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Home » Blog » Summer Weather

in HomeSchooling· Nature Studies

Summer Weather

“Those look like beach clouds.” We must have said that dozens of times this summer. We remember from past beach trips that clouds like the ones above usually mean afternoon thunderstorms. On this day of beach clouds, we decided to purposefully notice clouds, weather, temperatures and wind. We listened to the distant then close thunder, saw the patter then pounding rain.

Following the Handbook of Nature Study July newsletter suggestions, our observations started at sunrise. A few of us, not all up, looked at where the sun appeared down the street of our neighborhood. I, for one, am still fascinated at how the sun rises on one side of the street in summer and way over on the other street during the winter.

Shortly after sunrise the morning turned mostly cloudy. Overcast. What kind of clouds are these? I asked as we headed to the pool. Stratus we all decided.

But while we were there, the morning cleared and cumulus clouds (beach clouds, as I like to think of them) moved in on the scene. Littlest boy noticed the leaves dancing on the trees in the wind.

By the time we got home for lunch, we heard the booms in the distance. Cumulonimbus clouds perhaps? We turned the handy cloud finder wheel from another Outdoor Hour Challenge.

Observations

Chances of precipitation rising every hour of the day according to the weather app.

After lunch, we load up to deliver Eldest Girl to an afternoon party. Definitely cumulonimbus clouds.

Back home, chalk pastels help make impressive storm clouds, as Nana taught us in last summer’s Weather: A Pastels Tutorial.

Red sky in morning sailor take warning

Red sky at night, sailor’s delight

These simple observations of ‘beach clouds’, sunrise and sunset, temperatures and more have made us aware of changing weather. Even though it’s hot and humid (melting…) we like our summer weather for its afternoon thunderstorms.

Noticing beach clouds in the morning usually means afternoon thunderstorms. Taking note of later sunrise and earlier sunset means fall is approaching before we know it. Many thanks to Handbook of Nature Study for teaching us to tune in to these and other nature clues.

**updated with cloud-watching photo**This afternoon, if the thunderstorms hold off, we’re going to spread out some towels and cloud watch. See what sort of animals and other things we can see in the clouds.

How’s the weather where you are?

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6 Comments

About Hodgepodgemom

Tricia faces a daily dose of chaos homeschooling five children. The biggest lesson she’s learned? At the end of the day – when the dishes are put away and the children are tucked in bed – truly what matters is each child’s relationship with the Lord. Raising children is a God-given privilege and, folks, the time is short.

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Previous Post: « Weather: A Pastels Tutorial
Next Post: Making Prayer a Priority by Melanie Robbins »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. All Things Beautiful says

    July 26, 2011 at 7:53 AM

    This is a great post. I love the way you write -you draw the reader in with the first sentence and your posts always teach something and we also learn something about your family. Wonderful. I love the progression of the clouds and the connection between the clouds and the rain. Pastels at the end. What a perfect learning day!

    Reply
  2. Barb-Harmony Art Mom says

    July 26, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    I agree with Phyllis…the connections being made as you pay attention to clouds and what effects they will have are invaluable. Wrapping the study with some art makes it even more interesting and fun. Thanks for sharing your really great example with the OHC.

    Reply
  3. Hodgepodgemom says

    July 26, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    Ladies, thank you both for your sweet and encouraging comments! What joy nature study is for us. And while summer used to not be one of my favorite seasons, now I’m enjoying it so much more because there are many, many opportunities for nature study. Updating post with ‘cloud watching’ photos…

    Reply
  4. Kristin says

    July 31, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    Just popping over from the OHC Carnival. Lovely cloud study. I like the chalk pastels, as well!

    Reply
  5. Violet Persuasion says

    December 17, 2011 at 1:51 AM

    I love this activity. You did such a beautiful job engaging the children!
    Where did you get the “Today’s Weather” pages? I would love to print some off for my daughter. 🙂

    Reply
    • Hodgepodgemom says

      December 17, 2011 at 9:33 AM

      I believe those weather pages are available in the summer ebook from Handbook of Nature Study. Though it may have been in the July newsletter. Barb at Handbook of Nature Study publishes a monthly newsletter full of wonderful ideas and notebook pages. All you need to do is subscribe to her blog. Here’s a direct link to the summer weather challenge: http://handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com/2010/07/ohc-summer-series-3-summer-weather.html and a link to the ebook I mentioned is at the bottom of that post. Also, here is a link to seasonal tree and weather notebook pages (a free download) here: http://handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com/2011/12/handbook-of-nature-study-free-downloads.html

      Reply

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