May Nature Journal Calendar
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Welcome to the new nature journal calendar! Enjoy the month of May and print your May Nature Journal Calendar to help you record what’s going on in your own backyard and beyond.
How to Use the Nature Journal Calendar
There’s no right or wrong way to use the nature journal calendar. Here are a few tips:
- Download your printable calendar.
- Print the calendar.
- Use the prompts both on the calendar and below to explore some elements of nature in May.
- Draw or write your observations in the blank calendar squares. That’s why there are so many blank spaces- so you don’t feel pressured to do a million things and so that you have room to doodle it up right on the calendar.
- Put them together in a notebook or handmade book and wait for next month and a new calendar.
- Have fun!
May Nature Connections
Here in NY, we are working seeing spring time come alive. Still! The trees are just now beginning to leaf out here and it’s the second week of May. But, here are some ideas for May:
- Woods Walk– Keep checking the blooming wildflowers. Pick a location to observe weekly and note the changes.
- Baby Animals– Look for fawns, newly hatched birds, and bunnies.
- Nesting– Where do animals nest and bed down in the spring? Do you have birds nests in your yard?
- Insect Collecting– Have you ever collected insects? You can collect live insects (be safe!) or pin them in a collection.
- Parts of a Flower– Observe and learn the parts of a flower with a hands on look at a spring flower.
- Prepare Spring Planting– Maybe your garden is in full swing or you are just getting started. Either way, enjoy planting this May.
No need to feel limited by our ideas! If you see something you want to note, then go ahead and put it on your calendar. We weeded and prepared our Square Foot Garden once, but safe planting isn’t until Memorial Day. Guess what we need to do again before planting later this month? What is May like where you live?
Books for Nature Study in May
We love to share our most loved nature books with you. This month we’re sharing:
- Pet Bugs: A Kids Guide to Catching & Keeping Touchable Insects– This series shares how to keep insects as pets safely. Our youngest used to adore these books and collected many this way before becoming an entomologist.
- Peterson Field Guide to Mammals of North America– If you you’ll be on the hunt for baby animals, this is a great guide to what lives nearby to you (if you are in North America!).
- Audubon Field Guide to North American Insects & Spiders– Great guide if you are beginning with insects and makes a nice guide for intermediate collectors as well.
- Audubon Nature Guides: Wetlands– This is a fabulous series from the National Audubon Society and features various habitats. Another favorite of ours is Eastern Forests (they have Western Forests too!). You’ll learn a lot about a habitat from this book.
May Literature Connections
It’s time for a list of fun books to read while you enjoy spring. The book list includes titles for preschool through high school. Read them outside for extra fun!
- Lost in the Woods– A photographic tale about a new fawn in the woods
- The Tale of Peter Rabbit– Who doesn’t love this sweet story about a naughty rabbit who gets into Mr. McGregor’s garden?
- Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature– A biography of the naturalist, artist, and author of many children’s tales about animals.
- Redwall– The first in a series of books of epic tales involving woodland animals. All but one of our kids adores the world of Redwall!
- All Creatures Great & Small– The first in a trio of books by James Harriet, a veterinarian at the turn of the century.
- Jane Eyre– In the mood for some Charlotte Bronte? This gothic novel is a first of its kind and is a nice introduction to the classics.
More May Fun at Blog, She Wrote
These are some posts that you might enjoy as you make May plans. Enjoy what the month brings!
- Geography Quest Mountain Edition– All things mountains. How they are formed, where they are, along with other facts.
- Entomology The Science of Insects– Information on how to collect and how to exhibit insect collections.
- How to Create Your Own Learning Experiences with Adventure Boxes– Fun learning ideas for special adventures.
- Adventures with Insects & Critters– Collecting insects and spiders for fun!
