Jump to content

Menu
Giving You and Your Child a Road Map to the Best Possible Education
The Well-Trained Mind Community

MelAR05

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    777

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by MelAR05

    Problem with curriculum sale

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    Ok, my husband (who works for the post office :001_smile:) told me you can request a scanning history which would include the zip code for each place it was scanned so you can see if it was actually delivered to that actual post office. Also, you can either go to your local post office and request a printout of the scanning history or you can maybe do it on usps.com. He has not actually tried it on usps.com but has done it internally as an employee.

    You can pm me with the tracking number and he can look it up for you when he goes back to work on Monday if you don't have success on your own.

     

    Hope that helps,

     

    Melissa

    Question for those in tornado prone areas.

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    Just part of life in AR.

    :iagree:

     

    From Arkansas as well. Of course, still have to get thru today but I have not ever seen a tornado nor know of someone personally who has been in one and I am in my forties. Not always but the casualties from tornadoes are usually people who live in mobile homes. It is amazing how many people survive a tornado by just going to the interior of their house. There are close calls and times in the hallway every year but that is just life here. I would feel safer with a safe room though. :001_smile:

     

    It's funny because I think I could never live in a place where there are earthquakes all the time. Though people that have experience with them would probably say they are no big deal.

     

    Melissa

    Independent reads for 3rd grade

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I just found the Christian Liberty Press Nature Readers at our homeschool library and my daughter who loves science and nature absolutely loves these books! I believe they are part of their reading program so they have Nature Reader K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th (I think). She just finished 2nd and is beginning 3rd. The only problem is that I wish there were more of them! :)

    Here is the complete set -http://www.christianlibertypress.com/proddetail.asp?prod=KITNR

     

     

    Melissa

    blogs/websites for nature study inspiration?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Kalmia gave some great tips for starting a group. I found it very fun to lead an all ages group- I have littles as young as 5, and tweens and a teen or two in the same group, and I think it really added to the experience.

     

    I would also have some field trips and activities planned for winter or inclement days when the weather does not cooperate. On icky days we would meet at a home, and do things like draw from collections (we have shells, insects, rocks, moss and lichen, some sea creatures, etc.). We would drive to the local museums or science centers and draw from their stuffed bird and insect collections.

     

    I also borrowed study kits from our local natural history museum- we did bats, owls, and birds, as well as mammals (great skulls to draw!). These included study guides that we did not use, stuffed animals, or parts (feet, wings, beaks etc in the bird box). It took us about a month of meeting weekly to draw all the goodies in those boxes, and they were a fave with all the kids.

     

    Hope that helps! I am feeling very inspired!

     

    HI Melissa,

     

    Just read your question asking about starting a nature study club. The first steps are easy.

     

    #1 Use Google to investigate parks and preserves in your area. Put in your location (i.e. Bucks County, PA) and the following (one at a time): land trust, Audubon Society, nature centers, nature preserves, state parks, town parks, arboretums. Now you will have a list of places to check out. Visit them first with your own kids and select one for your first hike.

     

    #2 Get some friends together and walk the trails. Bring snacks, snacks, water, sunblock, insect spray, first aid kit and other essentials of comfort and safety.

     

    #3 Let nature be your guide. Investigate all the interesting things you find. Try to figure out what they are by bring along four field guides: birds, wildflowers, trees, and insects. Bring a camera so you can record what you see. It's okay not to know what everything is. There is no pressure, you will learn them one at a time over a number of years. Don't get wrapped up in thinking you don't need to bring preplanned activities. Nature is full of interesting things and is ever-changing, there will be plenty to capture everyone's imagination.

     

    #3 Follow the children's lead. If the preserve allows it, let them splash in puddles, climb trees, hop on rocks, and enjoy themselves!

     

    #4 After you get a few walks under your belt, you'll find that you've seen things that amaze you and your kids. You will want to find out more about these wonderful plants, creatures and behaviors. Let this curiosity lead your nature study journey. In that way, it will always be fresh and inviting, never a chore.

     

    First time with the multiquote so they are out of order. Anyway, thanks for the ideas ladies. I am going to have to try this. My girls would soooo enjoy it!

     

    Melissa

    blogs/websites for nature study inspiration?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted · Edited by MelAR05
    found what i was looking for

    How do you go about starting and teaching a nature study club? I am would really like to have something like this for my oldest daughter (7) who loves studying nature but am clueless on how to go about it setting it up. I know this may sound silly but studying nature is not natural (ha!) for me. :)

     

    Thanks,

     

    Melissa

     

    Maybe I should have looked at the link first. :)

×
×
  • Create New...