Allow me to introduce you to our little friend Adventurous:
We had an unexpected nature study a few days ago: my mom (who just lives around the corner from us) called to say her little dog Mocha had found a turtle, 
and asked if we wanted her to bring it over. Of course we said yes!
After some poking and prodding, we convinced the rather bold turtle to close up her shell so that we could see if it really was a box turtle; it was more brightly colored than and I've ever seen before. When it finally shut itself up tight, we confirmed that it was indeed an Eastern Box Turtle. We are fairly certain this one was a female. Although I'd always heard that you can tell by the color of their eyes, after a little online research, I learned that there are more accurate ways to tell, including the shape of the shell (a.k.a. the carapace) and some of the characteristics of the tail. So we think this is a girl.
Kathryn had never actually held a turtle before! Once she realized it couldn't hurt her unless she poked a finger too close to its mouth, she warmed up to it and then she didn't want to let it go. I didn't have a good place to keep the turtle, and I've read that they don't do well in captivity (although it would have been nice to keep for a day or two at least), so we released it in the back yard.
After watching the turtle explore and travel faster than the famous fable implies, Kathryn named the turtle Adventurous, and the next day, after we had read more about box turtles, she made a nature journal entry all about Adventurous. This is one of the few times she's ever volunteered to do a nature journal entry without a little prodding from me. So, hurray for the inspiration of Adventurous the Turtle! I just love nature study, especially unexpected, fun study like this... which leads me to my article this month at The Heart of the Matter online homeschooling magazine!
We had an unexpected nature study a few days ago: my mom (who just lives around the corner from us) called to say her little dog Mocha had found a turtle, and asked if we wanted her to bring it over. Of course we said yes!After some poking and prodding, we convinced the rather bold turtle to close up her shell so that we could see if it really was a box turtle; it was more brightly colored than and I've ever seen before. When it finally shut itself up tight, we confirmed that it was indeed an Eastern Box Turtle. We are fairly certain this one was a female. Although I'd always heard that you can tell by the color of their eyes, after a little online research, I learned that there are more accurate ways to tell, including the shape of the shell (a.k.a. the carapace) and some of the characteristics of the tail. So we think this is a girl.
Kathryn had never actually held a turtle before! Once she realized it couldn't hurt her unless she poked a finger too close to its mouth, she warmed up to it and then she didn't want to let it go. I didn't have a good place to keep the turtle, and I've read that they don't do well in captivity (although it would have been nice to keep for a day or two at least), so we released it in the back yard.
After watching the turtle explore and travel faster than the famous fable implies, Kathryn named the turtle Adventurous, and the next day, after we had read more about box turtles, she made a nature journal entry all about Adventurous. This is one of the few times she's ever volunteered to do a nature journal entry without a little prodding from me. So, hurray for the inspiration of Adventurous the Turtle! I just love nature study, especially unexpected, fun study like this... which leads me to my article this month at The Heart of the Matter online homeschooling magazine! "Nature Study - Relaxed and Fun"
This past spring, we finally began doing weekly nature studies. All along, I’ve had good intentions, and we’ve done some lovely nature readings but actually getting OUTDOORS to do our studies just wasn’t happening. I think I was overwhelmed at the multitude of possibilities, and just didn’t know where to begin... Read the rest of my article HERE.
I heartily encourage you to check out the August edition of The Heart of the Matter! As usual, it's chock-full of great articles; whether you're an experienced homeschooler, brand new, or still just considering it, I'm sure you'll find something to bless you.
This past spring, we finally began doing weekly nature studies. All along, I’ve had good intentions, and we’ve done some lovely nature readings but actually getting OUTDOORS to do our studies just wasn’t happening. I think I was overwhelmed at the multitude of possibilities, and just didn’t know where to begin... Read the rest of my article HERE.
I heartily encourage you to check out the August edition of The Heart of the Matter! As usual, it's chock-full of great articles; whether you're an experienced homeschooler, brand new, or still just considering it, I'm sure you'll find something to bless you.
