Green Hour #4

It’s been a while since we’ve posted anything about our nature studies.  I guess it’s a good time to resume The Outdoor Hour Challenges! My notes are in blue.

We did this challenge several weeks ago, I just wanted to post it for myself before we go onto the next challenge.

Outdoor Hour Challenge #4

It’s Coming Into Focus

1. In the Handbook of Nature Study, read “The Uses of Scientific Names” on pages 10 and 11. Also read “The Field Notebook” on pages 13-15. Highlight or underline the points that you would like to remember.

* The field notebook is a veritable gold mine for the nature study teacher to work.

* Through it she may discover where the child’s attention impinges upon the realm of nature and thus may know where to find the starting point for cultivating larger intelligence and wider interest.

* if the teacher plans the work definitely before starting, and demands certain results….a very efficient field trip may be made during the ten or fifteen minutes at recess

* The half hour excursion should be preceded by a talk concerning the purposes of the outing
2. I am going to suggest that you pick a focus area for your nature study.

We chose to focus on Wind.

3. Take your 10-15 minute walk outdoors.

Before we took our walk we discussed what signs of wind we might see and Zach did a drawing of some of the things we expected to see.

4. Follow up with discussion and research in your focus area if you have chosen one.

Zach read about wind from the Handbook of Nature Study.  We also read from Acts 2 and discussed how the wind can be compared to the Holy Spirit.
5. Give the opportunity for a nature journal entry.

 

We also did a few wind related activities like building little boats and racing them in the pond on a windy day and creating wind art with paint and straws.

To see other challenges please visit The Handbook of Nature Study blog.

If you would like to print this challenge out, here is the link:Outdoor Hour Challenge #4 Focus