Warm sunshine on your back, leaves unfurling and marvelous moss and lichen? Yes, please. We enjoyed some signs of spring and spring nature study with all our ages this homeschool week. It went something like this…
Spring Nature Study for Homeschool with Multiple Ages
Have that nature prompt within sight, by the back door. So, as soon as the little black rain clouds move on we can dart out in the backyard. Go on a search with the magnifying glass…
…find some moss…and take a break at the swing set.
Then find some lichen.
On another morning outside you might even find an earthworm to study!
Later in the week, on a sunny Saturday, we head to Mama Ann’s to explore the well worn paths.
A whole carpet of moss for our spring nature study!
Back at home…then we ask the question – what is the difference between moss and lichen? And we pull out the microscope and look even closer for an answer. (Apologia Biology study for the older two. Sure love how homeschool nature study goes hand in hand with Apologia Biology and our spring nature study).
What fun to have brothers – nine years apart in age – with their heads together at the microscope!!
And we’re amazed even more now that we’ve searched and we’ve found and we’ve studied. Now our eyes are open to moss and lichen everywhere. Maybe it’s because all the trees are just starting to bud and we can see it even better? Yes, and I sure like that we can study it all together.
Many thanks to Homeschool Nature Study for the monthly topics and Outdoor Hour Challenges bringing the Handbook of Nature Study to Life – such wonderful resources to spur us on! Nature study has been such a big part of our studies the past couple of weeks and brings us such joy.
You will also enjoy this Guide to Spring Nature Study in Your Homeschool over at Homeschool Nature Study.
How about your homeschool – have you gotten outside to notice some signs of spring?
-originally published March 2013
Thanks for letting me come along on your early spring/moss/lichen nature study this week! I love seeing your kids all enjoying the month’s topic on different levels…
Such beautiful images of your moss and lichen too! Moss plays such an important role in our gardens and fills in all those spaces in between the stones and rocks. I am beginning to appreciate that.
Thanks for sharing with the OHC Carnival.
I love all the energy and happiness in your nature study. I love using the microscope.
It’s sooo green at your house already!! We will have to wait another month or so do look for anything green here! :O)
Such lovely spring photos! Currently everything around us is still brown and we’ve had too many grey skies. Hopeful that things we turned around soon and we will start to see some green shoots 🙂
Oh. I wish our plants weren’t dormant and under snow. ::sigh:: Spring, hurry up! LOL
Love this! It’s a wonderful time to get outside and do some nature study. I’m going to blow the dust off our microscope and encourage the girls to do the same. 🙂
I just love this post, especially the photo with your older son smiling by the microscope. Beautiful moment and a wonderful way to study God’s creation.
What beautiful pictures! Thank you for sharing them with us. I need to starting looking more closely for some signs. I’m sure they are there, but I haven’t noticed them yet. Thanks for the encouragement. Have a great week!
Lynn
I love the picture of your oldest and youngest enjoying nature study together! And what a great idea to explore the differences between moss and lichen under the microscope. I too have 5 kids 9 years apart in age. While schooling a wide range of ages can have its challenges, nature study for our family is a delightful way to all get outside together and enjoy doing the same thing.
Great pictures! I love moss covered pathways. 🙂
Great to see the microscope out and multi age study. I find that we’re still looking at moss too–my husband is even sending me pictures of when he’s out and about. Thanks!
Hi Tricia!,
I’ve spent the last 40 mins reading into your wonderfully full and blessed blog! I’ve only stumbled across it from Practical Pages, & am rapt by what you do, how you do it,& my favourite so far is the entire family all doing pastel chalk art at the table! I’ve been searching everywhere for a good microscope & noticed that you’re happy with the one you’re using ! Please tell me if I can order one as such online (is there a link?) as I live in Australia & would like feedback from another homeschooler. I value the opinion of an experienced person such as yourself. Thank you and God bless your homeschooling journey.
LINA
Lina – thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind comments! I’m so glad you made yourself at home! Unfortunately I do not have a link for the microscope because we were blessed to buy it as part of a used curriculum sale with our Apologia text. Hooray for the Lord providing! I have searched the brand name Science Tech and have not exactly found ours. However, my friend Barb recommends one that we have on our wish list! It’s pricey – but she points out that if you are looking to invest, it makes sense to get a good tool for the long haul. I’ll share the link here: https://www.thecurriculumchoice.com/2012/04/sonlight-ultra-microscope-investing-in-high-school-science/
And I do hope you will join us for some art!