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This is what Rachel Carson had to say. "If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder...he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in."
Today we enjoyed a field trip to Rachel Carson Homestead with several other homeschooling families. The weather was perfect for a trek through the woods, and a picnic. The children were given magnifying glasses and a plastic cup to find and collect "treasures". At the end of the tour all the treasures were put back into the woods.
We also were given a most educational tour of her home. Then a biologist taught a little about birds...owls in particular...and each child was able to dissect an owl pellet and was given help to identify the bones and so on that they found.
Rachel Carson is probably best known for her controversial book "The Silent Spring", which was instrumental in the Clean Air Act being passed. One book I'd recommend is "The Sense of Wonder"...a beautiful collection of nature photographs coupled with Rachel's recollections of exploring the outdoors with her young nephew. "Listening to Crickets" is a biography of Rachel Carson written for elementary students.
I thought it was interesting that in "The Sense of Wonder" Rachel questions what is the value of preserving and strengthening this sense of awe and recognition of something bigger and more enduring than ourselves. She gives many excellent answers, but to the child of God there is so much more. When we learn about nature we learn about God. When we appreciate the wonders of creation, we worship the Master Creator. Just think of the words of the beautiful old hymn "How Great Thou Art". Click here to read the words and hear the music! |
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