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Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science

Topic: Purpose of Nature Study?

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JennGM
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Posted: May 05 2009 at 11:07am \| IP Logged

I'm having a hard time pegging down a good subject for my thoughts swirling around.

As I'm trying to concentrate more on Nature Study for our family, I was wondering what is it nature study is trying to achieve (for example, as in following a Charlotte Mason type of study)? Are we basically being little naturalists (in the traditional sense of the role naturalists)?

Is following naturalist methods (observation, journaling, drawing, collecting, organizing) mainly what nature study is trying to achieve? To learn all sorts of areas, but not necessarily be a master of one?

This approach seems to me would be a little different to learning something in science curriculum and going out to apply the learning in real life (or vice versa, seeing in real life, then going back to reinforce for science). I know there is a small difference, but just trying to clarify for myself.

Part of this discussion would entail defining what is a naturalist, sorting through more modern thought of environmentalism. The dictionary defines naturalist as "One versed in natural history, especially in zoology or botany."

So, any thoughts? Or do you just think I'm

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Posted: May 05 2009 at 11:47am \| IP Logged

JennGM wrote:

Is following naturalist methods (observation, journaling, drawing, collecting, organizing) mainly what nature study is trying to achieve? To learn all sorts of areas, but not necessarily be a master of one?

These areas lay down a wonderful foundation for further science studies. Organization and attention to fine detail while observing also help in many other areas.

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Posted: May 06 2009 at 7:14am \| IP Logged

I think all science begins with nature study. If we can't observe - and really master the knowledge of - our own environment then the advanced sciences are sort of baseless - just info without knowledge or wisdom.

We can buy bread and soup in a restaurant, but making the bread and growing the vegetables for our own homemade soup is nutrition on a completely different level. It's almost being master over our nourishment vs simply eating.

That might be nonsense, LOL. No, I think I'm on to something. ;)

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Posted: May 06 2009 at 7:24am \| IP Logged

Lauri B wrote:

I think that is what Charlotte Mason thought, too.

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Maryan
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Posted: May 06 2009 at 7:53am \| IP Logged

Jenn, here's even a side comment about your question:

I think observation truly is key. And that makes CM Nature study so easy. We just take our journals and go! (We'd disappoint any naturalist though -- our drawings are pretty primitive btw). The boys just have great interest in nature and great observational skills... just not drawing skills... yet. (BTW -- When we do nature study in a group, it's a very, very, very different dynamic. They'd rather observe, study and enjoy God's highest creatures on earth... so their observation skills are more distracted and need a focus).

But... questioning off of you. It seems that nature study prompts going home and finding out more about a subject? Do you think it takes away the wonder of nature study to do that?

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Cay Gibson
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Posted: May 06 2009 at 7:59am \| IP Logged

Jenn, I quoted some of CM's Vol. I "Home Education: Part II: Out-of-Door Life for the Children" rcently:
A Day in the Garden

It's been my chapter-of-choice this week.

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JennGM
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Posted: May 06 2009 at 10:40am \| IP Logged

I'm not questioning the usefulness of nature study, although it might come across that way. I love it, and wish that was the only science we ever did.

I was just thinking about the method and then the outcome of a nature study. If we approached it using simple naturalist's methods, it seems we'd be "in training" to be a naturalist. I was just thinking aloud, very poorly, because a few of my rabbit trails have dug up naturalists, both amateur and historically famous, and I'm just awestruck. I wanna be one!

Plus, it does build skills to apply in all other areas, as you have pointed out. It's like learning music or an instrument -- the benefits and skills go far beyond we can imagine.

I'm pondering all sorts of different ways to approach nature study. I know there not just one right approach. But it seems if I use it as a field trip, or just illustration it isn't the same as trying to train observation and concentration skills in a broader sense.

I'm wondering if Nature study in the broad sense of the term should always be incorporated, not just an addendum to check the science box. Do other people hold it almost as a subject by itself, once other science categories come along? That's the way I'm thinking it needs to be approached.

And so I'm then thinking, what's a good way to hone in on the positive skills of a naturalist?

And my son's big question is, when do we study rocks? Does that come under nature study?

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Posted: May 06 2009 at 11:49am \| IP Logged

JennGM wrote:

And my son's big question is, when do we study rocks? Does that come under nature study?

Absolutely! It's way better than spiders.

I didn't read you as pooh-poohing nature study,
I almost wondered if you thought that studying science too early wasn't a good idea. (BTW - I'm having the same trouble thinking outloud).

I think nature study naturally happens first. Then it usually urges my boys to pick up a book to learn about what it is they just observed. I was just wondering if you thought the study *shouldn't* follow it.

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Servant2theKing
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Posted: May 06 2009 at 12:43pm \| IP Logged

Jenn, I've noticed through the years, that our family has gleaned the greatest knowledge, in the area of Science, through simple observation, followed up by self-directed study and research...all based mainly on everyday encounters with nature. Guide books (such as "The Sibley Guide to Birds", written and illustrated by David Sibley)...lots and lots of good nature books (like "Thoreau's Rediscovered Last Manuscript, Wild Fruits", by Henry David Thoreau; a favorite find at a library book sale)...and a pair of good binoculars (purchased for a pittance at Goodwill) are some of our favorite resources and form the core of our nature study.

Today, we're creating a salad from garlic mustard, which grows on our land...based on a rabbit trail on edible plants. Recently, my son identified a great horned owl, at night, simply from hearing its call through a closed window...we happened to have a wonderful book, purchased long ago at a used book sale, complete with accompanying CD of bird calls, which we were able to refer to for confirmation of his identification!

Most often, our children bring forth various discoveries and I simply supply resources they might find helpful for delving deeper! As time goes on, our older children tend to know, even better than I, what resources to turn to and they help younger ones in their quest to learn more about any given aspect of nature. Sometimes, I jump in with them, because I'm just as curious and excited as they are!

We've used very little method, relying far more on a spirit of exploration, curiosity and strong interest in the world around us to guide our Nature Study. I've noticed that our children are much more inclined to develop an interest in all things natural when left to their own devices, as opposed to those times when I've made more formal efforts in that regard.

For some reason, nothing stifles our boys' interest and curiosity more than giving them a journal or even hinting that they draw or write about whatever they observe...perhaps they feel that doing so transforms their exploration of nature into something more "schoolish". The artist in me would love to do beautiful journals and lapbooks with them, but I've come to the basic conclusion that they are learning much more about nature and science when I leave them to their own devices. This may be unique to our family...I used to feel like a failure...Charlotte Mason I am not...but, after observing the results with our children, I have finally come to the realization that this style works best with our children..."if it's not broke don't try to fix it"!

We do focus on formal study of Science in later years, but I've noticed that our children have much greater knowledge and understanding, when they eventually approach Science in the formal sense, thanks to many years of exploration, natural curiosuty and self-directed discovery.

Study of rocks occurs quite spontaneously here, every time they discover an interesting rock on our land...which seems to occur almost daily (we currently have several lovely specimens propped on various window sills)!

Sorry for being so long-winded...I felt compelled to share so much because I've struggled in this area in the past and often pondered some of the same things you've expressed. I may have missed your original point here...if so, please disregard whatever I've said. When all is said and done, I tend to believe allowing children free rein in natural settings is one of the greatest, yet simplest, means of honing naturalist-type skills. Nature study seems to be seamlessly woven into our lives...much as our Faith is totally integrated into our homeschooling and life in our Domestic Church!

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JennGM
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Posted: May 06 2009 at 1:01pm \| IP Logged

I'm embarrassed to say I don't really have a point, just searching for some answers to very vague questions.

Maryan wrote:

I think nature study naturally happens first. Then it usually urges my boys to pick up a book to learn about what it is they just observed. I was just wondering if you thought the study *shouldn't* follow it.

I guess it's a chicken and the egg question. Study first then explore, or explore and expand on the finds afterwards, or a little of both?

Barb at Handbook of Nature Study has directed Outdoor hours, so it's a little learn before and after.

Servant, I love your descriptions. I'm very loosey goosey. I think a lot, but end up letting his interest lead a lot of our walks.

I try not to despair about the journaling or drawing. My son is inconsistent, and I feel like it's the blind leading the blind. I don't push it, but sometimes he does feel inspired. Our organized nature study group is really good at providing inspiration, when he sees what the older kids are doing in their journals (fabulous stuff!). Plus their interest piques his.

When I look at The Amateur Naturalist (here's a review
by Gerald Durrell (recommended by MacBeth) and see all the collections -- well, that's just perfect for a boy. Collect and organize his nature treasures!

So, thanks for even visiting this thread, as I do seem very mixed up, don't I?

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Jennifer G. Miller
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Posted: May 06 2009 at 1:03pm \| IP Logged

Back again. I'm thinking I'm just trying to understand my philosophy of nature study. And you know, that's just a little ridiculous, isn't it?

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Posted: May 06 2009 at 1:13pm \| IP Logged

JennGM wrote:

Our organized nature study group is really good at providing inspiration, when he sees what the older kids are doing in their journals (fabulous stuff!).

Same here -- my Michael was enthralled with Mary Chris' Carter's drawings!! Although... he's enthralled with Carter in general.

I haven't been a good mama encouraging collections. I usually make them leave.them.outside. I should work on that.

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Anne McD
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Posted: May 13 2009 at 3:23pm \| IP Logged

Jenn, I'm so glad you brought this up! We just got home from an improptu nature walk, and I'm so glad we did! We went to the neighborhood "pond" to look for pebbles for a scout project tomorrow night, and the kids found all sorts of intereting things. They had so much fun finding snail shells and flowers and bugs and tiny pinecones... it made me feel a little sad for the kids getting off the schoolbus that we passed on our way home! But, I was thinking the same thing when I was out with them: What is the EXACT purpouse of nature study? Is there an actual method? What goals/objectives should be achieved from this? What should the children come away with? (besides new "friends" the the frog Alex tried to catch)?

Maryan wrote:

I haven't been a good mama encouraging collections. I usually make them leave.them.outside. I should work on that.

Oh, I'm with you, Maryann

But that reminds me, Alex found a wooly caterpillar on our walk that he wanted to bring home and make a home for-- and, um, I don't know where the little critter is right now. Gotta run.....

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Posted: May 13 2009 at 3:43pm \| IP Logged

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Posted: May 13 2009 at 4:42pm \| IP Logged

update: found the critter on the front hall table. He's, um, no longer with us. All part of studying nature, right ladies?

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Posted: May 13 2009 at 4:54pm \| IP Logged

Maryan wrote:

JennGM wrote:

And my son's big question is, when do we study rocks? Does that come under nature study?

Absolutely! It's way better than spiders.

Speaking of which, dh called me early this morning. Trash pickup was today and no one took the trash cans to the road last night. Dh and oldest ds had already left for work. Rather than wake up ds#2, I took the trash to the road and happened to spy an enormous momma spider w/ her egg sack in the grass. I got a cup out of the trash and collected her, brought her back to the house and put her inside a lidded relish jar.

And, Jenn, my brother is still an amateur fossil collector today (at 45 yrs of age!). I need to take pictures of his collection one day. He took my oldest son rock collecting/fossil expeditions when Corey was younger. They both have a passion for this.

Rocks is a wonderful nature study.

I bet you could even go into the Bible w/ that. Studying how water could come out of a rock?
What kind of rock were the Ten Commandments made on?

Maryan wrote:

I didn't read you as pooh-poohing nature study,

I didn't either. On the contrary, I thought your questions were excellent. And I did receive your PM and I promise I'll answer it. I'm still searching for a link.

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Posted: May 13 2009 at 5:12pm \| IP Logged

Nature Study as a subject is certainly a valid scientific approach. Many skills such as observation, classification, identification, and predicting outcomes can be used as part of Nature Study. However, my purpose in doing it with my children is to experience living life in the present moment. Living life...something we rarely do in our culture! We plan, we study, we learn, we work, we analyze what has passed and anticipate what will come next, but we rarely ever just commune with God in the present moment as He expresses Himself in His created world. I believe that experiencing nature somehow allows God to teach our children and produces a fruit of peace in their hearts, as Scripture says, "All of your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children's peace."

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Posted: May 13 2009 at 5:14pm \| IP Logged

stellamaris wrote:

Living life...something we rarely do in our culture! We plan, we study, we learn, we work, we analyze what has passed and anticipate what will come next, but we rarely ever just commune with God in the present moment as He expresses Himself in His created world. I believe that experiencing nature somehow allows God to teach our children and produces a fruit of peace in their hearts, as Scripture says, "All of your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children's peace."

Oh, Caroline! How utterly breathable and beautifully said.

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Posted: May 13 2009 at 7:04pm \| IP Logged

stellamaris wrote:

Yes, that is it exactly! It is our main reason for nature study (and also just because we love it) and you have expressed it SO well. All the sciency stuff we learn is just icing, really.

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