Outdoor Hour Challenge
Nature Journal – How to Get Started
From the Archives and the Autumn 2010 ebook
I know many of you have been eager to get started on your nature journals using the Outdoor Hour Challenge. This week’s challenge will help you do just that!
Click over for specific instructions and make sure to read the pages in the Handbook of Nature Study for inspiration. Please note that every nature journal page should begin with some outdoor time with your children. The key to creating great pages is to have something of interest to draw and/or write about in your journal.
If you are looking for some free nature notebooking pages to print out and use with your family, I invite you to click over to my Free Downloads page. Make sure to scroll down to the blank pages at the bottom of the page.
We are currently working through the Autumn 2010 ebook. For a complete nature study schedule for the next year, please click over and read this entry: Plans for October 2017 through August 2018.
Outdoor Mom Journal – October 2017
Outdoor Mom – October 2017
We have spent quite a bit of time this month outdoors in our yard as we work on the landscaping. We discovered the most awesome garden nursery in our area and made quite a few trips over there to pick out bushes for our front yard.
We are trying to keep it simple while adding color to the view. It is also important to me to pick things that will provide shelter and food for the local birds and other animals. We settled on some chokeberry and twin berry bushes. I think they will be a perfect match for our habitat and yard terrain.
Our family managed to fit in a long weekend camping trip over to Silver Falls State Park. It was perfect weather for hiking and we managed to see all but one of the ten waterfalls in the park. The habitat in that area is so gorgeous and very different from where I live in the high desert. This Outdoor Mom loves being refreshed by the tall trees and the sound of water cascading over rocks! Plus, unlike our town, the air was smoke free!
Our backyard river walks are turning golden as the grasses start to go to seed and die back. My loyal dog companion is always ready for a romp down to the water. The muddy edges come alive with frogs jumping as we pass by. Our temperatures have been below freezing at night several nights so far but the days are pleasant and the sun is amazingly rejuvenating when we get out and walk in it.
September was a month of kayaking with my boys. It appears that the lazy river kayak is a favorite of my boys so we will on a whim drag the boats down to the water and take off on an adventure. The birds are the stars of the show on just about every trip which makes this bird nerd pretty happy. We often spot a hawk sitting on a tree or soaring overhead.
We had to take a quick trip to California to take care of some business so I was excited to fit in a morning wandering around some apple orchards. Apples were purchased for eating and applesauce making. Apple donuts were eaten, marking the true beginning of the autumn season in my mind.
So for now, this Outdoor Mama will be gazing at the mountains, watching for the aspens to change color, and making time for lots of walks. Our yards are cleaned up for the up-coming cold temperatures…snow shovels and rakes and blower at the ready. The firewood is stacked up for the woodstove. We are eager to see what the next month will bring as we are dreaming of our first long autumn here in Central Oregon.
Want to join in the Outdoor Mom post?
Answer all or just one of the prompts in a blog entry on your own blog or right here on my blog in a comment. If you answer on your blog, make sure to leave me a link in a comment so that I can pop over and read your responses.
- During our outdoor time this week we went….
- The most inspiring thing we experienced was…
- Our outdoor time made us ask (or wonder about)…
- In the garden, we are planning/planting/harvesting….
- I added nature journal pages about….
- I am reading…
- I am dreaming about…
- A photo I would like to share…
Did you print out your October Nature Study Planner?
Outdoor Hour Challenge – Signs of Autumn 2017
Original Challenge: Signs of Autumn
Updated 2017: This challenge was originally written for the first day of autumn 2010 but it can easily be done on any day and in any year. I hope you enjoy learning more about your early autumn world using the ideas and printables in this challenge.
Some signs to look for:
- Dry grass and weeds
- Seeds
- Wildflowers-thistles, goldenrod
- Birds eating at feeders or flying overhead to migrate
- Chilly morning temperatures or dew on the grass
- Fruit ripe on trees
- Insects or webs
- Nuts, acorns, or berries
- Clouds and wind
You can use the Signs of Autumn notebook page to record your observations or you can use your own nature journal. I put together a Squidoo Lens from last year’s autumn nature/art study where you might glean some more information and inspiration this season.
Here are some ideas from year-long nature study topics we’ve done in the past:
- Year-Long Big Dipper Study – with free printable
- Seasonal Cattail Study – with free printable
- Seasonal Milkweed Study – with free printable notebook page
- Year-Long Pond Study – with a free printable notebook page
- Year-Long Queen Anne’s Lace Study and a free printable notebook page
- Seasonal Autumn Tree Study – with free activity and notebook page
- Year-Long Tree Study – something different
- Year-Long Thistle Study
- Teasel Study – start a year-long teasel study
- Autumn Weather Study- free printable notebook page
- Year-Long Burdock Study – links to images and resources
Outdoor Mom’s Nature Goals – 3rd Quarter Update
Nature Study Goals 2017 – 3rd Quarter Update
This quarter has flown by! I had a feeling this would happen since summers here are short and we made a point of getting outside to go hiking, biking, and kayaking as much as possible. We squeezed in a lot of adventures since June.
I feel much like a novice at knowing my new environment with even the most common of plants and birds being so new to me. It’s exciting to see my nature journal fill up with pages recording my adventures and discoveries. This has been the perfect year to focus on giving my nature journal lots of attention because it doesn’t matter where I go, there will be something to observe and then sketch onto a page.
I feel pretty good about my progress at keeping my nature study goals during the 3rd quarter of 2017. I am now in the home stretch and eager to keep the good stuff rolling.
As you turn the calendar on another month and another season, create some goals for your family or remind yourself of the goals you’ve already made for 2017. It’s not too late to fit in a lot of nature study time if you make it a priority….it will be winter soon enough.
Here are the goal details:
- Create monthly entries for my Outdoor Mom experiences as I share our nature studies using the Outdoor Hour Challenge, our travel experiences, and any of my family’s nature adventures. This was accomplished. You can read my entries during each month here: July, August, and September.
- Focus on my nature journal and create at least one page weekly. I think I missed one week in July if I remember correctly. I would call that success.
- Post images of my nature journal pages on Instagram each week. If you follow me on Instagram, you will see a new nature journal page every Wednesday.
- Read and review 6 nature journal related books. I read and thoroughly enjoyed the Vitamin N book by Robert Louv. I am now working on The Nature Fix by Florence Williams.
Original goals here: Nature Study Goals 2017.
If you want to see the previous quarter’s entries for 2017: First Quarter Update and Second Quarter Update.
Join me on Instagram for weekly images and nature journal examples.
It’s not too late to get started with your own nature study goals.
Do you want to create some goals for your family? Use the free printable planning page in this entry to get started: Nature Goals 2017.
October Planner for the Outdoor Hour Challenge
October 2017 Nature Planning Page-Print out your own copy here!
Now that there is no longer a newsletter with a planning page, I decided that I wanted to create a printable page each month for us to use along with the Outdoor Hour Challenge
I am going to do my best to make this available on the first of each month to make life easier. Print the page and use it as a reminder of the month’s nature study topics. Note the newsletters from the archives listed on the planning page that members can access for additional nature study ideas and activities. Jot notes on the planning page as the month’s outdoor time unfolds and topics of interest pop up. Use any additional suggestions to keep your nature time interesting and fresh.
Download your copy here: October 2017 Nature study Planner Page
I am excited to get started with this particular series of challenges and I hope you are too!
New printables are now posted in the Member’s library!
Members have two new printables to use this autumn.
- Autumn Photo Project: It’s always fun to take on a photo challenge and this printable will be something that everyone in your family can use. There are two different photo challenge lists, one is a bit simpler for younger photographers. Print, cut the list out, and adhere it right into your nature journal as a reminder!
- Shrub Grid Study printable: This brand new printable is going to help you with your shrub studies. There is a study grid, bookmark list, four seasons shrub project, and a nature journal topper for you to choose from.
Print a complete list of printables available to Members for easy reference: Printables for Members
Outdoor Hour Challenge – Autumn Goldenrod Study
Outdoor Hour Challenge
Goldenrod Study
From the Archives and the Autumn 2009 series of challenges (no ebook but printable notebook pages are available)
I am super excited for our autumn flower study, either the goldenrod flower or one of the alternatives listed in the challenge. I love looking at wildflowers in this transitional time of the year. After the abundance of summertime wildflowers, autumn flowers are more subdued but still pretty and very interesting. This is certainly the case with the goldenrod. I think the narrative section in the Handbook of Nature Study about the goldenrod is one of my favorites.
Please join us for an autumn flower study!
Remember we start the Autumn 2010 series of Outdoor Hour Challenges next week. You can see the plan in this entry: Autumn 2017 Nature Schedule.
Nature Journal Examples – September 2017
Weekly Nature Journal Project
September 2017
The weather has drastically changed in the last week or so here in Central Oregon. We have gone straight to chilly autumn weather and sprinkles from time to time. I haven’t seen the aspens changing color yet, so I’m still waiting on that show of color to really feel like autumn is here to stay.
My nature journal continues to fill up with new and exciting things as I learn about the plants and animals. There is always something to put in the journal when I get ready each week to make my page.
During October, I encourage you to make time for a page or two with your children or just on your own. Make it a special time with a special snack or drink to enjoy while you work on your page. In a few weeks, the Outdoor Hour Challenge will be to get started on your journal so take that encouragement and create a simple nature journal page.
Here are my September pages for inspiration:
I wanted to make a record of this gorgeous flower we saw on our visit to Crater Lake National Park back in July. I decided to sketch it even though it was a little daunting to get it right.
This shrub is the most abundant flowering plant in my area right now. I love where there are whole fields of it with its cheerful yellow flowers. We have a bit on our property so I’ve been able to watch it bloom and now fade. I will look forward to seeing it next summer.
This page came about when I brought in a small bouquet of wildflowers and put them in a vase on my kitchen counter. I found that practically overnight they went to seed. The small winged seeds had spread all around the vase. The lupine pods have been sitting on my nature shelf for a month or so and I heard a popping sound the other day and discovered the pods had burst open and shot the small round seeds flying all over the shelf and floor. I decided to create a page that will remind me of the seeds and the promise of next year’s wildflowers.
Don’t forget that I am sharing a nature journal page each week on my Instagram account if you want to see the pages as they unfold. Follow me here: Instagram – outdoorhourchallenge. And, if you want to create a page and share it on your Instagram for me to see, use the hashtag #OHCnaturejournal
Join us for the autumn season series of Outdoor Hour Challenges using the ideas in the Autumn 2010 ebook. The first challenge will be October 6, 2017.
Outdoor Hour Challenge – Cocklebur Study
Outdoor Hour Challenge
Cocklebur Study from the Wildflower Set #2 Ebook (available in the Ultimate and Journey level memberships)
Inside Preparation:
The rough cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L.) is a widely dispersed plant in North America. See the range map here at USDA Plants.
- You can find lots of images here: Calflora Xanthium strumarium.
- Read more about the cocklebur here: Cocklebur or here Cocklebur.
- If you can’t find a cocklebur, look for common burdock as an alternative study.
Outdoor Hour Time:
Look for cocklebur to be growing in open, often moist, disturbed areas with poorly drained soil. They need full or partial sun. The flowers bloom from July to October.
- Ebook users can use the suggestions in the challenge to observe carefully your cocklebur. Others can make careful observations of the stem, leaf, flower (if any), and seeds.
Follow-Up Activity:
- Create a nature journal page for the cocklebur using the notebook page provided in the ebook if desired or in your own personal nature journal. There is also a coloring page for the cocklebur in the ebook.
- Start or continue a notebook page for the aster family of plants, listing any flowers in the aster family you observe.
How do you get the Wildflower Nature Study Set #2 ebook?
Members of the Ultimate Naturalist and Journey levels have access to the new ebook in their library. You need to click the “Members Area” button at the top of the website, sign into your account, and the ebook is there to download and save for your family to use when desired. If you don’t have a membership yet, I am offering a $5 off discount code that will be good towards your Ultimate Naturalist membership.
If you are looking for a variety of wildflower, weed, and garden flower notebooking pages to use in your nature journal, I highly recommend this set from NotebookingPages.com. I have used them with my own family in the past and love them. Please note I am an affiliate for NotebookingPages.com and I will receive a small commission if you eventually purchase any of their products after clicking the link above.
Outdoor Hour Challenge – Salvia
Outdoor Hour Challenge
Salvia Flower Study
From the archives and from the Autumn Nature Study Continues ebook
Here in the high desert of Central Oregon, we have a variety of blooming flowers that will grow that provide color, don’t need a lot of water, and are pretty much deer resistant. Salvia is one of those flowers. We have some gorgeous deep blue, almost purple, salvia in our front yard and I often times see the hummingbirds and butterflies flying around its blossoms.
This week we’re going to take a closer look at salvia if it’s available in your garden or area. If not, make sure to read the additional activity ideas at the bottom of the challenge.
Here’s one suggestion:
Additional Activity: Make it a fun flower study activity for your creative child! Put some garden flowers in a vase on a table along with sheets of paper, colored pencils, and magnifying lenses. Invite your child to make a sketch for their nature journal or to put on your nature table.
Would you like to see our family’s salvia study from a few years ago? Here is the link:
Are you looking for a huge set of nature study related notebooking pages to use with your family? I highly recommend this set from NotebookingPages.com. We used them in our family for many years and they are a super easy way to get started with nature journaling.
Use code discount5 to save $5 on any purchase $10 or more from NotebookingPages.com.
If you you use the coupon above to purchase the nature study set, it will bring the cost down to $5.95 for over 293 notebooking pages.
From the Archives: Struggling with Consistency and Focus
Struggling With Consistency and Focus
From the Archives: This is one of my favorite posts for encouraging new and struggling families with their nature study plans. The thoughts expressed by one of my readers reflect a common struggle that many people have and email me about often.
The reader posed this dilemma:
She shared that she has a hard time focusing (on nature study), was easily distracted by really good ideas, and felt that she needed to cover academic subjects first while she had the children’s attention.
In this post from my archives, I address this situation with some practical advice using the Outdoor Hour Challenge (specifically challenges 1-3).
I invite you to click over and read the entry and see if you find something there that encourages you as the new school year begins or maybe something in the post will stimulate you to give nature study a chance.
Let me know if you have any questions or additional comments.
This is what I encourage you to remember if nothing else:
Nurture a love of the outdoors and the interesting things you find there with your children as they are growing up. Train their eyes to see what is there in front of them….stop and look and listen. These are skills that will make them happier people and better students in all areas.