ABC's of Homeschooling: N for Nature Study

N is for Nature Study

"If we give our children regular opportunities to get in touch with God's creation, a habit is formed which will be a source of delight throughout their lives." ~ Home Education, pg. 61 (Charlotte Mason Original Series) & A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola

What does Nature Study do for us?

1. Gets us Outside

2. We love critters, so trying to name them is fun (Wow, Adam had a cool job naming all the animals.)

3. Honestly, I am a girl who didn't like bugs, so in a household FULL of boys--Nature Study helped me to overcome that phobia. (well it wasn't that horrible, but I didn't like to mess with bugs, at all.)

4. My husband told me a story about when he took the boys to see(I stayed at home) the movie Rio. At the beginning of the movie there was a scene of this beautiful tropical area and my Lucas was facinated with this picture. Well my lovely 4 year old said out loud for EVERYONE to hear in that movie theater that day. He stood up on his movie theater chair and said out loud, "God made that!" And my husband said, "Yes, you're right." And he smiled at knowing our sons know the truth about creation. --Not really sure what everyone else in the movie theater thought about that (hey, it's a military base), but they got a quick sermon from a little 4 year old. ;)

5. It's great for our Science classes and good for our Souls --that's enough for me. Spending time outside to enjoy our environment as a family is making wonderful memories.

6. Help with our Art too...we use a good supply of notebooks, crayons, map colors, watercolors and just go with the flow.

If you want more information on how to start Nature Study, here are some excellent websites:

1. AO Nature Study
2. Nature Study for Children
3. Small Steps: Nature Study Help for Moms
4. Books List for Nature Study
5. Nature Study by Charlotte Mason Help

The best resources online are:

1. Handbook of Nature Study
2. The best living book is Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Comstock


Jessica's ABC's of Homeschooling:

A for American History
B for Believe
C for Charlotte Mason
D for Dedication
E for Eternal
F for Field Trips
G for Goals
H for Habits
I is for Internet
J is for Jesus
K is for Kumon Workbooks
L is for Lapbooks
M is for Math, Living Math that is