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Backyard Nature Study | Tomatoes

Autumn· Backyard· Nature Journaling· Nature Study· Plants· Summer· Uncategorized

2 Apr

We’ve turned our focus on nature study into the backyard as we stay home and safe. Our cherry tomatoes self seeded themselves for the third year from fruit we allowed to fall last year and it’s been a bumper crop which has recieved very little effort on our part. We didn’t even stake them. Instead, we allowed them to flow over our planter boxes.

We were not the only ones enjoying delicious tomatoes, it seems we’ve had local visitors drop in for a taste. Our guess is that we’ve been sharing them with Noisy miners who frequent the backyard in search of spiders that have flourished in many nooks and crannies around the yard.

We went away for two weeks on a camping trip and when we arrived home the tomato bushes were laden with produce. We shared our crop with others but there were still a few bowls of tomatoes which were over ripe and juicy.

I decided to make a power packed tomato soup guaranteed to keep our family’s immune systems strong. It was a comforting meal enjoyed with a dollop of Greek yogurt on an autumn day which was quiet fresh.

I’ve begun a backyard nature journal featuring the veggies I grow, the plants that bloom and the insects who call our space home. After all, the love and appreciation we have for nature should spill out of our daily routines effortlessly. I think I may just add that tomato recipe to the diary too.

I included a list of pollinators who are currently buzzing about the tomato flowers slurping up nectar and distributing pollen.

To observe and journal nature is to take care of you. It’s a time for mother to reflect on and appreciate the little things in life which refresh the soul and mind.

Stepping outdoors, even if it’s just into the backyard to enjoy the sunshine or rain, allows mother to leave the pressures of home behind and take care of her mental health while watching the children play and learn as they encounter nature’s secrets. Mother can certainly join the children in their backyard adventures as they too, go out to play.

“If mothers could learn to do for themselves what they do for their children when these are overdone, we should have happier households. Let the mother go out to play! If she would only have courage to let everything go when life becomes too tense, and just take a day, or half a day, out in the fields, or with a favourite book, or in a picture gallery looking long and well at just two or three pictures, or in bed, without the children, life would go on far more happily.”  

Charlotte Mason.

I’ve learned over recent years that children learn best, and are happier, when mother walks beside them and learns along with them. We never arrive at a state of knowing it all. There’s always something new to discover as nature continues to surprise us. Our continuing education is just as important as our children’s, so don’t let ‘not knowing’ stop you from steeping outdoors to explore with the children.

I touch on mothers inspiring children to love nature and jouranl in the Australian Homeschool Summit 2020 in May. I hope you will join the conversation as we discuss embracing nature study effortlessly as it flows out of our daily lives, not as a science subject, but as a lifestyle.

Then step away from our discussion with 8 simple activities to immerse yourself in the outdoors along with a workbook full of nature study ideas and quotes to inspire and motivate your nature explorations.

I’m looking forward to ‘meeting’ you as we curl up on our couches, safe at home for this online homeschool conference which offers a connection with other home ed families in a private setting. Don’t forget your cuppa and snack. Mine will be coffee and chocolate of course.

If you’d like to know what other nature study topics will be covered in the workshop, then pop over here for more insight. See you soon!

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About Marie

Come, walk with me! 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. This is the purpose for the Australian Nature Study Guides for the Aussie homeschool family seeking to explore the outdoors and are not sure where to start. Outdoor adventures will become a regular part of your life as you make connections to the natural world with a sense of awe.

Homeschooling is a gentle amble for me since four of my five children are adults. I share my joy with things beautiful, good and lovely with my grandchildren where I live contently with hubby in rural South Australia.

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Testimonials

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/

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/

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/

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/

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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