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The past couple of weeks, I have been participating in a great challenge hosted by Barb at Heart of Harmony, Green Hour Challenge. As a result of her challenge, I have purchased the book Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock and have eagerly started to use it to supplement/enhance our nature studies.
Through this challenge, I have also come to discover a plan developed by Ambleside Online that I have tweaked to suit our location and interests. The basic premise is that over the course of 6 years, topics will be rotated and the material in the book will be covered throughly.
Year 1
Spring Term - Birds
Summer Term - Garden Flowers & Weeds
Fall Term - Amphibians & Fish
Winter Term - Mammals
Year 2
Spring Term - Reptiles
Summer Term - Wildflowers
Fall Term - Trees
Winter Term - Invertebrates
Year 3
Spring Term - Lakes & Ponds
Summer Term - Crops & Flowerless Plants
Fall Term - Rocks & Minerals
Winter Term - Climate and Weather
Year 4
Spring Term - Wildflowers
Summer Term - Invertebrates
Fall Term - Mammals
Winter Term - Amphibians & Fish
Year 5
Spring Term - Garden Flowers & Weeds
Summer Term - Trees
Fall Term - Reptiles
Winter Term - Birds
Year 6
Spring Term - Crops & Flowerless Plants
Summer Term - Streams & Riparian Zones
Fall Term - The Skies (Astronomy)
Winter Term - ???
This is meant to be a guide to our studies... allowing us to have a focus when we venture out for our nature walks. It provides a starting point from which to explore and learn. We are not restricted to these topics and of course, if one expresses interest in something different, we will of course pursue it.
I like having a plan. It is nice to have an outline or map to fall back upon to assure we continue. Otherwise, I fear that nature study may get pushed aside when we get busy.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
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5 comments:
That is a very cool plan!
I like how each topic gets covered twice, but in different seasons. I'm thinking of revamping my schooling style a bit this coming year. So this has given me good food for thought. Thanks. Makita!
Excellent! That’s a great plan! I think you may have just inspired me!!!
Lisa~
Very neat idea. :o) I like seeing it all laid out and having different focus area's broken down like that of a year.
But... it scares me a little plan something out so many years ahead of time. I have found my "plans" seem to change from year to year. Sometimes every other month. :o) LOL
Definitely food for thought. Thanks so much for sharing. :o)
~Tina
I like this and am saving this post to ponder over the summer when I do planning, I would like to come up with a picture book list for each topic.
Thanks everyone! I'm a planner but I'm also very flexible... I am certain this plan will evolve over time and we'll make adjustments according to interest, etc.
A book list sounds great, though a lot of work in prep... I generally just go to my library's online card catalog and request nearly everything they have on a topic. They have it waiting for me to pick up by the next day or so. :D
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