Exploring Nature with Kids: Green Gorge, Althaus Park, and Mabbit Springs

Five Senses Nature Hike: ways we can experience the world around us
Location: Green Gorge Trail

One of my favorite studies we are doing this year is Exploring Nature with Children by Raising Little Shoots. This is a year-long curriculum that centers on exploring the natural world through weekly nature hikes.

Each week you are prompted to focus on a particular part of nature. The study includes a hike recommendation, supplemental book suggestions, a work of art and a poem that relate to the week's topic, and also additional activities to do as a part of the study.

We have completed three weeks of this curriculum including a Five Senses Nature Hike, a study on seed pods, and a Mini-Beast Hunt we did today where we searched for insects. Jack and I use Thursdays as our day to complete this study. Isaac is at preschool and this is something special for just the two of us to do.

Seed Pod Study: How do plants reproduce?
Location: Local Park

We have yet to complete every activity in each week of the study, but we have hiked, read the weekly poem, and worked on a Nature Journal entry. I am loving this study and opportunity to spend time one-on-one with Jack.

Mini Beast Hunt: We searched for insects and found mostly cobwebs,
and a downed tree that we determined had been struck by lightening.
Location:  Mabbit Springs Trail

I also purchased the book Nature Anatomy by Julia Rothman to go along with this nature study, and it has been a great companion book to have on our hikes. We always use it as a reference during our study and it has been great inspiration for nature journaling, as well as providing extra nuggets of information. It has quickly become one of my favorite books.

Exploring Nature with Children is an eBook that you can purchase for $15.00, an excellent value for a year-long study.

Nature of Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World can be purchased on Amazon for $12.80, also an excellent value and great supplemental resource.