Activity #45 round-up...

...if you participated in Cloud Breath, leave your name & blog in Mr. Linky... hoping to see some fun ways the cold air & winter weather were enjoyed!

a new favorite winter read...

...so i think i've found a new book to add to my favorite children's science/nature bookshelf (this title joins "An egg is quiet" and "A seed is sleepy")...





















The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder by Mark Cassino with Jon Nelson

"How do snow crystals form? What shapes can they take? Are no two snow crystals alike? These questions and more are answered in this visually stunning exploration of the science of snow. Perfect for reading on winter days, the book features photos of real snow crystals in their beautiful diversity. Snowflake-catching instructions are also included."

the photographs included in this book are fascinating, the text easy enough for younger readers, yet there is more detailed information included as well for older readers and parents - i learned quite a few new facts, including a simple explanation of why no two snow crystals are exactly the same.

if you're looking for a beautifully written & illustrated children's book, put this at the top of the reading list!

winter reading...

...adding a few more titles to the naturalist bookshelf on the left sidebar. with so many beautifully illustrated and well-written books out there, these are just a few we've found at our public library. if you have a winter favorite, feel free to leave a comment with the title, and i'll add it to the bookshelf.

happy (winter) reading!

winter science experiment ideas...

with so many different ideas floating around of different ways to enjoy and explore the cold weather, i thought i'd post links to just a few ideas...

frozen soap bubbles
winter science
winter science experiment ideas

enjoy!

i love dirt activity #1 :: Cloud Breath (#45)

...it seems like i've gone back to Jennifer Ward's book "i love dirt!" more times than i can count since i first got the book several years ago (in fact, i love it so much that after misplacing it, i purchased a second copy - i hope whoever found it has enjoyed it as much as i have). i thought the organization - one activity per week for an entire year was a great (and easy - the activities, and useful information are already provided) way to incorporate learning about nature, the changes that occur throughout the year, and some simple scientific explanations on a regular basis.

so while i originally thought doing one activity a week was doable, i'm hoping that by selecting one activity for every few weeks (2 a month) would allow greater ease for participation and completion. so if you're interested in participating, borrow/buy a copy of "i love dirt!", and join in as often as you'd like.

the first activity, #45, Cloud Breath offers "the perfect opportunity to experiment with exactly how clouds are made". have fun exploring how this happens, perhaps snap a photo or two, and browse through a few of the books on the naturalist bookshelf (left-hand sidebar). please feel free to post suggestions, comments on books and exploration ideas in the comment section.

happy cloud explorations!

welcome...

...to a blog dedicated to collecting and sharing ideas, activities, and explorations involving nature and a life out of doors. it's my hope that this blog will grow to be filled with a variety of resources - photographs, stories, lists of books, materials, that will encourage children (of all ages) to expand their outdoor adventures.

i hope you'll join in this adventure!