If you’re a thoroughly modern homeschooler who is permanently attached to your phone, why not use it to connect yourself and your students back to the natural world with Cornell University’s free MERLIN app for bird identification:
We do love books here in the River Houses, and we think your homeschool library should certainly have a standard bird guide. But there will always be times when you’re out and about without your books, and at those times, MERLIN may be just the thing you need if birds cross your path (or you cross theirs).
“Answer five simple questions about a bird you are trying to identify” in your local homeschool area, “and Merlin will come up with a list of possible matches. Merlin offers quick identification help for all levels of bird watchers to learn about North America and Europeβs common and rare birds.”
What natural discoveries have you and your students made, with or without technological assistance, in your homeschool this Cygnus Term? π
β‘β Homeschool birds: We think bird study is one of the best subjects you can take up in a homeschool environment. It’s suitable for all ages, it can be solitary or social, it can be as elementary or as advanced as you wish, and birds can be found just about anywhere at any season of the year. Why not track your own homeschool bird observations using the free eBird website sponsored by Cornell University. It’s a great way to learn more about what’s in your local area and about how bird populations change from season to season.Β π¦
β‘β Books in the running brooks: Our recommended homeschool reference library includes an excellent bird guide that would serve your homeschool well. Many other similar guides are also availableΒ β find one that’s a good fit for your family and take it with you on all your outings, whether far afield or just out to the backyard.Β π¦
β‘β Come, here’s the map: Natural history and geography are deeply interconnected. One of the first questions you should teach your students to ask about any kind of animal or plant is, “What is its range? Where (in the world) does it occur?” Our recommended homeschool reference library also includes an excellent world atlas that will help your students appreciate many aspects of biogeography, the science of the geographical distribution of living things.Β π
β‘β Nature notes: This is one of our regular Homeschool Natural History posts. Add your name to our weekly mailing list and get great homeschool teaching ideas delivered right to your mailbox all through the year.Β π«
β‘β Homeschool calendars: We have a whole collection of free, printable, educational homeschool calendars and planners available on our main River Houses calendar page. They will help you create a light and easy structure for your homeschool year. Give them a try today!Β π
β‘β Support our work: If you enjoy our educational materials, please support us by starting your regular Amazon shopping from our very own homeschool teaching supplies page. When you click through from our page, any purchase you make earns us a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping us to keep going and growing!Β π
β‘β Join us! The aim of the River Houses project is to create a network of friendly local homeschool support groupsΒ β local chapters that we call βHouses.β Our first at-large chapter, Headwaters House, is now forming and is open to homeschoolers everywhere. Find out how to become one of our founding members on the Headwaters House membership page.Β π‘