Clover Archives

Posted on February 13, 2022March 19, 2023 by Barb — 6 Comments

Clover or Shamrock Homeschool Nature Study

Enjoy a clover or shamrock homeschool nature study this spring and learn about this abundant ground cover you likely have in your own backyard.

Clover or Shamrock Homeschool Nature Study Inside Preparation Work

1. Read in the Handbook of Nature Study pages 591-598. These pages cover three sections in the Handbook of Nature Study but are closely related. I encourage you to read all the pages even if you do not think you have the particular clover in your area. Use your highlighter to mark sections you found interesting and that at some point you want to share with your children in the follow-up activity.

“The clover head is made up of many little flowers; each one has a tubular calyx with five delicate points and a little stalk to hold it up into the world. In shape, the corolla is much like that of the sweet pea, and each secretes nectar at its base. The outside blossoms open first; and as soon as they are open, the honey bees, which eagerly visit white clover wherever it is growing, begin at once their work of gathering nectar and carrying pollen…”
Handbook of Nature Study, page 597

<br><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J3RNeXo04M">This video</a> will give you a good idea of what clover looks like and how bees move from one flower to the next.</p> <p>This video will give you a good idea of how bees move from clover to clover. </p> <p>You can do an internet search for each of these kinds of clover so you and your children will know what you are looking for during your Outdoor Hour time this week. I use Google Images. You may wish to preview any searches.</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.thespruce.com/irish-shamrocks-and-4-leaf-clovers-2130966" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">What is the difference between clover and shamrock</a>?</li> <li>White Clover</li> <li>Red Clover (Vermont’s State Flower)</li> <li>Buffalo Clover</li> <li>Crimson Clover</li> <li>Rabbit Clover</li> </ul> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20683'%3E%3C/svg%3E" alt="Enjoy a clover or shamrock homeschool nature study this spring and learn about this abundant ground cover you likely have in your backyard." class="wp-image-28937" data-lazy-srcset="https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Shamrock-Homeschool-Nature-Study-1024x683.png 1024w, https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Shamrock-Homeschool-Nature-Study-300x200.png 300w, https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Shamrock-Homeschool-Nature-Study-600x400.png 600w, https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Shamrock-Homeschool-Nature-Study-768x512.png 768w, https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Shamrock-Homeschool-Nature-Study-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Shamrock-Homeschool-Nature-Study-2048x1365.png 2048w" data-lazy-sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" data-lazy-src="https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Shamrock-Homeschool-Nature-Study-1024x683.png" /><noscript><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Shamrock-Homeschool-Nature-Study-1024x683.png" alt="Enjoy a clover or shamrock homeschool nature study this spring and learn about this abundant ground cover you likely have in your backyard." class="wp-image-28937" srcset="https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Shamrock-Homeschool-Nature-Study-1024x683.png 1024w, https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Shamrock-Homeschool-Nature-Study-300x200.png 300w, https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Shamrock-Homeschool-Nature-Study-600x400.png 600w, https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Shamrock-Homeschool-Nature-Study-768x512.png 768w, https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Shamrock-Homeschool-Nature-Study-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Shamrock-Homeschool-Nature-Study-2048x1365.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></noscript></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-nature-study-outdoor-time"><strong>Your Nature Study Outdoor Time</strong></h2> <p><br>2. Your outdoor time this week can be spent in your yard or at a near-by park. Look for areas of lawn or pastures that may include clover. You may find clover at the edges of trails as well so keep your eyes out as you have your outdoor time this week.</p> <p>3. Another subject for your outdoor hour time could be the honeybee. The relationship between clover and honeybees is a beneficial one and if you can observe bees in the clover you have witnessed a great partnership.</p> <p>4. Pollen can be a topic for your outdoor hour time if you don’t find clover or honeybees. </p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20683'%3E%3C/svg%3E" alt="Is it four leaf clover or shamrock?" class="wp-image-28942" data-lazy-srcset="https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Is-it-four-leaf-clover-or-shamrock-1024x683.png 1024w, https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Is-it-four-leaf-clover-or-shamrock-300x200.png 300w, https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Is-it-four-leaf-clover-or-shamrock-600x400.png 600w, https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Is-it-four-leaf-clover-or-shamrock-768x512.png 768w, https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Is-it-four-leaf-clover-or-shamrock-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Is-it-four-leaf-clover-or-shamrock-2048x1365.png 2048w" data-lazy-sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" data-lazy-src="https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Is-it-four-leaf-clover-or-shamrock-1024x683.png" /><noscript><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Is-it-four-leaf-clover-or-shamrock-1024x683.png" alt="Is it four leaf clover or shamrock?" class="wp-image-28942" srcset="https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Is-it-four-leaf-clover-or-shamrock-1024x683.png 1024w, https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Is-it-four-leaf-clover-or-shamrock-300x200.png 300w, https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Is-it-four-leaf-clover-or-shamrock-600x400.png 600w, https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Is-it-four-leaf-clover-or-shamrock-768x512.png 768w, https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Is-it-four-leaf-clover-or-shamrock-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Is-it-four-leaf-clover-or-shamrock-2048x1365.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></noscript></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clover-or-shamrock-follow-up-activity"><strong>Clover or Shamrock Follow-Up Activity</strong></h2> <p><br>5. After your outdoor time, make sure to discuss with your children what interested them from shamrock homeschool nature study this week. They may be more interested in learning about something they observed and our job as parents is to help them answer their questions. Use the <em>Handbook of Nature Study </em>by looking up the topic in the index or the table of contents. You can also look on the Handbook of Nature Study blog and see if we have covered the topic in a previous Outdoor Hour Challenge.</p> <p>In the <em>Handbook of Nature Study</em>, on page 593, there is a section on nodules. The nodules will be found as little “swellings” on the roots of clover. These nodules have an important job which is explained in the <em>Handbook of Nature Study</em> on the same page. Make sure to read this section to yourself so when you have your follow-up activity you will be prepared to talk about nodules.</p> <p>5. On page 594 in the lesson, #3 suggests that you take up the clover plant and look at its roots. This would make a great addition to your nature journal. Sketch the whole clover plant and then perhaps one of the flowers.</p> <p>6. On page 598 in the lesson, #5 suggests that you tie a string around a clover head that has not yet blossomed. This way you can observe the same flower over a period of several days. You could record each day’s observations in your nature journal either in words or as a sketch.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rainy-day-enjoy-a-clover-or-shamrock-study-indoors"><strong>Rainy Day? Enjoy A Clover or Shamrock Study Indoors!</strong></h2> <p>Amy Law shares, “Rainy day by you, too? It doesn’t have to keep you from nature study! In honor of Saint Patrick’s day, we decided to do the nature study lesson on Shamrocks! We dashed through the raindrops to grab some clover, spent time learning more about this important plant, watched a video of a bee in clover, and did a chalk Pastel lesson with Nana! (All with the nature study calendar!) What a lovely way to spend a rainy afternoon.”</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <iframe loading="lazy" title="How to Study Shamrocks or Clover When It is Rainy Outside" width="980" height="551" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/knEMxdGUud8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen>

Your Nature Study Outdoor Time

2. Your outdoor time this week can be spent in your yard or at a near-by park. Look for areas of lawn or pastures that may include clover. You may find clover at the edges of trails as well so keep your eyes out as you have your outdoor time this week.

3. Another subject for your outdoor hour time could be the honeybee. The relationship between clover and honeybees is a beneficial one and if you can observe bees in the clover you have witnessed a great partnership.

4. Pollen can be a topic for your outdoor hour time if you don’t find clover or honeybees.

Clover or Shamrock Follow-Up Activity

5. After your outdoor time, make sure to discuss with your children what interested them from shamrock homeschool nature study this week. They may be more interested in learning about something they observed and our job as parents is to help them answer their questions. Use the Handbook of Nature Study by looking up the topic in the index or the table of contents. You can also look on the Handbook of Nature Study blog and see if we have covered the topic in a previous Outdoor Hour Challenge.

In the Handbook of Nature Study, on page 593, there is a section on nodules. The nodules will be found as little “swellings” on the roots of clover. These nodules have an important job which is explained in the Handbook of Nature Study on the same page. Make sure to read this section to yourself so when you have your follow-up activity you will be prepared to talk about nodules.

5. On page 594 in the lesson, #3 suggests that you take up the clover plant and look at its roots. This would make a great addition to your nature journal. Sketch the whole clover plant and then perhaps one of the flowers.

6. On page 598 in the lesson, #5 suggests that you tie a string around a clover head that has not yet blossomed. This way you can observe the same flower over a period of several days. You could record each day’s observations in your nature journal either in words or as a sketch.

Rainy Day? Enjoy A Clover or Shamrock Study Indoors!

Amy Law shares, “Rainy day by you, too? It doesn’t have to keep you from nature study! In honor of Saint Patrick’s day, we decided to do the nature study lesson on Shamrocks! We dashed through the raindrops to grab some clover, spent time learning more about this important plant, watched a video of a bee in clover, and did a chalk Pastel lesson with Nana! (All with the nature study calendar!) What a lovely way to spend a rainy afternoon.”

@AmyLaw on Instagram

More Clover or Shamrock Homeschool Nature Study Ideas

Here are some optional activities for you to enjoy in your homeschool.

Find some clover honey at your grocery store and enjoy it on bread or in some herbal tea.
Grow clover as a cover crop in your garden. Here is a link for you to read and learn how to use your new knowledge of clover to an advantage. How to Grow Crimson Clover as a Cover Crop
Colors of the Garden: Shamrocks and Rudbeckia

Enjoy a shamrock video art lesson with Nana of our sister site, You ARE an ARTiST, as a follow up activity. You might also like The Perfect St. Patrick’s Day Unit Study with Art.

Homeschool Nature Study Membership for Backyard Nature Year Round!

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!

Join the Homeschool Nature Study Membership Today!

Please do tag us in your Outdoor Hour Time photographs on Instagram. We would love to see how your family is learning about the shamrocks in your homeschool.

Enjoy a clover or shamrock homeschool nature study this spring and learn about this abundant ground cover you likely have in your backyard.

written by Barb July 2009 and updated by Tricia February 2022

Posted on June 16, 2017 by Barb — Leave a comment

Outdoor Hour Challenge – Summer Clover

Outdoor Hour Challenge

Clover – Crop Plants

From the archives and in the Crop Plants ebook

Sometimes the best nature study subjects are those that are found right under our noses. Clover can be just one of those things! It grows amongst our grass and alongside our hiking trails, most of the time unnoticed by us in our busy lives.

Follow the inspiration of the bee and spy some clover this week to look at up close and personal. It is usually a plant found in abundance so go ahead and pick a few flowers to take inside for careful observation.

Use the suggestions in the Outdoor Hour Challenge for clover to get to know this plant better. As a more advanced study, learn more about the pea family of plants

You are welcome to take a look at our clover study done in the past: Clover in Our Grass.

Coming next week is the brand new Outdoor Hour Challenge Wildflower Set #2 ebook! Read more about it here: New Ebook Coming Soon.

Note these are affiliate links to products I love!

Download a FREE sample of A-Z Animal Notebooking Pages from NotebookingPages.com.

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Posted on May 11, 2010 by Barb — 4 Comments

Hike to the River: Spring Wildflowers

Friday we took a long afternoon hike to the river near our house. This is our usual trail but we went the entire distance to see how high the river is with some of the spring runoff from the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The wildflowers are amazing right now…here are a few favorites.

This was really the star of the wildflowers on this particular hike, mustang clover. This flower is blanketing the hillsides. What a show!

Here is a photo of it along the trail.

The other wildflower making its glorious appearance is the California poppy.

We made it to the bottom of the river canyon and realized our beach is completely covered in water right now. We had to be content to sit on the rocks and watch the water rush by.

On the way back up, we stopped for a break in the shade. The insects were buzzing and we even saw our first mosquitoes of the season.

Here is a new to me wildflower on this trail, purple monkeyflower. There was a patch growing right along the trail on a moist bank.

I also saw for the very first time on this trail some pearly everlasting.

Two new wildflowers to add to our running list for this trail.

Hope you enjoyed seeing our outing. We definitely had a wonderful time on this spring afternoon.

Posted on July 15, 2009 by Barb — 3 Comments

Clover…In Our Grass: Our Outdoor Hour Challenge

We have so much clover in our grass right now that this challenge was very easy! We also identified a new plant that we thought was a kind of clover, later determining that it was not clover but a kind of verbena. We definitely have white clover in our grass and the bees love it.

We didn’t have to wait long for the bees to show up when we were observing our clover plants.

The other plant that we found growing in our grass is Self-heal. (Thanks Diana for the correct identification on this plant.) The purple flowers are spiraled around the top of the plant. It is growing right alongside the clover and grass.

We tried to observe the nodules on the clover root, but we were not very successful. I think we need to find a place where the ground is softer and we can really dig up the entire plant. Perhaps we can pull out the magnifying glass as well and look closer.

We dug up a self-heal plant as well and compared the roots, stem, and flower to that of the white clover.

The boys started the suggested clover study from page 598 (number 5) in the Handbook of Nature Study and recorded the first day on theirCrop Plants Notebook Page.

“The clover head is made up of many little flowers; each one has a tubular calyx with five delicate points and a little stalk to hold it up into the world. In shape, the corolla is much like that of the sweet pea, and each secretes nectar at its base. The outside blossoms open first; and as soon as they are open, the honey bees, which eagerly visit white clover wherever it is growing, begin at once their work of gathering nectar and carrying pollen…” Handbook of Nature Study, page 597

We have seen other kinds of clover over the last few months and once you can distinguish its appearance, you start to see clover all over the place.

Crop Plants Notebook Pages – Companion to the Crop Plants Challenges

Custom made notebook pages for each crop plant challenge. I have designed simple to use pages that will complement each challenge and will be an easy way to start a nature journal. Each of the eight notebook pages is in full color, but they are just as great in black and white. These notebook pages can be purchased for $2.50. View a sample here: Crop Plants Notebook Pages Sample.

Posted on July 10, 2009 by Barb — 2 Comments

Garden Nature Study – Crop Plants Notebook Pages