OHC Blog Carnival - May Newsletter Edition

Here we are again at another end of the month Outdoor Hour Challenge Blog Carnival. This month brought many of us to the real meat of our spring time weather....colors, growing things, new beginnings. Nothing is more encouraging than seeing the season change, knowing soon that summer will be upon us.


The new More Nature Study Book #4 Summer Sizzle ebook is ready for you to purchase or you can wait until June 8, 2012 and you can see the first challenge. I wrote this ebook with summer vacations in mind and with some extra ideas for simple summertime nature study right in your own backyard.

Extraordinary in the Ordinary

Spring Peepers from the Beery Family - They discovered and recorded a spring peeper! Pop over and listen to the short video. Do you have spring peepers in your area?

Low Tide Object from Angie at Petra School - This family was determined to find something extraordinary during their low tide adventure. I think they succeeded and were rewarded with learning about something new right in their own local area. 

Ordinary and Extra-Ordinary: Nature's Timing from Kris at On the 8th Day - They had several insect visitors come their way...they used the opportunity to find the extraordinary in their ordinary day during a dog walk. They even followed up with a nature journal entry. Welcome to the carnival!


Extraordinary in the Ordinary from Tricia at Hodgepodge - The Hodgepodge family always does a good job of finding the extraordinary in their own backyard. This entry does not disappoint the reader with its colors and textures found right outside their door.

The Extraordinary in the Ordinary from Shirley Ann at Under An English Sky - They truly had an extraordinary experience and they photos and journals are amazing. Thank you so much for sharing your nature study with the carnival.

Finding Extraordinary in Your Own Backyard by Stephanie of Nature Notebook. They found some really interesting things right in their own yard. Enjoy her images!

Walking to Taughannock Falls, New York. May 2012.

Dogwood

Spring Tree Observations - Maple from Angie at Petra School - What a great substitute for the dogwood study! They even worked in some silent observation time with her older boys as part of their spring tree study. I am impressed.

Vines and Ferns

Vine-How Does Your Tendril Grow from Angie at Petra School -  They have done an excellent job of capturing and observing lots of their own Oregon vines. As always, they are very good at asking questions and finding the answers.

Fern Study (learning how much I still don't know) from Amy at Hope is the Word -This is a great example of how to adjust your nature study to your circumstances, how to apply what you read in the Handbook of Nature Study, and then follow-up with a creative nature journal entry. Thanks for sharing your fern study with the carnival Amy.

Garden Snails

Slug and Snail Study from Crafty Cristy -  They have made an extended study of slugs and have observed and learned a lot. I love the way they are following the interests of the children.

Taughannock Falls, New York. May 2012.

Potpourri

Pretty Petunias from Wendy at Loving Learning - They are joining the carnival with their petunia study using the Handbook of Nature Study. Excellent job and they even followed-up with a nature journal sketch. Thanks for joining us from South Africa!

OHC - The Meadow Buttercup from Shirley Ann at Under An English Sky - What a treat to see their buttecups! Shirley Ann shares her thoughts about the Handbook of Nature Study in this very encouraging entry.

Nature Study - Crows from Jamie at See Jamie Blog - They had a perfect opportunity to learn more about something right in their very own yard. A snake and a crow were the featured attractions! I love the way they seized the opportunity to complete an Outdoor Hour Challenge and some follow-up notebook pages. 

Spring Flower - The Bluebell from Shirley Ann at Under An English Sky - What a treat! This entry is full of beautiful bluebell images and information. Shirley Ann also has created a free Bluebells Notebook Page for you to download and use in your family. Thanks!

Outdoor Hour Challenge Pileated Woodpeckers from Janet at Discovering Nature - They discovered a wood pecker nest back in April and have been watching the progress. Wonderful images of parents and babies! 

Extraordinary in the Ordinary - Leaves

Outdoor Hour Challenge #2 - Using Your Words from Heidi at Starts at Eight - This is a wonderful robin study using the suggestions from Outdoor Hour Challenge #2. Wonderful job finding words for their outdoor time and then doing an exceptionally thorough follow-up. 

May Nature Notes from Amy at Hope is the Word - They have adapted their nature study this month to fit their family's circumstances. What a smart idea to go with color themed scavenger hunts outdoors. Beautiful images!

Nature Study Spiders! from Tristan at Our Busy Homeschool - This family had the opportunity to observe and identify a glorious spider. They posed it perfectly on lavender paper so even I could enjoy it. :)

The Nature Walk With the Spring Scavenger Hunt from Bethany at Little Homeschool Blessings - They had a great time completing their spring scavenger hunt!

May Musings from Barbara at The Schoolhouse on the Prairie -  They have had some rich outdoor time this month in and around the garden.

Jamaica Bay. Long Island, New York. May 2012.

Make sure to subscribe to this blog so you will receive the download link for the monthly newsletter. The Outdoor Hour Challenge June 2012 Newsletter is themed: Ocean Beach. There are so many practical ideas for including a little nature study when you visit the sandy beach this summer!

The newsletter link will be available in tomorrow's post and in every blog entry for the month of June. You need to subscribe using the subscription box on the sidebar of my blog in order to receive the link in your next email blog entry from me.




Have you seen the new bundle? If you are new to the Outdoor Hour Challenge my Four Seasons Bundle and my More Nature Study Bundle will give you lots to work with!Click the buttons and read more about these specially discounted bundles of nature study ebooks.