Author: Tom

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Sound Mapping

We can often hear animals before we see them. A good way to know if animals are around is to listen for their calls and the sounds of their movements. Go to the place where you think you’ll be able to hear the greatest variety of animal sounds. then close your eyes and listen with a deep attention for sounds such as…

The drumming of a woodpecker… the buzzing of a fly… Wind rushing through the treetops… Water cascading down a water pipe.. an unknown bird calling from far away…

Using a sheet of paper place an X in the centre of the paper to show where you are sitting. then, for each sound you hear, draw a mark on the map that shows how far away the sound is and the direction. See if you can draw marks that look like the sounds.

you can use a paper cup with the bottom cut out to enhance the sounds that you are listening to.

You need to spend a good 10 minutes to make a good sound map.

How many sounds did you hear?

What animals did you hear?

Describe the animal sounds you could not identify.

Most of all, as usual, have fun!

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Lady Bird Hunt

You can make the ladybirds (or other animals of your choice) out of anything really, i used rounds of wood, but you can use pebbles, paper, card or print them off if your not feeling creative. Ladybirds are good as you can add some maths to the mix, one spot, two spots etc. you can use them for number bonds etc. I have added numbers on the reverse to reinforce meaning.

I like to hide them around the house and garden and go on a lady bird hunt. you can dress up for the occasion as explorers or adventurers. Kit you little one out with a magnifying glass and a basket to collect them in. The aim is to find them all, preferably in order.

you can simplify, by hiding other items like teddys and cars, whatever you child is into.

Most of all have fun.

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Poetry of Nature

Writing a poem is another way to become more aware of nature. choose a favorite place to sit for a few minutes watching and enjoying. Notice how each sound, movement, texture and colour is different. Feel the special quality that each thing expresses. if you see a darting swift-moving flock of birds feel in your heart the joy of their flight. if you see a tree swaying in a light breeze, feel it’s strength and gracefulness. Try one of the following forms of poetry, or any other style you like

Verticle Poem

Choose a word that captures the feeling of the place you’ve chosen. Then use each letter of the word to begin a line of your poem. While walking on Mount Subasio near Assisi, Italy, I wrote a poem to the word ‘Spring’ the flower covered hillsides expressed a feeling of excitement as the shadows of the clouds raced over them.

S un-made cloud shadows

P laced on the earth

R unning across its surface

I n and out of the sun i sit

N ot long does the cloud’s twin stay

G oing, going on its way.

Haiku

Japanese Haiku is a form of poetry with only three lines. The first line contains five syllables the second has seven and the third has five again. Look for the syllables in the Haiku poem below.

In the sudden burst

Of summer rain… wind-blown birds

Clutching at grasses

Also, in Haiku poetry, the first two lines describe the scene and the third line expresses surprise or discovery. The two poems below are by Basho, A famous master of Haiku.

An old silent pond

Into the pond a frog jumps,

Splash! silence again.

Basho

My eyes following

Until a bird was lost at sea,

Found a small island.

Basho

Check out one of my favorite modern poets John Cooper Clarke and have fun writing poetry. feel free to share some you have created!

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Postcards Home

Postcards home is a Victorian way of sending home the plants and items that Victorians would find when on holiday around the country. It is quite simply a collage of your journey or adventure through the countryside, park or remote Amazonian rainforest showcasing the latest ‘finds’.

A collection of postcards home

Take a piece of scrap cardboard about the size of a postcard and stick a line of double sided tape (or sticky tape rolled over) down the middle of the cardboard.

Scrap cardboard with double sided tape.

Then go on your adventure, around the house, garden, street or park. collecting and sticking your found items to the tape. Please remember to respect the environment and try to only stick things that are abundant or already fallen from plants or trees. Certainly don’t stick anything live to the tape, like insects etc. It might be worth taking a ‘sample’ pot with you just in case you little ones want to stick a worm to it. use the sample pot instead (egg boxes work well).

once you have collected your specimens, you can go home and look up the types of plants (leaf snap and plant ID are good ones). Or post to a friend or family member with a letter all about your adventure.

Have fun!

Don’t forget to check out some of the other articles that might keep you occupied.