Author: Ann

Blessed to homeschool in rural east Texas. Two graduated, one to go!

Motivation Monday

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“He who said, “Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not,” still invites mothers to lead their little ones to be blessed by Him. Even the babe in its mother’s arms may dwell as under the shadow of the Almighty through the faith of the praying mother. John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit from his birth. If we will live in communion with God, we too may expect the divine Spirit to mold our little ones, even from their earliest moments.”

From Heaven With Love, pg 343

Nature Study Week ~ Great Ways to Get Started

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For some families, nature study is a natural part of their lives and seems to flow easily and creatively.   Others may find that they need some help getting started.  There are some great free resources available for those  who need a bit of a nature study road map.

The Handbook of Nature Study blog is hands-down one of the best nature study blogs on the internet.  It is chock full of great resources, printables, ideas and nature challenges.   Plan to spend lots of time being inspired once you click over!

Pathfinder honors make great nature study mini-units.  There is an entire section of nature-themed honors, so you are sure to find something to fit your child’s interests and abilities.   There’s even a Wikibooks page featuring information to help you complete the honors properly.    Looking for something for a child younger than 5th grade?  Don’t forget that Adventurer club awards are great for the younger set.

 

The National Wildlife Federation’s  Get Outside promotion features some great search tools for finding nature trails and activities near your home as well as fun outdoor projects as close as your own backyard.

As you visit the resources we have shared this week, it is our hope that you have found ideas for making nature study a treasured part of your homeschool life.   Let’s not take the wonder of nature for granted and spend some time enjoying God’s glorious gift to us.

 

Nature Study Week ~ Craft Ideas

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Creative play ideas that incorporate nature study abound all over the internet.  Here are a few links to get you started.   Click on the source link below each picture to go directly to each site.

Objects found on a nature walk become nature-based crafts.

Source: momenttomomentdk.blogspot.com

15 Crafts Inspired by the Great Outdoors

                                                                 Source: blogs.babble.com

Craft Idea for Toddlers

Make a Bug!

33 Nature Art, Craft and Play Ideas for Kids

How to “Do” Nature Study

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The ways to incorporate nature study into your homeschool program are as vast and varied as nature itself. There is no single right way to “do” nature study. My family attempted to keep nature journals, but found that they did not hold our interest as well as creating bug or rock collections, gardening and raising animals. Consider the learning styles of your children when exploring nature study activities or projects.  You can be as simple or detailed as you’d like.  It may take a few tries before you find your nature study niche.

Nature Study Possibilities – each idea is a link that shows an example or gives more ideas.  Check them out!

  1. Nature Journals
  2. Collections – bugs, pressed flowers, seeds, etc.
  3. Gardening – flowers, vegetables, fruits
  4. Seasonal studies – exploring how the change of seasons affects a particular area.
  5. Specific location – natural activity near a spring or stream, in a forest or park, etc.
  6. Birdwatching – in the wild or from feeders at home
  7. Color – study of  color in nature
  8. Mini unit study on one subject
  9. Photography – developing photography skills while enjoying nature
  10. Jr. Naturalist – taking part in classes at a local nature center
  11. Edibles – focus on learning to identify the wild edibles in your area
  12. Checklist – use local field guides to find as many local birds/fish/insects/etc for your area
  13. Specialize – learn all you can about one item
  14. Fine Arts – develop drawing or painting skills while keeping record of things seen
  15. Animal husbandry – learn to keep bees, incubate and hatch ducklings, raise and train a puppy

Nature Study Week ~ The Spirtual Importance of Nature Study

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Today we share a collection of inspired quotes that remind us of the spiritual blessings to be gained from nature study.  Be sure to explore the links at the end for easy-to-implement ideas.

An Unfailing Source of Instruction—Next to the Bible, nature is to be our great lesson book. Testimonies For The Church 6:185.

Growth in Grace—Tell your children about the miracle-working power of God. As they study the great lesson book of nature, God will impress their minds. The farmer plows his land and sows his seed, but he cannot make the seed grow. He must depend on God to do that which no human power can do. The Lord puts His vital power into the seed, causing it to spring forth into life. Under His care the germ of life breaks through the hard crust encasing it, and springs up to bear fruit. First appears the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear. As the children are told of the work that God does for the seed, they learn the secret of growth in grace.

Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 124, 125.

Nature Illustrates Bible Lessons—Many illustrations from nature are used by the Bible writers; and as we observe the things of the natural world, we shall be enabled, under the guiding of the Holy Spirit, more fully to understand the lessons of God’s Word.

Education, 120.

Nature and the Bible Were Jesus’ Textbooks—

His [Jesus’] education was gained from Heaven-appointed sources, from useful work, from the study of the Scriptures, from nature, and from the experiences of life—God’s lesson books, full of instruction to all who bring to them the willing hand, the seeing eye, and the understanding heart.

The Ministry of Healing, 400.

His intimate acquaintance with the Scriptures shows how diligently His early years were given to the study of God’s Word. And spread out before Him was the great library of God’s created works. He who had made all things studied the lessons which His own hand had written in earth and sea and sky. Apart from the unholy ways of the world, He gathered stores of scientific knowledge from nature. He studied the life of plants and animals, and the life of man. From His earliest years He was possessed of one purpose; He lived to bless others. For this He found resources in nature; new ideas of ways and means flashed into His mind as He studied plant life and animal life….
Thus to Jesus the significance of the Word and the works of God was unfolded, as He was trying to understand the reason of things. Heavenly beings were His attendants, and the culture of holy thoughts and communings was His. From the first dawning of intelligence He was constantly growing in spiritual grace and knowledge of truth.
Every child may gain knowledge as Jesus did. As we try to become acquainted with our heavenly Father through His Word, angels will draw near, our minds will be strengthened, our characters will be elevated and refined.

The Desire of Ages, 70.

Ideas for adding a spiritual component to your nature study:

Bible verses to add to a winter or spring nature journal –  Look under “Winter Journal” and “Spring Journal”

My Bible First : Nature Corner –  Nature object lessons with a Bible verse.  Great for copywork! **SDA resource

Child’s Nature Journal example with Bible verse

Clouds in the Heavens– Nature unit study based on Psalms 19:1.  Free nine-page printable.

Nature Provides Object Lessons –  A simple activity that lays the foundation of a wonderful Bible/nature study. **SDA resource.

Tomorrow:  How to “DO” nature study.

Nature Study Week ~ What is Nature Study?

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Nature Study is exactly what its name implies: a study of nature. At the same time, it is much more than simply watching grass grow. In terms of True Education, It is making a conscious choice to spend time in nature, discovering and gaining a deeper understanding of the wonders of creation and our Creator.

Busy modern life does not make much room for time in nature. Time exploring out-of-doors has been crowded out of our busy schedules. It is amazing to think that many children (and adults!) have no real understanding of the natural world around them. They may know the basics of how plants grow or that leaves change color in the fall from science textbooks, but they do not have an intimate personal knowledge of these processes. Hands-on nature time is more of a novelty than the norm. Sadly, there are many who have no idea what they are missing from not spending time in nature.

Nature study is much more than simply science. It is mathematical expression, a record of history, and inspiration for literature, music and fine art. Nature study is an opportunity  to sharpen the powers of observation, to enrich and broaden our homeschool studies and most importantly for us as Seventh-day Adventist families – to draw our hearts closer to our Creator.

This week is Nature Study Week on the AHE blog. Please join us each weekday for ideas, inspiration and resources that will help make nature study a valuable part of your homeschool program.  Tomorrow: The Spiritual Importance of Nature Study

Motivation Monday

Ann3 Comments

“Children, Jesus, in order to show you your duty to your parents, passed through the period of childhood and youth. He laid aside his exalted character, and became a child, doing the duties which a child should do. For thirty years he submitted to parental restraint. Yet he was the King of glory, the Majesty of Heaven.

It is common for children, even of Christian parents, when not over twelve years old, to feel that they must be allowed to follow their own desires. And parents are ready to be led by their children, rather than to lead them. Instead of the parents, like Abraham, commanding their household after them, their children command them. For this reason many youth come up with habits of selfishness and idleness. They are vain, proud, and headstrong.

The life of Christ demonstrates to all youth that a life of industry and obedience is favorable to the formation of good moral character, firm principles, strength of purpose, sound knowledge, and high spiritual attainments. Most of the youth of the present day cherish a love for exciting amusements, which is unfavorable for high attainments in mental culture, and for physical strength. The mind is not kept in a calm, healthful state for thought, but is, much of the time, under an excitement; in short, is intoxicated with the amusements it craves, which renders it incapable of close application, reflection, and study.”

 

Youth’s Instructor,  September 1, 1873