The art and heart of homeschooling
We had been noticing the dogwood blossoms for a full week as we went back and forth, in and out of the neighborhood and thought it was time to take an up close look. It was time for a dogwood nature study and chalk pastel sketches. I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I
We ventured out on a recent wintry afternoon in search of rocks in our own backyard. We didn’t find any right away. We did see a few, red clay covered lumps or stones. Monthly Outdoor Hour Challenges newsletter – a free download for Handbook of Nature Study subscribers. We had peeked at the nature study grid by the back door before we headed out. So
They eat leaves! ~ four-year-old They are so beautiful when they are caterpillars and when they are butterflies. ~ six-year-old I just love seeing how they live when they are a caterpillar, when they are a butterfly. I just love seeing their life cycle. Tiny, tiny caterpillars are so cute! ~ nine-year-old We’ve watched metamorphosis up close. A gulf fritillary caterpillar turn into a butterfly.
The greens of spring. Basil in bottom left with sweet potato vine and squash plant. It’s a busy week. I’m up early making my list. Lil’ Buddy comes down the steps, hair tousled. He’s ready for the day. I turn from my spot on the couch and notice that out the window it is quietly raining. Steady drops and misty. I mention the rain to
Welcome back to Lasagna Learning: Teaching Multiple Ages. Don’t miss the link to a review of Harmony Fine Arts Plans below! Unit studies are great for an age range because everyone is immersed in the same subject. Unit studies are often how we fit it all in! After the 3 Rs, we can mostly finish up the remainder of our subjects all together – all
Mama Ann’s dogwood Watching dogwoods turn from white and pink… into their full summer dress… Visiting Mama Ann a couple of weeks ago when all was in full bloom… Exclaiming over Queen Anne’s lace on the side of the road on the way to church… Stopping to take a photo of a thistle… Planting a garden. Making mud puddles. Noticing new blossoms on the oak
Here’s a little story about our nature studies over the last week… Insects. When a millipede interrupts math you just might have to open the front door to put it back outside. Capturing the millipede, gently in a paper cup, of course prompts an Eldest Boy to share a comparison list of millipedes vs. centipedes he recently learned from his Apologia Biology text. Opening the
Our November nature study grid has enjoyed a special spot on the chalkboard above the kitchen table. It’s easy to glance up then turn and take notice of our November world. One of the nature suggestions was to take a walk in the rain. So, one wet Wednesday we did just that. The Wednesday the cold front was coming in and our area was under
