Showing posts with label Nature Journal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nature Journal. Show all posts

Thursday, 24 May 2018

Australian Nature Study Guide Volume 1 Review

Ever since I read Karen Andreola's A Charlotte Mason Companion (Chapter 33 Nature Study, Chapter 34 - Nature for City Children and Chapter 35 - Neighbourhood Nature Study) I have had a love affair with the idea of Nature Study and Nature Journaling. I even gathered a whole list of  Resources for Nature Journaling. After discovering a few wonderful blogs showing how to do nature study as well as the Handbook of Nature Study Home of the Outdoor Challenge I was even more inspired, I did not however follow through because all the challenges were Northern Hemisphere challenges.  Due to the demands of marriage, motherhood and home education I just did not have the energy or time reserves to develop our own Southern Hemisphere equivalent.  I was so excited and relieved earlier this year when I discovered Nature Study Australia which is hosted by Marie, a fellow veteran home educating Mom here in Australia.

Marie had been educating for a few years and was feeling burnt out when she was introduced to a Charlotte Mason educational philosophy and as such implemented the gentle arts into her home school. As her homeschool took on this new way of learning she found it was important to become organised before each study so that they did not run down rabbit trails and become despondent due to no direction.
As a busy mum, I appreciate the time I save by out sourcing resources, and this is one of the reasons I’ve written the Australian Nature Study Guide for Aussie mums and dads, who love the idea of nature science, but need the encouragement and resources to get started. - Marie
 After discovering this wonderful resource I contacted Marie via Instagram and asked her if she had any samples available for review.  She kindly blessed our family with Volume 1 of the Australian Nature Study Guide Summer/Autumn edition and Free Notebook Pages (Advanced, Intermediate and Kinda).

The guide contains
  • 68 pages
  • Five weeks of summer study covering
    • Honeybees
    • Blue Tongue Lizard
    • Summer Tree Study
    • Spotted Grass Frog
    • Jacky Winter
  • Five weeks of Autumn study covering
    • Kangaroo Apple
    • Bandicoot
    • Autumnal Equinox
    • Emperor Gum Moth
    • Golden Orb Weaver Spider
  • Starting Out Guide
  • Optional Gear for Nature Exploration list
  • Ideas on starting a Nature Journal both for basic and advanced journaling
  • Each week of study contains
    • an introduction
    • colour photograph of the thing you are focusing on that week
    • Ideas for further exploration
    • Related Internet links
    • Nature Ramble Ideas
    • Recommended Literature
    • Non Fiction Ideas
    • Poetry
    • Scripture
    • Hymn
    • Picture Study
    • Digging Deeper (for younger, older and oldest students)
  • Additional Activities contains ideas from expanding your nature studies at home 
  • Resource List - contains a list of wonderful books to collect to enhance your nature studies at home. (Field Guides, Amazing Fact Series, Nature Journaling, Poem books, etc)

How a study works
Since it was Autumn we jumped in on the first week of Autumn studies, Week Six, page 34 - Kangaroo Apple. Being an immigrant it was fun to learn that the local Aboriginal people call this a Bush Tomato and that it is a part of their bush tucker menu in the drier parts of Australia.

Marie does not dumb down her introductions and uses enough scientific jargon along with explanations to keep the information both interesting and relevant.  For example she explains that the Kangaroo Apple plant in hermaphroditic meaning that it contains both male and female organs.

My husband is a passionate bird photographer and he was very impressed with the introduction to the Jacky Winter in Week five.

As we read through the information provided there were a few Internet linked recommendations to books and YouTube clips which helped us to learn more about the item of study.

In the Nature Ramble section there were recommendations on where to go and look for a Kangaroo Apple along with ideas of what to do on your walk.  There are some questions to use to expand the experience and help both you and your children appreciate the experience more deeply.



Being a passionate book enthusiast I have greatly enjoyed the Literature Jaunt sections in each study. A couple of lovely discoveries have been: Wild Food Plants of Australia and the very beautiful Bush Seasons by Joan Semmens. I appreciate these recommendations as I do not need to seek out relevant books in our local library I can simply log in from home and request the books on the list for pick up.

Each of the poems in the Poetry Picnic have been Internet linked and are just beautiful. I have not had to seek out the recommended poem or book to find it.  The same goes for the Hymn each week.  Marie provides links to the lyrics, music and instrumental pieces.  I have found some new albums to add to our listening pleasure on Spotify from her recommendations.

I am a huge fan of beautiful art and pictures to fill the minds of both children and adults alike.  Each week in the Picture Study area Marie provides a Internet linked picture.  For the Kangaroo Apple she recommended this beautiful painting by Louisa Anne Meredith.  This beautiful painting is from 1891 and illustrates the leaves, flowers and fruit.


In the Digging Deeper sections there are some wonderful ideas to broaden your students learning and includes some wonderful resources to help you learn some new drawing or painting skills such as this YouTube clip on painting foliage in water colour.  Since we are new to Nature Journaling I chose to start Nathaniel off slowly and asked him to simply draw a Kangaroo Apple. I was rather impressed with his first attempt.

Scattered throughout the book are quotes such as this one:
"A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning." - Brad Henry
 There is no planning neccessary other than getting in books from the library to expand your experience should you wish to.



Notebook Pages
There are three separate levels of Notebook pages: Kinda, Intermediate and Advanced.
  • 13 pages
  • Sunrise/sunset record chart
  • Cover page to colour
  • PDF Format 

Each of the Nature Journal books is beautifully presented.  Above is a sample comparison of week 6 Bush Food page.  From left to right Kinda, Intermediate and Advanced. Click on the image to see it full sized.

 Australian Nature Guides Available for Purchase
Photograph by Nature Study Australia

Connect with Nature Study Australia on Social Media
Final Thoughts
Nature Study Australia's blog is inspirational, Marie shares some wonderful information on Australian Fauna, Flora, Seasons and Backyard . Recently I was inspired to make a Phenology Wheel after seeing one on the blog.

I highly recommend you subscribe to their news letter your in box will not be inundated with junk, you will however be blessed with free resources and a once a month news letter with relevant information pertaining to our current season here in Australia. It's also a great way to know when the new volumes are released!

I LOVE the Australian Nature Study Guides and am looking forward to purchasing the future Volumes as they become available later this year.

Chareen 



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Tuesday, 4 February 2014

The Burgess Bird Book for Children {Tuesday's Treasures}


The Burgess Bird Book for Children
  • Format: Paper back
  • Number of Pages:256 
  • Publisher:Dover Publications 
  • Publication Date:2003 
  • ISBN 10:0-486-42840-0 
  • ISBN 13:978-0-486-42840-6 
  • Author Thornton W.Burgess 
  • Illustrator:Louis Agassiz Fuertes 
I'm so excited about this little gem and can't wait to read it to Sir N.  This is a reprint, the original was first published in 1919. This book has a wonderful reputation and is beautifully written.  In it you follow Peter Rabbit as he interviews the many common birds around him learning about their physical appearance, behaviour, eating, nesting habits, songs and calls.  He is a naturally curious little fellow and will appeal to your child. I only wish Mr Burgess had written such a book covering Australian Bird life.

Thornton Waldo Burgess (1874 - 1965 ) published 172 books and around 15 000 stories for daily columns in his lifetime. His writing career spanned 50 years and his passion was sharing wildlife. He published his first book in 1910. Many of his books were translated into other languages. He was bestowed with an Honorary Literary Degree in 1938 from Northeastern University. His final book was published in 1960.

Educational Kits
There is a Thornton W. Burgess Society which has nine educational  Science / Language Arts kits available at NO CHARGE to homeschool families (and schools) in their local area (East Sandwich, MA 02537)
  1. Birds
  2. Mammals
  3. Honey Bees
  4. Endangered Species
  5. Rocks and Minerals
  6.  Reptiles and Amphibians
  7. Seashore Life
  8. Dinosaurs and Fossils
  9. Plants

Loan period is 2 weeks. Call 508-888-6870 for Andrea to request a kit, or online andrea@thorntonburgess.org.

If you are keen to go on an educational Field Trip there are a number of programs you can access through the Thornton W.Burgess Society

Purchase this book
Blessings
Chareen
Every bed of Roses

 Welcome to Tuesdays Treasures.  I started these posts as a way of sharing great books in honour of my friend in New Zealand who would arrive with the treasures she had unearthed at her weekly trip to the library!

There are so many wonderful books out there hiding on shelves so I invite you to blog about a book on your shelf, one you're reading or one you found at the library. Grab the button for your post and add a link to your post below. I would love to read about your treasures. 



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Tuesday, 10 September 2013

Journals in Homeschool

This is rather an interesting topic.  My first question was "What's the difference between a journal and a notebook ?" Over the years I've heard both terms used interchangeably and wondered if they were the same thing or not.

notebook [ˈnəʊtˌbʊk] n
  1. a book for recording notes or memoranda 
  2. (Economics, Accounting & Finance / Banking & Finance) a book for registering promissory notes
  3. a book of or for notes, esp. a book or binder of blank, often ruled pages for recording notes
  4. a small, lightweight laptop computer.

jour·nal (jûrnl) n.
  1. Personal. A personal record of occurrences, experiences, and reflections kept on a regular basis;
    a diary.
    b. An official record of daily proceedings, as of a legislative body.
    c. Nautical A ship's log. 
  2. Accounting
    a. A day book.
    b. A book of original entry in a double-entry system, listing all transactions and indicating the accounts to which they belong. 
  3. A newspaper. 
  4. A periodical presenting articles on a particular subject: a medical journal. 
  5. Engineering / Mechanical Engineering
    The part of a machine shaft or axle supported by a bearing. 
  6. Government, Politics & Diplomacy
    an official record of the proceedings of a legislative body 
  7. a periodical or magazine, esp. one published for a group, learned society, or profession.
After having a good look at the definitions I discovered that it depends of the use of the book as to the correct term used.  You would keep a personal journal in a lined notebook or you could use a lined notebook to keep an official journal. It really does become a play on words.

Homeschool Notebooking
Within the home education community however notebooking refers to a school folder in which a student records what they have learned.  There are some amazingly creative home educators who create some rather impressive notebook pages for a variety of educational topics.  You don't need a fancy page however you can simply used lined paper and write out your thoughts.

Notebook Page Resources
Homeschool Journal
Journaling with in the homeschool community often refers to a more intimate and decorated book.  Although some homeschoolers will journal along a notebooking style. More often than not however they would use journaling in Nature Study.

For the last couple of years I have been journaling here about my week in the Homeschool Mother's Journal. This is a great link up to meet like minded homeschoolers and a relaxed way to keep a diary journal of what you've been up to. I have always intended on starting a Nature journal/notebook and recently Sir N and I started one as spring is upon us.

Journal inspiration

If you are after an inspirational book on Journaling I highly recommend books from the author Gwen Diehn.  In particular try to get her book The Decorated Journal {Creating Beautifully Expressive Journal Pages}. This book is full of inspiration.  She shares a multitude of ways to do a journal and how to personalise a journal as well as the educational benefits of different types of journals.



Do you use journaling or notebooking and what are your favourite resources ?

Blessings
Chareen
This post is part of the Homeschool Help series brought to you by a group of homeschool Mom's from around the globe.  Do not forget to visit and read their inspirational insight.



This week
 ---ooOoo---
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Tuesday, 13 August 2013

It's new in our school . . .

Last week I shared our proposed curriculum for the year ahead. It was so encouraging to write out a list of our year ahead and plan.

This year there are four new things we are adding to the mix. My aim is to add more Fine Arts study to our weekly rhythm.

I learnt the hard way last year not to add it all into the mix at once or it soon gets left on the sidelines and forgotten.  My aim this year is to slowly add in one thing at a time.  We follow a five week learning cycle (four weeks school one week rest).  I will be adding music appreciation / study in cycle two and then Nature Journaling in cycle three.

SQUILT
A few months back Mary over at Homegrown Learners released her first eBook SQUILT.  I am really excited about this product because it's written for every day mom's at home who have no classical training or personal understanding of the classical genre. SQUILT stands for Super Quiet UnInterrupted Listening Time.

Volume 1 covers composers/music from the Baroque era. Over the course of working through SQUILT we will be learning about 5 types of instruments, dynamic, rhythm, and tempo.  There are plenty of links sprinkled through out the eBook to help you explore the music more fully.

It also contains note booking pages for you to print and use.

World's Greatest Composers

This unit study has been compiled by Erica over at Confessions of a Homeschooler.  We will be using the parts of this that coincide with the composers from SQUILT Vol I.

Each composer covered has approximately 10 lessons available in it.  Once we have completed SQUILT we shall finish the balance of the year using this and compiling a lapbook covering The Orchestra and Composers.

This study uses the books by Mike Venezia to complete the study.  I am looking forward to completing this study.

You can see a few pictures of the completed lap pack over at Erica's online store. There is also a full list of all the composers covered in the pack.

Classical Composers Monthly
I Have a little bit of a love affair with online resources and sometime spend too much time on YouTube trying to find just the right clip to enhance our learning.

I discovered this gem of a site via Pinterest and have purchased a couple of volumes.  Each volume covers 12 composers. There are currently three volumes available.

For each composer you are supplied with a few YouTube clips, links to FREE resources, down loadable music links, Fun activities and notebook printables.  You can see a FREE sample of a study: George Fridric Handel.

Each Volume is purchased separately for $14.95 and you have lifetime access to the resource purchased.

 ARTIST Study
I really would like to settle down and complete Vol I of The World's Greatest Artists this year.  I had so many good intentions but alas they never came to pass last year.
Recently Monet's Garden came to Melbourne which inspired some in depth artist studies.  Sir N and I had such a wonderful time learning together that I am really keen to keep going.

We explored the life and work of Claude Monet and did some great art following his style.

This unit study is available for FREE from Confession of a Homeschooler.

Nature Journal
I have a total love affair with the very idea of Nature Journaling after reading Karen Andreola's chapter on Nature Journaling in the Charlotte Mason Companion.

So much so in fact that I collected a whole page of resources and a stack of books (Nature Journals, Keeping a Nature Journal  and The Decorated Journal ) to help me get started.

Well this year is going to be the year that I take the plunge. Our books are purchased and the digital camera is ready.  We will wait about a month by then spring should have arrived and we will take the plunge and attempt to journal our way through nature...I will keep you posted.

These are a few new resources to me.  I would love to hear what you are using that is new to you.

Blessings
Chareen



This week

 ---ooOoo---

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Monday, 28 January 2013

Winter Nature Study is it Possible ?

Who are you kidding ? Taking the kids out in the blustery cold, rain or snow. Do I have to ? It's to cold to go outdoors. It's raining. Is it worth it or is there something else I could do ? .....

These are just a few of the thoughts that fly through my mind when I consider doing Nature Study in Winter.

Nature Journaling in winter is not impossible it requires some foresight and planning.

Some options to consider
    • Rug up and go for short walks with your camera, take some photo's then come home and learn about what you found on your walk. Search for anything with colour in your environment and observe it for a while. 
    • Make a bird feeder to feed the winter birds near your home and hang it near a window so you can watch the birds from the safety of your home.
    • Pick an animal a week to study and borrow books from the library and search YouTube for good information.
    • Follow the Handbook of Nature Study Website .
    • Go to your local green grocer and buy a new fruit each week. Take time to study it in depth with suplemental materials from the library and internet.
    • Make use of your zoo membership and visit a Zoo near you and choose an animal to learn about. Take your drawing things with you and draw the animal you have chosen for that week.
    • Make animal foot casts
    • Explore your own garden and search for some winter colour. I did this a couple of years ago and was surprised at just how much colour there is when I was least expecting it.
    • Find something that your family can turn into a tradition. We go to Wild Nights Zoo after Dark in winter.
    • Grow a windowsill garden and if the sill is too cold bring it further indoors and put it on a table near the window. Document the process.
    • Read beautiful living books by authors such as: Holling Clancy Holling and Sterling North

      Else where on the www

        So whether you are in the throws of planning your year ahead or in the middle of a deep snowy winter take some time and consider your options for Nature Study, create regular opportunities so that you don't miss out.

        If Nature Journaling is a new concept to you then pop on over to TT - Nature Journaling for some resources on how to start and what to do.

        Remember: Knowledge in one "subject" helps us to understand another. All the information your children are gathering in their nature study lessons, and the habits of observation they are acquiring, will form an excellent foundation for their future education. (CMC Page 259 Karen Andreola)

        Blessings
        Chareen

        Photobucket
        This post is part of The Schoolhouse Review Crew Blog Cruise: Winter Nature Study. Take some time and pop on over and be encouraged to do Nature Study in Winter.

        This post is linking with Carnival of Homeschooling hosted over at Dave Out Loud.
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        Tuesday, 17 April 2012

        TT - Keeping a Nature Journal

         Welcome to Tuesdays Treasures.  I started these posts as a way of sharing great books in honour of my friend in New Zealand who would arrive with the treasures she had unearthed at her weekly trip to the library!

        There are so many wonderful books out there hiding on shelves so I invite you to blog about a book on your shelf, one you're reading or one you found at the library and add your post to Learning All the Time Favourite Resource Link Up. 



        This week ...
        Keeping a Nature Journal



        • Format: Paperback
        • Number of Pages: 214
        • Vendor:  Storey Publishing
        • Publication Date: 2003
        • ISBN: 978-1-58017-493-0
        • Author Clare Walker Leslie & Charles E.Roth
        • Illustrator: 
        This book is simply a treasure to anyone wanting to begin their journey into Nature Journaling.

        There is much more I would like to share about this journal but will need to update this post on my return from South Africa.  :o)

        "Drawing even the little things helps to focus the mind, calm the spirit. There's always something to be drawn."  - Clare Walker Leslie

        For some glimpses inside this beautiful book head on over to ...imagine childhood and read their breakdown of this wonderful resource.

        Purchase this book from: Amazon, Book Depository and Christian Book.
        Blessings
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        Tuesday, 10 April 2012

        TT - The Decorated Journal

         Welcome to Tuesdays Treasures.  I started these posts as a way of sharing great books in honour of my friend in New Zealand who would arrive with the treasures she had unearthed at her weekly trip to the library!

        There are so many wonderful books out there hiding on shelves so I invite you to blog about a book on your shelf, one you're reading or one you found at the library and add your post to Learning All the Time Favourite Resource Link Up. 



        This week ...

        • Format: Hardback
        • Number of Pages: 128 
        • Vendor:  Lark Books, USA
        • Publication Date: 01 February 2007
        • ISBN: 1579909566
        • Author Gwen Diehn
        • Illustrator: 
        While not strictly a book devoted to Nature Journaling Gwen's book is well worth investing in for anyone interrested in any form of journaling. There is more I would like to say about this journal but will need to update this post when I return from South Africa :o)

        I love this book and it's one of my favourites at the moment.  It has inspired me to Nature Journal with Sir N and make a travel journal while in South Africa for the next two months.  

        Book Description Amazon: This follow-up to the highly popular Decorated Page offers even more great ideas for beautifying a journal, more breathtaking photos to inspire, and more smart (and simple) ways to endow even the artistically timid with confidence. It simply brims with suggestions and instructions. Find out about the wealth of contemporary supplies, from papers and adhesives to paints, pens, and pastels. See how to create the actual journal from scratch, including a quick-to-do Three Minute Pamphlet. Use the tips for customizing a store-bought book that could use a little flair, such as adding pockets, inserting tabs, or adorning the cover. Build layered pages, take advantage of the creative potential of transparencies, and more. Sidebars and images of actual journals add to the fun.

        Available from: Book Depository and Amazon. For a more in depth review pop on over to A Penchant for Paper.
        Blessings
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        Tuesday, 3 April 2012

        Tuesdays Treasures - Nature Journaling.


        Yesterday I did a post on Nature Journaling for the Charlotte Mason Companion Blog Hop. During my research on this topic I discovered some excellent resources on the internet and wanted to share them with you.

        On Line Downloads:

        For Further Reading:


        Handbook of Nature Study {Home of the Outdoor Hour Challenges and Nature Study for Homeschoolers}  Have a look at the Nature Journal posts.

        Nature Study Homeschool Coop: Ideas, printables, and inspiration for studying nature both for pleasure and for learning, pinned by homeschool moms. Especially applicable to Charlotte Mason nature study and nature journaling (notebooking).
        Nature Journaling with Kids by MM Barker and Nature Study by Thinking Mothers and my Nature Study / Journals.


        Elsewhere On the Internet
        What are some of the resources you use for Nature Journaling with kids ?

        Blessings
        Chareen 


        Linking with
         Welcome to Tuesdays Treasures.  I started these posts as a way of sharing great books in honour of my friend in New Zealand who would arrive with the treasures she had unearthed at her weekly trip to the library!

        There are so many wonderful books out there hiding on shelves so I invite you to blog about a book on your shelf, one you're reading or one you found at the library and add your post to Learning All the Time Favourite Resource Link Up.
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        Monday, 2 April 2012

        CMC - Nature Journaling

        Charlotte Mason: "Children should be encouraged to watch, patiently and quietly, until they learn something of the habits and history of bee, ant, wasp, spider, hairy caterpillar, dragon-fly, and whatever of larger growth comes in their way." (Vol 1, II, Out-Of-Door Life For The Children, p.57 )

        Welcome to the first Charlotte Mason Companion blog hop. I hope you can join in and share your wisdom with us.

        Why this Chapter First ?
        Good question since it's Autumn here and I leave for an overseas trip in six days! I feel inspired and encouraged by Sir N's enthusiasm to Journal and since I am going to the beautiful African Continent I wanted to make a journal.   

        A little bit of my history with journaling
        I first read about Nature Journaling in my CM Companion years ago when my two oldest were young.
        • Did we make a Journal ?  No. 
        • Did I want to do one ? Yes 
        • Why didn't we ? I think the biggest issue is I felt intimidated.
          I can't draw perfectly what I see and to be honest I get impatient and would rather read a good book lying under the shade of a beautiful tree whilst my children play in the sun. 
          Another reason is I felt as though I needed to have all this knowledge about the types of flowers, trees, grasses, birds & wildlife first otherwise I would fail.  I know this is not true and I can learn with my children but I simply felt overwhelmed with what I thought I needed in place to do Nature Journaling.
        • Why do I want to do one now ?  A new season in life. As I grow and experience life and see how dramatically life changes over the seasons of living I feel encouraged to do something new. I also saw this beautiful easy journal on Pinterest that inspired me to journal more than just nature.
        My gleanings
        Chapter Thirty-Three 
        Nature Study
        • Karen starts off with: IF we give our children regular opportunities....  This is so true.  I realised the power is within each of us to give our children not some opportunity but rather regular opportunities.  This takes time and effort on my part but will produce the good fruit of a healthy habit that will be a source of delight for their whole lives.
        • I love how Karen said that while her children were drawing at the table she had The Handbook of Nature Study open on her lap under the table glancing down for information which she then casually shared with her children appearing as an uncommonly knowledgeable mother!  (CMC Page 253 Karen Andreola)
        • I was both inspired and encouraged by: Knowledge in one "subject" helps us to understand another. All the information your children are gathering in their nature study lessons, and the habits of observation they are acquiring, will form an excellent foundation for their future education. (CMC Page 259 Karen Andreola)
        Nature is important to God and through it He reveals Himself to us. We are it's guardians and we can not look after what we do not have a relationship with.

        Chapter Thirty-Four
        Nature for City Children
        • I have used living in a city as an excuse for not doing Nature Journaling.  After all it is a concrete jungle ? Right ? No - wrong!! Karen shares how they lived in London and how she used visiting the green grocer as an opportunity for Nature Study.  They learned the American and English names for fruit and vegetables and different types of fish at the Fish monger. (CMC Page 263 Karen Andreola)  There is so much around us IF only we take the time to slow down look and learn.
        • City Children can have windowsill gardens, use natural history museums that display stuffed creatures, eggs, shells, fossils and rocks of various kinds. (CMC Page 265 Karen Andreola) Karen goes on to list heaps of different ideas for Nature study with in a city.  All you need is a little imagination and the public library or go to the local zoo and befriend a Zoo Keeper.
        • Read beautiful living books by authors such as: Holling Clancy Holling and Sterling North
        Chapter Thirty-Five
        Neighborhood Nature Study
        • Karen helped me realise that I can think in terms of hours instead of whole days. (CMC Page 269 Karen Andreola)
        • Upon reading this chapter I realised there is so much more available in our own neighbourhoods than we realise and all we need to do is slow down stop and take a proper look around us.
        • She encourages us to look at flowers, birds, insects and life.
        Overall I have really enjoyed reading these three chapters they have inspired and encouraged me to slow down and really look at the life around me and allow Sir N to do the same.

        Tuesday's Treasures
        In my explorations of this topic I have discovered some excellent resources and will be posting them on Tuesdays.
        Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

        Blessings
        Chareen

        Next months Blog Hop theme will be Chapter 6 {The Atmosphere of Home}  &
        Chapter 7 {Bickerings} and hosted on the 30 April.

        **Remember, be sure to link directly to your Charlotte Mason Companion  post so that others can find it easily when they visit your blog and be sure to post a link back here so that your readers can find the Blog Hop and join us.
         
        (If possible, please take a moment to visit & comment on the journal post linked up before you.)
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        Wednesday, 7 December 2011

        Making Animal Footprint Casts

        One of the things I enjoy about being married to a handy man who is a Zoo Keeper is that he comes up with some really interesting things to do.  Here is something that his dad taught him.
        Cheetah Footprint
        I was surprised at how easy this is to accomplish.

        Firstly make sure your cast kit is ready.
        • Strips of cardboard about an inch in width.
        • Plaster of Paris (store in an airtight container, 
        • A container to mix plaster of Paris in, 
        • Water, 
        • Mixing tool.
        • Old toothbrush
        Make strips of thin card stock

        We used a Manila folder and cut a strip on the diagonal.  
        The black dotted lines are where we cut the strips to join with a slide fold.

        Make your cast


        Choose your print to cast 


        Carefully place the card stock strip around your print and slightly embed it into the soil.


        Next mix your plaster of Paris. You will need a relatively runny mix.


        Slowly and gently fill each separate impression first. 
        If you pour too quickly you risk the print being damaged.


        Continue pouring in the mix till you have reached a good depth.
        A depth of  about 1/2 inch. (10 - 15 mm) is good.

        Wait for 30 - 60 min for the plaster to set.

        Gently lift your cast


        Brush away excess sand.
        An old tooth brush works the best.


        Allow the cast to dry for a couple of hours.


        Paul used a sharp craft knife to shave off around the print to give it a smoother finish.  This also helps to make a contrast of texture allowing a visual enhancement of your print.

        You can also use a nail to engrave the date, name of animal and place of your print.  Don't forget to engrave your initials on the back.

        Allow your print to dry for about a week in a safe place.

        To seal your print use Mod Podge.  You will need to paint it with at least four coats. 

        Try this with your dog or cat in your sand pit / garden

        Blessings


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