Outdoor Hour Challenges -Autumn Series
These ten challenges will help you include nature study as a part of your homeschooling day with just a little effort.
Keep this Squidoo Lens bookmarked because I will be adding each week's challenge here along with lots of additional ideas and resources for nature study as well as art and music appreciation ideas.
For more information see my blog: Handbook of Nature Study
Outdoor Hour Challenges -Autumn Series
Links to all the challenges on my blog with complete explanations.
- Autumn Series Announcement
- Read the original series announcement here at this link.
- Autumn Series Challenge #1 Cattails
- Instructions for completing the Autumn observation of your cattails.
- Autumn Series Challenge #2 Seasonal Tree Study
- Learn how to start a year long study of a tree in your own yard using the Handbook of Nature Study.
- Autumn Series Challenge #3 Goldenrod or Other Autumn Flowers
- Spend a week looking at autumn wildflowers. Goldenrod and asters should be blooming in many parts of North America. As an alternative you can study a chrysanthemum that you purchase at the garden nursery along with Lesson 131 on the composite flower.
- Autumn Series Challenge #4 Oaks and Acorns
- This week we will be looking for oaks and acorns to study.
- Autumn Series Challenge #5 Pumpkins
- This challenge features a complete study of a pumpkin.
- Autumn Series Challenge #6 Seasonal Weather Study
- Using suggestions from the Handbook of Nature Study, this week's challenge is to make weather observations in your own backyard.
- Autumn Series Challenge #7 Squirrels
- Learn all about this fascinating mammal during this week's Autumn Series Challenge using the Handbook of Nature Study, some YouTube videos, and your own neighborhood. If you don't have a squirrel to observe, use this time to observe an mammal that is in your local area.
- Autumn Series Challenge #8 Woodpeckers (Autumn birds)
- Autumn is a wonderful time for getting outdoors and do a little birding. This challenge focuses on the woodpecker but you can observe any bird in your local area.
- Autumn Series Challenge #9 Mushrooms
- This challenge may be a little harder for some of you but do the preparation work and tuck the idea away for the time the opportunity arises in the future.
Essential Resource
This book will be essential to the Autumn Series of challenges.
Handbook of Nature Study
Amazon Price: $15.14 (as of 11/24/2009)
Autumn Series Challenge #1
Cattails Seasonal Nature Study
For this first challenge we will be finding some cattails to observe as part of a year long study. Each season we will record how the cattails look and keep a record of the changes we observe using the provided notebook page.Make sure to scroll down to the notebook pages listed below and follow the link to the Cattails Seasonal Nature Study page that you can download.
Also, listed below in the additional resources, you will find a book that I have found very helpful. Look for it at your library or you can order it from Amazon.com.
Challenge #1 Cattail Seasonal Nature Study
Additional Cattail Photos on Flickr
Autumn Series Challenge #2
Seasonal Tree Study-Autumn
For this challenge we will be choosing a tree in our yard to observe as part of a year long study. Each season we will record how the tree looks and keep a record of the changes we observe using the provided notebook page.Make sure to scroll down to the notebook pages listed below and follow the link to the Seasonal Tree Notebook Page- Autumn that you can download.
Also, listed below in the additional resources, you will find two field guides that I have found very helpful. Look for it at your library or you can order it from Amazon.com.
Challenge #2 Seasonal Tree Study
Online Tree Identification Help
Autumn Series Challenge #3
Goldenrod or Other Autumn Flowers
This challenge is spend some time learning about composite flowers using the goldenrod that should be blooming in many parts of North America during the autumn.As an alternative you can study the aster or the chrysanthemum if you do not have a some goldenrod to observe in person.
Use the linked notebook page to record your goldenrod sketch. *Linked below.
Challenge #3 Goldenrod or Other Autumn Flowers
Autumn Series Challenge #4
Oaks and Acorns
This week we will be taking a look in our yards and neighborhoods for oaks and acorns. Make sure to check out the oaks and acorns notebook page linked below.Challenge #4 Oaks and Acorns
The Handbook of Nature Study suggests making leaf prints as part of this challenge. Here is a link to how our family completed this activity.
Leaf Prints with Ink
Autumn Series Challenge #5
Pumpkins
This week the challenge features pumpkins. See the link for more information.Autumn Series Challenge #6
Seasonal Weather Study
This challenge starts (or continues) a year-long study of the weather. Seasonally your family will be observing the weather conditions and recording the results as a way of comparing how your particular weather patterns change over the next twelve months. Make sure to scroll down to the notebook pages and find the link for the Seasonal Weather Notebook Page.Challenge #6 Seasonal Weather Study
Autumn Series Challenge #7
Squirrels (or any other mammal)
Using the Handbook of Nature Study, complete a nature study of the squirrel. You are welcome to chose a different mammal covered in the Handbook if you do not have squirrels in your local area.Make sure to scroll down to the list of notebook pages below for a simple notebook page to use in your nature journal.
Challenge #7 Squirrels
Autumn Series Challenge #8
Autumn Birds-Woodpecker (or other autumn bird)
This challenge is to get outdoors and look for some autumn birds. The challenge prepares you for a study of woodpeckers but you can record your observations of any bird in your own yard. Make sure to scroll down and find the accompanying notebook page.Challenge #8 Woodpeckers
Autumn Series Challenge #9
Mushrooms
Read up on mushrooms in the Handbook of Nature Study. Either use this knowledge this week during your Outdoor Hour time or keep it handy for future reference. As always, remember that just getting outdoors is the main objective of any weekly challenge. Make sure to scroll down to the notebook page section on this lens to find a simple page to use in your nature journal.Challenge #9 Mushrooms
Autumn Series- Notebook Pages
Notebook Page Links
- Cattail Seasonal Nature Study notebook page
- This notebook page is designed for you to use once in each season to record your cattail observations.
- Seasonal Tree Notebook Page -Autumn
- This special notebook page is designed to be used with Autumn Series Challenge #2. You may have your child complete the notebook page after choosing a tree in your yard to observe during the autumn and then in every season for a complete year.
- Autumn Series Challenge #3 Goldenrod
- Use this notebook page to record your goldenrod observations.
- Oaks and Acorns Noteook Page-Autumn Series #4
- This notebook page will give a place to sketch your oak tree, a leaf, and/or the acorn.
- Seasonal Weather Notebook Page
- This simple notebook page will be completed once in every season.
- Squirrel Notebook Page
- For this challenge I designed two different styles of notebook pages. One is more appropriate for older children and the other is very simple and could be used with younger children. Enjoy!
- Bird Notebook Page
- This challenge in the Autumn Series is to observe any bird and its feet. This simple notebook page can be used in your nature journal to record you observations.
- Mushroom Notebook Page
- Try this notebook page along with your mushroom study.
Additional Resources for Challenges 1, 2, and 3
For the Autumn Series of Challenges
Discover Nature in Water & Wetlands: Things to Know and Things to Do (Discover Nature Series)
This book contains excellent information for a study of cattails. It is not necessary but helpful in completing the cattail study.
Amazon Price: $17.95 (as of 11/24/2009)
A Field Guide to Western Trees (Peterson Field Guides: 44)
We use this field guide all the time to identify trees in our area. I highly recommend having a tree field guide to use during your Seasonal Tree Study challenge.
Make sure to choose Western or Eastern according to where you live in the USA.
Amazon Price: $13.60 (as of 11/24/2009)
A Field Guide to Eastern Trees (Peterson Field Guides)
This is the Eastern version of the Peterson Field Guide suggested above. You can use this field guide to use during your Seasonal Tree Study challenge.
Amazon Price: $13.60 (as of 11/24/2009)
My Favorite Tree: Terrific Trees of North America (Sharing Nature With Children Book)
This wonderful picture book style guide to North American trees is a wonderful addition to your year long tree study. Pop over to Amazon and read the table of contents to see if your kind of tree is listed. I love the watercolor illustrations in this book for younger children.
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 11/24/2009)
Wildflowers, Blooms & Blossoms (Take-Along Guide)
This additional reference book for wildflowers in North America includes a study of goldenrod. It is a perfect book for young children to read and explore before they are ready for a full blown field guide.
You will use this book for years to come.
Amazon Price: $7.95 (as of 11/24/2009)
Additional Resource for Challenge #6
Not necessary but really helpful
National Audubon Society First Field Guide: Weather
This book is only available used but it is the best for beginners and moms who want a basic overview of the weather. It will help supplement the Handbook of Nature Study and your year-long seasonal weather study. Look for it at your library or purchase it used.
Amazon Price: (as of 11/24/2009)
Additional Resources for Challenge 7 and 8
Great books to have on hand as a reference
Rabbits, Squirrels, And Chipmunks (Take-Along Guide)
Learn more about your neighborhood mammals using this easy to read guide.
Amazon Price: $7.95 (as of 11/24/2009)
List Price: $7.95
Backyard Birds (Peterson Field Guides® for Young Naturalists)
This is my absolute favorite beginners bird field guide. This book is easy to read and easy to understand. I highly recommend it for young birders.
Amazon Price: $5.95 (as of 11/24/2009)
List Price: $5.95
A Field Guide to Western Birds: A Completely New Guide to Field Marks of All Species Found in North America West of the 100th Meridian and North of Mexico (Peterson Field Guide Series)
This is the guide that goes with me everywhere! It is my favorite field guide for identifying birds.
Amazon Price: $17.82 (as of 11/24/2009)
List Price: $27.00
A Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern and Central North America
This is the Eastern and Central North America version of the field guide above.
Amazon Price: $12.97 (as of 11/24/2009)
List Price: $19.95
Additional Resource for Challenge #9
Picture Book for Younger Children
Plants That Never Ever Bloom (World of Nature)
Look for this one at the library or you can purchase it used on Amazon. I love the simplicity of this book and Ruth Heller's illustrations are awesome. This book has been on my shelf for years.
Amazon Price: (as of 11/24/2009)
Autumn Picture Study
Well, Millstone, and Cistern Under Trees by Paul Cezanne
Here is a link to view and print this painting for your picture study.Well, Millstone, and Cistern Under Trees by Paul Cezanne
Autumn Picture Study
Autumn by Giuseppe Arcimboldo (Found at the Louvre Museum)
Click the link below to print out a print of this painting.Autumn Picture Study
Autumn Leaves by John Everett Millais
Use the link below to print out the painting for you own picture study.Autumn Leaves by John Everett Millais
Autumn Picture Study
Gustav Klimt, The Apple Tree
Use the link here to print out a copy of Gustav Klimt's The Apple Tree for your family to use in an autumn picture study.The Apple Tree
Autumn Picture Study
The Gleaners by Jean Francois Millet
Use the link here to print out a copy of The Gleaners for your family to use in an autumn picture study.The Gleaners by Jean Francois Millet
Autumn Picture Study
Autumn at Argenteuil by Claude Monet
Use the link to print out a copy of this painting by Claude Monet for your picture study.Autumn at Argenteuil
Autumn Picture Study
The Reaper by Vincent Van Gogh
Use this link to print out a copy of this painting for your picture study.The Reaper by Vincent Van Gogh
Literature for the Autumn Series of Outdoor Hour Challenges
A Few Books for the Younger Crowd
Carnival of the Animals-The Swam
by Camille Saint-Saens
Carnival of the Animals - The Swan
Mischa Maisky performs a lushly romantic cello solo in the most famous movement of the suite. «Julian Rachlin & friends» CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL A film by Jasmina Hajdany; music written by Camille Saint-Saëns.
Runtime: 246
343172 views
482 Comments:
curated content from YouTube
The Trout by Franz Schubert
(Not specifically about autumn but it reminds me of autumn.)
Vivaldi Four Seasons - Autumn
Listen as part of your autumn nature study
Tchaikovsky - October Autumn Song
Piano performance to set your autumn mood
Another Great Nature Journal Lens
Some Tips for Getting Started in Your Journals
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Nature Journals
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Sometimes it helps to see where to begin with something new and I am going to build this Squidoo Lens to help other families see how to start a nature journal. I always encourage new journalists to keep it simple. I will be showing examples of how...
Autumn Series Challenge #10
Posting 11/20/09
Outdoor Hour Ebooks Available Now!
Challenges Gathered into Convenient Ebooks
- Getting Started Challenges 1-10
- The first ten Outdoor Hour Challenges arranged in an ebook for you to download. See the description by following the link provided.
- Garden Flower and Plant Challenges
- This series of challenges will help you learn more about growing flowers, plant parts, and so much more. Check out the link for more information.
Outdoor Hour Challenge Products
Outdoor Hour Totebag
This tote is perfect to carry all your nature study materials so they will be on hand during your nature walks.
Price: 14.99
Outdoor Hour Unlined Nature Journal
This is a perfect journal to use during your nature study time.
Price: 10.99
Ourdoor Hour Mug
Price: 12.99
Outdoor Hour Sticker
Decorate your binder or nature notebook with this sticker.
Price: 3.49
New Guestbook
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- Jimmie Jimmie Nov 11, 2009 @ 9:53 pm
- Fantastic! :-) I love fall about as much as I love spring!
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- Makita Makita Oct 22, 2009 @ 8:33 am
- This is great Barb! We're jumping back in and already - I know this lens will help me find what I'm looking for much quicker. 5* Can't wait to see what everyone does! :D
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- wayfarer wayfarer Oct 21, 2009 @ 3:58 pm
- Great series! There's so much more to fall then the beautiful colors. I see you mention mushrooms. It's a great time of year to find some interesting examples. 5 stars!
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- Alex Alex Oct 11, 2009 @ 6:38 pm
- It's great to be able to see all the challenges together like this. Thank you.
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- aj2008 aj2008 Oct 2, 2009 @ 6:39 am
- What a great way to organise yor HomeSchooling Projects.
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- Sydni Bamberg Sydni Bamberg Sep 25, 2009 @ 11:10 pm
- Wow! Barb, this is awesome. Thanks so much for this! We are growing to love our nature study days more each week thanks to your guidance.
by HarmonyArtMom
Mom of four, twelve years of homeschooling and now two children in college, passionate about art, music, and nature study.
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