(Recorded Course) Field Science: Wonder of Nature, Part Two with Inshal Chenet

Middle school is a great time to introduce children to nature science and field guides. This gets them in touch with God’s creation and builds a sense of Wonderment. We live in a world filled with amazing plant and animal life. Sign up for this course to build not only book knowledge of the natural world but also an appreciation of it.

Total classes: 12

Duration per class: 45 minutes

Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 6th to 8th grade
Suggested credit: One full semester Field Science

Instructor: Inshal Chenet, MA
Instructor Email: inshalj@gmail.com


Course description: Wonder is the root of the natural sciences. This course is an introduction to the natural sciences, putting the students into direct contact with the local natural environment. They will be having immediate experiences with geological formations, fauna, flora, and the heavens. Their perception of the natural world will be sharpened as they learn to notice and understand the distinctions in the natural world around them.
Students will be spending much time outdoors, drawing and recording data in their sketchbooks, and memorizing distinctions from class.

Course outline:

Our Solar System: Earth, Moon, Sun
Understanding the Moon and Phases
The Planets and how to watch them.
Tracks and Scat
Invertebrates
Fungi
Bird Physiology
Bird songs
Budding Plant Identification
Flower Identification
 Large animal identification
 Flex Day

Course materials:
Field Guide to the Night Sky [Audubon Society], https://amzn.to/3ZytWFX  
Bird Field Guide (choose one of the two depending on where you live):
-The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western  North America, https://amzn.to/3ZzYlE1
-The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern  North America, https://amzn.to/41UqaZn  
A Flora Field Guide for your area: (Good list of American Stat ones: https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/features/books/

Homework: Students will spend much time outdoors, drawing & recording data in their sketchbooks, and memorizing distinctions from class. Each week they will spend at least 3 hours working in their notebooks and scanning their pages into Moodle for grading.