We will be taking a break from our mammal study to complete our winter tree study in this challenge. I thought this would allow families to complete both the Outdoor Hour Challenge and Winter Wednesday at the same time if they wished. Actually, next week's Winter Wednesday will be about trees as well.
This slideshow should get you into the mood for some winter tree study. (If you are on an email subscription, you will need to click over to the blog to watch the slideshow.) Most of you know that from reading my other blog that I think there is a great connection between appreciating nature and art. In this case, I love the connection between Vivaldi's music and the images of winter trees. I would love to make my own slideshow some day. :)
Outdoor Challenge #47
Seasonal Tree Observation-Winter
1. We are now completing our full circle study of a tree in our yard. If you completed challenges 11, 20, and 36, you will now be observing your tree in its fourth season. This week you will use the suggestions on pages 624-625 of the Handbook of Nature Study to make general winter observations of your tree. You can record your thoughts either in your nature journal or on the Seasonal Tree Study page provided below.
2. Take your 10-15 minute outdoor time to study your tree. If you are just starting out with a tree study, pick a tree from your yard that you can watch through all four seasons. The Handbook of Nature Study suggests taking a twig from your tree and looking at the tree’s buds carefully. See page 624 #3 for more details.
3. After your outdoor time, complete your Seasonal Tree Study notebook page or record your tree observations in your nature journal. You can take photos of your tree to put in your nature journal. The Handbook of Nature Study suggests sketching your tree to show its shape as it stands bare. Take a few minutes to talk about your time outdoors to see if there is anything that your child wants to learn more about. Follow up any interest shown.
4. Post an entry on your blog sharing your experiences and then come back to the Outdoor Hour Challenge post and add your blog link to Mr. Linky. All the challenges are listed on the sidebar of the Handbook of Nature Study blog.
To print this challenge and a notebook page out in pdf format, see the free downloads section of my blog.
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
