Learning About Animals and Nature
Activities from Catie Hayes
Catie has given us more activites to help our children learn
about the world around them. Be sure to check out her
Ant activities, which are perfect for this time of year.
A Homemade Rain Gauge
Empty, clear 2 liter soda bottle
Masking Tape
Permanent Marker
Ruler
This is a neat project to be used in conjunction with weather study. Your
kids will also get some practice with measuring skills.
With a knife, cut off the upper 1/3 from the soda bottle. Remove the cover
and invert the upper 1/3 into the lower 2/3 of the bottle (this portion
acts as a funnel for collecting the rain). Use masking tape to secure it
in place. Using a ruler and marker, measure and draw lines indicating
inches or centimeters on the outside of the rain gauge. The gauge may be
left outside as is, or secured to a post for greater durability.
Learning About Animals
This is a great introductory science activity that may be adapted to
various age groups.
Materials:
poster board
animal pictures from magazines
markers
glue
sticks
By drawing lines, divide your poster board into sections.
Each section will contain a category name and criteria.
Examples for younger children:
"animals that
walk"
"animals that fly"
"animals that swim"
Examples for older children:
"amphibians"
"reptiles"
"mammals"
In
marker, write the category name at the top of each section, and list a few
criteria for membership. Have your child sort through the collection of
animal photos you have collected together from magazines, and decide in
which category the animal belongs. Ask your child to explain his/her
decision. Have the child glue each photo in the appropriate space on the
poster board.
Paper Plate Spider Web and Pipe Cleaner Spiders
Materials : paper plate
single-hole punch
scissors
yarn
5 pipe cleaners
tape and ruler
Cut out the center of the paper plate with the scissors. Next, punch holes
around the edge of the paper plate frame every 2 inches or so. Cover one
end of the yarn with tape, making a 'safety needle'. Instruct your child
to weave the yarn in and out of the holes to make a spider's web. Once
your child is satisfied with his/her web, affix the loose ends with tape to
the paper plate frame.
Gather the pipe cleaners, tape, ruler and scissors for the spider. Roll
one pipe cleaner into a ball, tucking the sharp edges into the center.
This is your spider's body. Measure 4 4-inch lengths of pipe cleaner.
These will be the legs. Line up the 4 legs on top of a long length of
Scotch tape. Place the spider's body on top of the legs, and fold the tape
around to hold the spider together. Gently bend each leg to finish and
place in the web.
Recommended books to accompany this activity:
Miss Spider's Tea Party by David Kirk
Miss Spider's Wedding by David Kirk
Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle
About the Author
Catie is editor of WomanLinks.com and Homeschooling News which has tried
and true book reviews, activities, affirming quotes and a
list of freebies to support your homeschooling efforts each
week. Whether you are a veteran HS family or just starting
out, this newsletter has you in mind. To join visit: HERE
