This is a super fun leaf art nature walk activity that you can do today! After a nature walk, create these fun shapes with the treasures you find.
Here is an example of leaf art the children created with Nana a few years back. It’s time to do it again!
Leaf Art Nature Walk Activity
Start by enjoying a simple nature walk in your yard on a beautiful fall day, encouraging the children to collect a variety of leaves, seeds and nature items.
Bring your discoveries inside and spread them out on the table. Or keep it all outdoors if you prefer – on a patio, back deck or blanket spread out in a shady spot.
Allow the children to create pictures with their items. You might encourage them by starting some artwork yourself, giving them an example.
Leaf Art Supplies Needed
You’ll need:
construction paper or printer paper
glue
markers or crayons
your nature items
With markers, crayons, or whatever you have on hand, let the children complete their pictures, then glue down their nature items. Making whatever they would like to make.
There’s no right or wrong way to make leaf art. Just have fun!
Fall Leaf Activities for Kids – These fall leaf activities for kids are a perfect way to study nature throughout the season. Easy to implement and enjoyable for the entire family, this study has options for all ages.
More Fall Homeschool Nature Study Fun!
Keep the apple and pumpkin nature study fun going with these resources for all ages:
Our family loves going on a good mushroom hunt! You can read in the Handbook of Nature Study about this fascinating nature study topic and then set off on your own fungi hunt. Remember to create a sense of adventure as you set out to look for mushrooms, building anticipation for finding even just one mushroom to observe.
Did you know, mushrooms are grown in all 50 states? The majority of commercial mushroom growers are located in Pennsylvania. 63% of all white mushrooms are grown in Pennsylvania. Mushrooms require less water than other crops which makes them “energy efficient”.
Tip for Finding Mushrooms
My original mushroom challenge suggested that you let your friends and family know that you are looking for mushrooms and they can let you know if they come across any in their travels. Some of our best mushroom studies came from tips I got from my dad who found several interesting species of mushrooms on his property.
Archive Outdoor Hour Challenge – Click the link above to see the mushroom study suggestions in the original challenge.
“Fungi, as a whole, are a great boon to the world. Without them our forests would be choked out with dead wood. Decay is simply the process by which fungi and other organisms break down dead material, so that the major part of it returns to the air in gaseous form, and the remainder, now mostly humus, mingles with the soil.” Handbook of Nature Study, page 715
More Facts About Mushrooms
Mushrooms are a good source of Vitamin E as well as protein.
Most children recognize the red cap mushroom with white spots in Super Mario, the Fly agaric. However this mushroom is not safe to eat. It is highly toxic.
Cook with Mushrooms
Bring the Autumn Mushroom Nature Study into your kitchen for a fun night of cooking! Try out different mushrooms from your farmer’s market or local grocery store. Mushrooms are great in spaghetti sauce, soups, scrambled eggs, and stir fry. Try adding them on hamburgers and pizza! This Whole Foods graphic is helpful if you’re not familiar with cooking mushrooms.
Watercolor Mushrooms
“Since mushrooms are especially good subjects for watercolor and pencil studies, it would add much to the interest of the work if each pupil, or the school as a whole, should make a portfolio of sketches of all the species found. With each drawing there should be made on a supplementary sheet a spore print of the species.” Handbook of Nature Study, page 718
Homeschool Nature Study Members can print the Mushroom Coloring Page from their dashboard.
Grab your pumpkin chocolate chip bread and enjoy this Pumpkin Nature Study and Fun Facts! Pumpkins are gourds, a crop plant with a fleshy large fruit, hard skin, and tendril growing vines.
Pumpkin Homeschool Study Fun Facts
Did you know …
The word “pumpkin” is from the Greek word “Pepon”, which means “large melon”.
The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed 1,140 pounds.
Each pumpkin contains around 500 seeds.
Native Americans used pumpkin seeds for food and medicine, and flattened strips of pumpkin to make mats.
Pumpkins are very healthy to incorporate into your diet. They are high in fiber, vitamin A, vitamin B, potassium, protein, and iron. Pumpkins contain no cholesterol or saturated fat.
Most pumpkin crops are processed into canned pumpkin or canned pie mix.
Atlantic Giants are the largest overall species of pumpkin. They can grow as much as 50 pounds per day!
The first Jack-of-the-Lantern was not made from a pumpkin but an Irish Turnip.
Pumpkin Patch Tips
Pumpkins are in season from mid September through November. Typically planted in June, pumpkins are harvested before the first frost. Looking for the perfect pumpkin? Here are a few tips that have helped us get a great gourd.
A good pumpkin should be firm and solid, without any soft spots or sunken areas. A dry, shriveled stem indicates that the pumpkin has been stored for a long time. A dull or discolored area on the top of the pumpkin indicates frost damage. A pumpkin that feels heavy for its size probably has a thick skin.
Parts of a Pumpkin Activity Sheet
Younger students will enjoy the Parts of a Pumpkin Activity Sheet. Homeschool Nature Study Members can find this free worksheet in their Member Dashboard.
Stef started homeschooling her boys in 2008. She quickly adopted a hands-on learning homeschool style and graduated her oldest tactile learner in 2021. Then she started the Hands-On Learning column in Homeschooling Today magazine. The Laytons currently reside in the foothills of Colorado where Stef also teaches yoga. The family loves to hike trails, stand-up paddle board, and chase sunsets. Stef shares travel and homeschool tips on IG at @LaytonAdventures.
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.
With the changing leaves and beautiful weather upon us, this ultimate list of nature themed books for fall homeschooling is your go-to for the season!
A lovely stack of nature themed books can be great for learning in the fall months. There is so much to get excited about and learn about in nature!
Tips for How to Read a Nature Literature Book
Our founder, Barb McCoy, shares her tips for reading a nature literature book!
Get comfortable with your child at your side or one on each side, making sure they can see the
pages.
Start with the cover of the book and ask them what they see and what they think the book is all about.
Read the title and then the first few pages, slowly reading the words and allowing time for gazing at the pictures.
Every few pages pause for your child to tell you something about what you just read (narration). See if they have any questions.
If it is a short book, finish the book and have your child give their thoughts about the book. Did they have a favorite page or picture? Have them share something they learned about the topic from reading the book.
Let a Nature Book Inspire an Art Lesson
Use the book’s illustrations as the basis for an art lesson, copying a picture with colored pencils or markers onto paper.
Leave the book out for the child to look at again and hopefully enjoy a second time. (Make sure if you have little ones around that they can’t get to the book and mar it in some way.)
Tips for Organizing Your Nature Books
Keep your nature themed books together, perhaps organizing them by topic or by season.
Complete a Nature Book Report (Members – in Nature Journaling course) if you would like to keep a record of your learning.
Read: A Homeschool Mom’s Best Tips for Organizing Your Nature Library – Using good nature study reference books and literature will be a huge help in nudging along the seeds of a love nature in your child. To help you find what you need when you need it, these are our best tips for organizing your nature library. As the seasons and years pass, they will dig deep into your nature library and become familiar with so many things.
Ultimate List of Nature Themed Books for Fall Homeschooling
The Handbook of Nature Study Book is the Best for Fall Nature Study
The Handbook of Nature Study book by Anna Botsford Comstock is a staple in the Outdoor Hour Challenges we share. This is a wonderful reference guide for you, the homeschool teacher to use. We show you how!
Everything You Wanted to Know About the Handbook of Nature Study – Are you looking for comprehensive, easy to use nature study resources? Have you ever seen The Handbook of Nature Study? Well, it might just be the thing for you! Come check out our reviews and resources for using this as your nature study go to!
Books for September and October Fall Activities
September might be devoted to apples and fall leaves; October to pumpkins, harvest and Halloween; and November to hibernation, early winter and Thanksgiving.
Ox-Cart Man Activities for Your Homeschool – These Ox-Cart Man activities are sure to bring this great book to life! Take a trip back to the 1800s with a New England farmer in the Ox-Cart Man. In a time when you wove your own clothes, whittled your own broom, and split your own shingles, this lyrical story takes you on a journey through the changing seasons.
Pumpkin Books to Celebrate Halloween and Thanksgiving – This is a collection of pumpkin books to celebrate both Halloween and Thanksgiving. Spooky books, jack-o-lantern books, pumpkin patch books, recipe books and more!
Giving Thanks by Jonathan London (Gregory Manchess)
Autumn Harvest by Alvin Tresselt (Roger Duvoisin)
Time to Sleep by Denise Fleming
Squirrels by Brian Wildsmith
The Year at Maple Hill Farm by Alice and Martin Provensen
More Nature Themed Books for Your Homeschool
Rooted in Wonder: A Nature Study Resource Review – Have you seen this book yet? If not, you probably should. For all nature-loving families and families who are interested in starting nature study, this is a must-read. Eryn has taken love of God, His creation, and nature study and blended them together in a way that is truly beautiful. And, speaking of beautiful, the inside and outside of this book are designed so beautifully! It is a treat for the eyes, as well as the mind.
Favorite Nature Books for Your Homeschool Nature Studies – Nature study is one of things I adored when my children were younger. As soon as the weather broke here in NY we would be outside with notebooks, nature books, cameras, binoculars, magnifying glasses, and more! We enjoyed exploring nature trails, and gardening in our yard, drawing birds and flowers and creating nature poetry. As the years rolled on, our collection of nature books grew.
Beautiful Picture Book Biography of Charlotte Mason – This lovely Charlotte Mason picture book biography tells the story of Miss Mason, painting a picture of the time she lived, her knowledge of how children learn and her passion for children to love learning.
The Ultimate List of Preschool Nature Study Books – While nothing beats experiencing nature first-hand, preschool nature study books are a vital component of our preschool nature studies. We have used both fiction and non-fiction books to introduce a topic, supplement a topic and study a topic in-depth.
Out of School and Into Nature: The Anna Comstock Story – Out of School and Into Nature: The Anna Comstock Story is a beautiful picture book biography about the author of The Handbook of Nature Study. Anna Botsford Comstock was passionate about children getting out of the classroom and into nature to learn first hand about our beautiful world.
Homeschool Nature Study Membership for Fun Fall Outdoor Learning
You will find hundreds of homeschool nature studies plus all the Outdoor Hour Challenges 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!
This season plan some outdoor time to enjoy studying feathered creatures in your neighborhood. We have provided a Bird Feet Observation Worksheet to go along with your Autumn Bird Nature Study. Also you will learn more about woodpeckers. Take some time to follow the links in the archived challenge to view a variety of woodpeckers and determine which ones live in your neighborhood.
After your outdoor time, no matter which feathered friend you found to study, follow up with the Bird Nature Study notebook page found in the Autumn Notebook Bundle.
Make sure to click the link below to read the entire Outdoor Hour Challenge with helpful links, nature study ideas, printable notebooking pages, and suggested follow-up activities.
Homeschool Natures Study Members can download the Bird Feet Observations Worksheet and the Autumn Bundle which includes many pages to incorporate fall learning all season!
Watch Live Bird Cams
If you live in a city or find it hard to observe birds, try watching live cams. Cornell Lab offers a great variety of Live Bird Cams! From ospreys, owls, condors, hawks, to regular videos at bird feeders, you can watch many different types of birds. The National Audubon Society also offers free live cams, however you do watch them on YouTube.
Paint Autumn Birds
We love when Nana paints birds! You can paint these wonderful creatures to continue your Autumn Bird Study! Be sure to read: Fall Bird Study for Your Homeschool.
Even More Bird Nature Study Opportunities!
Finding more time to admire the avians? We have a variety of helpful resources to add to your bird study. Click on one of the images below.
Tree squirrels are some of the most entertaining critters to inhabit our neighborhoods. This Outdoor Hour Challenge will help you and your little squirrel hunters observe local squirrels more closely as you note their behavior and features. Squirrels are not shy so you should be able to spot them and make some observations with ease. Enjoy this Squirrel Nature Study by taking along a pair of binoculars to get a closer look!
Archive Outdoor Hour Challenge – Click the link above to take you to the original challenge.
“The squirrel’s legs are short because he is essentially a climber rather than a runner; the hips are very strong, which insures his power as a jumper, and his leaps are truly remarkable.”
“The squirrel has two pairs of gnawing teeth which are very long and strong, as in all rodents, and he needs to keep busy gnawing hard things with them, or they will grow so long that he cannot use them at all and will starve to death.”
“During the winter, the red squirrel does not remain at home except in the coldest weather, when he lies cozily with his tail wrapped around him like a fur neck-piece to keep him warm.”
Handbook of Nature Study, pages 234 and 235
Make sure to click the link below to read the entire Outdoor Hour Challenge with helpful links, nature study ideas, printable notebooking pages, and suggested follow-up activities.
Squirrel Nature Study – Handbook of Nature Study Lesson #57
Homeschool Nature Study Membership
It’s a great time to join Homeschool Nature Study! We offer a multitude of science activities, hands-on learning ideas, seasonal nature studies, crafts, free resources for all ages – join the #outdoorhourchallenge community and enhance your homeschool science lessons!
By Barb McCoy, founder of the Outdoor Hour Challenges with The Handbook of Nature Study. Updated and new resources added byStef Layton.
When fall rolls around we usually celebrate all things apple and pumpkin, but what about pears?! Autumn Pear Study is one of the Outdoor Hour Challenges that does not specifically have a lesson in the Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock. Therefore, we’re happy to share fun fruity facts!
Pears: Fruit or Vegetable ?
Pears are a sweet buttery fruit. Generally shaped like a bell, or oval, pears have greenish colored skin some varieties are red. Pears are high in dietary fiber and can be eaten raw or baked. In the states, we are most familiar with the Bartlett Pear. This image from USA Pears with harvest times is helpful.
Fruit or Vegetable Sorting Worksheet
The characteristics of all fruits include: developing from a flower, most fruits contain seeds, and fruits are typically sweet while vegetables are savory. Homeschool Nature Study Members can download the Fruits and Vegetables Sorting Worksheet for younger learners.
Autumn Pear Study Fun Facts
Did you know pears date back to Ancient Greece? Homer described them as “gifts from the gods“.
Romans planted pears throughout Europe developing 50 different varieties.
Pears in the United States are grown in Washington and Oregon.
Pears are part of the rose family. The Rose family is called Rosaceae.
Pear wood is a hard, reddish, fine-grained hardwood that’s often used for making musical instruments, like the lute and guitar.
In Chinese tradition, a common remedy for chronic coughs and asthma involves steaming an Asian pear with a tablespoon of sugar.
“And a partridge in a pear tree”, We all know the first line from The Twelve Days of Christmas. The partridge in a pear tree represents Jesus, the Son of God, whose birthday we celebrate on the first day of Christmas. Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge, a bird that will die to protect its young.
More Fall Studies
Looking for more Fall Studies to include in your Nature Study time? Click an image below.
Homeschool Nature Study Membership
Undeniably, now is a great time to join Homeschool Nature Study! We offer a multitude of science activities, hands-on learning ideas, seasonal nature studies, crafts, free resources for all ages – join the #outdoorhourchallenge community and enhance your homeschool science lessons!
Stef started homeschooling her boys in 2008. She quickly adopted a hands-on learning homeschool style and graduated her oldest tactile learner in 2021. Then she started the Hands-On Learning column in Homeschooling Today magazine. The Laytons currently reside in the foothills of Colorado where Stef also teaches yoga. The family loves to hike trails, stand-up paddle board, and chase sunsets. Stef shares travel and homeschool tips on IG at @LaytonAdventures.
Let’s talk about nature study and your homeschool high school transcript.
As your homeschooled teen moves into the high school years, you may be wondering how to document your nature studies. If so, then you may want to bookmark this post!
Having homeschooled my daughters using the Charlotte Mason method of learning and maintaining that way of learning throughout their entire schooling career. You may be wondering how you can continue to include subjects such as nature study and what it may look like on your high school transcript.
I will say at the outset that the key to compiling a comprehensive transcript is by deploying meticulous record keeping skills. I would advise getting your teen into the habit of recording the time spent on nature study (or any practical application activity) and what it was that they covered. This encourages your student to start taking an active role in his/her education. In this post, I share the approach we took in our own homeschool in documenting nature study in our high school transcript.
Your Homeschool High School Transcript: The Basics
Creating a high school transcript for your homeschooled teen involves recording and presenting their academic achievements in a clear, organized manner. Since homeschooling allows for greater flexibility than traditional schooling, you have the opportunity to customize the transcript to reflect your teen’s unique learning experiences and achievements. Here’s how to go about it:
1. Basic Structure of the Transcript
Student Information: Include the student’s full name, date of birth, and contact information. You might also include a student ID number if applicable.
School Information: List your homeschool’s name (you can create one if you don’t already have a name), address, and contact information.
Transcript Title: Clearly state “High School Transcript” at the top of the document.
Dates of Attendance: Specify the years your teen attended high school (e.g., 2020-2024).
2. Course Listings and Credits
Course Names: List each course your teen completed. You can be more descriptive than traditional schools, reflecting the specific focus or approach of the course (e.g., instead of just “Biology,” you could write “Advanced Biology with Lab Focus on Genetics”).
Credits Earned: Assign credits to each course, typically based on the amount of time spent. In the U.S., one credit usually represents one year of study in a subject. You can adjust this if your homeschool follows a different system.
Grades: Record the grades earned for each course. You have the flexibility to use letter grades, percentages, or even descriptive assessments (though letter grades are most commonly recognized).
3. Customizing with Flexibility
Course Descriptions: Unlike traditional transcripts, you can include brief descriptions of each course to provide context. For example, “World History: A study of global events from the Renaissance to the present, with a focus on cultural interactions and primary source analysis.”
Unconventional Learning: If your teen engaged in non-traditional learning experiences (e.g., internships, travel-based learning, independent projects), these can be listed as courses or electives. For instance, “Photography: A self-directed study culminating in a portfolio and a community exhibition.”
Specialized Subjects: If your teen pursued specialized or niche subjects, include them. For example, “Environmental Science: An in-depth exploration of local ecosystems, including hands-on fieldwork and a final research paper.”
4. GPA Calculation
Grading Scale: Clearly outline the grading scale you used (e.g., A = 90-100, B = 80-89, etc.).
Weighted vs. Unweighted GPA: Decide whether to use a weighted GPA (which gives extra points for advanced courses) or an unweighted GPA. Calculate the GPA based on the grades and credits earned.
5. Additional Sections
Extracurricular Activities: Include a section for extracurricular activities, highlighting your teen’s involvement in clubs, sports, volunteer work, or hobbies.
Standardized Test Scores: If applicable, list standardized test scores (e.g. SAT).
Awards and Honors: Mention any awards, recognitions, or scholarships your teen has received.
6. Finalizing the Transcript
Signature and Date: At the bottom of the transcript, include a line for your signature and the date. This signifies that you verify the accuracy of the transcript.
Seal or Logo: If you want to make the transcript look more official, consider creating a simple seal or logo for your homeschool.
Tips for Flexibility and Descriptiveness
Tailored Learning: Emphasize how the curriculum was tailored to your teen’s interests and strengths.
Interdisciplinary Courses: If your teen’s studies crossed traditional subject boundaries, create interdisciplinary course titles that reflect this.
Narrative Evaluations: Consider adding brief narrative evaluations or comments for each course or a summary at the end of the transcript to provide more insight into your teen’s performance and growth.
Creating a homeschool transcript allows you to showcase your teen’s education in a way that is personalized, thorough, and reflective of their unique educational journey. By being flexible and descriptive, you can ensure that the transcript effectively communicates your teen’s academic achievements and readiness for their next steps, whether that be college, vocational training, or entering the workforce.
Can you add nature study to your homeschool high school transcript? The answer is a resounding yes!
How to Account for Nature Study In Your High School TranscriptWith Examples!
Accounting for nature study in a high school transcript is a great way to highlight the hands-on, experiential learning that often occurs in a homeschool setting. Nature study can be integrated into various subjects or listed as a standalone course, depending on how it’s approached in your homeschool curriculum. Here are some ways to incorporate nature study into a high school transcript, along with examples of how to describe the learning:
1. Biology Credit
Course Title: “Biology with Emphasis on Ecology and Field Studies”
Description: “A comprehensive biology course with a focus on ecological systems, species identification, and the study of local flora and fauna through regular fieldwork. Students conducted independent research projects on ecosystem dynamics and prepared detailed field journals.”
Credit: 1 Credit (Lab Science)
2. Integrated Science Credit
Course Title: “Integrated Environmental Science”
Description: “An interdisciplinary study combining biology, chemistry, and earth science with a focus on environmental systems. Students explored topics such as soil composition, water quality, and plant biology, supported by regular nature hikes and lab work involving data collection and analysis.”
Credit: 1 Credit (Science)
3. Elective Credit
Course Title: “Nature Study and Outdoor Education”
Description: “A hands-on elective focusing on the observation and study of natural environments. Students engaged in activities such as bird watching, plant identification, and wildlife tracking, with an emphasis on developing skills in journaling, sketching, and outdoor survival techniques.”
Credit: 0.5 to 1 Credit (Elective)
4. Environmental Science Credit
Course Title: “Environmental Science: Field Ecology”
Description: “An in-depth exploration of ecosystems, conservation, and environmental stewardship. Coursework included field trips to various ecosystems, such as wetlands and forests, where students conducted species inventories and assessed the impact of human activity on natural habitats.”
Credit: 1 Credit (Lab Science)
5. Physical Education Credit
Course Title: “Outdoor Adventure and Fitness”
Description: “A physical education course that combined fitness with outdoor skills, including hiking, orienteering, and survival skills. Students also participated in activities like rock climbing and canoeing, while learning about the physical and mental health benefits of regular interaction with nature.”
Credit: 0.5 to 1 Credit (Physical Education)
6. Art Credit (Interdisciplinary Approach)
Course Title: “Nature and Art: A Creative Study”
Description: “An art course focused on nature as a source of inspiration. Students created detailed botanical illustrations, landscape paintings, and nature-inspired sculptures. The course also included lessons on the history of nature in art, with visits to local parks and gardens for on-site sketching.”
Credit: 0.5 to 1 Credit (Art)
7. Independent Study or Capstone Project
Course Title: “Independent Study: Ecology and Conservation”
Description: “A student-led research project focused on local conservation efforts, including habitat restoration and species preservation. The study involved regular fieldwork, collaboration with local environmental organizations, and the creation of a final report and presentation on findings.”
Credit: 0.5 to 1 Credit (Elective/Science)
Tips for Describing Nature Study on a High School Transcript
Be Specific: When describing the course, focus on the specific skills and knowledge your teen gained. For example, rather than just “plant identification,” you might say “identification of over 50 native plant species and their ecological roles.”
Highlight Hands-On Experience: Nature study often involves practical, hands-on learning. Mention field trips, outdoor labs, or independent research projects.
Interdisciplinary Learning: If nature study crossed over into multiple subjects, make that clear in the course title and description. This can show the depth and breadth of the learning experience.
Use Professional Terminology: Incorporate relevant scientific terms where appropriate to give the course a more academic tone.
By thoughtfully integrating nature study into your teen’s transcript, you can provide a clear and compelling account of their engagement with the natural world, highlighting both their academic and personal growth.
More Resources for High School Nature Study In Your Homeschool
For more support you may be interested in our Nature Study Credit Planner and Tracker above. Simply sign up below to get your free record keeping sheet.
We hope that this post has been useful to our homeschooling high school families. Please do let us know in the comments if you would like us to cover any other homeschool high school nature study topics or let us know if you have any questions.
These fall leaf activities for kids are a perfect way to study nature throughout the season. Easy to implement and enjoyable for the entire family, this study has options for all ages.
“Make the lesson an investigation and make the pupils feel that they are investigators…The ‘leading thought’ embodies some of the points which should be in the teacher’s mind while giving the lesson; it should not be read or declared to the pupils…The outlines for observations herein given by no means cover all of the observations possible; they are meant to suggest to the teacher observations of her own, rather than to be followed slavishly…If the questions do not inspire the child to investigate, they are useless.”
Spend your Outdoor Hour time in your own backyard or neighborhood.
Look at the various kinds of leaves and have your child point out several that capture their interest.
Choose four or five leaves to collect and bring home to look at with the magnifying lens.
Follow-Up Activity for Fall Nature Study:
Use the hand lens to make careful observations of your leaves. One at a time have your child describe what he sees as he looks at the leaf carefully. Record your results in your nature journal (or use the notebook page in the ebook).
Advanced and High School Leaf Studies
Advanced Follow-Up: Use this LINK and scroll down to the section, “Taking a Closer Look At Plant Cells”. Make your own leaf slides to look at under your microscope. Members – Use the Leaf Morphology page and the notebook page to complete your study.
Advanced Follow-Up: Read this article on Wikipedia: Leaf. Read this page that illustrates Leaf Margins and Shapes (love this page with the clear images).
Activities for Pressing Leaves and Leaf Nature Study
Press your leaves to add to your nature journal at a future date. You can watch my YouTube video to learn how to do this with simple household items.
Make beautiful Leaf Prints with Victoria in Homeschool Nature Study Nature Crafts course!
Fall Garland Craft
Autumn is in full swing with rusty leaves and seeds galore, so let us bring in some of the season’s beauty with this Autumn garland.
An Example of a Family Fall Leaf Study for All Ages
Tricia’s shares their family-style fall leaf study up close investigation!
Our leaf studies started when the first leaves started to change. We enjoyed the fall colors with a local trip to Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Park. We’ve awed each week at the maple at church, watching it turn every beautiful shade from green to yellow to red.
One Saturday, we traveled to the next state over to the highest point. We walked and we slowed to soak in the colors.
And earlier this week, we drove about 20 minutes down the road, where we climbed rocks as big as boats under a canopy of colors.
While we’ve been oohing and aahing this whole month at leaves, we didn’t stop to marvel closely at design until we took the Up-Close Leaf Study Challenge with The Handbook of Nature Study Outdoor Hour Challenges.
And while gorgeous leaves had gathered on the kitchen table now and then in an arrangement, Friday morning Middle Girl and I went out early for the very purpose of gathering a variety. Maple, poplar, river birch, oak leaf hydrangea, mimosa.
It had just started to make a new web, using part of the pink string someone had tied.
With our notebook pages at the ready, we hit a problem. Where is the magnifying glass? We couldn’t even find the little plastic one kept in the outside playhouse. *Sigh* “I know!” Middle Girl said, “There’s an app for your iPhone. And I think it’s free.” After a quick search, we downloaded Magnifying Glass with Light and we were in business!
Looking first at a larva on the mimosa leaves…
…Then each choosing a leaf to study up close.
Matching the margins. I heard, “what is venation?” So we looked closely at the veins in each leaf, comparing.
The two youngest girls sketched their leaves up close. Love this notebook page!
Eldest boy compared four different leaves, referencing the shape & arrangement, margins and venation page. That’s when he said, while sketching each leaf…
“That’s the most fun leaf study I’ve ever done.” ~ 12-year-old
Middle Girl discovered you can turn the ‘lens’ around and look at yourself up close!
Technology and nature study.
For the record, we did find our little, plastic magnifying lens (after our study).
As a bonus, we copied some of our favorite leaf colors for our nature journals.
There are many fun art and nature journal ideas for trees and leaves listed below as well!
So many things we discovered by taking the time to look up close! Thanks to an October of beautiful fall colors and Handbook of Nature Study.
Leaf Resources for Homeschool Nature Study Members
Members have all of these leaf studies to enjoy!
Outline the Shape + Leaf Coloring Page
Leaf Masks Nature Craft Activity
Learning Leaf Parts
Fall Leaf Study Grid
Under the Fallen Leaves Autumn Fun
Fall Color Walk with Printable Color Cards
Learning About Leaves Outdoor Hour Challenge
Seasonal Tree Autumn Comparisons
Outdoor Mom – September and October
You will find hundreds of homeschool nature studies plus all the Outdoor Hour Challenges 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!