This series of challenges has greatly encouraged so many of us to look at the changing season with new eyes. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all the links on Mr. Linky and I greatly encourage you to read the entries as you have time. They will inspire and encourage you to either get started or to keep going with the Autumn Series of challenges. Also, don't forget to check in on my Autumn Series Squidoo Lens for any suggestions for additional resources or autumn activities.This week we will focus on a wildflower that you should find in most areas of North America. It blooms this time of year and is a great subject for an autumn challenge. Goldenrod is a showy yellow flower that is included in the Handbook of Nature Study. Anna Botsford Comstock encourages us to engage our child's imagination as we hunt for "golden cities" in our neighborhoods. If you do not find any goldenrod, an alternative autumn flower study could be the aster. You will find information in the Handbook of Nature Study on the aster starting on page 506. You could also study the chrysanthemum using Lesson 131 in the Handbook of Nature Study. Chrysanthemums are available in abundance right now at your local garden nursery in a wide variety of colors.
We are going to observe goldenrod flowers this week as part of the challenge, but in the Handbook of Nature Study it says to also revisit the goldenrod plant in November to observe its fruits. You may want to make a note to do that in the future.
Outdoor Hour Challenge
Autumn Series #3 Goldenrod
Inside Preparation Work
Read pages 503-506 in the Handbook of Nature Study. These few pages will give you some great ideas for sparking your child's interest in goldenrod. It is suggested to also read through Lesson 131 on Composite Flowers since the goldenrod is a perfect example of a composite flower to study. Use the illustrations on page 505 to help your children understand a little better what you are looking for as far as disc and ray flowers. (If you still have a sunflower blooming, you can also use it to demonstrate a composite flower.)
Outdoor Activity
Take a "field excursion" to look for goldenrod. In my research I discovered that there are over a hundred species of goldenrod in North America and they can be found in meadows, pastures, and alongside roads and in ditches. Their brilliant yellow color will alert you to their little "golden cities".
The Handbook of Nature Study suggests on page 506 to notice where you found the goldenrod growing. Did you find more than one kind of goldenrod? How many insects did you find visiting the goldenrod's flowers? Did you find any galls growing on the goldenrod?
Anna Botsford Comstock says to not worry so much about identifying a particular species since they are difficult to distinguish.
If it is appropriate, choose one sample to take home for further study during your follow-up time. I made a simple nature notebook page for you to use if you wish and it is listed in the sidebar of my blog in the free downloads section.
If you are studying an aster or a chrysanthemum for this challenge, I urge you to still read about the goldenrod and take the outdoor time with your children to enjoy the season.
Follow-Up ActivityAllow time for discussion and a nature journal entry. If you were able to bring home a sample of goldenrod, take the time now to really look for the parts that are discussed in the Handbook of Nature Study. Use Lesson 132 on page 505 to guide your detailed observations of the flower heads. There are suggestions for sketches within the lesson. If you are studying the chrysanthemum, use the observation suggestions in Lesson 131 and sketch the flower and its parts in your nature journal.
Make sure to come back and post a link to your blog entry showing everyone your goldenrod study. If you did not find goldenrod, please share your autumn nature study this week anyway. The point of each challenge is to get outdoors and spend time with your children looking for something that sparks an interest. Enjoy the season and find some joy!
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
