OHC Blog Carnival - February Newsletter Edition

The carnival reminds me that we are still officially in the winter season but many of us are starting to see some signs of spring. Perhaps we are just hopeful that spring is around the corner. Either way, this carnival is packed with lots of nature study goodness for you to enjoy and to be inspired by as your read the entries. I know that it can be a challenge to read all the entries but I encourage you to visit a few favorites and perhaps a new family as well, leaving a comment behind as a way of connecting with your fellow Outdoor Hour Challenge participants.

I always come away from my reading with a great sense of joy.

Winter Weeds/Mullein/Twigs

• Julie writes about their weed study in Starting February With Weeds. They decided on a close-up study of dandelions and she shares their thoughts and journal page with carnival readers.
• Diana from Homeschool Review and Crafting Too wrote a very real and honest account of their Twigs Nature Study. I love that we can feel successful getting outdoors with our children even if things don't go as planned. Their family also completed their Mullein Study and Diana shares their adventure looking for some winter mullein...success! I am enjoying the glimpse into their family's growing confidence in nature study. 
• Angie from Petra School would love for you to read her entry Twig Studies. Angie and her boys are doing such a great job with this series of  challenges and you will be encouraged by their advanced study examples.
• Barbara from Schoolhouse on the Prairie shares their wonderful Twig Study and a Book Review.  They decided there was much to learn from their backyard twigs. Don't miss her book review and see if you can find this OOP book at your library.
• Rebecca from Mom's Mustard Seeds joins the carnival for this edition with her Adventures with Chickadees and Twigs entry.  Their family is just getting started with the Outdoor Hour Challenge and she shares her struggles and their success in this wonderful entry.

Galls and Gall Dwelling Insects

• Makita from Academia Celestia shares there Galls: Nature Study entry with carnival readers. She has collected quite a few galls and shares their study and your images for your inspiration
• Julie from the Homeschool Balancing Act asks Galls? What is a Gall? as part of their entry for this challenge. They did some discovering and now they will be on the lookout for more potential galls.
• Western Galls and Squalls, but No Gulls with Gals. How is that for a blog entry title? Angie from Petra School has a humorous and informative entry to share with carnival readers.
• Zonnah from Zonnah's Addictions has submitted Galls for carnival readers to view. She includes two beautiful clear images of different kinds of galls. Thanks so much for the reference. She is also sharing their Twig Update...absolutely gorgeous!

What a display at Petra School! Thanks Angie for sharing.

Quartz

• Zonnah from Zonnah's Addictions submits their Quartz nature study entry for your to read and view. She has a collection of quartz that they observed and then they made rock candy! Excellent idea for follow-up for families.
• Angie from Petra School is going to inspire you to get outside and collect some quartz of your own. Her entry for the Quartz Challenge shows just how creative and personalized you can make each challenge. Awesome job! My boys and I are going to make our own quartz collections!
• Rebecca from Mom's Mustard Seeds also writes about their Learning about Rocks, Sheep/Wool, and a Detour to Marshes and Ponds for this edition of the carnival. I love seeing how they make so many connections to their other studies, their values, and beliefs while learning through nature study. Excellent.

Magnets and Compass

• Zonnah shares their Compass entry with carnival readers which includes an easy adaptation to one of the suggested activities. I think we are going to use images for our notebook page as well.

Lacey and her family (So Every Day) have created a wonderful nature collection on their mantel.

Potpourri

• Jenny Anne from Royal Little Lambs has submitted their Sheep Study for carnival readers. It sounds like they thoroughly enjoyed this challenge.
• Barb at Give Us This Oklahoma Day has just started with her first Outdoor Hour Challenge.  I loved seeing the muddy hands and the smiling faces. Please pop over and give her some encouragement.
• Leslie from Two Cowgirls shares their first Outdoor Hour Challenge and they saw some signs of rabbits!  I think they did a great job of finding something interesting even in the city.
• Lacey from So Every Day has been sharing their Getting Started nature study entries. For OHC #8 (magnifying glass), she writes about how she initially needed the push to get outdoors but felt the rewards of doing so with her children. Great example. For OHC #5 and #6 (list and collection), she shares their awesome new collection that is beautiful and contained on their mantel. Please pop over and let her know you stopped by. She is longing to "catch up" to us and be a part of our community.
• Crafty Cristy has submitted S is for Science which documents their beginning on the Handbook of Nature Study trail. It is always wonderful to get to meet new families. 
• Makita has another entry from their blog: First Fridays which details their latest Roots and Shoots nature group outing. You must click over and see their ginormous list of birds observed.
• Diana from Homeschool Review and Crafting Too has submitted their Chickadee Study Part 2 for the carnival. Here is another family that completed the pastel chickadee project!
• Kristin from Broom and Crown has put together a wonderful entry for you to read: Our First Sonoran Desert Nature Walk. This is one of my top ten nature study destinations in the world. I love everything about the Sonora Desert. Thanks Kristin for the visual trip.
• Martha from Sunrise to Sunset captured some fantastic images for you to see. Click over and read: My Backyard Excitement!
• Amy from By His Design shares their Signs of Spring entry for this edition of the carnival. Don't miss the image of the grubs...and the beautiful spring photos as well. :) 

It is almost time for a new set of challenges! 

Publish Date - March 5, 2012

I am polishing up the More Nature Study Book #3 - Spring Splendor volume of Outdoor Hour Challenges. This is the most thorough and exciting book so far. I can't tell you how much I have learned as I put this book together and I look forward to sharing the ideas with you as we work through each one this spring.