How to Begin (Charlotte Mason) Nature Study When you Know NOTHING About Nature

Nature study of the kind we imagine and fantasize about is very different from the "science" most of us public school graduates probably had. It can feel really overwhelming if you're starting from scratch and have very little knowledge of your local flora and fauna. It felt that way for me initially - but if you just take things slowly and steadily, you will be amazed at what you can learn. You will only wonder why it took you so long to notice all of the amazing things happening right under our noses.
Mentions:
Seek App
www.inaturalist.org/pages/see...
Handbook of Nature Study
a.co/d/c4ra4lV
Eyes and No Eyes Series - Arabella Buckley
a.co/d/3Mslazj
Dallas Lore Sharpe Books
a.co/d/4rzH6nc
Furneaux - Countryside Rambles
a.co/d/cksYtWs
Golden Nature Field Guides
a.co/d/dhoLUuP
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1:10 Public School Science vs Charlotte Mason Nature Study
6:40 Choose One Thing
7:58 Seek App
8:30 Handbook of Nature Study
9:06 Eyes And No Eyes
9:50 Seasonal Books
11:32 Identifying Species in Your Own Yard
12:02 Field Guides

[@donnamarie6840]

Free app that I enjoy is Merlin. It listens to the bird sound and tells you what it probably is. It's certainly made me more aware on my walks.

[@thetrampledrose21]

I really needed this! We had gotten a bird clock from a grandparent’s house recently and we noticed that we have a lot of American Robins around our apartment. Being in an apartment means that we have to be intentional about going out and studying nature, even though we live in a gorgeous, nature-filled state. Getting into nature really does start where you are and that’s enough to draw you out of doors. We’re just starting with nature study and the CMEC, too, so our goal for this summer is to really get into nature study so that by the time the winter comes, it won’t be so hard to draw us from our home! Thank you for the resources and recommendations. Great advice ❤

[@jessica_wood]

This made me smile! We don’t have much in the way of woods or trails near our house either so we have to be intentional about making it a habit too. I actually have this auction window bird feeder that could work really well in an apartment setting. I got it on Amazon and it’s been a huge boon to our bird watching!

[@heidib.4089]

Ha! I did goats in 4th grade. Great video! Super book choices.

[@jessica_wood]

Haha!

[@HosiePosie13]

I only just discovered Charlotte Mason and will be homeschooling my almost 5 year old next year but we live on a farm and nature study is kinda something we have been doing all along as he has come with me and my husband thorough our daily goings-ons on the farm. One thing we began doing a few years ago was observing the grass, weeds, and wild flowers around us using the Picture This app for plants (they also have an insect one, bird one, mushroom one, and I think others). It has been such a fun thing for me and my son to do together. He is always finding new plants (some toxic!) that we identify together and try to remember and name throughout our life on our property.

[@jessica_wood]

Yes! Those apps are the best and I'm REALLY starting to just now see my 5 almost 6 year old starting to get really excited about nature study.