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Ideas for Nature Study + Science in a group?
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I am part of a local CM co-op group. This past term we added a Natural History Club as a separate component of our group, and I am in charge of that club. I tried to alternate between nature study and science experiments and we added in some living books as well, such as Pasteur’s Fight Against Microbes. The nature study was not really related to the science experiment/demonstration part, but I would try to tie the book and experiment part together.
It went fine, but I’m wondering if there are curriculums out there that are already put together that contain these components – nature study/special studies, science experiments, living books.
This will be used in a group of about 20 children. I often broke them up in Form I (1-3rd grade) and Form II (4th-6th grade), so that I could do basically the same activities, but dialed up or down for their level.
Maybe look at the Form II science units from Sabbath Mood? Magnets, astronomy, weather, botany, a few more. I haven’t used any yet, but I have a few for next year and I think they could easily be used with Form I students, too.
Yes! Outdoor Secrets is excellent. So many jumping-off points, there, especially in the area of living books.
Thanks for the suggestions!
I do have Exploring Nature with Children and used it with the co-op a while back. I can’t remember why I wasn’t thrilled with it. I’ll have to take another look.
I haven’t looked into Pond and Stream or Outdoor Secrets, so I’ll definitely check those out too.
I guess my issue is that I’m wanting something a little more science heavy than many of the nature study curriculums I’ve seen. Maybe I should choose two different curriculums, one for science/experiments and a separate one for nature study.
Here is something that might fit what you are looking for:
https://ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/40-nature-walks-volume-1/
Oooh, HopetoLearn, that’s a neat resource! Thank you!
We love open-ended nature study here, but my dd also loves the idea of “being a detective,” finding clues and recording them. I always ask her the question, What story is this situation telling us? For instance, if we see a small area with lots of feathers scattered around, what story/stories could that be telling?
I don’t know if this would fit the heavier science request from Heather, but I’m just going to put it out there as something I really enjoyed with my science-loving older dd when she was 10 or so:
http://bfbooks.com/History-of-Science-Study-Guide?sc=21&category=-121
What if you used the Apologia “Exploring Creation” books? There are activities and experiments sprinkled throughout each chapter, but it’s not a dry textbook. You could just focus on one section of a chapter each time you meet.
One more thought would be to check out Guest Hollow’s science curriculum: http://www.guesthollow.com/homeschool/curriculum.html
Lots of living books and print outs – may be able to tie it in with nature walks. Maybe the Knowledge of Nature or Botany curriculum?
Please let us know what you end up using.
Alphabetika – Love your “being a detective” idea. Very inspiring.
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