4Real Forums: Nature Study 101

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

Topic: Nature Study 101

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kbfsc
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Joined: Jan 26 2009
Location: Florida
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Posted: July 05 2010 at 2:34pm \| IP Logged

We're anticipating a busy fall - but I really want to try to incorporate nature study in our home school. How would you experienced moms suggest we begin? I'll have 3rd and 1st grades, a 4-yo and babe in arms. We're in north Florida, so the weather cooperates for year-round outside time. We happen to have a wooded area behind our house and a great garden/park within walking distance. We also visit the beach pretty frequently. How do I make it easy and accessible? And what about notebooks, drawings and backpacks? I've seen a few books recommended - any favorites that your family couldn't do without?

Thanks!!

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Kiera
happy mama of ds '02, dd '03, ds '06, dd '09 and little ones in heaven

AtHomeScience
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Joined: Oct 29 2009
Location: Massachusetts
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Posted: July 06 2010 at 11:09am \| IP Logged

Nature study was something we neglected for a variety of reasons. My kids did not want to be still long enough to identify something, never mind to sit and draw while outside, and I needed to look up everything myself. (My SIL is an environmental scientist so going on nature walks with her is fabulous--she not only identifies everything but tells you all kinds of fascinating facts about it.)

We now do nature study using a different approach I call A Private Eye Nature (I blog about it there.) For us, using the loupes means focusing on one specimen, even one part of it, and getting to know that one thing better. Little by little we hope to learn nature one flower, tree, insect at a time. We take photographs and collect specimens outdoors and then draw and examine it at home. We still watch for and identify birds and other wildlife, too (we actually are getting pretty good at that!)

So I guess it depends on you and your kids. I read so many incredible successes with nature backpack and nature notebooks. Someday I hope we will get there, too. But don't be like me in letting it go by the wayside because the approach that works for most people didn't work for your kids. I'm sure you'll get a lot more ideas for you to choose from.

So, my indispensable items are loupes and good identification guides!

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Kris, Mom to 3 rambunctious boys

At Home Science
A Private Eye Nature
Science Of Relations

SuzanneG
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Joined: June 17 2006
Location: Idaho
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Posted: July 06 2010 at 4:28pm \| IP Logged

My very favorite resource for nature study is Handbook of Nature Study. Barb has "Outdoor Hour" challenges that she has broken down into very manageable chunks and makes it very do-able! I love seeing how just little bits here and there can be so fruitful! Getting out and doing a challenge once/week is do-able for us....much more than that with the ages of my kids...it just wouldn't get done.

She has all of the challenges listed on the right sidebar.....begin by reading Challenge #1.

And, I see the ages of your kids....don't miss this one: Nature Study with Very Young Children

She has TONS of other great stuff on there, but start with those two and see if it helps or appeals to you.

I just love this site and have learned so much from it. She has everything "ready" for me. And, some fun links for the kids too.

And, you don't HAVE to have the Handbook of Nature Study to do these....it helps, but isn't necessary. And, HNS is available on-line too, if you want to read ahead of time, but don't want to buy.

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Suzanne in ID
Wife to Pete
Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)

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