Autumn Nature Study for Children and Families

Free Set of Autumn Nature Study Notebook Pages

I have gathered all of my fall themed nature study notebook pages from 2009 into on pdf document. Follow this link over to Scribd and download your free set. Autumn 2009 Notebook Pages

Topics Include:
Cattails
Goldenrod
Seasonal Tree - Autumn
Oaks and Acorns
Pumpkins
Squirrels
Autumn Bird Study
Mushrooms
Natural History Calendar

Autumn Series Challenge #1 Cattail Study

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 Autumn Tree Study

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 (Rabbit Bush)

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.

You will need to click over to my Handbook of Nature Study blog to see the complete challenge and to download the free notebook page.
Click any link in the other challenges above and then click the tab at the top of my blog for Autumn nature study.

Autumn Series Challenge #4 Oaks and Acorns

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

Autumn Series Challenge #5 Pumpkins

Pumpkins

This week the challenge features pumpkins. See the link for more information.

Challenge #5 Pumpkins

Looking for pumpkin art plans? I have several excellent projects listed on my blog Harmony Art Mom.

Autumn Series Challenge #6 Seasonal Weather Study

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

You can also find a printable Seasonal Weather Study notebook page to download for free.

Autumn Series Challenge #7 Squirrels

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 Woodpecker

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 Mushroom

Mushroom Study

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 Challenge #10 Field Notebook

Natural History Calendar

In preparation for those long cold days of winter where you cannot go outside, this week's challenge will encourage you to keep a list of nature study subjects you come across this week. You can investigate one subject this week and then tuck this list away for further study later on cold winter days where you need to stay indoors.

Challenge #10 Field Notebook in Preparation for Winter Nature Study

Autumn Poetry

A Poem for Your Nature Journal

Gathering Leaves

by Robert Frost
Spades take up leaves
No better than spoons,
And bags full of leaves
Are light as balloons.
I make a great noise
Of rustling all day
Like rabbit and deer
Running away.
But the mountains I raise
Elude my embrace,
Flowing over my arms
And into my face.
I may load and unload
Again and again
Till I fill the whole shed,
And what have I then?
Next to nothing for weight,
And since they grew duller
From contact with earth,
Next to nothing for color.
Next to nothing for use.
But a crop is a crop,
And who's to say where
The harvest shall stop?

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 by Giuseppe Arcimboldo

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