Nature Journaling

Journals come in every flavor under the sun. They can be emotional sounding boards, idea notebooks, what-I-did-today-style diaries, reading records, travel logs, sketchbooks, or all of the above, all at once. They can also be used to bring you and your kids closer to the outdoors. “A field journal is essential to a scientist’s fieldwork,” states the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). The AMNH suggests that for each outdoor expedition, young naturalists record their observations, thoughts, and questions, augmenting entries with sketches, photographs, maps, charts, data lists, bark and leaf rubbings, and pressed specimens. “Your journal will be unique to you, reflecting your personal style…” Continue reading Becky Rupp’s TOODAY I SAW A RED BERD: Nature Journaling for Kids from the May-June, 2010 issue of Home Education Magazine. Additional resources from Becky: The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, Charlie’s Playhouse, and Makedo.

Nature Journaling

A Paper “Quilt”

Or, quilting for the Rest of Us! I’ve seen lots of great projects using quilting – friendship quilts, family quilts, history quilts, but let’s face it, not everyone wants to sew. Here’s a book/kit for making a family history “quilt” of paper. It comes with precut squares, some blank and some with ideas printed on them, and features more suggestions in the text, like how to include other generations and traditions special to your family. My Paper Memory Quilt by Bill Zimmerman www.chroniclekids.com ISBN 0-8118-3797-1

A Paper “Quilt”

Homeschooling while traveling

The mother of a homeschooling family from  Sweden recently wrote that thanks to homeschooling, her family has been able to travel long term around the world.  She also mentioned that they often visit other families while touring  since there are only about 100 families in Sweden that homeschool. You can read their page on children, travel and homeschooling here. Then, be sure to visit the rest of their blog and read their advice, tips and tricks on traveling the world. ExtendedWorldTravel.com

Homeschooling while traveling