Posted in Lesson Plan Ideas

“The more I study nature, the more I am amazed at the Creator.” Louis Pasteur

We started a nature notebook not long ago but have since neglected to add anything new.  While Annette had been cleaning her desk area, she found a large amount of beautifully pressed leaves that we gathered during one of our nature walks.  While waiting for them to dry, we forgot about them.  We are now going to pick up where we left of and add to our notebooks again.  Here is a picture done by Annette, of a house finch that we studied some time ago.  We watched the mama and papa for many weeks build and prepare the nest.

This male House Finch, built a nest along with his mate in one of our houseplants on the back deck.  This is one example of adding to your notebook from the comforts of home. You can also take nature walks.

Things to bring along;
1. Colored pencils -or- crayons
2. Sketching paper (or a sketch journal)
3. Lightweight blanket to sit on
4. Snack
5. Baggie to save your specimens (if you find something interesting)

Find a comfortable place to sit and relax with your children.  Notice the sky and how the light affects the object your are preparing to draw.  Take a deep breath and take note of the smells around you.  You don't have to finish the sketch in one sitting.  Take it home with you and add further detail after dinner etc.  You can also add poetry and scripture.  This can be used as a creative way to memorize scriptures too! 
We have a book written by Cindy Rushton - Nature Study the Easy Way  and it's loaded with ideas, examples and notebook quotes.  You won't regret taking the time and making the memories.

Love, Cathy

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Comments

Posted by sagerats

I can hardly wait for warmer weather to get started! Thanks for sharing this idea! The drawing was lovely!

Abiding in the Vine!

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Posted by Mileshouse

We just got back from the Rookery and discovered many Roseate Spoonbill are arriving. At least 6 nesting pair are all sharing one tree, but they're pretty far out into the swamp. We took some shots, but will have to wait til I get the okay to develop the rolls of film from dh. (He just paid bills last night, so my school/fun money for the next 2 weeks hasn't been allocated yet! Hee-hee!)
We remembered to pack up everything - notebooks, pencils, snacks, camera bag, diaper, wipes, bird field guides, kids, shoes - but, left all but the camera bag on the dining table...Oh well, we'll have to try to get it together for another morning!
I'm seriously thinking of putting a basket in the back of the van with all of the aforementioned articles (minus kids) ready to go. Seems like its always something with our 4!
Blessings,
Melanie

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Posted by Susan

Yes, forms are good. I couldn't create an assignment sheet for just one dear child, lol,
had to do all three ! I love your nature study ideas.
Susan

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Posted by MyChildrenAndMe

Wow!!! The drawing is outstanding. I like that "a nature book". Our children like to walk at the State Shore Park... We enjoy that a lot...

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Posted by SunnyFlowers

Beautiful artwork! We love working on our nature notebooks here, nothing formal, just fun. Cindy Rushton's book is great!

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Posted by takingthechallenge

...beautiful picture! We need to get back to our nature journals...thanks for the reminder.

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Posted by takingthechallenge

I just wanted to confirm that you have been entered into The Thinking Toolbox drawing which will be held on Friday.

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