November 9, 2005 - Nature Notebooks |
If education is truly the science of relations, we strive to facilitate ways for the child to “connect” with the subject of study. Applying this method is easy and natural. One way to study science is to create a field guide to your own backyard-- a Nature Notebook. In doing so, you and your children learn about what can be known and experienced, rather than focusing on abstract scientific concepts. This creates a personal connection to the subject. And it’s wonderfully gratifying to form intimate relationships with the flora and fauna that surround us, because we are constantly using and expanding this understanding each time we step outside.
A backyard field guide can be made in so many different ways; it can be as simple or detailed as you like. We enjoy studying one living thing at a time-- really focusing on it-- then recording our observations in simple 3-ring notebooks. Sometimes we begin by reading from an interesting book about a particular animal or plant, then head outside to directly observe and discover more. But more often then not, we simply take a hike and see what strikes our fancies. When we get back home, we like to paint or sketch what we've observed. The entire process may take more than one day, of course, and we don’t rush. We know Charlotte Mason wanted children to learn to observe, wonder, and develop a reverence and awe for nature. This is our focus, too.
My older child has designed a guide with a page for each animal and plant. On each page, she draws a sketch of a specimen, embellishing it with colored pencils or watercolors. Next, she labels this drawing with its common and scientific names. And finally, she writes a brief description of the specimen, any facts that she especially wants to remember, and thoughts from her own field experiences. Each page is a treasure.
In making just one page for her field guide, several subjects are studied: nature study and observation, creative writing, drawing/ painting, and penmanship. Narration, dictation, and copywork exercises are also easily incorporated into this project, especially through poetry.
Here is a page from her Nature Notebook showing a variety of leaves that she has collected and preserved, as well as a drybrush watercolor painting of a dogwood branch.
Kevin (6) is making this field guide in his own colorful, enthusiastic style, and he’s very happy with the process. Here, he captures a bright red autumn leaf with colored pencil.
Nature Notebooks are not just for the children-- create one yourself! I am slowly adding entries to mine. I find that I enjoy the meditative quality of painting and I usually try to jot down a note about what we've been doing on that day as well. It's sort of a nature notebook/ journal.
Find the way that works best for your family and enjoy learning about nature together. What a wonderful way to make memories and create a keepsake at the same time! |
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November 5, 2005 - Outdoor Life |
Imagine this scene:
It is a golden autumn day. The children have finished their morning lessons and you have decided to take them to the park for the rest of the afternoon. Though the neon blue sky is cloudless, there's a slight chill in the air. Bundled into sweatshirts, the happy quartet sets out, feeling that delicious and unspoken sense of freedom and adventure that home educated children and parents often share on a particularly beautiful school day.
As it is still early in the afternoon, the park seems unusually peaceful. Spreading an old quilt on a grassy spot where the sunlight filters softly through the colorful foliage overhead, you settle down comfortably. You watch the baby in caucus with a beetle in the grass while the older siblings scamper up and down the slide. Inhaling deeply, you notice the children's rosy faces, energy, and their playful delight. They would only be allowed a few precious moments of recess if they were at a public school today. And you can only feel profound gratitude for the gift of home education.
There is nowhere you’d rather be today than right here in this beautiful park, and the afternoon is yours to enjoy. Besides the well-stocked picnic basket, you’ve brought along a good field guide, sketch books and colored pencils, that scarf you’ve been knitting, and of course, a little chocolate.
A leisurely afternoon is such a luxury! Or is it?
This is no special outing. It’s just an ordinary day-- one of many long, lovely afternoons in the fresh air.
For those who are educating children at home with a Charlotte Mason-inspired perspective, entire afternoons spent outside are not a frivolous luxury. They are absolutely essential.
The centerpiece of a Charlotte Mason education is time spent outdoors enjoying nature. In fact, Charlotte wrote, “Never be within doors when you can rightly be without.” She aspired to spend four to six hours a day outside on “every suitably fine day from April to October.”
How is this possible? Should we simply open the back door and say, “Go outside and play!” like so many of our own mothers did when we were little? No, Charlotte Mason believed that parents should not merely send children outside; we should go with them.
Afternoons outside are best shared by children and parents together. We allow the children to lead, and the adults, for the most part, follow quietly along-- gently guiding only as much as necessary.
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November 3, 2005 - Plan Ahead |
Velvet On Rock
Some Things to Take Along For an Afternoon Outside
In The Car:
- Blanket
- A change of clothes for each child
- Balls, bats/ racquets, jump rope
- First aid kit
- Insect repellent and sting soothing ointment
- Cell phone and emergency numbers
- Jackets
- Garbage bags and Zip-Lok bags for wet or muddy things and nature "treasures"
- Insect catching net and a ventilated jar
In My Field Bag:
- Spiral-bound, heavy drawing paper
- Pencils/ erasers
- Paints, brushes, water cups for rinsing brushes
- Field Guides to birds, wild flowers, trees, etc.
- A picnic or snack
- Plenty of fresh water for drinking
- Wipes or a wet washcloth or two in a plastic bag
- Mom’s project (see “Masterly Inactivity”)
In Warm Weather Add:
- Swim suits, towels, sunscreen, water shoes
- Clean, empty spray bottles that can be filled with water (for squirting each other!)
In Cool Weather Add:
- Extra sweaters
- Mittens, hats, and boots
- Warm drinks (like cocoa or tea)
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These are the reflections and plans of a family trying to live simply, with gratitude and God's fresh graces every day. You are warmly welcomed to our Episcopal homeschool. + + +
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All original photography and text by Ann L. Collins, copyright 2005-2009. Feel free to link to this site. For any other use please request permission by email. Thank you.
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