Posted on Leave a comment

Backyard Bird Calls: A Cardinal Homeschool Nature Study

Enjoy an easy way to learn backyard bird calls. Then use the homeschool nature study on the robin, cardinal and house finch to discover even more!

I thought it would be fun to start to learn some bird calls. Our family is going to try to learn the calls of the birds from the Outdoor Hour Challenge. I have one son that definitely learns things well when we make them into a song so I thought this would be a fun project for him to do.

Enjoy an easy way to learn backyard bird calls. Then use the homeschool nature study on the robin, cardinal and house finch to discover more!

Learn Backyard Bird Calls: Robin, Cardinal and House Finch

If you would like to join us, here are the links to a website where you can hear the bird calls.

Robin
Here or Here

Cardinal
Here or Here

House Finch
Here or Here

Let me know how it goes in your family.

Enjoy an easy way to learn backyard bird calls. Then use the homeschool nature study on the robin, cardinal and house finch to discover more!

Robin, Cardinal, and House Finch Nature Study for Your Homeschool

No need to stop at the backyard bird calls! This series of Outdoor Hour Challenges is going to help you study birds, their habits and their unique features. Learning to really see the parts of the bird in order to not only identify it but to see how each bird fits into the overall world of animals. I have decided to emphasis the most common backyard birds.

enjoy indoor nature study in your homeschool

Your Inside Backyard Bird Homeschool Nature Study Time:

1. Read the Handbook of Nature Study pages 27-28 to get a general overview of bird study using this book. In addition, read pages 43-44 for some ways to attract birds to your yard. I highly recommend hanging a feeder of some sort and providing water as well.

2.Read in the Handbook of Nature Study pages 57-62 about the robin. There is so much information about the robin on these pages that it is a little overwhelming. I would read the information and mark any ideas or facts that you are interested in sharing with your child.

3. Read in the Handbook of Nature Study pages 127-130 about the cardinal grosbeak.

4. Backyard Birds: Read aloud with your child the introductory pages and the section on red birds: the robin, the cardinal, and the house finch. Take note of each bird’s field marks for future reference. Notice the difference between the female and male birds for each kind of bird.

Peterson Field Guides for Young Naturalists

 5. Peterson Field Guide: Backyard Birds: Read the introductory pages 17-22(W) or 23-30(E). Look up in the index the robin, the cardinal, and the house finch. Observe the illustrations carefully and read the narrative descriptions and explanations.

Please Note: (W)=Western Birds and (E) Eastern Birds

Your Outdoor Hour Time

Take your 10-15 minutes of outdoor time to enjoy your own backyard. Since this series of challenges is about birds, be aware of any bird subjects that come your way. This could include feathers, nests, bird tracks, or the sounds of bird calls.

Enjoy an easy way to learn backyard bird calls. Then use the homeschool nature study on the robin, cardinal and house finch to discover more!

You could also use your outdoor time to hang a bird feeder and talk about what kinds of birds you hope to attract. You could talk about the different kinds of seeds. The more you include your children in the process of setting up the bird feeder, the more excited and invested they will be to watch for birds to visit.

Your goal this week is to spend the time outdoors with your children and perhaps observe a bird. What particular aspect of the bird are you observing this week? How about the color, size, and shape of the beak? This should get you started in your bird study.

Robin Redbreast - what robin told by George Cooper

Follow Up Bird Homeschool Nature Study Activities

For your follow up activity you can learn more about the particular bird that you observed. If you know what kind of bird it is, look it up in the Handbook of Nature Study for more information. You can also use the Peterson Field Guide or an internet resource such as whatbird.com or Cornell’s bird website.

The above websites also can help you identify an unknown bird. We will be learning in the upcoming challenges how to use a field guide to identify birds so don’t worry if you don’t find an exact identification for your bird.

The most important part of this challenge is getting outdoors with your children and beginning a search for birds. If you have a nearby park, you can try visiting there during your week to see if there any different birds for observation. Many parks have ducks and geese that make excellent subjects for bird study.

More Bird Nature Study Activities for Your Homeschool

Birds are such a joy to learn about. Here are some more bird nature studies you can enjoy!

Hopefully during your outdoor time you found something to investigate further. Questions are always a great way to extend your nature study to other days of your week.


This red bird challenge is from the Birds Course in our Homeschool Nature Study membership using the Handbook of Nature Study. You can purchase a membership now and have instant access.

Enjoy an easy way to learn backyard bird calls. Then use the homeschool nature study on the robin, cardinal and house finch to discover more!
Posted on Leave a comment

Fun Bird Nests and Eggs Activities For Nature Study

Enjoy these fun activities for learning about bird nests and eggs. Includes ideas for getting outside, bird resources and suggestions for follow up activities as well.

Enjoy these fun activities for learning about bird nests and eggs. Includes ideas for getting outside, bird resources and suggestions for follow up.
Photo by Amy Law

Activities for Learning About Bird Nests and Eggs

Spring is the time for birds to nest and currently we have nesting boxes up for a variety of birds: bluebirds, swallows, flickers, chickadees, and new to us is a robin’s nesting platform.  Every bird has its own unique nest and as we learn about birds, take time to look up and learn about their nest and eggs.

Enjoy these fun activities for learning about bird nests and eggs. Includes ideas for getting outside, bird resources and suggestions for follow up.

In Homeschool Nature Study Membership, there are several notebooking pages to use to record information about birds and their nests and eggs.

Enjoy these fun activities for learning about bird nests and eggs. Includes ideas for getting outside, bird resources and suggestions for follow up.

Bird Nests and Eggs Homeschool Resources

One of my favorite resources is the book Birds, Nests and Eggs.

The book Birds, Nests, and Eggs is the perfect beginner’s book for homeschool nature study. It’s also a wonderful take along guide that features many of the common birds that we see in our yards and neighborhoods.

Examples of Nests and Eggs: This is a page on the Cornell website that shows actual nests and eggs for many common birds. Spend some time with your children clicking the images and viewing them together.

Nestwatch: This citizen science program is something your family could participate in if you have a nest in your yard. Take a look and see if it’s something you can incorporate into your nature study plans.

Beautiful Birds Nests: Your Spring Homeschool Nature Study: There are so many wonderful homeschool resources for birds nests in your spring nature study! These are some of our favorites. Nests are each unique and colorful!

bird art lessons

You ARE an ARTiST has over 25 bird art lessons to enjoy! Browse A Bird Study with Chalk Pastels.

Learn how to draw a bird’s nest with this video art lesson.

Listen to Nana of You ARE an ARTiST’s John James Audubon podcast. He was the famous ornithologist, naturalist, and painter that documented all sorts of American birds in their natural habitats. He also identified 25 new species!

Homeschool Nature Study members can find Bird lessons in Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter courses alongside the Outdoor Hour Challenge.

Bird Nests and Eggs Studies in our Homeschool Nature Study Membership

You can use notebooking pages in Homeschool Nature Study Membership to complete a bird study that focuses on the nest.

You can find even more bird nature study ideas in the Learning About Birds Outdoor Hour Challenge curriculum. This ebook curriculum is available in annual Homeschool Nature Study membership. There are also bird studies in each of the seasons. So many resources to enjoy!

Enjoy these fun activities for learning about bird nests and eggs. Includes ideas for getting outside, bird resources and suggestions for follow up.
Posted on Leave a comment

February Homeschool Nature Studies Great for Bird Watching

These February homeschool nature studies are great for bird watching and study. Includes The Backyard Bird Count and more!

These February homeschool nature studies are great for bird watching and study. Includes The Backyard Bird Count and more!

February Homeschool Nature Studies Great for Bird Watching

There are so many ways to enjoy bird watching this month (or any month). Here are some ideas to get you started.

Great Backyard Bird Count Resources: Everything You Need

Are you ready? Enjoy these Great Backyard Bird Count Homeschool Resources as you watch birds in your backyard this February!

What Is The Great Backyard Bird Count?

Each February, for four days, the world comes together for the love of birds. Over these four days we invite people to spend time in their favorite places watching and counting as many birds as they can find and reporting them to us. These observations help scientists better understand global bird populations before one of their annual migrations.

Birdcount.org
Are you ready? Enjoy these Great Backyard Bird Count Homeschool Resources as you watch birds in your backyard this February!

Bird Watching 101: Attracting Birds to Your Yard

Here you will find all sorts of ideas for attracting birds to your yard for homeschool nature study and birdwatching. We love to watch birds and do so on a regular basis without ever leaving our backyard. We can watch from our window or our deck and see usually around 4-5 different kinds of birds each day. At sometimes of the year, we have a lot more than that and it is exciting to see a new kind in the feeders.

Fun Bird Nests and Eggs Activities for Nature Study – Enjoy these fun activities for learning about bird nests and eggs. Includes ideas for getting outside, bird resources and suggestions for follow up activities as well.

Ultimate List of Bird Nature Studies Using the Outdoor Hour Challenges

You can enjoy a simple birds homeschool nature study with these resources we have gathered for you to use in your own backyard. It is such a delight to study and learn about these beautiful creatures! Find the list HERE.

These February homeschool nature studies are great for bird watching and study. Includes The Backyard Bird Count and more!
Photo by Amy Law

Make Bird Feeders and Bird Crafts for Your Backyard Birds

We created these amazing bird feeders in a special winter event with our sister site, You ARE an ARTiST! There are even more bird feeders/crafts you can enjoy in the replay. Find out more in this Winter Tree Homeschool Nature Study!

You might also like:

homeschool nature journaling
Photo by Amy Law

Start the Nature Journal Habit

Keeping a nature journal and building the homeschool nature journal habit can be a wonderful extension of your outdoor learning time. You will find nature journal ideas for everyone from young children to the homeschool mom!

You can even start a Calendar of Firsts – such a wonderful habit that will hep your children notice seasonal changes and more.

Spring Homeschool Nature Study with Music and Art

Because by the end of February we are all ready for spring! You may even have some early spring bulbs poking through the soil! Take a peek at this Spring Homeschool Nature Study.

Join The Homeschool Nature Study Membership for Year Round Support

Can you believe all of these bird resources you will find in membership? You will also find a continuing series on bird nature study, bird watching and attracting birds plus all the Outdoor Hour Challenges for nature study in our Homeschool Nature Study membership. There are 25+ continuing courses with matching Outdoor Hour curriculum that will bring the Handbook of Nature Study to life in your homeschool! In addition, there is an interactive monthly calendar with daily nature study prompt – all at your fingertips!

Our family is going to be counting in the Great Backyard Bird Count! Join us! and be sure to share on social media and tag @outdoorhourchallenge on Instagram or Homeschool Nature Study on Facebook with your results too!

Looking For More Activities For February Homeschooling?

Groundhog Day Homeschool Nature Study Activities

Whether it is Groundhog Day or you are just wanting to learn more about these mammals, enjoy these homeschool nature study activities about woodchucks, groundhogs, prairie dogs and marmots!

These February homeschool nature studies are great for bird watching and study. Includes The Backyard Bird Count and more!

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.

Posted on 1 Comment

Snowman Bird Feeder Activity For Kids: A Winter Nature Study

Here is how to make a snowman bird feeder in your own backyard. This is a fun winter idea for your homeschool nature study and feathered friends.

Here is how to make a snowman bird feeder in your own backyard. This is a fun winter idea for your homeschool nature study.

Here is how to make a snowman bird feeder in your own backyard. This is a fun winter idea for your homeschool nature study.

Happy birds! We had large numbers of birds visit our yard during our snow days earlier this week. We had feeders filled with seeds and suet for them to enjoy. This time we had a special treat for them….a snowman bird feeder!

Here is how to make a snowman bird feeder in your own backyard. This is a fun winter idea for your homeschool nature study.

Winter Fun: How To Make a Snowman Bird Feeder

We created a small snowman on our deck and made eyes out of sunflower seeds and then filled the top of his head with a handful of sunflower seeds. I saw this idea on Pinterest and have been itching to try it. It took a little while for the birds to find the seeds but once they did it didn’t last for long.

They ate the eyes and all!

Here is how to make a snowman bird feeder in your own backyard. This is a fun winter idea for your homeschool nature study.

The second day I refilled the spot on the snowman’s head and they came back again.

It was a simple and fun way to observe birds from our window. The birds didn’t care if our snowman bird feeder wasn’t all that pretty.

I highly recommend trying this if you have snow in your yard. Snap a few photos and send one to me!

Join us for our Winter Wednesday homeschool nature studies!

winter homeschool nature study

More Winter Homeschool Nature Study Resources

Here are even more winter nature studies for you to enjoy together:

Be inspired. Be encouraged. Get outdoors!

by Outdoor Hour Challenge founder Barbara McCoy

How to make a snowman bird feeder in your own backyard. This is a fun winter idea for your homeschool nature study and feathered friends.
Posted on Leave a comment

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.

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.

    Posted on 4 Comments

    Homeschool Nature Book – Birds, Nests, and Eggs

    The book Birds, Nests, and Eggs is the perfect beginner’s book for homeschool nature study. It’s also a wonderful take along guide that features many of the common birds that we see in our yards and neighborhoods.

    The book Birds, Nests, and Eggs is the perfect beginner’s book for many of the common birds that we see in our yards and neighborhoods.

    Homeschool Nature Book – Birds, Nests, and Eggs

    Birds, Nests, and Eggs – Take Along Guide

    (Note the link above is an Amazon affiliate link to a book that I own and love.)

    The illustrations give a wonderful look at something we don’t often see because they are hidden from sight. The nests are shown in such a way that you can see the shape and what materials are used for creating just the right container for the fragile bird eggs. The eggs are also shown in full color. This is a fun way to learn more about birds and their life cycle. In addition, you’ll find some fun bird related activities to try and to weave into your backyard bird study.

    This book is one that we have in our nature book library. I know you’ll enjoy it too! Birds, Nests, and Eggs – Take Along Guide

    The book Birds, Nests, and Eggs is the perfect beginner’s book for many of the common birds that we see in our yards and neighborhoods.

    More Take-Along Nature Guides for Your Homeschool

    When I found my first “Take-Along Guide” at a used book store, I was interested so I purchased it.  But it was later when I began really reading it that I became really interested.

    I would recommend reading through your Take-Along Guide before taking off on your nature walk. Then you can put it in your bag and bring with you on your walk and use it to identify things as you go. Read more of the Take-Along Nature Guides for Homeschool.

    The book Birds, Nests, and Eggs is the perfect beginner’s book for many of the common birds that we see in our yards and neighborhoods.
    The book Birds, Nests, and Eggs is the perfect beginner’s book for many of the common birds that we see in our yards and neighborhoods.

    Bird Resources to Use in Your Homeschool Nature Study

    Examples of Nests and Eggs: This is a page on the Cornell website that shows actual nests and eggs for many common birds. Spend some time with your children clicking the images and viewing them together.

    Nestwatch: This citizen science program is something your family could participate in if you have a nest in your yard. Take a look and see if it’s something you can incorporate into your nature study plans.

    Learn About Birds Homeschool Nature Study membership.

    Bird Nest Study in our Homeschool Nature Study Membership

    You can use notebooking pages in Homeschool Nature Study Membership to complete a bird study that focuses on the nest.

    You can find even more bird nature study ideas in the Learning About Birds Outdoor Hour Challenge curriculum. This ebook curriculum is available in annual Homeschool Nature Study membership.

    Posted on 3 Comments

    Homeschool Nature Study: The Chickadee

    This homeschool nature study will have you looking at winter birds and in particular the sweet little chickadee.

    I consider this particular challenge as a personal lesson/revelation that nature knows no borders. You see when we first started using the Outdoor Hour Challenge and this little bird popped up as the focus of our weekly studies I was disappointed. I live in the UK and we have different birds to those of you in the States. I didn’t think that we would be able to follow along and it was so early on in our nature study days that I did not have the confidence to just find something else on our walk.

    As I was gazing out of the dining room window at our bird feeder pondering on my dilemma, who should come along but a coal tit!

    They are no stranger to our feeders along with their cousins the great tit, blue tit and those sweet mouse-like birds, the long-tailed tit.

    The coal tit looks remarkably similar to the chickadee. After a bit of investigating I discovered that the American Chickadee and the British tits are all in the same genus. Yes, we may live across the pond and have wildlife that is unique to each country but there are similarities and connections.

    From that challenge on if it was focussed on an animal or plant unique to the States, I would simply see if we had something similar and go with that. So please be encouraged to do the same whatever country you live in.

    Homeschool Nature Study: The Chickadee

    Nature Study Lesson Plans for Chickadee Nature Study

    Here are some inside preparation ideas for your chickadee nature study:

    1. Read in the Handbook of Nature Study pages 68-69 (Lesson 14).
    2. Highlight a few of the questions in the lesson to use during your outdoor time.
    3. Check your bird field guide, using the index to look for chickadees in your area. Share the images with your children.
    4. Younger Children: Read Burgess Bird Book Ch. 37 online or listen to an MP3 recording to hear the chickadee story.
    5. YouTube: Chickadee Documentary and What Do Chickadees Eat? 

    Outdoor Hour Time: 

    1. Use some of your outdoor time this week to look for backyard birds. Chickadees should be present during the winter season and are often found at backyard feeders. Remember the questions from the Handbook of Nature Study lesson and gently guide your children to observe the chickadee to find the answers. Chickadees are often seen with nuthatches and downy woodpeckers and are attracted to feeders that offer suet and black oil sunflower seeds.
    2. In areas that do not have chickadees, observe another feeder bird and their habits. Do they sit on the feeder or under the feeder? Which kinds of food do they like? What do they sound like? How big are they? How many of them are at the feeder?

    Chickadee Nature Study Homeschool Follow-Up Activity:

    1. Follow-up your outdoor time by pulling out your bird field guide to identify and/or confirm any bird observations. If you saw a chickadee, have your child describe the bird with as much detail as possible. If they have trouble remembering, bring up an image on the computer to help them along.
    2. If desired, allow time for a nature journal entry. Ebook users: Complete a Chickadee notebook page (regular or advanced) or a Winter Feeder Bird notebook page entry to capture the memory of your time outdoors. There is an optional coloring page included in the ebook.
    3. Advanced follow-up: Read Distinguishing Chickadees. Read about Tricky Chickadees (Black-capped and Carolina). Compare two chickadees (notebook page included in the ebook).
    Homeschool Nature Study: The Chickadee

    Join the Homeschool Nature Study Membership for Nature Study Curriculum and Year Round Support

    There are so many benefits to joining. You will access our full range of curriculum, our interactive learning calendar as well as a brand new homeschool nature study challenge post each week!

    An image showing the full collection of Nature Study courses

    Connect With Our Homeschool Community On Social Media

    Did you enjoy this Outdoor Hour Challenge? Be sure to tag us on Instagram @outdoorhourchallenge and use the hashtag #outdoorhourchallenge so we can see and comment!

    Posted on Leave a comment

    Homeschool Bird Study For Different Learning Styles

    This homeschool bird study for different learning styles is a wonderful example of how nature study can benefit any child. It allows you to provide a variety of experiences to tap into their natural learning style and complete a bird study all along the way!

    Making Nature Study Easy: Adapt to Your Child’s Interests

    Are you struggling with making your nature study meaningful for your family? Have your attempts to begin a nature study plan with your children failed because of their bad attitudes or lack of interest? Do you feel like nature study is just another academic subject that you need to check off your list?

    You are not alone. I think many of us have tried to make nature study a regular routine in our homeschooling week but ended up throwing in the towel because it was just too hard to get into a rhythm.

    Our Different Homeschool Learning Styles

    I’m a mom of four children, one daughter and three sons. I found it impossible to make every study interesting for every child when it came to nature study. As a homeschooling mom, I attempted to educate myself in ways to offer subjects to my children that met their needs and interests, strengths, and skills.

    I found nature study to be most successful when you allow your children to make connections that are meaningful and fit their style of learning. I was more successful when I offered a variety of activities to appeal in some way to their personal interests. (You can read more about the concept of addressing the various ways we learn here: Multiple Intelligences.)

    This homeschool bird study for different learning styles is a great example of how nature study can benefit any child.

    Homeschool Bird Study For Different Learning Styles

    Here is a specific example of this kind of customized learning for you to think about and adapt to your family with a Homeschool Bird Study For Different Learning Styles:

    • Musical Learner: Enjoys listening to and learning to imitate bird calls. Easily identifies a bird by its call. Writes a song about birds.
    • Verbal-Linguistic: Records a birding experience in a nature journal using words or tells a story about the nature walk. Writes or copies a poem about a bird into their nature journal. Learns the Latin names of birds as well as the common names. Reads the biography of Audubon.
    • Mathematical-Logical: Tallies birds at a feeder. Keeps a running list of birds seen over a period of time in a nature journal. Collects bird feathers and categorizes them into groups. Studies migratory maps and learns where local birds go for the winter. Learns all the state birds. Experiments with different kinds of bird seed to see which ones particular birds like best. Participates in citizen science projects like the Great Backyard Bird Count and Project Feederwatch.
    • Visual-Spatial: Makes a model of a bird from clay. Sketches a bird in their nature journal. Notices the differences between birds: beaks, wing shapes, tail shapes, size. Builds a birdhouse. Designs and builds their own birdfeeder. Constructs a bird blind in order to observe birds.
    This homeschool bird study for different learning styles is a great example of how nature study can benefit any child.
    • Kinesthetic: Loves to take a walk and look for birds using binoculars. Climbs a tree to find a bird’s nest or just experience a “bird’s eye” view. Hangs a bird feeder and keeps it full. Plants a bird garden.
    • Interpersonal: Joins a birding group and learns from the more experienced birders about their local area. Volunteers at a bird reserve with a friend. Organizes a field trip to a bird aviary for their co-op.
    • Intrapersonal: Spends quiet time outdoors observing birds, perhaps recording their experiences in their own nature journal that they don’t share with others. Has a pet bird.
    • Naturalist: Enjoys lots of time outdoors looking for birds and learning their life cycles. Learns the names of birds, keeps a bird life list, learns the calls, and keeps a nature journal. Easily remembers the names of birds and their habits. Has a collection of bird’s feathers, bones, and nests.
    • Existential: Learns about endangered species of birds. Spends time contemplating a bird’s life cycle. Keeps a journal of their thoughts about birds and how they fit into the web of life on the earth.

    If you’re struggling with deciding what your child’s learning style is, be patient and if all else fails, ask them what they want to do for nature study. You could share some of the ideas in the printable referenced below as a way to introduce new and fresh ideas.

    It’s really a case of trial and error until you have it all figured out.

    Homeschool Nature Study Membership for All Learning Styles

    Specific ideas for adapting nature study are in the printable Multiple Intelligences and Grid Study in the Homeschool Nature Study Membership in the Resources course. Topics covered include mammals, reptiles, wildflowers, astronomy, insects, trees, weather, and invertebrates. This set of pages has ideas for ways to adapt nature study to fit your child’s style of learning.

    Try applying the principle of this Homeschool Bird Study For Different Learning Styles to any nature study subject. You’re only limited by your imagination.

    This homeschool bird study for different learning styles is a great example of how nature study can benefit any child. Printable included.

     

     

    Posted on Leave a comment

    Great Backyard Bird Count Homeschool Resources: Everything You Need!

    Are you ready? Enjoy these Great Backyard Bird Count Homeschool Resources as you watch birds in your backyard this February!

    Are you ready? Enjoy these Great Backyard Bird Count Homeschool Resources as you watch birds in your backyard this February!

    The Great Backyard Bird Count: An Overview

    Let’s start with the basics!

    What Is The Great Backyard Bird Count?

    Each February, for four days, the world comes together for the love of birds. Over these four days we invite people to spend time in their favorite places watching and counting as many birds as they can find and reporting them to us. These observations help scientists better understand global bird populations before one of their annual migrations.

    Birdcount.org

    When Is The Great Backyard Bird Count?

    Each February. This event has been going strong for 25 years!

    Who Can Participate In The Great Backyard Bird Count?

    Anyone in the world!

    How Can My Family Be A Part Of It?

    Count birds in your yard and at your feeders. Report the data to the Great Backyard Bird Count.

    Need more information? Visit the Great Backyard Bird Count website for printables and more.

    Great Backyard Bird Count Homeschool Resources

     

     

    Top Ten Birds Reported in the Great Backyard Bird Count

    Great Place to Start for Beginners

     This is a great beginner’s list of birds to know and be able to identify. Use the links above to take a peek at these common birds that may be visitors to your neighborhood. Make sure to scroll down to the “similar species” section for each bird and that will give you additional birds to look for if you don’t have that particular bird in your neighborhood. Also, reading the “Backyard Tips” and “Find This Bird” sections will give you some clues and hints for actually viewing this bird in person.

    1. Northern Cardinal
    2. Mourning Dove
    3. Dark Eyed Junco
    4. Downy Woodpecker
    5. American Crow
    6. House Finch
    7. American Goldfinch
    8. Blue Jay
    9. Black Capped Chickadee
    10. Tufted Titmouse
    Are you ready? Enjoy these Great Backyard Bird Count Homeschool Resources as you watch birds in your backyard this February!

    Download and save the Cornell Feeder Bird coloring book. This book has many of the most common birds you will see in your backyard and it makes a perfect complement to your family’s bird nature study.

    A Homeschool Bird Study with Chalk Pastels by Erin – A chalk pastels bird study with Nana is a wonderful way to introduce bird art lessons in your homeschool. Chalk pastels are perfect for preschoolers to adults. They are super easy to use with no long art supply list needed. You’ll love adding these vibrant birds to your next homeschool nature study or in preparation for the Great Backyard Bird Count!

    Are you ready? Enjoy these Great Backyard Bird Count Homeschool Resources as you watch birds in your backyard this February!

    The Great Backyard Bird Count Homeschool by Heather – It’s that time of the year when citizen scientists everywhere are gearing up for the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). It’s easy to participate and the bird count is a great way to contribute to actual data being used by ornithologists. You can have a Great Backyard Bird Count Homeschool!

    All of the birds homeschool nature study resources listed are available as an Outdoor Hour Challenge in our Homeschool Nature Study membership. If you have a membership, you will be able to pull up the Outdoor Hour Challenge curriculum and print any notebook pages, coloring pages, or other printables for your birds nature study.

    Join The Homeschool Nature Study Membership for Year Round Support

    Can you believe all of these bird resources you will find in membership? You will also find a continuing series on bird nature study, bird watching and attracting birds plus all the Outdoor Hour Challenges for nature study in our Homeschool Nature Study membership. There are 25+ continuing courses with matching Outdoor Hour curriculum that will bring the Handbook of Nature Study to life in your homeschool! In addition, there is an interactive monthly calendar with daily nature study prompt – all at your fingertips!

    Our family is going to be counting in the Great Backyard Bird Count! Be sure to share on social media and tag @outdoorhourchallenge on Instagram or Homeschool Nature Study on Facebook with your results too!

    Are you ready? Enjoy these Great Backyard Bird Count Homeschool Resources as you watch birds in your backyard this February!

    -First published by Barb February 2020 and updated by Tricia January 2022

    Posted on 4 Comments

    The Ultimate List of Birds Homeschool Nature Study Resources Using the Outdoor Hour Challenge

    You can enjoy a simple birds homeschool nature study with these resources we have gathered for you to use in your own backyard. It is such a delight to study and learn about these beautiful creatures!

    Birds Homeschool Nature Study

    This is not required, but it is always good to have some birds homeschool nature study references on hand for your part of the world. Here are some bird resources I have shared about:

    Review of Peterson Field Guides for Young Naturalists

    Peterson Field Guides for Young Naturalists – What would the world be without birds? Birds are a favorite subject for young children as they spy birds in their yards and at near-by parks. Nurturing a love of birds is easy when you have one or two of Peterson Field Guides for Young Naturalists on hand. These compact field guides are beautifully illustrated and feature many of the birds you can find right outside your own window. They are enjoyable to page through and you will find yourself sharing these books over and over with your family.

    It is such a delight to study and learn about these beautiful creatures! You can enjoy a simple birds homeschool nature study with these resources.

    Favorite Bird Field Guides and Resources by Tricia – everything from each child choosing a favorite bird to study to bird field guides with bird songs, a window observation feeder and a suet recipe.

    John James Audubon quote and bird chalk pastel art lessons.

    A Homeschool Bird Study with Chalk Pastels by Erin – A chalk pastels bird study with Nana is a wonderful way to introduce bird art lessons in your homeschool. Chalk pastels are perfect for preschoolers to adults. They are super easy to use with no long art supply list needed. You’ll love adding these vibrant birds to your next homeschool nature study or in preparation for the Great Backyard Bird Count!

    The Great Backyard Bird Count Homeschool by Heather – It’s that time of the year when citizen scientists everywhere are gearing up for the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). It’s easy to participate and the bird count is a great way to contribute to actual data being used by ornithologists. You can have a Great Backyard Bird Count Homeschool!

    Bird Study Outdoor Hour Challenges in Homeschool Nature Study Membership

    All of the birds homeschool nature study resources listed are available as an Outdoor Hour Challenge in our Homeschool Nature Study membership. If you have a membership, you will be able to pull up the Outdoor Hour Challenge curriculum and print any notebook pages, coloring pages, or other printables for your birds nature study.

    Birds course Handbook of Nature Study Outdoor Hour Homeschool Curriculum
    • Autumn Bird
    • Winter Bird and Migration – Winter Outdoor Hour curriculum
    • Winter Birds – Winter Wednesday Outdoor Hour curriculum
    • Spring Bird Bird Song –  Spring Outdoor Hour curriculum
    • American Dipper – Bird Set #1 Outdoor Hour curriculum
    • Baltimore Oriole – Summer Nature Study Continues
    • Belted Kingfisher – Autumn Nature Study Continues
    • Catbird – Autumn Outdoor Hour curriculum
    • Chickadee – More Nature Study Winter Outdoor Hour curriculum
    • Chicken – Autumn Outdoor Hour curriculum
    • Clark’s Nutcracker – Bird Set #1
    • Common Raven – Forest Fun Outdoor Hour curriculum
    • Crane- Bird Set #1
    • Egret – Bird Set #1
    • Flicker –Winter Nature Study Continues
    • Goose – Autumn Outdoor Hour curriculum
    • Hawks – Autumn Nature Study Continues Outdoor Hour curriculum
    • Horned Lark – Bird Set #1
    • House Sparrow – More Nature Study Autumn
    It is such a delight to study and learn about these beautiful creatures! You can enjoy a simple birds homeschool nature study with these resources.
    • Hummingbirds and Nests – More Nature Study Summer
    • Magpie – Bird Set #1
    • Owl and Owl Pellets – Summer Outdoor Hour curriculum
    • Owl Study and Printable Notebook Page
    • Pelican – Bird Set #1
    • Quail – Forest Fun
    • Robin – More Nature Study Spring
    • Sandhill Crane – Bird Set #1
    • Sapsucker – Autumn
    • Snipe – Bird Set #1
    • Starlings
    • Swallows – Autumn
    • Swan – Bird Set #1
    • Turkey – Autumn
    • Western Tanager – Forest Fun
    • Woodpeckers

    This collection of Outdoor Hour Challenges features an incredibly interesting group of birds: pelican, sandhill crane, Clark’s nutcracker, egret, American dipper, horned lark, magpie, swan, and snipe.

    Learning all about birds Handbook of Nature Study Outdoor Hour Homeschool Curriculum

    This Homeschool Nature Study Course is a collection of the Birds By Color series with custom notebooking pages, clear images, and lots of links and resources for you to use in your bird nature study. You can access this book by purchasing an Ultimate or Journey level membership here on the Handbook of Nature Study website.

     Studying Birds By Color

    • Red Birds – Robins, Cardinals, House Finches
    • Blue Birds – Jays and Bluebirds
    • Yellow Birds – Goldfinches and Meadowlarks
    • Hummingbirds – Flight
    • Brown Birds – House Sparrows, House Wrens, and mourning Doves
    • Black Birds – Crow, Red-Winged Blackbird, Starling, and Cowbird
    • Black and White Birds – Woodpecker, Chickadee, Nuthatch, Towhee
    • Gray Birds – Pigeon and Mockingbird
    It is such a delight to study and learn about these beautiful creatures! You can enjoy a simple birds homeschool nature study with these resources.

    Follow our Bird Nature Study Pinterest Board!

    Even More Misc. Bird Study Ideas

    We encourage you to take a closer look at these bird study ideas:

    • Feet
    • Flight
    • Eyes and Ears
    • Beaks
    • Feathers
    • Wing and Tail Shape
    • Starting a Bird Life List
    • 10 Ideas for Keeping a Bird Life List
    • Birding By Ear
    • Bird Study and Nature Table Printable
    • Bird Field Guide Cards Printable

    Additional Homeschool Nature Study You May Find Helpful

    Join the Homeschool Nature Study Membership for Year Round Support!

    Join The Homeschool Nature Study Membership for Year Round Support

    Can you believe all of these bird resources you will find in membership? You will also find a continuing series on bird nature study, bird watching and attracting birds plus all the Outdoor Hour Challenges for nature study in our Homeschool Nature Study membership. There are 25+ continuing courses with matching Outdoor Hour curriculum that will bring the Handbook of Nature Study to life in your homeschool! In addition, there is an interactive monthly calendar with daily nature study prompt – all at your fingertips!

    -First published by Barb January 2011 and updated by Tricia January 2022