Posted on August 9, 2017 by Barb — 13 Comments

Outdoor Hour Challenges – Plans for October 2017 to August 2018

Outdoor Hour Challenge

Plans for October 2017 to August 2018

The academic school year is drawing ever closer and with it will be some changes here on the Handbook of Nature Study. Since my move to Oregon last spring, I have barely kept my head above water as far as writing new challenges, keeping up with blog posts, and creating a monthly newsletter. It is not a good feeling.

I want to bring some joy and passion back to my work here so I’ve made some hard decisions.

Things to Note

I will no longer be creating a monthly newsletter. This will free up my time to write more about what I am learning and experiencing here in my new Central Oregon home. I realize that most of what I’m doing in my monthly newsletter can easily be shared in blog posts so the content will still be there for readers but not in the form of a newsletter.
There will continue to be 2-3 new printables per month for members. Those printables are usually either a notebook pages or activity that can be found in the Ultimate and Journey level membership libraries.
I have one new ebook in the works for spring 2018 and possibly another one for summer 2018.

Nature Study Plans for October 2017 to August 2018 – Ebooks to Be Used from the Ultimate Naturalist Library

Note: I am going to list the ebooks that will be the basis for the next year’s nature study here on the Handbook of Nature Study. It is advantageous but not necessary to have access to the ebooks. The ebooks contain custom printables (notebook pages and coloring pages) that will enhance your nature study but you can just as easily complete a page in your own blank nature journal.

October 2017 to December 2017 – We are going to use the Autumn Nature Study ebook plans from 2010. Many of you have not worked through this ebook in the past and I am anxious to complete these challenges again in my new habitat. You can find all of the challenges listed on this page: Autumn Nature Study. Scroll down and you will see the specific topics for the Friday challenges during this period of time.

This series of Outdoor Hour Challenges was written to help your family learn more about each topic by using comparisons. I explain how to make comparisons and then use a Venn Diagram to help see the topic more in detail. (Venn Diagram instructions and printable included in the ebook.)

January 2018 to February 2018 – I’m super excited to use the ideas in the Winter Wednesday series here in my new Central Oregon home. These cold weather and winter related challenges are going to help all of us get to know more about our winter world.

March 2018 to April 2018 – Outdoor Hour Challenge Learning About Birds from 2016. Let’s use the bird challenges this spring to learn more about the birds in our yards and neighborhoods.

May 2018 to June 2018 – Summer Nature Study – Using Your Senses from 2010. We are going to be using eight of the challenges from this ebook. It is going to be a lot of fun to revisit so many of these older challenges once again.

July and August 2018 – Outdoor Hour Challenges – Getting Started ebook! This is the ebook that started the whole thing around here. I would love for newbies and veterans to join us working through the first ten nature study challenges before the next school year starts.

So there you have the plan for the year to come! I became very excited as I made these plans and I hope you will consider joining us for all or part of the nature study journey this time around. As always, make these plans work for your family by adding or subtracting things to customize your experience.

If you have any questions, you can comment here on the blog or send me a direct email: harmonyfinearts@yahoo.com

Just as a sidenote: I miss the community we had built here using the blog carnival and Mr. Linky system from times past. I yearn to hear from families once in awhile to know how your nature study is going. It fuels me! So, if you have a moment over the next few months, shoot me an email or leave a comment. I love to hear your stories from your nature study time.

You can follow me on Instagram (Outdoorhourchallenge) to see my day to day nature study photos. I follow many of the OHC families so share your Instagram name and I will pop over and check your images out too!

Use the discount code NATURE5 to receive $5 off an Ultimate Naturalist Membership!

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Posted on August 4, 2017 by Barb — Leave a comment

Outdoor Hour Challenge – Summer Weather 2017

Outdoor Hour Challenge

Summer Weather 2017

Archive Challenge: Summer Weather

We are finally getting some real summer weather here in Central Oregon with temperatures up in the 90’s. It doesn’t seem so bad because it’s a very dry heat. Plus, every night the air cools off and if you sleep with the window open, you wake up chilly in the middle of the night.

This week take a look at the summer weather you are experiencing using the suggestions in the Outdoor Hour Challenge from the archives. Create a nature journal page after you make some observations with your children. Look for the link in the challenge above to the free, printable weather chart. I have used this chart for many years to record my daily temperatures and rainfall. It may help you keep track of your weather as well.

Enjoy your August summer weather!

Please note I am an affiliate for NotebookingPages.com and I receive a small commission for every purchase you make after clicking my links. I hope that you find their products as valuable as I do!

Posted on August 2, 2017 by Barb — Leave a comment

Nature Journal Examples – July 2017

Weekly Nature Journal Project
July 2017

This month was a crazy busy traveling month for me! I had to travel light, so I just had a small notebook to record some of my thoughts and observations in while they were happening. Once back home I was able to create a few pages and I have a few more in the works.

I didn’t reach my goal of a page a week but I’m okay with skipping a few weeks while I’m outside having some amazing outdoor adventures.

Here are my two pages for the month of July.

As we learn about our new habitat in Oregon, I am realizing I need to learn a whole new pattern of birds and flowers. Creating a monthly list will help me remember from year to year what to expect.

This page came from having a fantastic East Coast experience. Every evening, the fireflies would light up the yard! It was magical. This page helped me to do some research after making my own observations in New York.

The month of August should be better as far as being able to keep my “page a week” goal. I also have lots of notes for future pages once I do some research on the topics.

Some of the page ideas this month can be found on my Once a Month Nature Journal Project Pinterest Board. Pop over and get some inspiration!

Don’t forget that I am sharing a nature journal page each week on my Instagram account if you want to see the pages as they unfold. Follow me here: Instagram – outdoorhourchallenge. And, if you want to create a page and share it on your Instagram for me to see, use the hashtag #OHCnaturejournal

Please note that I am an affiliate for NotebookingPages.com. I have used these pages with my own family over many years. They are truly a simple way to get those nature journal pages done!

Posted on August 1, 2017 by Barb — Leave a comment

Handbook of Nature Study Newsletter – August 2017 Zoo Animals

Handbook of Nature Study Newsletter

August 2017 – Mammals at the Zoo

Please read the following explanation outlining how to get this month’s newsletter.

The newsletter link is not in this email but will come separately. Members should have received their link already.

If you don’t receive the separate email with the download link, you probably aren’t subscribed to the blog yet. This will take less than a minute to do if you follow the steps below.

If you are a subscriber and you haven’t received your newsletter email yet, check your SPAM inbox. Some subscribers have found the email buried in SPAM inbox.

If you need to subscribe:

You will need to go to the Handbook of Nature Study, look to the top right corner for the box to type in your preferred email address, and then confirm the email that comes to your email inbox.
Once you subscribe, you will receive a thank you email from me with the download link for the current month’s newsletter.

This month’s newsletter link will be available only during the month of August so be sure to download it before 8/31/17.

Remember! All of the archived and current newsletters are available as part of the Ultimate Naturalist Library…every level!

Contents of this edition of the newsletter include:

This month we are going to think about zoos and zoo animals. I wrote two articles for you to enjoy, including one with lots of tips and suggestions to make your zoo visit more enjoyable.
Printables this month: August nature study planner page for mom and a mammal nature journal ideas printable.

Please note that Ultimate Naturalist and Journey level members have access to members only printables each month in addition to the newsletter printables. You will need to log into your account and then go to the “Other Releases” section.

New printables are now posted in the Member’s library!

Zoo Visit Notebook Page: Use this page to record some of your zoo observations.
Mammal Tail Study: This activity will help you compare mammal tails.

Print a complete list of printables available to Members for easy reference: Printables for Members

Posted on July 28, 2017 by Barb — Leave a comment

Outdoor Hour Challenge – Columbine

Outdoor Hour Challenge

Columbine Wildflower Study (From the Wildflower Set #2)

Inside Preparation:

Use the information on the following websites to learn more about the two major kinds of columbine you might encounter.
Eastern red columbine (Aquilegia Canadensis): This plant is found east of the Rocky Mountains. Read more about it here: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflowers. The range map is found here: USDA Plants.
Western crimson columbine (Aquilegia Formosa): Find the range map here: USDA Plants. Try this website for more information: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflowers.
Use the chart on page 7 of the ebook to look up columbine in the suggested resources.
Sidenote: “Aquila” means eagle in Latin. Aquilegia refers to the spurred petals people think look like eagle’s talons.

Outdoor Hour Time:

Look for columbine in moist open woods, on banks and seeps, and in the sun or part shade. Look for columbine blooming anywhere from May—August.

Use the suggestions in this challenge to make careful observations of your columbine.

Follow-Up Activity:

Create a nature journal page with information about the columbine. You can use the suggestions in the ebook or use the nature notebook page and/or coloring page included in the ebook.
Create a buttercup family notebook page. Record any flowers you observe that are in the buttercup family.
Advanced study: Research the columbine duskywing butterfly. The columbine is the larval host.

How do you get the new Wildflower Nature Study 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 am offering a $5 off discount code that will be good towards your Ultimate Naturalist membership.

Discount Code: Wildflower5

If you are looking for a variety of wildflower, weed, and garden flower notebooking pages to use in your nature journal, I highly recommend this set from NotebookingPages.com. I have used them with my own family in the past and love them. Please note I am an affiliate for NotebookingPages.com and I will receive a small commission if you eventually purchase any of their products after clicking the link above.

Posted on July 19, 2017 by Barb — Leave a comment

Outdoor Mom’s Nature Goal Update – 2nd Quarter 2017

Nature Study Goals 2017 – 2^nd Quarter Update

Here is a recap of my goals and the progress I’ve made in accomplishing them during the second quarter. You can read my thoughts on reflection at the bottom of the post.

Create monthly entries for my Outdoor Mom experiences as I share our nature studies using the Outdoor Hour Challenge, our travel experiences, and any of my family’s nature adventures. This was accomplished. You can read my entries here: April, May, and June.
Focus on my nature journal and create at least one page weekly. I only missed one week this quarter!
Post images of my nature journal pages on Instagram each week. If you follow me on Instagram, you get to see a new nature journal page every Wednesday.
Read and review 6 nature journal related books. I started reading The Nature of Bend by Leeann Kriegh. What a great visual field guide and informational book about my new area of Oregon! It lives right on my kitchen table because I am constantly browsing and reading it both morning and night.

Books on hold at my library!

The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs by Tristan Gooley
The Nature Fix by Florence Williams

Nature Goal Reflections

I am sincere in saying that this is the most successful year of goal keeping that I’ve ever experienced. Making the time and then getting out into nature has been the key to creating both the monthly blog entries and the weekly nature journal pages. I seem to have an endless list of topics to write about when I sit down at my desk. I’m having a fantastic time working on keeping my nature goals for 2017!

Do you want to create some goals for your family? Use the free printable planning page in this entry to get started: Nature Goals 2017.

Posted on July 14, 2017 by Barb — Leave a comment

Outdoor Hour Challenge – Cow Parsnip Flower Study

Outdoor Hour Challenge

Cow Parsnip Nature Study – from the Wildflower Set #2

Inside Preparation:

Learn all you can about this interesting plant that is common in North America (Heracleum maximum). USDA Cow Parsnip (range) and Cow Parsnip—Herculeum.
This website has awesome images and lots of information: Cow Parsnip.
Use the chart on page 7 of the ebook to look up cow parsnip in the suggested resources.

Outdoor Hour Time:

Look for cow parsnip in moist soil in meadows, along streams, and along roads. Look in full sun or partial shade. Bloom time is anywhere from February through September.

This plant is easy to identify once you study its traits. Use the observation suggestions in this challenge to make a careful examination of the cow parsnip.
Advanced study: Look for the anise swallowtail butterfly near your cow parsnip since it is the host plant for the larvae.

Follow-Up Activity:

Create a nature journal entry using the suggestions in the ebook if you have access to it. There is a custom notebook page and coloring page in the ebook for you to use if you wish.
Start a parsley family notebook page and add any plants you observe in this family to the list over time.
Advanced study: Research the origin of the Latin name for this plant.
Advanced study: Learn abut the relationship between the Anise swallowtail butterfly and the cow parsnip.

How do you get the new Wildflower Nature Study ebook?

Discount Code: Wildflower5

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Posted on July 12, 2017 by Barb — 1 Comment

Summer Bird Study – Learning About Birds Ebook Special

Purchase the Ultimate Naturalist membership this week and receive a $5 discount.

Use the code SUMMERBIRD at checkout.

Code expires on 7/20/17.

I am hoping that many of you already have this new ebook that features 28 different birds from the Handbook of Nature Study. You can read all about this ebook and download a sample here: Learning About Birds.

But if you don’t already have a membership, I hope the $5 discount will help you decide to join and receive not only this ebook but all 20 ebooks available in the Ultimate Naturalist Library!

Do you have questions about the memberships? You can look for more specific answers on my Frequently Asked Questions page.

Posted on July 7, 2017March 27, 2023 by Barb — Leave a comment

Outdoor Hour Challenge – Red Winged Blackbird

Outdoor Hour Challenge

Red-Winged Blackbird

Our new house backs up to a river and that means we have a lot of birds that live along the river visiting our backyard and feeders. The red-winged blackbird is a daily visitor so we’ve had plenty of time to observe it up close. We hear it in the early mornings as the day is awakening. This challenge is coming at just the right time for us to make a more formal study of this active black bird.

Use the ideas in the Outdoor Hour Challenge in Homeschool Nature Study membership. The suggestions will help you get started using the Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock to learn more and help your children get to know this fairly common bird.

What should you do if you don’t have any blackbirds to study this week? Pick another bird!

Posted on July 5, 2017 by Barb — 2 Comments

Outdoor Mom – June 2017

Outdoor Mom – June 2017

What a month! We’re still getting acquainted with our new habitat and the weather here in Central Oregon. June started out feeling like early spring to me…cold at night, a few gray days, sprinkles, and the beginning of the wildflower season.

As I was looking at our photos from the first week in June, it seems so long ago! The brittlebush was the predominant flower we saw along the roadsides. There were a few other flowers like the pussypaws and a bit of yarrow.

Now the roads are lined with lupine, daisies, yarrow, and penstemon. We found an awesome patch of river lupine on a walk this last week. There were whole fields full of purple spikes so tall they looked artificial. I could’ve taken a hundred photos! (Make sure to look at our Lupine Nature Study Challenge.)

I can’t describe the feeling of waking up every morning now to a new day. I am eager to throw open the blinds to see what is out on the horizon. Is it a misty morning over the river? Are there deer or elk in the yard? Is it a golden sunrise? Each day has its own gift.

We walk every day in our new neighborhood. My favorite is the sunset walks down behind the house at the river. Over the past month, the grasses have grown from ankle high to pretty much waist high! We can barely see our Labrador as she walks through the grass. The sound of birdsong is a constant feature and I’m trying not to tune it out into the background.

We have a weekly routine of going to Sunriver for a walk and a “date”. It could be a cup of coffee or a lunch on the patio of one of the restaurants or a visit to the nature center. It is all such fun. There are so many walking and biking trails throughout the area that we’ll be hard pressed to walk each section before the summer is over but we’re going to cover as much as we can. This coming weekend I am going to Sunriver for the Central Oregon Wildflower Show! I may try to do an Instagram Live session if possible.

We have been hiking up at Newberry Volcanic National Monument. We drove up to Paulina Falls and then hiked up to Paulina Lake. It was a really warm day but the sound of falling water and the shady forest trail made it so enjoyable. We did some investigating while we were up there and now have a short list of places to hike and a kayak trip planned.

We spend a lot of time in our yard as we see it transforming rather quickly from winter to summer. We are nurturing the rock garden and adding a few new things as we discover what will actually grow in our garden zone. I pretty much find plants that say they are hardy to -20 degrees and figure that should be good enough.

Now that July is upon us, I am anticipating a big trip back east. I was just sent some links to hikes we will be doing in the Hudson Valley of New York and we have a trip to Niagara Falls planned too! As much as I want to go, I am sort of feeling like I would like to stay home to experience a complete July summer in Oregon. I guess that shows I’m beginning to feel more at home here. My husband will be in Oregon and I will have him document the weeks that I’m gone so I can at least see what I’m missing.

I hope you’re having a great summer so far and I look forward to hearing how your outdoor activities have enriched your life.

OHC Wildflower Set 2 @handbookofnaturestudy — 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

How Do You Join?

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 week 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…
A photo I would like to share…

August 2017 – Mammals at the Zoo

Purchase the Ultimate Naturalist membership this week and receive a $5 discount.

Outdoor Hour Challenges for families since 2008!