One way to get kids to take a closer look at items in their world is to put it in window book. Something about being able to see through the window book makes the process quite interesting….
As part of our continued study to explore Earth Day, we read the book “In My World” by Lois Ehlert. This is a very interesting book filled with all sorts of items from our world for the children to see. To take a closer look at our world, the children took a walk with their window books…
Our nature window books are simply made from two rectangular pieces of plexiglass (purchased from Lowes) with clear packing tape along one edge to hold the two pieces together…
After talking to the children about how to care for our window books and setting any rules that I felt might be necessary (like no running with the books), the children set off on a nature hike to find items to collect for their books…
Before heading out on their walk, I also talked with the children about what kinds of things would fit nicely in their window books (like leaves) and what kinds of things would not work well in the books (like rocks)…
Once the children had collected several items in their window books, we brought the window books back inside to take a closer look at what they had collected with magnifying glasses…
Oh, and that little blue thing in the middle of the table is actually a camera which I will share more about soon…
The children were able to take a close up look through their window books at the seeds from the flowers and we also found a spider that somehow happened to get caught in one of the window books as well – not sure where the spider ended up! Yikes…
After the children finished their exploration with window books, we cleaned out all the items, wiped down the window books, and saved our window books for another day…
Books available on Amazon…
Linking this post up with No Time for Flashcards Link & Learn
Those window books look pretty fun! My son and I haven’t explored down to the magnifying glass level yet… sounds like a good idea for this summer!
Would be great fun in the summer! We didn’t have too many flowers to choose from yet:)
I did something similar with my class.
Instead of plexiglass I used the laminator we have at school to make sheets. So far all the plants have lasted 2 weeks with only a little color loss! Great to use on top of our light table. My kids love it and are always looking for more things outside to bring to me!
What a terrfic idea Aimee!! I love how the flowers hold most of their color too!
Great idea. Did you make the window books or purchase them? Renee
Hi Renee,
I bought the plexiglass and then taped the edges of two pieces together to make a book using clear packing tape…
I have never seen anything like this before. I love this idea!
Thank you Crystal:)
Dear Deborah
These are wonderful. I was thinking of using the regular plastic jackets/ a jacket file for the same. But using flexiglass is a wonderful idea. These can also act as flower press by just putting a heavy book over it. or just framed for a wonderful nature display.
I am doing this for sure. Thanks for the better alternative!
I am so glad you liked the idea and have your own vision for all the possibilities!
What a great idea! I love that they are able to really take the time and get an in depth look at everything that they collected. Sharing this on my facebook page! 🙂
I love the window book idea, simply ingenious!
Thank you Christie:)
I don’t think I’ve mentioned it lately…you are one of my teaching heroes. Your continued inspiration makes me yearn to be in the classroom more. Thanks for sharing these awesome ideas.
Thank you Scott. That means a lot coming from you.
Very cool! I could see things being used in so many different ways…even for school agers.
I agree! School-agers would lOve this too!
This is an amazing idea, Deborah. I love how portable the arrangements can be. It reminds me of a Waldorf idea of taking empty picture frames outside to make temporary arrangements.
Yes, it is very much the same process only in a book type form.
Oh this is such a fantastic idea! I can’t tell you how excited I am about this. My little boy absolutely loves nature hikes and he will adore this activity. Thanks so much for sharing!
I am so glad you will share this process with your son:)
Love this idea!!! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
This is a great way to enhance kids’ appreciation towards art and beauty. I would consider making one myself. I can imagine how excited the kids will be, knowing we are going to explore the park together and collect beautiful things.
Hi Jennifer!
The windows create a special interest in nature. Great for lots of outdoor exploration and discussion!
Love this idea! Thanks for your time. I’ll be following your blog.
Little Feet Child Care
Thanks for following along!
Thanks. I loved this idea and when I get back to work after my Easter school holidays I can’t wait to try it.
Enjoy the rest of your holiday!