Have a fun adventure exploring a spot close to home! Here are our best tips for nature study at a creek.
Seven tips for homeschool nature study at a creek
- If it’s well-shaded, go on a hot day. It’s amazing to see the temperature drop when you start wading. God’s air-conditioning. 😉
- Grab a friend or a cousin to go with you! You never know what they will find, too!
- Take your time. There is always so much to see in this environment, but sometimes you have to take a little more time to look closely.
- Bring along a net and a bucket to help you catch water creatures and observe them more closely.
- Don’t forget to gently release the animals where you found them! (Did you see how fast that stick bug disappeared when we let him go?!)
- Check the shoreline for insects and other animals that like to live near a creek.
- Keep going back to the same spot every once in a while! It’s so fun to see the changing seasons in one place, and learn what you’ll find there at different times of the year.
A Year Long Brook Homeschool Nature Study
November (or any time of year) is a lovely time to begin a year long study of a creek or brook. We hope that you all have a very blessed Thanksgiving with your friends and family. After all that preparation and fun, a gentle walk beside your local creek or brook might be in order.
Everything you need to guide you through starting a year long homeschool nature study on your local brook or stream can be found for our members in the November Outdoor Hour Challenges post. Let’s not waste anymore time, bundle up and let’s get outdoors!
While you are at it, Celebrate National Hiking Day in November!
Support For Your Homeschool Nature Study
We’ve heard from families that they were reluctant to start a nature study plan, stating that they thought it would restrict their freedom to focus on one topic. But, they found that having a focus each week actually helped them to stay regular at getting outside and it helped them be better at taking a few minutes to learn about an object they encountered, even if it wasn’t the original aim for getting outdoors.
We make it easy with resources you can use at your own pace and on your own schedule. Or, you may choose to follow our annual nature study plans closely and have everything at your fingertips.
Be inspired. Be encouraged. Get outdoors!
-by Amy Law
Amy Law is wife to Jeremy, and mom to three. They homeschool using Charlotte Mason’s principles, and love to spend lots of time in nature! You can often find them hiking the beautiful trails of their beloved Tennessee hills, while Amy attempts to capture the beauty of it all with her camera lens.