Moving beyond Nature Study

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  • July 25, 2011 at 5:51 am
    Melissa
    Member

    We’re still newbies to home school (only one year under our belts), and even newer to CM. I am trying to institute some of the CM philosophies and methods into our 2nd year, but not sure about science.

    My dd10 is excited about Nature Study time, but my ds8 can’t think of anything more boring. And both kids were looking forward to hands-on science, especially chemistry and physical science.

    In my readings of CM science, I only find discussion of nature study and living books. But does the CM method address other physical sciences with lab study like Chemistry, etc.? Or is it a matter of reading between the lines and finding living books for Chemistry and then doing labs along with them. Do I need to incorporate an observation journal to all science studies, just like with nature study?

    Thanks all!

    -Melissa

    July 25, 2011 at 1:18 pm
    LyndaF
    Participant

    I don’t know if this help but we do alot of lapbooking and notebooking.  We also do some gardening.  Depending on what state you are in, we are planning to go visit some caves locally, you could see id you have anything like that close by.  We are also growing crystals from a kit.  Our local craft stores have lots of science kits.  We had a hard time with science too, but when I asked my husband he had lots of good ideas to fill in our science time.

    July 25, 2011 at 1:29 pm
    Bookworm
    Participant

    I think the best place to START science is in nature study.  Once children have the basic idea of observation and classification down, then is a good time to start more formal studies of subjects like chemistry.  Charlotte Mason’s students most certainly DID to chemistry and physical science as well as developing biological studies.  It’s important to realize that nature study is a vast field; there is a LOT more going on than sketching wildflowers.  Nature study can include getting muddy, investigating the little critters in the water, under rocks, etc.  Many boys do kind of object to the civilized “Let’s all look at butterflies and flowers” idea of nature study.  I think we’ve “feminized” it a little, inadvertently, us  homeschool moms.  We think nature study should look very Edwardian-Lady.  Twenty-first-century all-boy is OK too.  Some places to look that might interest your son–try looking at the Discovering Nature series on Amazon; they are by different authors.

    And you most certainly CAN investigate more other hands-on things.  You can do this by doing BOTH nature study AND another study such as chemistry.  OR you can just get some experiment books or websites and do those, especially at times you can’t get outdoors as easily or as long if you live in a seasonal area.  We in our own home tend  to do only nature study and occasional household experiment books until around 3rd grade or so, and then we do a homeschool series like God’s Design in addition to nature study.

    Another thing we do for nature study that I’ve seen tempt many boys is geocaching. 

    Busy morning here, I have to run, but if you have any questions about anything I said you can ask here or PM me!

    July 25, 2011 at 6:55 pm
    Misty
    Participant

    We went geocaching at the state park (now that its’ open againSealed) and had a blast  So happy for the family that helped us or we’d  have been lost.  But we did great and can’t wait to try it again.  Misty

    August 4, 2011 at 5:52 pm
    Melissa
    Member

    Thanks, everyone for posting. I’m still figuring out this forum, like that I have to come check for response LOL!

    Thanks for your tips. I’ve marked the Discover Nature series on my wishlist. And my ds has done some geocaching through cub scouts, and enjoyed it. I think I’ve discovered the very weird and gross  interest my son, as well as “conquering” nature (i.e., with geocaching, caves, etc.). We will just have to incorporate more of that kind of activity along with observation while “conquering”, LOL!

    -Melissa

    August 4, 2011 at 6:25 pm
    Monica
    Participant

    Geocaching….oh I had forgotten about that. Great idea!!!

    August 4, 2011 at 6:39 pm
    momto2blessings
    Participant

    In addition to nature study, I THOUGHT I’d just read that Apologia was coming out with elemtary texts for chemstistry and physical science?  Just read it, but not sure…..    :)Gina

    August 4, 2011 at 7:07 pm
    suzukimom
    Participant

    The Chemistry and Physics apologia elementary book(s?) are due out next spring/summer

    August 4, 2011 at 7:20 pm
    Ladyofthehouse
    Member

    Melissa,

    Have you read Hours in the Out of Doors by SCM yet? I found it to be a fantastic intro to CM’s teaching on Nature study as well as her thoughts on learning science in general. It gives a helpful framework to have in mind when analyzing science programs and books.

    http://simplycharlottemason.com/books/hours-in-the-out-of-doors/

    August 4, 2011 at 9:56 pm
    Melissa
    Member

    I had not read HOD by scm yet. I have sonja’s dvd of a workshop, but she didn’t get as detailed as I’d like when covering science.  I’ll take a look. Thanks!

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