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Nature Study

Nature study is an essential component to a Charlotte Mason education. However, any method one chooses will be enhanced by the student keeping a Nature Study Journal. Children innately have a curiosity about nature which should be encouraged to promote a long love for the outdoors. Charlotte Mason believed that children should spend at least fifteen minutes outside daily regardless of weather. I tend to agree as rainy or snowy days offer beauty and wonder in its own way. Nature Study simply consists of the nature walk and the documentation of the wonders that were explored that day. Children delight … Continue reading →

Are Your Kids Getting Enough Nature?

I think that we modern Westerners might be nature-deprived. Many of us live in cities and we go from our cozy and comfy homes, to our cars, into work or school, and then back home again. When my children were younger, they didn’t even get to go outside when the weather was poor so there were some days when they might not have gone outside at all if I didn’t intervene, let alone getting out into what might be considered “nature.” When was the last time your child played along a stream or threw rocks into a river? Walked through … Continue reading →

Nature Study in the Dead of Winter

We did a little impromptu nature study yesterday. Temperatures have been in the single digits here in our corner of the world, so we managed to squeeze in this nature study without spending time outdoors. Although I’m a fan of Charlotte Mason methods, I have to confess that I’m not dedicated enough to her philosophy (that children should get outdoors every, single day) to actually go for a nature walk when it’s five degrees outside. (I like to remind myself that Miss Mason lived in England, rather than in the frigid American Midwest, and that even she would nod in … Continue reading →

Sea Monkeys and Teaching the Scientific Method

Anytime you teach science, you should be teaching through the scientific method. First of all, it is the foundation for understanding all other subjects in science. Secondly, it fosters critical thinking skills and finally, I am increasingly convinced that it is becoming a lost art leading to shoddy conclusions. So when my son asked if he could have sea monkeys as his next ‘pet’ after the death of his two beloved turtles, I jumped at the opportunity. It really is a fantastic way to introduce younger kids to the steps in the scientific method. It requires that you follow directions … Continue reading →

Homeschooling Week in Review Feb 3- Feb 9, 2007

It is February, and this week we are really feeling winter, even in the south. We are introspective, philosophical and cold. One of our favorite collective pastimes this week seems to be curling up with a good book. Here is the families.com homeschooling week in review: Feb 3, 2007 We started the week with Karen Edmisten explaining her eclectic style of homeschooling in Mixed up Methods. This was the last post in her series of Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling. Speaking of Charlotte Mason, I followed this post with a discussion of Historical Fiction of the Ancient Time Period. This … Continue reading →