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SylviaB
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| Posted: March 28 2009 at 8:01pm | IP Logged
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I am starting to do a weekly nature study wit two friends and their kids.
Our kids are young (ages 3-5).
Any ideas on resources for ideas of what to do each week?
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Sarah
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| Posted: April 01 2009 at 4:00pm | IP Logged
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Sylvia,
For kids that young I would cycle with the seasons and see what turns up.
I would plant seeds together in the spring. Then just kind of see where it leads you. Depending on your climate, you may be able to plant sunflowers seeds soon.
Last year I taught a nature class to 17 boys and I could never give more than a weeks notice as to what we'd be studying. It depended on what was blooming, what creatures were showing up in our yard, and who was migrating through.
So, if I were you I'd start with seeds.
Some other subjects are birds, earthworms, nests, caterpillars, cocoons, chrysalia' butterflies, moths, sunflowers, bees, spider webs and spiders.
We talk a lot about what is beneficial. Spiders are good, etc.
Bird feeding is fun.
At this age it should be just fun and not uptight. I have a 3 year old and a 5 year old and we just collect seed heads and look, feel, and listen. There is no required nature notebook stuff, unless they want to. Sometimes my daughter, age 5 wants to draw something but my boys never did.
Don't forget to raise a caterpillar.
This is probably no help because I didn't give you any book resources. Sorry.
Occasionally my blog has ideas. I happen to have one on there right now that would be fun! You can do it in a pot!
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Six boys ages 16, 14, 11, 7, 5, 2 and one girl age 9
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Sarah
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| Posted: April 01 2009 at 4:04pm | IP Logged
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I meant butterflies and crysalis. Sorry, typing on my phone!
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Six boys ages 16, 14, 11, 7, 5, 2 and one girl age 9
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: April 01 2009 at 7:15pm | IP Logged
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Sylvia~
I LOVE Barb's Blog Handbook of Nature Study, where she has "Outdoor Hours". They are perfect for mom to read
The Outdoor Hours are on her right side bar,, just scroll down and pick one. Read it, and you'll probably only end up talking about 20% of what she lists or talks about, but it really helps the mom to get into the "nature mode" with the littles, so that this part of home educating becomes a way of life!
Let's say your 5yo noticed the big tall Pine tree the other day at the park! Well, here is her entry on Pine Trees. Fascinating, isn't it??? 
She often times links to coloring pages, identification pages that you can print out, GREAT videos, etc. She has done all the work for us!
I second going with the seasons.
But otherwise for that age group....
**Trees
**Birds
**Insects
**Flowers
**One particular kind of deciduous tree that's in your yard.
**Ducks or whatever other animal you see a lot of (squirrels is another favorite for that age)
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Suzanne in ID
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Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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Helen
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| Posted: April 01 2009 at 9:15pm | IP Logged
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Sarah wrote:
| Sorry, typing on my phone! |
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You're amazing Sarah!
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Ave Maria!
Mom to 5 girls and 3 boys
Mary Vitamin & Castle of the Immaculate
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SylviaB
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| Posted: April 01 2009 at 9:20pm | IP Logged
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Thanks everybody! I am excited, I got some great ideas!
Sarah, I'm with Helen, you are amazing- I can't believe you typed all this one the phone!
Sylvia
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4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
Topic: Weekly Nature Study Ideas
