running around. He would only stop when he saw a chipmunk run out on the path. There were tons of them all over too!
I got "attacked" by an acorn too! One fell or got thrown at me, who knows. Those chipmuks there were just as nuts as the ones they were gathering. I was causally walking along the path with some friends, when out of no where this acorn falls and hits me on the head and lands on the clipboard I was holding. It freaked me out, but we all had a good laugh.
We did see a squirrel drey (nest) up high in a tree. Here is what one looks like:
Notice the bunch of leaves and twigs in a huge mass? Thats the drey.
Matt taking a rest in a tree. We talked about the moss and lichen that was on and around the tree for a little bit before he ran off to climb another rock or random thing around.
Octobers meeting will be at the Ipswich Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield Ma. It is going to be on birds. I am not sure I can make it to that one because the meetings run from 1-3 and I have to get matt at 2:40 from school and I have to work at 3:30 . So we will see.
Aug. 17, 2007
Homeschooling the Easy Way Ezine from Cindy Rushton
Posted in Nature Study
I get this wonderful ezine and I wanted to share this one with you all. It has a wonderful article in it about nature studies during the hot weather. Check out Cindy's other things and even sign up for her ezine. They are great and so are her books. I own 4 or 5 of them. I lost count. hehe
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August 14, 2007
Hey There Mommy Pals!
Anybody hot? Well, it is H-O-T here in Alabama. We topped 104 today. I think that was in the shade! ha!
I am so excited about the school year, but I am just listless with my energy. So, what better way to get fired back up than some really fun and cool Nature Study ideas? That is our topic for this ezine. Even the most reluctant mom will love these ideas. Just dig in!
That is not all. I am including an audio that I am sending to you with love. It is an entire evening workshop just for you as you kick off your new school year. Grab some mom-time and settle in for a message from my heart to yours.
Ready for these goodies? Well, let's do it! Grab a big cup of tea...or hot chocolate...and let's dig in for a fun mom-time!
Happy homeschooling!
Cindy
Our Half Off Sale!
Stock up on all of our past studies, ebooks, audio Mp3 downloads!
You have GOT to see this sale!
Time to stock up!
Hot??? The PERFECT Time For
Summer Nature Studies!
by Cindy Rushton
Loose in Nashville, Tennessee
It is H-O-T in Alabama. Our temp today has already busted 104 degrees. I am praising God for air conditioning right now.
You have to know that I am the very gal who really believes that she will melt before the seasons change. Any of you relate? Well, you will love this article. I want to share some fun ideas to keep your Nature Studies alive, even while it is HOT! I think you will love these ideas and find some great ideas to keep your crew from getting bored. Let's dig in...
How about a Nature Walk?
Don't forget your Weekly nature walk! Seem way too sweltering to get outside? Try evening nature walks. That is the only time I can stand to get outside, but that is not a bad time. We have seen all kinds of little critters scampering about. Plus, there is something different about getting out in the evening that brings out things that we seem to miss at other times of the day. So, don't miss your nature walks--especially in the summer!
Pull Out Those Notebooks!
Yep! Pull out those Nature Notebooks today! This is the perfect time to work in your nature notebooks. Have no idea what to add? Here are some tips for some great activities to help you find additions to your notebooks:
Study Trees...
Collect and press leaves from your trees. Mark the date and where found for each leaf. Mount in your nature notebook. Leave room for the trees flowers, fruit, and autumn leaves. This topic makes a great notebook or scrapbook of its own.
Sketch your tree in watercolor or crayon for your nature notebook.
Find nice leaves to use for a nature rubbing. One other nice touch would be to do a nature rubbing of the bark of your trees too. Don't forget to label.
Hunt for summer poetry about trees. Copy into your nature notebook.
Look up Scripture verses about trees. Copy into your nature notebook.
Study Flowers...
Each week take a walk to collect new wildflowers around your neighborhood. Press into a scrapbook/nature notebook.
Make a wildflower calendar...cards...or other flower projects. (See Ideas Section of Nature Study the Easy Way by Cindy Rushton if you need specific instructions.)
Sketch and label flower parts in your notebook.
Hunt for poetry about the flowers that are blooming each week. Copy into your nature notebook.
Find Scripture verses to copy into your nature notebook about all flowers.
Plant some flowers outside in your yard. Take pictures of each step in their growth. After they bloom, pick a few, press and add to your nature notebooks.
Plant spring bulbs now. Just a reminder! Not in your notebook, of course!
Study Birds...
Set out a bird feeder for birds around your home. Put one right outside of a big window so the children can watch the birds up close. Take snap-shots for your nature notebook. If you have time, let the children sketch the birds that show up and add the sketches to your notebook.
Set out nesting materials for birds common to your area. Make a list of what you put out and keep that list in your notebook.
Watch the birds as they gather materials for their nests. Maybe you can see where they are building their nests and watch them as they feed their young. Take pictures or sketch for your notebooks.
Hunt for bird feathers. Keep in your nature notebook. Be sure to note where found, what type of bird and date found.
Hunt poetry about birds you see in your yard. Copy into your nature notebook!
Hunt Bible verses about birds to copy into your nature notebooks.
Study Insects...
Watch a caterpillar change. Collect in a jar. Watch as it changes! Take pictures or sketch the changes. Add pictures and sketches to your notebooks.
Study Animals...
Go to the zoo. Sketch animals and their young. Write a narration to go along with your picture and add to your nature notebook.
Watch for baby chicks. Take pictures or sketch for your nature notebook.
Visit an animal farm. Take pictures or sketch for your nature notebook.
Study Plants...
Gather seeds. Add to your seed collection. Label, date, and note where found!
Go on a hunt for mosses. Try to identify. Take pictures or sketch for your nature notebook.
Hunt for lichens. You may want to collect some to display on the seasonal table. Identify. You may want to sketch for your nature notebook.
Study about the different types of plants within the plant kingdom. Make a chart to show divisions of the plant kingdom. Add your chart to your nature notebook.
Plant some seeds outdoors.Take pictures of each step in their growth. Add to your nature notebook.
Try your hand at growing herbs. Take pictures and journal your adventure.
Plant some night-blooming plants (Nicotiania, Datura, Evening Primrose, Moonflowers, Cereus...) to observe and enjoy. They are especially pleasant when planted right outside of your window. You may want to sketch for your nature notebook.
Sow sunflower seeds.Take pictures of each step in their growth. Add to your nature notebook.
Make a seaweed collection. Take pictures to add to your nature notebook.
Go to pick berries. Make jelly or jam. Take pictures of EVERYTHING!
Study Astronomy...
Keep a chart of the moon phases for a month--try May! Add to your nature notebook.
Take an evening to spend stargazing. Journal about it in your nature notebook.
Watch for meteor showers around August 10-13. Journal all about it in your nature notebook.
Study Weather...
Keep weather chart for two weeks or a month. Add to your nature notebook.
There are so many things that you can add to your Nature Notebook. Add a reminder regularly to your lessons plans so you can seize the seasons. Add the ideas above and any others that come to your mind to your calendar today. This is definitely a great season to add many treasures to your notebooks.
That is not all.
One other thing to remember during this hot summer is add to your Nature Study collections. If you haven't set up any nature study collections, let each child begin a collection of nature "treasures" of their very own. It could be rocks, shells, feathers, insects, pressed leaves/flowers, pictures of trees/flowers, etc. Let them loose to begin their own collection. Regularly schedule a day to maintain each of your collections!
Finally, set up a Seasonal Table. There are some great ideas in Victorian Family Celebrations by Sarah Ban Breathnach. (This book is a MUST for nourishing Mom!!!) For your seasonal table, just set up a table or a shelf in your home. Set out a display of treasures found outside throughout the various seasons...books that are favored read alouds each year during that particular season...or special crafts made especially during that season. Decorate the table in different colors to go along with the seasons. Let this be a project for the children to keep up throughout the year.
Want some ideas for your Summer Seasonal Table? Look for these treasures in your back yard....
Geraniums
Melons
Shells
Seaweed
Bird mobile
Marine mural
Lichen
Colors...jewel tones
So, what do you think? This is the perfect time while it is HOT to dig into some fun Nature Studies. Just have fun! NO pressure! Set aside the time today. Dig into Nature studies with fun and delight!
Need more help?
Check out Cindy's best-selling book, Nature Study the Easy Way. It is half off along with our other books and audios. Check our HOT Summer Sale:
A Special Audio Just for You!
Each week we offer you a free audio Mp3 for you to listen to during your chores or Mommy walk. These audios are FREE. Just download
straight from this email or go online to our archives to download.
Gearing Up for the Best Homeschool Year Ever!
with Cindy Rushton
Ready to kick off a super school year? Well, let's gear up together for the best homeschool year ever. Grab some mom-time and settle in with this full evening seminar.
End Your Scheduling Frustrations FOREVER!
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 Anybody want practical, real-life, proven ideas for teaching History to your children? Ready for practical how-to's? Real help is available from real homeschool moms who guarantee to make history EASY. Read on...
Don't forget!
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Aug. 9, 2007
Yesterday's rain brought these beauties out....
Posted in Nature Study
Yesterday, while I was at work, we got torrential downpours. The same storm system we got here in MA, caused a tornado in Brooklyn, NY. Once the rain stopped, my husband and kids saw not only one, but TWO rainbows right next to each other.
You can see the brightest one above the large tree, but if you look to the left of it, right in that clearing between the trees, you can see the second rainbow.
My kids, meaning my husband mostly, were excited to see a double rainbow. My husband just knew there was goingto be one because of how bright the sun was and by how fast the rain was coming down.
Figures, I am stuck in a cubicle at work when this happens so I missed out on a nature study thing. Grrr. But thankfully my loving hubby got pictures for me.
Jul. 28, 2007
What flower is this? Anyone know?
Posted in Nature Study
The other day while on the phone, I was out walking around my over grown yard. As I was weeding my garden, I noticed this very tall plant with these beautiful pink flowers on it. I snapped a picture of it with hopes of identifying the flower.
Last night, after a long trip to NH to pick up my kids, I noticed that there were more open flowers on the plant, so I snapped another picture, hoping it would help me find out what it is a little bit more.
I had no luck looking it up in a wildflower guide for the eastern states as well as no luck on enature.com. So I am hoping someone here can help me out. The plant is rather tall, probably about a foot and a half to two feet tall. You can see it's leaves in the picture as well (the bigger leaves in the picture belong to our hostas and peony).
Let me know if you have any luck figuring out what this is.
Jan. 19, 2007
Nature Study ~ Downy Woodpeckers
Posted in Nature Study
Nature study in the winter for us consists of learning about all the different birds we see. So far, we have seen Europian Starlings, Downy Woodpeckers, Cardinals, Juncos, Chickadees, Blue Jays, Morning Doves, Tufted Titmouse, Robins, and a ton of Sparrows.
For a couple of weeks now, we have seen a female Downy Woodpecker come to our suet feeder at the same time everyday. She even showed up in the rain. We have seen one male, probably her mate, only a couple of times.
This particular female is so friendly and seems to not be afraid of us. As you can see inthe picture, our suet feeder is on a holder that is suctioned to our huge picture window. The kids and I will stand right at the window and observe her, while she is observing us.
So, over the next few weeks, the kids and I are going to learn all about the Downy Woodpecker.
We will be using Anna Comstocks Handbook of Nature Study as our spine with other books and websites added in. I also plan on creating a lapbook (surprise, surprise) on the Downy Woodpecker.
Jan. 11, 2007
Europian Starling and other birds at our feeders
Posted in Nature Study
We have a few feeders out on our porch for the birds. I found a feeder holder that suctions to a window and I put our suet feeder on it. We have had plenty of Downey Woodpeckers that frequent the suet feeder as we have a perfect bug ridden tree right in front of it.
Downy Woodpecker (image from enature.com)
This morning while Matt and I were doing his math lessons on the sofa, about 4 birds came to the suet feeder and were fighting. I managed to get a picture of one of them (I was right next to the window too) before they flew away.
After looking online (our book didn't seem to have the bird), we found what it might be. An Europian Starling. Here is a picture from enature.com of what the bird looks like:
Here is a little bit of info, again from enature.com.
Family: Sturnidae, Starlings and Mynas view all from this family
Description 7 1/2-8 1/2" (19-22 cm). Smaller than a robin. A short-tailed, chunky, iridescent black bird; long pointed bill, yellow in summer and dark in fall and early winter. Plumage flecked with white in winter. Juvenile is uniform dull gray with dark bill.
Habitat Cities, suburban areas, farmlands, and ranches.
Nesting 4-6 pale blue eggs in a mass of twigs, grass, and trash lined with finer plant material and feathers, and placed in a tree or building cavity.
Range Occurs from Alaska and Quebec south throughout continent to Gulf Coast and northern Mexico. Native to Eurasia and widely introduced around the world.
Voice A series of discordant, musical, squeaky, and rasping notes; often imitates other birds. Call a descending whee-ee.
Discussion Conditioned by centuries of living in settled areas in Europe, this species easily adapted to American cities after 100 birds were liberated in Central Park, New York City, in 1890. Since then it has spread over most of the continent. Its large roosts, often located on buildings, may contain tens of thousands of birds. Hordes of these birds create much noise, damage vegetable or fruit crops, and do considerable damage around feedlots, consuming and fouling the feed of domestic cattle, and have proved difficult to drive away. Starlings compete with native hole-nesters for woodpecker holes and natural cavities. There has been much debate regarding their economic value, but their consumption of insects, such as locusts and ground beetles, seems to tip the balance in their favor.
May. 9, 2006
Nature Walk Time
Posted in Nature Study
Yesterday it was nice and warm out (mid 60's) and after lunch Matt and I took our daily walk. He always pretends to be a vehicle of some sort as we walk. But on this day he was pointing out the flowers, trees, birds and other things that he could see.
I saw a ton of poison ivy along our walk route. I taught him the "leaves of three, let them be" rhyme so that he knows not to touch. I pointed out what it looks like and how it is on a vine that gets fuzzy. We have a telephone pole down the street that have a huge vine of poison ivy running up it, so it was easy to point out and show him.
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