Explore Outdoors ~ Bark

At this time of the year, most of the trees have shed their leaves. Except for evergreens that are covered in needles, and the papery beech leaves clinging to twigs. So if you want to know about the trees you see, you need to learn about their bark:

• is it smooth?
• is it patchy?
• is it lined vertically?
• is it scaly?

Check out field guides to find out who's who in their bark. Here's one from UNH.

This year I'm encouraging everyone to spend 1,000 hours outdoors. So on Wednesday I'll be posting ideas for nature breaks, field trips, and outdoor play. The goal: to have fun!

Teachers and homeschoolers who want to use nature breaks as field trips can grab a sketchbook or journal, something to draw and write with, and some watercolors, colored pencils, crayons, or markers. Think cross-curricular: art, language, science, math, engineering, movement, exercise! And come back Friday for some STEM book-talk.