Sunday, September 12, 2010

Fall Science Part 1


I noticed yesterday, that it had been exactly a year, since we'd gone a our fall nature walk, to gather pine cones for a wreath.

I thought it might be fun to take the little ones out again, for a comparative walk. But this time, instead of carrying a newspaper basket, to gather pine cones, G was good enough to outfit the the younger ones (ages 4-7) with masking tape bracelets, sticky side out, for collecting "samples" of fall.


We noticed right away, that we seemed to have caught autumn in its earliest stages. Most of the leaves are just beginning to change color.


Here is a picture of the same tree we photographed last year. The picture on the left is from the same day last year, and the picture on the right, is this year.


We also observed quite a few toadstools...


...found a penny...


...and decided to turn the pine cones into impromptu boats, instead of wreaths, this year.


Although, some plants had already dropped their flowers, in favor of seed pods, we still found enough blooming, to add to the few colorful leaves on the ground, for some very pretty (or in the case of D, who is far to boyish to wear something "pretty" - scientifically interesting) bracelets.

I hope very soon, to follow this walk up with some deeper experiments, and reading into the changing colors of autumn leaves. I hope you'll come back, and join us for "Fall Science Part 2", later in the week.

But, in the meantime, you can find more scientific exploration, and discovery for children, at this week's Science Sunday link-up, at Adventures in Mommydom.

It's great to be a homeschooler.

10 comments:

Christy Killoran said...

My kids love to make nature bracelets too. It's funny to notice the difference in the changes exactly one year later. Interesting.

Julie said...

It's very interesting to see the difference between the two years. I do a fall nature walk with my mom's group here in NC, but last year I waited until October because it never looks like fall in September here. I may have to do those sticky bracelets for the nature walk this year!

April said...

Those nature bracelets are really pretty. I remember seeing that idea somewhere but I never did it. I definitely want to try it out after seeing your results. Coming thru from science sun

Joyful Learner said...

I think Fall is the best time to do nature walks. Looking forward to part 2!

Debbie said...

I love the nature bracelet idea. Maybe when we get another nice day or a break from the rain we may just have to go explore and make our own.

Unknown said...

Fall bracelets are the BEST, in my humble opinion, out of all the seasons...

Fairion said...

How cute. We did a similar walk at the start of spring using contact paper sticky side out and then put another piece of contact paper over to make it last.

Natalie PlanetSmarty said...

Great idea. It's interesting to see the difference between two years. I am also looking forward to fall nature walks - luckily, we are still transitioning from summer (I even made it to the pool yesterday).

Eva said...

Nice I love all the colours on your nature bracelets. I've done this activity with my class before using contact paper. Thanks for sharing, I hope to try this out with my daughter soon :)

Brimful Curiosities said...

Such a simple idea, that bracelet. A fun activity for a nature walk. My daughter would love making her own autumn bracelet and my little guy would enjoy it, too. He's not old enough to realize that boys don't wear "pretty" things.