Outdoor Hour Challenge Autumn Series-Fall Tree Study

Here we go with challenge number two in the Autumn Series of Outdoor Hour Challenges. Don't forget to check out the Squidoo Lens for the Autumn Series of challenges for some suggested resources for your challenge this week, including a beautiful picture book style guide to North American trees. (If you are new to the challenges, here is a link to the first challenge with more information: Challenge #1)

This week's challenge is a continuation of an annual tree study for some of you but a new challenge for many.

Please feel free to complete this challenge at any time over the next few weeks after you decide on a tree to get to know over the next twelve months, four seasons. Make sure to come back and add your link to Mr. Linky so we can all see what your tree looks like during autumn.

Our family is going to be choosing a new tree to observe and get to know from our backyard. I prefer for my boys to pick a deciduous tree so there will be lots of changes to observe, but you are welcome to choose any tree that you and your children are interested in getting to know better.

I have updated the Seasonal Tree Notebook Page and you can download it from Lulu.com
( http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/seasonal-tree-study-notebook-page-autumn-series/7702666 )

Outdoor Challenge-Autumn Series (updated Challenge 36)
Seasonal Tree Observation-Autumn

Inside Preparation Work
Read the section in the Handbook of Nature Study discussing seasonal tree work. You will find it on pages 622-626. This week the challenge includes making a seasonal observation of a tree. Lesson 172 on page 623 includes five suggestions for studying your tree during autumn. If you are just joining the challenges, pick a tree from your yard, your street, or a near-by park to observe over the course of the next year. I would suggest printing out the Seasonal Tree Study Notebook Page and taking it with you so you have the option to complete it during your outdoor time.

Outdoor Time
Take your 10-15 minute outdoor time to choose a tree to observe over the next year. You can take photos of your tree to put in your nature journal or you can sketch the tree in your journal. You may also choose to complete the Seasonal Tree Study Notebook Page during your outdoor time.

Follow-Up Activity
Allow your child a few minutes to tell you about their outdoor experience. Talk about the tree you chose to observe for you seasonal tree study. Check in the Handbook of Nature Study to see if your tree is listed there and make sure to do the reading about that particular tree over the next few weeks. There should be some suggestions for observations that you can follow. If you need help identifying your tree, be sure to pop over to the Squidoo Lens to see my suggested tree field guide.

Complete your Seasonal Tree Study Notebook Page or record your tree observations in your nature journal if you did not do so during your outdoor time. File your page away so you can compare it during your next Seasonal Tree Study. Take a few minutes to talk about your time outdoors to see if there is anything that your child wants to learn more about. Follow up any interest shown. As always, remember that the nature journal entry is a great way to record your outdoor experiences but it is not necessary every time.

Make sure to bookmark the Squidoo Autumn Series page so you can check it each week.
Autumn Series Challenges on Squidoo

We are hoping to take some time to go walking and find a tree to study this week. The photo above was taken a couple of years ago and it reminds me of the warm autumn day we had hiking and taking in the fall color of the aspen trees.

This is what it really is all about for our family-building memories and experiences that shape who we are and how we feel about our Creator.

Have a wonderful week and I am anxious to see everyone's trees!

Barb-Harmony Art Mom