Blog

Flower Dissection for Kids

This site contains affiliate links that benefit my family if you purchase through them. Read my full disclosure here.This site contains affiliate links that benefit my family if you purchase through them. Read my full disclosure here.Performing a flower dissection is a fun activity for kids. They get to have hands-on experience taking apart a flower and getting familiar with…
Read More

in Life Unplugged· Nature Calendars

Meteor Shower Art Project

One of the activities we’ve been looking forward to on this month’s nature calendar is the Lyrid meteor shower coming up next week. As we were talking about meteor showers recently, I realized that my daughter didn’t know what one was. I tried to explain, but realized that maybe I should turn to other sources for a better explanation. I…
Read More

in Life Unplugged

Spring Peepers Call in Early Spring

The call of spring peepers is the sound of spring in New York State (and other parts of the eastern United States and south-eastern Canada). The high pitched-chorus sounding near ponds and wetlands is a sign that winter is coming to an end. Despite the fact that their call carries far on a quiet night, they are seldom seen. This…
Read More

in Life Unplugged· Nature Calendars

Winter Nature Walk: Sensitive Fern and Willow Pine Cone Gall

Sensitive fern is a good thing to look for on a winter nature walk. Sensitive fern gets its name because it’s very sensitive to frost and drought. The fertile fronds– the fronds that produce spores– are easy to see in winter. They look like little black beads on top of brown stalks. You may also find some of the dried-up…
Read More

in Life Unplugged· Nature Calendars

“I Wonder” Nature Journal Page

Sometimes you run into something in nature that has you puzzled. You can still add your discovery to your nature journal and include your questions about it. Actually, adding a few “I wonder” statements to any nature journal page is a good practice. Then you will be more likely to discover the answers later. Recently, we came across these unusual…
Read More

in Life Unplugged

Small Winter Stoneflies: Insect Life in Winter

Most insects hide in winter. Winter stoneflies are one of the few insects that are active. Special compounds in their blood act as anti-freeze and keep them from freezing. The adults emerge from the water in midwinter and mate. The female returns to the water to lay her eggs. After the eggs hatch, the nymphs live underwater and molt anywhere…
Read More

in Homeschool· Life Unplugged

Great Backyard Bird Count

A Citizen Science Project For All Ages In anticipation for the Great Backyard Bird Count, I’ve designed some materials to help you prepare. I’ve included a watercolor bird poster of common birds, bird flashcards, and a copywork poem. First you may be asking… What is the Great Backyard Bird Count? The Great Backyard Bird Count website says this about the…
Read More