• Home
  • Welcome!
  • Contact
  • Affiliate Registration
  • Nature Journaling
  • Free Resources
  • Nature Club
  • My Account
  • Shop

Nature Study Australia

  • Animals
    • Mammals
    • Reptiles
    • Birds
    • Minibeasts
    • Arachnids
    • Amphibians
    • Aquatic Animals
  • Plants
    • Shrubs
    • Trees
    • Grasses
  • Seasons
    • Summer
    • Autumn
    • Winter
    • Spring
  • Math in Nature
  • Misc
    • Astronomy
    • Meteorology
    • Geology
    • Geography

Australian Nature Study Guide | Volume 1 | Links & Resource List

The resources and links listed on this page will enhance your nature study lessons for the Australian Nature Study Guide | Volume One.

Book resources and links have been updated since this volume was published in 2018. Should you encounter an expired link, please let us know, and we’ll fix it.

Should you find a resource that will complement any lesson within the guide, be sure to contact us so that we can add it to the list.

We also welcome photographs of your nature study encounters and activities while using this resource. If you would like to share, please send photographs with a note about your experience or activity and I will add them to the Gallery to inspire other families on the same unit.

Table of Contents

  • Notebook Pages for Volume One ~ Summer/Autumn
  • Honeybees
    • Further Exploring:
    • Related Internet Links
    • Literature Jaunt
    • Poetry Picnic
    • A Hymn:
    • A Bee Song
    • Picture Study
    • Younger Students
    • Older Students
    • GALLERY
  • Blue-tongue Lizard
    • Further Exploring:
    • Related Internet Link:
    • Literature Jaunt:
    • Poetry Picnic
    • A Hymn:
    • Picture Study:
    • Older Students:
    • GALLERY
  • Summer Tree Study
    • Further Exploring:
    • Related Internet Links:
    • Literature Jaunt
    • Poetry Picnic
    • A Hymn:
    • Picture Study
    • Older Students:
    • Oldest Students:
    • GALLERY
  • Spotted Grass Frog
    • Further Exploring
    • Related Internet Links
    • Literature Jaunt
    • Poetry Picnic
    • A Hymn:
    • Picture Study
    • Older Students:
    • Oldest Students:
  • Jacky Winter
    • Further Exploring
    • Related Internet Links
    • Nature Ramble
    • Literature Jaunt
    • Poetry Picnic
    • A Hymn:
    • Picture Study
    • Young Students:
    • Older Students:
    • Oldest Students:
  • Kangaroo Apple
    • Further Exploring
    • Related Internet Links
    • Literature Jaunt
    • Poetry Picnic
    • A Hymn:
    • Picture Study
    • Young Students:
    • Older Students:
    • Oldest Students
  • Bandicoot
    • Further Exploring
    • Related Internet Links
    • Poetry Picnic
    • Older Students:
    • Oldest Students
  • Autumnal Equinox
    • Further Exploring
    • Related Internet Links
    • Literature Jaunt
    • Poetry Picnic
    • A Hymn:
    • Picture Study
    • Older Students:
    • Oldest Students
  • Emperor Gum Moth
    • Further Exploring
    • Related Internet Links
    • Literature Jaunt
    • Poetry Picnic
    • A Hymn:
    • Picture Study
    • Young Students:
    • Older Students:
    • Oldest Students:
  • Golden Orb Weaver Spider
    • Further Exploring
    • Related Internet Links
    • Literature Jaunt
    • Poetry Picnic
    • A Hymn:
    • Picture Study
    • Young Students:
  • WHAT’S NEXT?
      • AUSTRALIAN NATURE STUDY GUIDE | VOLUME 2
      • AUSTRALIAN NATURE STUDY GUIDE | VOLUME 3
      • AUSTRALIAN NATURE STUDY GUIDE | VOLUME 4

Notebook Pages for Volume One ~ Summer/Autumn

Use the notebooking pages below to capture your nature adventures. Keep them in a file or paste them into a nature notebook or journal. There are three levels: Preschool, Lower Primary, and Upper Primary.

Nature-Study-Vol-1-Kinda-NotebookDownload
Nature-Study-Vol-1-Advanced-NotebookDownload
Nature-Study-Vol-1-Intermediate-NotebookDownload

Honeybees

Further Exploring:

  • The Wonderland of Nature by Nuri Mass, pg. 71-77
  • Exploring Creation with Zoology 1 by Fulbright

Related Internet Links

Honeybee Mini Study
Extraordinary Honeybees

Bee Laying Eggs

Bees Hatch

How do Bees Make Honey

Bee Waggle Dance

Literature Jaunt

Fiction

  • Little Bee by Edward Gibbs
  • Bees: A Honeyed History by Piotr Socha and Wojciech Grajkowski
  • Are You a Bee by Judy Allen
  • The Honeybee by Kristen Hall and Isabelle Arsenault
  • Hummy and the Wax Castle by Elizabeth Ernst
  • The Honeybee Man by Nela Nargi and Kyrsten Brooker

Non-Fiction

  • Honeybees Closeup by Charles Hope
  • Honeybees by Emily Neye
  • Grow with Me Bee by Kate Riggs
  • Insects by Charlie Ogden

Poetry Picnic

The Lily and the Bee by Henry Lawson

A Hymn:

This is my Father’s World by Maltbie D. Babcock lyrics and music.

A Bee Song

Picture Study

Common Thistle and Wild Bees by Edith Holden

Common cotton thistle and wild bees, E. Holden, English Idylls, 1905

Younger Students

Older Students

Build a Bee Hotel

GALLERY

  • Bee Journal Entry
  • Internal Bee Anatomy
  • Bee Hotel
  • Bee Bath

Blue-tongue Lizard

Shingle-back Lizard

Further Exploring:

Exploring Creation with Zoology 3 by Fulbright

Related Internet Link:

  • Blue Tongue Lizards at Backyard Buddies
  • The Eastern Blue Tongue Lizard with Dr Dave.

Literature Jaunt:

Fiction

  • Lazy Lou Lou by Susannah McFarlane and Lachlan Creagh
  • Pink Tongue, Blue Tongue by Mark Gagiero
  • Laziest Lizard by Susannah McFarlane
  • Snake and Lizard by Joy Cowley

Non-Fiction

  • A is for Australian Animals by Frane Lessac
  • The Book of Australian & New Zealand Reptiles by Charles Hope
  • Lizards by Mark O’Shea (Nature Watch)
  • Australian Lizards: A Natural History by Steve Wilson
  • Summer: Seasons in Australia by Greg Pyers

Poetry Picnic

Summer by C.J. Dennis

A Hymn:

Heavenly Sunlight by Henry J. Zelley Lyrics and music.

Picture Study:

Blue Tongue Lizards by Dorothy Djukulul

Older Students:

Create a lizard-friendly garden in your backyard.

GALLERY

  • Journal Entry
  • Lizard Hideout

Summer Tree Study

Apricot Tree

Further Exploring:

Exploring Creation with Botany by Fulbright

Related Internet Links:

  • Tree by Kiddle
  • Woodland Habitats by Australian Museum

Literature Jaunt

Fiction

The Legend of Three Trees

Tuart Dwellers by Jan Ramage

Non-Fiction

  • Leaf Litter: Exploring the Mystery of the Hidden World by Rachel Tonkin
  • Learn About Trees by Peter Mellet
  • DK Backyard Science by Chris Maynard: Tree of Life, pg. 38

Poetry Picnic

The Tree by C.J. Dennis

A Hymn:

The Tree of Life from the Lutheran Hymnal lyrics and music.

The Tree Song by Ken Medema

Picture Study

Old Oak Tree by Graham Gercken

Older Students:

Measure the height of the tree. Record the result in the journal and compare it in a year to see how much it grew.

Oldest Students:

  • Make a watercolour painting of your tree in the nature journal.

GALLERY

Spotted Grass Frog

Further Exploring

  • The Wonderland of Nature by Nuri Mass.
  • Exploring Creation with Zoology 3 by Fulbright.

Related Internet Links

  • Spotted Grass Frog Backyard Buddies
  • Spotted Grass Frog Wikipedia
  • Spotted Marsh Frog Australian Museum

Marsh Frog Calling

Spotted Marsh Froglets

Amphibians | Educational Video for Kids

All About Amphibians | Free School

Literature Jaunt

Fiction

  • The Tadpole by Young Australia Readers
  • Lester and Clyde by James H. Reece
  • Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel
  • The Tale of Jeremy Fisher by Beatrix Potter

Non-fiction

  • Australian Frogs: Amazing Amphibians by Jill Morris and Lynne Tracey
  • Amphibians by Animal Calcifications
  • My Little Book of Life Cycles by Australian Geographic
  • Frogs Closeup by Charles Hope
  • Grow with Me Frog by Kate Riggs
  • Frogs and Toads by Sally Morgan

Poetry Picnic

Frogs in Chorus by Banjo Paterson

A Hymn:

All Creatures Great and Small by Cecil F. Alexander lyrics and music.

Picture Study

A Cool Debate by Louisa Ann Meredith

Older Students:

Alternatively, draw a sketch of a frog or tadpole into your nature journal. Label the anatomy of the frog.

Oldest Students:

Sketch a frog in your journal and write down your observations and facts you’ve learned during this study.

Build a frog pond.

Jacky Winter

Jacky Winter

Further Exploring

Exploring Creation with Zoology 1 by Fulbright

Related Internet Links

  • Jacky Winter at Backyard Buddies
  • Jacky Winter at Birds in Backyards
  • Close Encounter Jacky Winter

Nature Ramble

Listen for their call.

Literature Jaunt

Non-Fiction

  • Birds by Animal Classifications
  • The Gould League Book of Australian Birds by Don Goodsir & Tony Oliver, 19
  • The Book of Australian Birds by Charles Hope

Poetry Picnic

A Bird, came down the Walk by Emily Dickenson

A Hymn:

Great God, the World is Full of Thee by Henry Bateman lyrics.

Picture Study

Spotted Flycatcher by Basil Ede

Young Students:

  • Make a nest by gathering grass, bark and string.
  • Make a handprint bird like this one. Give it an Australian feel by adding the hot sun instead of snowflakes.
  • Make a simple bird feeder.
  • Use a toilet paper roll.
  • Spread peanut butter all over the outside.
  • Roll it in birdseed.
  • Place it on a branch and watch birds eat from it.

Older Students:

  • Draw the bird into your nature journal. Make a note of the date, time and place you saw it. Identify your bird. Alternatively, add the photo you took of the bird in your journal.
  • Build a bird nest using natural materials.
  • Draw the anatomy of a bird.

Oldest Students:

  • Draw the internal anatomy of a bird.
  • Paint a watercolour bird.

Kangaroo Apple

Kangaroo Apple

Further Exploring

Kangaroo Apple by Australian National Botanic Gardens

Related Internet Links

Bush Medicine – Kangaroo Apple

Australian Bush Tucker – Kangaroo Apple

Literature Jaunt

Non-Fiction

  • Wild Food Plants of Australia by Tim Low, pg. 133
  • Seeds by Steffi Cavell-Clarke
  • Stems by Steffi Cavell-Clarke
  • Flowers by Steffi Cavell-Clarke
  • Leaves by Steffi Cavell-Clarke
  • Roots by Steffi Cavell-Clarke

Poetry Picnic

Autumn by C. J. Dennis

A Hymn:

For the Beauty of the Earth by Folliot Sanford Pierpoint lyrics, music and instrumental piece.

Picture Study

Kangaroo Apple by Louisa Anne Meredith.

Young Students:

Use leaves, stems, nuts, seeds and flowers to design an insect, bird or an animal in your leaf art.

Older Students:

Draw a plant and colour each part a different colour. Label the anatomy of the plant.

Oldest Students

  • Sketch the leaves, seeds, pods, nuts, stem and fruit of the plant you observed on your walk. Identify the plant and label its segments. Take a peek at this image to give you inspiration. Research the plant for more information and add this to your entry.
  • Use the Bush Tucker notebook page to record your observations.
  • Practice painting foliage in watercolour.

Bandicoot

Bandicoot

Further Exploring

Exploring Creation with Zoology 3 by Fulbright

Related Internet Links

  • Bandicoot by Backyard Buddies
  • Bandicoot by A-Z Animals
  • Bandicoots by Office of Environment and Heritage NSW

Bandicoots in the Backyard by ABC

Endangered Animals: Eastern Barred Bandicoot

Poetry Picnic

Benjamin Bandicoot by Banjo Paterson

Older Students:

Draw a bandicoot into your journal and label its anatomy.

Investigate which nocturnal animals live in your state. Present your project in a lapbook.

Oldest Students

Paint a bandicoot into your journal using this technique to paint the fur.

Autumnal Equinox

textile australian flag with crumples
Photo by vectors icon on Pexels.com

Further Exploring

Exploring Creation with Astronomy by Fulbright.

Related Internet Links

Equinoxes | National Geographic

What is an Equinox? | WeatherBug Schools

Southern Skies and the Southern Cross | Sixty Symbols

Crux | Wikipedia

Literature Jaunt

Fiction

  • Wish Soup by Rachel Larmer
  • Non-Fiction
  • Amazing Facts about Australia’s Southern Skies by Doug Welch, pg. 38, pg. 48
  • Autumn: Seasons in Australia by Greg Pyers
  • Seasons by Peter Riley

Poetry Picnic

Autumn Equinox by Jacqueline C. Nash

A Hymn:

How Great Thou Art by Carl Gustav Boberg lyrics and music.

Picture Study

The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh

Older Students:

Paint Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night.

Oldest Students

Paint Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night.

Emperor Gum Moth

Emperor Gum Moth

Further Exploring

  • The Wonderland of Nature by Nuri Mass, pg. 104
  • Exploring Creation with Zoology 1 by Fulbright
  • Emperor Gum Moth by Australian Museum
  • Moth or Butterfly?

Related Internet Links

Gum Moth Caterpillar

Emperor Gum Moth Hatching (Moth emerges at 4:00)

Emperor Gum Moth

Literature Jaunt

Non-Fiction

  • The Usborne Big Book of Bugs by Emily Bone
  • Butterflies and Moths by John Farndon

Poetry Picnic

  • Wandering by James Charlton
  • The Moths by Douglas Stewart

A Hymn:

How Beautiful Heaven Must Be by A. S Bridgewater lyrics and music.

Picture Study

White Stemmed Gum Moth by Harriet Scott

Download the ‘Art of Science’ App for more of the Scott sister’s scientific illustrations of moths and butterflies.

Young Students:

Paint a moth using a method called squish painting.

Older Students:

  • Use wire to design the form of a moth.
  • Make an origami moth.

Oldest Students:

  • Design a moth using string craft. You’ll need:
  • A wooded board.
  • Small, thin nails.
  • String in two colours at least.
  • A hammer.
  • Paint a moth using watercolour pencils and water brushers as in this tutorial.

Golden Orb Weaver Spider

Golden Orb Spider

Further Exploring

  • The Wonderland of Nature by Nuri Mass
  • Exploring Creation with Zoology 3 by Fulbright

Related Internet Links

Golden Orb Spiders | NSW | Australia

Golden Orb Spider | Backyard Birding

Orb Spider Weaving a Web

Golden Orb Weaving Spiders | Australian Museum

Literature Jaunt

Non-Fiction

  • Spiders by Nic Bishop
  • Spiders and other Arachnids by Ron Thomas
  • Australia’s Most Dangerous Spiders by Australian Geographic
  • See Inside Insects & Spiders by Weldon Owen

Poetry Picnic

  • The Legend of the Spider and the Silken Thread Held in God’s Hand
  • Orb Spider | Judith Beveridge

A Hymn:

Jesus Paid It All by Elivina M. Hall lyrics and music.

Picture Study

Orb Spider by Brigitte Rubaek

Young Students:

Make your own web by threading wool or string around trees and bushes or use a dead branch or stick to weave a smaller web.

WHAT’S NEXT?

AUSTRALIAN NATURE STUDY GUIDE | VOLUME 2

AUSTRALIAN NATURE STUDY GUIDE | VOLUME 3

AUSTRALIAN NATURE STUDY GUIDE | VOLUME 4

Engage your senses on a nature watch walk and become enraptured by the amazing world surrounding you. Forage for mushrooms (or don’t!) and admire their uniqueness. Watch as the leaves turn golden as the season turns chilly and explore ponds for turtles. Learn about Giant Earthworms while digging up your own to investigate. Laugh at the Lyrebird’s version of remixing songs and you’ll be amazed with ancient moss facts. Venture out in the dark to observe possums and enjoy wattles as they begin to blossom.

Appreciate the beauty and complexity in a weed which is just a misplaced flower, then explore the secret world beneath your feet as you learn how trees communicate with one another. Do you know why some caterpillars bungee jump and butterflies tap dance on flowers? Learn about the dragonfly who has impressive aerobatic capabilities and is the fastest flying insect. Shivers will run up your spine as you become acquainted with Australia’s dangerous spiders and reptiles. Did you know cicadas are the loudest insects in the world, bats ‘see’ with their ears and parrots are brainy? Come along with me and let’s study nature together.

Tweet
Pin
Share
0 Shares

Hey Explorer

We have outdoor expeditions to undertake and adventures to embark upon. We’ll explore the outdoors together, side by side, and uncover miraculous mysteries, and secrets. We’ll wander, and wonder in amazement as we become familiar with the Australian fauna and flora.

I desire to come alongside you in the muddle, making nature study the joy it’s meant to be.  Outdoor adventures will become a regular part of your life as you make connections to the natural world with a sense of awe.

Testimonials

Rachel

We began our homeschool journey this year keen to explore all that nature study entails. I had searched the web for weeks to research what we would use as our framework. I cannot describe the elation I felt when I came across an AUSTRALIAN nature study guide! Marie has done all the hard work and put together a wonderfully elaborate resource for all ages. You can dip your toe in or dive right into all the ideas and links. There’s so much here we could spend all week doing nature study, and often we do.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:53:11+10:30
We began our homeschool journey this year keen to explore all that nature study entails. I had searched the web for weeks to research what we would use as our framework. I cannot describe the elation I felt when I came across an AUSTRALIAN nature study guide! Marie has done all the hard work and put together a wonderfully elaborate resource for all ages. You can dip your toe in or dive right into all the ideas and links. There’s so much here we could spend all week doing nature study, and often we do.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/rachel/

Sally

We have really enjoyed the program this term. We have gotten outside more often and the children are definitely taking more notice of things when we are out. Having a place to share what we have done and seen has been an encouragement to keep it up. I sometimes felt like we could spend longer on some topics as they were so interesting but that is probably just my obsessive "we must cover everything now" problem. 
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:48:30+10:30
We have really enjoyed the program this term. We have gotten outside more often and the children are definitely taking more notice of things when we are out. Having a place to share what we have done and seen has been an encouragement to keep it up. I sometimes felt like we could spend longer on some topics as they were so interesting but that is probably just my obsessive "we must cover everything now" problem. 
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/sally/

Sarah

Absolutely love the activity books my whole family can learn together and it’s Australia based. Highly recommend
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:52:01+10:30
Absolutely love the activity books my whole family can learn together and it’s Australia based. Highly recommend
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/sarah/

Cheryl

We didn’t find out about the program until about half way through term, so we played catch up most of the time. I love how open ended the lessons are, but with enough structure to work well for those children needing such a program. We have been able to cover much of the required curriculum whilst enjoying the activities we love. Your program has been such a blessing to us, because we needed a change to our homeschooling lessons which would still cover curriculum, but would enable us to relax and enjoy “school” together. Thank you.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:50:47+10:30
We didn’t find out about the program until about half way through term, so we played catch up most of the time. I love how open ended the lessons are, but with enough structure to work well for those children needing such a program. We have been able to cover much of the required curriculum whilst enjoying the activities we love. Your program has been such a blessing to us, because we needed a change to our homeschooling lessons which would still cover curriculum, but would enable us to relax and enjoy “school” together. Thank you.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/cheryl/

Valerie

I totally enjoy using the Nature study guide. The children enjoy learning about the different animals and plants.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:51:39+10:30
I totally enjoy using the Nature study guide. The children enjoy learning about the different animals and plants.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/valerie/

Jessie

I looked high and low online for an Australian nature based curriculum and when I found Australian Nature study Guide on Instagram I was so excited to have finally found something that my family can relate to. My favourite thing about this guide is that Marie is so hands on and involved with her customers. I have never felt alone in the journey, she is there to guide and encourage us every step of the way in the Facebook group. Thanks Marie for welcoming us to your nature study family 🙂
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:52:36+10:30
I looked high and low online for an Australian nature based curriculum and when I found Australian Nature study Guide on Instagram I was so excited to have finally found something that my family can relate to. My favourite thing about this guide is that Marie is so hands on and involved with her customers. I have never felt alone in the journey, she is there to guide and encourage us every step of the way in the Facebook group. Thanks Marie for welcoming us to your nature study family 🙂
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/jessie/
0
0
Nature Study Australia

Begin Nature Club

Products

  • Identification Cards | Sea Shells $2.00
  • Look ~ Discover ~ Connect ~ ACT $10.00 $5.00

Recent Posts

  • Discover Math in Nature with Monthly Activities
  • 173rd Playful Math Carnival
  • Mathematics and Bird Feathers
  • How Do Birds Fly?
  • How to Identify Spider Webs

Cart

Browse by Category

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Search

Copyright © 2025 · Website & Content by Nature Study Australia