The mornings are getting cooler, the leaves are beginning to change, and Fall is quickly on its way!
If you’re looking for nature study ideas for this month, I’ve got you covered. September is one of my favorite months for going outside and taking a closer look at nature. From fungi to apples to the harvest moon, there are so many fun things to explore in the month of September!
1. Fungi
Did you know that September is National Fungi Month in the U.S.? With damp, cooler weather replacing hot summer days, it’s the perfect time of year to teach your students about the mushrooms in your region. Try identifying what grows in your area, and have your students record what they find in their nature journals.
How to Make Spore Prints
Have you ever made spore prints? It’s a simple, hands-on way to explore the wonderful world of fungi. Just select a few mushrooms from the woods (or the grocery store if you’re having trouble finding some in the wild) and place them gill- or pore-side down on a clean sheet of paper. Feel free to experiment with white and black paper (some varieties have white spore prints that show up better on black paper.)
Sprinkle a drop or two of water on top of the mushrooms, then cover with a glass bowl for 6-24 hours. Once the time has passed, carefully lift your mushroom to reveal its unique spore print.
**Toxic mushrooms only cause harm when ingested, but it’s always a good idea to have your students wash their hands after handing wild mushrooms. Never eat a wild mushroom unless you are 100% sure you know it’s safe to consume.**
Check out this article for lots of mushroom nature study ideas, fungi picture books, a FREE Fungi Coloring page, plus our favorite fungi picture books!
And for further study, take a look at my Mystery of Mushrooms mini nature study!
2. Moss
Mosses grow all over the world, and this is the perfect month to take a closer look at these tiny plants. Mosses are special because, although they are considered plants, like mushrooms, they reproduce using spores instead of seeds.
This month, take a nature walk with your students and see how many different kinds of moss you notice, and where they grow (hint: usually in cool, moist, or shady areas).
You may also want to print out my FREE Moss + Lichen printables to take with you as you explore (pictured below).
Using Moss for Navigation
Because of its preference for certain conditions, moss has been used for centuries as a navigation tool. See if your students can figure out cardinal directions by looking for trees or surfaces with the most moss growth, which in the Northern Hemisphere typically indicates North. For the most accuracy, examine multiple trees for patterns of moss growth.
Search for Water Bears
Another fun activity to try is to look for water bears among the moss. Here’s a tutorial to help you find these adorable microscopic creatures.
3. The Harvest Moon
The harvest moon typically falls in September (although this year it will be in early October), and this is such a fun topic to study with your students. This bright, low-hanging, orange-hued full moon is a sure sign that Fall has arrived.
Check out my list of harvest moon crafts (like playdough), learning activities, and read-aloud books. You can also use this opportunity to teach your students about the moon phases.
And don’t forget about the Harvest Moon mini unit study and Full Moon Nature Study!
4. Migrating Birds
As the temperatures begin to drop, you’ll notice the departure of some birds in your area and the arrival of others. Where we live, the familiar honking of geese is one of the first signs that Fall is approaching.
Go on a migratory bird walk and see if you spot any new birds in your area. Can you spot any winter residents you haven’t seen for a while?
And don’t forget about my FREE Migration printables to explore migratory birds, and why they do what they do!
5. Orb Weavers
As Halloween approaches, we always love learning about our eight-legged friends. Orb weavers, like the cat-faced spider, are very common around here this time of year, and we love seeing them make their beautiful webs in the fading September garden.
Have your students search for orb-weavers and webs outside. You can also challenge them to make their own webs, using sticks and string, or even sticky tape across the room.
For extra learning resources, this Spiders Mini Nature Study is full of creepy, crawly fun.
These are some of our favorite picture books about spiders:
Are you a Spider?
Sophie’s Masterpiece
6. Fruit-Bearing Trees
Are the trees full of fruit in your area? A quick walk around our neighborhood reveals apples, pear, plums and peaches. Fall is the perfect time of year to explore how blossoms turn into fruit.
Consider visiting an apple orchard, make some apple goodies, and allow your students to dissect apples and label the parts.
7. Seeds and Nuts
Milkweed is the only food of the Monarch Butterfly larvae, and it’s also a valuable food source for many important pollinators. This time of year, it’s easy to find the large seed pods stuffed with fluffy white seeds. Try cracking one open and see how neatly the seeds are arranged.
You can also go on a hunt for other seeds and nuts. Acorns, walnuts, hickory nuts, helicopter seeds and seed pods of all kinds are common this time of year. Go on a nature walk and have your students record what seeds they find in their nature journals.
Make a Seed Mosaic
Seed mosaics are a great way to explore and play with seeds. Get the instructions for making a fun air-dry clay seed mosaic here.
You can also check out some books about seeds from the library. These are some of our favorites:
Miss Maple’s Seeds
A Seed is Sleepy
Monarch and Milkweed
Discover more from Raising Up Wild Things
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