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Turkey Homeschool Nature Study Activities for November

“The gobbler is the most vainglorious bird known to us; when he struts to show his flock of admiring hens how beautiful he is, he lowers his wings and spreads the stiff primary quills until their tips scrape the ground, lifting meanwhile into a semi-circular fan his beautiful tail feathers, he protrudes his chest, and raises the iridescent plumage of his neck like a ruff to make a background against which he throws back his red, white, and blue decorated head.”

Handbook of Nature Study
This turkey homeschool nature study includes fun activities and a free printable - everything you need for fall learning.

Fun Turkey Homeschool Nature Study Ideas

Wild turkeys are a funny bunch of birds. Homeschool Nature Study founder Barb McCoy says, “we lived in California, many times we saw turkeys in the woods and sometimes trotting down the back roads. They make a funny sound as they move through the trees and poke around on the ground for tidbits to eat.  Then, if you get lucky, you’ll see the male turkey strutting his stuff and displaying his beautiful tail feathers!

This turkey homeschool nature study includes fun activities and a free printable - everything you need for fall learning.

Homeschool Bird Study – Turkeys

If you have a wild turkey or even a domestic turkey to observe, you’ll enjoy the suggestions in the lesson in the Handbook of Nature Study.  Another suggestion is to watch the videos in the original challenge to get a taste of what turkeys are all about and then read the Handbook of Nature Study lesson and finish with a nature journal page with your children.”

The full turkey homeschool nature study is included in membership – along with all the fun, fall favorite topics and a member calendar filled with daily nature study prompts!

November Homeschool Nature Study Activities

November Homeschool Nature Study Activities

Before the whole month of November slips away, let’s make time to observe what nature is doing at this time of year. Start off by completing the reading of pages 1 and 2 in the Handbook of Nature Study as a refresher.

Take a few minutes to think about how keeping a regular nature study period each week has benefited your family. Ask your children what they have learned so far this autumn season about the birds, insects, and plants in your neighborhood.

November Homeschool Nature Study Outdoor Hour Challenges

Members can browse the November Outdoor Hour Challenges! Pine cone science, a year long brook study and more

leaf prints homeschool nature study craft

Victoria says, “As autumn gets into full swing, what better way to mark the change of seasons than with these super simple leaf prints. We are heading into that period of autumn where the leaves are on the cusp of igniting into rich shades of red and orange. Here in the UK, we usually have about a week of vibrancy before one strong wind comes along and blows all the colour to the ground. So it is best to capture its beauty while we can.”

Let this give you encouragement to keep participating in the Outdoor Hour Challenge as the weather turns colder and wetter.

Follow up your Outdoor Hour Challenge turkey time with a Turkey Walk with Chalk in Turkey Art Activities.

Free Your November World Printable Journal Page

your November World homeschool nature study

Use the ideas in this challenge to get outside and find something of interest to note about your November World. Complete the notebook page in the Autumn Course included in membership or create a page in your own blank journal.

Get Your November World Notebook Page!

Subscribe to get FREE Your November World Notebook page.

    We won’t send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

    More Fall Homeschool Nature Study and Homeschool Ideas

    Here are even more ideas for your November homeschool:

    November is such a month of change and transition…don’t miss getting outside to view it for yourselves! Be sure to share your outdoor time on social media and tag @outdoorhourchallenge on Instagram or Outdoor Hour Challenges too!

    This turkey homeschool nature study includes fun activities and a free printable - everything you need for fall learning.

    Tricia and her family fell in love with the Handbook of Nature Study and the accompanying Outdoor Hour Challenges early in their homeschooling. The simplicity and ease of the weekly outdoor hour challenges brought joy to their homeschool and opened their eyes to the world right out their own back door! She shares the art and heart of homeschooling at You ARE an ARTiST and Your Best Homeschool plus her favorite curricula at The Curriculum Choice.

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    The Ultimate Guide of Fun Apple and Pumpkin Nature Study Ideas for Your Homeschool

    When the air turns cooler and the leaves start to change color, it is always fun to learn more about apples and pumpkins! Enjoy this ultimate guide of fun apple and pumpkin nature study ideas for your homeschool.

    When the air turns cooler and the leaves start to change color, it is always fun to learn more about apples and pumpkins! Enjoy this ultimate guide of fun apple and pumpkin nature study ideas for your homeschool.

    5 Apple Homeschool Nature Study Ideas

    All things apple – what a fun, fall topic to learn about!

    “The apple is a nutritious fruit, wholesome and easily digested. The varieties of apple differ in shape, size, color, texture, and flavor. A perfect apple has no bruise upon it and no wormholes in it. “

    Handbook of Nature Study, page 669
    • Compare the outside of the apples: color, size, stems, blemishes.
    • Compare the skins: thickness, texture.
    • Compare cut apples: core size, seeds, shape, flavor, crispness
    • Visit an apple farm and view apples on trees (and sample doughnuts and apple pies!)
    • Have a picnic under an apple tree!
    visit an apple orchard for your homeschool nature study

    For even more ideas plus a FULL Outdoor Hour Challenge on apples, join Homeschool Nature Study membership!

    More Apple Nature Study Fun

    Here are a few more fun apple study ideas!

    visit a pumpkin farm for your homeschool nature study!

    5 Pumpkin Homeschool Nature Study Ideas

    Get started with your pumpkin nature study with these simple ideas:

    • Sketch or describe the pumpkin leaf.
    • Thump your pumpkin and describe the sound.
    • Observe the creases on the outside of the pumpkin.
    • Can you tell which way your pumpkin sat on the ground when it was growing?
    • Cut your pumpkin open and view the seeds. Sketch the arrangement in your journal.
    Enjoy this ultimate guide of fun apple and pumpkin nature study ideas for your homeschool. Perfect for all ages.

    More Pumpkin Nature Studies Perfect for Homeschool

    For 10 more ideas plus a FULL Outdoor Hour Challenge on Pumpkins, a Pumpkin Farm Notebook page and more, join Homeschool Nature Study membership!

    Enjoy this ultimate guide of fun apple and pumpkin nature study ideas for your homeschool. Perfect for all ages.

    Favorite Pumpkin Recipes to Enjoy

    Handbook of Nature Study website founder Barb McCoy shares these favorites!

    Tricia’s Easy Pumpkin Recipes:

    When the air turns cooler and the leaves start to change color, it is always fun to learn more about apples and pumpkins! Enjoy this ultimate guide of fun apple and pumpkin nature study ideas for your homeschool.

    More Fall Homeschool Nature Study Fun!

    Keep the apple and pumpkin nature study fun going with these resources for all ages:

    Tricia and her family fell in love with the Handbook of Nature Study and the accompanying Outdoor Hour Challenges early in their homeschooling. The simplicity and ease of the weekly outdoor hour challenges brought joy to their homeschool and opened their eyes to the world right out their own back door! She shares the art and heart of homeschooling at You ARE an ARTiST and Your Best Homeschool plus her favorite curricula at The Curriculum Choice.

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    Homeschool Fall Leaf Study And Activities (perfect for all ages)

    To celebrate the first day of fall or autumnal equinox, we invite you on a fall leaf study in your homeschool! There are leaf nature studies to fill an entire week!

    To celebrate the first day of fall or autumnal equinox, we invite you on a fall leaf tour in your homeschool! There are leaf nature studies to fill an entire week!

    Celebrate The First Day of Fall

    Here is a fun idea for the first day of fall and your fall leaf tour!

    To celebrate the first day of fall or autumnal equinox, we invite you on a fall leaf tour in your homeschool! There are leaf nature studies to fill an entire week!

    Homeschool Fall Leaf Study And Activities

    This study is designed to be completed with what you have around you. As the leaves turn, head outside, notice fall colors and collect some different colored leaves.

    Compare Leaves from Two Different Trees

    • Leaf shape and leaf margins.
    • Leaf arrangement on the stem.
    • Leaf color, texture, and size. (You can measure if you wish.)
    • Come back in from your walk and follow up with a journal page.

    Take a Fall Color Walk For Your Nature Study

    To continue your fall leaf tour, take a fall color walk! We also start to take more hikes now that the afternoons are a bit cooler. We have our favorite trails and try to get outside every day to see what we can find of interest.

    Read in the Handbook of Nature Study page 14, “The Field Excursion”. The reason I want you to read this section is so you have a better understanding of how to prepare you children for a short outdoor excursion with a purpose. Let them know ahead of time the reason you are going outdoors, have them gather their supplies, and then make the excursion outside to look for fall colors.

    With our Printable Autumn Series Field Notebook included in membership, you can enjoy these studies and journal pages:

    • Seasonal tree study
    • Goldenrod
    • Oaks & acorns
    • Fall bird study
    • Squirrels
    • Mushrooms
    • Pumpkins
    • Field Notebook List

    Fall Color Challenge Activity: Match Leaf Color to Your Art Supplies

    A more detailed advanced study for upper level students is included in membership. Here is a peek at what you can enjoy as you continue your fall leaf tour.

    Collect a variety of colorful leaves and bring them inside. Have fun matching the colors of the leaves to your colored pencils, chalk pastels, crayons or other art supplies. You might want to sketch your leaves in your nature journal.

    Watercolor pencils on the left and regular colored pencils on the right.

    Fall Homeschool Nature Study Ideas

    Track Weather in Your Homeschool

    Autumn seems to be a season that many of us look forward to and in my part of the world we welcome the cooler temperatures and the crisp morning air. We begin to see a few days of wet weather and one activity that seems to make its way into my nature journal is to keep track of that cooler wet weather.

    To celebrate the first day of fall or autumnal equinox, we invite you on a fall leaf tour in your homeschool! There are leaf nature studies to fill an entire week!

    Simple Fall Homeschool Nature Study Ideas with Apples, Pumpkins and Pears

    Our Homeschool Nature Study members enjoy these wonderful challenges!

    • Apple Challenge – Simple nature study featuring apples and the Handbook of Nature Study.
    • Pumpkins – Study your pumpkins and then eat them too!
    • Pear Challenge – Yummy nature study featuring pears and the Handbook of Nature Study with advanced study options too.
    To celebrate the first day of fall or autumnal equinox, we invite you on a fall leaf tour in your homeschool! There are leaf nature studies to fill an entire week!

    Autumn Series with the Handbook of Nature Study: Outdoor Hour Challenge Curriculum

    There are so many fall favorites for you to explore over the next months!

    Members also enjoy access to:

    • NEW, weekly Outdoor Hour Challenges to bring the Handbook of Nature Study to life in your homeschool!
    • the annual nature study plans
    • matching courses with materials and journaling pages
    • interactive calendar with daily nature study prompts
    • Nature Journaling course
    • and MUCH more!

    More Fall Nature Study for Your Homeschool

    Be inspired. Be encouraged. Get outdoors!

    Tricia and her family fell in love with the Handbook of Nature Study and the accompanying Outdoor Hour Challenges early in their homeschooling. The simplicity and ease of the weekly outdoor hour challenges brought joy to their homeschool and opened their eyes to the world right out their own back door! She shares the art and heart of homeschooling at You ARE an ARTiST and Your Best Homeschool plus her favorite curricula at The Curriculum Choice.

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    Autumn Ebook Promotion – Perfect Season in Nature

    Autumn Nature Study

    Autumn Ebooks!

    It won’t be long until it will be time for some awesome autumn nature study! Members here on the Handbook of Nature Study can look in their Member’s Library for the five autumn themed ebooks available for downloading.

     

    Autumn Nature Study Ebooks graphic

    I’ll list the autumn themed ebooks below and if you want to click over to see the specific topics covered, you can easily do that by clicking the book title.

    Autumn Nature Study Ebooks Available

    1)      Autumn 2009  – Download the free notebook pages to go along with the autumn nature study ideas.

    2)      Autumn 2010

    3)      Autumn Nature Study Continues

    4)      More Nature Study – Autumn

    5)      Autumn 2015

    If you are new to the Outdoor Hour Challenge and would like to purchase a membership, you can click the graphic at the bottom of this post. Don’t miss the discount code!

    Outdoor Hour Challenge Autumn Nature Study Ideas Index @handbookofnaturestudy

    For a complete list of autumn season nature study topics, you can click the Autumn tab at the top of the website.

    Use the discount code AUTUMNFUN2021 for $5 off your Ultimate Naturalist Library membership. Code will expire on 9/17/2021.

     

    Join Us Ultimate Naturalist June 2020

    If you’d like to have access to all of the autumn ebooks, you’ll find them all in the Ultimate Naturalist Library membership.

     

    Please note:

    This is the last autumn season that the ebooks will be available here on the website. If you are a member, please download and save the ebooks for future use!

     

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    Rock Study: Calcite, Limestone, Marble Nature Study

    Outdoor Hour Challenge

    Rock Study: Calcite, Limestone, Marble Nature Study

    Most families that have been taking time for nature study have no doubt started an official or unofficial rock collection. I know when my boys were young, they would fill my pockets with rock treasures on our nature walks and then insist I take them home for our nature table. So many rocks!

    rock collection in jars
    I must admit that I still collect rocks! You may wish to read this entry that shares 5 ways to organize rock collections: 5 Ways to Display Rock Collections.

    Use this week’s Outdoor Hour Challenge to learn a bit about rocks that you may already have in your collection. Or use the information and videos in the original challenge to build enthusiasm for a rock hunt soon.

    Outdoor Hour Challenge Rock Study Marble Calcite Limestone @handbookofnaturestudy

    View the original challenge here: Outdoor Hour Challenge – Calcite, Limestone, Marble.

    Rock Study Up close Notebook page

    If you have access to the ebook, there is a general rock activity on page 39 that everyone can use: Rocks Up Close printable. Take this notebook page along with you this week during your Outdoor Hour Challenge and see how many things you can find.

    Newsletter Resources: Members also have access to the two newsletters in the archives that feature rock nature studies: January 2013 and February 2016.

    Under a Rock Notebook Page

    Alternate Study: Members can download and print the Under a Rock Notebook Page. Find a rock, turn it over and then observe what you can find underneath. This is a fun activity with or without the notebook page.

    Handbook of Nature Study Autumn Nature Study 2015 Cover Image

    Sample to view: Outdoor Hour Challenge Autumn Nature Study 2015 Sample Pages

    If you don’t have a membership yet, click the graphic above and join today for immediate access to the 26 ebooks and so much more! Remember that all levels, even the Discovery level membership, include access to all of the archived newsletters!

    Topics in this ebook include:

    • Swallows and swifts
    • Catfish
    • Jewelweed
    • Prickly lettuce
    • Cockroach
    • Field horsetail
    • Catbird
    • Calcite, limestone, marble
    • Chicken
    • Turkey
    • Hedgehog fungi
    • Sapsucker
    • Brooks

      Join Us Ultimate Naturalist June 2020

     

     

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    New Member’s Printables Available- Fungi Photo Hunt and Autumn Changes

    Now available in the Ultimate and Journey level memberships:

    1. Fungi Photo Hunt: Download and print this activity for your family to use as part of a fungi hunt. The suggestions on the printable will help guide your family on a fascinating and fun nature study featuring fungi of all kinds. Our family recently took a fungi hike and we found five different kinds to take photos of and we are anxious to go again soon!

    2. Autumn Changes Notebook Page: Autumn is a perfect time for your family to get outside and note the changes you see and then follow up with a nature journal page. Autumn provides plenty of colorful and interesting things to observe and sketch for this notebook page.

    Fungi Photo Hunt Notebook Page

    Autumn Changes Know Your Own Backyard Notebook Page

    (See the end of this post for more information on how you can become a member.)

    Printables for Members Button

    Print a complete list of printables available in the Ultimate and Journey level memberships by clicking the button above.

    Join Us Ultimate Naturalist January 2020

    November 2020 Planner Page image

    Members also have access to the Nature Planner pages in their library.

    Print out this month’s page and use it to stimulate your weekly nature study time.

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    Outdoor Hour Challenge- Autumn Prickly Lettuce Nature Study

    We had a rather large crop of prickly lettuce in our yard this summer, so I can say from firsthand experience that it’s an interesting topic for a nature study lesson. Do you have a child that likes to use a compass? The lesson in the Handbook of Nature Study suggests using your compass as part of your observation of the prickly lettuce plant.

    Prickly Lettuce wildflower weed outdoor hour challenge (1)

    The prickly lettuce is also a great subject for a lesson on thorns, spines, and prickles. Make sure to observe the prickles and talk about how this protects the plant from being eaten by animals.

    Prickly Lettuce wildflower weed outdoor hour challenge (4)

    Outdoor Hour Challenge Prickly Lettuce @handbookofnaturestudy

    View the original challenge here: Outdoor Hour Challenge – Prickly Lettuce. 

    Prickly Lettuce Notebook Page 1

    Prickly Lettuce Notebook Page 2

    If you have access to the ebook, there are two notebook pages to choose from for your nature journal.

    Prickly Lettuce wildflower weed outdoor hour challenge (3)

    Alternate study: Look for the idea posted earlier this month for Creating a Weed Bouquet.

    Handbook of Nature Study Autumn Nature Study 2015 Cover Image

    Sample to view: Outdoor Hour Challenge Autumn Nature Study 2015 Sample Pages

    If you don’t have a membership yet, click the graphic above and join today for immediate access to the 26 ebooks and so much more! Remember that all levels, even the Discovery level membership, include access to all of the archived newsletters!

    Topics in this ebook include:

    • Swallows and swifts
    • Catfish
    • Jewelweed
    • Prickly lettuce
    • Cockroach
    • Field horsetail
    • Catbird
    • Calcite, limestone, marble
    • Chicken
    • Turkey
    • Hedgehog fungi
    • Sapsucker
    • Brooks

     

     

    Join Us Ultimate Naturalist June 2020

     

     

     

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    Autumn Wildflower Study: Milkweed Observations

    Alternate Autumn Wildflower Study

    Autumn Milkweed Observations

     

    Many families live in areas where you can readily find milkweed growing. Autumn is a fantastic season to start a milkweed study because the pods and seeds are so amazing and fascinating to most of us.

    Milkweed+Seeds+autumn.jpgYou can use this link to see our Autumn Milkweed Study from a few years ago.

    Outdoor Hour Challenge Milkweed Study @handbookofnaturestudy

    The original Outdoor Hour Challenge for the autumn milkweed study is found here: Outdoor Hour Challenge – Milkweed.

    More Nature Study Autumn Cover imageAs an added bonus, the sample challenge from the More Nature Study – Autumn ebook is the milkweed study.  You can take a look at what the challenge looks like in the ebook by downloading the sample.

    >>>>>>Milkweed Challenge with notebook pages and a coloring page.

    Join Us Ultimate Naturalist June 2020

    All ebooks referenced above are included in an Ultimate Naturalist Library membership.

    This is a perfect time to purchase a membership for your upcoming school year.

    Benefits by Level graphic  26 ebooks

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    Outdoor Hour Challenge -Autumn Jewelweed Nature Study

    Outdoor Hour Challenge

    Jewelweed Nature Study

    What makes the jewelweed plant so special? A hint is found in its other common name, touch-me-not. With just a touch, the jewelweed catapults its seeds out for dispersal! Would you like to see a video? Here is a link: Jewelweed Pods Exploding.

    Use the lesson in the Handbook of Nature Study (Lesson 134) and the Outdoor Hour Challenge in the Autumn Ebook to learn about this interesting, beautiful, and useful plant that you may have growing in your area.

    Outdoor Hour Challenge Jewelweed @handbookofnaturestudy. Use these ideas and links to look at a wildflower.View the original challenge here: Outdoor Hour Challenge – Jewelweed.

     

    If you have access to the ebook, there are two notebook pages to choose from for your nature journal.

    Jewelweed notebook page 1

    Jewelweed notebook page 2

    Alternate study: You can complete a Weeds and Seeds challenge instead.

    Handbook of Nature Study Autumn Nature Study 2015 Cover Image

    Sample to view: Outdoor Hour Challenge Autumn Nature Study 2015 Sample Pages

    If you don’t have a membership yet, click the graphic above and join today for immediate access to the 26 ebooks and so much more! Remember that all levels, even the Discovery level membership, include access to all of the archived newsletters!

    Topics in this ebook include:

    • Swallows and swifts
    • Catfish
    • Jewelweed
    • Prickly lettuce
    • Cockroach
    • Field horsetail
    • Catbird
    • Calcite, limestone, marble
    • Chicken
    • Turkey
    • Hedgehog fungi
    • Sapsucker
    • Brooks

     

     

    Join Us Ultimate Naturalist June 2020

     

    If you have a membership, you may also look at additional wildflower ebooks available in the Ultimate Naturalist Library.

    Outdoor Hour Challenge Wildflower Set 1 Ebook

    OHC Wildflower Set 2 @handbookofnaturestudy

    Outdoor Hour Challenge Wildflower 3 Covermaker

     

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    Autumn Weed Bouquet -Creating a Bouquet of Weeds, Flowers, and Grasses

    Sitting on my desk is a small vase of flowers I collected a few weeks ago. Although they’re all dried up now, they are a fond reminder of an afternoon spent walking and collecting a few blooming things with my daughter.

    weed bouquet wildflowers autumn outdoor hour challenge (2)

    This inspires me to share an idea with you readers. Why not go out on a crisp autumn day and collect a few flowers, weeds, and grasses from your neighborhood to enjoy in a vase?

    Creating a Weed Bouquet graphic

    Here’s a link to a post in my archives that will give you some inspiration: Weed Bouquets and Autumn Time.

    weed bouquet wildflowers autumn outdoor hour challenge (1)

    Please feel free to use this idea as an alternate study to any of the autumn wildflower studies we have coming up (jewelweed and prickly lettuce).

    Autumn Nature Study Ebooks graphic

    Please check out all of the autumn themed ebooks available here on the Handbook of Nature Study.

    Click the graphic above to view all of the topics covered.