I have been reading through the Handbook of Nature Study’s section on plants…especially wildflowers, weeds, and garden flowers and I realized that we have a long list of flowers that we need to include in our nature journals.
“The only right way to begin plant study with young children is through awakening their interest in and love for flowers.”
Handbook of Nature Study, page 453
So in order to make myself accountable and to include you in the study, I have outlined a schedule of flowers to include over the next few weeks. Please feel free to make your own list of flowers using the Handbook of Nature Study.
Here is our list:
Flowers Blooming Already or That We Can Study Right Now
Violet (page 476) Finished 3/18/09. Here is a LINK.
Buttercup (page 516) Finished 4/27/09. Here is a LINK.
Tulip (page 552) Finished 4/1/09. Here is a LINK.
California Poppy (page 531) Finished 4/8/09. Here is a LINK.
Petunias (page 581) Finished 4/20/09. Here is a LINK.
Mullein (page 537) Finished 5/5/09. Here is a LINK.
Dandelion (page 531) Finished 3/25/09. Here is a LINK.
Flowers that We’ll Study in Addition to Those Above
Bleeding Heart (page 558) Finished 4/15/09. Here is a LINK.
Bachelor’s Buttons (page 578)Finished 5/20/09. Here is a LINK.
Sweet Peas (page 588) Finished 5/27/09. Here is a LINK.
Queen Anne’s Lace (page 542) Finished 6/3/09. Here is a LINK.
I think that should keep us busy for a few weeks. I realize that everyone’s list will be different and I look forward to seeing what your family finds to study.
I think we will start with the violet this week and perhaps the dandelion as well.
We will read through the pages in the Handbook of Nature Study and then use the observation ideas to go out and really take a look at our violets.There are a lot of ideas for nature study in the Handbook section on violets but first and foremost we will just enjoy the beauty and fragrance as we begin our flower study this week.
I am going to try to get the boys to join me for nature journal entries as well. One son has switched over to pressing flowers for his nature journal and one son would rather take photos so you will get to see a variety of types of nature journals as we go through the next few weeks.
Here is a link to wildflower coloring pages if you are interested in including something like that in your nature journal or as a way to see how to sketch them yourselves.
Wildflower Coloring Pages
So pick one flower this week and get started!
One flower, one tree, one bird at a time. It works.
Love this idea. I’d like to try to do what you’ve suggested here. We spent a little while studying the blooms on our peach tree & Kathryn remembered all the names of the flower parts! Yay!
I would love to see your peach blossoms….that would make a great flower study!
Post about it and come back and share!
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
I have found Thomas Elpel’s “Botany in a Day” to be very useful in plant identification. It organizes plants according to the families and tells you what to look for to determine if it is in that family. Once you know the family, it is easier to identify.
-Phyllis
Thanks for the book recommendation Phyllis. I am off to check it out.
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
I love this idea. We’ve already made up a list and got started.
Thanks Barb – everywhere we look these days there is a flower – this is a nice way to focus.
I just wanted to tell you how encouraging you are. Just reading a couple of your posts makes me want to grab my guides and hand lens and camera and colored pencils and go rooting around the common areas outside.
It has taken us some time to mentally shake off winter. Your posts have played a part in waking up our spring senses. Thanks.
Now, off to see if flowering cherry trees made the Handbook.