Nature Words
There are so many great nature words that describe what we see everyday. A new collaborator to The Smart Happy Project, Monique, runs a great blog and every month features new nature words to learn with children. I love these posts and she kindly agreed to write one especially for The Smart Happy Project. It’s all about shape – of course! Here’s what she has written:
Nature Words – Campanulate
by Monique Marchilli-Barker
Every month my children and I learn a new nature-related word (you can read about how it started here). As a home-schooling mom of three, I love any opportunity to tie nature in to our learning. When you model new words and practice them in regular and meaningful ways, you are helping your child develop crucial life-long reading and comprehension skills. Learning the language of nature is also one more way to connect to the surrounding nature, to call our attention to the distinctions and sensations of nature, and to appreciate the rich variety that exists.
Like Lisa, my children and I are always noticing patterns in nature – from the rhythm of the seasons to various geometric patterns. Today, let’s look together at the word “campanulate” and discuss where you might find this shape in nature. It’s a little trickier one but a challenge is good to help us focus our attention and notice details. And who doesn’t love a good scavenger hunt?!
Campanulate means ‘bell-shaped’. Bell-shaped objects have a fairly wide base and flare outward toward the opening. Do any images come to mind? This shape is most often seen among flowers. Perhaps you thought of Campanula, otherwise known as bellflower. There are some other common flowers with a campanulate shape, both wild and cultivated. Next time you are out and about, take notice of any flowers and look closely at their shape. The bell shape can also be found in the fungus world. Autumn is the perfect time to do some mushroom spotting so you will be able to revisit this nature-related word then.
If you and your child keep a nature journal, recording the campanulate shapes that you notice would be a lovely addition! I hope you enjoy your search for bell-shaped objects in nature.
Fondly,
Monique
