Mrs. Aitch's File Cabinet of Ideas for Nature Study Lessons

Friday, April 1

Early Spring Field Trip

If you need something to do this weekend or next week, check out the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC.   Don't forget the camera (and extra batteries).  Wear sturdy walking shoes and a jacket--it's supposed to be chilly.   Put on a smile, too, as there will be LOTS of people milling around, doing the same thing you're doing!

Check it out before you go by clicking on this web cam of the view right now.

Along the Tidal Basin, Jefferson Memorial in the background

Nature Hike

Take a walk outside your own home. Look around at all the signs of Spring in your own backyard! What do you smell? What do you see? What do you hear? Fresh earth, budding plants and trees, birds chirping? How does the wind feel against your cheek?

Keep your nature journal handy....summer is a busy time in the natural world! Jot the occasion, date, time, weather, and anything unusual. Make a simple sketch to help you remember. Doesn't have to look like da Vinci! Just your sketch.

Take note of a special tree in your yard. Keep track of it during each season. Sketch one or two branches right now. Take note of the buds or twigs. Date the sketch, add the time of day, something about the weather. Yeah! That wasn't so hard!!