Look Closely

It's just an old log, right?
Nature Study is teaching children that there is wonder to be found, even in a rotten, decaying log.

Did you ever pause and wonder how those little holes got so round? And what made them? And how are those intricate crystals woven so delicately in that tiny little space? All these mysteries, sitting, like bumps on a log, waiting to be discovered. (I'm sorry, I can never refuse a good pun!)

Anna Comstock writes, in her Handbook of Nature Study, "Nature Study consists of simple, truthful observations that may, like beads on a string, finally be threaded upon the understanding and thus held together as a logical and harmonious whole." (p.1)

I think of connections, and how we learn by connecting ideas and experiences. Everything we learn is the foundation for more learning, Ms. Comstock's "beads on a string."

I think back to a couple of summers ago when we found brilliant blue jellyfish scattered all along the beach. We found out that they are Button Jellyfish. And now, looking at this solitary log, I see those jellyfish again in the crystals that have gathered in the holes. Do you?

Google Image of a Button Jellyfish

A wonderful book to use with children and studying nature is: The Private Eye. This book teaches children how to hone their powers of observation by using jeweler's loupes (5X) and analogy to study nature. "The Private Eye is a program about the drama and wonder of looking closely at the world, thinking by analogy, and changing scale." (From the back of the book)

 I used to think that I couldn't have Nature studies with my children because they don't always want to draw what they see. Do I? No. So why do I expect my children to? Nature Study can be just as profitable to children by simply observing the wonders of God's creation. I am sure Charlotte Mason would have used a camera if she had had one at her disposal!

"Nature study cultivates the child's imagination, since there are so many wonderful and true stories that he may read with his own eyes...at the same time nature study cultivates in him a perception and a regard for what is true, and the power to express it."
~Anna Comstock

It is worth mentioning that the first week I went walking every day, the children did not express a desire to come. When I came back from my walks replenished and enthusiastic, they wanted to have a share in that! Like most areas of home learning, children want to be part of what energizes their parents! Enthusiasm makes a great leader!

It helps to bring a basket or bucket to collect specimens. Make sure you teach your children what is appropriate to collect and what is not. Yesterday we had an impromptu lesson on trees and roots, when Sam wanted to pull an entire sapling out of the ground. We decided to wait until Spring, when we could replant the sapling.

Emily came on our walk yesterday, and she used my camera to take some incredible pictures. Cameras are wonderful to use for nature study, but if you don't have one, for heaven's sake, don't let that be an excuse for not doing it!

photo credit: Emily Smithdeal

photo credit: Emily Smithdeal

photo credit: Emily Smithdeal

photo credit: Emily Smithdeal

photo credit: Emily Smithdeal

photo credit: Emily Smithdeal

photo credit: Emily Smithdeal

Aware

I overheard a smart and observant little girl at the grocery store today. She looked to be about eight, and she was in the produce section with her mother. She was trying to put a word together, and I heard her say,"Plum. P-l-u-m...add an 'e' and it makes 'plume.' Mom, what does plume mean?" I was excited about the little girl's discovery and disappointed by her mother's less than enthusiastic response: "Oh. That must be one of your new 'list' words. What should we get for dinner tonight?"

It was kind of funny that the grocery incident took place this afternoon, because earlier in the day I was struck by the sizable vocabulary in this book:





Keep in mind, I was reading to five children, ages two to ten. Here is some of the vocabulary in the book:
whopper, hauled, coincidences, revealed, apoplectic (confession: I had to look this one up), proceeded, devoted, pleasantries, peering, tam-o-shanter (Mary Margaret asked about that one!), satisfy, portcullis, ragged, sheepishly, gasped, sumptuous, gnashing, phase, clutching, prospered, etc...
Do you get the idea? The kids were enjoying every minute of this delightful story, and so was I!

Who knows, maybe the mother and her daughter in the store went home and looked up the word, "plume," together. I hope so! At any rate, I was thinking about all the opportunities we have to teach our kids that might we miss if we are not in tune! We learn so much just from simple conversations. Of course, there are days when we are tired or busy with another child, but if we aren't careful it can so quickly become a habit to be non-responsive to our children's queries. It's all about AWARENESS and really listening to another person.

Ahhhhh...I fall so far short of awareness. Thanks for allowing me to digress; I have renewed my ambitions to be present and interested in my children and what they have to say!! Every moment we can begin anew...Every moment we can begin AWARE!

Some thoughts on learning and life in general~ My philosophical blog (the long story)

Another "Living" Book!

We went to the library today to hear a lovely recorder concert, followed by free pizza. Doesn't get any better! I happened to run into a good friend of mine and her children. We went downstairs to let the children play and browse through the books. I always find another treasure when we peek in the picture book section. This time it was a book about Gregor Mendel, the priest who did genetic experiments with peas. The pictures are lovely, and I was excited to find a "living" book about a famous scientist. Come to think of it, I will go read it to the children right now! Happy reading!

Finding Knuffle Bunny

Knuffle Bunny, one of our favorite books, tells the tale of Trixie, the little girl who leaves her beloved "knuffle Bunny" at the laundromat.
Our washing machine died last week, hence we ventured to the laundromat this morning to do some washing.

The children have never been to a laundromat, and Tommy was very excited to see that it was just like the laundromat in Knuffle Bunny!
In an effort to really fan the flames of Tommy's excitement, Ben said: "Tommy, I think this is the exact laundromat where Knuffle Bunny stayed. Maybe we can find him!"

I can't remember the last time I've been to a laundromat, and there was a very helpful gentleman(Fred, I found out) telling me how to run the new washers. He didn't work there, but he said he frequented the laundromat often.

I was off to load the laundry, and I heard Tommy come up to Fred and say, "Where is Knuffle Bunny?"

"What?"

"Where is Knuffle Bunny?"

Somehow, Fred caught on. "Oh. I'll tell you what happened to Knuffle Bunny. I think somebody left that door open and Knuffle Bunny walked out to find some of the juicy little leaves and carrots growing in the middle of the parking lot."

Tommy looked at Fred with definite understanding and headed out the door. Two minutes later he was back.
"Excuse me. I didn't find him out there. Do you know where he went?"

"Actually," Fred patiently replied, "I think the bunny moved across the street into the Pet store. I'll bet you could go visit him there!"

All the laundry loaded, we headed across the street to Pets n' Pals. Wow! What a great little field trip. So many animals they had: fish, dogs, ferrets, snakes, love birds, giant frogs and turtles, and even a sailor-mouthed parrot ...but best of all bunnies! We found Knuffle Bunny nestled in a cozy home in the back of the store. Tommy and Anna were amazed!

Later on I heard Tommy telling Oliver that: "Knuffle Bunny lives at the pet store now. We saw him today!"

I just love when the day unfolds and we go off onto unplanned "rabbit" trails (couldn't resist). Somehow the learning always seems richer and more exciting when it hasn't been all planned out!

Mary Margaret's Library Card And A Creative Closet

Mary Margaret got her first library card tonight, and you would have thought it was Christmas! She went around the library with her own little bag and filled it to the seam-ripping point! Once she was home she stacked her books beside her bed for some cozy reading time.It is amazing to me what an incredible resource the library is. We also went to a terrific concert at the Library featuring Kim and Jimbo Cary.



Our "older" house does not have much in the way of closet space. I was tickled to find this "closet" Emily made in her room yesterday:

Sam's Recipe

Sam (8) woke up hungry for French Toast this morning. As it was quite early, I was still in dreamland. He came in my room, armed with pen and paper, and asked for the recipe. As Sam is not much of a "reader" or "writer," I was wondering how he was recording (and at lightning speed) the recipe I was giving him (half asleep). He left my room excitedly and proceeded to make himself some delicious French Toast. Here's what I found when cleaning the kitchen a couple of hours later:


I had no idea what it was and asked Sam. It looked like some kind of Egyptian writing to me. He said: "Oh. That was my recipe for the French Toast. The first picture is an egg with a one under it to show one egg. The second picture is a picture of a cup with a one over it to show one cup of milk. The third picture is a fork to show that I stir the mixture with a fork. Then I put a picture of cinnamon being sprinkled in the bowl. The next thing is a four, to show that I put the burner on number four. Then I put a picture of bacon grease to show that I have to grease the pan, and finally I put a piece of bread to show that I dip the bread and put it on the pan."

Wow! This was pretty amazing to me. Not that Sam is some kind of genius, as great of a kid that he is; it has to do more with another important part of the learning equation: relevancy. In order for learning to really take place, the information has to be relevant to the learner. Oh, and maybe us moms have to sleep in a little more often!!

How Children Learn~Part 3~Making Connections

Last year I wrote a post on a neat connection we made while driving into town. I also wrote about a day when Mary Margaret was busy making connections. Ever since then I have been mindful of how much we learn by making connections.Learning does not happen in isolation; meaning, everything we learn is connected to something else we have learned. It is fun to see all the ways we connect topics on a day to day basis. Here are a few of our 'recent connections' :




Sam and I were discussing the large icicles hanging from the windows. I mentioned to him how they are like stalactites and stalagmites in a cave. This launched us into an on-line search for pictures of caves.



Oliver made this really cool snowflake, making the connection between the shapes of trees and a snowflake pattern. This was his own idea!!!


And most exciting...today- after Sam mastering the art of pancake making, we found out through a friend that this week is "National Pancake Week," and IHOP was celebrating National Pancake Day with free pancakes. We then looked up the origins of Pancake week, and found out that it is a "Fat Tuesday" tradition (I guess it got displaced on our calendar!)
A while back I read a neat book on connection making. Outside Lies Magic, by John Stilgoe, opens the reader's eyes to the possibilities of connection making in the world around us. Just the introduction to the book was motivating and captivating. I encourage you to check it out of your local library, if possible.
Well, I have a sick child who needs me now, so I will leave you to your connection making! Enjoy the ride!

How Children Learn~ Part 2~Doing

Children Learn by doing. They are happiest (especially when young) to be involved in grown-up activities. My children have a little wooden kitchen that they do play with. But given the choice, Anna would do the 'real ' dishes any day!



As she feels the water running through her hands, I tell her what she is feeling..or I will ask her a question- "Does the water feel warm?" "Are you going to use soap to clean the dishes?" All the while her vocabulary is expanding, and she is feeling different sensations. The sense of touch is very important !



Another important aspect of 'doing' for children is the parents' ability to let go. In other words, we need to let go of higher standards and control over every situation. This morning I inwardly cringed as I sent Sam downstairs with Mary Margaret and Tommy and only verbal instructions on how to make pancakes. He repeated the ingredients to himself all the way down the stairs. When I finally made it down, he had made pancakes start to finish! We need to let our children mess up- or not mess up! Sam did an incredible job, and he was so proud to serve me breakfast!




I can't recall how many times Will has fixed something-even big things like tillers and lawn mowers, because we let him have at it. I have to remind myself of letting the kids "do" on a daily basis, because it's too easy to get comfortable with not wanting to bother with the mess .Fill your home with creative things to do! It doesn't have to be fancy! One thing we have had off and on over the years is a giant 'make-it box.' It is a huge Rubbermaid container filled with junk!: cardboard tubes, pipe cleaners, boxes, string, etc...Just last night Will said, "Remember when I always made rain hats from the 'make-it' box" .... Oh, How I wish we had had blogging back then!!!

How Children Learn~Part 1~ Discovery

Display:



Touch:

Discover:

Create a home where there are possiblities to imagine and discover~ A home that is interesting, that invites learning.