Welcome to Nature School!

I am so excited that you have joined Firefliez Nature School for this session!

This post will give you all the information you need to get started as well as any links and materials that I find helpful!

Let’s get Started!!

Let me Introduce myself

My name is Jennifer. I own and run Firefliez Nature school and this is our 4th year offering classes! I graduated from Ashland University with degrees in Biology, Chemistry and Toxicology and worked as a chemist before staying home with my kids full time.

I have three kids currently 8 , 6, and 2. and we have homeschooled for 4 years.

I grew up in Southwest Virginia where we were homesteaders and lived off the land for a lot of things and that is where my love of nature comes from.

Currently we live in Mansfield on a small homestead where we have lots of chickens and dairy goats. We also have a small family farm with beef cows, bee hives, and maple syrup.

What can I expect from Nature School?

I always start class with sharing time. This allows the kids to share any fun nature finds they have found between classes and often we bring in some of our “pets” to share with the class.

Then I will do a short science lesson on what we are going to be doing for the day.

We will set off on our exploration where the kids will get hands on (and often muddy you’ve been warned :) ) with our topic for the day. I will be there to help identify, guide, and teach on what we are finding but I highly encourage kids to follow their interests at the time.

Once we return we will have a related STEM or ART project to do otherwise the kids really enjoy to run and play games a bit before leaving!

Feel free to bring a lunch and eat under the picnic pavilion.

Weather, Cancellations, and Communication

We continue to meet regardless of weather unless it is actively storming, extremely windy or unsafe to be out. So make sure you are prepared for the days weather.

If you cannot make a session please let me know ahead of time. If we only have a couple of people that can make it I will cancel and reschedule so that everyone can participate.

If we need to cancel for any reason the class will then be moved on the “OFF” week at the same day and time.

If you cannot be there are are running behind PLEASE contact me via email, message, or text that way we do not leave you behind and or I can tell you where to find us.

I will primarily communicate via Remind. You should have the link to that in your email if not please reach out.

What do we need?

I provide all materials the only items that you must have are

1. Rainboots- Nothing stops the fun like wet feet! Make sure you have good waterproof boots.

2. Coloring utensils (crayon box) - I do provide basic coloring supplies but a lot of kids like to have their own instead of sharing.

Other optional items I have found super handy:

1. a waterproof suit - this keeps their clothes from getting icky. Size up in case its cold and you need a sweater too! My daughter has been using this one and we just got this style for my younger son.

2. A critter catcher - Trust me on this one your kids will want to take home flowers, cool finds, bugs, maybe even a giant pond snail! This could be as simple as a jar but I recommend one that the kids can wear otherwise you will get stuck carrying it! We use ones like this and you can generally get them at dollar tree in the spring! We also just started using the waterproof beach bags on our nature adventure and we LOVE them.

3. An extra change of clothes and towel- The kids usually get dirty or muddy whether they fall or just have way to much fun. Just throw an extra set in your bag to have!

Optional Resources

These are resources that we use for our personal nature studies and we are asked about often so I just like to include them for parents!

1. Nature Anatomy by Julia Rothman - this my number 1 nature guide we use it SOOO much.

2. Any of the Ultimate Explorer Field Guides but our insects and flowers one are used the most.

Field Microscopes- The kids will be getting experience with these in class but almost everyone asks me for the links afterwards so these are what we use and recommend.

This one is better for older kids that can operate one on their own. I also think it has a clearer picture.

This one is much better for younger kids and has a larger display screen. It also allows you to take and upload photos.