Science and nature study in our home school hasn't always been
interest led. Whenever I tried to to teach using a preplanned or prepackaged science curriculum, it would inevitably fall to the wayside.
Wasted money. Tons of
guilt. But I quickly learned that when my children took an interest in something, whether it be space travel and the planets, or the marvelous, abundant things around them (frogs,
birds, snails, chickens,
decomposing deer, etc..)
true learning takes place and it is no longer a burden.
When they ask questions like, "Hey mom, what kind of bird is that?" I take that as my
cue and run with it. Exhausting
every bit of information I can get my hands on, keeping it as
fun as I can, while answering their questions as
thoroughly as I can, and yet being mindful not to make them
sorry they asked.
Using "living books" as opposed to a dry and
dull tome is a must. A living book is simply a book written by
someone, about
something, they are
passionate about. Their love of the subject shows and is
infectious to the young scholar.
Encouraging my children to start
collections or keep a sketch book of drawings helps them to remember what they have
learned. And it provides a way to go back and review if desired. I hope that it sparks a
life long desire to keep learning and creating.
And it's always nice when they bring you a bouquet of
wild flowers while out enjoying their surroundings. Miss. M brought me these
ajuga.
When children are
allowed and
given opportunities to explore and ask questions, then will the home school science lab become
truly sweet.
Science and nature study in our home school hasn't always been interest led. Whenever I tried to to teach using a preplanned or prepackaged science curriculum, it would inevitably fall to the wayside. Wasted money. Tons of guilt. But I quickly learned that when my children took an interest in something, whether it be space travel and the planets, or the marvelous, abundant things around them (frogs, birds, snails, chickens, decomposing deer, etc..) true learning takes place and it is no longer a burden.
When they ask questions like, "Hey mom, what kind of bird is that?" I take that as my cue and run with it. Exhausting every bit of information I can get my hands on, keeping it as fun as I can, while answering their questions as thoroughly as I can, and yet being mindful not to make them sorry they asked.
Using "living books" as opposed to a dry and dull tome is a must. A living book is simply a book written by someone, about something, they are passionate about. Their love of the subject shows and is infectious to the young scholar.
Encouraging my children to start collections or keep a sketch book of drawings helps them to remember what they have learned. And it provides a way to go back and review if desired. I hope that it sparks a life long desire to keep learning and creating.
And it's always nice when they bring you a bouquet of wild flowers while out enjoying their surroundings. Miss. M brought me these ajuga.
When children are allowed and given opportunities to explore and ask questions, then will the home school science lab become truly sweet.
8 comments:
You are the best! And such amazing photo compositions!
love it, Mom! :)
What kind of bird WAS it?
I like that monkey bowl! Is that Curious George?
I didn't know that part of the yoke was called the "eye." It's gross.
I think that was actually an eye forming in the yolk...and not a particular part of the yoke? Either way...gross. You can keep those out of my scrambled eggs.
Love it!
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
You are so inspiring Nancy, keep up the good work!
Lea
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