Spring is upon us or so I am told, it was hard to believe until yesterday when I chanced upon a ladybug among the snow,  O.K., it was dead and likely fallen from the tree above with the snow flakes but it reminded me of spring and got me into the mood and thinking about this lovely season.  Spring is not my favourite season but it is for me a time of inspiration a time of renewal and inspiration, the quirks of nature catch my eye daily around this time which for me right now are producing ideas for my craft projects.

Here in my part of Toronto the first signs of spring are the native trilium in my local woodlot which is also the Official Provincial flower for Ontario and now i'm waiting for them as they come and go so quickly you could miss them.  I really know it is spring when I can hang my laundry outside to dry, I usually have the company of a robin who sits and watches as I do this.  I swear it is the same robin every year and yes I expect raised eyebrows as I write this but I now feel comfortably mentioning this as I have family and friends who have witnessed my little friends visits.

Are you ready for spring?

This is a great time for homeschoolers to join and learn more about nature, perhaps you could get together with others and take your learning outdoors.

You might start by :

1.  Looking for plants and flowers native to your region (and maybe in your search you may come across a ladybug)

2. Taking this time to learn about photography and development of your pictures

3. Checking in with your local bird-watch organisation

4. Many communities have clean up days a nice get together with others in your community to clean up after the spring thaw (for those who get snow) In my neighbourhood clean-up-day will be all day on April 19th and includes a picnic and meeting place plus drop off to clean up locations for those who need it.  If there is not one in your area why not start one up or better still have a homeschoolers clean up day and have someone log the volunteer hours for the children.

5. I dare you to wait for the next rainy day, wrap up warm with some waterproof boots (shoes ok if your close to home and go 'puddle jumpin' I loved doing this with my kids when they were younger and just a couple of years ago my grown daughter dared me to do this- and yes, we did but waited until after dark.

6. What better time to take a visit to the Toronto Islands (snake hunting anyone?) or the Toronto zoo, not half as busy as summer and you and the kids are less likely to have meltdowns from the extreme weather.

Let me know if you have other welcome spring ideas and I will add them here.

Also if you want to promote an Ontario event here for your neighbourhood clean-up please email me and I will post.

Useful sites for spring lessons:

Information on the trilium     http://www.naturepark.com/trilinfo.htm

Make a Teepee [plans]     http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/native/skills/teepee.htm

Workshop  for 10-14 yr olds "Environmental Focus: Camers Workshops for Youth" www.torontoartsonline.org/content/view/full/18459

Nature Books For Children [CANADIAN:]

Animal Life Cycles: Growing and Changing ~by Bobbie Kalman [Crabtree Publishing, 2006]   Ages 7-10  RL: Grades 2 and up     -----Diagrams and photographs help explain the life cycles of many different animals including mammals, birds, snakes, lizards, fish, frogs, insects, spiders and worms.

Baby Grizzly ~by Aubrey Lang [Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2006]   Ages 4-8  RL: Grade 2     -----In Alaska, a mother grizzly cares for her three cubs. The writer/photographer team documents their first year of life through simple, informative text and photos.

Baby Porcupine ~ by Aubrey Lang [Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2006]   Ages 4-8  RL: Grade 2     -----An introduction to the life of a baby porcupine – big, and already covered with quills. She has some growing to do before she is safe from predators. Features photos taken in the wild.

 Canada’s Woodland Animals ~by Chelsea Donaldson [Toronto: Scholastic Canada, 2006]   Ages 6-8  RL: Grade 2      ----Discover Canada’s woodland animals such as wolves, bears, bats, snakes and woodpeckers through easy-to-understand language and amazing photos.

 A Crash of Rhinos, A Party of Jays: The Wacky Way We Name Animals Groups ~by Diane Swanson [Annick Press, 2006]   Ages 7-11  RL: Grade 2    ----A pride of lions, a bed of clams… This book focuses on 11 animals and the curious collective nouns that describe them. Includes neat-to-know facts, playful illustrations and colour photos.

Creatures: Great and Small ~by Karen Patkau [Toronto: Tundra Books, 2006]   Ages 6-9  RL: Grade 2    ----Join award-winning Patkau as she embarks on this informative, beautifully illustrated voyage of discovery. The simple, fact-filled text is presented in the voices of the animals themselves.

 Endangered Butterflies ~by Bobbie Kalman and Robin Johnson [St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree Publishing, 2006]  Ages 7-10  RL: Grades 2-3    ----Some of the world’s most beautiful butterflies are in danger. Striking images show these insects up-close, and may encourage readers to help save them from harm.

Everyday Insects  ~by Bobbie Kalman and Rebecca Sjonger [Crabtree Publishing, 2006]  Ages 6-8  RL: Grade 2          ----What are insects? Beetles, butterflies, crickets, cockroaches, earwigs, ants, flies, grasshoppers, lice, wasps and others are the focal point of this book.

Jurrassic Poop: What Dinosaurs (and Others) Left Behind ~by Jacob Berkowitz [Kids Can Press, 2006]  Ages 8-12  RL: Grades 4-6    ----How does poop get preserved? What can it tell us about dinosaurs, humans and other animals from long ago? Funny and informative, this book is flush with facts, stories and activities. 

Plants in Different Habitats ~by Bobbie Kalman and Rebecca Sjonger [Crabtree Publishing, 2006]  Ages 6-9  RL: Grades 2-3    ----In this beautiful book, readers learn about plants in tropical rainforests, grasslands, deserts, mountains, wetlands and more. Stunning photos highlight a range of habitats. 

Small Wonders: Baby Animals in the Wild ~by Marilyn Baillie [Maple Tree Press, 2006] Ages 4-6  RL: Grade 3                 ---Children are invited on an amazing journey across our land to visit baby animals in their natural homes. From mountains to prairies, they see animals play, feed and grow.

This is Daniel Cook at the Farm ~by Yvette Ghione [Kids Can Press, 2006]  Ages 3-6  RL: Grade 2    ----Mmmm. Daniel gets to drink milk fresh from a cow. He learns all about sheep, floppy-eared pigs, horses and other farm animals. Includes instructions for children to make a finger-puppet farm.

This is Daniel Cook on a Hike ~by Yvette Ghione [Kids Can Press, 2006]  Ages 3-6  RL: Grade 2    ----With his bug spray ready, Daniel’s off on a guided walk through the forest. Insects, animals and plants are some things to learn about on a nature hike. Includes a granola snack recipe.

The Water Cycle ~by Bobbie Kalman and Rebecca Sjonger [Crabtree Publishing, 2006]  Ages 7-10  RL: Grades 2-3     ----Kids will learn how evaporation, condensation, precipitation and run-off work together to move water from the ground to the air and then back down again.

***Well-Schooled Fish and Feathered Bandits: The Wondrous Ways Animals Learn from Animals ~by Peter Christie [Annick Press, 2006]    Ages 8-11  RL: Grade 3    ----These fascinating creatures have learned some of their best tricks – what to eat, what to avoid, how to make tools and communicate – by copying other animals of their kind.

Who Likes the Wind? ~by Etta Kaner [Kids Can Press, 2006]     Ages 4-7  RL: Grades 1-2    ----I wonder why the wind blows? What does a cloud feel like? Young readers open flaps to reveal the science of wind and other related topics.