Scale of Universe - Interactive Scale of the Universe Tool

Scale of Universe - Interactive Scale of the Universe Tool

This is really cool! Check it out if you haven't yet!!!

Toads are Okay

KM had been talking about going to catch a frog down in the marsh area behind our house a few weeks ago, but every time I brought it up she didn't "feel like it" then. So we kept putting it off and putting off. Then CJ was mowing the lawn and suddenly in front of him was a toad. We seem to have toads in the yard every year, but I figured that since KM has been mentioning frogs, she would want to see the toad, so we got out our trusted kiddie pool - which is actually our dogs bath tub - and called the kids out to see it.

A few days later I mentioned to KM about going down to the marsh again to get a frog and she said, "I think I'm good. The toad was okay." Don't really know where that leaves us, other than I think she really doesn't want to catch a frog anymore! 

So Many Shades of Green

Things you do to be a Citizen Scientist!

She committed to counting today and she stuck to it!!! For more info on celebrating urban birds see our post here!

Celebrate Urban Birds - Great Nature Supplement

This is a great way to become a citizen scientist and help gather research to help scientists better understand birds and their habits! Sign up today!

Expedition Week - Spice Up Your Week With FREE Resources!!!

Next week is Expedition Week on National Geographics Channel and there are some great resources available for FREE through this link - HERE

This is a great way to get out of the end of the year funk and put some spice into your week! See what you can entice your learners with by switching things up a bit!!!

African Cats - DisneyNature Film

We have loved the DisneyNature Films in the past and we can't wait for African Cats to come out next month.

An epic true story set against the backdrop of one of the wildest places on Earth, African Cats captures the real-life love, humor and determination of the majestic kings of the savanna. Narrated by Oscar®-nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson, the story features Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother’s strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a rival lion and his sons. Disneynature brings “The Lion King” to life on the big screen in this True Life Adventure directed by Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill (“Earth”). An awe-inspiring adventure blending family bonds with the power and cunning of the wild, “African Cats” leaps into theatres on Earth Day, April 22, 2011
 



Take a minute to download the educator's guide for some great resources HERE!

A Little Visitor

Every afternoon, at just about the same time, I have a little visitor who appears outside our workroom window. He sits on the ledge and waits for his turn. After several failed attempts over the last few days, I was able to snap a few quick shots of him today.

He comes to eat the leftovers in the dogs bowl. Apparently the bird seed and bread chunks we leave out back are not good enough for this Blue Jay! We are waiting to see if the kibble bulks them up like it did Dixie!

New Pet...for a little while

I was working at the computer last week when I heard this rustling noise outside the window. I looked out and saw a pile of leaves moving - A LOT! I am not a screeching type of person, but I am also not very keen on little creatures, so I sat watching it for a while to see if I could tell - from a safe distance - what it was. KM is very brave and loves all creatures large and small - except for spiders - but she was diligently working to finish her history lessons, so I didn't want to distract her from that.

After a little while the rustling stopped and by the time CJ came home I had almost forgotten about it until he went out to start the grill for dinner. I asked him to gently check out the pile of leaves to see if there was something there and I went back inside to my little window to watch - from a safe distance.

He knows how I am so of course he made a big scene about what was in the pile - "Oh my gosh! I can't believe it." "You aren't gonna wanna see this!" and on and on. By this time KM was in on it as well and I knew they were just trying to creep me out, so I bravely went out on the deck to see what the creature was -

just the cutest little sun turtle.

Within 5 minutes a habitat was started in the kiddie pool -

Curtle seems to be enjoying his new temporary home.

Over the weekend KM & AM expanded his habitat to include a few dry spots as they were worried about him being too cold at night.

He seems to really enjoy hiding out in the foliage!

As he is a wild creature we will only keep him for a few days to observe him. We feel it is not right to take creatures out of their natural habitats permanently without just cause - injury or endangerment. We only put plants and bugs from the area where we found him into the habitat and are only allowing the kids to handle him minimally. Once KM has finished her observations we will take him out back to the swamp area behind our house and release him - as I don't feel safe releasing him close to the house as I am afraid one of our bigger animals might harm him.

So for a little while, we have a new pet - Curtle the Turtle!

Taking Advantage of Nature!

This post was inspired by a QOTW that was posted to several Yahoo groups this week - QOTW: Do you include outdoor time and nature study in your homeschool? If so, how do you incorporate it? How much time do you spend doing it?

We ABSOLUTELY incorporate nature study and outdoor time as much as we can! Our local group does Family Hikes during each season - where families choose a location to hike and everyone shows up to enjoy a fantastic day in the woods! We take advantage of the many local resources for nature education as well and our local group does a TON of field trips for canoeing, tidal pool searches, Questing (another local version of letterboxing or cacheing), naturalist led hikes, park days, picnics, ~~~ the list goes on and on.

At home we have a garden that we expand every year and my daughter is responsible for helping with that and often does all the research on any new items we want to try to grow. We take lots of hikes on our own and will often incorporate photography, sketching, painting, and nature study when we do so. My dd's favorite alternative study spot is a tree platform in the sideyard that is just within wireless range of our house - so she is often found there with piles of books and her laptop! She always seems to be the most productive when she is outside - as if the fresh air reminds here that she should just get her lessons done, so she can go really enjoy the day!

I think that time spent in nature is one of the GREATEST benefits of home educating children! Allowing them time and freedom to spend outside - even if that just means moving lessons to the back porch or doing backyard science experiments - heightens all experiences for our children.

What do you think? How much time do you spend in Nature? What types of things do your kids like to do outside?

First day of Fall Session

It was our first day back to lessons today after a 3 week break.

We had an early start...

got some studies done...

enjoyed a wonderful hike with our coop friends...

and then got a new "class" pet!

Our first day and I am already revamping things. I have to hit the sack but will be sure to be back and let you all know what we have scrapped already!

Catching up!

So my Internet and phone are FINALLY back online after much aggravation!

Last week was very busy, which is how it always seems to work around here when I want to slow things down a bit!

Here are some of our favorite pics from last week:

We went on a quest that took us through the New England Wildlife Center -

KM felt it had been far too long since a pic of me was taken so here I am -

THE CRAZY LADY HIKING WITH AN INFANT AND A TODDLER! - I must say though Miss SC is quite the trooper and if you put GC in the sling she is happy no matter where we are!

SC started a new dance craze:

KM did some fashion designing this week:

some of the rhinestones didn't iron on quite so well so she improvised with puffy paint!

She had better luck with t-shirt iron-ons though!

There was a dress-up fashion show:

which brought out some interesting characters!

We had a very wet and shorter than expected time camping, but it was SUPER fun!

Take a peek to see what kept us up all night!

We are now in our second week of "vacation" from lessons before we start our fall session and things are just as CRAZY this week!

Please keep your fingers crossed for me that next week TRULY will be a slow week!

Don't know how much I will post, but I will be sure to be back for good after the 28th when we start our Fall Session!

They HATCHED!!!

The Triops actually hatched - I was get a bit concerned that they were not going to, but they did!

Now they might just look like specs, but they are there and they are swimming -

Tidal Pools at Night -

Just about a month ago KM went with some of her friends to a morning Tidal Pool class at a local nature center and loved it. So last night some of them returned to see what they could find at night!

They saw quite a few creatures including lots of crabs, periwinkles, dog welches, moon snails, sea urchins, and over 450 sea stars!

It was a beautiful evening to sit on the beach!

and we even got to see some tugboats pushing barges out of the canal.


For more scenic views be sure to check out our nature blog!