Exploring Nature in September – 7 Fall Nature Research Concepts

The mornings are getting cooler, the leaves are starting to vary, and Fall is shortly on its manner!

In case you’re searching for nature research concepts for this month, I’ve received you coated. September is one among my favourite months for going exterior and taking a better have a look at nature. From fungi to apples to the harvest moon, there are such a lot of enjoyable issues to discover within the month of September!

1. Fungi

Do you know that September is Nationwide Fungi Month within the U.S.? With damp, cooler climate changing sizzling summer season days, it’s the proper time of yr to show your college students concerning the mushrooms in your area. Attempt figuring out what grows in your space, and have your college students file what they discover of their nature journals.

Find out how to Make Spore Prints

Have you ever ever made spore prints? It’s a easy, hands-on option to discover the fantastic world of fungi. Simply choose just a few mushrooms from the woods (or the grocery retailer for those who’re having bother discovering some within the wild) and place them gill- or pore-side down on a clear sheet of paper. Be at liberty to experiment with white and black paper (some varieties have white spore prints that present up higher on black paper.)

Sprinkle a drop or two of water on high of the mushrooms, then cowl with a glass bowl for 6-24 hours. As soon as the time has handed, fastidiously elevate your mushroom to disclose its distinctive spore print.

**Poisonous mushrooms solely trigger hurt when ingested, however it’s all the time a good suggestion to have your college students wash their arms after handing wild mushrooms. By no means eat a wild mushroom except you’re 100% positive you recognize it’s secure to devour.**

Try this text for many mushroom nature research concepts, fungi image books, a FREE Fungi Coloring web page, plus our favourite fungi image books!

And for additional research, check out my Thriller of Mushrooms mini nature research!

2. Moss

Mosses develop everywhere in the world, and that is the proper month to take a better have a look at these tiny vegetation. Mosses are particular as a result of, though they’re thought of vegetation, like mushrooms, they reproduce utilizing spores as an alternative of seeds.

This month, take a nature stroll along with your college students and see what number of completely different sorts of moss you discover, and the place they develop (trace: often in cool, moist, or shady areas).

You may additionally need to print out my FREE Moss + Lichen printables to take with you as you discover (pictured beneath).

Utilizing Moss for Navigation

Due to its desire for sure circumstances, moss has been used for hundreds of years as a navigation instrument. See in case your college students can work out cardinal instructions by searching for bushes or surfaces with essentially the most moss progress, which within the Northern Hemisphere usually signifies North. For essentially the most accuracy, look at a number of bushes for patterns of moss progress.

Seek for Water Bears

One other enjoyable exercise to strive is to search for water bears among the many moss. Right here’s a tutorial that will help you discover these cute microscopic creatures.

3. The Harvest Moon

The harvest moon usually falls in September (though this yr it will likely be in early October), and that is such a enjoyable subject to check along with your college students. This brilliant, low-hanging, orange-hued full moon is a positive signal that Fall has arrived.

Try my record of harvest moon crafts (like playdough), studying actions, and read-aloud books. You can too use this chance to show your college students concerning the moon phases.

And don’t neglect concerning the Harvest Moon mini unit research and Full Moon Nature Research!

4. Migrating Birds

Because the temperatures start to drop, you’ll discover the departure of some birds in your space and the arrival of others. The place we reside, the acquainted honking of geese is without doubt one of the first indicators that Fall is approaching.

Go on a migratory fowl stroll and see for those who spot any new birds in your space. Can you see any winter residents you haven’t seen for some time?

And don’t neglect about my FREE Migration printables to discover migratory birds, and why they do what they do!

5. Orb Weavers

As Halloween approaches, we all the time love studying about our eight-legged buddies. Orb weavers, just like the cat-faced spider, are quite common round right here this time of yr, and we love seeing them make their stunning webs within the fading September backyard.

Have your college students seek for orb-weavers and webs exterior. You can too problem them to make their very own webs, utilizing sticks and string, and even sticky tape throughout the room.

For additional studying sources, this Spiders Mini Nature Research is stuffed with creepy, crawly enjoyable.

These are a few of our favourite image books about spiders:

Are you a Spider?

Sophie’s Masterpiece

6. Fruit-Bearing Timber

Are the bushes stuffed with fruit in your space? A fast stroll round our neighborhood reveals apples, pear, plums and peaches. Fall is the proper time of yr to discover how blossoms flip into fruit.

Contemplate visiting an apple orchard, make some apple goodies, and permit your college students to dissect apples and label the components.

7. Seeds and Nuts

Milkweed is the one meals of the Monarch Butterfly larvae, and it’s additionally a worthwhile meals supply for a lot of vital pollinators. This time of yr, it’s simple to search out the massive seed pods full of fluffy white seeds. Attempt cracking one open and see how neatly the seeds are organized.

You can too go on a hunt for different seeds and nuts. Acorns, walnuts, hickory nuts, helicopter seeds and seed pods of every kind are frequent this time of yr. Go on a nature stroll and have your college students file what seeds they discover of their nature journals.

Make a Seed Mosaic

Seed mosaics are an effective way to discover and play with seeds. Get the directions for making a enjoyable air-dry clay seed mosaic right here.

You can too take a look at some books about seeds from the library. These are a few of our favorites:

Miss Maple’s Seeds

A Seed is Sleepy

Monarch and Milkweed