Nature Studies For You and Your Doll

       The following introductory Nature Studies are listed here for young people to learn and practice along with their dolls as they play pretend school. Integrated learning materials merge together several learning processes under common themes. The following natural science themes are typical of those subjects written about in American Girl Dolls books. Doll Summer Camps hosted through Parks and Recreation/Summer Camps traditionally include similar natural science lessons and sometimes even dollplay throughout the U.S.  However, it can be difficult for them to find free reading material to integrate into these programs for young crafters to study with. The following lessons may be printed out for camp programs freely. The bulk of the articles originate from the Chicago Natural History Museum. 

• These little introductory lessons are also linked into our Summer Camps and Vacation Indexes for dolls located here.

Find More Nature History Artifacts at Thrifty Scissors: more collections coming...

• The Bird Index
• ark-o-pedia - An Animal Encyclopedia For 4th-6th Grade Readers

       These lessons have been edited and are updated by kathy grimm. The reading levels are for school children in grades 4 - 8. (These levels are estimates!)  Parents and/or educators may read them aloud for younger students if they are too difficult for them to read. 
       If your child cannot attend summer camps, or regular schools this year (due to covid 19), homeschooling parents may find these helpful materials to inspire and organize their children's learning experiences. Set up a doll camp, craft camp or doll classroom and begin integrative learning today! 

• Integrated Curriculum: Definition, Benefits & Examples
• What is Integrated Curriculum?
• PDF Integrated Learning Overview from Radnor Township School District
• Change It Up With Integrated Learning Day

Natural History Introductory Lessons: The Importance of Conservation * Flight * Hibernation is Normal To Many Animals * Hibernation * Horns and Antlers * Scientists, Bones and Tools *

Geology: Nature's Crystals * Rivers As Sculptors of The Land *

Birds: Learn About Baby Birds * The Blue Jay * The Slate-Colored Junco * A Feathered Fisherman * The Wild Turkey, A Vanishing Game Bird * Flower Loving Birds * The Red-winged Blackbird * The Eastern Robin * The English Sparrow * The Herring Gull * Birds of Borneo  * The European Cuckoo * Bustards and Vultures * The Bronze Grackle or Crow Blackbird * The Chimney Swift * The Quetzal - Sacred Bird of The Aztecs * The Eastern Nighthawk * Birds of Borneo * Some Possible Reasons for Bird Migration * Bird and Animal Partnerships * Where to Find The Birds for Beginners * Stork * Bitterns *

Mammals That Live On Land: Cottontail Rabbits * Bats, Ace Fliers * Land Otters * Beavers As Engineers  * White-tailed Fawns * Dogs * Red Fox Family * The American Porcupine * The Majestic Bengal Tiger * Su Lin: The Famous Panda Immigrant * The Man-eaters of Tsavo - Big Cats * A Gorilla Named Bushman * Tree Animals of Borneo * The Very Slow Sloths  * The Reindeer * Strange Australian Animals * Elephants of Today  * The Long Necked Giraffe * American Tapirs * The Koala, A Real Life Teddy Bear? * The Kangaroo Life In The Wild * The Strange Platypus * The Strange Looking Gnu! * Musk-Oxen Of North America * The Orangutan of Borneo - "man of the woods" * The American Elk Or Wapiti * The Anteaters  * Musquash The Muskrat * The Weasel And The Mink * The Skunk and It's Habits * Sir Stickleback, The Hedgehog * The Chimpanzee A Jungle Native * Bears * Some Ways of Self-Preservation Among Animals *

Ocean Life:Marine Mammals: Sea Sponges and Their Relatives * Sharks, Skates and Rays * Coral Gardens * Seals Love Good Company * Starfish: Native of The Sea * Why Right Whales Were Named "Right" * 12 Fascinating Creatures of The Surf * Sea Animals Minus Back Bones * The Common Octopus * Sea Horse *

Reptiles: Learn About Baby Snakes * Crocodile Hunting and Relocating by Harpoon  * The Common Snapping Turtle * The Cobra *

Amphibians: Frog Eggs and Tadpoles *

Insect Life: Insect Mimicry and Protective Coloration * Insect Guests In Our Gardens * Glimpses of Ant Life * Pollen and Nectar Carriers *

Plant Life: The Plants in A Woodland Community * Why Leaves Change Color * Gourds and Pumpkins and Their Uses * The Story of Bread * Evergreens *

Outer Space: Visitors from Outer Space * Magic Sky Lights or The Aurora Borealis * The Man In The Moon *

The Study of Aeronautics/Flight: Different Kinds of Balloons and Their Uses *

Agriculture & Mining: Exotic and Unusual Crops: Cloves * Vanilla * Story of Wheat * Rubber From America * Spices * Ginger * Allspice * The Cloth That Grows On Trees * Cinnamon * Mustard * The Story of Common Salt * Nuts * Chewing Gum *