Nature Journal

My oldest is in first grade, and all we have really been doing for science has been nature study also – we also use the Outdoor Hour Challenges weekly (or biweekly as the case may be) and sketching in our nature journals (I just use wire bound sketchbooks – sorry I don’t have any tips on specifics since we’re overseas – I just bought ours in a store that would be somewhat equivalent to a Walmart or Target in the States) and reading from assorted nature books – I read about 2x week out loud from things like Outdoor Secrets, Among the _____ People, or Thornton Burgess, and my dd reads on her own around 3x week from the Christian Liberty Nature Reader. That’s all we’re doing this year for 1st, and probably all we’ll do next year for 2nd. I may look into a real science curriculm for 3rd, but we’ll see how we go. =) So yes…sounds to me like you’re doing fine! (And hey…I’m a former classroom teacher too!! =))

Blessings,

Jen

I bought an artist sketchpad from Walmart for $3.78 and they are great.  To be honest, you can just read the above stories and go on Nature Walks.  We observe a plant, animal, insect, water creature, clouds, seeds, leaves, etc and identify them by our reference books.  Often my older kids will point out a bird or animal they read about in the Thorton Burgess books and share a fact about it.

So basically, we go on a study excursion, observe and identify, and then come home. The quality of our entries has improved immensely since I started this because we aren’t trying to balance our pads and pencils while chasing little ones who would rather run and be loud – which often scares our subjects, lol.  When we get home,  I try to find a print out a picture that they can use as a reference while drawing and we add our scientific names or whatever (you could use a field guide but it is hard top share a small book with several people).  

I like this because we can be more serious and realistic in our drawings, and they want to be more serious since we just personally saw it.  The littles color a picture of one and we glue it in their book.  What I am personally enjoying is looking them up on the internet and getting further info about them, including sound and movie bites.  Fun.  In my opinion, this is nature study turned into a “science lesson” where they are making their own connections with what they saw, have read and now drawn (maybe they can learn to identify a bird or bug by noise so they can find it on the next excursion).  

One thing I have found to be very helpful in this type of “instruction” is to be deliberate about making a “Nature Study Box” with things from your walks the kids have not “studied” yet – this can be rocks, feathers, nuts, shells, bones, etc.  I also take the camera with me and take pictures.  I save these for the “Nasty Weather Days” and times when we weren’t able to get out of the house due to illness or something.

We are also doing nature study and Outdoor Secrets this coming year.  I bought a spiral bound artist sketch diary (70 pages) from Walmart.  It was located by the kids crafts and was $4.  I bought one for my ds (5yo) and one for myself. Now that I write this I am thinking…my 2yo will need his own nature book

I also bought artist pencils to use.  In Charlotte’s writings (not sure where I read it but probably in volume 1) that she gave children good quality art supplies.  

@sheraz, I got some watercolor pencils on clearance at Jo-anns. But how do you use them (as opposed to regular colored pencils)?

I am admittedly not very well-versed on artist materials!

I like your ideas too Sheraz of coming home and extending the learning, and printing out (or finding in books) actual photos of the animals, nature objects. GREAT idea!

@jennifer – I have the Handbook and use it occassionally.  Our State Dept of Conservation is ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS when it comes to eduation – they have even created a K-2 curriculum for Nature Study for teachers and homeschoolers that is free.  It has activities for every season and covers art, science, math, and more including the figures for flannelboard stories. They have free posters, books, leaflets, and other resources that you can get for free to learn to recongnize what is around you.  They have a free monthly magazine, both for adults and one for kids.  That is one reason I know that we can just have the basic plan that we can go out, find something interesting, and research it easily to identify it.  I know enough about our area that I can generally have some info about it (even if it is just that it is a spider, lol), and if I don’t, the Dept. of Conservation does.  I love that the kiddos are making such strides in learning about the things in nature that directly affects both nature and us.  We were doing this years before I started homeschooling and calling it Nature Studies, and formalized it by creating journals.  One of my daughters enjoys it so much that she begs to have nature studies.

However, if I was new to this Nature Study concept, unsure of how to start or even where, the Outdoor Challenges are a great place to start.  A blank piece of paper and crayola colored pencils are simple and easy.  You might just play with those for a couple of weeks while you find your groove.  

Honestly, I think that the nature study just might be one of my very favorite subjects! =)  I hope that you can find a level of joy and excitement in it!  

@LDIMom – LOL  (because sometimes using watercolors you do get the paper wet first, so you probably sort of thought that might work!)  You’re welcome for the tip. 😉