My name is Melissa and I am a homeschool mom with three children ages 13, 11, and 4. While we learn through the use of many great books, we thoroughly enjoy learning the natural, hands-on life way. We especially enjoy learning beyond the traditional classroom doors in God's creation in nature. My prayer is that I can inspire you through my blog to make nature observation an integral part of your life! I promise you will be blessed!
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Click on the logo above and come visit me at Shining Dawn Books where you can check out NaturExplorers themed-based unit studies!
Posted By Melissa on April 5, 2011
Welcome Dandelion
Plentiful Fungus
A Fungus Among Us
Trees Standing Waiting
Greening from the Ground Up
Reaching for the Sun
Gathering Spring's First Hope
Purple Prevailing
Residents Awaiting
Peek-A-Boo Sunshine
Newness Bursting Forth
Posted By Melissa on January 14, 2011
Do you love the NaturExplorers studies? Have you been looking at them wondering if you should really spend the money?
THEN DON’T MISS THIS!
We’re giving prizes to THREE people!
1st name chosen = Any THREE products of your choice!
2nd name chosen = Any TWO products of your choice!
3rd name chosen = Any ONE product of your choice!
Posted By Melissa on September 30, 2010
Posted By Melissa on August 20, 2010
For the past couple of weeks I’ve been purposefully leaving the light on outside by the door to our schoolroom. It has been SO much fun to go down to school in the morning and first thing check the wall outside by the door for moths. It’s like a little treasure hunt each morning to see which moths will visit and stay for us to observe them. This morning we had a special visitor, the Carolina Sphinx Moth.
The sun's reflection made the moth appear brown, when really it's more grayish in color.
This moth is pretty large and at first glance seemed pretty bland in color. My oldest daughter suggested I see if it would let me pick it up (notice how she makes me do it). So, of course, I did. And the moth was just as friendly as could be. I think they are rather lazy in the morning and they’ll let you do that. When I picked it up it spread out it’s wings to reveal six rows of bright yellow bands. I don’t think it’s so bland in color anymore.
The six rows of bright yellow bands were outlined in black and white.
My daughter took numerous closeup photos so we could observe the details.
A closer look shows the moth's proboscis and compound eyes.
I really was amazed at how long the moth allowed us to observe it.
You'll notice in this photo the pinkish looking bare spot on it's back; that was what helped me to accurately identify it.
The following is a video we took showing how the moth would flutter it’s wings.
Shortly after we took this video the moth took to flight towards the woods in back. This particular moths flies rather slow and my first thought was, “Oh no, a bird will get it.” And sure enough down swooped a bird after it. Well, that bird was not going to eat MY moth that has just blessed me. So I took off “shooo-ing” the bird away just in time. The moth fluttered on down and landed at the base of a tree. My daughter and I decided we would go “rescue it” by putting it back in the safer place we found it. Well, God has other plans, He has taken care of this moth just fine. Ever heard of camouflage?
Can you see the moth?
Wow! Amazing!
We left that beautiful moth right where it was!
Posted By Melissa on August 18, 2010
We focus on art on Wednesdays each week. This week we’ve learned a little more about Michelangelo. So today my daughter had a wonderful time creating a fresco painting, which Michelangelo was known for.
First she mixed Plaster of Paris with water.
Next, she poured it into a pie plate mold.
Next, she shook all the air bubbles out and then waited for it to set up.
Later in the day she painted her creation!
This was a very fun project and I plan to try doing some different things with plaster. I have some ideas for nature projects!
The idea for fresco painting came from my favorite artist project book, Discovering Great Artists by MaryAnn Kohl.
Posted By Melissa on August 14, 2010
We finished up our butterfly and moth focus this week in school. With my youngest (Kindergartner) I’ve concentrated on the very basics of these wonderful creatures. And one concept we’ve learned about was symmetry. Aside from bringing up the word “symmetry” to her as often as possible during the past two weeks, the three main things we did were:
I think she did a great job! Now on to deciduous trees!
