Special Studies Rotation – Retired Version

You can focus on two areas each term, typically a plant and an animal, but I have thrown in some earth science as well. You can mix and match as you like, but I will be offering book suggestions and object lessons in the order shown below.

When a term includes several options, such as “Rocks, Minerals, Soil, or Soil Conservation”, then you can make a decision about which topic best suits your family. Older students might enjoy a general study of the whole grouping, but younger students would be better off focusing on just one option, such as Rocks.

To learn more about how to best utilize this natural history rotation, please see my post Implementing Special Studies – An Outline or Natural History: Implementing Special Studies (for a full explanation).

Form 1

Fall Winter Spring
6 wild flowers & fruits 6 kinds of twigs 6 wild flowers
wild animals, birds animals, birds, animals in winter wild animals, nesting birds, keep tadpoles


Forms 2-6, Rotation, Year 1

Fall Winter Spring
Reptiles: Snakes, Turtles, Chameleons, Lizards Birds in Winter Pond and Insects: Dragonfly, Mosquitoes
Wildflowers: Milkweed, Goldenrod Trees Garden Flowers: Tulips, Poppies, Daffodils and Their Relatives

Forms 2-6, Rotation, Year 2

Fall Winter Spring
Amphibians: Frogs, Newts and Salamanders Mammals: Dogs and Foxes Birds
Flowerless Plants: Ferns, Fungi & Algae (early Spring) Wildflowers: Violets, Clover & Dandelion Cultivated Crops: corn, pumpkin & strawberry

Forms 2-6, Rotation, Year 3

Fall Winter Spring
Fish Mammals: Squirrel & Chipmunk Earthworms
Weeds: Queen Anne’s Lace (early Spring) Cultivated Crops: strawberries, lettuce, peas Insects of Fields & Wood: Ants, Bees

Forms 2-6, Rotation, Year 4

Fall Winter Spring
Spiders Shells & Seashore Creatures: Crayfish, Hermit crab Insects of Fields & Wood: Butterflies, Crickets, and Grasshoppers
Rocks, Minerals & Soil Monera: Viruses, Molds & Bacteria Cultivated Crops: cotton, herbs, peanuts