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How to do Nature Study if You Can’t Get Out into Nature.

Backyard· Nature Study· Plants· Uncategorized

1 Jun

We are all living in a strange time of forced lock-downs and controlled movement. You may be feeling like nature study is harder than ever.

Or it may not be the lock-down that is preventing you from getting out and about. It could be sickness or the logistics of getting many little ones ready to go on a walk. I couldn’t manage to organize myself enough to get my family out the door for a long time. It was a constant battle of finding shoes, changing nappies, and feeding babies. I felt like nature study was just one more ‘thing’ on my list of things I didn’t have time for.

As I write this, it is not my lack of organization that is preventing us from going out on a nature walk. It is another forced lock-down. Thankfully, we live in a beautiful spot, so I can enjoy nature at my backdoor. But I know this is not the case for all of you. I want to help by bringing a little bit of nature to you. Perhaps, I can help you enjoy nature with your children this week, even if it is from your living room table.

Come with me and explore the beauty of MOSS. There’s no need to go out! No need to find everyone’s shoes, hats, and drink bottles. Just take time to breathe and admire God’s amazing world from your home.

There are many ways to do nature study from your home. Reading a good book, listening to nature music soundtracks, watching a video, looking at field guides, drawing or painting, perhaps even making a model. Your nature study can cover English (reading, writing, copy-work), Math (measuring, weighing, counting, graphing), Science (Botany, Biology, Chemistry, Physics), Art, Literature, Music, and Poetry. It doesn’t have to be another ‘thing’ on your huge list. It can be incorporated into everyday life.

Where would you like to start? Do you love poetry? Here is a poem you might like to read and talk about as you come and study MOSS with us.

Poem by Jean Ingelow – Public Domain

If your children love to write, they could write their own poem about Moss, or copy this one into their Copy-work books. While they are writing, do you think they might enjoy listening to the sounds of nature? There are some lovely soundtracks on YouTube. As they listen, you could ask them what they hear; water, frogs, perhaps birds? Can they imagine moss growing on the logs and rocks?

Do they enjoy drawing or painting? I love these pictures by Ernst Haeckel, from His book, Art Forms in Nature.

https://archive.org/details/KunstformenDerNaturErnstHaeckel

I was inspired by Ernst’s work to create my own moss art. As I took out my pencils and paints, the children all found their own nature journals. An afternoon of drawing and painting helps us all enjoy our time indoors.

Listening to a story is also a fun activity. Here is one called Little Moss Big Tree, written by M. Yap-Stewart. At the end of this video, the children are encouraged to create their own Moss Terrarium. You may be able to find some Moss growing in your backyard or between the concrete on the footpath in front of your home. If not, and you would like to create a terrarium, you can purchase kits from here. What a lovely way to bring a bit of nature into your home!

If you would like to add a bit of science to your moss study, why not research the Moss life cycle or learn about Tardigrades. National Geographic has an article HERE. There is a colouring page HERE. Or you can watch the Wild Kratts video.

We were SUPER excited to actually see a Tardigrade when we studied Moss through our Microscope!

Remember, nature study doesn’t have to be super involved. You can sit on your back porch, or look out your living room window. We have even spent time watching birds through a window, while one of the children was in the hospital. You can enjoy nature, even when you can’t get out of the house.

If you would like to study moss further, there are more ideas and lots of information in Volume 2, lesson 7.

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About Jo

Jo: Wife, Home-school Mum and Homemaker

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We have outdoor expeditions to undertake and adventures to embark upon. We’ll explore the outdoors together, side by side, and uncover miraculous mysteries, and secrets. We’ll wander, and wonder in amazement as we become familiar with the Australian fauna and flora.

I desire to come alongside you in the muddle, making nature study the joy it’s meant to be.  Outdoor adventures will become a regular part of your life as you make connections to the natural world with a sense of awe.

Testimonials

Valerie

I totally enjoy using the Nature study guide. The children enjoy learning about the different animals and plants.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:51:39+10:30
I totally enjoy using the Nature study guide. The children enjoy learning about the different animals and plants.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/valerie/

Sally

We have really enjoyed the program this term. We have gotten outside more often and the children are definitely taking more notice of things when we are out. Having a place to share what we have done and seen has been an encouragement to keep it up. I sometimes felt like we could spend longer on some topics as they were so interesting but that is probably just my obsessive "we must cover everything now" problem. 
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:48:30+10:30
We have really enjoyed the program this term. We have gotten outside more often and the children are definitely taking more notice of things when we are out. Having a place to share what we have done and seen has been an encouragement to keep it up. I sometimes felt like we could spend longer on some topics as they were so interesting but that is probably just my obsessive "we must cover everything now" problem. 
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/sally/

Rachel

We began our homeschool journey this year keen to explore all that nature study entails. I had searched the web for weeks to research what we would use as our framework. I cannot describe the elation I felt when I came across an AUSTRALIAN nature study guide! Marie has done all the hard work and put together a wonderfully elaborate resource for all ages. You can dip your toe in or dive right into all the ideas and links. There’s so much here we could spend all week doing nature study, and often we do.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:53:11+10:30
We began our homeschool journey this year keen to explore all that nature study entails. I had searched the web for weeks to research what we would use as our framework. I cannot describe the elation I felt when I came across an AUSTRALIAN nature study guide! Marie has done all the hard work and put together a wonderfully elaborate resource for all ages. You can dip your toe in or dive right into all the ideas and links. There’s so much here we could spend all week doing nature study, and often we do.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/rachel/

Cheryl

We didn’t find out about the program until about half way through term, so we played catch up most of the time. I love how open ended the lessons are, but with enough structure to work well for those children needing such a program. We have been able to cover much of the required curriculum whilst enjoying the activities we love. Your program has been such a blessing to us, because we needed a change to our homeschooling lessons which would still cover curriculum, but would enable us to relax and enjoy “school” together. Thank you.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:50:47+10:30
We didn’t find out about the program until about half way through term, so we played catch up most of the time. I love how open ended the lessons are, but with enough structure to work well for those children needing such a program. We have been able to cover much of the required curriculum whilst enjoying the activities we love. Your program has been such a blessing to us, because we needed a change to our homeschooling lessons which would still cover curriculum, but would enable us to relax and enjoy “school” together. Thank you.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/cheryl/

Sarah

Absolutely love the activity books my whole family can learn together and it’s Australia based. Highly recommend
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:52:01+10:30
Absolutely love the activity books my whole family can learn together and it’s Australia based. Highly recommend
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/sarah/

Jessie

I looked high and low online for an Australian nature based curriculum and when I found Australian Nature study Guide on Instagram I was so excited to have finally found something that my family can relate to. My favourite thing about this guide is that Marie is so hands on and involved with her customers. I have never felt alone in the journey, she is there to guide and encourage us every step of the way in the Facebook group. Thanks Marie for welcoming us to your nature study family 🙂
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:52:36+10:30
I looked high and low online for an Australian nature based curriculum and when I found Australian Nature study Guide on Instagram I was so excited to have finally found something that my family can relate to. My favourite thing about this guide is that Marie is so hands on and involved with her customers. I have never felt alone in the journey, she is there to guide and encourage us every step of the way in the Facebook group. Thanks Marie for welcoming us to your nature study family 🙂
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/jessie/
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