Spring Nature Study Ideas
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Spring Is The Perfect Time for Getting Outdoors With Your Children
A simple spring nature study starts as soon as you start to notice the changes around you. Your family can begin by noting the signs of spring in your part of the world. As always, I want to emphasize that my focus for any nature study plan is to encourage families to take a few minutes each week to go outdoors with their children and enjoy their own backyard and neighborhood. I write each challenge in such a way that the focus should be on just that few minutes a week you can spare to learn about the world right outside your own back door. The simple suggestions in the Handbook of Nature Study are used as a guide and a way to give your family some new things to observe and think about in nature.
As the season progresses, there are many more opportunities to awaken your child's curiosity about nature and the Outdoor Hour Challenges are one simple way to make spring nature study a habit in your home. Use the following suggestions and links to help you get outdoors, even for just a few minutes each week.
Ten Ideas for Spring Nature Study
Spring Nature Study Challenges
Spring Around the World
Each part of the world experiences signs of spring at different times. Here in Northern California we start to see green grass and flowering bulbs in late February even though many places are still deeply buried in snow. My Florida nature study friends only see subtle signs of spring but they are there if you are watching for them.
Senae
Kathy Stuart
Signs of Spring for Your Nature Study
Look for these things and whatever else comes along your way!
* Green grass and weeds popping up in your garden or alongside the roads
* Wildflowers-dandelions, buttercups, mustard, and wild radish
* Spring bulbs like tulips, crocus, and jonquils
* Increased activity from your local birds, perhaps nesting already
* Warmer temperatures and longer days
* Blooming trees like apple, plum, and cherry
* Insects buzzing and flying
Here is a printable notebook page for recording your Signs of Spring.
Here is a Spring Nature Walk Worksheet for you to use with your family. My daughter put this together a few years ago and it is a favorite for spring nature study in young families.
Handbook of Nature Study
Wonderful Nature Study Guide for Parents
I do not recommend any other printed versions of this book.
Handbook of Nature Study
Amazon Price: $16.59 (as of 06/04/2012)
The Handbook of Nature Study was written for adults. Adults who were then to try to offer nature study to children. Anna Botsford Comstock knew that the key to great times in nature study depended on the interest and enthusiasm of the teacher/parent. She knew that even adults *needed* this time outdoors to refresh and to inspire us.
"She who opens her eyes and her heart nature-ward even once a week finds nature study in the schoolroom a delight and an abiding joy......She finds, first of all, companionship with her children; and second, she finds that without planning or going on a far voyage, she has found health and strength."
Handbook of Nature Study, page 3
Spring OHC #1 Year-Long Tree Study
Observe a tree in the spring to note the changes it goes through.
Anna Botsford Comstock, A Study of a Tree
Tree Books For Additional Study
"Signs of spring - daffodils, crocus, pansies, trees with new leaves, ants, forsythia, short sleeves, rain boots, and mud tracks through the kitchen!" Monica in Ohio.
Spring OHC #2 Spring Weather Study
Make spring weather observations.
Spring OHC #3 Spring Bird Study
Study a spring bird using the Handbook of Nature Study.
Brainstorm a list of birds you know that live in your area. Pick two or three to research on the All About Birds website. Look up each bird and listen to their bird songs. Challenge your children to imitate the bird song and to listen for it when they go outside. Cornell Lab of Ornithology Helps Identify Birds
Learn How To Identify Birds
- Songs Calls, Bird Identification Skills
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology shares five tips for beginners.
- Size and Shape
- Learn the four keys to identifying a bird from Cornell Lab.
"We are on the Gulf Coast and spring here is always heralded by the blooming of azaleas!!!" Liz
Additional Resources for Your Bird Study
Nature Study Should...
"But, more than all, nature study gives the child a sense of companionship with life out-of-doors and an abiding love of nature. Let the latter be the teacher's criterion for judging his or her work. If nature study as taught does not make the child love nature and the out-of-doors, then it should cease."
Anna Botsford Comstock
Spring OHC #4 Spring Wildflower Study-Dandelions
Observe a dandelion flower and its leaves.
Spring #5 Spring Cattail Study
Observe a patch of cattails as they awaken from their winter sleep.
Spring Series Nature Study Ebook
Order Your Copy to Have All Ten Nature Study Activities at Your Fingertips With Art and Music Appreciation Too!
See this ENTRY for a description! You may purchase this ebook at any time of the year (includes notebook pages).The new Spring Series Nature Study Ebook includes:
"A visit to a large, well-grown orchard in spring or autumn will aid in making this work interesting. Any apple tree near at hand may be used for the lesson."
Handbook of Nature Study, page 664
Apple Blossom Time! Spring Is Here!
"I am in SW Virginia and in this area, it's the forsythia, the grape hyacinths, the violets, and the wind!!!" Sally
Spring OHC #6 Apple Tree Study
Find an apple tree to study from now until harvest time.
Spring OHC #7 Cats
Observe and then draw your cat using the Handbook of Nature Study.
"This lesson may be used in primary grades by asking a few questions at a time and allowing the children to make their observations on their own kittens at home%u2026"Handbook of Nature Study, page 265
Supplemental Nature Study Guide for Your Mammal Study
Tracks, Scats and Signs (Take Along Guides)
Amazon Price: $4.05 (as of 06/04/2012)
This very child-friendly nature study guide will give you many years of enjoyment. You can read it and glean lots of interesting information or you can also add in the suggested activities. This is a wonderful series that I highly recommend.
Spring OHC #8 Reptile Study-Snakes
Find information on your local snakes.
Spring OHC #9 Earthworm Study
Read in the Handbook of Nature Study all about worms.
"Any garden furnishes abundant material for the study of earthworms. They are nocturnal workers and may be observed by lantern or flashlight. For the study of the individual worm and its movements, each pupil should have a worm with some earth upon his desk."
Handbook of Nature Study, page 424
Earthworm Picture Books for Further Study
These books will help introduce and inform your family about earthworms.
Earthworm Links
These links will help your family dig deeper into your earthworm study!
- Worm World
- Learn more about your earthworm.
- Worm Anatomy
- Learn the parts of an earthworm to look for in your garden.
- Directions for a Worm Jar
- Make a worm habitat in a jar.
Spring OHC #10 Ant Study
Some Ideas For a Simple Ant Study
* Quietly observe ants at work. Count how many ants you can see.
* Can you follow the ant's path? Can you find the ant's nest?
* Look carefully to see if all the ants are the same size.
* Do you see ants working together to carry something?
* Do you see any aphids with your ants?
* Do you see any ants fighting?
* Do you see any eggs?
Lord of the Ants
Ant Study! Recommended Resources To Learn More About Ants!
Nature Study With Ants is Fascinating!
More Seasonal Nature Study Lenses
Find More Nature Study Ideas
Share your spring highlights!
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bbsoulful2
May 2, 2011 @ 8:55 am | delete
- This lens is awesome! I started one of my own just this weekend. I will definitely be back to get ideas for my son's nature journal from you -- thank you!
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Scientific_Homeschooler Apr 19, 2011 @ 7:35 am | delete
- Awesome work--a great lens full of incredibly useful resources. Thanks for all your hard work!
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kimmanleyort
Apr 4, 2011 @ 12:43 pm | delete
- It is so important for all of us, and especially our kids, to get outdoors and appreciate nature. Great ideas for spring nature studies. Lensrolled to Spring Photography Tips (which will be published in the next day or so).
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ShirleySunshine
Mar 29, 2011 @ 4:04 pm | delete
- A delightful Lens, excellent work, Lensrolled to my Spring Delights Lens
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PrettyWorld
Mar 24, 2011 @ 1:20 pm | delete
- I like the way you are teaching people to slow down and be observant of seasonal details. Very nice lens!
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Four Seasons Bundle of Ebooks
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I would like to announce that you can now purchase all four seasonal ebooks for the Outdoor Hour Challenge in a bundle for a discounted price of $29.99. Click the button above and it will take you to a place to order the bundle.
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by HarmonyArtMom
Mom of four, fourteen years of homeschooling, passionate about art, music, and nature study. See Harmony Fine Arts and my Squidoo Bio for more about me... more »
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Handbook of Nature Study
Our Family's Nature Study Guide
Handbook of Nature Study
Amazon Price: $16.59 (as of 06/04/2012)
Don't miss out on the opportunity to use this great nature study guide in your family. Each topic is covered thoroughly and specific activities are suggested for each lesson. The Outdoor Hour Challenges use these lessons as the foundation of seasonal nature study. This is a huge volume that will be useful in your home for many years. Great investment!
Spring Nature Journal Ideas
A Kid's Spring Ecojournal
Amazon Price: $6.63 (as of 06/04/2012)
This series of nature journal related books is a great staring point for those that need some help getting started with a nature journal.
My Nature Study Blog
More Free Nature Study Ideas
