Well with our newborn it has been harder to get the inside chores done not to mention outdoor nature study:) But ohhhh the life lessons that have been cherished and learned. A newborn is nature study in and of itself! It has truly been awesome to watch the older siblings respond and be an intregal part of this “season” of our lives.
With that said, our study of moss, lichen and mushrooms has also been severely hindered by the two large snowstorms we have had late in the winter here. It is strange to see snow everywhere still in late March.
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Here is what we have done inside:
We have read in the Handbook of Nature Study about moss, mushrooms and lichens. In our journals we included labeled diagrams of fungi. This spring and summer we are all set to go looking for these interesting plants. Yes, plants that are not green! They don’t make their own food so there is no chlorophyll. We learned that instead some fungi steal their food from other plants and some live off dead plant materials like fallen trees which gives them their colors.
We have also been reading about different types of weathering and erosion: streams, landslides, avalanches, mudslides, and creep. One experiment we tried was how soil was affected by gravity by elevating a pan of dirt until it began to slide. Then we started over and shook the pan while changing the slope which simulated an earthquake. Lastly we poured water down the slope to see how it would speed up the erosion process. Besides who can resist playing in the mud even in winter…or is it spring now?
theschoolhouseontheprairie 
Looks like all four are enjoying the indoor study!