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JennGM
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| Posted: April 11 2007 at 9:54am | IP Logged
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I asked this to Marihalojen, but a discussion would be nice.
I've been having a question buzzing in my mind this week. It started because when I said I wanted to observe birds with my son, do more nature study, dh wanted to know why. An obvious reason to me is it's part of learning, observing, and counts as science for home learning.
But it got me wondering "WHY nature study?" What is the purpose(s)? Is the end merely to just puff ourselves up with knowledge? What are spiritual and mental benefits (besides checking off the science list of a curriculum) for anyone? People did it for years...and why?
I have some answers spinning in my mind, but it's just something I'm pondering. I'd love to hear your take! And any quotes or sources would be great, too!
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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hylabrook1
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| Posted: April 11 2007 at 10:53am | IP Logged
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To me the "why" of nature study is part of one of the "whys" of education as a whole. I see one of the major values of education as being better able to appreciate the world around us. We are always in the midst of nature; in all humility, we are but part of nature. Studying nature helps us to see our proper place as part of God's creation, to see the beauty and complexity, the perfection of His work. It also develops in us skills of observation and awareness,as well as the skill of quieting ourselves in order to be able to see what is around us. These skills are developed and practiced in the context of nature study, but they have so much value and application in all aspects of life - both *academic life* (for those who see this as a separate category of their lives) and *real life* (which encompasses academic pursuits, joy and delight in the beauty of the world, personal relationships in which we are blessed to appreciate the beauty of each individual as a gift from God). Being able to quiet ourselves and move beyond ourselves to become absorbed in the gifts with which God surrounds us places us where God can teach us so much. And that, it seems to me, is essential to everything else we do.
There are undoubtedly pathways other than nature study that could be used to develop a similar spiritual disposition. Nature study, though, is also just plain fun!
Well, that's my 2 cents on the subject! 
Peace,
Nancy
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missionfamily
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| Posted: April 11 2007 at 6:06pm | IP Logged
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In the Charlotte Mason series, she sites nature study as a way to heighten our children's skills of observation, memory, recall, description. The fresh air and warm sun provide their bodies physical benefits, and the closeness combined with the ability to explore their surroundings independently have emotional and social benefits as well. For us, nature study is the basis for a CM style education. Long before the children narrate books to me, they tell the story of what the ducks did at the park that day or how they discovered a very unique rock. And long before they can write their own stories, they can close their eyes and describe the rose blooming in the backyard. Intricate pictures of caterpillars preceed copywork and looking at pictures in field guides becomes an important pre-reading skill. In short Ibelieve we learn how to earn in the unstructured, healthy, spiritual setting of the natural world. A recommendation for a healthy, whole foods diet is to consume a variety of foods in as close to their natural state as possible. I think a good recomendation for a healthy education includes a variety of experiences in as close to their natural state as possible! By the way, I just joined the forums but must add that we all water colored a picture of the first bloom on our JPII rose bush which bloomed during Holy Week, and we gave them as Easter gifts to grandparents and godparents! My eight year old Quinn enhanced his by turning the stem into a staff and puting a halo around the top. It was truly lovely. Colleen
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: April 11 2007 at 7:24pm | IP Logged
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I wrote a post about my nature study philosophy here:Rhythm and Nature
If you don't care to read the whole post, here is the relevant part:
"Why place nature study in so prominant a position? Why not literature, art, music, science, or math? Good question!
I think of it this way:
We want to learn from the very best, right? So that we can imitate them in our own works. When we read a book, it should not be “twaddle.” When we study art it should be the masters. When we learn science, or math or any other subject, it should be from an expert in that field. From these masters we learn about what man can achieve at his very best. And we are inspired to strive toward greatness ourselves.
I think of nature as God’s book. In it he has written all of literature, science, math, art and music. It contains ultimate wisdom, sublime beauty, and perfect logic and order. When we study nature, we are studying the work of the Master of all. We are God’s students and we can never cease to learn from Him by studying His masterpiece."
I don't do science checklists and am not interested in puffing my children up with knowledge. But I do want them to know God. I think one excellent way to do so is by becoming intimate with His work.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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MaryMary
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| Posted: April 11 2007 at 8:59pm | IP Logged
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lapazfarm wrote:
I think of nature as God’s book. In it he has written all of literature, science, math, art and music. It contains ultimate wisdom, sublime beauty, and perfect logic and order. When we study nature, we are studying the work of the Master of all. We are God’s students and we can never cease to learn from Him by studying His masterpiece." |
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Beautiful. Just beautiful, Theresa!!
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Mary
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Tina P.
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| Posted: April 13 2007 at 11:50am | IP Logged
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A more practical reason for us is that I think my kids would go absolutely stir-crazy if they were cooped up indoors all day. And while they *do* go out and ride their scooters and bicycles, there is an innate desire to dig in the dirt and find out what's there. My 12 yo has set up an elaborate bug (yay!  ) habitat in the backyard. Bless him, he positioned it just about as far from the house as humanly possible.
We went to a nature park Wednesday. A few turkeys and several deer run free and as we were walking through the park, we saw them up close. We heard Chickadees and I-don't-know-what-all-else ~ sure could've used your expertise, MacBeth ~ chanting to us in the trees above. And there were several raptors, most of whom were injured in some way, brought to the shelter of the nature center to live out their days peacefully.
My kids are dying to tackle the large garden we have. But their ignorant mama has to learn when to plant what before we go too hog-wild.
My husband is so different than we are in this regard. He grew up indoors. He still has to sit in a stifling office. That's one thing that I really hated about working. I sat and I was indoors far too much. We show him bugs, flowers, interesting dirt and rocks. And he's ... not impressed. He puts on a good show for the kids and then throws away what we bring to him.
I grew up with an "Up North" place to go and be free. My parents own 20 acres in mid-Wisconsin. We went every summer for at least three weeks. When I was growing up there, our nearest neighbor was 1/2 a mile away. The tranquility of the outdoors, the exploration one can do, the dreaming, the wondering at God's creation is incredible. Now I take the kids out as often as is at all possible. I want for them that sense of wonder and that sense that God is, indeed, all-powerful and that He is our Creator.
I'd love to go on and on about this, but my natives are restless. Perhaps I should take them out for a walk? 
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Tina, wife to one and mom to 9 + 3 in heaven
Mary's Muse
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JennGM
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| Posted: April 13 2007 at 12:30pm | IP Logged
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Nancy, Colleen, Theresa, Tina, thank you. I like to understand the philosophy behind things...it helps firm up resolve.
Theresa, your post was beautiful. And I never tire reading ALL that you write.
Colleen, welcome to the Forum.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
Topic: Why Nature Study?
