Category: summer series of outdoor hour challenges

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Outdoor Hour Challenge

Summer Queen Annes Lace Study @handbookofnaturestudy

Outdoor Hour Challenge

Summer Queen Anne’s Lace – Begin a Year Long Study!

From the Archives and from the Summer nature Study ebook

Summer and Queen Anne’s Lace just seem to go hand in hand. Although to most of us this is a common roadside wildflower, it has such charm and beauty that I look forward to its appearance each year. I haven’t spotted any on my property yet, but you know I have my eye out for it so we can enjoy it here in Oregon just as much as we did in California.

summer queen anne's lace

During this summer challenge, as linked in the archive post above, you’ll be using your senses of sight, smell, and touch to learn more about Queen Anne’s Lace (or wild carrot). Since this plant is not a true native plant to most of us, your family can decide whether you consider it a weed or a wildflower. Some states list it as a noxious weed.

6 09 queen annes lace (4)

Advanced Study: You can read an interesting article here about the topic of wildflower versus noxious weed: Problem Plants.

Queen Anne's Lace Seasonal Notebook Page

Here’s a free printable notebook page for you to use after your summer study!

Queen Anne’s Lace Seasonal Observation Notebook Page

 

 

Outdoor Hour Challenge Summer Using Your Senses

Join us for this exciting series of nature study topics as we work through the

Summer Nature Study – Using Your Senses ebook.

This ebook is found in the Ultimate level membership for you to download and use with your family. If you would like to gain access to this ebook, you can purchase a membership now and have instant access.

Ultimate Naturalist Library September 2017 @handbookofnaturestudy

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Summer Seasonal Study Reminders

Year Long Nature Study Summer Reminders
It’s time to mark your calendars for your summer nature study observations! Whether you are starting a fresh year-long nature study project or continuing with one from this spring, here is a list of ideas here on the Handbook of Nature Study to inspire you. Later this summer I will be sharing a brand new year-long nature study featuring willows so look for that in an upcoming week.

Summer Seasonal Observations

I know summer is a time for casual nature study but pick something to look for and then revisit that topic every season for a year and you will be surprised what you learn. This kind of nature study is valuable because it helps us slow down and note the changes that occur from season to season. It will also help you learn how to anticipate the turn of the season as you recognize the changes in the natural world around you.

Pick one and get started by clicking the link to the archived entry that will give you lots of ideas for completing your own year-long nature study.

 

If you have a continuing year-long nature study project, don’t forget to put it on your calendar or you may forget to make your summer observations.

 

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Outdoor Hour Challenge – Summer Evening Primrose Flower Study

Outdoor Hour Challenge Evening Primrose @handbookofnaturestudy

Outdoor Hour Challenge

Evening Primrose Nature Study or Another Night Blooming Flower

From the Archives and from the Summer Nature Study ebook

 

This week’s challenge is one that we originally had a hard time completing. But, because we prepared ahead of time and were patient, when the opportunity arose to see evening primrose during a hike, we could identify it and enjoy seeing it in person. It really is a very pretty flower!

Evening Primrose

 

Do some research and see if you have evening primrose in your area. If not, use the information in the archived challenge to learn about another night blooming flower like moonflower or Four-O-Clocks.

I wrote an entry about planting seeds in my garden to have some of my very own night blooming flowers: Night Blooming Flowers.

Four Oclocks

 

 

Outdoor Hour Challenge Summer Using Your Senses

Join us for this exciting series of nature study topics as we work through the Summer Nature Study – Using Your Senses ebook.

This ebook is found in the Ultimate level membership for you to download and use with your family. If you would like to gain access to this ebook, you can purchase a membership now and have instant access.

Ultimate Naturalist Library September 2017 @handbookofnaturestudy

 

 

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Outdoor Hour Challenge – Bat Nature Study

Bats+and+the+Sense+of+Hearing+@handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com.jpg

Outdoor Hour Challenge

Bat Nature Study

From the Archives and from the Summer Nature Study ebook

We’re going to have some fun listening to the sounds of nature at night as we learn about bats! Everyone can get outside in the evening and use their senses to learn more about this time of day when many animals are active.

Make sure to check out the links at the bottom of the archive bat challenge for a closer look at these mammals that fly!

Summer Nature Study Ebook

Join us for this exciting series of nature study topics as we work through the Summer Nature Study – Using Your Senses ebook. Don’t get hung up on the title of the ebook because these nature study topics are applicable at all times of the year. Where I live we don’t have summer or even real spring conditions yet, but we’re going to get outside in the evenings as the days get longer to make observations and learn more about things that happen at sundown.

This ebook is found in the Ultimate level membership for you to download and use with your family. If you would like to gain access to this ebook, you can purchase a membership now and have instant access.

Ultimate Naturalist Library September 2017 @handbookofnaturestudy

Use the discount code BIRDLOVER5 for $5 off an Ultimate Naturalist Membership.

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Outdoor Hour Challenge – Summer Brook Study

 

Outdoor Hour Challenge Summer Brook Study @handbookofnaturestudy

 Summer Brook Study – From the Archives

Brook Study

For Members: This challenge is found in the Autumn 2015 Nature Study ebook.

We last visited our brooks back in December and I always like to do a comparison study in a different study. Even if you didn’t complete the brook challenge back in the winter, get started with your own brook nature study now during the summer. We always find something interesting along the water’s edge and if you can take a container to dip and fill with water, I am sure you are going to find even more to be excited about. Use the ideas in the archive challenge to get started.

Make sure to look for things like tracks in the mud, insects hiding under gravel or rocks, and insects (like the caddisfly or the water strider).

For Members:

Brook and Stream Mini Grid Study

Look in the Ultimate and Journey level printables for this Brook and Stream Nature Study printable.

Plus members can download and use the February 2016 Rocks and Creeks newsletter for additional ideas to use with this challenge.

Ultimate Naturalist Library June 2016 @handbookofnaturestudy

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Summer Seasonal Nature Study Reminders

Year Long Nature Study Summer Reminders

Seasonal Topics – Summer Reminders

It is that time of year again! Time to plan a few seasonal observations….and get outdoors with your family! I make it easy with the printable notebook pages that go along with these year long nature study ideas. Pick one and get started or take a few minutes to make the summer observations happen before we run out of summer.

If you have a continuing year-long nature study project, don’t forget to put it on your calendar or you may forget to make your autumn observations.

Enjoy your summer activities and share your comments or links in this post and I will come over and check it out.

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Summer Nature Study Continues – New Ebook!

Outdoor Hour Challenge Summer Nature Study Continues ebook

Included in the Outdoor Hour Challenge Summer Nature Study Continues Ebook:
  • 9 new challenges centered on the Handbook of Nature Study
  • 29 notebook pages (regular and advanced options)
  • Nine Charlotte Mason style exam questions
  • Full color images for all challenges in the ebook (separate pages so you can choose whether to print them or not)
  • Complete instructions for each challenge included additional links, videos, and resources
  • Nature journal suggestions
  • Complete list of supplies needed
  • Sample to view: Outdoor Hour Challenge Summer Nature Study Continues Sample Challenge
  • 56 pages in the ebook!

Here is a list of the specific challenges included in this ebook:

  • Bachelor’s Buttons
  • Water Lily
  • Lacewing
  • Willows
  • Larkspur (delphiniums)
  • Fish- Common shiner, Johnny Darter, Sunfish
  • Pearly Everlasting
  • Baltimore oriole
  • Caddisfly

I am happy to announce the release of the long awaited Outdoor Hour Challenge Summer Nature Study Continues ebook! I have been so inspired to start some spring nature study while writing up these challenges for you and your families. You are going to enjoy the flowers, amphibians, and insects included in this spring series of nature study topics.

Which edition of the Handbook of Nature Study do I need?

You will need to have a copy of the Handbook of Nature Study to use with the suggestions in the ebook. You can purchase a copy from Amazon.com or you can use an online version. The version of the Handbook of Nature Study I use is ISBN 0801493846.

Each week I will be sharing one of the challenges here on the blog which means you can follow along without a membership if you subscribe to my blog. You can subscribe by entering your email address in the subscription box at the top right of my website. After you enter your name, you will need to confirm your subscription by responding to the email that will come to your inbox.

Where Can I Get The New Ebook?

This ebook will not be sold separately but will be added to the Ultimate and Journey levels of membership here on the Handbook of Nature Study.

If you are a member of the Ultimate or Journey levels here on the Handbook of Nature Study, you will find the ebook listed in your library after you log into your account. The ebook version available to members includes all of the notebook pages, coloring pages, and color images. I highly recommend purchasing a membership for all the added benefits for each and every challenge.

Ultimate Ebook Library @handbookofnaturestudy

 

 

 

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Outdoor Hour Challenge – Summer Queen Anne’s Lace

Just wanted to let you know that both Ultimate and Journey level members have new printables that were added today. They will be useful with next month’s challenges. Log into your membership and find the three new notebooking pages available now.

Summer Queen Annes Lace Study @handbookofnaturestudy

Outdoor Hour Challenge:

Take a wildflower walk this week and try to find some Queen Anne’s Lace to observe up close. Look alongside your roadways as you drive…we often see it growing along the shoulders of our local roads. Use the ideas in the original challenge (and the printable notebook page) to complete you Queen Anne’s Lace nature study.

Original Summer Queen Anne’s Lace Challenge

Printable Activity: Wildflower Photo Hunt

Use the free printable to guide your wildflower and weed hunt this week…or save the photo hunt for when you visit a natural area with wildflowers.

Printable Wildflower Photo Hunt Activity



Use discount code = discount5 to save $5 on your $10+ purchase at NotebookingPages.com

Getting Started Suggestion:

If you already own the Getting Started ebook, complete Outdoor Hour Challenge #8.  Use the suggestions in this challenge to look up close at any garden flowers or wildflowers you have in your yard or neighborhood. Follow up with the notebook page if you want to keep a record of your observations.

 

How do you get the new ebook? It is included in both the Ultimate Naturalist Library or the Journey level memberships!

OHC Autumn Nature Study Continues Cover Button

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Outdoor Hour Challenge – Summer Cricket Study

Summer Cricket Study @handbookofnaturestudy

Outdoor Hour Challenge:

Have fun this week outside in the evenings looking for or listening for crickets. This is a great challenge to work on building your quiet time outside as you go on a cricket hunt. Don’t worry if you only get a few seconds of quiet from your younger children since listening and working quietly are skills they can build as they mature. Older children can be challenged to hunt quietly for a few minutes and they will be surprised by how much they hear when they do so. (You may find this entry helpful: December Senses Walk.)

Here is the original cricket challenge:
Summer Cricket Study

 

Special Activity: My Backyard at Night

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Use this printable activity to record your backyard nighttime observations. Keep it fun!

My Backyard at Night

 

Getting Started Suggestion:

If you already own the Getting Started ebook, complete Outdoor Hour Challenge #4.  This week you can work on an insect focus. Start a list of summer insects that you observe in your yard or neighborhood. Keep your list in your nature journal and add to it during each season if you would like.

 

How can you get the new ebook? It will be loaded into the Ultimate Naturalist and Journey level memberships in August!

OHC Autumn Nature Study Continues Cover Button


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Outdoor Hour Challenge – Summer Evening Primrose Study

Outdoor Hour Challenge Evening Primrose @handbookofnaturestudy

Outdoor Hour Challenge:

Evening Primrose

This week’s challenge is to find some Evening Primrose to observe. When you click over to read this challenge, I invite you to view the images as well. Those images were taken on a hike along a familiar beach that was filled with Evening Primrose!

Summer Evening Primrose Nature Study

But, if you can’t find an this particular flower to study, make sure to pick another wildflower or night blooming flower that you have to observe and enjoy up close. This challenge includes quite a few suggestions that would apply to any flower you have on hand.

Special Activity: Pressing Flowers
Collect a few flowers during your outdoor time to press for your nature journal or other crafts. Here is the link to YouTube: Flower Press.

Or you can watch it here on the blog.

You can also view this page for more ideas: Using a Flower Press.

Getting Started Suggestion:

If you already own the Getting Started ebook, complete Outdoor Hour Challenge #2. You can help your children find words to describe their outdoor time hunting for flowers. Use the prompts in the challenge to create a simple nature journal entry that they can illustrate with markers or colored pencils.

Autumn nature study Continues Button Coming Soon

 


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