Creepy Things Archives

Posted on July 18, 2022July 24, 2022 by Barb — Leave a comment

Outdoor Hour Challenge: Cicada Homeschool Nature Study

This cicada homeschool nature study will be a lesson in learning to listen and distinguish the sound of the cicada. In the past we’ve listened in the evenings for other insects like the cricket. Now we’re going to learn about the cicada by listening and observing like investigators during the daylight.

Cicada Homeschool Nature Study

Use this link to learn a little about the cicada: Very informative website with photos, sounds, and descriptions of North American cicadas. Note that some appear periodically, every 13 or 17 years: Cicada Mania.

See the Creepy things Homeschool Nature Study curriculum for more cicada nature study ideas, videos, and printables!

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An alternative nature study would be the cricket or the grasshopper.

You may be interested in reading this about cicadas:

“But the most distinctive peculiarity, which has no parallel in any of the other groups, appears in the organs of sound (of the males). These consist of two large parchment sacs, ribbed and gathered into numerous plaits, furnished with powerful muscles, and situated in large cavities at the base of the abdomen. When in action, the air is driven in great force against the ribbed surfaces, and vibrations are set up which produce the sound in accordance with the number and form of the fluted spaces and ribs.”
An Introduction to Entomology
By John H. Comstock and Anna Botsford Comstock.

Please note that I will not be posting the complete challenge here on the blog. You’ll find the detailed challenge in the Creepy Things Curriculum that’s available at the annual level of Homeschool Nature Study. Sign into your account and download the curriculum for the details, more links, and notebook pages.

This cicada homeschool nature study will be a lesson in learning to listen and distinguish the sound of the cicada. In the past we’ve listened in the evenings for other insects like the cricket. Now we’re going to learn about the cicada by listening and observing like investigators during the daylight.

If you don’t have a membership yet, join today for immediate access to the courses, matching downloadable curriculum and so much more!

Topics in this Creepy Things Course and Homeschool Nature Study curriculum include:

Banana slug
Tarantula
Black widow
Scorpion
Leech
Muskrat
Sphinx moth
Cicada
Millipede
Poison oak

More Cicada Resources for You!

Our sister website, You ARE an ARTiST, has a cicada art lesson with Nana.

Join Homeschool Nature Study Membership Today!

Posted on August 28, 2020 by Barb — Leave a comment

Outdoor Hour Challenge: Poison Oak Nature Study

Brand New! Outdoor Hour Challenge

Poison Oak Nature Study

I raised my four children in California. Poison oak was always a part of our outdoor time together. Whether it was hiking a favorite trail, or just visiting grandparents, poison oak was just a part of the landscape. It was very important to me that my children could spot poison oak and avoid any contact as much as possible.

Here is something you can teach your children:

Leaves of three… let it be!

Use this week’s Outdoor Hour Challenge to prepare your family for a possible encounter with poison oak in your future.

Gather some facts about poison oak:

Read about poison oak in your field guide or online here: Poison Oak.
Here’s a printable information sheet about poison oak: USDA Poison Oak.

Make sure to look at the images so you can easily identify this poisonous plant during your outdoor time. As an alternate study, you could learn about poison ivy instead.

See the Creepy things ebook for more poison oak nature study ideas, videos, and printables!

Please note that I will not be posting the complete challenge here on the blog. You’ll find the detailed challenge in the Creepy Things ebook that’s available both in the Ultimate Naturalist and Journey level memberships. Sign into your account and download the ebook for the details, more links, and notebook pages.

Download a sample from the Creepy Things ebook here: Banana Slug Nature Study.

We will soon be finishing up this Creepy Things series of nature studies and starting the Autumn Nature Study (2015 edition) ebook. It hardly seems possible that it’s time for the new school year to begin. But, I’m anxious to welcome all of the new families that will be joining us on September 4^th.

It’s not too late to purchase a membership and become a part of the Outdoor Hour Challenge.

Posted on August 21, 2020 by Barb — Leave a comment

Outdoor Hour Challenge: Millipede Nature Study

Brand New! Outdoor Hour Challenge

Millipede Nature Study

This time of year as the weather cools off, many of us head for the woods and trails of our neighborhoods. A favorite child friendly activity is to look under things like fallen leaves and rocks. You may be rewarded with finding some interesting and unique creatures dwelling in these hidden spots.

The millipede may be one of those things you could discover on an autumn’s day hike. Be prepared for this occurrence by using the information in the Outdoor Hour Challenge for millipedes.

Would you like to learn about the millipede?

The millipede is a wormlike invertebrate with an exoskeleton, segmented body, and jointed legs. Each body segment has two pairs of legs. The body is cylindrical or flattened and they have short antennae.
Video showing the millipede up close: Millipede.

See the Creepy things ebook for more millipede nature study ideas, videos, and printables!

Members here on the Handbook of Nature Study have access to these printables in their Library to supplement this week’s millipede study: Under a Rock Notebook Page and Under the Fallen Leaves Notebook Page.

Alternate study this week: Earthworms.

If you don’t have a membership yet, click the graphic above and join today for immediate access to the 26 ebooks and so much more!

Use discount code GETSTARTED to receive $10 off an Ultimate Naturalist Library membership. Code expires September 19, 2020.

We’re getting ready to start a new series of Outdoor Hour Challenges in September. Join us for the Autumn Nature Study ebook series (2015).

Posted on August 7, 2020 by Barb — Leave a comment

Outdoor Hour Challenge: Sphinx Moth Nature Study

The first time I saw a sphinx moth, I thought it was a hummingbird! It flew into my house and started flying around a vase of flowers we had on the kitchen table. It took a minute before I realized that it wasn’t a hummingbird but a very big flying insect. I have since seen several more while at the garden nursery and even in my own yard a few times when we lived in California.

I no longer think of these large flying insects as creepy but I include them in the Creepy Things series of Outdoor Hour Challenges so you can learn to appreciate their beauty too!

Don’t know what a sphinx moth is? Use these ideas to learn more:

Use an insect field guide to gather facts about the sphinx moth.
Use this link to learn more about the white lined sphinx moth.
Read lesson 75 in the Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock.

See the Creepy Things ebook for more sphinx moth nature study ideas, videos, and printables!

Alternate study this week: Moths – Summer ebook and another moth study

If you don’t have a membership yet, click the graphic above and join today for immediate access to the 26 ebooks and so much more! Remember that all levels, even the Discovery level membership, include access to all of the archived newsletters!

Topics in this ebook include:

Banana slug
Tarantula
Black widow
Scorpion
Leech
Muskrat
Sphinx moth
Cicada
Millipede
Poison oak

Posted on July 31, 2020 by Barb — Leave a comment

Outdoor Hour Challenge: Muskrat Nature Study

This week’s nature study topic is the muskrat. Muskrats get their common name from the musk or fragrance they emit to attract a mate and to mark a territory. This is just one of the interesting facts about this mammal that you can learn from your study of the muskrat. Use the links below to get started and learn alongside your child.

Research the muskrat in a field guide or a book you find at your local library. Here’s an online resource for this challenge: Common Muskrat. This one is also very informative: Common Muskrat.

Alternate study this week

You may choose to complete a related study learning more about:

Outdoor Hour Challenge – Beaver

Outdoor Hour Challenge – Mouse (More Nature Study Summer Ebook)

Outdoor Hour Challenge – Rat

See the Creepy things ebook for more muskrat nature study ideas, videos, and printables!

Topics in this ebook include:

Banana slug
Tarantula
Black widow
Scorpion
Leech
Muskrat
Sphinx moth
Cicada
Millipede
Poison oak

Use the discount code SUMMERNATURE for $10 off an Ultimate Naturalist Library membership.

Code expires 8/1/2020.

Posted on July 24, 2020 by Barb — Leave a comment

Outdoor Hour Challenge:Leech Nature Study

Did you know?

Leeches are flattened, segmented worms found in a variety of freshwater aquatic environments, including lakes, ponds, marshes, springs and slow streams.

Please Note: In North America, there are probably more freshwater leeches that don’t feed on blood than there are blood-feeders.

Use these links to learn a little about the leech:

If you have an invertebrate field guide, look up leeches. Read the information to know where to look and what to look for during your Outdoor Hour Time.
Use this link to learn more about the leech: Biokids

Alternate study this week

Seasonal Pond Study: This is a great start to a pond study and it includes a printable notebook page.

See the Creepy things ebook for more leech nature study ideas, videos, and printables!

Topics in this ebook include:

Banana slug
Tarantula
Black widow
Scorpion
Leech
Muskrat
Sphinx moth
Cicada
Millipede
Poison oak

Posted on July 17, 2020 by Barb — Leave a comment

Outdoor Hour Challenge: Scorpion Nature Study

I hope I don’t encounter a scorpion this month! But after using the links, videos, and information in this week’s challenge, I’ll be ready to look for the interesting and amazing traits of a scorpion.

Use these links to learn a little about the scorpion:

If you have an insect/spider field guide, look up scorpions to learn some facts for identification. Use this link to learn more about the desert scorpion: Desert USA.
Here are some images to view with your children: Bugguide.com.

See the Creepy Things ebook for more scorpion nature study ideas, videos, and printables!

Print the Creepy Things ebook sample here: Creepy Things Ebook Sample

Please note that I will not be posting the complete challenge here on the blog, but you will find the detailed challenge in the Creepy Things ebook. It’s available both in the Ultimate Naturalist and Journey level memberships. Sign into your account and download the ebook for the details, more links, and notebook pages.

Topics in this ebook include:

Banana slug
Tarantula
Black widow
Scorpion
Leech
Muskrat
Sphinx moth
Cicada
Millipede
Poison oak

Posted on July 10, 2020 by Barb — Leave a comment

Outdoor Hour Challenge: Black Widow Nature Study

We are continuing our summer of “creepy things” nature study by studying the black widow spider. Use this lesson to learn in detail about the black widow spider. I’ve included information for both younger and more advanced students to capture your whole family’s attention with this nature study lesson.

An alternative nature study idea this week is to study spider webs.

Use these links to learn a little about the black widow:

I found this printable fact sheet for the Black Widow Spider to download. This link is perfect for younger students: Black Widow Spider. Here’s an additional link to information about the black widow: National Geographic.
This spider is venomous and will be painful if you handle it and get a bite! Watch this video to see a black widow up close and listen to the warnings and the advice given: Will It Bite?

See the Creepy Things ebook for more black widow nature study ideas and printables!

Print the Creepy Things ebook sample here: Creepy Things Ebook Sample

Topics in this ebook include:

Banana slug
Tarantula
Black widow
Scorpion
Leech
Muskrat
Sphinx moth
Cicada
Millipede
Poison oak

Posted on June 26, 2020 by Barb — Leave a comment

Outdoor Hour Challenge Banana Slug Nature Study

Brand New Outdoor Hour Challenge – Banana Slug

Creepy Things series of challenges

This week we’re starting a new series of Outdoor Hour Challenges from the Creepy Things ebook! If you download the sample for this new ebook, it contains the Outdoor Hour Challenge for banana slugs!

Use this sample challenge to get you started with the new series:

Creepy Things ebook sample-Banana Slugs.

Our first creepy thing topic is the banana slug! We’ve encountered banana slugs on our hikes in the redwoods and at the California and Oregon coast. These creepy things are actually quite beautiful when you take a look at them up close. They move so slowly that you can avoid them if you want to, so they really aren’t to be feared as creatures. Learning how they play a vital role in keeping the forest floor clean and tidy is one way to show their value and necessity in the whole forest ecosystem.

Use these links to learn a little about the banana slug:

Do your research before you look for banana slugs. Here are some links to check out for information: Banana Slug-Creature Feature, Deep Look-Banana Slug and Animal Diversity Web-Banana Slugs.
Watch this informative video: Banana Slugs.

See the Creepy things ebook for more banana slug nature study ideas and printables!

Please note that I won’t be posting the complete challenge here on the blog, but you will find the detailed challenge in the Creepy Things ebook that’s available both in the Ultimate Naturalist and Journey level memberships. Sign into your account and download the ebook for the details, more links, and notebook pages.

If you don’t have a membership yet, you can click the graphic above and join today for immediate access to the 26 ebooks and so much more! Remember that all levels, even the Discovery level membership, include access to all of the archived newsletters!

Topics in this ebook include:

Banana slug
Tarantula
Black widow
Scorpion
Leech
Muskrat
Sphinx moth
Cicada
Millipede
Poison oak

Use the discount code NATURESTUDYFUN for $10 off an Ultimate Naturalist Membership!

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?

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

Tag: Creepy Things

Outdoor Hour Challenge: Cicada Homeschool Nature Study

Cicada Homeschool Nature Study

More Cicada Resources for You!

Outdoor Hour Challenge: Poison Oak Nature Study

Outdoor Hour Challenge: Millipede Nature Study

Use discount code GETSTARTED to receive $10 off an Ultimate Naturalist Library membership. Code expires September 19, 2020.

Outdoor Hour Challenge: Sphinx Moth Nature Study

Outdoor Hour Challenge: Muskrat Nature Study

Use the discount code SUMMERNATURE for $10 off an Ultimate Naturalist Library membership.

Code expires 8/1/2020.

Outdoor Hour Challenge:Leech Nature Study

Outdoor Hour Challenge: Scorpion Nature Study

Outdoor Hour Challenge: Black Widow Nature Study

Outdoor Hour Challenge Banana Slug Nature Study

Use this sample challenge to get you started with the new series:

Creepy Things ebook sample-Banana Slugs.

Use the discount code NATURESTUDYFUN for $10 off an Ultimate Naturalist Membership!

New Ebook – Creepy Things with New Challenges!

Outdoor Hour Challenges for families since 2008!