Barb, Author at Homeschool Nature Study

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Barb — 1 Comment

Outdoor Hour Challenge Blog Carnival – Fishy Version

This was probably the hardest month of nature study for our family……the topic, a busy life, and HOT weather really did keep us from tackling the fish theme with our usual vigor. But, that is what is wonderful about nature study – we can always pick it up again when the opportunity arises. Thank you so much for all of your entries this month to the blog carnival. I think each entry is a special glimpse into how your family kept nature study at the forefront and I know they will inspire us all to get outside with our children.

Our families fish entries from this month’s study (in case you missed one):
Hawaiian Fish

Be inspired. Be encouraged. Get outdoors!

Fish Study Grid
Angie from Petra School shares her entry Are There Fish In The Lake? with the carnival. She does a great job of showing how to find some fish…look for birds!

Shirley from Under An English Sky writes up their OHC – Grid Study observations for this edition of the carnival.This is such an encouraging entry and I know you will love taking a look at the beginnings of their fish nature study.

Eva’s daughter had the opportunity to attend Fish Camp this year and what a wonderful experience for her! This is a great entry showing how a child’s passion can be nurtured.

Jennifer from Royal Little Lambs submits their Fish Nature Study entry for you to read. Their family has been busy with their fish study!

Alex from Life on a Canadian Island has written up and sent in their entry for the carnival: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna. They had a rough start to their study but it looks like they did an excellent job on their subject fish.

Photo Credit: Shirley from Under An English Sky

Goldfish
Shirley from Under An English Sky submits their excellent entry, OHC Goldfish for you to enjoy. You don’t want to miss their fish kite project too!

Drawing Fish
Angie from Petra School shares their Lesson 37 Bullhead nature study entry for you to enjoy. She shares their observational questions and nature journal.

Photo credit: Eva Varga

Potpourri
Eva Varga shares their family’s river trip and some wonderful reflections on nature in her entry to the carnival: Nature’s Lesson Plans.

Eva Varga also shares her The Secret of The Tides entry with you with some wonderful ideas for learning about the tides and the moon. Stay tuned for the August Newsletter where she shares a wonderful article to go along with this entry.

Don’t forget to share your blog entries with the Outdoor Hour Challenge Blog Carnival. All entries done in August are eligible for the next edition. The deadline for entries is 8/30/13 and you can send them directly to me: harmonyfinearts@yahoo.com or submit them at the blog carnival site (link on the sidebar of my blog).

Posted on July 26, 2013 by Barb — 1 Comment

Outdoor Hour Challenge – Seasonal Cattail Nature Study and Printable

For this challenge, start a seasonal year-long study of cattails. This challenge from the archives will help your child learn the life cycle of the cattail in your neighborhood. Find a patch of cattails that you can observe in each season. Starting your study in the summer will be easy because they will be very recognizable.

See the suggested nature study ideas in this 2010 Challenge: Year-Long Cattail Study.

“It is an interesting process to take apart a cattail plant; the lower, shorter leaves surround the base of the plant, giving it size and strength. All the leaves have the same general shape, but vary in length. Each leaf consists of two parts; the free portion, which is long and narrow and flat toward its tapering tip but is bent into a trough as it nears the plant, and the lower portion, which clasps the plant entirely or partially, depending upon whether it is an outer or inner leaf.”
Handbook of Nature Study, page 500

Printable Notebook Page – Seasonal Cattail Nature Study

Use this notebook page to start your Year-Long Cattail Study with the summer season. Complete a new notebooking page in autumn, winter, and spring to see the complete life cycle of the cattail. You can also take photos of the cattails with your child and insert them into their nature journal.

Cattail Seasonal Nature Study Notebook Page

If you already own the Getting Started ebook, complete Outdoor Hour Challenge #10. Why not enjoy a picnic during your cattail outdoor hour? We have cattails at a local park and it would be fun to eat outside after making some cattail observations. Make it simple and fun….make some memories!

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Barb — 3 Comments

Hawaiian Fish in My Nature Journal

Fish are a more difficult nature study topic for our family than I expected! We have been several places where there are fish but we have not seen any up close and personal. Since last week’s challenge was to draw fish, I remembered that I had a journal page with a variety of fish so I decided to share that with you.
Which led me on a merry chase to find some images to share with you too!

I drew lots of fish in my nature journal last November (2012) during our trip to Hawaii. We went snorkeling quite a few times and I was trying to keep a record of some of the more beautiful fish we encountered. Snorkeling is a fantastic way to observe fish in their natural environment which on the Big Island of Hawaii is the coral reef.

All of the photos in this post are from the past….once I started digging through old photos I actually found quite a few to share with you.

Snorkeling is one of those activities that all my children enjoy. It is a really frugal way to spend time in the water and have nature study at the same time! We taught all the kids to snorkel in the swimming pool and when they felt comfortable we ventured into the ocean. My kids are all confident swimmers and they all caught on really fast. We rented their gear the first time but now we all have our own and we pack it along for every trip.

We have seen many fantastic things snorkeling like Green Sea Turtles, eels, Spinner Dolphins, and a rainbow of tropical reef fish. There is nothing more surreal than swimming along side by side with a big sea turtle. They are just as curious about you as you are about them!

My favorite are the Yellow Tangs! There can be whole schools of them along the reef if you are lucky. I think these photos are from the Big Island, Kona side at a place called Kahalu’u. The water is shallow, there is a sandy entrance and it is perfect for beginners to try. This is where I learned to snorkel.

This is a video I found on YouTube and it gives you a really good idea of what snorkeling at Kahalu’u is like…including what it sounds like. All those little snapping sounds are what you hear and if you want to know what it is you can click over here: Little Pistol Shrimp...

This is our favorite place to snorkel on the Big Island of Hawaii….Honaunau Bay or Two-Step Beach. It is an easy two steps into the water from the rock’s ledges. It is an amazing place…can’t recommend it highly enough.

Here is the view from the shore looking out into the bay. This was a busy weekend afternoon and there are lots of people enjoying the snorkeling. My boys are in the center of the photo walking on the rocks. The water you see off the rocks is a calm area where there are lots of fish and sea turtles. You can see a person sitting on the edge of the rocks towards the left side of the photo and that is where the ledge is to step into and out of the water easily.

The last time we were here there was a pod of resting spinner dolphins just out in the bay. Amazing!

Moorish Idol

I wish I knew the names of all the fish but I decided it is a life project and try to learn a few new fish each time we snorkel. I purchased a field guide and page through it to identify fish I remember seeing.

Some of the fish are really big and don’t seem afraid of you at all.

Some fish swim in large schools and even though the photos don’t show it, they sparkle and shimmer in the sunlight. Sometimes if the light is just right, you see lots of fish and can get carried away swimming after them.

So even though I haven’t found any fish this week to draw in my nature journal, I had lots of fun going through all my images from past snorkeling trips to share with you. I encourage you to try snorkeling if you ever have the opportunity.

Have you seen any fish this week?

Posted on July 19, 2013 by Barb — Leave a comment

Outdoor Hour Challenge – Drawing Fish

For this challenge, you are going to be drawing some fish in your nature journals. Use the links below to help your family get started. Don’t forget that you can use the Fish Grid Study from the newsletter during any of the fish challenges. I encourage you to get outside and find somewhere to learn more about your local fish.

How to Draw a Fish

How To Draw A Goldfish Lesson and Worksheet
Drawing- Fish – Younger children
How to Draw a Fish – Older children

If you already own the Getting Started ebook, complete Outdoor Hour Challenge #3. This challenge is going to help you get some sketches in your nature journal. Maybe you will want to draw a fish or if your child wants to draw something else..let them create their own page with their own subject.

You are welcome to submit any of you blog Outdoor Hour Challenge blog entries to the Outdoor Hour Challenge Blog Carnival. Entries for the current month are due on 7/30/13.

Posted on July 18, 2013 by Barb — 14 Comments

What Would You Do If You Saw a Salamander?

What would you do if you saw a salamander?

I would study it and sketch it in my nature journal. But, I have lots of favorite bloggers who just might do something different! I invite you to get to know some of my blogging friends….this post is just a fun way to introduce you to them.

Tricia would draw it with chalk pastels.

Jimmie would throw it a Twitter Party.

Jamie would offer it a cup of tea.

Tonya would take it on a road trip.

Alex would share it on Instagram.

Amanda would design a kit about it.

Maureen would make a printable about it.

Mary would build it a Lego house.

Debra would publish a notebooking page for it.

Kris would take it to Chick-Fil-A.

Angie would take it for a SUP ride.

Heather and her daughter would sew it a skirt.

I hope you enjoyed seeing some of my favorite bloggers.

Now, what would you do if you saw a salamander?

Posted on July 17, 2013 by Barb — 1 Comment

Lovely Lavender Days and Lavender Nature Study

I love all things lavender! It is the predominant plant and the predominant color in my front yard. Just about everyone who visits my house comments on the lovely fragrance of lavender as they walk up the front walk.

Lavender #1 (which we always call English lavender): Fragrant light lavender with silvery-green stem that is stiff and woody. This is the lavender I harvest and make potpourri for sachets from because it smells just like perfume.The large plants have grown over part of the walkway so when you brush by them you are treated to a perfumy delight.

I have missed the prime time for harvesting this summer because of travel but I will still go out early in the morning in the next few days and cut the blossoms to dry for a big batch of fragrant potpourri to have on hand.

Lavender along the walkway (sage in the background)

Lavender #2 (which we always call Spanish lavender): Spicy lavender scent with feathery soft leaves and petals that look like wings on the top. The leaves when rubbed are just as fragrant as the actual flower. We learned to prune this lavender last fall and it came back with a growth spurt I couldn’t believe was possible. I am pruning it way back again this year.

Lavender with “wings” on top and fern-like leaves

Are you interested in learning more about lavender? My daughter and I created a Hearts and Trees Kit that features lavender nature study and a lavender sachet sewing project. The lavender nature study is in the form of an Outdoor Hour Challenge and I wrote a narrative that mimics the style of Anna Botsford Comstock in the Handbook of Nature Study. You will really enjoy this study and your children will learn a lot about lavender.

I am pleased to announce that for the next ten days you can purchase a Hearts and Trees Kit featuring lavender nature study and a lavender sachet craft and receive FREE SHIPPING.

You must use the buttons below to receive the special discount.

For the lavender focused part of this kit, your child will create a dried lavender sachet. The fabric, thread, needle yarn and dried lavender and instructions are included. ***PLEASE NOTE: If you or your child is allergic to lavender just let us know and we will not send the dried lavender!***

There is also an eight page nature journal focusing on lavender. Your child will assemble the nature journal using the cover, pages and a length of twine. A sample lavender flower is provided for you to study. The cardboard, rubber bands and link to instructions are provided so that you can make a flower press. Waxed paper and instructions are also included to make a waxed paper pouch to mount the pressed lavender into the nature journal.

There is more to the kit! Each one includes:

2 sewing projects
2 handicraft projects
1 painting project
1 drawing project
1 nature study collection of projects focusing on lavender
1 artist study collection of notebooking pages with art print

These kits were gathered with children ages 6-12 in mind. Parents may need to help their students, especially younger children, with some aspects of this kit. (Please note you will need to supply some common art supplies to complete these projects such as scissors, paintbrush and markers. A list of common supplies you will need is included with the kit.)

Hearts and Trees Lavender and Bubbles Kit

Hearts and Trees Bubbles and Lavender Kit–FREE SHIPPING

If you have any questions, email me or my daughter (heartsandtrees@yahoo.com).

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Barb — 2 Comments

Using Less Plastics Update #5 Using Fewer Disposable Plastic Cups

Using Fewer Disposable Cups

I have two tips for you that have saved me from wasting too many plastic cups.

#1 Ask for Recyclable Cups
When you eat out, make sure your take-away cup is not plastic.Ask beforehand because sometimes you have a choice between a plastic or paper cup. Our McDonalds has a $1 for any size drink policy. If you order a large, you get a plastic cup. If you order a medium or small, you get a paper cup. We make sure to order a medium on the rare trip to McDonalds. Wouldn’t it be nice if McDonalds had a recycling bin for all those large drink cups that get thrown in the trash can?

Sidenote: If you drink coffee or tea at Starbucks and are enjoying it in the restaurant, ask for a mug instead of a paper cup. You can also bring your own personal cup and they will refill it for you (for a 10 cent discount). If you are purchasing a cold drink this will eliminate the need for a disposable plastic cup.

#2 Write Names on Disposable Cups
We recently had a graduation party and I realized if I put a Sharpie pen by the drink cups…people would write their names on them and then reuse the cup. This was a great savings in disposable plastic.

These are both really small ideas but I decided over time they would make an impact on our disposable plastic usage.We are keeping at this project and feel good about the progress we have made in using less as the months go by.

Any summertime tips for using less plastic?

Posted on July 12, 2013 by Barb — Leave a comment

Outdoor Hour Challenge Goldfish Nature Study

Outdoor Hour Challenge
Goldfish Nature Study

This is a fun challenge for those of you who have aquarium goldfish. If you don’t have goldfish of your own, you can be creative and visit a local pet store and observe the goldfish there or you can even use the video below to get a taste of what goldfish are like. However you decide to use this challenge, I look forward to seeing your entries in the next blog carnival (see instructions at the end of this challenge).

Goldfish YouTube Video – Watch full screen!

Printable Goldfish Nature Study and Notebook Page

This two page printable will outline a study of goldfish using the Handbook of Nature Study. You can complete the study and then record your observations on the notebook page provided.

Handbook of Nature Study Goldfish Lesson and Notebook Page

If you already own the Getting Started ebook, complete Outdoor Hour Challenge #2. After your goldfish observations, use the directions in this challenge to help your child express their experience in words. Afterwards, record some of their words on the accompanying notebook page.

You are welcome to submit any of you blog Outdoor Hour Challenge blog entries to the Outdoor Hour Challenge Blog Carnival. Entries for the current month are due on 7/30/13.

Posted on July 8, 2013 by Barb — 5 Comments

Winnemucca Lake Hike – Alpine Lake and Widflowers

In our continuing quest to fulfill my nature study goals for 2013, we took another new hike close to home. This particular hike has been on my list of things to do for a few years. My sister called me one day all excited about Winnemucca Lake and the number of wildflowers to be seen along the trail. I just have never been able to fit it in during July but my husband and I found ourselves without anything to do one day and so we hopped in the car and within an hour were standing at the trailhead. (Woods, Round Top, and Winnemucca Lakes Trail)

The first part of the trail winds along Woods Creek, in and out of the sunshine through the tall conifers. The trail is easy going and we enjoyed listening to the birds and glimpsing the creek but don’t stop too long to admire the flowers or the mosquitoes get you.

After a mile or so, the terrain opens up and we were delighted to see the hills covered in wildflowers.

We met two fellow hikers that were on a wildflower quest and they had a wildflower guide to identify the many, many flowers that were visible from the trail. I knew quite a few of them but there were some new ones.

So many colors painted the landscape…it wasn’t too hot and the breezes were delightful which was a relief from the 100 degree weather back at our house.

This was one of my favorite flowers from the day, Meadow Penstemon. I love finding “new to me” flowers along a trail. I thought it was a variety of penstemon but the color was so much more purple than I had seen before. I looked it up in my field guide when I got home and it was indeed a penstemon.

I have only seen this flower in Yosemite National Park so it was a delight to see it along this trail. We knew it as Mountain Lungwort but it is also called Mountain Bluebell. Pretty!

The trail climbs up big granite slabs and eventually you reach the lake. This is a panorama view of the terrain and wildflowers once you arrive. There were quite a few people up at the lake enjoying the view, fishing, and swimming too.

We sat on a big rock and ate our lunch, watching the clouds blow in and we wondered if there would be some thunderstorms later in the afternoon. This was the view behind where we were sitting…yes, there were that many flowers in bloom!

For some reason I didn’t take a very good photo of the lake but this one you can see the small waterfall and the snow still left around the edges. There was a big patch near the trail and there were people throwing snowballs at each other. It actually was quite warm up at the lake so I doubt the snow will be around much longer.

Hiking back down we took a side trail to see the water cascading down the rocks…just the sound of the water made it so peaceful.

This is the view as you hike down the trail towards the trailhead. The climb is gradual but you do hike up in elevation which at around 9,000 feet. Your body tells you to slow down and we just took it easy since we aren’t used to that altitude. I didn’t hurry anyway because I was stopping to take photos quite a bit.

What a great hike and a great day! It is on our list of July hikes from now on because it was truly enjoyable.

So that completes new hike #3 for us….working on those nature study goals has really encouraged us this year.

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Barb — Leave a comment

Outdoor Hour Challenge – Fish Grid Nature Study

Outdoor Hour Challenge
Fish Grid Study (July Newsletter Printable)

Use the Fish Grid Study printable to start your fish nature study off, choosing just one or two ideas to complete with your children. Use your own aquarium fish, fish at a pet store, or fish at a local pond to learn more up close and personal.

Printable Copywork Page

This printable can be printed and used to learn the characteristics of a fish. If you would rather copy the list into your nature journal and then have your child illustrate the page that would be great too!

Fish Copywork Notebook Page from Handbook of Nature Study

Getting Started Suggestion:
If you already own the Getting Started ebook, complete Outdoor Hour Challenge #1. Use your outdoor time this week to enjoy a spot in your area where there are fish…a lake, a stream, a pond. Enjoy your time outside with your child and follow their lead in exploring this place. Follow up with the notebook page from the ebook.

Author: Barb