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Search Results for: nature studies

Nature Study with Multiple Ages - Yes, You Can! #naturestudy

by Cindy Leave a Comment

Yes, You CAN Do Nature Studies with Multiple Ages!

One of the best things about nature study is that it works WONDERFULLY when teaching multiple ages at once. For years, my friend, Lynna, thought that nature study might be a tad overwhelming for her large family. I asked her to give NaturExplorers a try and she agreed. I think you'll love this little peek into her experiences doing nature study with multiple ages... I have a confession ... Read More

Last Updated: March 29, 2018 Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Creative Homeschooling, Elementary, Middle School, Nature Study, Science & Nature Tagged With: large family, multiple ages

by Cindy 1 Comment

Early Fall Nature Studies

Early Fall Nature Studies are FUN! Early autumn is such a wonderful time of the year for nature studies!  The crispness in the air keeps walks comfortable, while the scenery abounds with exciting treasures to find. Believe it or not, the photos in all of the collages were taken during only one short woodland walk!  We normally tend to focus our nature walks on one particular topic (like ... Read More

Last Updated: February 24, 2016 Filed Under: Elementary, Middle School, Nature Study, Science & Nature Tagged With: autumn, fall, nature walk

Nature study can be a great fit for gifted kids for lots of reasons!

by Jenn Vail 1 Comment

Nature Study is a Good Fit for Gifted Kids

There are definitely stereotypes when it comes to gifted kids. For instance, people might might picture an awkward boy or girl with glasses who plays chess and cello and snorts when he or she laughs. Parts of that may be true for some gifted kids, but they're often not at all like people expect them to be. Some have glasses, some play instruments, some are more interested in video games than ... Read More

Last Updated: November 29, 2020 Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Creative Homeschooling, Elementary, Gifted & Struggling Learners, High School, Middle School, Nature Study, Science & Nature Tagged With: gifted kids, nature walks

When nature study is boring, these tips will turn things around!

by Cindy Leave a Comment

3 Things To Do When Nature Study is Boring

No parent has ever made it through the great journey of child-rearing without hearing two very frustrating words - "I'm bored!" Whether it's sitting in a church service, a lazy day at home, or even partaking in the wonders of nature, kids everywhere are just a few breaths or activities away from finding themselves simply unable to proceed without complaining that they're bored. Kids, though, ... Read More

Last Updated: October 19, 2020 Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Creative Homeschooling, Elementary, Middle School, Nature Study, Science & Nature Tagged With: nature notebooking, nature walks

Nature journals are way more educational than you might think!

by Cindy 10 Comments

Why Nature Journals Are Important

If you've been around here much, you know the importance I place on nature study. The real-life science lessons that offer a consistent "lab" experience are unmatched compared to simply studying the same topics from a textbook. But, just as important, nature study reaches so naturally into other academic areas that it's priceless for gently integrated learning. Today I'm focusing ... Read More

Last Updated: August 30, 2020 Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Elementary, Language Arts, Middle School, Nature Study, Preschool, Science & Nature Tagged With: Nature Journal, Nature Study, Notebooking, Science

Nature study has been such an amazing addition to our science schedule!

by Cindy Leave a Comment

Charlotte Mason Was Right About Nature Study

Charlotte Mason was a very wise teacher.  I've been pondering her thoughts about nature study lately and have to say...she was right!  My children are living proof - as are so many children of families who make nature study a priority. Just what exactly was she right about?  Oh, so many things.  I've taken some time to pull together several of her thoughts about nature ... Read More

Last Updated: August 17, 2020 Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Nature Study Tagged With: active learning, charlotte mason, hands-on science, homeschool science, Nature Study, nature walks, Science

You can fit nature study into the homeschool schedule with these tips!

by Cindy Leave a Comment

How To Fit Nature Study Into Your Homeschool Schedule

It's so easy to start your homeschool journey as an idealist. Beautifully-lit Instagram photos and Pinterest-worthy homeschool rooms are exciting to look at, and passionate, seasoned speakers have hundreds of podcasts for you to excitedly devour. Before you know it, you've ordered vintage chalkboards, antique schoolroom desks, and picked up a natural wood abacus. Visions of nature studies ... Read More

Last Updated: July 14, 2020 Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Creative Homeschooling, Elementary, Middle School, Nature Study, Science & Nature Tagged With: hands-on learning, multi-age learning, science lab

Online science classes with Mrs. Cindy

by 6 Comments

No Sweat Nature Study Live Membership

  Two Live Nature Study Classes All No Sweat Nature Study LIVE classes are geared toward 1st-8th grades, but younger and older students are welcome to join and get a lot from the lessons. Each class lasts 30-60 minutes and includes opportunities for your students to learn about the science topic at hand, complete a nature notebooking page, gain rich scientific vocabulary, ... Read More

Last Updated: December 15, 2020

A wonderful list of quick activities to do for nature study during morning time!

by Cindy 13 Comments

Nature Study During Morning Time

Morning Time.  Morning Basket Time.  Circle Time.  In our home we call it Brain Training Time.  Whatever you might call it, I have some great ideas to help you include nature study during the time you gather for family learning before jumping into the rest of your homeschool day. I bet you think I'm going to tell you that circle time should begin with a quick nature ... Read More

Last Updated: November 23, 2020 Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Creative Homeschooling, Elementary, Middle School, Nature Study, Science & Nature Tagged With: circle time, multi-age homeschooling, nature activities, Nature Study

These picture books for nature study will make a wonderful addition to your homeschool!

by Cindy 4 Comments

24 Wonderful Picture Books for Nature Study

There is not one teaching resource I treasure more than picture books. The good ones have such a masterful knack for laying out factual information in the midst of wonderful storylines. The illustrations, of course, help our children put pictures to names and places and ideas. When my children were younger, one of the best things I did was use picture books for nature study. There are so many ... Read More

Last Updated: March 2, 2019 Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Creative Homeschooling, Elementary, Nature Study, Science & Nature Tagged With: book list, living books, living literature

We followed four simple steps to identify rocks and minerals found during our nature walks. It was FUN!

by Cindy Leave a Comment

How To Identify Rocks and Minerals During Nature Study

Why would you want to identify rocks and minerals during nature study? Heck, why would you even care to observe rocks when there are so many other things to see in nature. Rocks are boring. They're dull and colorless. Once you've seen one, you've pretty much seen them all. Be honest. You've thought some of those thoughts before, haven't you? When we first began nature study in our ... Read More

Last Updated: July 31, 2018 Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Creative Homeschooling, Elementary, Middle School, Nature Study, Science & Nature Tagged With: hands-on, home science tools, multi-age, nature walk, rocks

Special Needs Nature Study. You might be amazed at the benefits of nature study with children who have special needs.

by Cindy Leave a Comment

Why Nature Study Is Powerful For Children With Special Needs

Have you ever considered the idea that special needs children may thrive through regular time spent in nature? Nature study has so many benefits beyond the obvious academics. It's hands-on, active, and loud - as much as it's detail-oriented, calm, and peaceful. It allows for fresh air, sunshine, and exercise to break into the school week. And, it can bring joy to even the worst homeschool ... Read More

Last Updated: July 7, 2018 Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Elementary, Gifted & Struggling Learners, Middle School, Nature Study, Science & Nature Tagged With: hands-on, multi-age, multi-sensory, special needs

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NaturExplorers Science Curriculum

NaturExplorers guides are perfect for the 1st-8th grade homeschool, co-op or classroom. This highly adaptable curriculum series uses nature study as the starting point for science lessons that reach into every other subject and meet all learning styles.

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When my boys were little, I loved reading these “letters from God” to them as blessings to start the day.

As I was sorting bookshelves earlier this month, I stumbled across this sweet book again. I decided the blessings are still as pertinent today for my bigger boy as they were years ago. So, we’re starting our day yet again with a quick, but powerful “letter from God” before jumping into our daily Bible studies.

Do you do anything special to start your day off on the right foot? I’d love to hear about it!

Click the link in my bio for a link to the book.

#homeschoolblessings #homeschoolfamily #homeschoolmom #homeschool #homeschooling #yourmorningbasket #startthedayoffright #charlottemasonmama #loveyourkids #wildandfreemama #childrensbook #devotionalforkids #homeschool365 #homeschoolmorning #ourjourneywestward #ihsnet
Winter homeschooling can be tough in normal years. Winter homeschooling can be tough in normal years. It’s cold, the days are dark, and everyone’s cooped up together 24/7. That’s a recipe for the winter blahs to march right into your house and wreak havoc on attitudes and motivation.⠀
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This year’s winter is unlike any other and those blahs may have actually settled in long before now. If you or your children are feeling down, anxious, or bored with school, are “at” each other constantly, bouncing off the walls, or tears and fighting are the norm…the blahs are there.⠀
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Let’s get you, your children, and your homeschool back on track. I’ll be teaching a Homeschool Masterclass on Thursday afternoon to help you kick the blahs to the curb. If you can attend live, come! If you can’t attend live, catch the replay!⠀
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We’ll tackle all sorts of problems the blahs bring with them with very practical  ideas that are easy to implement! ⠀
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Click the link in my bio to join me. There is no shame in admitting that the blahs have arrived and you need a little boost from a friend. ❤️ ⠀
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#homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolmom #homeschoolfamily #wildandfreemom #charlottemasonmama #winterhomeschool #homeschoolhelp #homeschoollookslikethis #thisishomeschool #homeschoolmasterclass #homeschool365 #ihsnet #homeschoolmama #helpmehomeschool #winterblahs
Oh, what peace this quote brings to my soul. It’ Oh, what peace this quote brings to my soul. It’s true, you know. I’ve told my children for years that it only takes a nature walk to see God through His handiwork and to know that His promises are true.⠀
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When the world seems to be falling apart around you, the sun never stops shining. The seasons never stop moving. Without a single, solitary effort of human hands, the woodlands still buzz with life.⠀
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A student of nature can see the consistency in cycles and notice the incredible and creative intricacy of even the smallest specimen and be in awe that we truly serve a God who isn’t unaware of even one tiny detail in our world right now. ⠀
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Life kind of seems overwhelming, though, I know. Remember when I said my motto lately has been to just put one foot in front of the other to do the next right thing? Nature walks (even when it’s cold) never fail me as a right thing. ⠀
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Breathe, friend. Take a nature walk today and let God speak to your soul.⠀
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#homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolmom #homeschoolfamily #wildandfreemom #charlottemasonirl #winterhomeschool #homeschoollookslikethis #thisishomeschool #winternaturestudy #nosweatnaturestudy #homeschool365 #ihsnet #naturestudy #naturexplorers #nature #hewins
It might seem trite to post a winter picture book It might seem trite to post a winter picture book list right now, but I’m a big believer in keeping things as normal as possible in my home when things aren’t so normal otherwise.⠀
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It’s the principle of putting one foot in front of the other as you simply do the next right thing. Good books almost always can be a “next right thing” choice.⠀
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Even though I’m not homeschooling younger children anymore, I’ll probably never stop sharing wonderful picture book ideas with you. 🤓 I’ve spent way too many hours reading and collecting to ever stop loving them!⠀
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Eli and I may not be using these books right now, but they are still some of my favorites for winter reading. Whatever may be going on around you, the winter months are always a good time of year to get in lots of extra reading. Snuggling and hot chocolate are optional, but encouraged.⠀
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Click the link in my bio to find a blog post about these books + some of our favorite winter chapter books, too!⠀
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#homeschool #readmorebooks #livingbooks #livingliterature #picturebooks #winterpicturebooks #homeschoolmom #wildandfreefamily #charlottemasonirl #winterhomeschool #homeschoollookslikethis #thisishomeschool #winternaturestudy #nosweatnaturestudy #homeschool365 #ihsnet
We celebrated a 14th birthday over Christmas break We celebrated a 14th birthday over Christmas break! 🎉🎁🎂🏀🥰
I love being auntie to a sweet baby again! 😍 I love being auntie to a sweet baby again! 😍
Merry Christmas from the Wests! 🎄 Merry Christmas from the Wests! 🎄
Christmas picture books are some of my very favori Christmas picture books are some of my very favorite books of all time. I’ve spent years collecting new ones here and there (and will probably continue collecting for years to come because there are at least a few favorites I still don’t own).🤗🤫⠀
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When the kiddos were younger, I would sometimes wrap each of the books and place them in a basket near the Christmas tree. 🎁 Each morning during December, one of my children would choose a book to unwrap and that was the one we would read for the day. Oh, such precious memories!⠀
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This year, even though my youngest is in 8th grade, the books are not hidden away! I’ve found a creative way to read them with Eli. We’re using them as mentor texts for his own stories during language arts. #sneakysmart (He’s writing some pretty great stories, too!)⠀
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Click the link in my bio if you’d like to see my entire list of picture book favorites for the Christmas season!🎄If you’d like to know more about using picture books to teach writing to older kids, search “writing with picture books masterclass”on my website.⠀
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#homeschoolbooks #christmasbooks #christmasbooklist #christmaspicturebooks #christmasschool #creativehomeschooling #livingbooks #livingliterature #readmorebooks #Decemberhomeschool #homeschoolfamily #homeschoollookslikethis #homeschoolmiddleschool #ilovebooks #charlottemasonirl #yourmorningbasket #ourjourneywestward #homeschoolrocks

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