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Nature study ?s
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Hi! We’re new to CM but SO excited! When it comes to nature study, what should we be doing? It doesn’t make sense that we’d need a curriculum
but I’m not sure where to start. I have 4 (ages 7,5,3 and 2) and I’m expecting to do the nature study with the 7 and 5 mostly. Do I just have them observe and draw pictures?Do I just have them observe and draw pictures?
Initially, yes, just walk, look, talk about what you see & hear, have them draw pictures. As you and your dc get used to it, you could take along a basic field guide or two for identifying trees, birds, wildflowers, etc. Or, you can take pictures and look things up online after you get home.
Once you get going, you might look at Anna Comstock’s Handbook of Nature Study. It’s a big book that covers a lot, but a big help for using the book is this blog: http://handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com. She has a lot of information that you can access free of charge that is a companion to Comstock’s book.
Have fun! Nature study can be one of the best subjects in a CM education.
We love doing nature walks! And we basically try to play outside whenever we can, making sure to appreciate the nature around us. We LOVE doing nature study and I’ve written some posts about some of our favorite nature gear, guides and activities. Here are a few…hope they spark some ideas for you! Good luck!
http://www.yankeehomestead.com/2013/04/09/spring-nature-walk-ideas/
http://www.yankeehomestead.com/2012/10/26/exploring-nature-with-kids-the-nature-display/
http://www.yankeehomestead.com/2012/11/07/on-the-go-nature-guides-for-kids/
I just re-read your post, and wanted to respond to your final question: Do I just have them observe and draw pictures?
We love nature journaling, and the Handbook of Nature Study blog that was mentioned above is probably my favorite nature blog. She has GREAT, free, printable journal pages. Some of them are accesible only to subscribers, so it’s one of the few blogs I actually subscribe to (just for the free printables!). Some of the printables are available to anyone just by visiting the blog, so check it out and see what you think. My 6.5 yo has been doing a daily Nature Calendar and Weather Tracker since he was four. Now, he’s almost completely independent with those. We add in Nature Journal pages for special occasions, like after a specific nature walk or special outdoor experience. Your 7yo can definitely do all of these, and your 5yo can do some or all, at your discretion. You can read the blog posts below for more info, links to printables and pictures of how we the charts, calendars & journal pages at our house. Hope it helps!
http://www.yankeehomestead.com/2012/12/05/free-nature-journal-resources-for-kids/
http://www.yankeehomestead.com/2013/05/08/6-things-i-love-about-nature-journaling/
but I’m not sure where to start. I have 4 (ages 7,5,3 and 2) and I’m expecting to do the nature study with the 7 and 5 mostly. Do I just have them observe and draw pictures?
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