Nature Study Hacking| Flowerless Plants Resources

Based on Handbook of Nature Study, this 24-lesson guide simplifies the introduction of flowerless plants found in nature: ferns, mosses, mushrooms, lichens, molds, bacteria, and fungi.

Through short, open-and-go lessons, children learn to observe carefully, draw what they see, and develop a lasting habit of attention in the natural world.

Buy the guide here.

ESSENTIALS:

If you were only going to buy ONE book in addition to Handbook of Nature Study to go with this guide, this is the one I recommend:

Readerʼs Digest North American Guide to Wildlife

It has enough moss, mushrooms, and lichen to give an introduction on the subject along with watercolor pictures that make drawing or painting in a nature journal easier for beginners.

Flowerless Plants Supply List:

Minimalism sketchbook or dot grid nature journal (this is my favorite style for nature study)
Ticonderoga (Hard) pencils and an eraser
Prismacolor colored pencils (preferred for younger children)
Magnifying glass or jeweler’s loupe
White and dark paper (for spore print studies)

Nature specimens:
Fern (wild or garden)
Moss from rocks, soil, bark, or logs
Mushrooms (outdoor observation or safe store-bought specimens)
Lichens on trees, fences, rocks
Decaying wood, leaves, and forest floor material
Bread or cheese for sealed mold observation

Further Study:

If you want more great resources, these are the ones we LOVE:

Mushrooms and Molds (Letʼs Read to Find Out)   by Robert Froman 

Lots of Rot by Vicki Cobb (mold and bacteria)

The Secret World of Lichens, a Young Naturalistʼs Guide