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MaryM
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Nature study is the gentle and hands-on way of learning science and experiencing the natural world.
A quote from Charlotte Mason on the value of nature study:
Consider too, what an unequalled mental training the child-naturalist is getting for any study or calling under the sun – the powers of attention, of discrimination, of patient pursuit, growing with his growth, what will they not fit him for? (Vol. 1, p. 61)
I think engaging in the nature world in a conscious way does indeed cultivate these skills which will be of benefit in all seeking of knowledge and learning.
So what most fills you with wonder and enjoyment in nature study? What is most fun?
Vote and post a comment to be included in the drawing for this forum.
~Give-aways for this forum's poll are:
What is the World Made Of? (Solids, Liquids, Gases) Let's Read and Find Out Science
Peterson Field Guide Color-In books: Seashore
Pocketful of Pinecones: Nature Study with the Gentle Art of Learning (Karen Andreola)
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SeaStar
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I will jump in with bird watching... I have bird crazy boys here.
I love the idea of nature journals but they haven't taken off here... it's always something on my to do list!
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stellamaris
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I just love when I can spend time adding drawings, poems, etc to my nature journal. Hardly ever happens, but still I love it!
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Hard to choose, I would like to say "All of the above", but I guess my favorite is watching nature. I love to get out in nature with the kids and just take it slow, enjoy finding things, telling them about things I've learned(mostly through a younger brother of mine, who is/was a nature encyclopedia, watch animals together, etc.
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pumpkinmom
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I picked bird or other critter watching but really my answer would be a nature hike. And really we encounter all of the choices we do those. 
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Oooh, so many different things.
We love to study nature wherever we are. I chose bird watching because that's a favorite year-round. We have really been stuck inside for the past several weeks.
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mylonite
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Stargazing! I absolutely love it. And need to do more of it. :)
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I chose bird or other critter watching because that is what I enjoy. I think the children would have said treasure hunting (which I do not enjoy as much because I have not a system for dealing with such treasures--but I do love when they come to me enthusiastically sharing their treasures).
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pumpkinmom wrote:
| I picked bird or other critter watching but really my answer would be a nature hike. And really we encounter all of the choices we do those. |
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Me too. We love nature walks, bird watching and journaling with our watercolor pencils and water brushes. The children just finished up the Big Backyard Birdcount - it was fun. We got a squirrel proof feeder and it was interesting to watch the squirrels trying to figure out a way to get to the food.
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cathhomeschool
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This was a hard choice for me too! I love all of the choices, but I voted for creepy crawly catching because I think over the years that's where we've learned the MOST in one go. When we catch something, observe it under a microscope or in a jar, ID it, and sometimes feed it (and with caterpillars we've watched them go through instars and metamorphosis...or death when conditions haven't been right...) we learn more deeply than when we just draw and ID something. It sticks with us more and I like that.
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MaryM
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pumpkinmom wrote:
| I picked bird or other critter watching but really my answer would be a nature hike. And really we encounter all of the choices we do those. |
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I figured nature walk/hike would be a favorite mode of many. I didn't specifically include it in the choices as to me it did seem mode of achieving many different studies of nature. I was actually more trying to in a sly way figure out what area of nature study/field of science was of most interest to you (Critters-Zoology, Entomology; Stars-Astronomy; Bird watching; Ornithology/Zoology; Treasures-Geology or Taxonomy; Flowers-Botany)
Though I did include nature journaling which is more of a catch-all or mode like a walk or hike... 
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Erica Sanchez
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The nature journal. It is what I first saw (somewhere, I can't remember) that brought me to Catholic Charlotte Mason. The nature walk would be second. I would have voted for studying flowers and trees and such but we don't press flowers or leaves at all.
We have a Nature Shelf on our patio. It was a hand-me-down that I didn't have a use for, so we put it out there. All kinds of things get put there: shells, rocks, feathers, our lost and found dead turtle minus the turtle (so just the shell), dead bugs, etc., etc., etc.
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4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
Topic: Nature Study Favorites-what engages you?
