• Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock
• Nature Journal (sketchbook or a blank notebook)
• Field Guides (appropriate to your region)
• Suggestions:
• Audubon and/or Peterson field guides (including coloring books)
• The Sibley Guide to Birds
• Kaufmann Field Guide to Birds of North America
• Kaufmann Focus Guide to Mammals of North America
• For Alberta, Canada: Birds of Alberta by Chris C. Fisher, Mammals of Alberta, Fish of Alberta, Butterflies of Alberta and others by Lone Pine Publishing (Lone Pine does publish some field guides for certain U.S. states as well ie: Amphibians of Oregon, Washington and British Columbia; Birds of Florida; Animal Tracks of Illinois; and more.. check your local library or bookstore).

 

• Wild Days by Karen Rackliffe
• The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden
• Sierra Club Guide to Sketching in Nature by Cathy Johnson
• Sierra Club Guide to Painting in Nature by Cathy Johnson
• Nature Study the Easy Way by Cindy Rushton
• Pocketful of Pinecones by Karen Andreola
• Discover Nature Close to Home by Elizabeth P. Lawlor
• Discover Nature in the Garden by Jim Conrad

1. Read the monthly assignment from The Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Comstock.

2. Learn about some new animals (birds, mammals, fish, etc.) from your field guides each month.

3. Read the selected stories from Nature Lore.  (One or more story per month; links provided to specific selections by Ernest Thompson Seton, Clara Dillingham Pierson, John Burroughs, William J. Long, Jean Henri Fabre, Arabella Buckley and Thornton W. Burgess).

4. Take some nature walks and record what you see.  Try to make at least 2 entries in your nature journal each month. 

5.  You may also wish to keep a notebook with thoughts and impressions from your readings.
 

• Read the Handbook of Nature Study Part I  pgs. 1 - 24 (The Teaching of Nature-Study)

• Learn about 3 or 4 new birds from your field guides this month.  Record your findings in a notebook.

• Go on a nature walk or two and make at least 2 entries in your nature journal.

• Read the following selections: Redruff, the Story of the Don Valley Partridge by Ernest Thompson Seton AND A Swallow and One Who Isn't by Thornton W. Burgess

• Read the Handbook of Nature Study Part II  pgs. 27 - 47 (Beginning Bird Study)

• Learn about 3 or 4 new birds from your field guides this month.  Record your findings in a notebook.

• Go on a nature walk or two and make at least 2 entries in your nature journal.

• Read the following selections: Why Mr. Great Horned Owl Hatched the Eggs by Clara Dillingham Pierson AND The Warblers Arrive by Thornton W. Burgess

• Read the Handbook of Nature Study Part II  pgs. 47 - 97 (Chicken - Catbird)

• Learn about 3 or 4 new birds from your field guides this month.  Record your findings in a notebook.

• Go on a nature walk or two and make at least 2 entries in your nature journal.

• Read the following selections: The Story of the Cow Birds Egg by Clara Dillingham Pierson AND The Dance of the Sand-Hill Cranes by Clara Dillingham Pierson

• Read the Handbook of Nature Study Part II  pgs. 97 - 143 (The Belted Kingfisher to Birds of Marsh and Shore)

• Learn about 3 or 4 new birds from your field guides this month.  Record your findings in a notebook.

• Go on a nature walk or two and make at least 2 entries in your nature journal.

• Read the following selections: Birds of Prey by Arabella Buckley AND Web-Footed Birds by Arabella Buckley

• Read the Handbook of Nature Study Part II  pgs. 144 - 169 (Fishes)

• Learn about 7 or 8 new fish from your field guides this month.  Record your findings in a notebook.

• Go on a nature walk or two and make at least 2 entries in your nature journal.

• Read the following selection: The Young Minnow Who Would Not Eat When He Should by Clara Dillingham Pierson

• Read the Handbook of Nature Study Part II  pgs. 170 - 192 (Amphibians)

• Learn about 4 or 5 new amphibians from your field guides this month.  Record your findings in a notebook.

• Go on a nature walk or two and make at least 2 entries in your nature journal.

• Read the following selections: The Biggest Frog Awakens by Clara Dillingham Pierson AND A Frog's Life by Arabella Buckley

• Read the Handbook of Nature Study Part II  pgs. 193 - 213 (Reptiles)

• Learn about 4 or 5 new reptiles from your field guides this month.  Record your findings in a notebook.

• Go on a nature walk or two and make at least 2 entries in your nature journal.

• Read the following selections: The Slow Little Mud Turtle by Clara Dillingham Pierson AND The Snappy Snapping Turtle by Clara Dillingham Pierson

• Read the Handbook of Nature Study Part II  pgs. 214 - 253 (Mammals - Rabbit to Fox)

• Learn about 7 or 8 new mammals from your field guides this month.  Record your findings in a notebook.

• Go on a nature walk or two and make at least 2 entries in your nature journal.

• Read the following selections: The Rabbit and the Hare by John Burroughs AND The Fox by John Burroughs

• Read the Handbook of Nature Study Part II  pgs. 254 - 293 (Dogs - Pigs)

• Learn about 7 or 8 new mammals from your field guides this month.  Record your findings in a notebook.

• Go on a nature walk or two and make at least 2 entries in your nature journal.

• Read the following selections: Meeko the Mischief Maker by William J. Long AND Piggy and Hardshell by Thornton W. Burgess

• Read the Handbook of Nature Study Part II  pgs. 294 - 334 (Insects - Butterflies & Moths)

• Learn about 7 or 8 new butterflies & moths from your field guides this month.  Record your findings in a notebook.

• Go on a nature walk or two and make at least 2 entries in your nature journal.

• Read the following selection: The Dragonfly and His Companions by Arabella Buckley AND The Night Moth with a Crooked Feeler by Clara Dillingham Pierson

• Read the Handbook of Nature Study Part II  pgs. 335 - 415 (Insects)

• Learn about 5 or 6 new insects from your field guides this month.  Record your findings in a notebook.

• Go on a nature walk or two and make at least 2 entries in your nature journal.

• Read the following selections: The Ant that Wore Wings by Clara Dillingham Pierson AND The Crickets School by Clara Dillingham Pierson

• Read the Handbook of Nature Study Part II  pgs. 415 - 450 (Invertebrates other than insects)

• Learn about 5 or 6 new invertebrates from your field guides this month.  Record your findings in a notebook.

• Go on a nature walk or two and make at least 2 entries in your nature journal.

• Read the following selections: The Crab Spider by Jean Henri Fabre AND Two Little Crayfishes Quarrel by Clara Dillingham Pierson