Chapter 2

Lesson Plan:
Read pages 8-11 in YNGF

Create your own nature journal. You can email education@audubon.org to request a FREE copy of "Nature Journaling for Everyone"

Go on a nature walk and record your observations in your nature journal.

Look at samples of other nature journals either online or from the suggested reading below.

Illustration by Deirdre Gill

Online Resources:
Green Guide for Kids page on creating a nature journal

How to make/keep a nature journal

National Audubon Society Educator Resources

Shared Online Homeschool Nature Journal

Sample Nature Journal as a tool for learning

Charlotte Mason Style Nature Study Squidoo Lense by Jimmie

Suggested Reading:
Keeping a Nature Journal by Clare Walker Leslie
The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden



Have you finished Chapter Two? Share your projects and ideas with us by posting a comment or linking to your blog post below.

State Tree: Sabal Palm (Cabbage Palm)

used with permission from
Jacquelyn Modesitt Schindehette
www.floridalandscapes.com

This tree was important in historical times, when early settlers used its leaf heart for food and its logs and fronds to build shelter.
The Young Naturalist's Guide to Florida (page 4)

Lesson:
Read the selection on page 3-4, and 91,

Discussion Questions:
What is another name for the Sabal Palm? And why did it get that name?
What did the Seminoles use the Palm fronds for?

Of 14 species of palm trees native to the United States, 11 can be found in Florida
The Young Naturalist's Guide to Florida; page 91

Interesting Facts:
The Sabal Palmetto is the most widely distributed palm in Florida. It grows in almost any soil and has many uses, including food, medicine, and landscaping.

Activities:
1.) Take a nature walk and identify and examine the Sabal Palm.

2.) Include a photograph or drawing of the Sabal Palm in your notebook and label the parts of the tree and important identifying facts.

3.) Sample a Hearts of Palm Salad.

Field Trips:
Visit a nature center or preserve with Sabal Palms.

Online Resources:
Floridata page on Sabal Palms
Sabal Palm PDF Fact Sheet

Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park

This 210 acre park is home to native Florida wildlife and is one of the only places where you can see an West Indian Manatee 365 days a year (the park is open year round). The State Park is a rehabilitation center for injured and orphaned West Indian manatees, which reside there until they are able to be returned to the wild.

Winter and Early spring is the best time to visit the park. You can start your visit with a leisurely pontoon boat ride down Pepper Creek to the main entrance of the park. Along the way you may see ospreys nesting, limpkins, herons, egrets, wood ducks, turtles and maybe even an alligator or otter.

The park has several exhibits including Wildlife Walk where you can see Great Horned Owls, Barn Owls, Florida Barred Owls, Grey and Red Foxes, bears, bobcats, otters, deer, alligators, Florida Panther, key deer, birds of prey, songbirds and a wide variety of wading birds.

Don't miss the Reptile House which features native snakes and other reptiles or the Children's Education center which offers some hands on learning opportunities and an interesting display of skeletons and bones.

The Fishbowl, a floating underwater observatory, offers a unique below-the-surface view of the manatees and native fishes.

Regular Educational presentations are made daily.

Contact Information:
Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park
4150 S. Suncoast Blvd
Homosassa, Florida
34446 352.628.5343


Have you visited Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park? Post a comment about your visit or link your blog post directly below!

Loggerhead Marinelife Center

Loggerhead Marinelife Center is an amazing place to visit with children. It is a sea turtle hospital for injured and rehabilitating loggerhead sea turtles, green sea turtles, leatherback sea turtles, Kemp's ridley sea turtles, and hawksbill sea turtles. Although it is self-guided, there are plenty of docents and volunteers available to answer your questions. The new facility is comfortable with ample parking and turtle viewing is easy for even the youngest child.

Private tours are available Tuesday-Saturday by calling (561)627-8280. The tour is one hour in length and is $5 per adult and $3 per child. Tours can be tailored to your needs with prior notification. Some tour guides will take groups to the beach to discuss beach ecology, pollution, sea turtle nesting biology and ocean ecology. If this interests you, please be sure to mention it when making your reservation.

A variety of educational programs are available including Turtle Tots, their program for 3-5 year olds. Contact 561.627.8280 x105 for more information.

Exhibits include: an exhibit hall featuring the history of Loggerhead Marinelife center, The Archelon exhibit featuring the replica skeleton of an ancient sea turtle, Beach Ecology and Shells! an interactive drawer experience, the rehabilitation center and an outdoor children's play area. There is also an on-site museum gift shop.

You may also adopt a sea turtle or view current patients here.
Admission is free, but a donation is appreciated. Memberships are also available and encouraged. Click here to view membership levels and benefits of membership.

Contact Information:
Loggerhead Marinelife Center
14200 US Hwy. One
Juno Beach FL 33408
561-627-8280 fax 561-627-8305

Hours:
Monday-Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 12-3.

Have you visited Loggerhead Marinelife Center? Share your field trip below!

State Pie

In 2006, the Florida legislature named the Key lime pie the state Pie, after several years of consideration. Sweet potato pie was the other contender.
The Young Naturalist's Guide to Florida; page 6

Activities:
1.) Read the history of the key lime pie
2.) Either make or sample a key lime pie with your students. You may also want to try a Key Lime Pie on a stick or other key lime pies available from Key Lime Shop.

Additional Online Resources:
Click here to view House of Representatives SB 676- Official State Pie/Key Lime bill

State Flower

"One of the most fragrant flowers of any tree---the orange blossom is one of Florida's oldest symbols."
The Young Naturalist's Guide to Florida; page 4

Did you know...
The orange tree was first found in Southern China and North India. Because Europeans in the 1500’s valued the fruit for its medicinal qualities, it was imported by Portuguese traders into around the sixteenth century. By the seventeenth century, small greenhouses were being built in Europe to cultivate orange trees, which by then were known for their sweet taste. The orange tree reached America in the nineteenth century, introduced to Florida by the French. Today, California, Arizona and Florida are the chief orange-growing states in the Unites States.
excerpt above; read more here.


Activities:
Download and print the State Flower coloring page for your notebook.


Field Trip:
Visit an orange grove.

Additional Online Resources:
Flowerpedia Orange Blossom page.

State Seal

Discussion Questions:

1.) What items were changed on the state seal in 1970 and 1985 to better reflect Florida?
2.) Ask your students to describe or name the details within the seal pictured above.
3.) Why does Florida have a state seal? Where and how is it used?
4.) What size is the state seal?

Activities:
The state seal is featured on the State Flag. Download , color and include in your notebook.

Additional Online Resources:
Netstate's Great Seal of Florida page

State Nickname

The state nickname, "Sunshine State" was made official in 1970 and used to be on every license tag. While Florida is officially known as the sunshine state, there have been other nicknames associated with Florida such as: the alligator state, everglades state, and the orange state to name a few.

Discussion Questions:

1.) Why do you think Florida's nickname is The Sunshine State?
2.) Do you think this is a good nickname for Florida? Why or why not?

Activity:
How many things can you find with the state motto on it?
Include them in your notebook.

Additional Online Resources:
Netstate Introduction to Florida