We have had two days (so far) of really great studies on the wind.  In this post I will share with you what we did on Day 1, and then be back (hopefully tomorrow) to share more!

SOME BASICS

So, just what is the wind?  What in the world causes it?

Wind is simply just moving air.  Air, while invisible to us, certainly makes it's presence known when it decides to get on the move.  And thus you have wind.  We look straight through it, walk through it, and some days don't even think about it being there, but yet it exists all the time.  Wind can be a welcomed cooling gentle breeze on a sultry hot day, yet wind can rip trees from the ground and throw them about for miles.

Wind is caused by differences in air pressure in our atmosphere which are as a result of the sun's heat.  Areas under high pressure naturally expand and move towards areas of low pressure.  The greater the difference in air pressure, the faster the air will move.

BIBLE STUDY - THE WIND AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

We started off our wind study with a dynamic Bible study.  I keep saying "go into Nature, and you will find Him!"  He is in every single piece of it including the wind that blows through our hair.  We first watched a great video clip that was recommended by Melissa at Living Life Between the Trees.  You can find it at Christian Answers.  It recounts the story in Acts of The Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus' followers.  And how it sounded like the blowing of a violent wind from Heaven.  Did you know that the word Spirit in both Hebrew and Greek means "breath" or "wind"?

After viewing the video clip, we took out the Bible and read from Acts Chapter 2 and had a great discussion.  Using a lesson from the book Weather and the Bible by DeYoung we made a list of the symbolisms between the wind and the Holy Spirit.  I was impressed that the kids were able to add even more than was listed in the book.

1.  Wind is moving air, and this fresh air is needed continually for life itself for every living creature.  Even seeds often require wind for their dispersal and growth, such as Thistle and Dandelions.  Similarly, the Holy Spirit is the presence of God, the source of all life.

2.  Wind has no material shape or form.  It is invisible; we cannot see from where it comes or where it is going (John 3:8).   It is a mysterious unseen force.  However, it's presence is well known by it's effects.  The Holy Spirit, while not being "seen" with human eyes, can be experienced by the transforming work He does in human lives by changing, sanctifying, encouraging, and teaching.

3.  Wind is a powerful force.  It cannot be halted or controlled by humans and has the ability to change the landscape around you.  And likewise the Holy Spirit is not subject to our control.  The moving of the Holy Spirit is God at work and has full power to change us from the inside out.

4.  Wind comes in great variety.  It may be like a soft whisper gently rustling in the leaves, or it may be a hurricane uprooting trees.  Likewise the Holy Spirit may gently bring a person to Christ, or He may work in a climatic and dramatic way to bring a hardened heart to conviction and conversion.  Read Acts 16 and contrast Lydia (vs. 14) and the jailer (vs. 30).

5.  When the wind blows around you it can have a cleansing and refreshing feel.  Just as the Holy Spirit can change us to feel cleansed and renewed in Christ.

PICTURE BOOK

After our wonderful Bible study and discussion, I pulled out a delightful old favorite picture book to read, Gilberto and the Wind by Marie Hall Ets.  It went along perfectly with our study!

CRAFT - WIND WAND

Afterwards, we gathered up some scrap ribbon and tape, and headed outdoors into Nature and the wind.  The kids went on a hunt for sticks, which weren't hard to find after our wind storm.

And using and idea we adapted from Earthways by Carol Petrash, we made Wind Wands.  Gabby especially had tons of fun with this activity.  She ran around the backyard swinging her wand for our entire Nature time!

WIND DAMAGE OBSERVATION

While outside we observed all the fallen branches and leaves from the storm.  It was amazing!  The kids were so excited to find so many acorns and hickory nuts lying about.

Hannah found a HUGE branch from a Pignut Hickory tree.  And of course the other day we had driven around our neighborhood and local park to observe damage there as you'll see the the post before this one.

WIND POETRY

Back inside we read a poem written by Robert Louis Stevenson from A Child's Garden of Verses.  This again went along perfectly!  I've since found a lot more wind poetry and will share that along with our Artist study and project (and more) in my next post.

The Wind

I saw you toss the kites on high
And blow the birds about the sky;
And all around I heard you pass,
Like ladies' skirts across the grass--
     O wind, a-blowing all day long,
     O wind, that sings so loud a song!

I saw the different things you did,
But always you yourself you hid.
I felt you push, I heard you call,
I could not see yourself at all--
     O wind, a-blowing all day long,
     O wind, that sings so loud a song!

O you that are so strong and cold,
O blower, are you young or old?
Are you a beast of field and tree,
Or just a stronger child than me?
     O wind, a-blowing all day long,
     O wind, that sings so loud a song!