nature study routines and resources
There are many ways to do nature study with kids of all ages. What's important is that you find a way that works for your family, whether that's following a curriculum like Exploring Nature with Children, casually winging it when you notice something outside or something in between.
Nature Study Rhythm
Nature study is part of our weekly rhythm. Right now, we do nature study on Wednesday afternoons. For us, nature study goes as follows:
Throughout the week, I point out things that might be good for nature study. Maybe we noticed something on a hike, in our yard, or at farm school. I say out loud, "Ooo, this might be good for nature study!" The kids usually agree. We snap a picture or video.
When we sit down to do nature study, we start with books. We pull out reference books for whatever we observed earlier in the day/week and read. We have various nature reference books, so chances are what we observed is in one of them. If not, google to the rescue.
We sketch in our nature journals with a pencil.
We use watercolor paint to paint the sketch.
Later in the day or the next day, we use a pen to outline anything that needs outlining and label our work.
Nature Study Resources
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We have a variety of resources and reference books on hand. These are our go to resources for nature study. We tend to base our weekly nature study on something we noticed on a hike or playing outside, so it's helpful for us to have a variety of reference books to look up something quickly.
Nature Anatomy, Farm Anatomy, Food Anatomy, and Ocean Anatomy by Julia Rothman
We use these books every week, they are fantastic. If you are new to nature study, starting with Nature Anatomy would be my top choice.
1000 Things in Nature by Hannah Watson
This is great for pictures and flipping through. It doesn’t have a lot of details, though.
This is an amazing resource with beautiful photographs.
Exploring Nature with Children is a weekly nature study curriculum. This is an amazing, affordable resource for anyone new to nature study. You can follow week by week or jump around. This curriculum can be supplemented with Anna Botsford Comstock’s Handbook of Nature Study.
Nature Journal Supplies:
Part of our nature study rhythm is recording our observations in our nature study journals with watercolors. I have had many conversations with the kids about how these nature journals are a special place to record our nature observations. I emphasize making a plan before we start sketching. Their nature journal is not a place to tell a story with their painting. If they want to draw/paint the whole story, I give them watercolor paper to make a different painting.
Watercolors
It’s worth investing in a decent watercolor set for you/your older kiddos. We are currently using Cotman Watercolors (half pans). These are not good for younger kiddos who might inadvertently get them in their mouth.
Watercolor Brushes
We have a variety of brands and sizes. I am currently using Grumbacher Goldenedge brushes in several sizes.
Nature Study Courses:
Nature Journal: A 14-week Course and Full-Color Book by Kristin Rogers
I have participated in several of Kristin’s mini-workshops and they were wonderful. This course is on my to-do list. This is geared towards parents (or older kiddos).
No Sweat Nature Study Live Courses with Cindy West
The Homeschool Sisters recommend this and so far, all of their recommendations have been great. No Sweat Nature Study is a subscription based class for kids. Too much on your plate? Nature not your thing? Outsource it!
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