hiking

How to Train Young Scientists with Science Hikes

September 20, 2018 by Guest Writer

Our family loves hiking. In fact, we think that any time except the dead of winter is the perfect time for a hike! We love the sense of freedom, of adventure, of separation from a too-busy world. And in the fall, hiking can be an even more enjoyable and educational experience.

Creation reveals its Creator, and what better way to train up young scientists than by turning your trek through the forest into a science hike? Here are five things you’ll need for a science hike with your kids.

1. Notebooks for Recording Observations on the Science Hikes

Notebooks and pencils are a must-have on any science hike. Every child, from the toddler to the teen, can take notes about what he or she sees.

For the little ones, making drawings or writing down one-word labels might be as far as they go. Older kids can draw more detailed sketches of animals or plant life and make a few observational notes. You can take breaks throughout the science hike to allow time for drawing and writing.

2. Cameras for Taking Photos

Taking photos of nature is a great way to hone budding observation skills. You may not want to hand over your smartphone to your five-year-old, but there are sturdy, kid-friendly cameras on the market that are ideal for small hands. Or maybe you have an old phone in a drawer, one that you never use and don’t really need. Why not repurpose it as a kid-friendly camera?

Plants, trees, seeds, nuts, buds, flowers, earth, wildlife, insects, and bodies of water are perfect photography subjects for young scientists. If you have been focusing on a particular science unit in homeschool, such as plant life cycles or different kinds of clouds, encourage the kids to photograph anything related to that topic.

3. Sample Collection Containers for Found Items

Kids love to find “treasures” in nature—sparkly rocks, twisted twigs, interesting flowers, dead insects, and brightly colored leaves. Bring along some resealable bags or plastic containers to hold all the samples.

When you get home, have your kids work on identifying what they’ve found. Can they match a colorful leaf to the type of tree it came from? What sort of beetle did they find? Which minerals make that sparkly rock so pretty? They can write their findings on an index card and slip it into the box or bag that contains their treasure.

4. Drinks and Snacks

As moms, we all know what happens when the kids get hungry and thirsty. It’s not a pretty picture! Keep those hunger pangs at bay by bringing along plenty of snacks and drinks for the trek, even if it’s not a long hike. If you’re carrying a baby on your back, recruit your older children to help tote the provisions.

5. A Sense of Adventure

While it’s a good idea to follow certain safety rules (no running out of sight, no straying too far off the trail, etc.), there’s also a time to let the restrictions relax and just have fun! Nature is beautiful and exciting to your children, and they’ll learn so much from simply running, climbing, scrambling, and skipping through it! Take your time, and enjoy their delight in the big world God has made.

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Rebecca is a work-at-home freelance writer, novelist, wife, and the mom of two bright-eyed little ones. She credits her success in writing and her love of books to her own mom, who homeschooled three kids from pre-K through high school.

Dates to Remember in June

May 31, 2016 by Meredith

To me, June is the official start of summer. The weather has finally warmed up in most regions of the country, and our days are still getting longer as the northern hemisphere tilts toward the sun. And when I was a kid, June also meant that my workbooks and academic projects were put aside for swimming lessons and family visits.

But the one thing I didn’t take a break from was reading! Every time we got in the car, I brought a book along. For you and your little bookworms, our JourneyForth books provide great summer reading material. We’re also going to be promoting reading the entire month of June. Keep an eye out for what’s coming!

Writers Born in June

Gwendolyn Brooks (born June 7, 1917) wrote the poem “We Real Cool” found in Fundamentals of Literature.
Ben Johnson (born June 11, 1572) wrote the poems “Song to Celia,” “Still to Be Near,” and “On My First Son” included in British Literature.
Anne Frank (born June 12, 1929) wrote a journal, now published as a book titled The Diary of a Young Girl, excerpts of which can be found in Excursions in Literature.
Joyce Carol Oates (born June 16, 1938) wrote the short story “Murder” included in American Literature.
Helen Keller (born June 27, 1880) wrote an essay called “The Most Important Day.”

June 6

Known as D-day, June 6, 1944, was the day near the end of World War II when the Allied Forces began an attack to free Europe of Nazi occupation. General Dwight D. Eisenhower led this campaign—Operation Overlord—the largest amphibious operation in military history. It quickened the end of the war in Europe. View the Untold Stories of D-day from National Geographic to learn about the planning and scale of this invasion.

June 14

Show your patriotism on Flag Day. Today we remember when the Continental Congress passed a resolution to choose a flag that represented our nation. The US flag changed in layout and design as our nation grew, but today its form is defined. The Stars and Stripes is an important national symbol that reminds us about our freedom. Each of the fifty stars represent one of our fifty states, and there are thirteen red and white alternating stripes to symbolize the original thirteen colonies. See how the flag changed as states were added to the Union.

June 19

Don’t forget to tell Dad you love him on Father’s Day! A father’s love is the closest human comparison we have to our heavenly Father’s tender care for us. And despite the times our earthly fathers disappoint us, we can be sure that God in His wisdom always does what is good (Romans 8:28-32). The kids can offer to wash the car, clean the garage, or take Dad to his favorite game with this coupon template.

June 20

This year summer officially arrives on this date. Today is the summer solstice. That means the sun’s rays are shining straight down on 23½ degrees N latitude at noon. This latitude is also known as the Tropic of Cancer. The seasons are a direct result of the earth’s motion around the sun, and this day is defined by a distinct point in the earth’s orbit. It’s when the North Pole is tilted toward the sun, and that’s why we have warmer temperatures and longer days. Take advantage of the longest day of the year to go on a family hike. This blog post has some nature trail tips and a hiking trail journal for the kids.

How do you celebrate the beginning of summer? Let me know in a comment.

Taking the Learning Outdoors

October 20, 2015 by Guest Writer

One of my favorite things about being homeschooled was taking a field trip on a whim, whenever the weather was especially beautiful. My brother and sister and I loved going on picnics, taking hikes, or visiting a blueberry patch during the late summer and fall. If a crisp, clear autumn day arrives, bringing with it incredibly blue skies and fresh breezes, call a field trip day and take the education outdoors. Check out these fun, fall-friendly excursions that are also learning opportunities for you and your kids.

Farm or Orchard

If you live in the United States, you probably have an orchard or a farm within driving distance of your home. Autumn weather is never more delightful than when you and your kids are out among the trees, picking apples with your own hands, or scouring a pumpkin patch for the perfect pumpkin pie. Often, farms and orchards have a few animals that the kids can feed, a hayride or tractor ride, or other enjoyable activities.

While you’re having fun, you can add an educational emphasis with a discussion of seeds, farming methods, and growth cycles. Your kids may have some questions to ask the farm or orchard personnel, so encourage them to speak up and take an active role in their own learning experience.

Zoo

With the cooler weather beginning, it’s a great time to visit the zoo. Instead of sticking to the shade and staying still as they did during summer’s heat, the animals are more likely to be active, so your kids will find the excursion more fascinating. Remember to bring along water, snacks, and a camera.

If you take time to read the posted information about each animal, the kids learn even more than they would through simple observation. Once you get home, you can look up more interesting facts about the animals that your family encounters.

Nature Preserve or Park

Fall weather gives you the perfect opportunity to take your kids on a nature walk or a hike. If your children are small, try a short walk through a patch of forest. For older kids or teens, a longer hike through a local nature preserve or state park is a treat.

A small bag or backpack for each child will allow them to collect treasures such as colorful leaves, unique rocks, or other found objects. You could bring along notebooks to sketch or write down the interesting things that you see during the hike. Why not give an older child a camera to snap photos of animals, plant life, and interesting rock formations?

If you plan a lengthy autumn expedition to the farm, the zoo, or the park, remember to layer clothing. Jackets are essential during the chilly early morning. Later, when the sun and the exercise warm everyone up, you’ll need an empty tote bag to stuff the jackets in so that you can carry them easily. Whether you’re talking about tree life cycles, crop rotation, or animal habitats, you can blend fresh air and a good education with fall field trips.