Nature study is certainly a big deal in the homeschool community at large - even outside of Charlotte Mason circles. For that, I am very excited! But, I still get the impression that many view nature study as a fun extra to their regular homeschooling. "Yes, it might bring a little more goodness into the week, but it isn't a make-or-break subject." I'm on a mission to broaden the vision for nature study. This post contains affiliate links. I've written before about how much real science is at the heart of nature study. It's so true. Whether nature study is used as the full science curriculum, or it serves as extension lessons to the "regular" science curriculum, or even if it stands ... Read More
A Day in the Life: Hands-On Nature Study at the Creek
Boy, am I excited to introduce you to Kristina Garner in this post! She and her girls enjoyed some exciting, hands-on nature study in their backyard creek recently and Kristina is sharing the experiences with all of us. I think you'll especially love to see how much they learned about creeks (and how much fun they had) in just one day of exploration per week over a 5-week period. If you'll remember, that's the nature study plan my own family has followed over the years - just once per week. But, oh, how those weeks add up in knowledge over time! Please welcome Kristina and her sweet girls - and be inspired in your own creek walks! Hands-On Nature Study is Fun I first discovered ... Read More
Our Journey Westward Unit Studies
We're a Charlotte Mason homeschooling family, yet we enjoy learning history and science through unit studies. Can those two things go together? If you're a Charlotte Mason purist, the answer is no. Remember, though, I've said for years that we are "eclectic Charlotte Mason homeschoolers with a dash of Classical education and unit studies thrown in for good measure." Because our unit studies are based on wonderful works of living literature - historical fiction, biographies and nonfiction - they definitely have a Charlotte Mason flair. With living books as the backbone, we can add in whatever additional activities that float our fancy - from hands-on activities and project-based ... Read More
Realistic Cave Paintings: An Ancient History Art Project
Eli and I have just begun our ancient history studies for the year - and I'm very glad to report that I might have another history lover on my hands! This post contains affiliate links. Oh, how I have missed Story of the World. It's just such a well-rounded program. The living text, narration questions, maps, timeline cards and great book suggestions make this eclectic Charlotte Mason homeschooler happy. I mentioned in this post that we would be going through the curriculum at our own pace and may or may not linger over the hands-on activities. My little guy isn't about time fillers, so any hands-on activity we do has to have real purpose. I found a hands-on activity last week ... Read More
Elementary Middle Ages Unit Study
(This post contains affiliate links.) The Lesson Ideas Studying the Middle Ages is so much fun! And, it really keeps the attention of my children with all the excitement of knights and castles and such. To keep our unit to six weeks, I pulled the best-of-the best hands-on ideas from the two reference books below. After adding in some living literature and a great end-of-unit project, we ended up with a very in-depth tour of medieval life. Are you wondering how I organize a unit study using so many materials? This post should help explain my method. The Living Books If you know me at all, you know living literature was a huge part of our middle ages unit. I use informational ... Read More
How do little boys study nature?
(This post contains links to my products.) Oh my goodness, I love boys. Learning is such an active adventure with them! I remember taking early elementary nature walks with my teen daughter and they were, oh, so very different. She and I would quietly admire the intricacies of a flower or sit peacefully in a bird blind to catch a glimpse of various birds to sketch. Then I had boys. My boys are quite different (to say the least.) Ever since they joined in on our nature walks, the birds haven't often graced us with their presence, if you know what I mean. Our walks now are much louder, faster-paced, and full of everything the five senses have to offer. Touching being the biggie of ... Read More
Spring Nature Study for Preschool and Kindergarten is Here!
It's finally here! You've been asking for this resource for quite some time, but you don't have to wait any more! Nature by the Season: Spring for Preschool and Kindergarten is ready! 47 pages, ebook $5.95 Why Early Nature Study? Preschoolers and kindergarteners are naturally inclined to love nature because of their inquisitiveness, active bodies and keen eyes for finding things unique and often hidden. I have watched my own little ones become some of my best nature buddies because they are always ready for the adventure and excitement. That’s why I’ve created this series of nature studies for you. I know your preschooler or kindergartener is up for the adventure, too, and is ... Read More
Charlotte Mason Phonics and Spelling
(This post contains affiliate links and links to my business, Shining Dawn Books.) In Charlotte Mason Homeschooling in 18 EASY Step-by-Step Lessons, I obviously discuss things like copywork, dictation and transcription. In the early years of homeschooling, these methods (along with reading living literature) are fabulous for teaching the language arts of handwriting, spelling/phonics, grammar, writing and more. This question always comes up, though..."If I only utilize the Charlotte Mason methods of language arts, is that enough for my young children who need to have a strong understanding of phonics to become good readers and spelling to become good writers?" Great question. While I ... Read More
Pumpkin School
Math, science, geography, history, and language arts? Yes! Skip the textbooks for a few days and enjoy pumpkin school this October! Several of these ideas come from my e-book, Loving Living Math. The additional ideas were supplied by the wonderful parents in my co-op. Have fun! Pumpkin Math Get a printable version here. Measure the circumference by wrapping a tape measure around the largest part of the pumpkin. Calculate the diameter and radius using only the circumference measurement. d=C÷3.14 (3.14 is otherwise known as π) r=d÷2 Count the vertical lines on the skin of the pumpkin. These numbers can be used to calculate: Fractions – “1/2 of our ... Read More