Jean Potter - Nature in a Nutshell for Kids

Winter

Also, if you are looking for a particular topic, such as insects, plants, or weather, you can find it in the Activity Index at the back of the book.

Each activity answers a particular question about nature and includes a list of the materials you need, easy-to-follow steps, and an explanation of what the activity demonstrates. There is no need to buy special materials, but you may want to visit the library for additional information on the topic.

Try to be very careful as you complete your observations and explorations. These tips will help:

Be prepared. Read through any activity before you begin to do it. Collect all the materials required before you start, and place them in the order in which you will use them.

Be accurate. When conducting your activities, follow directions closely, and write down all results.

Be creative. After completing an activity according to the directions, try to think of ways that you can change the activity. Look for the results from your change to the activity. But before you make the change, ask an adult if your substitution is all right. This will help ensure safety and also avoid wasting materials.

Be careful. Ask for adult assistance and supervision when using sharp instruments. Materials should be used for the purpose for which they were intended. Work cautiously.

Be neat. Keep your work and your work area as neat as you can. Use clean instruments, and wash them after every use. Always put your materials away clean.

Learning about nature is a lifelong adventure, so it is a good idea to keep notes of your nature studies. Your nature notebook does not need to be elaborate. It can be a notebook or a file on your computer. You simply want a place to record your observations and findings.

For each investigation, you will want to include several categories in your nature notebook:

Date. The date will not only tell you when the nature study was conducted, but it can provide you with valuable information about your findings during a particular time of the year. This information will be helpful when you want to study the same topic at a later date or on the same date the following year.

Time. The time of day or night you study nature can be significant. Many things in nature change quite a bit depending on whether they are observed in the daytime or at night.

Weather. Your activities may be affected by the weather. Record the temperature; cloud formations; rain, snow, and wind conditions; and other weather information. By maintaining good records, you may be able to predict how nature is affected by the weather.

Location. The location of your nature study is important. It is usually not enough to just record, "my backyard." Try to be more specific about the location: "on the right side of the front porch next to the knothole." Then if you need to find the location again, you will be able to go directly to it. Keep in mind that the outdoor environment is constantly changing. Record the location from different directions, and use lots of landmarks in your description.

Description of procedure. The description of your study should be detailed. It is always better to have more information than not enough. Do not rely just on your memory to fill in the missing information. You would be surprised at how much you can forget in several months.

Illustrations. Drawings are an important part of recording information. You do not need to be a great artist to draw maps, plants, or animals. You just need to be able to interpret what you have written and drawn.

Getting close to nature also means helping to care for and maintain it. If you do, nature will continue to be as beautiful as it is for a long time.

Observe natural beauty. Each season offers a new and different look at the world. Stop to enjoy the beauty of every season.

Be curious. Studying nature requires a keen awareness of your surroundings. Keep your eyes open, and watch for unusual occurrences and changes. Ask yourself and others questions about things you do not know. Record any questions that remain unanswered in your nature notebook.