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Posted on December 30, 2019 by Barb — Leave a comment

Outdoor Mom – December 2019

Outdoor Mom – December 2019

Winter Sets In

I’m not sure how it got to be the end of December already, but here we are with a new year staring us in the face. The year 2019 has been a year of family upheaval, interspersed with short stretches of calm and space where my husband and I could get outside to enjoy Central Oregon. We forced ourselves this month to go outdoors even when the temperatures were at freezing or a little below. The key to being outside in the cold air is to be properly attired. Over the last three winters we’ve learned how to layer up to keep out the freezing winds and snowflakes.

During our outdoor time this month we went…

This month our snow started falling and the winter landscape came into view. The mountains in the distance glistened on sunny days with their snow caps. Our back pasture leading down to the river was covered in snow with only the tallest summer grasses still visible with brown stalks and drooping seed heads.

The most inspiring thing we experienced was…

The river has started to ice over and we can see small animal tracks on top of the ice where they crossed from one side to the other.

I also really enjoy the sunrises at this time of the year because of the way the light creates deep shadows and the sky is a kaleidoscope of pastel colors.

I added nature journal pages about…

I’ve been working on catching up in my nature journal. I have several pages started but not completed that record things I want to remember. In my nature journal, I try to record the sweetness of each season by listing the birds we observe, the mammal visitors we encounter and the highlights of special hikes or our travels. I’m currently working on pages for my trip to Acadia National Park, the coyote we see frequently outside our back fence and the mushrooms from our local autumn hikes.

Plans for Winter 2020

I’m planning on a new nature journal for 2020 that will combine daily and monthly observations. I will share about that sometime in January.

Also, my husband and I both decided we need new snowshoes to inspire us to get out on the local trails this winter.

Want to join in the Outdoor Mom post?

Answer all or just one of the prompts in a blog entry on your own blog or right here on my blog in a comment. If you answer on your blog, make sure to leave me a link in a comment so that I can pop over and read your responses.

During our outdoor time this month we went…
The most inspiring thing we experienced was…
Our outdoor time made us ask (or wonder about)…
In the garden, we are planning/planting/harvesting…
I added nature journal pages about…
I am reading…
I am dreaming about…
One last image…

Posted on December 28, 2019 by Barb — Leave a comment

New Ebook! Bird Set #1

New Ebook is Now Available to Members!

This is going to be an exciting addition to the Ultimate Naturalist Library membership! This new ebook has nine new Outdoor Hour Challenges featuring some of North America’s most interesting birds!

These Challenges are not based on information in the Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock. You’ll be using internet links and field guides to glean information about each topic. Plus, there are alternate study ideas for most of the challenges presented in this series of bird nature study lessons.

This 30 page digital ebook has 9 challenges and supplemental activities.
There are multiple custom notebooking pages for each of the topics. You can choose from simple notebook pages or more advanced notebooking pages.
There are 9 coloring pages.
Sample: Print an ebook sample here: Ooutdoor Hour Challenge Bird Set 1 Sample

Here are the specific topics included in this ebook:
American White Pelican
Trumpeter Swan
Wilson’s Snipe
Great Egret
Sandhill Crane
Clark’s Nutcracker
American Dipper
Horned Lark
Black-billed Magpie

How do you get the new Creepy Things ebook?

Members of the Ultimate Naturalist and Journey levels have access to the new ebook in their library. You need to click the “Members Area” button at the top of the website, sign into your account, and the ebook is there to download and save for your family to use when desired.

If you don’t have a membership yet, I’m offering a $5 off discount code that will be good towards your Ultimate Naturalist membership.

Discount Code: OHC10

Posted on December 27, 2019November 20, 2024 by Barb — Leave a comment

Winter Berries Nature Study

During the winter months many shrubs and trees have winter berries, providing a splash of color to an otherwise drab landscape. Winter berries also provide fruits that are visible food source for wildlife.

Bundle up for a winter hike and then paint, draw, or just observe any animals in the area feeding on these berries.

Different Types of Winter Berries

Many winter berries are red, orange, and yellow. There are several different types of Winter Berries, including: Beautyberry, Cotoneaster, Crabapple, Winterberry, Inkberry, Common Snowberry, Red Chokeberry, and American Cranberry bush.

Winter Berries Outdoor Hour Challenge

Members can access the Autumn Outdoor Hour Challenge Curriculum (pages 66 and 67). The member outdoor hour challenge is here when logged in: Homeschool Nature Study – Winter Berries.

Posted on December 24, 2019 by Barb — Leave a comment

Outdoor Hour Challenge -Mica Rock Study

This week is a great indoor nature study opportunity if you’re experiencing some winter weather like we are in Central Oregon. After reading the lesson in the Handbook of Nature Study, use the links in the original challenge to learn even more about mica.

If you don’t have mica to observe, you can do an alternate rock study for any rock you may have on hand. Use a field guide or a book from the library to learn more about your rock. Look in your Member’s library for an abundance of rock study alternative ideas like printables, notebook pages, and newsletters.

Use this link to the challenges in the archives:

Outdoor Hour Challenge – Mica Rock Study (from the Autumn Nature Study Continues ebook)

This challenge is found in the Autumn Nature Study Continues ebook found in the Ultimate and Journey level memberships here on the Handbook of Nature Study. You can print the notebooking pages and the coloring page included in the ebook to supplement your nature study this week.

If you don’t have a membership yet, you can click the graphic above and join today for immediate access to the 23 ebooks and so much more!

Posted on December 18, 2019 by Barb — Leave a comment

Winter Nature Study Ebooks – Discount Code!

Winter Nature Study with the Outdoor Hour Challenge

The first day of winter is coming upon us quickly! As I look out my window at the snowy landscape and the snow softly falling in my yard, it looks like winter here in Central Oregon.

The Ultimate Naturalist Library has four winter themed ebooks with forty Outdoor Hour Challenges for your family to use for winter nature study inspiration. Most of the challenges can be adapted to fit your circumstances and many of the topics are covered in the Handbook of Nature Study. The ebooks have simple follow up activities and nature journal ideas to complement the winter nature study ideas.

If you’re new to the Outdoor Hour Challenge, you can find all four of the ebooks in the Ultimate Naturalist Library membership. (See below for a discount code to use with your purchase!)

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

Winter Nature Study Ebooks Available

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

Use the discount code WINTERFUN for $5 off your Ultimate Naturalist Library membership.

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

In addition to the winter books, there are 19 additional nature study ebooks in this membership.

Posted on December 13, 2019 by Barb — Leave a comment

Outdoor Hour Challenge -Autumn Constellation Study

For this challenge, pick a clear evening to go out and look at the night sky. Bundle up and realize that it will probably be a quick look at the stars unless you have a very motivated student. Do the preparation work beforehand so you’ll have a particular constellation in mind. Keep it fun and aim to introduce the idea of nighttime nature study to your family.

Run back inside and have some hot cocoa and talk about what you saw during your Outdoor Hour time.

Use this link to the challenges in the archives:

Outdoor Hour Challenge – Fall Constellation Study (from the Autumn Nature Study Continues ebook)

This challenge is part of the Autumn Nature Study Continues ebook, found in the Ultimate and Journey level memberships here on the Handbook of Nature Study. You can print the notebooking pages and the coloring page included in the ebook to supplement your nature study this week.

If you don’t have a membership yet, you can click the graphic above and join today for immediate access to the 23 ebooks and so much more!

Posted on December 9, 2019 by Barb — Leave a comment

Outdoor Hour Challenge: January through August 2020 Plans

If you haven’t joined us for our weekly nature study yet this year, it’s not too late to jump in with the rest of the year’s plan!

We’ll be starting a new series of nature study lessons from the Forest Fun ebook on January 17, 2020.

Topics will include: bear, porcupine, raven, skunk cabbage, California quail, moose, rabbitbrush, azalea, and Western tanager.

I’m super excited to be offering these topics that are not covered in the Handbook of Nature Study, but are subjects that many of us observe during our nature study outings and during our vacations.

After we finish up the Forest Fun ebook, we’ll move on to another completely new (soon to be published) ebook that features topics from the High Desert.

Topics include: mountain lion, coyote, elk, pocket gopher, golden mantled ground squirrel, river otter, sagebrush, bitterbrush, snowberry, succulents, greater sage grouse, turkey vulture, juniper tree, and the bristlecone pine.

Our year will finish off with the Creepy Things series of nature study topics. This newly released ebook includes fascinating studies of the banana slug, tarantula, black widow, scorpion, leech, muskrat, sphinx moth, cicada, millipede, and poison oak.

I’m inviting you to join us as members here on the Handbook of Nature Study which will give you access to all of these brand new nature study topics in addition to the archives of past ebooks, newsletters, nature planner pages, and growing list of printables available.

Use the discount code NATURE5 when you purchase your Ultimate Naturalist membership and you’ll receive $5 off your purchase.

Your membership will start the date of purchase and will be valid for one complete year from that time. This will include all of the upcoming ebooks and monthly printables released during that 12 month period.

I hope you are going to join us for nature study!

Posted on December 4, 2019 by Barb — 4 Comments

Important Note to Members

We have had a server crash and we have only been able to restore the website to July 2019. This means the newer ebooks are not posted up in the library.

I will be adding those back in by the end of the week and hopefully get back on track.

I apologize for any inconvenience!

Edit to add: If you are a member and no longer have access to your account, you can email me and we will set your membership back up. So sorry for the extra work!!!

Barb McCoy

Posted on November 6, 2019 by Barb — Leave a comment

New Ebook – Creepy Things with New Challenges!

Creepy Thing Ebook Cover image — Ultimate and Journey Level members can click this graphic to go directly to the library to download a copy of this new ebook. Make sure you are logged in and if you’re having trouble with your password, please leave me a comment or send me a direct email to receive my assistance. Email: harmonyfinearts@yahoo.com

New Ebook is Now Available to Members!

The Creepy Things ebook is now ready for you to download and use with your family. This is one of the ebooks we’ll be working through later in the 2019-2020 plans. I learned a lot about so many things as I wrote this set of challenges and I know you will too!

There are 10 brand new Outdoor Hour Challenges for you to complete as part of your nature study lessons with your children. These Challenges are not based on information in the Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock. You’ll be using internet links and field guides to glean information about each topic.

This 46 page digital ebook has 10 challenges and supplemental activities that will help you learn about things that you may have wondered about in the past but considered too “creepy” or scary to learn about in person.
There are multiple custom notebooking pages for each of the topics. You can choose from simple notebook pages or more advanced notebooking pages.
There are 7 coloring pages.
Sample: Print an ebook sample here: Creepy Things Ebook Sample

Here are the specific topics included in this ebook:

Banana slug
Tarantula/Tarantula hawk
Black Widow
Scorpion
Leech
Muskrat
Sphinx moth
Cicada
Millipede
Poison oak

How do you get the new Creepy Things ebook?

If you don’t have a membership yet, I’m offering a $5 off discount code that will be good towards your Ultimate Naturalist membership.

Discount Code: OHC10

Posted on August 6, 2019 by Barb — Leave a comment

New Ebook- Forest Fun with New Challenges!

Forest Fun ebook cover graphic — Ultimate and Journey Level members can click this graphic to go directly to the library to download a copy of this new ebook. Make sure you are logged in and if you are having trouble with your password, please leave me a comment or send me a direct email to receive my assistance. Email: harmonyfinearts@yahoo.com

New Ebook is Now Available to Members!

The Forest Fun ebook is now ready for you to download and use with your family. It will be a part of the 2019-2020 plans here on the Handbook of Nature Study. I’m excited to have a new set of challenges to complete along with you!

There are nine brand new Outdoor Hour Challenges for you to complete as part of your nature study lessons with your children. These Challenges are not based on information in the Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock but you will be using internet links and field guides to glean information about each topic.

This 47 page digital ebook has 9 challenges and supplemental activities that will help you learn about some common things you’ll find in a forest, especially the forests of the western United States.
There are multiple custom notebooking pages for each of the topics. You can choose from simple notebook pages or more advanced notebooking pages.
Coloring pages for each topic.
Sample: Print an ebook sample here: Forest Fun ebook sample challenge.

Here are the specific topics included in this ebook:

Rabbitbrush
Skunk Cabbage
Azalea
Common Raven
California Quail
Western Tanager
Black Bear
Moose
Porcupine

How do you get the new Forest Fun ebook?

If you don’t have a membership yet, I’m offering a $5 off discount code that will be good towards your Ultimate Naturalist membership.

Discount Code: OHC10

Different Types of Winter Berries

Winter Berries Outdoor Hour Challenge

Winter Nature Study with the Outdoor Hour Challenge

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

Use the discount code WINTERFUN for $5 off your Ultimate Naturalist Library membership.

Outdoor Hour Challenges for families since 2008!