This week we took a walk around our backyard looking for signs of spring.Here is a LIST of what we found: * new bud growing on a Rhododendron Bush * Fig Tree: new fig growing * Rose Bushes: new buds forming * an unknown tree & bush (need to figure these out) with new buds * new flowers in full bloom * and ants scurrying all over their ant hill.
Here is a video of our ants. We watched them for a while and they were moving twigs and other things around on their nest. Boy are they busy little ants. Sorry I am not the best video person around... but this will give you a general idea of what they are doing.
It just finished raining and we headed outside to see what the ants nest is up to. Here is what we saw:
We decided to learn more about our precious little friend, the ant. We have determined they are Western Thatching Ants. We read the information at this link and were amazed at all it told us about our ant friends. We know they are beneficial ants and help to contral the insect population. I LOVE THEM. LOL We read the section in Handbook of Nature Study where Anna talks about Ants (pg 369-373). The discussion questions she provides are wonderful. I think I am finally understanding how to use this book. I asked the kids what they have seen the ants eat and they said: worms, tomato's, different types of ants, sow bugs, part of a flower, & spider. Here is their notebooking page they did:
On a different note, here is some nature journaling Holly and Jake did on the Western Gray Squirrel:
We made a list of things we would like to learn about in our yard: * Ants * Fig Tree * Rhododendron's * Tree in the front yard (don't know the name) * Birds that visit our yard (so far we have Mountain Chickadee & Steller's Jay) * Insects
To view more Green Hour Challenges, click HERE. If you would like to participate in these challenges, it isn't to late. You can join at any time. Just click HERE to learn more about Green Hour Challenges.
11 comments:
Ants sound like a fun study! I really enjoyed the signs of spring & everyone's nature journals & drawings. I guess I missed something as I hadn't seen the "Green Hour Challenge #5" form you used. It's great!
A little off topic... But, do you know how long it takes to download video. Golly it takes FOREVER! The first one I did I sounded like I was talking to a bunch on 1st graders. LOL I couldn't share that one. :o) Ok venting done. :o)
The notebooking pages are ones I created for my children to use to document our challenges. You can find a link to them on the right side of my blog under the Green Hour Logo. I did just add it to my post too. Feel free to download them and use them as you please. :o)
Thanks for stopping by.
~Tina
Wonderful signs of spring! And great videos, it really makes it very visual and feels like I'm there. I'm going to try to start using those more myself. And thanks for the notebooking pages, love them!
Blessings,
Melissa
In the Sparrow's Nest
www.homeschoolblogger.com/melissal89
So you did a video today too! Now I don't feel so bad about my leaf rubbing video. :) I think the casualness of the videos lets us get to know one another better. Thanks for taking the time to upload it.
Your notebooking pages are great, thanks for putting them together for us all.
Very interesting study and it is so good to hear that you are understanding how to use the HNS better because I think that is the one of the main points about doing the challenges. Each week I'm trying to build you up so you can eventually do this all on your own...not sure how long this will all take, don't worry.
Looking forward to next week,
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
Melissa, I want to see a video of your squirrels on your feeder. :o)Thanks for the comment on the notebookig pages. I am glad others are finding them helpful. Your bird list document is really neat too. :o)
Barb~ I know what you mean about doing a video. Oh my voice is being heard by people I haven't met before IRL. I hope I sound normal. :o) LOL I love your "talking hands". :o)
The tip about cutting out the rubbing and adding it to your journal will really help us. Our paper is a little thick too, but we made it work anyways. I like your idea for future rubbings. :o)
The kids are all thinking of different things they could collect. We will narrow it down to 1 for now. 4 kids collecting, I have to have some control over this assignment. :o)
Thanks everyone for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment.
Blessings~Tina
What a fantastic Green Hour! I learned so much just reading your post! I love your worksheets and have tried to download them, but for somereason my browser won't let me. I have a mac and have tried Camino, Safari, and Firefox. I'll keep trying because I think they are really great. Your kids look so happy and fun. The rhododendrons are beautiful. The ants are fascinating. Thanks so much for sharing.
Sonja, I tried emailing you via WTM board. I am hoping it was you and not someone else. :o) LOL They are a word .doc and I don't know if that would make a difference with a Mac. But if you contact me via WTM I would be happy to email them directly to you and see if it would work that way. :o)
Thanks for the comments on our GH adventure.
Blessings,
Tina
I really enjoyed the videos - my son wouldn't watch because he says he can't stand even the thought of ants! Your notebook pages have been a blessing to us as a starting point for our journalling - thank you!
~Chrissy
Chrissy,
Glad you enjoyed the videos. Want to hear something gross??? Ok.. you're going to hear it anyways. LOL Sometimes, my kids put their hands on the nest and let them crawl on their hands and chase each other with a handful of ants. GROSS! Especially their sister. I tell them not to do this, but kids will be kids...
With that said, I full agree with your son. :o)
Glad the notebooking pages helpd you start with journaling. :o) Thanks for letting me know that. It encourages me. :o)
Blessings~ Tina
Nice Green Hour challenge!
My son was so into ants for a while...we had the ant farm and he would read all kinds of books about them.
Oh my goodness! Lots got done at your casa this week! The kid’s drawings are fantastic... *Ü*
We still have ( ok I ) have not posted mine yet! Gasp! *Ü* Maybe soon... I tried best I could to take a blog break this weekend... I just finished writing something for HOTM and thought I would pop on over and say hi! You have been a busy girl! lol
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