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JennGM
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| Posted: Sept 01 2010 at 12:24pm | IP Logged
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I'm trying to sort out some nature study plans. Just a few questions for you seasoned moms.
We have an upcoming trip to the seashore, so I want to focus on preparing for what we'll see. The downside is that it's not really hands on until we get there. So I'm thinking making the ocean some science reading, and then focus on a "fall" theme (pond from One Small Square).
How do you treat subjects that are upcoming but not really in the here and now and can be "reinforced"?
And what time of year do you think is good for learning a bit more about constellations? Are there "seasons" for sky watching? Colder weather brings clearer skies....
And I'll throw in one more question. Do you find yourself returning to same themes around times of year? Birds in winter? Wildflowers in spring? Trees in fall? etc?
Examples always welcome! Thanks!
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Sept 02 2010 at 8:20am | IP Logged
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JennGM wrote:
We have an upcoming trip to the seashore, so I want to focus on preparing for what we'll see. The downside is that it's not really hands on until we get there. So I'm thinking making the ocean some science reading, and then focus on a "fall" theme (pond from One Small Square).
How do you treat subjects that are upcoming but not really in the here and now and can be "reinforced"? |
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I don't worry about it too much. If it's a living book, it will be enjoyable. Sometimes a map can be fun, adding simple sketches of things read about. The Burgess Seashore Book would be great, Jenn! Another fantastic book would be Holling C. Holling's Seabird. I have another old book that is beautifully illustrated that my son loves - The Wonderful World of the Sea by James Fisher, published by Garden City Books, 1957. It has some interesting information, but it's not written in a narrative style so keep that in mind if you consider it. Are you familiar with some of the great Golden Guides published? Like the Golden Geography: A Child's Introduction to the World? The Wonderful World of the Sea is a lot like the Golden Guide books. One last book recommendation...I can't recommend highly enough, See Along the Shore and See Through the Sea (the red book pictured is NOT the cover of this book) both by Millicent Selsam!! These two would be on my MUST READ list for any trip to the seashore!
I would read them just because they're amazing, and have your son narrate, or map or draw pictures from his reading. Then, when you head to the seashore, you're likely to hear him begin to make his own connections as he draws from his memory of the good books you've just read.
JennGM wrote:
| And what time of year do you think is good for learning a bit more about constellations? Are there "seasons" for sky watching? Colder weather brings clearer skies.... |
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We tend to watch the skies more in the fall and winter.
JennGM wrote:
| And I'll throw in one more question. Do you find yourself returning to same themes around times of year? Birds in winter? Wildflowers in spring? Trees in fall? etc? |
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Yes! Sometimes it just makes sense to return to familiar topics seasonally. Over the years, I can see how we've gotten to know things and drawn observations across larger periods of time.
Autumn: nuts, small mammals, plant changes, seed dispersal, bird migration
Winter: astronomy, winter bird watching, nature detectives-track identification
Spring: botany-plant life in bloom, wildflowers, gardening plans, observing the different times trees leaf out with the wise pin oak being one of the last, bird migration
Summer: nesting birds (we are always blessed with one mama bird that raises and fledges her hatchlings within sight!), river rock/fossil identification, our Mallard ducks
Those are recurring themes for us - just off the top of my head. We're pretty informal about it. There isn't a list or a plan; it's just the way it happens. Botany and birds are our favorites!
HTH, Jenn! What a delightful time you'll have at the seashore! Can't wait to hear about it!
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Sept 02 2010 at 8:30am | IP Logged
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Ok...I said I was done recommending books, but I found one more on my shelf that I thought I'd mention since it fits with your seashore genre. It would probably be one I'd set out afterward with a basket collection of seashells...
Question and Answer Adventures with Shells by Eva Knox Evans, published 1955, Golden Press.
From the front cover:
Quote:
| What shells are, how and where to collect them::How mollusks live and make their shells::Some spiny skinned sea creatures you can collect, such as starfish, corals, sea fans, and sea horses::How to identify shells by their Latin and common names::Over 180 pictures in color and black and white. |
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It's a fascinating book, and very engaging!
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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JennGM
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| Posted: Sept 02 2010 at 8:37am | IP Logged
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Great recommendations, Jen! Keep on any old time! I love Millicent Selsam, so I'll have to find those.
Funny, but the books I was coming up with were nothing like your recs, so I'm happy I asked!
Thanks!
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Grace&Chaos
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| Posted: Sept 02 2010 at 9:50am | IP Logged
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We just took a day trip to the beach and wanting to plan like you I read the following books to my younger boys (with my girls sneeking in to listen too) a week before our outing:
The Seashore Book by Charlotte Zolotow
A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle
Following the Coast by Jim Arnosky
The Little Island by Margaret Wise Brown
And then I took with us our nature journal tote bag and put the following in them:
On the Seashore by Anne Milbourne
What Lives in a Shell? by Kathleen Weidner
One Small Square Seashore by Donald M Silver
The kids have to take a rest and have some snacks  . This is when I ask them to just relax and work on their nature journal before going back in the water or running around (with mom and dad chasing  ). They enjoyed it and took a look at the books for reference. The younger boys kept asking specific questions and I would look it up with them. They did enjoy it, especially since we had spent the preivous week reading some great stories about the beach and coast.
As for the rest of the year I'm looking forward to this thread giving me inspiration. Thanks for the suggestions Jen!
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Blessings,
Jenny
Mom to dds(00,03) and dss(05,06,08,09)
Grace in Loving Chaos
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4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
Topic: Nature Study Rhythms and Planning
