Nature Study . . .

We have not done the next challenge yet, but are continuing to study mammals and our pine cone collection. Recently, the kids read and learned about wolves, goats, rabbits, sheep, and white-tailed deer. They have really enjoyed reading about these mammals in the Handbook of nature study and from information we have found online or in other books. They have made a few journal pages to go along with some of them also.

We have really enjoyed our pine cone collection. As strange as that may sound, we happened upon an unusual event with the pine cones. We first heard some popping or cracking noises coming from the box. When we looked at them, we noticed that one of the pine cones, was opening. It was a green one that looked more like a seed pod than pine cone.

We watched it over a week and a half open and transform into a pine cone.

The kids have really loved getting up each morning and looking at it to see the changes.

We were able to take some pictures of the changes to share.

As time goes on, it will be interesting to see how it progresses to look like the other cones in our collection.

We have so many questions that we hope will be answered. Will it turn completely brown? If so, how long will it take? And more . . .Nature is so amazing!!