Fabulous Nature Study Resource I had to Recommend

[nestof3]

Here is another gem I found at my local library which I decided to purchase. It's a little pricey on amazon right now, but you might be able to snag it cheaply somewhere else.

Learning Under the Sun
http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Under-The-Sun/dp/B000FJP8EO/ref=cm_pdp_review_teaser_product

Here is my amazon review:
This book is divided into four major sections -- one for each season. Included are real, accessible plants and animals to study in each season with discussion questions and labs for each.

The back of the book states: This unique science manual takes students out of the classroom and on location to learn about organisms from personal experience in everyday surroundings. It sparks curiosity and provides a vehicle for a lifetime of learning about the wonders of the world.

Offers more than 75 on site science activities involving common plants and animals. The labs which may be completed in 45-50 minutes or extended over several days are arranged according to the seasons of the year.

[Tarheel Heather]

Thanks for review!

[Stacia]

What ages would you say this is for? What types of experiments or activities does the book have?

I'd love to hear any other info you can add.

Thanks!

[AuntPol]

Looks intersting but ouch on the price!

[GreenKitty]

Thanks, it looks interesting!

[KH_]

Is this the same book, only not spiral bound? This one's much less expensive:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0813810388/ref=nosim/addallbooksearch

[nestof3]

It is a very hands-on sort of book. It would be useful, in my opinion, for actually all ages, though with the elementary, it would be much more teacher intensive. There are no cute reproducibles as in the Bugs to Bunnies book.

The book is divided into four seaons.

Fall includes: introduction on how to take field notes, outdoor dress, scientific method, etc. Then it moves onto:

aquatic studies (water analysis, fish, whirligig beetles, caddis flies)

terrestrial studies (critters, monarch butterflies, grasshopper, crickets, spiders, arthropod survey, lady beetles, bird studies (identification, drawings, behavior, honeybees, etc).

terrestrial plant studies (tree hunt, goldenrod, weeds)

Winter includes: survival unit, woody twigs, skull studies, timber cruising, etc)

Spring includes: spring tree flowers, maple syrup, pH, anemones, bloodroot, lichens, dandelions, milkweeds, snails

Summer includes: dragonflies/damselflies, marshes, surveying critters in natural litter, aphids, sow bugs, spittlebugs, leaf utlization, galls, pollen grains, fungus

***************************************

Here's a close-up of the goldenrod lesson.

Outdoor Activity:

observe plants from 10 feet away and watch different insects which visit the plant. Measure the height of the plant and record its location. Look for galls on the leaves and stem. Place a plastic bag over the flower head and cut away from the stalk.

Lab Activity:

Put a cottonball soaked in fingernail polish remover into the bag. Wait a few minutes and shake the flower head. List all the insects collected from the plant. They mention common insects you'll find.

Stem: describe texture, color, look at cross-section -- is it circular or angular. If it has a gall, describe it, open it.

Leaves: Desribe shape, do they have petioles? Is there a difference between the size of the lower and upper leaves? How are the veins arranged in he leaves? What is the texture of the leaves?

Flowers: 7 questions to answer, then examine the pollen under 100x power on microscope. Describe its color and shape.

Summary: 5 summary questions.

[nestof3]

Looks intersting but ouch on the price!


I know. I snagged mine for less than $10, but I cannot remember if I bought it on Ebay or Amazon. Your library might carry it.

[nestof3]

Is this the same book, only not spiral bound? This one's much less expensive:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...dallbooksearch (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0813810388/ref=nosim/addallbooksearch)


Yes, but it's the first printing. My copy is 1993.