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Project Based Homeschool Nature Study: Keeping a Calendar of Firsts

Keeping a perpetual calendar of nature firsts is a wonderful long-term nature study project for families. It’s a simple way to learn the cycle of life in your world, noting the nature firsts that catch your attention each year. Comparing the dates of the firsts in nature will give you a more accurate telling of the passage of time.

Keeping a perpetual calendar of nature firsts is a wonderful long-term nature study project for families. It’s a simple way to learn the cycle of life in your world, noting the nature firsts that catch your attention each year. Comparing the dates of the firsts in nature will give you a more accurate telling of the passage of time.

Keeping a Calendar of Nature Firsts

Calendars: It’s a great idea to have children keep a calendar to record when and where they saw the first oak leaf, the first tadpole, the first primrose, the first ripe blackberries. Then next year they can pull out the calendar and know when to anticipate seeing these things again, and they can note new discoveries. Imagine how this will add enthusiasm for daily walks and nature hikes! A day won’t go by when something isn’t seen to excite them.

Charlotte Mason-in modern English
calendar of firsts nature study

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(Note that members have this printable in your Planning Resources course in Homeschool Nature Study membership!)

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    You can use a calendar page for each month with the list of days down the side or a more traditional grid style calendar where you fill in the boxes as you go. Whichever way you choose will work if you just remember to weekly take a minute or two to note any nature firsts you observed. Make sure to record the date (including year), time, and or location of your observation.

    Keeping a calendar of firsts a great project based activity for your homeschool nature study. Here's how to make it work.

    Nature Study Items To Look For Each Year

    • First elk
    • First ground squirrels
    • First snow
    • First robin, junco, swallow, hummingbird
    • Last leaves on the aspen (Yes, you can keep track of “lasts” as well.)
    • First campfire of the season
    • First fire in the wood stove
    Keeping a calendar of firsts a great project based activity for your homeschool nature study. Here's how to make it work.

    More Nature Study Firsts for You to Observe in Your Homeschool

    • First bee seen
    • Frogs chirping– first day heard
    • First mosquito bite
    • First skunk smell
    • First trillium or other wildflower blooming
    • First acorns on the ground
    • First green grass
    • First tulips blooming
    • First day warm enough for shorts and t-shirts
    • First freezing temperatures
    • First snowfall

    As you can see from the list, you are not limited to any one season or any one area for your firsts. Challenge your children to come up with some nature firsts of their own.

    A calendar of firsts can be kept by the entire family or by each individual child. The observations can be listed in words and/or pictures!

    The beauty of this project is that it can be started at any time and can be completed over many years with no guilt if you forget to record something for a period of time. If that happens, just pick up where you left off.

    Keeping a calendar of firsts a great project based activity for your homeschool nature study. Here's how to make it work.

    More Ways to Include Nature Study in Your Homeschool

    Here are a few more ideas you might enjoy:

    Be inspired. Be encouraged. Get outdoors!

    Written by Outdoor Hour Challenge founder, Barb McCoy in 2015. Updated by Tricia 2022.

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    Planning Nature Study for the Year

    There are many ways to go about planning a more formal schedule for nature study. Typically, families plan their nature study either by the month or by the school term (usually 4 terms per year). Either way is easy to do using the nature study planning pages available in the Member’s Library here on the Handbook of Nature Study.

    Planning Monthly Nature Study for Your Family @handbookofnaturestudyYou can read how to use these printable planning pages by reading the entry in the archives:

    Planning Nature Study for the Year.

    Nature Planner Graphic Button 2020 2021

    Members also have access to the nature planner pages that I have created especially to go along with the 2020-2021 Outdoor Hour Challenges. These pages will give you a variety of things to use in your nature study plans.

    Highlighted on the nature planner pages are simple nature study ideas that you can include in your weekly outdoor time. These ideas include nature table ideas, seasonal ideas, suggestions for member’s library printables that complement the Outdoor Hour challenge topics, nature photo ideas, field trip ideas, and alternate study suggestions.

    Nature Planner Page Sample 2020

    Download Sample: September Planner Page

    I invite you to use the resources available in the Ultimate Naturalist Library to plan an outstanding nature study year.

    Join Us Ultimate Naturalist June 2020

     

     

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    August Planning Page and Printables

    August 2018 Nature Planning Page – Print Your Copy Here!

    August 2018 Nature Planning Page

    Download your copy here: August 2018 Nature Planning Page

    Eagle Nature Study Notebook PageRattlesnake notebook page image

    Seashore Observations Notebook Page Activity

    In addition, I’ve created three new printables for you to use this month as well.

    Seashore Observations: This is an exciting new printable activity that you can take with you to the beach. It helps your family through making some observations and then a scavenger hunt!

    Rattlesnake Notebook Pages: This set of three notebooking pages will give you a spot in your nature journal to record what you learn and/or observe with rattlesnakes.

    Eagle Notebook Page: Here’s another page in our on-going bird series for the eagle. We’ve seen so many eagles this summer that it just has to be featured on one of my nature journal pages. I invite you to do the research and then look for eagles soon!

    Printables for Members Button

    Print a complete list of printables available in the Ultimate and Journey level memberships by clicking the button above.

     

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    July Planner Page and Printables

    July 2018 Nature Study Planning Page

    July 2018 Nature Planning Page

    Download your copy here: July 2018 Planning Page

     

    The month of July is typically hot, sometimes too hot for a lengthy nature study session during the afternoon hours. But, using the ideas linked on the planner page, you may find a perfect summer time routine that includes fifteen minutes of nature study using the Outdoor Hour Challenges. Keep it simple and carve out the time to be with your children as you explore your yard and neighborhood during July.

    Tree Set imageNut Study Notebook Page image

    In addition, I’ve created a few new printables for you to use this month as well. These are available to Ultimate and Journey level members.

    • Tree Study Notebook Pages: These beautiful pages are perfect for using after your study of the sequoia, aspen, birch, and spruce trees.

    Note: I will be creating more tree pages in the future. If you have a particular tree you would like featured on a notebooking page, let me know in an email or comment and I will add it to my “to do list”.

    • Nut Study Notebook Page: This is a simple and fun way to pull some nature study into your daily life. Take the time to research your favorite nuts and then make a record of it for your nature journal.

    Printables for Members Button

    Print a complete list of printables available in the Ultimate and Journey level memberships by clicking the button above

    Ultimate Naturalist Library September 2017 @handbookofnaturestudy

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    May 2018 Planning Page and Printables

    May 2018 Nature Planning Page – Print Your Copy Here!

    This month we are beginning with a new series of Outdoor Hour Challenges from the Summer Nature Study ebook. These challenges incorporate using your senses alongside observing nature in your neighborhood. All children should develop the ability to use all their senses when making careful observations. Focusing on these skills during nature study is a natural way to take their learning to a new level in a fun way.

    Farmers Market Printable Scavenger Hunt

    New May Printable: This month there’s a fun new printable Farmers Market activity in the Members Library. Look for it in the “garden” section of your membership!

    Please note there are additional nature study ideas listed on the planning page for you to use if you have access to the newsletter library. (Right now use the discount code OHC10 for $5 off any membership here on the Handbook of Nature Study.)

    ay 2018 Nature Planning Page

    Download your copy here: May 2018 Planning Page

    Printables for Members Button

    Members have access to lots of great printables including this month’s Farmers Market Scavenger Hunt printable.

    Print a complete list by clicking the button above.

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    March Planning Page and Printables

    March 2018 Nature Planning Page-Print out your own copy here!

    This month we are starting a series of bird nature study challenges as noted on the planning page. I am hoping you will join us as we learn more about the colorful birds all around us! Please note there are are additional nature study ideas listed on the planning page for you to use if you have access to the newsletter library. (Right now use the discount code OHC10 for $5 off any membership here on the Handbook of Nature Study.)

    Plus, I have included a poem for your nature journal…copy it into your journal if you wish.

    march 2018 Nature Planning   Page

    Download your copy here:March 2018 Nature study Planner Page

     

    Printables for Members Button
    New printables are now posted in the Member’s library!

    Members have access to several brand new printable notebook pages.

    1. Mammal Set #3 – Bison, Pronghorn, and Weasel: I have created three more notebook pages for mammals. These are less common to most of us but doing the research and then completing a notebook page with interesting facts will help you be prepared for a possible future sighting.

    2. Torpor: This page is for use by more advanced students after researching the term “torpor”.

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

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    February 2018 Planner and Printables

    February 2018 Nature Planning Page-Print out your own copy here!

    It’s already time for a new planning page! I am excited for another full month of winter nature study using the Outdoor Hour Challenges. There are some simple ideas in each challenge that you can try with your family or if you have access to the newsletter archives, there are additional resources and ideas to use for your February nature study time.

    February 2018 Nature Planning   Page

    Download your copy here:February 2018 Nature study Planner Page

     

    Printables for Members Button
    New printables are now posted in the Member’s library!

    february printables notebook pages

    Members have access to several brand new printable notebook pages.

    1. Tick Nature Study (set of 2 pages): If you want to study a common insect during your winter insect nature study time, use the 2 notebook pages in this set to record your facts and sketches.

    2. Mayfly Nature Study (set of 2 pages): Another interesting insect to study is the mayfly. Use these pages to add the information to your nature journal.

    3. Mammal Notebook Pages Set #2 – (set of 3 animals):  Use these pages to make a study of the North American Porcupine, the river otter, and the bobcat. Each animal has a set of three pages to use for various ages.

     

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

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    November Planning Page and Printables

    November 2017 Nature Planning    PageNovember 2017 Nature Planning Page-Print out your own copy here!

    Now that there is no longer a newsletter with a planning page, I decided that I am creating a printable page for you to use instead. Keep track of the month’s Outdoor Hour Challenge topics, be inspired to create a nature journal page, jot down notes for future study, and use the list of archived suggestions to go deeper into a particular topic.

    Download your copy here: November 2017 Nature study Planner Page

     

    Printables for Members Button
    New printables are now posted in the Member’s library!

    Members have two new printables to use this autumn.

    1. Autumn Insect Study Notebook Page: Use this page to record any autumn insects you discover during your outdoor time.
    2. Myrmecochory: Research the term myrmecochory and then write a summary of what you learned for your nature notebook. (Look for a blog entry that talks about this interesting topic soon!)

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

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    October Planner for the Outdoor Hour Challenge

    October 2017 Nature Planning     PageOctober 2017 Nature Planning Page-Print out your own copy here!

    Now that there is no longer a newsletter with a planning page, I decided that I wanted to create a printable page each month for us to use along with the Outdoor Hour Challenge

    I am going to do my best to make this available on the first of each month to make life easier.  Print the page and use it as a reminder of the month’s nature study topics. Note the newsletters from the archives listed on the planning page that members can access for additional nature study ideas and activities. Jot notes on the planning page as the month’s outdoor time unfolds and topics of interest pop up. Use any additional suggestions to keep your nature time interesting and fresh.

    Download your copy here: October 2017 Nature study Planner Page

    I am excited to get started with this particular series of challenges and I hope you are too!

     

    Printables for Members Button
    New printables are now posted in the Member’s library!

    Members have two new printables to use this autumn.

    1. Autumn Photo Project: It’s always fun to take on a photo challenge and this printable will be something that everyone in your family can use. There are two different photo challenge lists, one is a bit simpler for younger photographers. Print, cut the list out, and adhere it right into your nature journal as a reminder!
    2. Shrub Grid Study printable: This brand new printable is going to help you with your shrub studies. There is a study grid, bookmark list, four seasons shrub project, and a nature journal topper for you to choose from.

     

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

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    Planning Monthly Nature Study

    Planning Monthly Nature Study for Your Family @handbookofnaturestudy

    Last month I shared how to plan a nature study course for a year. This time I want to show you how to use the monthly ideas shared in the Handbook of Nature Study newsletter and each Friday here on the blog and make a monthly nature study plan. If you are a member here on the Handbook of Nature Study, there is a set of planning pages available in the printables section of your membership.

    Planning Monthly Nature Study planning page @handbookofnaturestudy

    Customize Your Monthly Nature Study Plans

    Think of all the ideas as ingredients. There are many options for your nature study recipe. Pick the ones that suit your family and your taste. Add them to the planner page and use that as a way to remind you of your options for the month. Don’t feel like you need to complete all the things you list on the planner page….I don’t. But, creating the list will make it more likely I will accomplish something during the month. Celebrate the things you are able to share with your family and look at this as a life long journey, taking one month at a time.

    • Handbook of Nature Study Newsletter – Download and print the newsletter each month. Read through the ideas presented and pick a few to put on your monthly planning page. Make sure to look on the planning page for nature photo ideas, nature table suggestions, and nature journal topics to jot down on your monthly planning page.
    • Ebooks- If you are following along with the Friday posts, pick one or two to include on your monthly planning page. (The month’s Friday topics are found on the planning page in the newsletter.)
    • Archives– You are welcome to pick an ebook from the library and pull challenges from there. Write the ebook title and the challenge title on your planning page.
    • Seasonal ideas- Use the seasonal ideas from the tab at the top of the website to find one or two seasonal ideas to pick from for your family.
    • Once a Month Nature Journal Idea – use the idea in the post to create a nature journal page for any of the items listed above.
    • Printables- If you are a member here on the Handbook of Nature Study, check out the printables in your library for additional ideas to include on your monthly planner.

     

    Does that overwhelm you? Here is an alternative that will be simple to try!

    Planning a year of nature study using the Handbook of Nature Study and the Outdoor Hour Challenge. Printables and examples for you to view and use.

    As an alternative, download the newsletter planning page and print the planning page out (usually it is the second page of the newsletter). Add ideas to the page that you would like to include for your monthly nature study time. Again, don’t feel like you need to do everything but use the planning page as a way to stimulate some nature study during your month.

    Any more questions!

    I hope this helps answer the frequently asked question about nature study planning for your family. Let me know if you have any other questions that I can answer in future posts!

     

    Ambleside Online Approved @handbookofnaturestudy