Bigger Science Nature Study with John Audubon: Young Naturalist {Units 10-14}

True to my nature (easily bored by routine and wanting a little excitement), I was excited to review a unit study on birds to tie into Bigger Hearts for His Glory science Units 10-14. :) 

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When I follow a guide as written, I enjoy it for the most part, but a little part of my heart was longing for change and I saw no reason why I couldn't jump ahead to read John Audubon: Young Naturalist and tie in a unit study on birds! In fact, it wasn't until I saw that Homeschool Legacy had a unit study that would tie in with Bigger Science that I was even interested in doing a unit study at all (still on burn out mode from Five in a Row). For me, this might be the best of both worlds since I have a hard time sticking with one or the other all by themselves. In fact, I am even inspired to row a Five in a Row book now. :) 

I'm optimistic that I can settle into a boxed curriculum routine and add a little spark of joy to our homeschool days by adding in some fun unit studies along the way. :) 

Books/resources used for our study along with Birds of a Feather.

We:


  • investigated how birds fly


  • practiced standing like a stork :) 
  • learned the different types of feathers and their purposes and drew a picture of a body feather, down feather, and flight feather for our notebooks


  • explored what a Wood Thrush looks and sounds like and sketched a picture of one for our notebooks




  • learned how sparrows build their nest and made edible nests with peanut butter, honey, and crispy rice cereal (Unit 11 day 5).



  • completed Week 1 of Homeschool Legacy's Birds of a Feather Unit Study, created a backyard habitat for birds, made homemade bird feeders, and more. 






  • drew the different types of bird beaks for our notebooks



  • learned about the food chain and how it balances life





  • completed Week 4 of Homeschool Legacy's Birds of a Feather Unit Study on owls
  • learned that owls have special adaptations that help them hunt and survive
  • drew an owl for our notebook


  • learned how snakes move and catch their prey


  • learned about Cuckoos 
  • drew pictures for our Fact Page on Jean Jacques Audubon


  • explored the eyesight of an eagle and discovered how far an eagle can see
  • learned more about birds of prey in Week 4 of Homeschool Legacy's Birds of a Feather Unit Study
  • discovered more amazing facts about birds
  • and fell in love with birds all over again!
Malachi has taken off on his own during this study. He loves birds and nature in general and has been watching lots of documentaries on Netflix. He carries the field guide in his "survival" backpack wherever he goes and loves to go on nature walks. I think continuing our study in Flying Creatures of the 5th Day, doing Lesson 5: Nest Building, and rowing Albert would be a fun continuation of our study!

7 comments

  1. oooh we used to do edible nests with shredded wheat and chocolate. So tasty and fun :)

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    1. I think the recipe called for shredded wheat and chocolate! :)

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  2. Yes, the best of both worlds when you can take a boxed curriculum and go on a rabbit trail. We've been visiting a local nature preservation center ( several times since moving already) and got to see several birds up close and personal. My favorite was the great horned owl -- a character with his true hoots.

    Hmm...maybe I need to look into rowing Albert, too.

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    1. Oh how wonderful! We don't have anything like that here unless a hike into the woods counts. ;)

      I pulled together some lesson plans and supplies for Albert this weekend, and we started today by continuing with Flying Creatures Lesson 5 - Nesting. Excited to be excited to row!

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  3. How fun that you could combine the two to make the interesting more learning for you and your kiddos! It really is amazing to see what a little spark can lead to in the learning path!

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    1. I'm not sure I would have put as much energy into our study without the unit study so I'm very thankful for that!

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  4. I absolutely love how you make everything you do your own :) You are a wise mama. My boys LOVED when we got to John Audubon. We even had a silly song we sang with a French accent. It is so fun for me to see your weeks doing them just the way you do them. Fun, fun!

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