Shining Dawn Books

Announcing Bundle Pricing!

Cindy — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:17:56 +0000

You can now purchase NaturExplorers units in bulk and save money! It’s as easy as clicking on the “Bundle Pricing” button in the right sidebar! (Or below)

The more you purchase, the more you save!

Smithsonian’s Backyard

Cindy — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:30:34 +0000

I recently had the wonderful opportunity to review the Smithsonian’s Backyard and Oceanic Collections. This wasn’t the first time I’d enjoyed picture books from the Smithsonian Institution as many of them had previously visited our home from the library. Whether reading titles to tie into nature study topics, or just wanting well-written books full of facts about a vast array of animals and insects, I highly recommend any from these two collections!

That being said, I’m rather sure the Smithsonian Institution doesn’t always hold to a creation-based philosophy. I’m not recommending every product they might sell, but I can safely and happily recommend each of the books listed below.

Written for children ages 4-10, each book focuses on a day in the life of a particular animal or insect. There’s a hint of fiction to the stories as you walk (or swim) alongside the critter through his or her day, but the books are also bursting with factual information tied into the storyline. Bright, colorful illustrations aren’t perfectly life-like, but they’re very close.

My children and I enjoyed each and every one. A few of them even came with read-along CD’s, which made my preschooler extra happy! We’ve also added appropriate titles to some of our NaturExplorers recommended literature lists. Click on the links below to read more about each of the books I reviewed. You might note that other titles in the series are available on the Soundprints website.

From the Backyard Collection:

From the Oceanic Collection:

Boat Building

Cindy — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:20:02 +0000

In all of our units, we often suggest activities that supplement the study of nature and pull other subjects into the picture at the same time. In our Incredible Creeks unit, for instance, we offer the idea of constructing boats to float in the creek. Why? Well, much can be learned about buoyancy (floating and sinking), construction and more during an open-ended experiment like this. At the same time, your children will become even more familiar with the properties and life of the creek as they do more than observe it.

Zoe and her children from Playing by the Book recently crafted their own boats for sailing downstream. While her lesson wasn’t focused on nature study, per say, we felt like the example of boat construction was fabulous. She’s graciously allowing us to share the portion of her post about building the boats. Please click here to read her entire post.

“We used (per boat):

A polystyrene box
A length of cardboard tube
Duck tape
String
A flag outline printout (I created this myself – if you would like to use it you can get it by clicking here – it’s a pdf file)
Felt tips
Stapler

1. We attached the cardboard tube to the inside of the polystyrene box with duck tape.

2. We designed our flags by colouring in the flag outlines.

3. Colouring completed, we cut out the flags…

4. … and folded them over a length of string (the string must be long enough to go from one end of the polystyrene box to the other via the top of the cardboard tube). We then stapled them into place. Boy, does M love using the stapler!

5. We stretched the flag be-decked string from one end of the polystyrene box, over the top of the cardboard tube and down to the other end of the box, attaching it at both ends with some more duck tape.

6. We decorated the sides of the boats with permanent markers (so that the decorations didn’t wash off in the water).

7. We found some willing passengers and headed off to float our boats downstream.”

Zoe’s girls are very young, but don’t let that discourage you to try this activity with older children, too. Let their imagination and ingenuity take over with whatever materials you might have on hand!

Zoe Toft is a mum of two young girls who really love words and really love to make stuff. Sometimes they make or do something and want a good book (or poem / song / audiobook) that continues the game, that captures some of the magic they’ve enjoyed. Sometimes it’s the other way round and they read a great book which inspires them to get the glue and glitter out. Either way, they’ve always got plenty of books around the house, boxes of “crafty stuff” and a desire to have fun.

Only ONE WEEK Left!

Cindy — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 20:30:31 +0000

Our spring and summer sale will come to an end on September 1st. All prices will go back up to $12.00, so stock up now on any NaturExplorers studies you’ve had on your wish list!

We’ll be introducing new bundle pricing in September – stay tuned!

Getting to Know a Tree

Melissa — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:03:04 +0000

This week I have just begun a study of deciduous trees with my youngest daughter who’s in Kindergarten. My two oldest children are far beyond learning about the basics of trees. So it’s been a joy to just focus on getting to know the basics of a tree again with her.

Today we got outside to observe a smaller red maple tree that is growing in our front yard. I figure with her being so small it was just the right size for her to see all the parts of the tree. We will be regularly observing this same tree throughout the coming year to watch the changes, she’s very excited about that! We are calling it “her” tree.

We first talked about the tree from top to bottom, observing and naming the parts: leaves, branches, trunk, roots. We discussed further the color, shape, feel and size of the leaves and even went into the basics of photosynthesis (I used that big word but went on to explain that it is how the leaves make food for the tree). She was amazed that leaves can feed the tree! We picked a few leaves off to observe more closely and set them aside to make rubbings later.

We also talked about the branches and how the leaves grew off of them. Getting under the tree and looking up gave us a great view of how the branches spread out in different directions.

Then we moved on to the trunk, looking, feeling and discussing the trunk’s purpose (to give stability to the tree [make it strong] and bring water up from the roots). We notice there was a few damaged spots on the trunk and guessed what could have made them.

Last, but not least, we talked about what was beyond our view, underground…roots. Even though we cannot see them on this particular tree, they are certainly there, giving the tree an anchor and bringing water to the trunk to take up throughout the branches and leaves. Sometime soon I will take her down to the bigger trees by the creek to observe some uncovered tree roots.

We also discussed that the tree grew from a seed and that we would be seeing the seeds on the tree soon. And most importantly, we discussed who made the seed. She replied, “Daddy put the tree there.” To which I replied, “Yes, he did, but who made the seed which grew the tree.” Then the light came on for her as she shouted, “God!”

Then came the super fun part…making leaf rubbings! This was her first time doing this (on her own at least) and wow did she get into it!

She was there for about an hour. And guess what? My almost 14 year old daughter just couldn’t resist joining her, for old time’s sake. Our refrigerator is now wallpapered with leaf rubbings!

All of the activities and observations I did can be found in the Delightful Deciduous Trees study. Activities for younger and older children can be found in the study.

Now is a GREAT time to start a year-long study on deciduous trees, right before the change of seasons begins.

Rain’s A-comin’

Cindy — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 08:30:35 +0000

In our Remarkable Rain NaturExplorers unit, one of the suggested activities is to watch and document an approaching rain system. Our family had the awesome opportunity to do this not too long ago. Here are pictures taken over no more than a four minute time frame…

The clouds begin to overtake the sunshine as they dump out rain by the bucketful.

There's still a glimmer of clear skies behind the monsterous system moving in quickly.

The sun is to be seen no more as we begin to hear the distant rains pounding.

Within moments, we are engulfed in rain.

What a beautiful and refreshing sight on a hot summer's day!

Rain can be a very exciting, out-of-the-norm nature study. Check out our Remarkable Rain unit for a wealth of ideas!

More Butterflies and Caterpillars

Cindy — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 08:30:52 +0000

This is certainly the season when Butterflies Flutter By in my neck of the woods! Beautiful yellows, oranges and blues, tiny and large, fast and slow – the variety of butterflies darting from one plant to another is breathtaking. The caterpillars have been amazing, too. I wrote about two of my finds earlier this summer already, but the caterpillar sightings haven’t stopped!

Here are just a few of the butterflies and caterpillars that have been still long enough for me to capture.

This Virginian tiger moth caterpillar was munching away on some low lying weeds.

Tiny meadow frittilaries were in the grasses of the fields by the thousands.

Cabbage white butterflies in the colors of white, yellow and gray were found in the fields and around puddles.

This red admiral looks as if it's seen better days.

The most curious sight of all were these norther pearly eyes clustered in small groups all over the trunk of an ash tree.

Can you see the green bug in the middle of this cluster. I'm certainly hoping it isn't an emerald ash borer!

Tangibility in Nature ~ The Importance of Utilizing the Senses

Melissa — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 22:55:11 +0000

“In his early years the child is all eyes; he observes, or, more truly, he perceives, calling sight, touch, taste, smell, and hearing to his aid, that he may learn all that is discoverable by him about every new thing that comes under his notice.”

~ Charlotte Mason, Vol. 1

Since many of us are venturing into a new school year, I figured this post may be appropriate. As we prepare and begin our new, carefully put together plans, let us not forget to include tangibility. It is very easy to get stuck inside sitting at the traditional school desk trying to check off our academic boxes. However important as that is, it is vital to remember how important the five senses are to learning. There are several subjects which lend themselves nicely to hands-on experiences; but I have found nature study is the most significant and natural venue for utilizing the five senses.

Sight, hearing, touch, smell and even taste can all find their place outside. Whether children are observing and smelling wildflowers, eating (safe) wild berries, hearing flocks of migrating birds, or holding a tiny toad, when they get their senses involved they learn more concretely. After all, our Creator gave us our senses to help us learn and experience the world around us, the more of them that we can use, the better.

When Cindy and I first came up with the concept for our units here at Shining Dawn Books, our number one priority was to encourage getting outside. We did this by giving plenty of outside ideas that are super easy to utilize. The reason why we both agreed to this vision is that we have personally found the outside experience in nature to be highly tangible, thus very beneficial to learning.

Is it easy to fit in time for outside nature study into busy homeschooling schedules? Yes, as long as you keep it simple. I do not actually have it scheduled on our planners (I used to do that), mainly because weather is quite unpredictable. I just always have it in the back of my mind and respond to the opportunities when they present themselves.

For example, this week we’ve been studying butterflies in school, so on three particularly nice days (and one of them happened to be a weekend day) I made a point to head outside to a wildflower field with at least one or two of my children with me. The time we spend out there varies anywhere from 10 minutes to a couple of hours depending on how much time we have and where we are. And remember nature experiences can be complex but also super simple such as pulling off the side of the road for a few minutes to watch a flock of geese at a pond. (I need a bumper sticker on my car that says, “Caution: Distracted by Nature”.)

It’s important to remember also that even though we have a subject in mind (butterflies), we will chase rabbit trails whenever they are presented and there’s interest. Such as taking time to climb a tree! That’s definitely experiencing the sense of touch!

If you are struggling to figure out how to incorporate more outside nature time into your lives, I have written a post at my personal blog that you may find helpful: Carving out Time for Nature Walks.

When you do begin outside experiences be sure to encourage children (even though I’ve found they naturally do this on their own) to make it tangible by using their senses to experience their surroundings. With younger children, of course it’s important for a parent to supervise! But even babies can benefit from the peaceful sounds of birds, the feel of soft, green grass in their toes, and the bright colors of a butterfly’s wings.

Practical Life Skills and Nature Study

Cindy — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 14:52:43 +0000

*Although this post is about home vegetable gardening, you’ll notice some of the pictures are from a field day class my children and I took from the University of Kentucky School of Agriculture. I wanted to encourage you that even those of us who have been gardening for years have room for growth. Your local extension agencies are a wealth of information for gardening from start to finish!

Learning about various fungicides in the green bean garden on UK's experimental farm.

Growing a vegetable garden turns into a yearly study of botany at our house. Soil conditions, seed placement, sprouting, growth, care, weed management, safe insect and critter management – there’s A LOT to learn in the garden!

Every year we have the opportunity to discuss how seeds germinate (or tubers, or bulbs) and watch God work his botanic magic as tiny baby plants turn into giant adult plants, all from one little seed. We have the opportunity to discuss the roles of the flowers and pollinators in order for the “fruit” to follow. Every year we have the opportunity to discuss plant parts as we harvest roots, leaves and “fruits” to eat.

Understanding methods of irrigation for large scale gardeners was a fascinating topic.

Yes, we do a yearly study of botany – and my children never have a clue science is in the air. The somewhat “hard labor” of weeding and harvesting gives them a hint that some sort of school might be in session, though! :)

My favorite session of all was a three-year experiment on planting perrinials in the middle of your garden space to see if they bring an increase to the pollinator population. At the same time, hoping the perrinials don't actually take away from the work the pollinators would do in your garden. I can't wait to see the results of their experiment in a few years!

Once harvested, nature study and practical life skills don’t stop! We “put away” as much of the harvest as possible through canning and freezing. Some people would say, “Whoa, there! I’m happy to do a little gardening in the name of ‘school’, but canning and freezing is way too much work!” And I gladly invite them over to my house to see just how little work it really is.

If you’ve never felt the utter satisfaction you get from growing a vegetable garden, you probably can’t imagine when I say there is even more satisfaction from “putting away” your harvest. God created us to work, and there’s just something about gardening and harvesting that feels more like the work He intended than other types of work. Does anyone else feel that way, too?

Frozen peaches, corn and strawberry jam - yum!

Your local extension office will have FREE detailed (and simple to understand) guides to help you learn how to do everything from making jam to freezing corn to canning green beans. Sometimes, they even offer classes! If not, find a friend who “puts away” food and sit with her one day as she works. Her experience and teaching will be invaluable.

As we (yes, my children are involved) break beans in preparation for canning, or slice corn off the cob in preparation for freezing, or peel the skin from tomatoes in preparation for juicing – the botany discussions don’t cease. And the conversations come from such a natural place that my children never once have rolled their eyes!

Canned tomatoes, green beans, carrots, dill pickles, sweet pickles and salsa take up extra room at first, but the fresh goodness through the winter makes finding space worth it!

Enjoy your children in a fruitful activity that will be so much fun and so much learning that you will hardly believe you can count the hours as “school”. Oh, and if you didn’t grow a garden this year, you can always visit a local orchard, u-pick-it garden or farmer’s market for an abundance of produce on which you can practice your skills of “putting away”.

If you’d like a little help with some of the nature study topics you’ll face in the garden, our Wonderful Wildflowers unit has much teaching and many activities about the parts of a flower and pollination. And our Fruits and Nuts unit teaches about the process of fruits (and vegetables) growing from the flower. (You can find MANY other topics within both units, too!)

For your reference, here’s a list of what we grow that I’m able to “put away” and my preferred methods. Again, you can find easy directions for all of these at your extension office, or online.

carrots – can in quart jars
green beans – can in quart jars
tomatoes, diced – can in quart jars
tomato juice – can in quart jars
cucumbers, dill slices – can in quart jars
cucumbers, sweet slices – can in pint jars
cucumbers, relish – can in pint jars
corn – slice from cob and freeze in quart bags
onions – slice and freeze in quart bags
green/red peppers – slice and freeze in quart bags
zucchini – shred and freeze in quart bags
zucchini – make into breakfast loaves and freeze
potatoes – place in dark, chilly part of basement
peaches – slice and freeze in gallon bags
apples – slice and freeze in gallon bags
strawberries – slice and freeze in quart bags
strawberries – make freezer jam in quart or pint jars
blackberries – make freezer jam in pint jars

Happy gardening!

Global Journey Music

Melissa — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:30:43 +0000

A study or observation of nature would not be complete without adding the element of music. After all, music is most often naturally inspired by the sounds of nature.

Recently, I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing nature music CD’s from Global Journey Music. As you may already be aware, each of our NaturExplorers studies includes themed music recommendations. So, I was quick to jump on the opportunity to review these particular CD’s as they could potentially make lovely additions to the recommendations in our units.

After spending several weeks listening to the variety of CD’s that they sent my way, I’m happy to report that they most certainly do make a wonderful addition! Here are some of the specific CD’s that I was given (the others I will be reviewing soon at my personal blog, In the Sparrow’s Nest):

Click on each of the icons above to visit the Global Journey Music website and learn more about the CD and to listen to a sample.

I have listened thoroughly to all of the selections I received, and I enjoyed each and every one of them. I’ve always found peace in getting outside in nature and experiencing the sounds first-hand, but it is also wonderful to be able to listen to the calming sounds while in my home or in the car. I particularly love choosing a selection to listen to at bedtime; it always calms my busy, overfull mind.

We are adding each of the titles above to the appropriate NaturExplorer study in which the theme fits. The Nature’s Best and Classical Nature CD’s will be added as a recommendation in all of our studies.

While I took pleasure in all of the provided CD’s, my personal favorite was Thunderstorm! There was something about it that was extra calming and inspiring all at the same time.

I highly recommend all of the above selections as wonderful additions to your CD collection. And as a pertinent addition to your nature studies!