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Northern Saw-whet Owl
Aegolius acadicus
This tiny owl with a catlike face, oversized head, and bright yellow eyes is practically bursting with attitude and makes a great bird to study for October, the month of Halloween!
These owls are highly nocturnal and are seldom seem but their high-pitched “too-too-too” call is a common evening sound.
Children, Nature and You Resources to help you give the children you influence the awe and wonder that only the natural world can inspire
Freeport Park District Information on all the Freeport parks
Freeport Public Library More than books on a shelf...visit the Freeport Public Library
Freeport/Stephenson County Convention and Visitors Bureau Events located in Stephenson County, IL
Getting Kids Involved (The Cornell Lab of Ornithology) Includes bird information, tips, and more for kids and families
The Great Backyard Bird Count for Kids Sponsored by the Audubon Society and other partners
Jane Addams Recreation Trail Ride or Hike the beautiful Jane Addams Trail
Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots A program of the Jane Goodall Institute offering a variety of programs and resources
National Audubon website Use “Get Outside” and “Family Time” prompts
National Wildlife Federation Many family-friendly articles; Ranger Rick family magazine
Paddle the Pecatonica River Water Trail Enjoy Illinois’ “Friendliest Paddle” on the Pecatonica River
Resource Guide Supplement to Last Child in the Woods Designed for parents, teachers, and community leaders to help them encourage children’s enjoyment of the great outdoors.
Severson Dells Nature Center Located near Rockford, IL.
Sierra Club Outdoors The program's goal is to give every child in America an outdoor experience.
Have several kinds of apples; cut one piece from each apple for each child; ask them to describe the taste, to compare and contrast one kind to another.
Cut one apple. Have the child feel the skin and talk about its smoothness; then feel the white “meat” of the apple and describe.
Cut one apple horizontally. Can everyone see the star shape?
Guess how many seeds are in the apple. Cut another apple; count the seeds.
Talk about the life cycle of an apple a book or poster can be helpful, or simply cut pictures of each stage. The books listed in the “Book Nook” illustrate this.
Put the apple slices that you have cut into a bowl, add water, and microwave until they are mushy. Add a little cinnamon and sugar and taste. How do the cooked apples feel? How do they taste?
List the foods that can be made from apples.
Put several fall items into a paper sack an apple, an acorn, an oak leaf, a maple leaf, a pine cone, a walnut, some pine needles, a squash, a gourd, a fall flower a small pumpkin if you have a big sack. Have the child reach in the bag and touch one object, then guess what he thinks it is. Is it rough or smooth, prickly, crinkly? Take out the objects and compare and contrast how they feel, their size, the smell, the colors. Show the difference between an oak leaf and a maple, or any other leaves you choose.
Put the same items, or other fall items you choose, on a tray; have everyone look closely, take the tray away, and have the kids name the items on the tray.
Check out our full calendar of activities, events, and educational opportunities. You're sure to find something to interest you. Please join us!
Events include:
For more details, see the current newsletter.
Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021
Virtual Discussion of the film The Story of Plastic...
Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021
NIAS Newsletter Deadline...
Tuesday, Mar. 9, 2021
Meeting: NIAS Conservation Committee...
Tuesday, Mar. 9, 2021
Meeting: NIAS Board Meeting...