Today we went on our 4th nature walk, to a neighborhood behind ours. The kids were feeling lazy I guess, because they brought along their scooter and ds4 made me push him in the stroller (he hasn't been in that in ages!) At first I nagged at them to remember to "look for nature" and not just scooter down the street, but then I stopped myself. I want these walks to be fun, casual and relaxed. Whether they walk and examine everything they see, or just take a ride on the scooter, they will see and learn about the nature around them. 
We actually started the walk as always, in our own backyard. We found a dead butterfly, and ds2 picked him up so we could observe his beauty. I showed them the "false eyes" on his wings and explained how they help protect him from predators. Ds3 noted that he was once a caterpillar...love these impromptu lessons and discussions!
This guy we actually found the night before in our screened porch. Look at those legs!
He's such a pretty green! The focus of this week's assignment is just that...to chose a "focus area" for our nature studies. When we got home from the walk we discussed the options and the majority voted for plants. I plan on incorporating a lapbook into this portion of our nature lessons as well. I asked the boys if they wanted to make any drawings and they all did (I just love this part...them all doing the same thing at their own levels.) While they drew I printed up the pics from our walk...it's all going into our "journal." I put their drawings and pics from our walks in protective sleeves and then in a binder...I think this is our best option since we have such a varied group (a 7th grader, a 1st grader and a preschooler.)To join in on the Green Hour Challenge, or just to learn more about it and see more participants, go to Barb's site The Heart of Harmony...it's a super site, you won't be disappointed.
I know what you mean about wanting nature lessons to be relaxed. I have to stop myself from nagging about what the kids should look at, etc. It looks like they are learning a lot though.
ReplyDeleteGreat job Mom! I love that you are just letting the outdoor time unfold. I think in the long run that is how nature study will look for most families. Taking things as they come is great and when you have a focus area you will start to notice more things in that area than before.
ReplyDeleteI love your idea for the nature journals in sheet protectors.
Keep up the great work.
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
Great pics! Hopefully, we can get out more this week since the rain has cleared.
ReplyDeleteI love your pics, especially the frog! I also like your lapbook and nature journal ideas. I'm looking forward to reading your future green hour posts.
ReplyDelete~Andrea