January Nature Study

We finally pulled it together these past couple of weeks to fit in some nature study time.  It has been so cold and windy (and snowy!) that it was the last thing on my to-do list.  Although I've been following the Handbook of Nature Study blog for a while now, I just recently discovered their free printable nature study grids in their monthly subscriber newsletters.  I am awful at scheduling actual structured nature study times, so this is the perfect tool for a lazy busy Charlotte Mason mom!  We just glued the grid to the kids' notebooks and used the boxes to guide our outdoor time.

January Nature Study Grid

Winter Tree Silhouette Study

Directions: Look for a tree with no leaves.  Draw the shape of the tree in your nature journal.

Bark Rubbing

Directions: Smell the bark of a tree.  Make a rubbing for your nature journal.

Evergreen Comparison

Directions: Find two evergreen trees.  Observe how they are similar.
(Neither lose their leaves in winter.  One is wider and lighter green with poky branches and needles.  The other is taller and darker green with "bark-y" branches and smooth needles.)

Pine Cone Study

Directions: Can you find a cone?  Describe it with words.
(Pointy, bendy, light brown)

Pine Needle Study

Directions: Observe tree needles.  Measure the length, count the number of needles in a bundle.
(1. Length: 10 1/2cm, Texture: Poky, # of needles: 182
2. Length: 8 1/2cm, Texture: Smooth, # of needles: 85)

Cold Weather Study

Directions: Take a friend on a nature walk.  Can you go out on a cold day and see your breath?

Thanks for reading!

I'm Linking Up!