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middleschool

How to Put Together a Middle School Nature Study With Book List

July 12, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Putting your own middle school nature study together fits an unschooling, unit study, Charlotte Mason and eclectic homeschool approach. Also, you’ll love more ideas on my How to Homeschool Middle School.

I’m showing you how to put together a middle school nature study.

Besides, once you learn the general framework of a unit study, you can spend as much time or as little as you want on it.

You’ll learn how to do it easy peasy, make it a little more challenging, cover more than just simple nature study, and give you a list of wonderful books and other resources to go along with it.

How to Put Together a Middle School Nature Study With Book List

While nature study is wonderful you may want to be able to make it more well-rounded and use it as credit for their sciences.

It is possible to do that with a little more intentional planning.

How to Put Together a Middle School Nature Study

You can still enjoy the carefree times of nature walks, simple observations, and nature-based art but it’s time to kick those things up a notch.

1. Expand What the Term Nature Study Means

First, build your curriculum on more subjects than just nature.

See how you can expand it.

While nature study is important and wonderful, you want to make sure that you are giving them access to multiple streams of learning.

For example, look for interesting videos, living books on a variety of topics, and deeper study into topics,

In addition, include parts of science that are not naturally in nature studies.

Encourage study and find ways to incorporate learning about electricity, rocketry, chemistry, anatomy, microbiology, and other topics.

2. Nature Journals Become Science Notes & Labs

These can be a great way to work on art and creative writing.

However, nature journals can easily turn to lab notes and physical documentation of what they have been learning.

How to Put Together a Middle School Nature Study With Book List

Too, journals show progress and can be used to highlight what interests your child.

More Nature Study Activities

  • How to Create a Fun Yosemite National Park Camping Curriculum | DIY Firestarter

But at this stage, you can start expecting a little more out of them, a little more writing, more challenges with their artwork, and expanding their interests.

How to Put Together a Middle School Nature Study With Book List

Instead of just drawing, take the next step to nature photography or classifying rocks with bulleted lists, add a bit more structure to the expectations.

3. Keep Records

No matter what your homeschool style you may or may not have kept more of a record than the smiling photographs and jotted notes that you needed.

You can also “reverse plan”, which just means you write down what you accomplish after it’s done rather than what you plan to do in advance. 

How to Put Together a Middle School Nature Study With Book List

This helps you get a feel for if you are doing enough.

And I find it really encouraging to look back on all we accomplished that I might not have remembered without writing it down. Grab any notebook or paper pad and start writing it all down.

4. Offer Learning Baskets

Gather different types of books and resources like field guides, tools, specimens, and picture books, with a broad nature study scope as well as some specific to certain topics.

Then put them all together in a basket to create interest.

Next go with a specific nature topic of a mix to see where the current interests lie. You never know they may find a new passion!

5. Expand the bookshelf

Don’t sell those picture books yet!

There are many amazing nature study picture books that will appeal to middle schoolers and teach them so much more than any dry textbook would.

Don’t discount those books you may consider picture books and too young for middle schoolers. They are still a great resource and wonderful to use for art inspiration, identification, and research.

How to Put Together a Middle School Nature Study With Book List

Then here are more nature study activities and resources.

Other Nature Study Activities and Resources

  • Fun Outdoor Activities For Middle Schoolers Geocaching and Nature Study
  • 26 Free Nature Unit Studies for Multiple Ages
  • Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study
  • How to Make an Easy Nature Paint Brush With Kids
  • 20 Nature-Inspired Kids’ Novels to Nurture Interest In the Outdoors
How to Put Together a Middle School Nature Study With Book List

Also, add one or two of these fun nature lapbooks to your nature unit study for a hands on project.

How to Put Together a Middle School Nature Study With Book List
  • Dynamic Honey Bee Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    Dynamic Honey Bee Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    $4.00
    Add to cart
How to Put Together a Middle School Nature Study With Book List
  • Dynamic Famous and Historic Trees Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    Dynamic Famous and Historic Trees Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    $4.00
    Add to cart

6 Nature Study Books and Resources

Add one of these resources or books to your study about nature. They all give you a starting point or use one or two of them as a nature spine.

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.

Handbook of Nature Study

The Handbook of Nature Study is a classic Charlotte Mason text. A big book full of information on pretty much every area of nature study from tools to birds, weather, and rocks.

The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady

This beautifully packaged facsimile of Edith Holden’s original diary is filled with a naturalist’s masterful paintings and delightful observations chronicling the English countryside throughout 1906. As one of the few true records of the time in print, the handwritten thoughts and paintings contained in The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady transport readers to a more refined, romantic, and simpler time.

Botanicum

Filled with both recognisable, and tropical flora, Botanicum is the ultimate companion guide to the variety of plants, and how they have evolved and grow.

Curiositree: Natural World: A Visual Compendium of Wonders from Nature - Jacket unfolds into a huge wall poster!

Discover the interconnectedness of the natural world and learn why living things look and behave the way they do in a series of visually compelling information charts, maps, and cutaways, all illustrated in a nostalgic, vintage style. Packed with incredible facts about the natural world and the animals that populate it, the whole family will enjoy the full-page spreads grouped into the categories of habitats, species, and adaptations.

Nature Study & Outdoor Science Journal: The Thinking Tree Presents: A Creative Book of Observation, Drawing, Coloring, Writing & Discovery

The Thinking Tree presents: A Creative Book of Observation, Drawing, Coloring, Writing & Discovery Through Nature, ideal for all ages (even adults!)

Creativity and discovery at its best, this journal is a bestseller among The Thinking Tree publications! Your nature-loving student will treasure this journal designed to ignite their wonder of the outdoors. With more than 180 lessons and beautiful illustrations, the Nature Study Journal invites the student to read, write, draw, color, explore and appreciate the outdoors while covering a variety of subjects such as science, poetry, observation instructions, and more.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Nature Based Activities Tagged With: botany, Charlotte Mason, life science, middleschool, nature, nature study, science, unit studies, unit study, unit study approach, unschooling

BEST Digital Homeschool Curriculum – Big Ol’ List

June 10, 2023 | 13 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have the best digital homeschool curriculum. Also, look for more tips on my how to homeschool page.

I have a confession to make. Even though the digital age is here, I pine over physical books still.

However, moving overseas certainly had me thinking outside of the box when I had to assess my homeschool library “on the go”.

All homeschool resources and clothes had to fit in two suitcases when we moved to Ecuador. For me, that meant very few physical books and resources.

I scrambled to find resources that were online or downloaded in a digital format so I could print when I moved overseas.

BEST Digital Homeschool Curriculum - Big Ol' List

So I put together this digital homeschool curriculum – big ol’ list to use as a resource for you and me.

Some items are free and others cost but I really wanted to put a lot of them in one spot as a reference. Instead of dividing by subject, I divided by age level because many of them have multiple subjects and topics.

Preschool & Younger Grades Homeschool Curriculum

Preschool and Tot Themed Packs
Blue Manor Curriculum
Children’s Books Online the largest collection of illustrated books online
Free Copywork
Progressive Phonics

Best Digital Homeschool Curriculum a Big Ol' AWESOME List at Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Letter of the Week Preschool Curriculum

Our Journey Westward
Our Journey Westward
The Basement Workshop Store

Garden Of Praise Reading Units. Many popular 2nd and 3rd grade reading level titles.

Homeschool Curriculum Multiple Ages

Homeschool Legacy. Downloadable Unit Studies.
Using YouTube for Homeschooling
Homeschool History – Teaching Ancient Civilizations Using Netflix

Khanacademy.org.

Duolingo.com  foreign language lessons

Code.org 

ck12.org . CK-12 will provide open-source content and technology tools to help teachers provide learning for students in a global world. Free access to high-quality, customizable educational content in multiple
modalities suited to multiple student learning styles.

Old Fashioned Education.Since buying whatever strikes my fancy is not an option I have decided to seek out as many free online resources as I can find. There are literally thousands from which to choose. Since there’s no way I can use everything available I have chosen to focus mainly on texts in the public domain with minor reference to a few other significantly useful sites.


Home School In the Woods Have great hands-on history and you have a choice of download or CD with most products.

Free Middle and High School Language Arts

Ambleside Online AmblesideOnline is a free homeschool curriculum that uses Charlotte Mason’s classically-based principles to prepare children for a life of rich relationships with everything around them.
Chalk Pastels Art

You ARE an Artist Curriculum Bundle


PBS Learning Media direct access to thousands of classroom-ready, curriculum-targeted digital resources and it’s Free.
Free Middle School Science Curriculum & Magazines

Art History Kids

BEST Digital Homeschool Curriculum - Big Ol' List


The Baldwin Online Children’s Project – Free online living books for history and science.

Free Elements of Style Online Guide
Free Scott Foresman Online Grammar and Writing Handbook. Grade 1 – 6
Note: I dug these out of the Way Back Machine. So if you want to keep these, I suggest you download right away as much as you need in case they go away permanently.

Coreknowledge – Free units.
Exploring Nature with Children. A complete year long program in .pdf.

Upper Grades & High School Homeschool Curriculum

Institute for Excellence in Writing. I already had the DVDS from my previous sons and so I purchased the pdf Student Writing. We created our notebooks when we moved in here at Ecuador instead of packing the physical binders because we had no room in just two suitcases. There is also a streaming option here.

BEST Digital Homeschool Curriculum - Big Ol' List

Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum
Let’s Homeschool High School – Nice list of online classes for high schoolers in a variety of subjects.

More Digital Homeschool Curriculum

  • Big Ol’ List of All-In-One Homeschool Curriculum (a.k.a Boxed)
  • 10 Affordable and Complete Homeschool Kindergarten Curriculum
  • Best High School Homeschool Curriculum Packages (Accredited and Not Accredited)
  • Which One is Really the Best Homeschool Writing Curriculum (a comparison)
  • How to Build Elementary Homeschool Curriculum Directly From Amazon 
  • How to Build Middle School Curriculum Directly From Amazon.
  • How to Build High School Curriculum Directly From Amazon

Literary Adventures for Kids. We LOVED the online poetry and movie unit for high school and there are several other literature studies online for different ages.

BEST Digital Homeschool Curriculum - Big Ol' List

High School Homeschool Lessons with Uzinggo (Math & Science)

BEST Digital Homeschool Curriculum - Big Ol' List

Do you have any favorites missing from this list?
You’ll also love these other tips:

Big Ol' List BEST Digital Homeschool Curriculum at Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
Digital Homeschool Curriculum - Big Ol' List. Your Library on the Go @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

13 CommentsFiled Under: Free Homeschool Resources, Living Abroad Tagged With: curriculum, digital, high school, middleschool

Toddler to Teen 100 Popular Free Homeschool Unit Study Resources

May 8, 2023 | 8 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have 100 free unit study resources. Unit studies have a way of taking any topic from drab to fab. Grab more ideas on my best homeschool unit studies pages

They can bring life to the most seeming lifeless topic.

Toddler to Teen 100 Popular Free Homeschool Unit Study Resources

So today in sharing toddler to teen 100 free unit study resources, I hope you find something that inspires you and your kids.

A good amount of the work has been started for you already with the resources I have listed below. And no, I just couldn’t stop at 100 resources!

Free Unit Study Resources

General Information & Unit Study How-Tos

  • 10 Days of Diving Into Studies Into By Creating A Unit Study Together
  • Ultimate Homeschool Unit Study Planner – Which Lesson Planning Pages to Use?
  • Unit Studies vs. Textbooks
  • How To Plan Unit Studies with Project-Based Learning
  • 5 Days of Building Preschool Unit Studies

Free Unit Studies

A

  • A Busy Year by Leo Lionni ~ Seasons & Months Printables
  •  Abner Doubleday
  • Abraham Lincoln
  • Africa
  • Alpacas
  • Amazon Rain Forest and many lapbooks
  • Amphibians and Reptiles Unit
  • Ancient Egypt Unit
  • Ancient Greece
  • Animal Classification Unit
  • Another Ancient Egypt Unit Study
  • And My Ancient Egypt Unit Study
  • Annie Oakley
  • Ants
  • Apples
  • Arctic
  • Asia – Free Learning Resources
  • Australia
  • Autumn Unit Study
  • Celebrating Autumn
  • Alice in Wonderland

B

  • Beatrix Potter Unit Study Resources
  • Birds
  • Bubbles
  • Birds

C

  • Cooking Unit Study
  • Charlotte’s Web Unit Study
  • Chemistry
  • Chemistry Unit Study
  • Chronicles of Narnia Resources
  • Chocolate Unit Study
  • Civil War Unit Study
  • Chronicles of Narnia Free Learning Resources
  • Historical Fiction Series: Columbus
  • Columbus Unit Study Resources
  • Coral Reef
  • Camouflage

Also, look at Beautiful Feet literature for some fun literature, history and geography unit studies.

Homeschool Unit Studies

D

  • Daniel Boone and lapbook
  • Desert Animals Unit Study and Lapbook
  • Dinosaur Unit Study for Elementary Kids
  • Davy Crockett and the Alamo

F

  • Fall Unit Study (Includes Apples, Sir Isaac Newton, Art, and Appleseed)
  • Farm
  • FBI Unit study for middle and high school
  • Five Senses Unit Study
  • France Geography Unit Study
  • France
  • France another one

Unit Studies for Multiple Ages

G

  • Greece Unit Study and Lapbooks
  • Gardening Unit Study
  • Geology Unit Study
  • Greece another one
  • Goldrush

H

  • Harrison Ford
  • Historic Philadelphia, Independence Hall
  • Huge Human Body study and lapbook
  • History based for middle and high school

I

  • Iroquois Confederacy
  • Ian Fleming
  • Indian Corn
  • Insects Unit Study
  • Italy

J

  • Free Jamestown Unit Study
  • Jim Thorpe
Toddler to Teen 100 Popular Free Homeschool Unit Study Resources

K

  • Keanu Reeves
  • Kentucky History Unit Study

L

  • Leonardo Da Vinci
  • Les Miserables
  • Lewis and Clark and several lapbooks
  • Literature Based Kindergarten Unit Studies
  • Little House on the Prairie Unit Study
  • Lost in the Solar System – Magic School Bus
  • Literature based

100 Unit Studies

M

  • Martin Luther King Jr Unit Study Resources
  • Medieval Unit Study
  • Michael J. Fox
  • Middle Ages Unit Study
  • The Mitten
  • Moon and Stars

N

  • Natural Disaster Themed Unit Study
  • Native American Plains Indians Unit Study and Lapbook
  • Neil Armstrong
  • New Zealand Unit Study
  • Norway

In addition, look at the Holling C. Holling Geography Unit Study Using Living Books.

Toddler to Teen 100 Popular Free Homeschool Unit Study Resources

O

  • Oregon trail and Westward expansion lapbook
  • Owl
  • Ocean Unit study and Lapbook
  • Ocean Animals Unit

P

  • Phantom of the Opera
  • Pirates
  • Presidents of the United States Unit Study
  • Pumpkin Unit Study
  • Puzzles

R

  • Renaissance
  • Roger Moore
  • Revolutionary War
  • Russia Unit Study
  • Rainforest
  • Roller Coaster

S

  • Sharks
  • Slavery
  • Solar System Unit Study
  • Space and the solar system
  • Squirrels Free Learning Resources
  • Stellaluna
  • Spring Activities
  • Smores
Toddler to Teen 100 Popular Free Homeschool Unit Study Resources

Free Unit Study Printables

T

  • Teach Bugs and Insects Using Eric Carle
  • Teeth Unit Study
  • The Titanic Unit Study and Lapbook
  • Tom Hanks

U

  • US Geography Unit Study
  • US History Unit
  • United Kingdom

V

  • Viking unit study and lapbook
Toddler to Teen 100 Popular Free Homeschool Unit Study Resources

W

  • Weather Unit: Books, Videos, and Projects
  • Westward Ho Huge Unit Study and Lapbook
  • Winston Churchill
  • World War I
  • World War II Unit
  • Worm Unit Study
  • Weather

Z

  • Zoo Animals Unit

Don’t forget that I have the Ultimate Unit Study Planner. Having an eye for detail and creating many unit studies with multiple levels of kids, I know you’ll love it.

Toddler to Teen 100 Popular Free Homeschool Unit Study Resources. I have 100 free unit study resources. Unit studies have a way of taking any topic from drab to fab. Grab more ideas on my best homeschool unit studies pages. They can bring life to the most seeming lifeless topic. So today in sharing toddler to teen 100 free unit study resources, I hope you find something that inspires you and your kids.
  • This is a DIY printable Ultimate Unit Study Planner in COLOR.
  • Undated pages, so it is a 1 Time Purchase
  • You do not pay for “Fluff” pages like calendars found freely on the internet and provided here on my blog. Only unique working forms are part of your comprehensive download.
  • Lesson Pages are divided by lower, middle and higher grades.
  • Learning Objective Forms & Assessment Forms
  • Brainstorming Maps
  • 2. Ultimate DIY Homeschool Unit Study Planner

    2. Ultimate DIY Homeschool Unit Study Planner

    $5.99
    Add to cart

Feel inspired to try one or two or . . .?  You’ll be hooked!

You’ll love these other posts and tips too:

  • Helpful Homeschool Unit Study Spines to Plan in a Few Hours
  • How to Easily Add Language Arts to Homeschool Unit Studies (& Resources)
  • What You Must Know to Teach High School Unit Studies
  • 7 Budget-Friendly Language Arts Curriculum to Pair with Unit Studies (with printable)
  • 3 Things To Remember When Homeschool Unit Studies Get Complicated
  • Fascinating and Fun Honey Bees Unit Study and Lapbook for Kids
100 FREE Toddler to Teen Homeschool Unit Studies. Your kids will love these ideas and you’ll find plenty of topics to keep homeschool planning easy. CLICK HERE to grab one or two!
100 FREE Toddler to Teen Homeschool Unit Studies. Your kids will love these ideas and you’ll find plenty of topics to keep homeschool planning easy. CLICK HERE to grab one or two!
Ultimate Homeschool Unit Study Planner - Comparing Two Different Lesson Planning Pages @ Tinas Dynamic Homeschool Plus


This blog hop is organized by iHomeschool Network, a collaboration of outstanding homeschool bloggers who connect with each other and with family-friendly companies in mutual beneficial projects.

Toddler to Teen 100 Popular Free Homeschool Unit Study Resources

8 CommentsFiled Under: Do Unit Studies, Free Homeschool Resources, Geography, Hands-On Activities, History Resources, Homeschooling, Middle School Homeschool, Other Unit Studies Tagged With: earthscience, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschoolhighschool, homeschoolhistory, homeschoolscience, middle ages history, middleschool, physical science, unit studies

Fun Outdoor Activities For Middle Schoolers Geocaching and Nature Study

April 16, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have some fun outdoor activities for middle schoolers today. Also, look at my page homeschool middle school for more fun tips. Too, look at my page Homeschool Geography for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.

Besides, National Trails Day is April 22nd and that is a great time to start hiking the trails if you have never been or find a new one in your area if you have.

Fun Outdoor Activities For Middle Schoolers Geocaching and Nature Study

I also want to introduce or reacquaint you with another couple of fabulous outdoor activities for middle schoolers that go hand in hand with hiking trails which are geocaching and nature study.

In addition, I have another idea for outdoor activities for middle schoolers which is to teach them what to pack in your hiking pack list.

Too, I highly recommend a good quality comfy pair of shoes for everyone before you head out.

Hiking for Middle Schoolers

Hiking is a wonderful way to get exercise, fresh air, and get in a nature study.

Also, you also don’t usually have to go far to get some hiking in.

Check out this list of state parks by U.S. state that you can visit to get a hike in on the trails.

Or use it to find different trails near you. You can see the links location mark off the trail when you’ve completed it.

  • Check out local state and national parks in your state here for trails.
  • The National Parks Service also has an extensive listing of parks for each state.
  • You can use the All Trails APP to find different trails near you, get reviews for the trail, details like if it’s dog or stroller friendly, and mark off as you complete a trail.

What is Geocaching

Additionally, one fantastic addition to hiking is geocaching. It can also be done on its own.

If you don’t know, geocaching is simply a GPS-based activity.

People create and hide small trinkets or even just a logbook just off trails at parks and other public places for you to find.

They can be official containers or camouflage DIY containers like coffee cans.

Look at this one we found on our last hike.

Fun Outdoor Activities For Middle Schoolers Geocaching and Nature Study

The app gives you directions to follow and the distance to get you pretty close to the hidden cache.

In addition, we have found them hanging in trees, in hollowed-out logs or stumps, inside a hole cut in a telephone pole, covered by limbs or palm fronds.

Geocaching Container Ideas

There were large caches that contained toys, keychains, and other little things.

And there are small ones like this one where you unscrewed the behind part and there was a little rolled-up paper for you to log the date and a name for the cache owner.

Fun Outdoor Activities For Middle Schoolers Geocaching and Nature Study

Geocaching etiquette is that if you take something you leave something of equal value.

Then sign the logbook and replace the container just as you found it.

It can become quite addicting as you find small, camouflaged caches with little trinkets, you can’t wait to find the next one.

Fun Outdoor Activities For Middle Schoolers Geocaching and Nature Study

Moreover, here are some great small items to carry with you to leave behind.

  • small plastic animals
  • a yo-yo
  • fast food toys
  • keychains
  • change
  • iron-on patches
  • pretty stones or shells
  • rain poncho
  • tiny rubber duckies
  • beads or handmade bead jewelry
  • and hot wheels.

Nature Study for Homeschool Science

While you are hiking trails and geocaching it is a natural step to do some nature study.

You honestly can’t avoid it.

Surrounded by trees, flowers, birds, and small and large woodland creatures you will be taking in so much of the local flora and fauna you may as well turn it into a lesson.

  • You can create a fun scavenger hunt ahead of time or simply call out an object, for instance, poison ivy or a woodpecker and see who spots it first.
  • Observe how many different flower species you can find on your hike.
  • One of my favorite apps for identifying plants and animals is iNaturalist, it is a good resource for crowdsourcing to identify what you may be unsure of.
  • Use a camera or a sketchbook for your child to capture and identify what they see as they explore the trail.

5 Peterson First Guides for Nature and Hiking Studies

Add one or two of these nature and hiking resources to your field trip. Getting outdoors is the best way to learn about nature, change of pace, and savor the moments of learning which come naturally.

Peterson First Guide To Trees

Now there is a guidebook to trees--one of the most popular subjects in the Peterson Field Guide series--for the beginning naturalist. The 243 trees are grouped into six categories by leaf type and arrangement, making it easier for the beginner to identify unknown species. 200 color illustrations.

Peterson First Guide To Urban Wildlife

Peterson First Guides are the first books the beginning naturalist needs. Condensed versions of the famous Peterson Field Guides, the First Guides focus on the animals, plants, and other natural things you are most likely to see. They make it fun to get into the field and easy to progress to the full-fledged Peterson Guides.

Peterson First Guide To Reptiles And Amphibians

From mudpuppies to rattlesnakes, this fascinating guide for young nature lovers describes the habits and habitats of these secretive and sometimes bizarre animals, and includes tips on how to catch and care for frogs, snakes, turtles, lizards, salamanders, and toads.

Peterson First Guide To Butterflies And Moths

Peterson First Guides are the first books the beginning naturalist needs. Condensed versions of the famous Peterson Field Guides, the First Guides focus on the animals, plants, and other natural things you are most likely to see. They make it fun to get into the field and easy to progress to the full-fledged Peterson Guides.

Peterson First Guide To Insects Of North America

A simplified version of the full-sized field guides makes it easy and fun to get started in the field. Peterson First Guides are the first books the beginning naturalist needs. Condensed versions of the famous Peterson Field Guides, the First Guides focus on the animals, plants, and other natural things you are most likely to see. They make it fun to get into the field and easy to progress to the full-fledged Peterson Guides.

More Activities for Middle Schoolers

Also, here are some more activities for middle schoolers.

  • Science Fiction for Middle School Fun Jurassic Park Quick Unit Study (DIY Insect in Amber)
  • How to Teach Science Through A Story – Middle & High School
  • Middle School Hands-on Science : Extreme Winds + Free Minibook
  • How to Create Easy Back to School Basket Ideas for Middle School (Anatomy)
  • Human Body Books for Middle and High School Homeschooled Kids
  • Free Middle School Science Curriculum and Magazines
Fun Outdoor Activities For Middle Schoolers Geocaching and Nature Study

Furthermore, here are more ideas for nature study.

Nature Study Activities

What’s more is that nature studies are good to do for multiple ages. You’ll love these other nature study activities.

  • 26 Free Nature Unit Studies for Multiple Ages
  • Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study
  • Homeschool Kindergarten Life Science – Hands-on Fun Nature Tree Study
  • How to Make an Easy Nature Paint Brush With Kids
  • 20 Nature-Inspired Kids’ Novels to Nurture Interest In the Outdoors
  • Facts About Wildflowers And a Fun Felt Texas Bluebonnet Craft
  • How to Easily Make a Simple and Fun Kids DIY Flower Press
  • Fun Kids Activity How to Make Wildflower Seed Bombs

How to Make a Hiking Bag

Finally, look at these items to prepare you middle schooler for a day outdoors.

  • Bug spray-Dark and often damp woods are magnets for mosquitos, ticks, and more.
  • Chapstick- Sun and wind can be hard on your lips, especially if you aren’t staying hydrated enough.
  • Sunscreen- Even if it is overcast it’s a good idea to protect your skin.
  • Field guides- depending on where you were going and what’s in your area you might want to pack a long, one or two light field guides. You can grab field guides for common birds, trees, or wildflowers in your area.
  • First aid kit-You don’t need a large one unless you’re going on a multi-day hike. A few hours or a day-long hike would require a few Band-Aids, an alcohol wipe or two, and some kind of travel-sized antibiotic ointment.
  • Epi-Pen- If this is something you generally need to keep on hand anyway you do not want to get stuck out on a trail without it.
  • Water- Take plenty of bottled water along to stay hydrated or rinse off small scrapes, etc.
  • High-protein snacks- Seeds, nuts, protein bars, and beef jerky are all good high-energy snacks to replenish energy.
  • Camera-You would hate to miss an amazing shot of a deer crossing the trail or a bird rare to your area.
  • Cell Phone- I don’t think you will have to tell your teen twice to pack their phone, another great option for photos, and emergencies, and as a GPS for trail apps and geocaching.
  • Extra battery pack – If you will be out hiking for a long day you will want to grab some kind of backup battery pack.

Optional Hiking Items For Outdoor Activities For Middle Schoolers

  • Waterproof Binoculars
  • Flower Press- In many states it is illegal to remove flowers, animals, and any other park property but for fields and other locations that are not protected you may want to have one with you.
  • Pocket microscope
  • Notebook/Pen
  • Hat/Sunglasses

Ready to take your learning outdoors?

Fun Outdoor Activities For Middle Schoolers Geocaching and Nature Study

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Free Bird Journal – Hands-on Nature (Coloring & Identification Pages)

April 11, 2023 | 20 Comments
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Last year when spring rolled around, I shared a free Bird Journal along with a Bird Identification page. Also, grab more information about birds on my page Hands-on Bird Unit Study and Lapbook.

Tiny had been coloring birds for a few years before I shared it last year. 

Also, I wanted something that could be used both as a coloring journal AND to print a page over and over when we identified birds.

Free Bird Journal - Hands-on Nature (Coloring & Identification Pages)

So this free printable bird journal includes the following pages.

  • Colorful front page for your journal
  • owl coloring page
  • raptor or hawk coloring page
  • cardinals coloring page
  • heron coloring page
  • emeral toucan coloring page
  • spoonbill coloring page
  • sulphur crested cockatoo coloring page
  • cross bill coloring page
  • bob white coloring page
  • quetzal coloring page
  • vulture coloring page
  • song sparrow coloring page
  • catbird coloring page and
  • a beautiful Bird Identification Page which you can print over and over as your children discover new birds

Grab this free and fun Bird Journal which includes high quality coloring pages and bird identification page which allows plenty of room for sketching and noting birding details. CLICK HERE to grab it!

So this year and as all kids do, he has grown up a bit more and wanted the Bird Identification page changed around to allow room for a larger sketch and less coloring.

Free Bird Journal - Hands-on Nature (Coloring & Identification Pages)

Moreover, in the download I included a “field guide” page.

Just add the field page into a page protector and add to your notebook.

Using a 3 ring notebook worked best for us so could keep adding to it each year.

Free Bird Journal - Hands-on Nature (Coloring & Identification Pages). Last year when spring rolled around, I shared a free Bird Journal along with a Bird Identification page. Also, grab more information about birds on my page Hands-on Bird Unit Study and Lapbook. Also, I wanted something that could be used both as a coloring journal AND to print a page over and over when we identified birds. Free front page for your bird journal and coloring pages with bird identification key. Free 16 pages,

Additionally, if you want to delve into more spring learning look at the NaturExplorers.

Our Journey Westward

However because I know you still may have younger sweeties and kids who probably like to color, I have added a few more bird coloring pages to the Bird Journal.

Free Bird Journal

I also updated the Bird Identification page to allow room for a larger sketch and to use for an older child.

Free Bird Journal - Hands-on Nature (Coloring & Identification Pages). Last year when spring rolled around, I shared a free Bird Journal along with a Bird Identification page. Also, grab more information about birds on my page Hands-on Bird Unit Study and Lapbook. Also, I wanted something that could be used both as a coloring journal AND to print a page over and over when we identified birds. Free front page for your bird journal and coloring pages with bird identification key. Free 16 pages,

We want to get in the habit of bird watching year around so I created this page so that the season could be easily marked when we’re bird watching. 

Free Bird Journal - Hands-on Nature (Coloring & Identification Pages)

More Fun Learning About Birds Activities

Also, I have so many fun activities for your kids to learn about birds.

  • Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests
  • North American Robin Bird Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
  • Bird Craft For Kindergarten Make an Adorable Fun American Robin Foot Print
  • Bald Eagle Fun Facts And Torn Paper Bird Craft
  • Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity
  • Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest – Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts
  • How to Make a Fun Paper Mache American Robin Bird Craft
  • Kid’s Fun and Easy Bird Nest Activity
  • Easy Jumbo Stick Bird Feeder with Kids
  • Bird Color Bar Graphing Activity
  • Make a Fun Bird Nesting Bag
  • Colorful Winter Bird: Northern Cardinal Lapbook & Unit Study
  • Easy and Fun Nature Study: Beautiful Birds
  • Winter Nature Craft: How to Make Easy DIY Bird Feeders

But we only seem to do it when we have spring fever.

Grab this free and fun Bird Journal which includes high quality coloring pages and bird identification page which allows plenty of room for sketching and noting birding details. CLICK HERE to grab it!

More Coloring Pages

  • 20 Fun Home School Education Coloring Books to Pair With Unit Studies

In addition, add some fun bird books to use as referenced for the bird journal.

11 Fun Resources and Books to Learn About North American Robin Birds

Studying about North American Robin birds is fun to do anytime of the year with all ages. You'll love adding one ore more of these resources to your study.

1. All About Robins

A robin is one of the most familiar and beloved of all birds that are found throughout North America. You may see robins running across lawns or going after earthworms in your yard or a park. You can also find robins by listening for their clear, melodic singing.There are many facts about robins that most people don’t know. If your children have ever wondered about robins and how they grow from chicks to adult birds, this book is for them. The book contains dozens of beautiful photos of robins from the time they first hatch, to when their mother feeds them, until they take their first flight. It also includes many little-known facts that are sure to captivate young naturalists.

2. Model Backyard Birds Toys

Set of bird figurine toys, which contains 7 different small plastic birds. The weight of bird figure toy is 96G / 0.2LB. The set of small plastic bird contains 7 pieces of toy birds, such as robin, bluebird, oriole, woodpecker, etc. Please refer to the picture for the actual size and color.

3. Big Book of Birds

The book draws in children and parents alike with captivating information about and charming illustrations of hummingbirds, peacocks, flamingos, bald eagles, secretary birds, puffins, red-crowned cranes, and more. The book also invites young bird-watchers to protect birds where they live and make their gardens bird-friendly. The text is chatty, funny, and full of remarkable facts.

4. A Nest Full of Eggs (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1)

Named a Best Children's Science Book of the Year by Science Books & Films, this picture book shows how the birds develop inside their eggs during the spring; how they mature into fledglings in the summer; how they learn to fly in the fall; and how they leave for warmer climates in winter—only to return when spring comes around again.

5. BACKYARD BIRDSONG GUIDE EASTERN AND CENT (cl) (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)

Suitable for beginning bird watchers, Backyard Birdsongs is an interactive handbook of birds and their songs. With a touch-button electronic module that contains common vocalizations of seventy-five species from across eastern and central North America, this volume offers a truly sensory way to identify and get to know local birds. Crisply detailed, scientifically accurate illustrations accompany each entry, and up-to-date range maps provide clear geographical reference points. With an introduction that will inspire readers to look out their windows and venture into the field, this unique book gives people of all ages an exciting entryway into the subtle art of using birdsong to identify birds.

6. A Nest for Celeste: A Story About Art, Inspiration, and the Meaning of Home (Nest for Celeste, 1)

Beautifully illustrated with hundreds of black-and-white drawings, A Nest for Celeste is a short novel that tells the story a mouse living in the 1800s and his friendship with John James Audubon’s young apprentice. While enjoying this sweet amd appealing story, young readers will also learn about nineteenth-century plantation life and the famous naturalist who was known for his paintings of birds and American wildlife.

7. An Egg Is Quiet: (Picture Book, Kids Book about Eggs)

This stunningly beautiful and wonderfully informative book from award-winning artist Sylvia Long and author Dianna Hutts Aston makes for a fascinating introduction to the vast and amazing world of eggs. Featuring poetic text and an elegant design, this acclaimed book teaches children countless interesting facts about eggs. Full of wit and charm, An Egg Is Quiet will at once spark the imagination and cultivate a love of science.

8. Robins!: How They Grow Up

Robins are the most familiar and beloved of all birds, found throughout North America and celebrated as one of the first signs of spring. But there's a lot about them that most people don’t know! In this visually stunning picture book that features comic-book panels combined with painterly illustrations, Eileen Christelow tells the story of two young robins’ first year, and reveals plenty of little-known facts that are sure to captivate young naturalists. Narrated with humor and filled with kid-pleasing details, this fascinating account of how robins grow up includes an Author’s Note, Glossary, More About Robins, and Sources.

9. Rob the Robin: A Tale of a Feathered Friend

Join Rob the Robin on his adventure as he discovers first the difficulty of surviving a long winter and then the wonders of spring. Written as an early reader, this tale is sure to delight children with captivating photography and pictures that visually tell the story in such a way that will interest both readers and non-readers alike.

10. The American Robin

In this book, Roland Wauer offers a complete natural history of the American Robin for a popular audience. Combining his own observations as a field naturalist with data gleaned from the scientific literature, he described the American Robin from every angle - appearance and biology, distribution, behavior, life cycle, and enemies and threats. In addition, he explores the legends and lore surrounding robins ("Whoever kills a robin redbreast will never have good luck were they to live a thousand years") and offers suggestions for attracting robins to your yard with favorite food, water, landscape plantings, and nesting places.

11. American Robin Plush Authentic Bird Sound

Kids and adults love this bird stuffed animal and are captivated by its realistic sound. They are also great baby toys and used as sensory toys. With one squeeze, Audubon birds produce beautifully authentic bird calls provided by the Cornell lab of Ornithology’s bird recording archives.

Are y’all planning any special project for spring?

How to Get the Free Bird Journal

Now, how to grab the free bird journal. This is a subscriber freebie.

 1) Sign up on my list.
 2) Download your freebie NOW!
 3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

20 CommentsFiled Under: 1. My FREE Learning Printables {Any Topic}, Free Homeschool Resources Tagged With: birdjournal, freeprintables, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, middleschool, nature study, science, sciencecurriculum, spring

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