Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert is a perfect book to pair with your Fall outdoor activities. I know that it's not Fall right now, but I just had to include this terrific picture book into this series. This book is a perfect addition to In a Nutshell, The Dandelion Seed, and Raindrops Roll. If you haven't read Leaf Man, it's an absolute must. You will love the great illustrations, the concept of a leaf man, and the cool places that leaves will blow. There are so many fun activities and conceps that … [Read more...]
In a Nutshell: Nature Walk and Book Series
The next book in our Nature Walk and Book Series is In a Nutshell by Joseph Anthony. This book beautifully portrays the life of an oak tree. You will see an acorn turn into a beautiful oak tree and what happens when a tree becomes old and dies. The illustrations in this book are gorgeous. Your kids will love seeing the acorn come to life and grow into a big and strong oak tree! You will see a change in seasons, scenery, and nature at it's finest! In a Nutshell … [Read more...]
Raindrops Roll: Book and Nature Walk Activities
Hi there! The first book in my new Book and Nature Walk Activity Series is Raindrops Roll by April Pulley Sayre. If you have never read this book, I highly recommend you RUN to your local library and find it, or click the title above. This book ever so subtly discusses a ton of scientific concepts that you can discuss with your kiddos as well as page after page of absolutely exquisite photographs. My kids loved the pictures! They are bright and so crisp and clear your little ones of all … [Read more...]
Pairing Books with the Great Outdoors
Once the weather turns warm and the sun begins to shine, do you struggle to include reading and picture books into your daily routines? You wake up to a gorgeous day and immediately head outside to soak up some vitamin C, ride bikes, explore nature, or just have a picnic! Only to later realize that you didn't stop to do any reading at all. With this new series, I hope to solve that slight problem for you once and for all. We love to play outside and will find a new trail to explore and be … [Read more...]
Scavenger Hunts: How to Take Your Nature Walk to a Whole New Level
This is it y'all! The last and final post for the Nature Walk Series. In this post, I wanted to talk about the benefits of using Scavenger Hunts while you walk. I briefly talked about Nature Scavenger Hunts last year, but in this post I really wanted to show the MANY, MANY different ways they can be used. So far in this series, we talked about ways to incorporate letters and numbers into your nature walks, how to explore your senses, and ways to get more out of your nature walks. I hope that … [Read more...]
Exploring Your Senses while Enjoying Your Nature Walk: Nature Walk Series
If you've read lately you know that we are most of the way through our Nature Walk Series. So far we have discussed tools that can help keep kids engaged, finding shapes and letters, and how to get more from your walks. In this post I want to share ways that you can explore your senses while walking. The purpose of this series is to encourage you to not only take walks with your kids, but to also interact with nature and use it to learn many different things. My hope is that you will find … [Read more...]
Nature Walk Series: Incorporating Letters and Numbers
This time of year when the weather turns absolutely gorgeous overnight, all you want to do is be outside. How can you check off your to do list, cover all the concepts you want to cover, and still make sure to get in enough of that beautiful Spring Weather? Nature Walks. Nature walks are a perfect way to get outside, take in some fresh air, and still be learning. This is the third post in the Nature Walk Series. So far I have discusses tools you can add to help keep your kids entertained … [Read more...]
Inner Struggle Mom versus Teacher: Ways to Combat Spring Fever
OK so here's my problem... I am two completely different and separate people. Part of me is mom, mom who has three kids, a dog, house and no life. The other half of me is a teacher, a teacher who taught middle school for 6 years and likes things very structured. It's a constant inner struggle and sometimes those two don't mesh well (see my personal growth mission about Perfectionism1 and 2). Inner Struggle As a mom when it's rainy, cold, and yucky I want to play games, watch movies, and … [Read more...]
