I have been thinking about something most of the summer...having a weekly Nature Study on Tuesdays, which is one of S5's 5 weekly non-school days.  I have used Barb's Handbook of Nature Outdoor Challenges in the past, as well as the seasonal scavenger hunts from her daughter's wonderful site. I also purchased a copy of The Little Hands Nature Book by Nancy Castaldo, which has fun ideas.  I know the most important thing is to just be outside noticing the world around us.  What scares me is consistency.  We don't really have a good routine around here.  I just do things when I feel like doing them or when I can't put them off any longer (which is why I need a list of goals for S's education). 

So the idea that has been in my head most of the summer is to invite S's class from latin school (12 total) to come to a set place at a set time each week and I will have something planned for a guided exploration of nature.  I can't get this idea out of my head even though I am filled with fear and questions at the thought of it.  What if I don't "feel like" going on the arranged day/time?  What if no one else comes?  What if they come once and then never come back?  What if I forget to have something planned until the last minute?  What if the weather is bad?  Would it be better to just do this with S and forget about the distraction of the other kids?  If I plan to do this with only S, will I find excuses each week not to do it without the accountability of knowing other people are counting on me? 

The book review part comes from having checked out another book about nature study from the library, "Sharing Nature With Children" by Joseph Cornell.  This was written for teachers or parents with lots of kids, so it once more got me thinking about the above idea.  However, the ideas were so simple and fun and most of them could be done with one child and one parent.  I definitely recommend reading it if your library has it.  I think it would be a good resource to own if the ideas fit your plan for nature study.  I am not purchasing it yet, but then I am a fond user of the library and I keep a list of books I like from the library and check them out again and again, not necessarily concurrently.