Wildflowers (summer science) Update

[science_spot]

A few weeks ago I posted about one of the easiest, most rewarding summer science activity - the nature walk.  My daughter and I pushed the baby up and down our street, looking in everyplace we could for wildflowers.  Well, since it is nicer outside, we have been taking a short drive to different locations in search of different wildflowers. 

We were richly rewarded!  Not only is the summer in full bloom not (versus the early plants of a few weeks ago), but there were different flowers near (and IN) the river, and we found some pretty funky flowers, that remain unidentified.  We are waiting for one behemouth in particular to bloom and I'll post pics.

My five year old, Abby, has been so interested in this project, she remembers the name and features, and can identify, about a dozen new wildflowers in our area.  She is learning more everyday.  She asked me to make her a book, like the one I made when we were doing birdcounts for the Great Backyard Bird Count.  So, of course, I did (with pictures from the internet, printed out on paper and stapled together).  Next to each flower picture, I wrote the name, height, and months of bloom in our area.  On our next walk, I'll let her use it to figure out some of the names she hasn't memorized yet.  I have about 30 pictures in the book.

I sure have learned alot of the flowers, myself.  And when she has a bunch memorized, I think we'll move on to flower structure.  I should start making her a book for that....

 

Tonya

AKA sunmoonstars

The Science Spot

 

[evwsquared]

Jul. 17, 2009 at 4:58 PM

How did you identify the flowers? Do you have a field book?

[Lb128f]

Jul. 18, 2009 at 2:37 AM

What a great project to do with your child...very cool!

[science_spot]

Jul. 18, 2009 at 10:13 AM

I need to get a field book!  I would like to find something to identify all the trees, plants, bugs and animals in my area!

I identified them from a couple good websites I found.  Takes alot of time to sort through and let the pages load, so I totally recommend a field book for speed and ease of use.

 

(Original Poster)