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Nature studies in the snow?
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Does anyone have any brilliant ideas for nature studies in the snow? We have had lots of fun in the snow, but haven’t really done anything educational with it. It’s not going anywhere anytime soon……….any ideas for nature studies?
Thanks!
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer,
I have had my kids look at the snow itself, try to find frost on things and see the patterns it makes when it forms. Look at it up closee with a magnifying glass. feel it and see if it is the sticky kind or the fluffy kind, then find out WHY. Try to find out what animals are still around during winter and find out how they survive through the cold. Put out some bird seed and see what kinds of birds and maybe even squirrels come to eat it. Hope these suggestions help. Have fun out there!
-Miranda
Hi Jennifer,
We live in Michigan and so I know what you mean about the snow not going anywhere soon! I just came across a book that has sparked lots of winter nature study ideas for our family. It’s called “Stokes Guide to Nature in Winter” by Donald Stokes. The book has sections covering winter weeds, snow crystals, wintering trees, evidence of insects, winter birds and abandoned nests, tracks in the snow, and other topics, too. The illustrations have inspired us to go out and find the different things he discusses.
We loaned our copy from the library, but I’m planning to purchase it as I think it will be useful for many (LONG) Michigan winters to come. 😉
Hope this helps!
~Anna
You can also look for tracks in the snow. Look for cat, dog, squirrel, rabbit, birds, and any other animals you know are in your area. Around here my daughter and I look for fox tracks as well as squirrel, rabbit, and the different birds. Also, look for wing marks in the snow where an owl or hawk may have caught a mouse.
You can study the trees and shrubs to see how they are preparing for spring. Look at the buds. Also, notice the difference between the old growth and the newer growth on the branches. This is also a good time to study the bark on the trees and learn to identify the tree by its bark.
If you have fruit trees or bushes in your area look for where the rabbits have chewed the branches. You can tell rabbit damage by the way the twig will be cleanly cut at an angle.
Look for squirrel nests in the trees. Also, keep track of what days the squirrels are more active. Notice the weather when they are active and when they are not.
Hope that helps give you some ideas. Have fun in the snow!
Wow! You guys are awesome! Thanks so much! You have inspired me to get better at the nature studies. I have had good intentions, but we never seem to get to it. I have no excuses…..our backyard backs up to a nature reserve. We go hiking there a lot, but my boys don’t seem interested in learning while hiking. They just want to play in the creek, hang in trees, and catch crayfish! I am going to keep a list of your ideas and start doing them as soon as it warms up a little. (We are in MO…..today the high is 2 degrees and feels like -12!) I know some of you mommas might be brave enough to handle that, but I will wear the title of wimp! I want to stay in my house until we are at least in the teens! I am going to see if I can find that book at my library, also. Thanks for the idea, Anna! One question…..we don’t have magnifying glasses. Is there anything I should know before purchasing them? Are cheap ones as good as the more expensive ones?
Jennifer
HI Jennifer,
Check out the Handbook of Nature study blog — http://handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com/ — She will be having different challenges on Fridays through the next couple of months. She has lots of ideas for winter studies. We don’t do all of the challenges but sometimes we like to try them. Enjoy!
I’m not sure if this belongs in the Winter Activities post or here, but I wanted to share. If you want to get outside more this winter but are anti-cold weather, buy snowpants! It’s crazy, but I just did this and I was actually WARM outside today at 18 degrees! I have never been much of an outdoors person, maybe in the warmer Wisconsin months but definitely not in winter. Well, with two young boys and trying to really live out the CM philosophy of education, I’ve been making myself go outside. I think this will really make my winter great outside!
Some indoor nature studies for the really cold stretches of winter:
Grow sprouts…and eat the fresh greens for dinner! Experiment with different types of seeds and see what you like best.
Nature journals – sketch a still life using food from your kitchen such as an assembly of fruits or vegetables.
Visit a greenhouse or conservatory and sketch some exotic plants from warm climates.
Perhaps some simple observations about the lengthening days, the long shadows, the different types of snow. You could track the weather conditions and see if you can predict what the next day’s weather will be.
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