Yesterday, for our Outdoor Hour Challenge of the week, we began a year-long seasonal tree study. That means we'll study one tree for a year, and note the changes from season to season. We chose a tree right in our front yard, one Kathryn already loves to climb in whenever she gets a chance. It's a dogwood, which recently finished it's beautiful blooming season. I wish we had thought to do this spring study on it a few weeks ago!
There was a chilly breeze, but it won't be long before we're wishing for cool weather, so I'll take it while we can get it! We started our study by sitting near our tree and just watching and listening. Then Kathryn made notes of what noises we could hear in or near the tree: birds singing, leaves rustling in the breeze, and our chimes (which hang in this tree).
Kathryn felt of the bark and wrote how it felt: bumpy, hard, and rough. She did a rubbing of the bark, and pulled off a leaf so she could do a rubbing of that. Then she climbed up in the tree with a magnifying glass to investigate the bark, leaves, and other parts more closely. She found some type of tiny worm-like insect and a ladybug, and noticed some moss growing on the bark.
We also measured the circumference of the trunk: 20 inches. Once inside, she finished up her nature journal pages, and we'll add a photo of the tree later. Thanks again to Harmony Art Mom for coming up with this challenge for us!
There was a chilly breeze, but it won't be long before we're wishing for cool weather, so I'll take it while we can get it! We started our study by sitting near our tree and just watching and listening. Then Kathryn made notes of what noises we could hear in or near the tree: birds singing, leaves rustling in the breeze, and our chimes (which hang in this tree).
Kathryn felt of the bark and wrote how it felt: bumpy, hard, and rough. She did a rubbing of the bark, and pulled off a leaf so she could do a rubbing of that. Then she climbed up in the tree with a magnifying glass to investigate the bark, leaves, and other parts more closely. She found some type of tiny worm-like insect and a ladybug, and noticed some moss growing on the bark.
We also measured the circumference of the trunk: 20 inches. Once inside, she finished up her nature journal pages, and we'll add a photo of the tree later. Thanks again to Harmony Art Mom for coming up with this challenge for us!
