OHC More Nature Study Book #4 - Flowers: Aster, Daisy, Black-Eyed Susan

This is the last challenge in the More Nature Study Book #4 series of challenges for the summer! I can hardly believe it...this summer has flown by and I know that many of you are back to school already.

I think we left one of the best summer challenges for the last. Garden flowers are such a joy this time of year and whether you make your observations out in your garden, bring the cut flowers inside and place them in a vase, or purchase a pot of flowers from the garden nursery, this challenge is going to help you see some interesting things about flowers.

I will post ideas for nature study for the remainder of August but they will not be formal challenges. The next formal challenge will come on September 7, 2012. Remember to download and read your August newsletter so you will know the latest Outdoor Hour Challenge news, including how the changes in how the newsletter and Friday posts will work together.

More Nature Study Book #4 
Summer Flower Study: 
White Daisies, Black-eyed Susans, and Asters

Inside Preparation Work:

• Read in the Handbook of Nature Study pages 522-540 (Lessons 139 and 140). As directed, see Lesson 131 (Composite Flowers) for suggestions for observations. Read in the Handbook of Nature Study pages 506-508 (Lesson 133).
• Advanced Study: Fibonacci Sequence in Nature– YouTube Video: Nature By Numbers. (This was fascinating to me...stick with it until the end.) Also this one has more of a broad explanation: Fibonacci and the Golden Mean.
• Introduce the idea of patterns in nature to younger children. For this challenge you will be counting petals. Ebook users: Take a look at the Count the Petals page and see if you can find the Fibonacci numbers. Be on the alert for flowers with petals to count in your garden.

Outdoor Hour Time:

• This is garden flower week! Spend time in a flower garden...hopefully one in your own backyard. Observe any flowers you have available but especially the daisy-like flowers or composites. Make careful observations of the disc and ray flowers. Sunflowers are a perfect example for beginners to learn about composite flowers if you would like an alternative.
• Count petals of flowers. Look for the Fibonacci numbers.
• Bring in a bouquet of flowers to observe in your follow-up activity. (You can purchase a bouquet if needed.)

Follow-Up Activity:

• Sketch some flowers in your nature journal. Make sure to note the number of petals and if you see the spiral pattern.
• Advanced study: Complete a nature journal entry for your flower using a field guide.
• Optional advanced study: Research and record a biography of Leonardo Fibonacci.

Additional Links:
YouTube: How To Grow Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susans)
YouTube: Tips for Growing Daisies
YouTube: Learning about Asters



All the summer challenges for 2012 are included in the new More Nature Study Book #4 Summer Sizzle ebook. The challenges in the ebook are the same challenges that will post every Friday here on my blog. If you want to follow along with notebook pages and coloring pages, click over and learn more about the ebook.