Nature Study

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  • April 3, 2015 at 8:04 pm
    HollyS
    Participant

    The two recent SCM blog posts “Making New Acquaintances” and “Have a Purpose in Mind” have been incredibly helpful to my understanding of nature study.  I tend to put our nature study off if I can, but I was actually excited about this week’s nature walk!  We had a short lesson (from the Handbook of Nature Study) and read a couple of poems before going outside.  I chose the topic of wind, so we also made some pinwheels and tested them while we were outside…they loved this!  One of my DC added a poem in her notebook and another DC wrote his own!   I think a lightbulb clicked when I read the blog articles earlier this week and I wanted to share.  If you haven’t read the articles yet, you shouldn’t miss them!  🙂

    Someone posted a link to the book Natural Science Through the Seasons while back and I used it to get lesson ideas, including the poetry.  I ordered this book last summer and have to admit this is the first time I’d really used it (except just flipping through it).   This coming week I’m hoping to add some bird feeders and finally built our birdhouse (from a kit we bought two summers ago).  I’m hoping there will be no more nature procrastination from me!  I also picked up the new Burgess guide, so this should get our bird study off to a good start.

    April 3, 2015 at 8:34 pm
    mrsmccardell
    Participant

    That’s great!  The articles helped me too.  I had fear of the dry brush technique.  I like the idea of making notes, quick sketch, and proper name.  That makes it accessible to all ages…esp. the early elem. years.  The more practice can call for the more details and dry brush if interested.

    I’m really excited because we’re moving to a house with a pond and stream! Good luck with more nature studies!

    April 4, 2015 at 8:49 am
    HollyS
    Participant

    I’d love to learn to dry brush as well.  My DH has taken over art lessons and is focusing on sketching for now.  I’m learning along with the kids.  lol  Art has never been my strength so I’m excited about this.

    We just moved to a rural area, so I’m hoping to make our yard a more nature-friendly place.  We’ll be putting in a garden soon, and I’d like to create a sitting area either with a bench or picnic table.    Right now our yard is mostly a blank canvas.  I’d love to have a pond or stream to work with!

    April 4, 2015 at 2:25 pm
    Karen Smith
    Moderator

    I’m glad you found the blog posts on nature study helpful! Studying nature has been a passion of mine since I was little so I get excited when you ladies share your nature study triumphs.

    An easy way to make a pond in your yard is to fill a child’s wading pool with water. I did this last summer, using leftover landscaping bricks and patio blocks to create a waterfall and bathing platform for the birds. We installed a small pump to pump the water to the top of the waterfall. The running water attracts more birds to my yard. I’ve also seen chipmunks and squirrels drinking from the pond. I stocked my pond with minnows and snails, but water bugs came on their own. 🙂

    April 4, 2015 at 5:57 pm
    Wings2fly
    Participant

    Great!  I just signed up for emails for the Outdoor Hour Challenges at

    http://handbookofnaturestudy.com/

    And got some great free ideas for the first 10 challenges, plus four in the April newsletter.  I hope to join my children more with my own sketchbook.  Our interest in nature study seems to have died this past winter.  But we are excited to get out to area parks this spring.  And I had my children watch that segment of the Learning and Living DVD, along with poetry.

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