Resources
Parents, teachers, and readers of my stories will want to keep an eye out here for engaging activities and study units to accompany my books. I’ll be sure to update with some fun things I’ve created for you to enjoy while you wait! I’m constantly inspired by fellow artists and writers of all ages and would love to hear from you. Please feel free to show me your finished projects by pasting a picture of them into a message here.
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Create a Phenology Wheel
Fall is here! I’ve been thinking about various colors and descriptive words that come with the changing seasons. Would you like to join me in a fun activity inspired by colors and nature? Let’s create a phenology wheel. This is kind of like a circular calendar illustrating the changes in nature through the seasons. I’ve started it for you. You’ll notice it’s pretty plain right now. This is so you can print it and make it your own. So, get your favorite art supplies ready! (I used a touch of watercolors.) Find a “sit spot” outside or near a window where you can sit and observe nature. Listen to the sounds around you. Maybe you’ll hear some animals chirping or water trickling? Do you think you might feel the sun on your back or a cool breeze in your hair? Don’t forget to look at the colors of flowers and changing leaves.
On your phenology wheel, draw or paint what you observe. Be sure to keep your creations within your current season on the wheel. Visit your spot as the seasons pass and add new observations. How will your color palette change?
Now try to write a story or poem to go along with your illustrations. If you don’t have a whole story, that’s okay! Just write whatever comes to you. Can you change your handwriting to match your descriptive words? (Here’s an example. You could try writing the word “windy” in swirly, slanted letters to make it look like the wind is blowing them!) You can create more detail by splitting each season into months if you’d like. There’s no right or wrong way to do this!
Aria Marotta 